Transcendence 3

[catriana_fiction]

Title: Transcendence
Series: Arcanus
Pairing(s): Not telling although the obvious ones are VariRori and KadenRori
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Drama
Rating: M
Summary: This story takes place along the same time as Arcanus. I'm posting it up here because reviewing it on Word isn't the same. I'm filtering this so that only a few people can read it atm. Please let me know what you think if you can.
Warnings: Boy's Love
Notes: This takes place a few years later. Salil, is introduced and chapters 3 and 4 are completely revamped. Yay. D: Confessions are made. O_O

 

 

 

 

 

3

Something was wrong. She could not pinpoint it even though it felt very familiar. The spiritual plane was shifting, trying to right a wrong within its realm. Whatever it was, it had something to do with her, otherwise she would not have awakened.

So she stretched her senses, drawing power from her mistress to seek out and correct the problem before the spiritual plane did. It was not sentient, it merely existed, and the usual methods to correct a wrong normally involved destruction of the spirit which was not good and disrupted the natural flow of the world the spirit came from.

It was a heavily tainted one. Saturated with foreign energies, the spiritual plane was already beginning to draw from other spirits in an attempt to cleanse it; meaning another spirit would get destroyed in the process.

First, she set up a barrier around the tainted spirit, quarantining it. After proper investigating, she comes to the conclusion that it was tainted with Arcanus energies, which was disturbing. No spirit of that world should hold that taint any longer; the Ladies had seen to it and had appointed her guardian to ensure it didn’t happen again.

She flared out her senses again, searching for a spirit most compatible with the one she was holding. All spirits came from a source and would split into many different smaller parts. Some parts fit together better than others and as she searched she found it, the one spirit that complimented this one perfectly. How wonderful; it was not easy finding an exact match, one half of a whole.

Using the energy of the pure spirit, she channeled her own healing energy into purifying the tainted one. By using herself as a medium, no spirits needed to be destroyed to fix another. After a long moment confusion moves through her; for some reason there was something wrong with the tainted spirit, an anomaly. It happened sometimes but it was normally extremely rare.

Suddenly, the tainted spirit begins to draw in its match even through the barrier, she could only assume in an attempt to better combat what ailed it. No! If it did that, the other spirit would completely lose itself inside the other; it was the same as being destroyed. Spirits that broke apart were not meant to be put back together, it didn’t work that way.

She could directly intervene but in doing so, she would no longer be spiritually capable of being a guardian.

It’s okay, Salil. Her mistress. You’re needed in the mortal realm again anyway. I’m awakening you and Filarn is going to awaken your sister. Either way, you will lose your guardian abilities. Salil could feel her smile sadly. Besides, I had never intended for this to be a permanent thing for all of you. I am so sorry. You’re going to be completely lost; eons have passed.

That was fine. What mattered was protecting the mortal realm. With that decided, Salil detached a piece of her own spirit and incorporated it into the pure one, giving it the strength needed to prevent absorption and in doing so was able to cleanse its other half.

Her spirit would now be connected with both, specifically the pure one as they were now parts of each other. Cleansed, she released the barrier and the two spirits, having found each other, delved deeper into the spiritual realm. When it was time, they would begin their cycle by being born into new mortal bodies.

Powers lost, she lost conscious thought in the spiritual realm and knew no more.

---

Rori was very excited; Kaden was going to come and visit his home for a week for his birthday. This would be the first time entertaining a guest at his home. Summer break was only three weeks and had he not written his parents and told them about Kaden wanting to visit he probably would still be at the academy.

They had pulled out all the stops since Kaden was from the Larchs family and they wanted to impress. They wanted Rori out of the way, however, so he was currently in the courtyard alone, sitting near the massive fountain that was settled in the middle.

This was his favorite place at his home because he could hear the spirits clearly. He enjoyed sitting at the edge, listening to them whisper things he did and yet did not understand. They were always so soothing, constantly tempting him to respond. Sometimes the water would shift slightly if he was close enough, teasing him. All he would have to do was whisper the words and they would move for him, just a little whisper. It didn’t annoy him, in fact he found it funny most of the time, but it did fill him with deep longing.

