Kryva gazed at him in concern as she leaned against the doorway of his room.
He was sitting on the windowsill, holding a brown ceramic jar that contained wine to his lips.
"Why are you drinking?"
She had never seen him touch anything related to alcohol in the time she had spent with him. In fact, he had not touched anything edible in the past week. While her and Zylaorfier ate and drank her family's tea, Houvdon was content with nothing. During their time together during the festival, while she, Serene, and Zylaorifer ate, Houvdon only watched.
It was strange.
"Tomorrow it starts." He pressed the jar to his lips as he tilted his head back.
She frowned but moved closer to him, standing beside him as he looked out.
Whenever she observed the scenery with him, he had always given the impression that he can see beyond what appears below the horizon. He seemed to be capable of predicting things beyond what anyone could have thought could happen.
The fabrication of his plans were seamless, each one fitting perfectly with one another. If for some reason one of them failed, there were always two more to replace the failure.
It was beyond human comprehension on how the minds of the duo Houvdon and Zylaorfier worked. The time spent trying to understand them was better off being used on something else entirely.
"Are you worried?"
His eyes were droopy as he continued to stare outwards, his amber eyes dazed yet focused at the same time.
"Why would I be?"
She struggled to keep herself from smiling, releasing a small sound as she stifled a laugh. There was the indifferent Houvdon she knew that held a hint of arrogance, despite not having a single shred of narcissism.
"Nothing. It's just that you struggled against them four days ago. Are you confident in your abilities?"
The flesh near his mouth flexed as his lips moved as close as it could to a smirk as Houvdon could muster before it disappeared back into the thoughtful, almost depressed look he held ever since they left the festival.
Now that she thought about it, she had only ever seen two soft smiles from him and the rest as blank uninterested looks.
She had never seen this somber melancholic look of his before.
"I have always believed in my abilities." He responded, his voice holding a sense of insecurity despite his attempt to make himself cold, his voice shaking slightly as he responded to all of her questions.
There was the wall that she never attempted to breach. There was only twice he had broken out of the character he had established for himself.
The first was when she had gotten injured in the forest when they were attacked by Verilius's knights. As she lay there slipping into darkness, he had come to rescue her. He had held his hand out and uttered five words that made her heart skip a beat with how they were spoken with such love despite its simplicity and intention.
"𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘪𝘦."
The second was now, as he sat lazily yet perfectly balanced on the window sill. Drastically different from his cold and indifferent attitude, just looking at him caused one to feel emptiness, feeling pity for the male that was forced to grow up.
At just seventeen, he seemed to hold the weight of the world on his shoulders, forced to don a personality that was not originally his.
She broke out of her thoughts when he held out the wine jar to her. He raised his eyebrow, wondering about her thoughts despite his clearly tired expression.
Strange, now that she thought about it, she had never once seen him sleep.
She accepted the jar, taking a long drink out of it.
"Are you worried?" This time, Houvdon repeated the question back to her.
Despite the situation, she found herself smiling. He finally found it within his heart to actually be concerned with how she was thinking and feeling.
Yet, when she thought of tomorrow, her smile shifted into a frown.
"I'm concerned for you. I'm concerned for Zylaorfier. Heck, I'm scared for everyone fighting for me." To clear her mind, to forget, she took another swig, savoring the rich taste.
He gave her another look, one that contained his everlasting thinking as his gaze remained on her, his jaw clenched.
She handed the jar back to him. Once he accepted, she grabbed a second one from the table residing in the middle of the room. The majority that were on the tabletop were already opened and empty, but there was still less than a third filled to the brim.
Kryva pulled off the top, practically inhaling half of the jar the moment she tilted her head back. She heard a sound that almost sounded like a bemused laugh, but she thought nothing of it.
As she lowered the wine, she looked at Houvdon, who was practically staring at her with a gaze that would have been typical of a lover.
But they weren't lovers. It was merely a gaze of pure interest, wondering about her, trying to understand. But what she felt was in the gaze wasn't the desire to understand who she was, but rather, what she was.
When their eyes made contact, his eyes flickered away, looking to just behind her, before reinitiating the connection. Without breaking away, he lifted his hand up, offering her a toast with their respective wine jars.
She couldn't fight the gentle smile on her face as she lifted hers. They took small sips together, past the stage where they would drown in the sorrows that wine drinking caused.
Houvdon looked back out at the dark city lit up by lanterns. He shifted his body so now his legs were pointed outwards into the city. She continued to admire his figure that was like a silhouette due to the dark lighting of the room.
She had only just realized he had only lit a single candle in his room out of the dozen. It was also beside the bed, the furthest candle from his position on the window.
He patted the spot next to him, his fingers tapping against the wood with a dull sound. Kryva crossed the distance between her standing spot and the window in just three strides. The window was small, leaving only inches of space between them.
