Welcome to Gaia! ::

His first thought upon seeing the envelope taped to his door was that it contained his portion of the bonus they had earned on their mission. A thought that came with it a certain amount of irritation, because surely there were more secure methods of handing out money than that. But it was too thin for cash, didn't feel like a cash card, and had more weight than a check. Curiously Zeke tore it open along one side and spilt the contents into his left hand, giving an amused snort upon seeing the goodies that had been left for him.

A single condom of none specific brand, and a folded note. The former was slipped into his pocket as he opened his door to let himself in. The later was flipped open as be took a seat at his desk.

There wasn't much too it, a short note, followed by a name that Ezekiel only half recognized.

Julian. No wonder he adopted an nickname.

Lagertha gave semi interested hum, more curious as to why the original name should be a problem.

A moment was spent tapping the folded edge of the note on his desk, eyes traveling slowly around the room as his mind wandered idly back towards the mission he'd just returned from, then back to the note with a smug smirk. Busy, Zeke hadn't noticed the passage of time, but Ever seemed to have, if the note was anything to go on.

I think he likes me

{I cannot see why.}. Harsh words that lacked any real bite. Zeke was growing on her. Not that she would willingly admit so.

With a rather self-satisfied smile the Mist pulled his phone out to shoot the other man a text. Keeping it short and sweet.

Zeke didn't usually go looking for hidden meaning in things unless he had a good reason to suspect he should. The wait had been attributed to Ever being busy with whatever it was Life Hunters did throughout the day.

He would have to look into starting his cross division training this week.

In the hour or so it took for Ever to reply Zeke had filled out a mission report, returned a few books to the library and checked a few more(on horsemen this time), and changed into clothing better suited for sweating in so he could go for a run.

His phone buzzed as he was heading out to the training field.

Assuming another delay, it was a good twenty minutes and two and a half miles before Ever would get a reply. Toweling sweat off his face, headed for the showers, typing with one thumb.

Zeke was shameless enough to make the short walk from bathroom to dorm room in nothing but a towel, his work out clothes under an arm, room key poised and ready in the opposite hand. His phone was somewhere i the bundle, but there hadn'd been another message. Assuming the Life was still tied up with work, he was a little surpassed, though not disappointed, to see him crouched against the wall next to his door.

"Waiting long?" He took in the hat, the glasses, and finally the lifted brow. The later of which earned him a crooked smile.

Unlocking the door, he opened it to usher Ever in before him. In contrast to the other man's lived in decor, Zeke's room looked untouched. It was incredibly tiddy, and what few possessions he had sitting out we're placed with an obvious care.

He closed the door behind him, gesturing to bed and chair. "Sit if you want. I need to get dressed if we're getting something to eat."

Here and there on tanned skin there were the fading remnants of bruises. They centralized around his abdomen, but there were a few superficial wounds scattered over his arms. If they hurt at all it didn't show in the way he moved. Souvenirs from his trip to the Sahara, as well as his spar with Paige.

He watched as glasses were nudged upward, resting on Ever's head, then turned to the dresser next to the closet door.

A chuckle followed the blonde's comment, and he glanced back over his shoulder towards the man lounging on his bed before going back to pulling clean clothing out of the drawers. Boxer-briefs, socks, dark jeans, and a solid, earth tone t-shirt. It hadn't been a question, but he answered anyways. "Yes. I would have preferred a swim, but if there's a pool here I haven't found hit yet." A mild smile was resting on his lips as the towel was tugged free and tossed on too the foot of the bed.

A pause, boxer-briefs settling over his hips. "There is? We'll have to go hunting for it one day." Running wasn't bad, but Ezekiel preferred the full body work out that came with a good swim.

Pants were next, sliding up to hug thighs snugly, then he was dropping down on the bed beside Ever's legs so he could pull socks on. His eyes did drift to the stack of library books stacked neatly on the corner of his desk, but he merely grinned, glancing back at the blonde. "So it wouldn't be terribly hard to catch you then?" It came out teasing, though that lazy grin did sharpen.

"Oh, I have no doubt in my mind that you hit harder." He was learning that muscle definition did not necessarily determine strength here. In the real world, he had the advantage, but here? Weapon bonds made the difference.

Socks in place, he grabbed his boots from where they were sitting neatly at the foot of the bed, dragging them over and sliding his feet in. Jeans were tucked into them, and straps tightened with practiced precision. When he was finished he braced his elbows against his knee,s glancing back at Ever as he got comfortable.

"Then what?" That smug, knowing smile flicked into place, and he was leaning back, turning quickly, plant a hand on the tall blonde's other side, not quite pinning him, but making it a hassle for him to slide away.

Not that Zeke thought for an instant he did.

Muscles bunched in his arms as he lowered himself down to catch Ever's mouth.