Grievances Hardest to Kill

The two sat in an open room and on either side of the room were several others. Jemm just looked over each of them… he couldn't help but notice the only thing Taru shared with them was his eyes… but even then his were a weird type of vibrant that the others didn't have. No one had the same striking purple or anything close to his crimson horns or his eyelashes…
Why is he thinking so much about Taru's appearance what the fuck…

"You skipped out on the agreement several times according to the Myrica's and gave no valid explanation. Are you trying to make us look worse than you already have?" One of them spoke.
Taru closed his eyes. He's trying so hard to keep his usual expressions from appearing cause he knows they'll pick up on everything.
"That… is not true. It seems something got messed up in translation. I was sick following one of my jobs so I couldn't really respond efficiently. It seems he took being told I couldn't come out as me denying him." Taru spoke. He kept his eyes closed though, he could tell their faces after doing this dance an ungodly amount of times. Some of them are skeptical, some of them don't believe him at all. The only one giving any sort of understanding would be his father… but he's long lost respect for him.
"So then who is this you brought with you? Engaging with others is a sin-" One of them spoke and Taru's eyes snapped open. "Wh- no no no no we aren't… uh… we're co workers that's it-" He shook his head.
How was he so calm at the first one but the moment being in a relationship is brought up he's suddenly a mess… Jemm just side eyed him and Taru took a breath, he hated seeing the way they always looked so… judgemental. It made talking so much harder… He cleared his throat and sat up straight. "What… I mean is… this is my assistant. He helps me with my tasks at the office. He was there with me while I was sick since it happened right at the end of a mission…" He laughed nervously.
This is not smooth at all bro.
They all traded looks before one of them raised a hand. he had long horns similar to the shape of Taru's. "The Myrica boy did mention someone else answering the phone. So I doubt he's lying about being sick. Besides it's common for high elves to adopt an assistant when their work becomes heavy. Yiuu did the same thing."
He felt something bitter wash over him at hearing both his father speak… but most specifically hearing him say his mothers name…
"Don't mention that woman. But yes I suppose you're correct." One of them called.
"Okay then fine. How did you meet this one?" Another spoke up.
Oh moons he can't tell them… mostly cause he doesn't remember… all he knows is what Jemm said which is that he was extremely drunk and just offered him a job…
"Uh… well…" Taru mumbled. 

"We met at a cafe." Jemm spoke up. Taru immediately looked over at him. "Wuh-"
"It's one I usually go to and I ran into him there. We started talking and really hit it off. I mentioned having experience in filing and history and he asked if I would mind being his assistant since there was a lot to file still."
Jemm said that almost way too easily and casually he was kinda concerned. Taru sat up again though and nodded. "Yes… I didn't need much help in way of combat… so I wanted an assistant who could help me file things away faster…" He slowly spoke.
They all began talking but, their usually skeptical looks were all faded. They really took what Jemm said.

After a while more of questioning they finally finally let the two of them leave. Taru let out a long breath and fell back into the tree. Jemm quickly stepped towards him. "Woah are you okay-"
Taru… was laughing, he just continued laughing and covering his face. Though for a moment he did see his face uncovered. He smiles a bit odd but… he looks quite happy when he's smiling, much better than all of the frowning he sees.
Oh god…
There's no way he's thinking that…
It's been like a month since they met isn't that wrong? Also he's like really important it seems and he's literally already taken!! He can't think that about someone who's taken!!
Although…
It's not like… he likes that guy. Besides there's no harm in just thinking about it… no one has to know.

Jemm ended up not sleeping that night. How unfortunate.
The next morning he very very quickly made breakfast and left it really neatly on the table. Thankfully they didn't have work that day since they were still rightfully nervous to ask Taru to do anything after being so sick. Which is perfect for him!
Once the table was set he left a lil note and ran out of the door. He's going to go see his sister, if he can tell anyone this at least he can tell her!
Although… She doesn't like Taru… But that's cause of his job. Surely she can see him as more than just his title. It took him a moment to get past that…
Jemm threw the door open and quickly stepped in, shutting it and walking up. She should be closed today she's always closed. "Hey Muxxi I really need to talk to you-" Oh.

Well this was a really bad time… Cause his actual sister was there. Muxxi was standing in front of the counter with her arms crossed while Evess was standing by the door. "I don't like having to come here as much as you don't like having me. But I want the rest of my stuff back." She spoke in that same flat and cold voice.
"I already sent all your shit back, if there was anything missing it wasn't me." Muxxi rolled her eyes. Evess clicked her tongue. "What, you're implying they tampered with my stuff? How mature. Just give me my charm and I'll leave you alone."
"You left me alone pretty easily last time, why don't you do it again by leaving now." Muxxi tilted her head slightly. "I've already told you I don't have it nor is it here. And you aren't going upstairs to look."
"Why, afraid I'll find it?" Evess glared.
"No, I just don't ever want someone like you in my space again." Muxxi smirked.
Evess' gaze narrowed. "Fine. Where is my brother then? He left and he hasn't come back at all."
Muxxi shrugged. "Call him."
"He blocked me." She mumbled.
"Then there's your answer." Muxxi stood straight. "Now I have actual work to do unlike someone like you. So why don't you go back to your wife and continue sitting there like an ice statue hm?"
Evess dashed towards her, ice trailing after her as she grabbed a knife from the table and went to stab her. Muxxi however blocked it with a tray. "You've gotten sloppy, I could see you move that time." She lifted her foot and kicked her back. Throwing the knife and tray aside.
Evess glared one more time before turning and walking out.

