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The conversation veered off the serious course, as it often did when Cale came over to his Hyung's place to play. Somehow Cale and Alberu ended up playing "Is this the God of Death's fault" game. Cale gleefully provided evidence to the examples Alberu provided, and somehow every time the answer was yes. All throughout, Alberu noticed how Cale's eyes were strangely bright. He was under no illusion that his sworn brother was simply that happy to see him. It was suspicious. So when finally Cale's answer to his question was "No, actually it wasn't him" Alberu braced for a blow.
- But how are so sure?
With an airy voice, as though throwing leaves into the wind, Cale answered.
- Oh, that's because I killed him.
- Oh, of course, he couldn't have done that since you..
... you killed...
... him?
Alberu turned his head so sharply he heard a crack in his neck.
- Dongsaeng, what.
Cale was simply smiling, wide, pleased smile, like a cat that caught the canary, the hamster, and the squirrel.
It bears notice, that this was the third time Alberu asked those same questions.
- So you woke up, and there was a piece of paper on your chest. A letter.
- There was, Hyung-nim.
- But then you read the letter, and it was so full of bullshit you immediately passed out from anger?
- And you saw a mysterious figure wearing a black veil, whose voice you recognized as the God of Death.
This time, Alberu also didn't wait for a response.
- Since you thought it was a dream you decided to release some frustration and started to hit the figure until it fell down and then you kept kicking.
- Yes, Hyung-nim. I kicked a lot.
- And when you woke up, you found out that you were unconscious for three days and Ms Cage sent you congratulatory flowers and a crate of wine.
- Yes, Hyung-nim. The expensive one.
For a brief moment, a deep, unnamed emotion could be seen in Alberu's turbulent eyes, as strong and passionate as Cale's desire for a slacker life.
Cale could swear there was an audible snap, as if a string that was stretched to a maximum finally gave out.
Alberu stood up, walked around the desk and to Cale. With a blank look, he took the jar from Cale's hands, sat beside him and started to mindlessly chew the cookies. As a master of the activity, Cale could tell Alberu was not thinking about anything.
Cale reached over to take a handful of the cookies from Alberu's jar. It was nice to have someone join in on his favourite activity.
A week later, after some self reflection, Cale found himself once again sitting in his Hyung's office.
The sight of Cale with his hand in the cookie jar made Alberu feel a tad weird. Distant and floaty, as though there was a great monster behind the veil and his brain was telling him not to look.
But Alberu was not someone who cowered before monsters, and the one in front of him was tame and could be appeased with snacks.
He weighed the pack of sweet tea in his hands. One that Cale brought over and asked him to brew.
- Can't you drink it at home? Why are you asking me to do it.
He recalled the Ron-enforced order on lemon tea that his dongsaeng complained about only after thoroughly checking if the butler was not hiding behind the curtains, under the desk, in the trash bin.
- ... Dongsaeng, did you bring it for me to brew because you can't drink it at home?
- That is not the case, Hyung-nim.
- After we slacked together last time, I thought it would be nice to try out your hobbies, hyung.
Alberu, who had no memory of ever slacking with Cale, put aside the confusion.
- Do you like brewing the tea, Hyung-nim?
Alberu found, that it was never a good idea to pry into Cale's business when it was not necessary. So he simply answered the question.
- Well, I guess so. I do it a lot.
- But you can ask a servant to do it for you, yet you do it on your own. So you must like it, yes?
The reddish-brown eyes seemed to demand honesty. Alberu deeply considered his answer.
Half an hour later found them both on Alberu's bed, with Alberu laying across it with his head in Cale's lap.
- And it calms me down, but is it really because I find it fun? It is a necessity, though. Or do I rely on the routine of it to make myself feel better? I can't see myself not going to the training grounds no matter how tired I am, and I've done it despite pulling three all nighters in a row, and it does make me feel safe to know my own strength and know that I can handle most dangers on my own, so maybe I am mistaking this feeling of security as enjoyment-
Cale listened to Alberu's rambling with a faraway look on his face.
Cale thought he might be in over his head. He was not a sword freak like Choi Han or any of his hyungs.
He was not qualified for this.
He didn't know what exactly set off Alberu.
He considered calling for help, but. Somehow, it was his questions that made Alberu weird. It was his fault, so he needed to take responsibility.
- It's alright hyung. We can try out different things and see if you like them.
Alberu looked hopefully into his eyes.
- So you will agree to spar with me?
Cale's face screwed like a squished lemon.
But no matter how often he called Alberu hyung, he was still the older one. He could help out this punk a little bit.
That doesn't mean he will not bargain.
- But Hyung, don't you have an Instructor for that?
- Isn't sparing with Instructor-nim considered work? I thought you wanted me to find what I enjoy outside of it.
Cale sighed deeply.
- Alright. I will join you for a spar.
Cale, who recently discovered the joy of doing nothing with others, quickly added.
- But only if you agree to slack with me as much as we spar.
It was a win-win. Alberu would not ask him a lot if it meant he had to loose twice as much time.
Alberu, who did not remember ever slacking together with Cale, decided that Cale must mean one of the activities they have already done before counted as slacking. Then, it should be fine to agree.