❖ RESCUSE IN THE CRYSTAL CAVES ❖ (B/Beaux)

Beaux stared out the train window, not focusing on anything in particular and letting his mind wander. Beyond the glass, landscape flew by at a steady pace, creating a stream of color but no particular shape. The angel’s mind was on his destination, Sakuramori. It was rumored to be a spooky place with odd creatures and ever odder people. However, he was secretly excited to see the crystal caves in which they had to explore despite the solemn mission that required it. Beaux was ever-fascinated by pretty things.

The train gave off another loud blast of its horn, shaking Beaux from his thoughts. He glanced over at Doppo to see if the red-haired man was awake. Though they were ranked equally in the Rune Knights now, the older man was still his mentor. Being only eighteen, it was natural for Beaux to need some guidance and training outside of Knight duties. He was the youngest Major General at the moment - and maybe ever.

Doppo didn’t appear to be asleep, though he was staring at his lap. Beaux was about to return to his mind’s wanderings when the man across from him spoke up. His voice was quiet but the words he spoke were clearly heard by the younger Knight. Beaux’s face began to redden from his chin to his ears. Such topics were never discussed in his homeland and kept extremely private and taboo. Despite being away from Napedia for so long, he still felt uncomfortable talking about it with anyone who wasn’t a partner. It was something forced into his upbringing so deeply that he couldn’t seem to shake the shame he felt about it. For Doppo to bring that up to him at all, let alone in public, made the angel ripe with embarrassment.

“Er… well…” Beaux stammered, nervously fiddling with the buttons on his Rune Knight uniform. He didn’t even notice that Doppo called him the wrong name again. “I-I suppose it is a big topic…” The angel wanted nothing more than to disappear into thin air so he didn’t have to continue this conversation.

”Yes, I am,” Beaux replied to Doppo’s blunt question, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. The embarrassment he felt was incredibly evident in his pink cheeks. He hadn’t had a serious discussion about his sexuality in a long time. Back home, it was always something suppressed by his caretakers. If anyone found out what he was, it would reflect poorly on his family in Napedian society. Any talk of unspeakable topics such as sexuality were frowned upon, and in some cases illegal. The boy hadn’t even been able to bring himself to say the word until he was a young teen, and even then it was when he was alone and out of earshot.

Beaux looked up to see Doppo staring at him and touching the tips of his fingers together. He took a quiet, yet sharp inhale. The angel knew his mentor wasn’t exactly the most socially adept. He often was blunt and completely unaware of social norms. But doing this little hand motion in public? On a train with others around? Beaux wanted to melt into the floor and disappear.

The younger Knight quickly reached a gloved hand out and pushed Doppo’s hands down and out of view of any other train-goers. “Mon Dieu!” he gasped, “Why are you-? That’s n-not how it works-” Beaux stammered, completely flustered. His instinct was to correct the man’s assumptions that were demonstrated by his hand motions. But was he really prepared to explain how his sexuality worked out loud? There was no way for him to explain the awkwardness of this topic to a man who wouldn’t - or couldn’t - understand the impact of social norms.

”Well, I-... yes?” Beaux stuttered. The hand motions were something a kid would laugh at but it seemed that Doppo was being earnest. If he weren’t incredibly embarrassed, the angel may have been in awe of the honesty of his superior. There was no mocking or amusement in the motion or the topic. It seemed that the other Major General only wanted to help.

However, Beaux was near frantic. How was one to end this discussion without being rude? His mind raced over the possibilities. The angel could only watch like a deer in headlights as Doppo reached into his bag. After rummaging around for a moment, he brought out a banana and a box of condoms. Was this his makeshift version of a sex ed class?

Beaux inhaled so sharply that some of his own saliva got caught in his throat. That sent him into a coughing fit. He attempted to cover it up with his sleeve as not to draw attention of other people. The Major General sunk into his seat as the coughs racked his body, watching Doppo’s demonstration. It was hard to see as his eyes were watering rapidly. After a minute the coughs ceased and he could breathe normally again.

As his mentor’s eyes dropped down after mentioning size, Beaux instinctively crossed one leg over the other. He wasn’t about to confirm or deny that information. Beaux was convinced that he had actually died and been sent to his own personal hell. The only thing that could make this worse was if they were in front of an audience. He made a mental note that if hell existed and he was ever sent there, that he knew exactly what to expect.

Relief came in the form of the slowing of the train. They had arrived in Sakuramori at last! Beaux leapt to his feet, eager to escape the demonstration as fast as possible. “Er, I’ll meet you outside the terminal! I must use the men’s room! Au revoir pour le moment!” the angel chirped in a forced cheerful tone, then made his way to the exit of the train without waiting for Doppo. He didn’t really have to use the restroom, but perhaps he could take a moment to recover there. Beaux worried that he was too rude and abrupt with his departure.

Beaux took a moment to catch his breath in front of the sink, even splashing some water on his face. He was still red with embarrassment! The color began to fade as he relaxed a little. Oh, what an awful moment that had been. The angel rubbed his forehead and let out a sigh. Hopefully Doppo would never bring that subject up again. It was Doppo though, so he obviously saw no social issue with talking about it. “Bon Dieu,” Beaux muttered to himself, then straightened up and left the restroom to head to the terminal entrance.

Upon reuniting with his mentor, the angel looked towards the mysterious forests that blanketed the distant landscape. He was intrigued to see what they would find along this mission. Sakuramori was a wonderful and mysterious place. “Which way are we supposed to head?” Beaux asked, avoiding eye contact.