Axel just let it go for now, pulling back and training his wandering around the room. Hopefully he hadn't messed that up too badly. "If you say so," he mused. "But if there is something you want to talk about ...ever....I'm here," he added. He'd gotten that Duncan was scared of it all ..and honestly so was he, given how badly this could end for him even without them being in a relationship. But he figured if Duncan was willing to try, so was he.

"Yep, mhm, okay," he muttered, cheeks a flaming red. He really did like him, he just wasn't ready to admit it.

Axel just shook his head in faint amusement, realizing that Duncan would be slow about it. And there was nothing wrong with that ...jumping into things too quickly could end badly, for both of them. And Axel definitely did not want to be out in a situation where he needed to run - he doubted he'd get too far without a lot of luck on his side.

Duncan stood, putting the notebook away in his bedside table. "I have to go down for breakfast," he muttered. "I'll be back soon," he muttered and left rather quickly. He couldn't really eat much during breakfast he was so nervous just thinking about Axel.

Axel had nodded when Duncan mentioned going to get breakfast, and sort of plopped down in a chair with a sigh once he was gone. Maybe he'd come on a bit too strong....he wasn't sure. But was it too much to hope for someone? He supposed if it was be friends or be awkward he'd pick just friends but....romance seemed more intimate on an emotional level than just friend. And they could both use that, he thought.

Duncan was queasy all through breakfast, but he slipped food for Axel, accidentally flooding his mind with thoughts of him whenever he did so. Nervously, he glanced over at Alora, his sister, who could read minds. She gave him a sympathetic look and Duncan knew that she knew. After breakfast, Duncan was speeding away to his room when Alora caught him. "Hey, can we talk?" she asked softly. Duncan stiffened but nodded. They went out to the gardens and sat in a secluded area. "So..." Alora started softly. "You like this boy?" she asked. Duncan nodded. "Is this the war prisoner from that little battle?" she asked. Duncan nodded. "Have you been hiding him in your room?" she asked. Duncan nodded. "Please don't tell anyone," Duncan pleaded. "Especially Kai, I don't want him to find out yet," he begged. Alora gently rested a hand on his shoulder. "I won't, honey, but you know you can't hide this forever," she murmured. "I know..." Duncan breathed. "I'll tell him eventually," he said. Alora smiled and nodded. "Well, do you want to tell me about this boy?" she asked. Duncan smiled and nodded. Alora had always been so understanding. "Well, he's really sweet and nice, but he wasn't treated very well in the barraks, so hes not really used to much hospitality, but he's really nice," Duncan started. The two spoke for a while before Duncan invited Alora to meet him and the two went up to his room. Duncan went in first and Alora waited outside. Duncan looked over at Axel. "So, my sister found out about you," he started sheepishly. "But I swear she won't tell a soul, she promised she wouldn't get you into any trouble, and I trust her more than anyone," he explained quickly. "She's outside, do you want to meet her?" he asked.

Axel had moved around a few times while Duncan was gone. He was restless, he supposed. He was used to being outside and working for the things he needed. Sitting around in one room with very little to do was starting to drive him up a wall. He knew it was for the best, but....he just couldn't get comfortable, no matter where he sat down. Couldn't sit still. When Duncan came back though, he greeted him lightly. He expected the food, but as he took the plate, Duncan mentioned his sister. Axels eyebrows shot upwards, clearly surprised, but sighed and nodded after a moment, moving to set the plate off to the side. "If you trust her I do too," he noted quietly. It was risky, and made him nervous ...but if they could get another person on their side, it would probably be helpful. "She can come in if she wants."

Duncan nodded "Okay," he smiled, wandering towards the door. "And, by the way, she can read minds, so if you don't want her to know anything don't think of it. She won't go digging through your mind, but she'll see anything that goes through your immediate thoughts," he explained before opening the door and the girl wandered in. Duncan shut the door behind her and she smiled. "Hi, I'm Alora," she said softly, dipping her head to the man.

Axel grunted in agreement, through wrinkled his nose slightly as he mentioned the mind reading part. "Noted," he mused, though he was fairly good at guarding his thoughts when he needed to, so he assumed it would be fine. He watched with a slightly cocked head as Duncans sister stepped into the room, though he made sure the door was shut before he responded. "Axel," he told her, a little cautious but mostly curious about this new face. Duncan had said she was nice, and would be trustworthy...he certainly hoped so.

Alora smiled lightly. Duncan stood to the side behind her. "So, Duncan tells me you're from the Winter army," she hummed lightly.