He wanted to form a deeper connection with the spirits and he hated that he couldn’t. That he had to hide when he did. Why did people say magic was bad? The spirits seemed nice, he liked the connection; even if people thought he was crazy and talking to himself.

The water was whispering to him and this time he knew he wouldn’t be able to fight the temptation. The more he tried to distance himself the stronger the desire to communicate with them became. Rori looked around but saw no one around. If he just...for a moment...it would be okay, right? Just for a few seconds.

Taking a small breath he looked around once more and walked over to the side of the fountain that made it difficult for one to see him unless they were coming from the side exit which was fine; no one ever came out from there.

The language was not one he had to learn nor was it something taught to him. If he wanted to speak to the spirits all he had to do was make the attempt and somehow, his mind would know what to do and say.

Moving his hands, he whispered, blue eyes closing briefly when he felt familiar energy move through him. Even though it had been a while, the water was very responsive and in seconds he had a small globe of it floating between his hands.

It felt so good, using magic like this. He could feel the spirits energy flowing through him, allowing him to shift and manipulate the water as he wished. At the moment, there wasn’t too much he could do as he was untrained but just this small amount was enough. He hoped when he became older that he would be strong enough to do more than just lift water and have it float in his hands.

He giggled when the sphere began to ripple despite his control; the spirits were being slightly playful. As far as he could tell, they seemed to really like him but there were things they weren’t telling him yet, more powerful commands that he was too young to use. Still, the energies flowing into him were comforting, as if he were floating in a sea of tranquility. He felt comforted, safe.

“Rori?”

Immediately his mind shouted a denial; because that voice sounded very familiar and very close. How had he gotten so close without him knowing it? Had he truly been that absorbed in what he had been doing?

Water splashed along his boots as the sphere dropped and he turned to look at Kaden whose expression of pure shock was identical to his. He held a slender black box loosely in his hand, as if he was about to drop it. He didn’t look angry – not yet – just stunned.

Now water of a different kind was beginning to form behind Rori’s eyes. This wasn’t happening. Did the gods hate him or something? Kaden wouldn’t accept this, he would become angry and cast Rori aside. If he was lucky, his friend wouldn’t report him to the authorities. He cared deeply for his friend but he was a realist; the brunette’s loyalties were not to him...not really.

At least, that was what Rori was thinking. In reality, Kaden was in shock and awe, but he was also thinking back on that night that Vari and Rori had spoken. While he had been unable to hear the conversation between the two boys at the end he had a feeling it probably had something to do with this.

With that thought came hurt and anger. Why did Rori tell that degenerate but say nothing to him? Weren’t they friends? Didn’t he trust him? He wasn’t cruel to the albino and he cared about his friend a lot. It hadn’t started out like that in the beginning but since Kaden was all but monopolizing Rori’s time to keep him from Foclner he had felt that they had become much closer.

I am hard on him, though. He thought sadly. Maybe that’s why he didn’t think he could tell me. It was hard to remember that Rori was very sensitive and he wasn’t always the kindest person towards his friend. Sometimes he would become frustrated with him, although even that was beginning to diminish. The more confident Rori had started to become over the first half of the term the less Kaden had scolded him.

At his friend’s expression Kaden sighed. He had truly believed that he would have gotten angry with him, the brunette could see Rori’s fear. Forcing himself to snap out of his stupor, Kaden sighed before giving the other boy a small smile.

“Have you always been able to do that?” he wanted to know.

Slowly, Rori nodded although he still looked unhappy. “Y-yes...Kaden I...”

“It’s okay, Ro.” He hoped he looked warm and not hostile. He wanted Rori to confide in him for anything and everything, not Foclner. To do that, apparently he needed to come off as being more approachable. Slowly, he walked over to his white haired friend, the smile never fading. “I’m not mad.”

