Dev did not like to see Bowie unhappy. Presently, his boyfriend, was he allowed to call Bowie that, was sat sprawled out on one of the sofas in their suite, sighing and looking generally disheartened. They were touring Arcadia at the request of the Empress of Wings. Immediately upon their arrival they had been hit with a barrage of invasive logistical questions about their relationship before being sent off to prepare for a luncheon with her majesty’s royal guard. Dev was a military man and also heir to his fathers empire, which meant he couldn’t say no to the olive branch. The alliance between the Avonic and Devonic Empires was already paper thin.

“I’m sorry.” Dev said, because he didn’t know what else to say and wanted to fill the silence.

Bowie made a face and looked at him, “What are you sorry for?”

“The way they’re treating you.” Dev said.

Bowie snorted, “Blade told me to expect it so I wasn’t that surprised. I just didn’t think the first question they were going to ask was what’s in my pants.”

Dev was running out of options. He had never been well versed in cheering people up. That had always been Sopor’s job. Awkwardly he came up behind the sofa and leaned over to plant a kiss on Bowie’s forehead. Bowie hummed as he did, dark eyes closing and shoulders relaxing. Dev decided that was what he was looking for so he leaned down further and lightly kissed Bowie’s cheeks and nose before capturing his mouth.

Bowie made a noise, soft and yielding and sunk further into their kiss. When they broke apart he exhaled sharply and met the halo of Dev’s eyes with something hungry. Dev felt his face flush and he quickly looked away, even as Bowie sat up and returned all of Dev’s kisses before strategically biting the soft flesh of Dev’s neck beneath his collar.

“Bowie,“ Dev hissed a warning but it was already too late. Bowie gingerly placed the collar of Dev’s jacket over the blooming purple mark on his neck.

“That’s for making me come to all your bureaucratic events.” He said, flopping back down and turning on his side away from Dev.

Dev’s face was still purple, the heat went all the way down to his chest. It was going to be a long day.