Water droplets glistened in the sunlight as they rolled over taut chest muscles. Long, light-colored locks of hair cascaded beautifully down broad shoulders. Well-defined biceps flexed as practiced fingers gathered the loose strands up and worked a generous amount of soap into them. The waist-high water did not leave much to the imagination…
"Careful Partitio. If your jaw drops even further, I think you might lose it in the river."
"Huh?"
Partitio jumped, startled, water splashing around him as Temenos watched him with an eyebrow raised. The group of travelers were on their way to New Delsta and had stopped mid-way to wash up in the river that wound through the Brightlands. This was the first time they had bathed in the wilds since Partitio realized his feelings for Osvald, and he was finding it very hard to concentrate on anything but Osvald's impressive physique.
"T-Temenos, not so loud…" Partitio stuttered, and he was glad that Osvald was out of earshot of them. His cheeks flushed pink as he cupped water into his hands and splashed it over his face, effectively snapping him out of his flustered state.
Temenos sighed and shook his head, reaching up to rub the towel that was sitting on his head against his hair. "You're not doing a good job of being subtle about your feelings, you know."
"C'mon, it's kinda hard when Osvald looks like that." Partitio gestured towards Osvald with both arms, just as the scholar dunked his head under the water to rinse the soap from his hair.
"You make a compelling argument. Osvald certainly has many enticing physical attributes. And just think of what he could be hiding under the water…"
"Temenos, please." Partitio covered his face with his hands and shook his head. "I thought you were supposed to be helpin' me, and this teasin' of yours sure isn't helping one bit."
"My apologies," Temenos laughed and slung his towel over his shoulder, "I just can't help but tease you a little bit."
"I think 'a little' might be a bit of an understatement…"
"Anyway, here's your advice:" Temenos glanced behind him, and Partitio followed his gaze to see that Osvald had gotten out of the water (and had thankfully already put his towel on). "I have noticed that Osvald sometimes has trouble brushing that lengthy mane of hair, so you should go and offer to help him with that."
"You sure he'd agree to that?" Partitio asked as he raised a dubious eyebrow.
"If it's you asking? Absolutely."
"Hmm…" Partitio rubbed at his chin. Osvald was usually more open and relaxed with him than anyone else in their merry band, but even still…this seemed a bit more…intimate…
"A-Alright, if you say so."
"Ah, one more thing…" Partitio had started to head to shore, but he paused and glanced back at Temenos, "Do remember that Osvald's primary objective is to get revenge for his murdered family. I wager he will not be receptive to anything directly romantic at this time, so do be sure to mostly focus on being a friend that he can lean on for the foreseeable future."
Partitio closed his eyes and nodded; that made a lot of sense. He certainly didn't want to disrespect the memories of his wife and daughter by trying anything when Osvald was hurting like he was. Partitio wasn't that kind of man, and he was first and foremost Osvald's friend. If their relationship eventually did have a chance to deepen, he would let it happen naturally.
Taking a deep breath, Partitio let it out slowly before giving Temenos a thumb's up and shooting him a grin, "Don'tcha worries Temenos, I'll be the best friend that Osvald could ask for. Thankee kindly."
"Yes, yes, now get going, before you lose your chance." Temenos waved him off, and Partitio scrambled out of the water and onto the riverbank, giving his hair a quick towel dry and throwing on his pants and hat.
He found Osvald sitting on a log at their campsite, frowning as he tried tugging a brush through his thick hair. Osvald had his pants on, but his upper half was still naked, and Partitio had to bite his cheek to keep himself from ogling his bare chest.
"Hey, Osvald!" Partitio waved a hand as he moved to sit on the opposite side of the log, and Osvald turned to look at him over his glasses.
"Did you need something, Partitio?" he asked, and Partitio shrugged as he rubbed at his neck.
"Well, uh, I just noticed you strugglin' a bit with that big ol' mane of yours, so I was wonderin' if you'd like some help wranglin' it." Partitio's heart raced when Osvald eyed him with that intense, scrutinizing look of his. After a few agonizing seconds ticked by at a snail's pace, Osvald nodded and held his brush out to Partitio.
"...I'd like that." Partitio blinked slowly when the brush was placed into his hand, and he smiled as he closed his fingers over the handle.