This surprised the other and he blinked curiously, disbelief in his eyes. “R-really? I thought...I mean it’s against the law and –“

“It’s a dumb law.” Which it was, really. Humans couldn’t even cast magic and the elves were a dead race now.

Rori was obviously the only exception to the rule. He was actually rather thrilled to know that he was associated with the first ever human magic user. That had to come in handy one day, right?

Stopping in front of Rori, Kaden handed him the box. “Here, happy birthday, Ro. I don’t care that you can cast magic and I won’t tell anyone.” His smile was warm. “We’re friends, you can tell me anything, okay?”

Although his face was heating as he fought back tears, Rori smiled and gently took the offering. “Th-thank you.” Cracking it open, blue eyes widened as he took in the white jade pendant. It was in the shape of a teardrop and encased with gold. The carving in the middle was of a rune he had never seen before.

“It’s a matching set.” Kaden tells him and Rori watches as the older boy pulled out a green jade pendant. “The rune is from my family. Your rune means ‘treasure’ and mine means ‘friend’. So together, it’s ‘treasured friends’.”

He placed his hands on Rori’s small shoulders. “You’re the one person I can truly call a friend, Rori, so I want you to have it.”

“Kaden...” he looked down at the gift. “I’m so sorry. I should have said something but I thought...”

The brunette squeezed gently. “It’s okay. I understand. Magic is outlawed and it’s not like we’ve known each other for years; You probably thought I’d get upset and stop being your friend.”

Rori looked sheepish. “Yes but...I’m shouldn’t have...I’m sorry.”

“I said it’s alright, Rori.” He held out his hand “Here, I’ll help you put it on.” Taking the small trinket Kaden walked behind Rori, fastening the chain to his neck. It was then that he saw it. It was small and Rori’s collar hid it well, but that was definitely a bruise .

It could be from anything. He tried to tell himself but he couldn’t help the angry sensation that moved through him when he brushed his fingers along the dark mark.

His suspicions were confirmed when Rori jumped back and away, his hand flying to his neck, eyes wide and shifting slightly. “I...” his nervousness increased. “I-I just...mother and father know, um, about m-my abilities and s-sometimes, well just in the beginning, I couldn’t c-control them and s-so they...”

Instead of responding, Kaden closed the distance again, pulling Rori in for a small hug. “It’s okay.” He said again, mostly for his peace of mind. There was nothing he could do about Rori’s situation besides be there for him so he would. “You don’t have to explain anything.”

A strange feeling, one that had been increasing the more he was around the albino, emerged when the younger boy smiled sadly at him. It wasn’t a bad feeling, more like confusing because he couldn’t identify or classify it as anything in particular. He decided to just not think about it for now.

“Anyway,” wanting to keep the air light, he reached over and took his friend’s hand. He ignored the other funny sensation that began to emerge whenever he initiated physical contact with Rori. “Will you show me your estate? My father is conversing with your parents and I slipped away to find you. I’ve actually never stayed at another person’s estate before, so I’m a little excited.”

Rori’s face lit up like the sun and Kaden felt that this expression, not the one of sadness, suited his friend much better. He found that he liked making his friend smile; it was always so genuine and not faked like everyone else’s. Everything about the albino was real; he didn’t hide behind masks and facades. At first, Kaden had thought it a weakness...now he wanted to do whatever he could to protect that. He didn’t want Rori to act like the other stuck up nobles, even if it was what he should do.

Kaden would try harder to show Rori that he could fully trust him, even more than Foclner. He had a feeling that Foclner knew about Rori’s ability, which meant that they were very close; but that was fine. Kaden was a Larchs, in time he would get his friend away from that guy because really, he didn’t need that negative influence.

And Rori didn’t need anyone else in his life but him.

---

While Vari had been able to use his Silver status to manipulate sleeping arrangements so that he was rooming with Rori again, he wondered if it would even matter in the long run. It was the new term, an entire school year had passed and it did not take the blonde long to realize a few things.

