The Price of Harmony

"And then he closed the door."

Naia sprawled over the cafe table, her arms folded and her chin resting atop them. Poros had been the one to invite her to come out and talk, having showed up to say hello and saw that something was wrong.

Her hair had looked like she slept in it wet when he phased through and found her sitting with her fist in her cheek glaring at a box. She'd fixed it some before they went out, but it was clearly not her best foot forward.

"He's not good at reading personal situations - you've told me that before, remember? Even giving you a gift like that was also a little different from how practical he always is. It sounds like it was an accident. Just accept the apology and move on."

She let out a long, frustrated sigh and scrubbed her fingers through her imperfect hair.

"I didn't even realize what I was saying until he looked disappointed. And then he *apologized* when I'm the one who was rude."

"I heard you describe it that way the first time, but it sounds like you were just talking like normal people to me."

"He said: 'You're right'."

"Uh-huh. And?"

The black haired woman groaned and rolled her Caribbean blues, feeling a bit annoyed that her friend didn't see the problem. He should know the man if not *as* well as her, then nearly as well. She talked about him a lot.

"I can count on my hands the number of times in all these years that he came so close to saying he was 'wrong'. He's always the one with the correct answer, even when we were in training and got caught by an instructor doing something unwise. He could explain his thoughts."

"Ah. So you're upset because he acknowledged you were right and didn't seem happy about it?"

She frowned. That hadn't been it, but now that she heard that phrasing - it did sound like it was what she was feeling. It was more that he didn't explain *why* he was unhappy. Naia buried her face in her hands, groaning again.

"I think I need to give him an apology now."

Poros blew out a heavy sigh, not really understanding why she felt the need to go that far. 

"Naia, this is a stupid 'fight'. It's not even an argument. Go talk to him. You both are acting weird and I can't help with whatever this is between you two. People need to communicate with each other."

He saw her nod at him, but knew his advice was probably not going to be taken so easily. The man had been trying to tell his friend things like this since they met, but progress was slow.

'She's always stubborn.'

"So, what are you going to do with that box?"

"Give it back to Evander. It's not like I will eat the lozenges, and he could probably get a refund from the company or something."

"Are you sure that's the right move? He told you to enjoy the box, didn't he? Knowing our tactician, he didn't mean the contents."

Her head rose and her eyes squinted. making the curly haired man hold up his hands.

"Look, I'm not saying you're wrong to return it if that's what you want to do, but maybe just... consider his intentions instead of rushing to the most logical solution?"

Once again, his words poked deeper into her own thoughts. He was right - she was trying to be too practical this time and avoid

"This is why I talk to you. You're too good for your own good. Thanks for making me get out of my room."

His lips twitched in amusement when she finally reached and took a sip of her tea. It had to be lukewarm by now.

"That's what people said at the academy as well, but I don't think they meant it as a compliment."

"Well, you know I did. I'll see you later, Poros. I need to go give something back to Evander."

The Shift Walker watched her leave, then pulled out his private terminal. He tapped on the screen and made a request for the commander to meet with him at a specific location. The last little mission she had sent him covertly on wasn't over yet. As he paid the ticket and left the cafe, he hoped that his input would help his friend this time.

🔹🔹🔹

Naia sat on the couch inside Evander's room, turning the ornate box she brought with her over and over in her hands. The man had first let her in then told her to sit there and wait for him while he was taking a shower. Ev was... a bit of a pragmatist.

Certain things he wouldn't put off, including bathing and eating at the times he designated it necessary. She didn't mind the wait, it gave her time to think about how she was going to apologize.

When the door to his bathroom opened, she had to blink a few times. It was his private room so it wasn't that strange to see him naked. Especially because he considered spending the effort to prepare the clothes first to be 'inefficient'. Moving things around twice wastes time.

She understood his logic. However, seeing him using a towel wrapped around his waist while she was around was new. He stopped in the doorway and stared at her, a little furrowing on his face when noticing Naia was looking at him almost disappointedly.

"Is something the matter?"

"No. I just didn't expect you to use a towel. I was hoping you'd..."

Evander raised an eyebrow at her and she looked away flushing. They'd been together plenty of times and she'd also seen him changing after a shower. She just hadn't realized until now she *wanted* to see everything. Or was it that she had just expected it?

"It's nothing. I was just here to suggest you return this if it was too expensive. The box is pretty, but the treats will go to waste."

"No, keep it. Consider it a little atonement for forgetting what you said."

She was a little surprised at the immediate response and that he walked over and passed her to get dressed. Naia tried to swallow her nervousness and opened her mouth. But even with his back facing her, she just couldn't get the words out. She couldn't find the right way to apologize either. That was supposed to be what she came for, right?

Or was it to finally talk...