When Worlds Collide (MxM)?

Warning: Little bit of spice.

Kade wrung his hands nervously as he stood in the crowd, waiting for Aino to finish his speech.

While he was in the Carnivore Kingdom, the inventor had gotten much more work done than anyone was aware of. He dove into Kade's power theory and started utilizing the glow stones for more than just lightbulbs. He was also developing batteries and electrical engines. Right now the cost of making an 'electric train' was too high, so they were sticking with the initial steam engine design, but the luxury locomotive they unveiled today was equipped with lightbulbs, just like how the lab was set up.

It'd been days since he returned, and Kade was trying to work up the courage to confess to the Terran. He wanted to tell the man everything he'd felt since going to the Carnivore kingdom. How incredible Aino and his inventions were, how considerate he'd been, and how much Kade had missed the man.

He'd worked hard to return quickly, and he hated delaying his confession. But whenever he thought he had an opening, Aino would have a sort of 'fit'. The slightest touch would send him running from the room or gripping his pencils so tight they'd snap. He'd even caught that familiar hungry look in his eye.

It was clear that he was on the verge of entering a second season.

But the man had the luxury train to unveil and needed to stay focused. So Kade kept their topics on work.

After the presentation, he and Aino would be able to properly talk. He just had to be a little more patient.

A round of applause erupted, knocking the human from his thoughts, and the upper class was allowed to board for a test ride.

Aino cast Kade a longing look before he too boarded, leaving the human behind.

They had agreed it'd be best if the two of them weren't alone together during work hours. At least until Aino could get his symptoms under control.

Returning to the lab, Kade went ahead and dismissed Tiner.

"Are you sure?" She asked. "Master Aino wanted me to keep an eye on you."

"King Toca believes I'll be fine without an escort since I 'survived' the Carnivore Kingdom. I'll call you back when I need you."

Her ears perked, and she got that knowing look on her face as she left. Kade proceeded to sketch up some new plans for the innovative farming equipment he'd once tried to make for the halfway house. A few hours passed before Aino returned, looking for him.

"I thought you'd be here." He took a seat at a desk on the opposite end of the lab. All in an attempt to keep his distance.

Putting the blueprints away, Kade braced himself. Aino looked surprised when Kade went to stand next to him.

"Aino. Now that you have some free time, there's something I've been wanting to tell you."

"It must be important to have you so nervous."

"It is." A blush betrayed his nerves. "I wanted to tell you that I have feelings for you...Very strong feelings. The kind that gets worse when we're apart. The whole time I was in Nyx's castle I was thinking about getting back here, so I could be with you. I love working with you. I love the things you make, and how open-minded you are. I...I love you."

By the time he stopped talking, his face was beet red.

Aino sat stock still, trying to process what he'd heard. His face went blank, and then his ears twitched. "You...Love me?"

"Yeah. But I don't understand how courting works for Terrans."

"How would this go where you're from?"