One, he liked Rori. A lot. Although Larchs monopolized all of Rori’s time during the day, at night the two would talk and he felt that they had definitely become closer. Initially, he had felt that it would be enough, because there was no way he’d be able to fight the older boy and he really didn’t want Larchs knowing about their friendship. His family name was screwed to all the hells but Rori’s wasn’t. Although Vari didn’t give a real damn about noble society, it didn’t mean he was going to push such things on his friend.

Two, he was starting to want more than just a few hours a night with his friend. He wanted to actually spend time with Rori and it was frustrating that he couldn’t. It made him really hate noble society; commoners didn’t have problems like this really. At the same time, he had been the one to insist that they keep their friendship quiet because of Larchs, so saying something now seemed wrong.

It would get worse before it got better. Vari wasn’t stupid, Larchs was going out of his way to keep him away from Rori, it was blatantly obvious. He had no idea why the hells that guy hated him so much when he had never even uttered two words to him at the beginning but he was tired of dealing with pettiness.

Should he even keep trying? If Larchs got his way eventually Rori would stop spending time with him altogether. Should he just cut his losses now so that it wouldn’t hurt later? This wasn’t something Vari had ever dealt with before; at the brothel everyone worked together for the most part. Everyone was a family, because they didn’t have anyone else but each other.

If he let Rori go friendship-wise, he’d be playing into Larchs’ hand but the infinite patience he thought he had was running very short. The biggest thing was the fact that he held real feelings for Rori and that was why it was becoming unbearable. The blonde was so used to just being himself, to doing whatever he felt like doing within reason. This world of stuffy mannerisms and elite codes was wearing on him.

The thoughts were plaguing him as his friend entered their room. This year they were on the second floor and the room they had was on the far left corner of the suite. If Vari had felt more confident about their friendship he would have been happy about the set up, as the far left room was situated so that even without a door it had the most privacy. One didn’t need to go near that side of the room unless they were trying to go into their room.

“Hello, Vari.” Rori smiled softly at him as he walked over to his belongings that had been brought up and began unpacking them to be sorted. “How was your vacation?”

“Good.” It was said blandly and the blonde shifted, looking up at the ceiling as he lay on his bed. It had actually been boring, but Vari wasn’t a whiner; that was Larchs’ department. “You? Did you have a good birthday?”

When Rori didn’t initially respond, Vari turned his head and mentally frowned at his friend’s flushed face and small smile. His hand moved to some sort of pendant and something very unfamiliar moved through him.

“I...I did.” Rori’s smile widened. “Kaden found out about my abilities, but he didn’t care at all!” he sounded very excited. “I had been so worried that if he ever found out he’d hate me but it was the opposite. T-then he gave me this,” his fingers ghosted over the pendant. “and I...Vari I’m so happy; I never thought I’d find anyone who would like me because of my secret but I have you and Kaden and...” he trailed off and the older male turned to the side, back facing him.

A part of him was happy, because Rori deserved true friends and he didn’t have any at all. He knew that because of them the albino was more open, cheerful, and optimistic. Vari wanted Rori to be happy because he deserved it. His friend was a great person and Vari cared about him a lot.

But it was because of those feelings that the other half of him was upset. Kaden had been able to spend the summer with Rori, Kaden had given him an expensive present that the albino was thrilled about. Kaden was Rori’s entire world and he was just...there.

I’m jealous. He realized and sighed out loud, disgusted with himself. He had always hated it when the girls would get jealous over something stupid and here he was doing the same thing.

“Vari?” his roommate sounded concerned. “Is something wrong?”

Yeah. “No.” he lied “Just a little tired. I’m glad you and Kaden got to hang out and stuff.” He waved a hand in the air. “I’m glad you don’t have to hide that from him anymore. We got three weeks before the fall term starts so you two will have even more time to hang out.” He inwardly winced when he realized how flat and cold his voice had sounded.

