While on their way to the canteen, they have been walking silently side by side. Quirra broke the silence by asking Bailey a question.
"How long have you been Headmaster's disciple?" Although she already knew, she had to pretend she didn't just so they could have something to talk about.
B: "Since I was five years old."
Q: "And how old are you now?"
B: "I'm 18 years old."
Q: "You're not much older than I am. It's so lucky of you that you're admitted as Headmaster's disciple when you were young."
B: "I had nowhere else to go back then." he admitted. Usually, he wouldn't talk about his past. But for some reason, he wanted Krystian to know about him and in exchange he wanted to know more about Krystian as well. "What about you?"
Q: "I wish I was admitted as Headmaster's disciple when I was young like you." her voice had a hint of sadness, but she smiled nonetheless as she confessed. "My father died when I was young, leaving me behind as well as my mother and my four siblings. Since I am the oldest, I had to grow up fast. I took care of my siblings while my mother worked hard to support us." she recounted the original Krystian's past life.
B: "I'm sorry about your father. It must've been tough on you, taking care of your siblings at such a young age."
Q: "It was. But the experience taught me to cherish those still around me." it was the truth. Quirra's past life taught her that lesson.
B: "So what happened next?"
Q: "Mother found a new 'Father' for us. However, he was nothing but a lazy bum. He doesn't even lift a finger to help around the house or help my mom with our finances. All he does is drink all day and hit us when he gets drunk. I used to hide the other kids whenever he is on a tirade. I did try stopping him from hitting my mother once. I tried convincing her to leave him behind and start anew, but my words meant nothing to her. When I was 13, he attacked my mom. I was a young foolish boy back then and I was also stronger than a normal person, although i successfully stopped him from killing my mom, in exchange, I broke his nose and his arm. The sad part about it was, my mother blamed me. Said it was all my fault. My step father gave her the ultimatum to either kick me out or he'll leave. Guess what my mother's choice was." her voice quivered as she told him all of Krystian's past.
Bailey kept his mouth shut. He didn't know what to say to him in comfort. He just let Krystian finish talking while he listened intently.
Q: "My mother dropped me off at an orphanage and told me to never go home again. I only stayed at the orphanage for only two days and then I left. Then I found myself an apprenticing job at a blacksmith. I worked and lived there for 3 years, thinking that I would save enough money to take my siblings away from that hellhole we called home. But when the day came for me to take my siblings. . . . .they were all gone." she willed herself to look and sound mournful, while she kicked pebbles away as they continued walking towards the canteen.
B: "What happened?" Bailey asked as they stopped by the road.
Q: "House fire....or so the neighbors say. All of my family died. All except that man."
Bailey pulled Krystian's hand and lead him into a small clearing into the woods. When they reached the deepest part of the woods, he pulled Krystian into a tight hug. The sweet scent on Krystian was pushing Bailey's memories to remember. But remember what??
Quirra stood still as he let Bailey hold him. To her surprise, Bailey's scent was familiar. But she couldn't remember where she smelled it before.
B: "I'm sorry about what happened to your family."
Q: "It's okay." she replied as she buried her face in Bailey's chest. "I know they're all in a better place now. And I made a promise that if I ever saw that man again, I'll kill him in retribution."
B: "Then I will help you kill him."
Q: "You would do that?"
B: "Yes. That's a promise. I sort of wish you were found by Headmaster when you were young too." he confessed.
Q: "Why is that?"
B: "Then you wouldn't have to experience so much struggle as a child and so much pain as a young boy. But most of all, we would have grown up together."
Quirra smiled at the thought of them growing up together.
"That would have been nice."
Bailey nodded his head in agreement. He had a strong feeling to kiss the top of Krystian's head, and for just a moment, he let himself do what his impulses wishes to do.
Bailey lifted Krystian's head up as he leaned down. His violet eyes searched Krystian's green ones for any hesitation or any doubt and seeing none of it, he kissed Krystian on the lips lightly.
Quirra's eyes widened in surprise at Bailey's boldness.
B: "Now that you're here, I want you to stay by my side. I'll take good care of you."
Krystian's eyes watered as he nodded his head at Bailey's words. A slight smile could be seen on his face before he buried his head back at Bailey's chest.
However, Quirra was a bit thrown off at Bailey's intimacy. Wasn't Bailey's confession a bit too fast!? This mission was going too well for her liking, she had to be more cautious about it.
But in the mean time, she would further push their attraction as well as their relationship, so she could complete her mission faster.
♡