<i>Not the way that I like you.</i><br/><br/>Basren's chest felt tight, a flush spreading over him. Sovele was rarely so vocal about his affection toward him. It must have been a bad night, what with the queen leaving and the knots he could feel had formed in Sovele's shoulders. He was momentarily quiet, basking in that warmth, until Sovele chose to pull him around on the desk. He shimmied up on it, his fingertips still trailing on the fabric of Sovele's shirt, seeking what contact was allowed.<br/><br/>A small spell. "Yes, when he first arrived. He--" Best not mention that the statue was<i>repulsive.</i>"Perhaps the journey down stole his breath. But he recovered quickly enough."<br/><br/>Needling remarks followed. Maybe Alaras would settle for him. Sovele was smiling at him--teasing, it had to be. Basren gave him a mock pout, but couldn't quite keep his own sardonic smile in check in the face of Sovele's.<br/><br/>"I'm sure he has his sights higher than someone like me," Basren said. He gave Sovele a long, hinting look. "It was difficult to get him to admit that much, Sovele. He said he had a match once before, and it didn't work out--" He bit his lip at Sovele's snort. "--and I think it burned him. No, please, I'm<i>serious</i>. He<i>is</i>worth a look."<br/><br/><i>I can only imagine that fat, wheezing man trying to put a child in you.</i><br/><br/>Basren flushed, deeper than before. Unbidden, he saw Alaras above him, the thin line of him, certainly out of breath...<br/><br/>"Oh, go on," Basren said. "It isn't a crush. Just because he likes what I do..." He stopped, flushing again as he considered.<br/><br/>Was this not for Sovele at all? Had he misunderstood the entire time? Perhaps that was why Sovele had sent him out at all in the first place to meet Alaras. And if Alaras wasn't planning on accepting any offers, then maybe he was planning to<i>make</i>some?<br/><br/>"It's not a crush," Basren insisted. "How could he compare to you?" He paused. "What would you do, if I had a child with him?" He'd never actually asked, but now that it was a possibility, he had to know, even if it risked Sovele's jealousy. He never thought Sovele would be<i>happy</i>to imagine him with someone else. "Wouldn't that leave you alone?"