He missed his simple life. So his mother had ignored him and he had been raised by whores, so what? It had been fun and, most importantly, stress free.

Silence hung thick in the air and he closed his eyes, feeling out of sorts and a little confused.

“Vari.” Something warm settled on his shoulder, snapping him out of the light doze he had been under. Blinking his exhaustion away Vari turned slightly so that he was looking at Rori. The albino’s expression was sad and understanding. The latter surprised the blonde. “I...I promised I’d show you my abilities but I haven’t yet. Kaden got to see them so...it’s only right that –“

“It’s fine.” He cut off, shaking his head lightly. “You don’t have to feel obligated to do something like that for me.” His smile was thin and strained. “I’m not going to get upset if you don’t show me.”

“That’s not...” blue eyes looked down and Rori fidgeted. “I’m sorry.” He still refused to look at him but the blonde understood what his friend was trying to convey.

“I said it’s fine.”

“But it’s not fine.” Rori insisted, looking at him now. “I wanted to show you. It was an accident with Kaden although I’m really happy he doesn’t mind. I...” biting his lip, his hand dropped from Vari’s shoulder. “I know we don’t spend any time together...but I want to. I’ve wanted to.” He looked at the blonde. “S-so, I’d really like to show you. I’ve actually...I had planned on doing this when I got back here.”

He had? Vari was genuinely surprised. He sighed again. “Okay.” Sitting up, he reached over towards their telephone. Although he knew he shouldn’t, Vari felt a little giddy. So Rori had felt the same way as him about things. He hated it that his obvious jealousy had triggered Rori to react but he couldn’t complain. He really didn’t want to give up on their friendship. “I think I know the perfect place.” And perhaps he could give Rori his gift there.

---

There is a rather large and pretty lake near the academy’s grounds, but is normally off limits to the students during the term. Since students could do or go wherever they wanted during breaks, Vari decided that having someone drive them out there would be perfect.

The lake was decently far and very few visited it – nobles had better things to do with their time than admire nature – and it was also had many secluded areas. The chances of Rori getting caught practicing magic were very low here.

Although Vari had excellent cleaning skills due to having to do his part at the brothel – being idle was not something anyone did there – he was a horrible cook and so purchased the two of them a few boxed lunches to take out there. Surprisingly, Rori didn’t even tell Larchs he was leaving as he normally did, he had simply left with Vari, looking thoughtful.

The initial giddiness faded shortly after and now Vari was wondering if this had been such a good idea. Would Rori have done this had he not noticed that his friend had been upset? He hated making anyone feel obligated to do anything for him; he’d rather they not do it at all. Being around Rori was beginning to confuse and make him feel conflicted. He wished he could write to the girls; they would be able to tell him what was wrong and what he could do.

It really bothered him that he would probably never see them again. They had been better mothers than his real mother had ever been.

As the car drove the blonde took in the sights and he could not help but to be in awe over the lush fields and beautiful forests in the distance. This was probably the one and only thing he enjoyed about noble society, they were all about ascetics even if they didn’t appreciate it.

“Um, V-Vari?” Rori’s voice was soft and uncertain beside him. He turned to the albino as he had been looking out the window and frowned at the strange expression on his friend’s face. He couldn’t identify it, but it didn’t look very positive.

“Yeah?” he tried to keep his expression blank and could only hope he was succeeding “What’s up?”

Rori opened his mouth to speak, closed it, then shook his head. He shifts so that he’s facing forward again and places his hands in his lap. “It’s...nothing. Never mind.”

Feeling a little out of sorts himself, Vari didn’t press the issue.

“Come back in a few hours.” He told the driver as they got out of the car. With the blonde holding the lunches the two boys began walking along the edge of the lake.

They were surrounded by forest, one side beginning at the top of a large hill. At their level was nothing but soft grass and the weather was warm. Sometimes they would see something move in the sparkling lake, most of the time it was a fish.

