After Kamal and Malakai's fight

**After Malakai’s fight with Kamal in Chapter 28

R sorted through his ink pots. He had spent years systematically collecting as many colours as he could. Which meant he had a rather extensive selection to choose from. Calligraphy had always been calming to him. It was one of the few areas in his life he had complete control. Every curve and blot were his and his alone.

He chewed his lip. Blue was definitely the colour he wanted to use; he just wasn’t sure which shade though. He stared into the inky depth of the dark blue. It seemed a little on the sad side. Maybe a lighter hue would be better.

His door crashed open, ricocheting off the wall. It was a miracle he didn’t drop one of his bottles. He let out a huff of frustration. There was only one person who entered his room like that.

“Malakai,” R said. “I’ve told you not to do that.” He placed the bottle of ink down. Decision made; light blue was today’s colour. He turned and gasped. “What happened?”

Malakai’s beautiful face had a rapid purple bruise forming on his cheek. R rushed forward to cup his face and inspect the bruised lump.

“I’m fine,” he grumbled, but didn’t move out of R’s grip. “It’s fine.”

“What happened?”

“Kamal happened.”

R’s eyebrows shot up. “Malakai,” he said disapprovingly.

“What?” Malakai tensed. “You just assume that it was my fault?”

“Was it?”

“Technically, he hit me first.”

R tilted his head to the side. “And why did he hit you?”

Malakai gave him a smouldering look. “Would you believe me if I said I did nothing?”

R shuffled him over to the bed and sat him down. “No, I really wouldn’t.” R ignored Malakai’s blatant distraction attempt and pulled out some ice from the box which kept his juice cold. He wrapped it in a cloth. “Here.” He passed it over to Malakai.

Malakai took it reluctantly. “What flavours do you have?” he asked gesturing to the box.

“Pomegranate or apple,” R said, already pulling out the apple.

“Pomegranate is disgusting.” Malakai wrinkled his nose to emphasise his distaste for the flavour.

R handed over the apple juice. That’s how he felt about apple, but it was Malakai’s favourite flavour. He sat on the bed and swung his legs over Malakai’s. “Is the ice helping?”

“Yes,” Malakai grumbled. He was never happy to be the one that needed help. He pulled R’s legs further into his lap.

“Now, are you going to tell me what happened?”

“Nothing, I was saying some things about Wren…” He paused. “And about Sam.”

R’s mouth dropped open. “You didn’t.”

Malakai shrugged. “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”

R rolled his eyes. “It’s interesting how many times your good ideas end up with you here, needing ice.”

“I like it here.” Malakai pulled R closer and attempted to nuzzle into him.

R fended off the nuzzle. “Oh no, you’ve got an apology to make.”

Malakai groaned and flopped back onto the bed.

R bounced up and grabbed Malakai’s arm. “Come on, Kamal deserves one.”

Malakai stood and wrapped an arm around R’s middle, pulling him in close. R felt like melting right there. Being this close to Malakai always made his brain turn to jelly.

“What about what we deserve?” Malakai said in a low voice and pressed his lips against R’s. It was a desperate and passionate kiss and R met him with the same fervour.

It held everything they couldn’t tell anyone in case it got used against them. They couldn’t even let anyone suspect how they felt towards each other.

R pulled away abruptly. Another distraction. Malakai moved down to kiss and suck on his neck. R had to give it to the guy; it was a good distraction. “We have to check on Kamal.”

“Can’t we just stay here?” Malakai nipped at the junction between R’s neck and shoulder.

R gasped and pushed Malakai off him. If they kept at this, there would be no leaving this room. “You’ve finished your chores for the day?”

“Yes.” Malakai’s hands crept out, touching R’s body. More distractions.

R shook his head to clear it. “I’ve got no more work for the day.”

Malakai’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Yes, but you have to apologise to Kamal first.

Malakai sighed. “Fine.” Then he gave R a quick peck. “You’re too intent on making me a good person.”

“You are a good person. Just too stubborn to admit it,” R countered. He smiled happily at his victory.

“If I admit it, would it give me extra points? Could I stay tonight?” Malakai paused before he opened the door.

“I don’t know.” R chewed his lip. “What if someone notices you were gone all night?”

“No one will notice,” Malakai promised. “I just want to wake up with you in my arms.”

His voice was so earnest that it tugged at R’s heart strings. He leaned forward and gave Malakai a short, passionate kiss. “Okay.”

Malakai gave him a dazzling smile; it was the smile that first made R fall in love with him. Not that R would say that. Because as soon as they left this room, it was all gone again. It was the same every time. And every time he mourned the loss of it.