A sharp inhale caught in his throat.
"Hk—!" Ezra coughed lightly, turning his face away for a second. "No, my apologies."
Aurien blinked at him, tilting his head slightly. His eyes were wider than usual.
"Are you… alright?"
Ezra tried to answer and ended up inhaling wrong again.
Ezra choked on air.
He actually…choked on air.
ON AIR.
WHO DOES THAT?
Him, apparently.
"Ahem."
Ezra cleared his throat again.
It did absolutely nothing.
If anything, it only made him more aware of how warm his ears felt. His face probably matched.
'This is humiliating,' he thought. 'How many times must I embarrass myself in front of Prince Aurien of all people?'
He had faced Dark Ones without flinching. Commanded men twice his size without hesitation. Stood before kings, nobles, and enemies alike without lowering his gaze.
Even when Helios had thrown those dangerously affectionate compliments at him, the worst that had happened was a faint flush. A manageable one. Contained.
