2.8

-8-

            After meeting with Wisterian and upon finally seeing his Gods be damned elf, Aiken made his way to his apartment in the Hells to spend a night alone and then to Loki.  He was overdue in returning to his duties in seeing to Ishitar and he knew that.  But he was finding it increasingly difficult to spend time in Loki’s presence.        He loved Loki second only to Jami.  And his concern for Loki was growing ever deeper as he became more and more obsessed with trying to translate Lord Raziel’s stupid book. 

            He had raised the issue of his concern to Loki, but Loki’s response had been that—given that the only person who was aware of his curiosity was Aiken—the chances of anyone finding out were slim to none.

            And he was right.  Aiken would never tell on Loki. 

            As he entered Loki’s apartment he was relieved to find that Lord Ishitar had returned from his latest adventure with Zuko.  He was sitting on Lord Lucias’ preferred chair with a glass of white wine in his hand and a concerned expression on his brow.  Aiken’s worry over Loki immediately dissipated and he forced himself to smile.

            “Ishitar.”  He said.  “Welcome home.”

            “Thanks.”  He replied, his brow furrowed.  “I’m afraid that I don’t yet think of this as home.”

            Aiken sighed at that.  He walked around the furniture and lowered himself into one of the chairs.  “To be honest, neither do I.”

            “You don’t?”  Ishitar’s expression softened.

            “No.”  Aiken shook his head.  “My home is the Oakland Grove.  Even when I spend time in my own apartment I still feel like I’m the guest in someone else’s house.”

            “That’s exactly how I feel.”  Ishitar’s handsome features were awash with relief. 

            “It will take some time, Ishitar.”  Aiken reached for his hand.  He gave it a quick squeeze.  When the dog at Ishitar’s feet let out an impatient whine, he released it.  He wasn’t certain yet how Ishitar felt about intimacy—let alone with other males—and so he generally used the dog’s reaction to him as his cue.  “But I promise you, you will find your own place in the world.”

            “How can I do that when I’m not allowed to go out into the world?”  He asked.  “Zuko and I went fishing this morning and I felt all day as if—“

            “Wait a minute.”  Aiken shook his head.  He couldn’t imagine Zuko doing anything that even remotely resembled a good time.  “Zuko went fishing?”

            Ishitar, who seemed to understand Aiken’s run of thoughts, chuckled.  “He wasn’t any good at it.  But he gave it a go.”

            “Wow.”  Aiken scratched absentmindedly at his cheek.  “I believe that Moira once told me that Zuko finding joy in anything was the first sign of the apocalypse.  I hope he was wrong on that count.”

            Ishitar laughed out loud at that.  Aiken was pleased.  The last sign of the apocalypse was sitting at Aiken’s side.  Aiken had the distinct impression that Ishitar knew that as well as Aiken did.

            “Stop.”  Ishitar replied through his laughter.  “He’s not all that bad.”

            “I wouldn’t know.”  Aiken replied to that with a shrug and a smile.  “He and I have never been what you could exactly call chummy.”

            “Why not?”  Ishitar asked, genuinely curious.        

Aiken felt his brow furrow at the question.  He didn’t want to drive a wedge between Ishitar and Zuko.  At the same time, the youngling deserved to understand just who and what Zuko was.  He settled for, “He made some bad choices when he was younger.  I’m afraid I’ve never given him the benefit of the doubt after that.”

            “What kind of choices?”

            “Best ask him.”  Aiken winked at him.

            Ishitar held Aiken’s gaze for a long moment.  Finally, he nodded.  “You’re probably right.  Where Zuko is concerned, it’s best not to gossip.”

            “It’s best not to gossip anyway.”  Aiken shrugged.  “But damn, is it sure fun!”

            Ishitar laughed at that.  Ansibrius looked up at him with guarded interest and then set his head on Ishitar’s knee.

            “Looks like that pup has taken to you.”

            “I think so.”  Ishitar agreed.  “He really enjoyed playing at the beach today while Zuko and I fished.”

            “I’m sure that he did.”  Aiken reached for the dog and patted its rump.  The dog began wagging the back half of his body.  He gave Aiken’s hand a lick and then returned his head to Ishitar’s knee.  “Have you had supper yet?”

            “No . . .” Ishitar replied, hesitantly.  Ishitar had been very guarded with Aiken where eating was concerned since he had learned that Aiken and his people were cannibals.

            Aiken, laughing, shook his head, “I only meant to ask you if you want to join me in the Courtyard for a meal.”

            Ishitar’s eyes blazed.  “Really?”

            Aiken shrugged.   “I was going to meet Zamyael for a drink.”

            “Won’t Lord Noliminan be angry with me?”

            “He won’t even know.”  Aiken shook his head.  “He never visits the Hells bound courtyards.”

            Ishitar gave him an eager grin.  “Will the Lady mind if I join?”

            “Kiddo,” Aiken replied, reaching for his hand and squeezing it again.  “The Lady has been pestering me ever since you moved in to spend some time with you.”  He released Ishitar’s hand.  “You can even bring your pup if you want.”

            The dog, seeming to understand Aiken, turned toward him and barked.   

            “And I can drink something stronger than wine or watered down vodka?”

            Aiken threw back his head at that and laughed.  “Drink yourself silly.  And I’ll see you to bed if it goes to your head.”

            Ishitar, laughing, reached for his hand.  “Thank you, Aiken.  For being my friend.”

            His mind casting to the possibility of future plans, and to James, who would one day need Aiken’s help, Aiken replied, “Thank you, Ishitar, for being mine.”