"Yeehaw! I'll get those long locks lookin' spick and span in no time!" Partitio grinned when Osvald chuckled and turned his back to him. He fell silent as Partitio started to gently brush his hair, trying his best not to let his eyes wander too often to Osvald's exposed shoulders.
Osvald let out a sigh when Partitio ran the brush over his scalp, and he had to use all of his self-restraint not to randomly run his fingers through his soft hair. He could practically see the tension ooze out of Osvald's back and shoulders, and Partitio was glad to see him relaxing for once.
"I had forgotten how nice this feels." Osvald's comment came unprompted, which surprised Partitio. "My wife never really liked it when my hair got too long, but my daughter…She loved brushing my hair, and seeing how happy Elena was never failed to silence Rita's protests."
Partitio suddenly froze mid-brush, and he dropped the hair that he was holding. "Aw, shoot Osvald, I didn't mean to…I can stop if ya want me to-"
"No, don't stop…Please." Osvald cut him off, glancing over his shoulder, his eyes locking with Partitio's. "Those memories are…bittersweet, but precious to me. I don't mind sharing them…with you, anyway."
"Me?" Partitio was glad that Osvald and looked forward again, because Partitio knew that his face had flushed.
"Yes…For some vexing reason, I feel…lighter, talking of my family with you. You put me at ease, Partitio…and I do not have the faintest idea as to why."
Partitio's jaw dropped as he resumed his brushing of Osvald's hair. This was…certainly an unexpected revelation, and Partitio's chest grew warm as a fond smile crossed his face. Even if Osvald didn't return his feelings, he was just happy to be someone that Osvald felt so comfortable letting his guard down with. And maybe someday, he would come to care for Partitio in the same way that Partitio cared for him…
"Wahoo! Pops, Parti!"
Partitio quickly leaned backwards as Osvald shifted away from him in a practiced movement, so that Ochette had room to launch herself onto his back. Partitio had learned rather quickly after joining this group that Ochette's favorite spot was hanging off of Osvald's shoulders, and she really liked snuggling up against his hair for some reason.
"Wow, Parti! You did a great job brushing Pops' hair, it's so fluffy!" Ochette laughed as she wrapped her arms around Osvald's neck and rubbed her cheek against his hair.
"I'm glad I earned the Ochette seal of approval!" Partitio slapped a hand to his knee as his laughter joined hers, and he even heard Osvald let out a chuckle.
"C'mon Parti, group hug!" Ochette said, and Partitio let out a startled yelp when she grabbed his arm and yanked him towards Osvald. His cheek ended up smooshed against Osvald's bearded one, and Ochette's iron grip around them prevented the two men from escaping.
"O-Ochette, this is too close…" Partitio heard Osvald protest, and Partitio just snickered, silently relishing in the contact.
"Aw shoot, might as well accept your fate, Osvald! Ochette'll only let us go when she wants to." Partitio glanced at Osvald out of the corner of his eye and met his gaze, and Osvald let out a defeated sigh, but he wasn't able to hide the smile that crossed his face.
"You're right. How such strength fits in such a tiny package escapes me."
"Hehe, I'm just full of surprises!"
"Well, you three seem to be having fun."
Partitio looked up to find Temenos grinning at them, while Hikari gave them a wave. Osvald suddenly stood up, knocking Ochette off of him and almost knocking Partitio off of the log. Ochette sat up, her ears flat as a deep pout set on her face.
"Aww, Pops! What'd you do that for?" she whined, and Partitio grinned as he watched Osvald clear his throat as he turned to grab the rest of his clothes from the neighboring log; the flush in his cheeks did not escape the merchant's notice.
"W-We should get moving," Osvald muttered, busying himself with packing up the camp as Castti, Agnea, and Throne returned from their bathing. Partitio met Temenos' gaze and the latter shot him a wink, and Partitio shot him a quick nod in return before he got to work. His time brushing Osvald's hair had been brief, but Partitio felt like they had become closer. He only hoped that deep down, Osvald felt the same way…
"Look here, partner. Whole place's wild as an unbroken horse."
"The raw energy is…incomparable. And the air…it's so fresh."
Osvald closed his eyes as he took a deep breath through his nose. Clockbank was an impressive town, but New Delsta was on another level entirely, and no matter how many times they came here, Osvald was always given pause by the awe of it. Partitio grinned as he slung an arm over his shoulder.