She still chose to sit, ignoring the hot feeling in her face as she felt the coldness from his body from their close proximity.
Too many questions rose surrounding this mysterious boy next to her. She knew a person's body was supposed to be full of warmth, yet why was it that his body was always cold?
Even Zylaorfier, who wielded Frost, possessed a body that was warmer in temperature than Houvdon's.
Yet despite all these questions, she continued to sip at the wine, enjoying his presence.
Houvdon finished earlier since she had drunk the majority of his. Somehow, he was able to maneuver his way out of the tight space that was the window, and returned to his spot, holding a new jar.
He popped off the lid and threw it out, clearly not caring that he had just littered.
He held out the wine, and she tapped his with her own. They shared a smile, ignoring how her body got warmer at the sight of such a beautiful view.
She didn't know how long they sat on the window together, drinking their worries away. Despite his denial, he was worried. He just didn't wish to voice it, just like all of his other problems.
Eventually came the time where she couldn't drink anymore. No matter how rich the wine was, there was only so much she could take.
How many drinks did she and Houvdon go through? Six, seven? Perhaps more for him? How did he even manage to consume so much considering he had started without her? Her vision blurred as she set down the remainder of her wine.
She turned to look at Houvdon's face that was so full of perfection, he could be called beautiful. The only thing that ruined it was the melancholic look in his eyes that did not fit such eye catching features.
She leaned closer, her mind in a haze as she drunkenly placed her chin on his shoulder, looking at the side of his face. Somehow, she kept her balance despite her swaying, but Houvdon paid no mind to her unusual action, choosing to take another drink.
"Hey."
He gave a soft sound, acknowledging that he heard her.
"Why do you protect me?"
For the first time Houvdon did not ponder his answer. Rather, he spoke words true to his closed heart. Every word he spoke, was not filtered through that mind of his that was reluctant to show any attachment.
"I know how it feels to be powerless. Just as you aren't strong enough to fight against Verilius, I wasn't strong enough to fight against those that opposed me."
Kryva raised her chin off his shoulder, his body colder than the night wind. She grazed his chin with her fingertips, gently tilting his head towards her.
She purred out his name as he clasped her fingers. He gently moved them away from his face as they were brushing his cheek fondly.
"Do you feel it?"
Such a simple question that was able to be answered in many different ways. Yet, Houvdon seemed to know which exact meaning of the question she was asking.
"It's strange. The connection between us. Why is it so strong if we haven't known each other long?"
"You know what they say about soul mates." She leaned closer, scooting over so her right leg pressed against the entirety of his left. She pressed her chest against his arm, her hazy mind vaguely aware of her actions. "Attraction will be easy."
"Soul mates are also to be star-crossed." He countered. "Their destined separation will be even easier."
"Shush." She frowned, and Houvdon shifted uncomfortably as she placed a finger on his lips. After a few moments passed and she determined he would not speak again, she traced his jawline with the tips of her fingers, just barely brushing his skin. Her red and purple eyes looked at him sadly as she leaned even closer, her hot breath making him shiver.
𝘏𝘪𝘮!
"Stop ruining the moment." She looked at him with half-lidded eyes, her lips pursing as they looked at his.
Houvdon took a final sip of wine from the jar that Kryva had forgotten was held in his right hand. He set the ceramic jar down behind him, just below the window sill, before turning to her completely.
"You are drunk."
"Shush, stop ruining the moment." She repeated as she pressed her finger against his lips again, her finger growing warm despite the coldness of his lips. No matter how soft they were, they could not take away the fact that every part of his body was ice-cold.
Yet, this did not stop her from pressing her body against his.
He only gave her a glance that said that he would only tolerate her behavior for a set amount of time before he put a stop to it. Despite this look, he gave her his full attention, looking at her with those eyes that made one realize he could practically see their soul.
"𝘈𝘮𝘰𝘳."
He stiffened as she called him this.
She giggled as she took in his shocked reaction. While his features remained eternally frozen in coldness, his eyes flashed with uncertainty.
"Houvdon." She trailed the final part of his name in a purr as she gave him a sultry smile. She puckered her lips as she kissed the corner of his mouth, giggling softly as her lips had just barely brushed skin before pulling away. She gave him a smile, satisfied with herself and waiting for his reaction.
He could only sigh at her drunken self. She was completely different than when she was sober. His mouth twitched as he fought off a smile.
He rather liked this bold and teasing version of her. While her sober self was growing more and more confident, she still would not be this forward with him. There were implications of her feelings for him, such as when she wore his cloak to the gathering or even the way she acted to him earlier today. She never did something of this caliber where she would kiss him and give him sweet affectionate touches.
He shifted, throwing his left leg back into the room, balancing on the window sill with one leg in the room and the other hanging in empty air. Kryva had moved backwards in surprise, her body swaying slightly at her own quick action.
