Calixtus was exhausted, and he wasn’t even talking about his physical state.

At some point, before he signed the marriage contract between himself and Aster, he’d had the bright thought that it wouldn’t be such a difficult thing to have to pretend to be married. After all, what more could be expected of him past letting Aster stay in his home for the short time he’d asked for. Now, as he stared at the bed he’d soon be sharing, he wanted to laugh at his past self. Maybe he’d even throw in a light smack over the head with his cane, just for good measure. He was slightly startled by a knocking on the door, focused as he was on his thoughts, and turned to see Aster standing in the threshold.

In spite of the myriad thoughts swimming through his head at the moment, Calixtus took a second to take in the other man. He had to admit, Aster had been looking a lot livelier as of late. He wasn’t sure what he’d been up to before he’d shown up at Calixtus’ door with the most ridiculous proposal he’d ever heard, but it couldn’t have been good for him. Not with the way he’d looked at the time.

Aster’s previously bone-white skin had gained some color, and his face had filled out a bit—most likely thanks to all the meals he’d been getting while staying with Calixtus. Even his dark circles were a little less pronounced. They were still there, of course, because at that point Calixtus doubted anything could actually get rid of them completely, but they were very much improved. All in all, Aster was starting to look like the sort of person who actually stepped out into the sunlight more than once a year.

“I hope I’m not bothering you,” Aster said, watching Calixtus with a raised brow. Most likely because Calixtus had simply been standing in front of his bed, staring at it with what could only be called a look of dread.

“Oh, no. No, it’s fine. Did you need something?”

“Nothing much, just wanted to ask whether there was anything I should keep in mind for when my dear mother-in-law arrives.”

Calixtus was very glad he wasn’t drinking anything at the moment. The casual reminder that his mother was, in fact, Aster’s mother-in-law made his thoughts stutter. He stared blankly for a second before shaking himself out of his stupor.

“Uh, no, I don’t think so,” he said, though he wasn’t really sure. After all, he had no idea as to how his mother would react. He’d sent her a letter with the news, of course, but she’d made no mention of it in the last letter she’d sent announcing her imminent arrival.

“Then we should at least try to come to an agreement about the story we’ll be using. You know, to explain our very sudden marriage.”

Aster had a good point, unfortunately. They’d need to get their story straight if they wanted to have any sort of chance at convincing Calixtus’ mother as to the legitimacy of their marriage. Not that he had high hopes of actually accomplishing that. His mother could be frighteningly sharp at times. If Calixtus willingly marrying someone he hardly knew didn’t rouse her suspicions, then Aster himself would.

“We should probably tell her the same story you’ve told your family,” Calixtus said, figuring that—on the off chance their families met before the six months were up—it would be suspicious if they had two entirely different stories.

“Oh, you mean my tale of true love at first sight, so strong we decided to just go ahead and elope?”

Maybe it was the matter-of-fact way Aster said such things, but Calixtus found himself very glad for the warm tones the room was painted in by the setting light of the sun. He was hopeful it helped to hide the red color most likely spreading across his face, judging by the warmth he felt on it.

“Is that really what you told them?” Calixtus sincerely hoped not. His hopes were dashed as Aster simply gave a little shrug, absolutely unbothered by how ridiculous his story sounded. Not to mention, how unlikely it would seem to anyone who knew them. At least, he assumed it would be so for anyone who knew Aster. “Did they really believe that?” He asked genuinely curious.

Again, Aster merely shrugged. Calixtus took a calming breath.

“My family has grown somewhat used to my, hmm, unpredictable nature,” Aster said after struggling with the proper word to describe himself.

Calixtus could see what he meant. After all, he was experiencing first hand just how impulsive Aster could be.

“That’s good to hear, I suppose.” He wasn’t really sure about that, but it at least sounded like it would make things easier when dealing with them. “I’ve already told my mother about being married. I just didn’t provide any details, so any story should do.”

“Did she not say anything about it?” Aster asked, tilting his head in what Calixtus realized was a show of curiosity. It was oddly endearing.

“She hasn’t.”

“Then I suppose I’ll just have to do my best to give mother a good impression,” Aster said, a little grin appearing on his face. Calixtus was afraid it would take some more time for him to get used to Aster’s particular brand of humor. “I also meant to ask, do you think it would be best if we got used to sharing a room before your mother arrives?”

Once again, Calixtus found that his brain had paused all operations, the cogs coming to a screeching halt as it struggled to process Aster’s words. All of a sudden, the bed sitting behind him felt like an ominous thing. Calixtus was fully aware that he was being ridiculous. That still did nothing to make him feel better.

“What do you mean?” he asked, knowing fully well what Aster meant.

“I only suggest it because it might make our story more convincing if you’re not visibly dreading bedtime.” Calixtus was vaguely embarrassed to realize his feelings about the new arrangement were so obvious.

He thought about it for a moment, realizing that Aster had a point. Calixtus’ mother was sharp—nothing got past her. Besides, they would have to share the same room for the next couple of months, now that his mother was back. Perhaps getting used to each other’s company while there was no audience scrutinizing their every move might be for the better.

“Alright,” he agreed, even as some part of him lamented the decision.

And that was how Calixtus found himself walking into his bedroom and pausing at the threshold as he found Aster already sitting in bed. He had a book open—a leather bound tome that he could see had some magic sigils written within its pages.

“Ready for bed?” Aster asked without looking away from the book in front of him. Something about how utterly calm he was about the situation helped ease some of the tension Calixtus had been holding onto since their earlier conversation.

“Very much so,” he said with a sigh. It had been a long day and, in spite of everything, he was looking forward to getting some rest.

He prepared for bed with only the occasional sound of Aster turning a page breaking the silence in the room. Still, Calixtus found that he felt less and less awkward about the whole thing. By the time he finally sat on the edge of the bed, Calixtus was only glad to feel the comfort of it beneath him. He let out a tiny grunt when his leg ached as he bent it to sit, the scarring on it pulled taut in an uncomfortable fashion.

Feeling like he was being watched, he turned to Aster, who didn’t seem at all ashamed to be caught staring. He tilted his head with a curious look, his book forgotten for the moment.

“Does it bother you a great deal?” he asked.

Calixtus suddenly remembered he was a mage of the Magic Tower. His curiosity and thirst for knowledge were probably defining characteristics. It was no wonder he had no issue in asking about something so personal. For some reason, Calixtus didn’t really mind it.

“The weather is growing colder,” he said. “That tends to make it worse. It makes the muscles stiff after a while.”

“Hmm,” was all Aster said before turning back to his book. He shut it after a moment and set it aside on the bedside table.

After that, he removed his glasses, the delicate gold frames carefully settled on top of the book. When Aster turned back, Calixtus was a bit surprised at the change such a small thing could make. Aster’s face looked younger, definitely less severe than it usually did.

“Well then, good night dear,” Aster said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Calixtus felt his face heat up.

“Must you say such things?” Calixtus said with a look of exasperation. Aster was already getting comfortable, pulling the sheets up and turning onto his side so Calixtus couldn’t see what was most likely a look of amusement.

“Consider it practice,” was all he said.

Calixtus simply sighed and turned off the lights. All the while he hoped things would get easier in the morning.

Calixtus should have known better.