1.

Unlike the others who had been adjusted to the lifestyle of the future, Brice hadn't known much about the urban life of New York City. Despite living in America for approximately over a year, he's still grown to the conditions of the wild — the way night was practically silent, how the air smelled fresh, and the need to hunt for survival, rather than shop. Everything seemed to be too convient in this place; he didn't like it once bit.

In isolation, he was free to do whatever he'd like. Consistently making appearances in public granted him to be on his toes — smile and wave as if he was being filmed every second. It didn't help that Crafted rarely told him about the differences in society, whether subtle to grand.

Brice studied for press conferences as if he were going to be killed if he had not gotten a proper approach towards them. Adam attempts to convince him otherwise, that the press isn't too harsh on the questioning, but America's "Golden Boy" couldn't be less than prepared (take note that Brice is Australian; Team Crafted has no clue how the press had given him that nickname). Nonetheless, he flips through magazines as if they were his life line, reads through articles like they were nutrients. It didn't help that Seto helped feed this "hunger" of his.

"How about the nuclear testing in North Korea?"

"Do you have anything to say to the opioid crisis?"

"Opinions on ongoing terrorist schemes?"

"Do you believe the government is handling the country properly?"

Seto and Brice go back and fourth with the question-answering session, making the whole tower spin on its end. At this point, Jason's surprised that neither one of them had budged. Seto usually despises talking, reverting back to his hermit nature whenever possible, while Brice isn't what you'd exactly call "smart" per-say.

Of course, regardless of all the preparation, no one could know what the reporters would ask them (other than Seto, who refuses to talk about the future as it would go against "Sorcerer Law"). Jason knew the worried expression on the brunet's face almost like he knew his right hand — something's bound to go wrong.

It starts out simple, with most of the questions aimed at their leader, Adam. He takes them, choosing not to answer any of the vague questions but rather generalized ones. The rest of the group follows, of course, asides from Tyler, who slipped up quietly. Brice, surprisingly, has taken the questioning quite well — a bit too well.

"Mr. Solace, what's your opinion about gay marriage?" one of the reporters questioned. "Your life in isolation didn't see much progression, I'm assuming, so the concept must be new to you."

There was a pause — Brice normally didn't freeze up like that. Granted, the question sounded a bit offensive, especially with the reporter's tone. Regardless, he ponders for a moment, glancing momentarily at Seto who shrugs, letting his wrist flick as if he were saying "just answer it." 

"I think it's pretty great!" Brice exclaims in his natural happy-go-lucky accent. "Letting people marry whoever they want is amazing — very progressive. Ain't that right, Seto?"

The brunet giggles absentmindedly, a soft smile on his face, "Of course it is, Brice."

Jason and Adam nearly topple out of their chairs.

2.

It had been a couple days since that "incident" which brought a strange outcry. Mitch had suggested suing the reporter for all the apparent repercussions with the press (let's just say Brice and a giggling Seto were on the cover of many magazines and articles), but Jerome said to simply leave it be. This didn't stop the team from bickering, however.

"They must be sleeping together or something," Jason says one early morning, a determined expression on his face, "they've gotta be."

"Would you drop it and leave them alone?" Ty scoffs, rolling his eyes. "The two are friends, what do you expect?"

"Before they weren't," Adam insists. "Seto would coop himself up in the library at all hours, only coming out to eat! Even then, they never talked!"

Now, there was a full-on debate happening in the kitchen. Without any context, it wasn't obvious what they were arguing about, which allowed Seto to stroll into the room without batting an eye. He makes himself a cup of coffee, black with no sugar, leans against the counter, and takes a tired sip. It looks like he'd just woken up — too drowsy to function.

Brice comes in moments later, muttering about not getting enough sleep because of his recent art project, and strolls right up to the brunet. He takes the coffee cup away from him, taking a large swig and nearly downing the whole thing in seconds. He passes it back to Seto, yawns, and heads towards the fridge. Seto, without questioning anything, takes a painfully slow sip.

"You realize there's more than one mug in those cabinets, right?" Ty questions, horrified.

"Yeah," Brice pokes his head out from the fridge, "so what?"

"Oh my god—" Adam wheezes, trying his best not to holler.

3.

Coming back from missions was usually difficult for anybody, let alone soloing one. Brice comes back around midnight after a two-day long assignment, requiring him to track, and take down, a well-known assassin. He's not particularly bloody, thankfully, but he does look tired.

"Good job, Solace," Bodil congratulates him from the kitchen island. He's face-deep into some cereal, despite morning not officially arriving until eight hours later. Brice doesn't reply, but instead mutters something about wanting to sleep. Adam, Jason, Ty, as well as an interested Bodil, all watch as he settles down on the couch.

Seto, as if like clockwork, comes out of his room carrying blankets and a couple pillows. He raises Brice's head, placing the pillow beneath his neck, and wraps the blanket around him. To everyone's surprise, Brice moves over, making room for him. Seto shrugs, getting comfortable himself before snuggling closer to the other's body. They fall asleep in that position.