As they went further along the lake Vari noticed a change come over Rori. Shoulders that were normally always tense were fully relaxed and his gait was smoother, almost fluid. There was a smile on his friend’s face and he looked...

At peace. Huh.

They stopped when they were almost a half mile away from the path. Spotting a massive tree at the top of a hill that seemed to be all on its own, Vari set their lunches there. He kicked off his boots as he sat down, rolling up his pant legs as Rori did the same.

The albino’s pale cheeks were flushed and his eyes were brighter than Vari had ever seen them before. Was it because they were by such a large body of water? He had to admit, there was something comforting about the place; he was beginning to feel relaxed and his negative thoughts concerning their friendship quickly faded. A genuine smile graced his own lips and he looked up at the clear sky while Rori finished up.

When the albino stood up he let out a small squeak as he scrambled to catch a small object the blonde had tossed his way.

“It’s late but happy birthday.” Vari said.

In a small case rested a very dull-looking blue stone. Curious, Rori opened it only to almost drop it when the stone began to shine brightly the moment his fingers had brushed over it. Closing the case abruptly, wide blue eyes blinked at Vari who was chuckling lightly.

“The look on your face!” more chuckling. “You’re too much sometimes.” He held out his hand and Rori took in a stone identical to his before his gaze shifted back to the blonde. “They’re called communication stones.” Vari explained. “You have no idea what I had to do to get a set but basically all you do is hold it and wish to contact the person holding the other stone and you can communicate instantly no matter where you are in the whole world. As you can tell they’re magical and very illegal so don’t let anyone see it.”

Rori took in the object, his eyes still wide. He couldn’t even imagine how much Vari had to end up paying the black market to get this. Small hands closed over the case, very happy. His friends had given him such amazing gifts, he would have to repay the favor. He didn’t know how; he was pretty sure his parents would not allow him to do any black market dealings, but he’d find a way.

“You never told me when your birthday was, Varicen.” He avoided the other boy’s gaze as he always did when he used his friend’s true name. He didn’t know why he’d get all embarrassed about it even now but he did.

Rori wasn’t able to spend a lot of time with the blonde but he found himself craving the small interactions they did have. He really liked being around Kaden, the brunette was his best friend, but he had always felt that he had a deeper connection with Vari. A lot of it had to do with the older boy’s personality; no matter what, Vari accepted everything about Rori and never complained. Kaden was always trying to change him, to mold him into a proper noble.

It wasn’t that it wasn’t appreciated, Kaden was only trying to help and he knew a lot about noble society, but it had made Rori feel that he couldn’t be as open with him. With Vari, he only had to be himself and there was nothing about him that the blonde disliked. He felt free around Vari and was sad that they didn’t get to spend more time together.

Obviously, it had bothered Vari as well and that made Rori feel even worse. Even though Vari was crude and blunt, he had a lot of patience and was very tolerant of things. People messed with him all the time and yet Vari had yet to get into a fight or get in trouble for whatever reason. He took it all in stride, acting as if it didn’t bother him and continued to blow everyone out of the water academically. He had quickly made it to the number one position for his grade as a Silver and he was going to be taking more advanced classes this year.

So seeing him finally becoming upset over the fact that they didn’t spend time together really bothered Rori. He would need to talk to Kaden, try to put a bit more distance between them so he could spend more time with Vari. They did spend a lot of time together, he would understand, Rori was pretty sure.

“My birthday?” Varicen frowned “Uh, my mother never told anyone when I had been born, but it was during the spring. My mother showed up with me Spring thirty-seven, so that became my birthday.” He laughed a bit. “I never think about it, we didn’t really do birthdays at the brothel, the girls didn’t like being reminded that they were getting older. The older you get, the less clients you have is what they told me.”

There was nothing about this person that was simple, Rori was beginning to realize. Vari was easy to understand but came from a completely different world; it was fascinating.