"Smells like a deal to me!" he said, flicking the brim of his hat with a finger, and Osvald chuckled as he shook his head. Laughter seemed to come easier to him these days, and Osvald concluded that Partitio had a lot to do with that.
For the most part during this journey of his, he had avoided talking about Rita and Elena, as the pain he felt while doing so was overwhelming. However, when Partitio's fingers brushed through his hair, he was filled with a sense of peace that he hadn't felt in a long, long time. That feeling had prompted him to make that comment about how Elena liked to brush his hair.
That…confused Osvald, for reasons yet unknown to him. The more time that he spent in the merchant's company, the more comfortable and at ease he felt. It was not the same with his other traveling companions, and that further perplexed him. Why was Partitio so different?
"Hey, Osvald! Help me out here!"
Partitio's voice snapped Osvald from his thoughts, and he saw that Partitio had run ahead and was crouching over someone on the ground. Osvald's eyes narrowed as he ran to him and kneeled on the other side of the collapsed man. He sighed and shook his head after Partitio gave him his bread, and he crossed his arms over his chest. He knew this starving, scatterbrained scholar very well indeed.
"It is in a scholar's nature to keep records no matter how dire the situation, isn't that right, Regulus?"
"Osvald? It is you, isn't it, Osvald!"
A small smile crossed his face as he conversed with his old academy friend, and soon enough he and Partitio had been recruited to help with his latest invention inspired by his research.
"Hoo-ey! This is mighty excitin', ain't it Osvald?" Partitio said as they stepped out of the tavern. Partitio stowed Regulus' money in his coat, and he turned to Osvald with a glint in his eyes. "Seein' the stars up close, why that's a mighty fine dream that ol' Regulus has."
"Indeed." Osvald looked at Partitio over his glasses with a raised eyebrow. "But, you'll get no help from me. Indulging him is never a good idea."
"Aw, c'mon partner! He's your friend, right?" Osvald gave him a slight nod and Partitio nudged him in the side with his elbow. "Plus, if we help him out, he might let us see this astronomical whatsit when he gets it up and running!"
Osvald opened his mouth to say no, but the look that Partitio was giving him gave him pause. Fiery determination blazed behind Partitio's bright blue eyes, and that made Osvald feel like this might not be a waste of time. How odd that such an irrelevant thing would change his mind so quickly…
Humming as he tugged at his beard, Osvald let out a chuckle and shrugged. "You do have a point. I must admit, I too am curious about the idea of seeing celestial bodies up close."
"Yee-haw! That's the spirit!" Partitio slapped a hand to Osvald's back as they went searching for the materials that Regulus needed. Osvald let Partitio do all of the leg work once they found who they were looking for, and he was impressed at how skilled at negotiating the young merchant was. His charisma and charm were at a level that Osvald had never seen contained within one person before; he truly did have a gift for the art of commerce.
"Heh, like taking candy from a baby!" Partitio said when he had successfully bartered the last item that they needed. Osvald smiled as they made their way to the theater to meet up with Regulus.
"I'm impressed, Partitio," Osvald said, and Partitio turned to look at him with wide eyes, "You certainly are a high-caliber merchant. I learn quite a bit just watching you in your element."
Osvald tilted his head when Partitio's face flushed a bright red and he rubbed at the back of his neck. "S-Shucks, thanks a lot, Osvald. Hearing that from you…really means a lot."
"Why? I don't follow." It was just an observation that Osvald had made. It would be different if he was commending Partitio's progress with learning fire magic; Osvald was an expert and praising Partitio for that would tell the latter that he was improving. Osvald was not an expert merchant, so Partitio shouldn't think twice about his comments on the subject, as it would do nothing to help him improve.
"Er, well…" Partitio cleared his throat as he pulled the brim of his hat down, shielding his face, "It's just that…We're pretty close friends by now and uh, I r-really value the things that you say. Y-Yeah, that's it, there's no other reason-Hey there's Regulus!" Partitio sprinted off ahead when he saw Regulus waving at them, leaving a very confused Osvald in his wake.
"Hmm, curious…" Osvald mumbled, rubbing at his chin as he made to follow Partitio. They gave Regulus his materials and bid him farewell, promising to visit him when his telescope had been completed. Regulus departed, and Partitio ran off shortly after, mumbling something about needing to help Castti and Throné with their shopping. Osvald decided that he needed a coffee after dealing with Regulus, so he made his way to the tavern.