"So gay," Jason smirks, opening his hand towards Ty. Over exaggeratedly, he rolls his eyes and slaps a $20 bill into his palm.

4.

"I really don't get how you look so composed all the time," Mitch converses with Seto one afternoon, a pair of dice being tossed up and down from his hand.

"I don't get what you mean," the brunet shrugs as he continues to fold laundry. Adam is sitting not too far, listening in to their conversation. He's definitely sure that those aren't his own clothes that he's folding — and he's also sure that shirt Seto's wearing as pyjamas is Brice's. It's way too big on him.

"You always smell nice, like are you using women's shampoo or something? Women's deodorant?"

This insult seems to tick Seto off, as he pauses for a moment, ceasing to fold. "Okay — just because I'm not as masculine as anyone else doesn't mean I have to use feminine products."

"Come on, Sorcerer Supreme," Mitch continues, his grin widening. "You don't have to lie — your face is beet red! Maybe you share some shampoo with Aphmau since she always smells nice! You and her always get along so well~!"

Adam knew they both never seen eye-to-eye before, especially after Mitch's betrayal and return, but little debates like these always expand into something greater.

Seto takes no hesitation with dashing straight towards the bathroom, determined to prove him wrong. It happens that Brice is in that god damn bathroom, showering. Adam hears the water stop, as well as the curtains open. Their voices echo down the hallway.

"Brice, where's my shampoo?"

"I was just using it — are you arguing with Mitch again?"

"Perhaps I am. Would you be so kind as to passing it?"

"Yeah sure—" there's a short pause, followed by a small fuck as the bottle falls onto the floor.

"Butterfingers."

"I just got out of the shower, what do you expect? After you're done arguing with Mitch, get me a towel, yeah?"

Seto rushes out moments later, vigorously throwing the bottle at an awestruck Mitch with a cocky expression written all over his face. Adam doesn't see the label, but he's sure as hell that isn't some feminine hygiene product.

"Seto, come back and close the door! Get me a towel, too!" Brice shouts.

"Right, sorry!" Seto scampers off into Brice's room, presumably getting a towel, and back into the bathroom. He closes the door, not coming out until Brice does.

Mitch and Adam stare at each other, dumbfounded, without saying a word.

5.

"You all are taking this way too seriously," Ty groans while he scrambles his eggs. They're going to be burned — Adam can smell it.

"Seto walked into the bathroom like it was the most normal thing! He didn't even make an attempt to shield his eyes!" Mitch exclaims, banging his fist on the table. "Not only that, he didn't even come out until Brice was finished changing!"

"They're both guys, give it a break," Ty huffs, plopping down the burnt scrambled eggs onto a serving plate. "Speaking of the two love birds, where are they?"

"Both of them snuck out yesterday night, haven't been back since," Jason yawns, leaning back in his chair, "the security cameras caught them. I did a little digging through all the cameras in the city and it turns out they went to a small cafe, stayed there for a couple hours, then rented a hotel room. They're definitely tying the knot."

Ty stutters something profound before regaining his composure, "What are you trying to prove at this point — that you're all stalkers?"

"Possibly," Jason and Adam say in unison, clinking their mugs together in cheers of their discovery. Ty rolls his eyes.

+1

Crafted finished their debriefing meeting about the latest battle in Maine, which was more than a success as they've, once more, kept peace on the planet. With everyone eager to leave the room, Adam decides to drop one more question.

"So—" he begins, gazing at the two suspected lovers, "—Seto, Brice."

Ty has this uncanny look of terror on his face as he shakes his head "no." Jason slaps his hand over his mouth, preventing him from speaking any further.

"When are you two planning to tie the knot?" he says like a giddy teenage girl. Seto nearly chokes on his tea.

"I beg your pardon?" the Sorcerer replies in his formal voice.

"After dating for so long, I thought you two would've been married by now," Jason comments, snickering a bit in excitement.

"We aren't dating," Seto splutters, face growing red. "W-What the hell makes you think that?"

"Then what was that sly giggle at the convention?" Jason questions, frowning,

"It was an inside joke between Seto and I!" Brice shouts, frowning.

"Drinking from the same mug?"

"Shut up, we were both too tired to realize."

"Sneaking out late at night together?"

"Yeah — to a god damn workshop in a cafe for art! We rented a hotel room because going back would be dangerous — I don't know how to drive and Brice drank alcohol!"

"Well what about sleeping together and going into the shower—"

Brice rolls his eyes, pulling Seto up from his seat and dragging him away. The two exit the tower, following a quiet elevator ride down. Once they arrive outdoors, they speak, making sure the cameras don't catch them.

"...Wanna go grab some ice cream?" Seto bargains, a small smile on his face.

"Only if you pay, 'cause I paid last time," Brice replies. Seto stands on his toes, planting a sloppy kiss on the blond's lips.

"There's my payment," Seto grins, taking his hand and strolling down the sidewalk.

"You're lucky I love you — but was it that obvious that we were dating?"

"I don't think so."