Faster than Kryva could react, Houvdon pulled her into his chest, making her gasp in shock. Both her legs hung outside into open air, while her body leaned to the side so Kryva's face would be in the crook of his neck.
At least, it would have had she been taller. With her height, she was only able to rest her head against his chest, her head barely reaching the height of his shoulder.
Houvdon placed his cheek atop her head, lightly running his hand through her hair. He faced the night city with her pressed against him.
She gave a quick relaxed breath as she wrapped one of her arms around his body, her right hand touching with her left as she hugged him.
He thought about what Kryva had said about the two of them. Was them being soul mates really true? If that was the case, it would explain their attraction towards each other despite the very short time they had spent together.
It was as she said. Soul mates were easily attracted to each other, associated with love at first sight.
Yet the underlying outcome of a soul mate was something none talked about. Soul mates were star-crossed, with their ending always ending tragically. No matter how much one fought, no matter how much feeling was between them, their destined separation was always easier to achieve than their attraction.
"Why...is your heartbeat so slow?"
He gave a small smile. Even while drunk she was still curious about him. At least when she was sober, she kept her questions about him to herself, knowing that despite his lack of clarity, he would never hurt her.
"Who knows?"
Even in her drunken haze, she understood. She understood that he didn't wish to share. And he was glad that she understood.
"Amor." She muttered as she touched his neck with her forehead, shifting closer to him so it was easier for her short height to achieve it. Her delicate fingers reached upwards and stroked his cheek without poking out his eyes. "I wish that we can run away from all of this. I don't want to fight."
He gave a small smile as he lifted his face off of the top of her head, pulling Kryva's fingers away from his face. However, instead of letting go, he intertwined his fingers with hers, resting his chin atop her head.
"Kryva, did you know?" He paused, wondering if he should tell her. This pause only lasted a split second as he pushed forward with his words. "When I was younger, I wanted to create a world where peasants and nobles can coincide and live peacefully."
She was quiet, her uneven breathing the only sign that she was still awake. However, her silence only lasted moments before she was able to come up with a response. "You wanted? What happened?"
He could only smile sadly, his amber eyes turning somber. He gazed out into the city lit up by lanterns, looking at each individual light. "It isn't important anymore. It isn't what I will do anymore."
Underneath the somber eyes were orbs full of rage as he gazed at something only he could see. His amber eyes glowed brightly as he continued to stare focused on one spot.
He was brought back to reality when Kryva squeezed his hand. "The blessing...? When you accepted the gift, that was when you gave up your dream."
It wasn't a question. It was a statement that only wanted confirmation from the source.
He gave a small sound that Kryva accepted. Her fingers twitched, her hand pulled out of his hold. She pushed off of him, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. Her red and purple eyes stared into his own as she muttered soft words, almost as if she were talking in a crowded room and only wanted his ears to hear.
"Then I will achieve this dream for you. Just as you helped me, I would help you." She gave him a beautiful soft smile. "I will definitely not let this dream die."
He was shocked, literally speechless. He coughed lightly as he tilted his head away. For the first time, he didn't know what to say back to her. He felt his nonexistent blood flow upwards into his face, warming the cold ice that was his flesh.
This girl, with just a few words, warmed the heart he thought could never let anyone else in. It was here, Houvdon realized the reason why he wanted to protect Kryva. It wasn't due to any sort of pity due to her lack of power. It wasn't due to their similar situations of powerlessness.
Rather, it was because of this. Just as she had an unsaid attraction for him, he also had lurking feelings for her.
As he looked at her beautiful, yet droopy eyes that looked at him with such a gentleness, he realized just how beautiful she was, in both body and soul. While he cared not for her outward appearance as much as others, there was something about her that captured his attention, even during their first meeting. He wasn't sure if it was her physical beauty, or that personality of hers that was able to pierce through all of the walls of his heart even when he had first helped her with Zuxara.
From a flustered girl that couldn't even concentrate in his presence, to a girl that was willing to challenge his methods without fear. Her wish to be independent and make decisions for herself only made him admire her even further, even if it irritated him beyond what he could describe. Her curiosity for answers, as well as her intelligence was something everyone could only dream of having.
Either way, whether it was her beautiful and gentle outward or strong and determined inner appearance, she managed to possess his full attention as well as what little of his heart he had left. The only thing he could do was smile warmly at her, appreciation and a hint of affection behind the smile and within his eyes. He uttered only two words. "Thank you."
She put her head back onto his chest, smiling softly to herself in accomplishment at making him flustered.
Slowly, she felt her drunken mind slowly shift to darkness. She felt the sleep overcome her, but right before she closed her eyes and succumbed to it, she heard Houvdon utter one more word, almost as if continuing the two words he said previously.
"𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘢."
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𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕰𝖓𝖉