“Well...I’m going to remember it. Is there anything you’d ever want?” putting the stone in his pocket, he took a step back when the blonde stood, stretching. The two began to walk down the hill to the lake. Vari remained silent and when the albino looked over at him he started. His friend looked pensive and thoughtful. When he responded he didn’t look at Rori.

“There is something that I really want, but I don’t think I could ever have it.” Then just like that his demeanor changed and he was grinning. “It’s not really a material thing.”

“Oh.” At a loss of what to say Rori dropped it and Vari didn’t elaborate.

A sigh escaped the younger boy when his feet dipped into the cool water. Ever since they had arrived the spirits had been whispering to him, trying to pull him towards the lake. The water lapped at his legs a bit and he giggled at the sensation as it rippled unnaturally.

Blue eyes shifted to Vari, smiling warmly at the shocked but pleased expression on his face as he took in the shifting liquid. It wasn’t much and Rori wasn’t even really speaking to them, but that didn’t seem to matter to the blonde.

“They really like to play.” Rori explained, bending his knees a bit to cup water in his hands. “Even when I’m using my abilities the water sometimes does its own thing.” As he raised his hands he whispered to the spirits.

This time, however, the amount of energy that moved through him was much stronger than he had ever felt it before. The moment he began speaking he could actually hear their voices increase in volume although the clarity was still off. He was surprised when the small sphere he had been about to make was much larger than he could normally cast it and all he did for a moment was stand there in shock.

“Oh...wow.” Vari closed the distance, his gaze intense on the floating orb. Hesitantly, he raised his hands, hovering them beside Rori’s as he faced his friend. He looked up at the blonde, his face beginning to feel very warm at the close proximity.

It was weird, the closer Vari came to him the more energy Rori felt he had access to. It was as if something was amplifying his magical capacity. Maybe it was the lake? He had never been around such a large body of water before, maybe that was why.

Then something even weirder happened. The moment Vari touched the sphere the spirits reacted strangely. With a startled cry, the blonde pitched forward when his hand was suddenly sucked in and the water in the lake shifted Rori’s weight so that he was now falling backwards.

Both boys fell into the lake. Thankfully, they were in shallow water so Rori landed on his behind and Vari on his knees almost on top of him. Both looked at each other in astonishment before the older boy sat back and started laughing.

“Do they always do that?” he asked as he stood and held out his hand for Rori. “You’re right; they really do like to play.”

Although Rori did find it amusing that the water was being so playful; it also made him feel very strange. “They’ve...never done that before.” The spirits were humming lightly around him and Rori had the distinct impression that they were pretending to be innocent of any wrong doing by how calm they were now acting. He had the childish urge to stick his tongue out at them. “I think they like you.”

Understatement. He could see how the water seemed to be trying to cling to Vari as it did him; something it hadn’t done at all with Kaden. Briefly, Rori wondered if maybe Vari had powers too, but then figured if he had, he would have realized it by now.

“I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.” The blonde began to try and get water out of his ears. He still looked amused. “But that’s amazing, Rorizin; your powers are awesome.” His eyes were bright and his face was a little flushed from the fall “I mean...reading it is nothing compared to seeing it. I think...” shrugging out of the top of his brown tunic he began to wring it out. When he looked over at Rori, however, he looked as if the albino had given him something priceless. “I think that this is the best present – birthday or otherwise – I could ever get.” He grinned at that. “So thank you, Rori.” He shrugged the shirt back on although it clung to his skin.

“Y-you’re...” a wide sheepish grin emerged and Rori looked down, incredibly happy at Vari’s reaction. “I’m glad...that um...” he bit his lip, unable to properly think of what he wanted to say. He tried hard to be more like Kaden and Vari but he really didn’t feel as if he was doing a good job. They were amazing in all aspects while he was painfully average. The only thing he had going for him was his ability to use magic.

“Hungry?” if Vari noticed his friend’s inner turmoil he didn’t show it. Instead, he took the other boy’s hand, expression still bright from what had just happened. “We can let our clothes dry a bit. Thank the gods it’s summer. I would have wanted to have a word with those spirits if they had dunked us in the middle of winter.”