Muxxi let out a deep breath, turning to go into the kitchen. "Great now I have to clean up this stupid frost-"
Music filled the air and it slowly began to melt, before the wind swirled it together and placed it in something. Jemm opened his hand and his flute vanished. "There you go. Are you alright?"
"Yeah… Guessing you've been here the whole time?" She began upstairs and Jemm followed her.
"Uh… more or less…" He laughed nervously. "Were you two arguing so much you didn't hear me come in?"
"No, though I wouldn't call that an argument, more like a minor inconvenience." She shrugged. Muxxi sat down on the couch and Jemm sat on the chair across from her.
"So did you also leave something here or did your cool high elf throw you out?" She frowned.
"N… neither… Can I not just come talk to my sister?" He sighed.
"Fair enough. Although I thought your family had a whole thing about not talking." She snorted.
"Don't compare me to her…" He shook his head. "I'm a very vocal elf thank you."
"Yeaaah, that why you not an assassin like the rest of them?" She put her arms up and sat back.
Oh right… he actually forgot the rest of his family does that. Ever since that stuff happened he just kinda left and never talked to any of them again…
"Not too appealing of a job, working for Taru is much more fun." Jemm looked away. "Like… calmly sorting books, watching him fight stuff, getting to go to cool places, talking to him-"
"You like him don't you?" Muxxi looked at the ceiling and Jemm practically yelled.
"I… wha- ahaha no no no we're friends- I mean if we even are that we still practically just met and I mean uh h… he's already got a boyfriend anyways which even if he doesn't like him he still is taken that would be way rude! I just enjoy my time with him-" He waved his hands.
"Are both of you losing your edge? You're getting worse at lying…" She sat forward. "So you're in love with your high elf friend and he's already taken and clearly he doesn't like who he's with, sounds like you wanna save him."
"Absolutely not. I literally met his family yesterday and it was awful, also I've met his sister again and she literally kicked a hole next to my face they're all scary." He shook his head.
"That's real ironic coming from the one who's literally from a family of assassins." She giggled slightly. "Although I guess your thing has always been more on the speaking side than the fighting side."
"Yeaaah… That's cause fighting with knives always felt weird… I prefer my flute." He hummed.
"You prefer putting people to sleep non lethally." She stood. "Nothing wrong with not wanting to kill, It's not always fun dealing watching another die by your hand." She walked over to the kitchen. "I mean I almost killed Evess when we first met and I'm sure that's the reason she left, knowing someone is able to outdo you can't be overshadowed by any good moments you get."
"… I don't really agree." He sat back. "I mean… I know Taru can beat me… though I don't fear him. I've seen him take things out in single kicks and without moving but all I can think is how much more I want to get to know him… and how really nice his eyelashes are…" He mumbled.
Muxxi set a cup down next to the chair before sitting across from him. "It's so over for you. You're madly in love."
Jemm covered his face and groaned. "How am I supposed to do work now if I can't think normally???"
She shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal right? I mean so what you like him. At the end of the day he's still taken. From how you make it sound it's not even his choice."
Jemm picked up his cup and just sipped it, staring at her. He did come to talk to her but he forgot how she's always so… realistic.

Taru read the note on the table and hummed, he then sat down and started eating. It had been a while since he last ate alone… he didn't mind it though. Honestly having a roommate was so much better than he thought. He always read books and heard stories while walking about people not getting along with them but this wasn't bad… Or maybe his bar for others is just real low cause no one is ever as nice to him as Jemm is.
Once he finished eating he cleaned up. Guess… he should go resolve that other thing before Jemm gets back. He wouldn't want him to worry and start insisting on coming with him again. Meeting family is one thing but meeting that man is a curse he wouldn't inflict even on a fractal.
Taru got ready, putting on different clothes, different jewels, tucking the shorter part of his hair so the red bits were hidden. He then left. Despite working in a tech place he already knew that shitfuck didn't actually do work. He usually hung around a specific area trying to pitch their god awful tech to other richer elves to invest so they can continue cause he's a smooth talker and to others a pretty face so they'll always stop and listen and consider. Gross.
He sat down at a table and he could tell Pluto noticed him, cause the guys expression seemed to sour for a moment before he went back to smiling at anyone walking by. Once the crowd died down he sat at the table with him, waving at someone to bring stuff over. "So you aren't dead. Fantastic."
"You almost sound disappointed. My bad." Taru sat back.
Pluto snorted. "Can you blame me? Your assistant made it out to seem like you were a short moment away from going back to splintered lumber."
"And yet you still went and told everyone I was standing you up." He squinted. "Here I thought you didn't like me and yet you were whining you couldn't see me. Funny." Taru grinned.
"As if. We both have a contract and you know it. I don't want my family on my back anymore than you do." He began to pour himself a drink.
"Uh huh." He looked out the window.
It was quiet for a moment before Pluto placed a cup in front of him. "Here."
"It's too early for that. Have some tact." He pushed the cup away.
"Says the one who gets wasted every time we meet. I thought fighters had higher constitutions." He took the cup back.
"Stamina maybe." He squinted. "Not that you'll ever get that from me though."
"What."
"Hm?"
They stared at each other…
"Whatever. We can just say we went out to lunch together and call it there. I'm going back to work." Pluto stood."
"Yeaaaaaaah good luck with swooning the masses to take your shitty tech." He called as he walked away. Once he was gone he picked up the bottle and sniffed it… that is very strong… good thing he keeps a silly little flask on him cause he's taking some of that for later ehe.
He then began on his way home. It was still way too early in the day so there was no way anyone was gonna call him out like this-
"Hey!" He turned around very quickly. Ain't no way. Though it's fine… It actually was someone he knew this time…