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[worldinnovator]

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[foxofthefae]

[It's a good thing this is over the devices because Jun doesn't have to worry about schooling his expression, just his voice.]

There's a difference between friendship and what the three of you have, Sinbad, and that is a wide, wide gap.

[He's pretty sure none of that annoying pining leaked out...]

[worldinnovator]

Considering Aspen was a stranger to us not that long ago himself, it's not as wide a gap as you think.

[foxofthefae]

[There's a strange sort of noise that's probably meant to be a chuckle, but Jun doesn't quite manage it.]

Different situations, Sinbad. Surely you don't need me to point that out.

[worldinnovator]

You might, actually, because I don't see a difference at all.

[ He's completely 100% serious here. ]

[foxofthefae]

[Jun's voice gains an edge, suddenly a bit cold.]

Truly, Sinbad?

[worldinnovator]

[ Sinbad gives a small sigh before answering. ]

Yes, Jun, truly. What is it you think separates you so far from the rest of us? Because I truly do not see a difference at all.

[foxofthefae]

Plenty of things, but first and foremost being the three of you are--and please correct me if I'm wrong, though I doubt I'm that far off--a married couple who have both fallen in love with Aspen.

[worldinnovator]

[ There's a pause before Sinbad abruptly bursts into laughter, tickled pink by this assumption. ]

Would you believe me when I tell you both Judar and I fell for Aspen before we started dealing with feelings for one another? Despite having known each other for most of our lives?

[foxofthefae]

...you can't be serious. I called you Ja'far's husband the first day I met him and he didn't correct me.

[worldinnovator]

[ This just prompts more laughter. ]

Aspen has also called us an old married couple on multiple occasions, you're not the only one to think that.

[foxofthefae]

[He sighs.]

Clearly I underestimated your ability to read people because dear gods, Sin, it was painfully obvious to a disoriented stranger that you two were married.

[A beat.]

Or you were just willfully oblivious because of anti-fraternization laws but I doubt you care about those.

[worldinnovator]

Well, that's fair. [ Sinbad is still chuckling, amused. ] To be fair, things were always just a little busy where we came from. it was always right off of one adventure or danger into another. Or there was paperwork about those dangers and adventures. The thinking was different. We've always been side by side, but both of us being brought here made us look at things in a new light.

....This place being such a sensual and sexual-enforced setting probably helped. I'm not sure Ja'far ever paid attention to such things much before, unless it was scolding me for my fondness for it.

[foxofthefae]

And it's much harder to ignore any affectionate feelings when the man you're falling for reaches for you after sex.

[---dammit, that's present tense. Not past. Is that a slip?]

[worldinnovator]

It is indeed. [ Sinbad's voice is fond. ] Something I'm sure you'll find out, the more you're with us.

[foxofthefae]

Unfortunately, my contract with Aspen will be up soon.

[worldinnovator]

[ There's a moment of thoughtful surprise on Sinbad's end. ]

Are you not planning on renewing it with him?

[foxofthefae]

That's not my decision to make.

[worldinnovator]

[ Sinbad just scoffs in derision. ]

Then you haven't been paying attention to how Aspen does things.

Do you want to renew with Aspen?

[foxofthefae]

What I want won't matter if Aspen doesn't want to renew our contract.

[So yes, he'd like to.]

[worldinnovator]

So you would like to renew the contract.

[ Why is getting a straight answer out of you like pulling teeth? ]

[foxofthefae]

[Because half of his job is dodging questions and distracting.]

I don't want to contract with a stranger, obviously, so yes, I would like to renew my contract with Aspen when the time comes but again if he doesn't want to it won't matter. I'm sure Syeira would step in, if it came down to it.

[worldinnovator]

[ Not with Sinbad, it's not. ]

I'm sure she would, but I think you should still let Aspen know you'd like to contract with him. He sometimes gets sidetracked in making sure what's best for his partner, too, and prioritizing their wants above his own. So if he gets the idea that you don't want to contract with him...

[foxofthefae]

And if I told him I did, he would renew it regardless of if he wanted to and wouldn't tell me otherwise.

[worldinnovator]

.....

[ There's a long pause at that before Sinbad huffs out an exasperated breath. ]

You're both a pair of stubborn idiots, I hope you realize that.

[foxofthefae]

Stubborn, yes. Idiot, debatable.