The spirits tugged at them, trying to get them to stay a little longer, but didn’t fight as they walked out of the lake and back up the hill. Strangely enough, Rori still felt full of energy even out of the water. Also, holding Vari’s hand was making him feel very warm and for a moment he actually sensed something strange about the other boy. It felt familiar but he had no name for it.

Shrugging out of his top again, Vari began to shake it before he laid it on the grass away from the shade. Since the blonde had mentioned eating lunch, Rori had brought a small bag and inside of it was a blanket. It wasn’t thick or amazing, but it would definitely be helpful now.

Stripping down to only his boxers, the blonde tried to squeeze as much water out of his pants as well before having them join his top. “Glad I wasn’t wearing silk.” He muttered dryly before looking over at Rori who was still fully dressed and giving him a weird look. Vari returned the gesture. “What?”

Rori’s hands gripped his shirt and embarrassment crept up, forcing him to turn his gaze from his friend. He hated undressing in front of people; his skin was so incredibly pale and he was very thin. A few times at the gym people had remarked on how weird he looked; like a stick or a skeleton. It wasn’t as if his bones were protruding but he also didn’t have a lot of muscle mass due to being so weak.

There was that and the fact that the bruises would be very obvious and he had seen the look Kaden had given him; Vari would probably react similarly if not worse.

“Rori,” the albino jumped when he realized how close Vari was to him now. The blonde smiled and slightly shook his head at his friend’s antics. “You don’t have to be embarrassed, I’ll turn around or go to the other side of the tree or whatever, but you could catch a cold if you just sit out here in wet clothes. You told me you get sick easily.”

“But...” he sighed. “Just...promise you won’t get mad?”

The question confused Vari. “Uh, sure, but why would I get mad?”

Slowly, Rori pulled off his shirt and began to wring it out, keeping his gaze away from Vari. He had a few bruises on his sides and upper arms and felt very exposed and uncomfortable like this.

Vari said nothing as Rori’s shirt and pants joined his and then the two were sitting on the blanket underneath the tree. When the albino finally managed to gather enough courage to look at Vari he noticed that the blonde looked normal. He didn’t seem angry or sad, in fact he handed Rori his lunch with a smile.

“It’s going to be cold, but I hear this stuff will still taste good.”

Little else was said after that. The two boys sat, looking over at the lake while the sun dried their bodies and their clothes. The air wasn’t tense – to Rori’s surprise – and so he began to drift along in his thoughts, forgetting his awkward feelings at being so exposed to someone due to his body.

A loud yawn escaped Vari when they finished, dragging Rori sharply from his thoughts. The blonde took their lunches and placed them to the side, yawning again. “That was pretty good. Now I want to take a nap.”

Rori giggled at this. “You always want to sleep after eating. You nap a lot, you know.”

“You can never get enough sleep.” His grin was wide and bright. “Especially if it’s a cat nap. Those are the best.” A mischievous gleam emerged in violet depths and Rori blinked curiously at him.

One second Vari had been sitting beside him, the next second Rori found himself looking down at his friend as he looked up at him. The blonde’s head was currently resting on the albino’s lap and with a grin, he closed his eyes.

“W-what...Vari w-wha...” Rori spluttered, trying hard, and failing, to keep his face from heating terribly. What in the world was his friend doing?

An eye opened. “I’m trying to take a nap, Rori.” He was definitely teasing him and Rori was at a complete loss as to what to do about this situation. It wasn’t as if he was upset or anything by the display, he actually wasn’t quite sure what he was feeling. “Something the matter?”

Yes! Was the thought and Rori looked away and kept moving his arms awkwardly, unsure of where he wanted to rest them. “Y-you’re trying to uh...take a nap on me.”

The eye closed and the smile disappeared. After a long moment of very awkward silence with Rori’s thoughts and emotions all over the place; Vari said something that completely floored him.

“I like you, Rorizin.”