I finally got started on what I hope will be a submission to Less Than Three's Lovely, Dark, and Deep anthology. This starts two side characters from my story that was in the Won't Back Down antho. Anyway, enjoy!
The third time Baz let out his perfectly calculated huff, Nadir sighed and put down his book. He knew that sigh, the weight of it, the balance, the careful planning that went into Baz sounding just the right amounts of forlorn and discontent. Baz had had years to get it right, after all.
Nadir resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose, a habit he'd developed after years of spending time with Baz and instead swung round in his chair to look at him. Baz didn't even have the decency to look sheepish at interrupting Nadir. In fact, the corner of his mouth was twitching slightly, like he was fighting back a smile.
Calmly Nadir took in Baz's appearance. He was dressed in his walking clothes, casual clothing the squires wore when not in training. With their impending knighthood only a few months away, they didn't have much time to themselves anymore. So it was rare they found the time to - in Nadir's case - catch up on reading, though it appeared he was not about to have that time now either. "What is it now, Bastian?" Nadir used Baz's full first name, making it clear that he was displeased, albeit only slightly.
Baz smiled then, that charming, almost too-white smile that always crumbled at Nadir's resolve. "I'm bored."
It was Nadir's turn to sigh. "Of course you are. And you need me to do something about it?"
Baz only smiled wider, sensing an advantage Nadir hadn't intended to give him. "I need you to come with me."
Nadir narrowed his eyes, his dark heavy eyebrows knitting above them. "And go where?"
"Into the woods."