Plus…Partitio's odd behavior was at the forefront of Osvald's mind. His brow furrowed as he sat at a table in the tavern, which was quiet at this time of day. He took a generous drink of his black coffee, hoping that the bitterness would adequately stimulate his mind.
Partitio was a laid-back individual and had a habit of saying exactly what was on his mind at all times. However, Osvald had observed him becoming flustered during some of their conversations, most recently today when they were on their way to meet with Regulus after procuring his requested materials.
Another time was when they were in Conning Creek, when Partitio had found him at the beach after their confrontation with Stenvar. Osvald had observed Partitio's face suddenly flush red, and he had deduced that he might have had a fever. When Partitio recoiled at his touch when he tried to check, Osvald thought that maybe he had an aversion to being touched.
That was illogical, however. Osvald had observed Partitio giving physical affection to all of their companions in different forms. Osvald himself had been on the receiving end; Partitio lifting him into the air when they first met, various times having his arm thrown over his shoulders, Partitio placing a hand on his arm when they had visited Osvald's old home, Partitio brushing his hair for him, the hug that they had shared with Ochette…
Osvald's face scrunched up as an odd pit formed in his gut. What was this feeling? Anxiety? Nervousness? Nausea? It was perplexing…but not the first time he had felt it. No, the first time was when he had carried a drunk Partitio from the tavern to the inn in Clockbank, when he had said that he cared for Osvald and then said his name in his sleep. What did this all mean?
"Ah, here you are, Osvald."
Glancing up over his glasses, Osvald gave Temenos a slight nod as the latter sat down next to him, a glass of wine in hand.
"Hello, Temenos."
Temenos gave him a once-over before his mischievous gaze lifted to Osvald's face, and he sighed; he knew this look of his. It was the one that Temenos gave those unfortunate souls that he was about to interrogate.
"So, my esteemed scholarly friend," Temenos said, folding his hand together on the table, "What do you think of Partitio?"
"...I don't follow." Osvald narrowed his eyes, his grip tightening slightly on his cup. Osvald didn't appreciate having his thinking time interrupted by banal chatter, so he hoped that Temenos had a point to this.
"Come now, Osvald, this isn't difficult." Temenos chuckled as he took a sip of wine. "Is he a friend? Just an acquaintance, a traveling companion? Tell me in your own words, please."
Given the intensity of his gaze, Osvald concluded that Temenos wasn't going to leave him alone until he answered his questions, so he begrudgingly decided to humor him. "Partitio is…a friend. He offers a much different perspective than me on some subjects, and I find that I learn a lot from him. He is also a fine student of magic."
"...Is that all?"
"...Yes?" Osvald narrowed his eyes as Temenos laughed and shook his head.
"Are you sure that you don't have any…other feelings for him? Some that might be unexplainable?"
Osvald considered the possibility that Temenos might have some impossible ability to read minds before tossing that out as balderdash. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the cleric.
"What the hell is the point of this, Temenos?" he said coldly, "I am not some random civilian that you can interrogate for any scrap of information that you please."
"Oh, I am well aware of that, Osvald," Temenos crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair, "Let's take a different approach here: What if I told you that Partitio harbors some very affectionate feelings for you?"
"...What?"
"Do I really have to spell it out?" Temenos groaned and dragged a hand down his face, "Fine. Partitio has romantic feelings for you, Osvald."
Osvald's face went blank, and his chest tightened considerably. This was…illogical, impossible. Why would Partitio harbor such feelings for him? Osvald was a bitter shell of the man that he once was, whose heart was filled with the fires of revenge and nothing else.
"What if Partitio did lo-" Temenos continued, but he was cut off when Osvald slammed his fists onto the table, knocking his empty cup over.
"It doesn't matter," Osvald snapped, and he abruptly stood, "Because I forgot what love was a long time ago…" His voice trailed off at the end, and he turned around with a flourish of his coat before stalking out of the tavern without another word. He didn't - he couldn't - feel that way about Partitio…
"Oh dear…The scholar doth protest too much, I think…" Temenos sighed and swirled his glass of wine as he watched Osvald leave. "So intelligent, yet so hopelessly oblivious to his own feelings." He knew that he wasn't going to get anywhere else with Osvald, so Temenos had no choice but to take a different approach:
It was time to ask Castti for help with this matchmaking endeavor of his.