Inigo Nowell stood leaning on his bike, his most prized possession; A Kawasaki Ninja H2, lazily running his gaze around the parking lot as he waited for his best friend.
Donned in a black leather jacket over a plain white T-shirt with a pair of ripped jeans slightly long raven locks playing with the winds as it blew through them, he looked like the epitome of bad boys.
But appearances can be deceiving for he was anything but a stereotypical bad boy.
Brought up by his grandparents for his parents left him in their small hometown so they could manage their law firm in the big city without having to worry about their child. Rather than hating his parents for sending him away, Inigo was grateful for that decision because he understood the reason behind their actions.
His grandparents ensured that he never felt lonely or unloved. Teaching him all the values they had instilled in their children, they were proud of the young man he had become.
Respectful and well-behaved yet, he was not very friendly. Even though known and feared for his fierce attitude and icy demeanor, Inigo only kept those characteristics as pretenses so that he was left alone by his peers. Unlike his friend, who didn't mind entertaining them with his presence, letting his admirers surround him, he valued his personal space.
But when he did let someone get past his invisible barriers, he had quite a charming personality. Supremely gifted in the looks and wits department, Inigo was every girl's guilty pleasure. One of the top three contenders for the top spot in academics, it's clear that he took his education seriously, and with all AP classes, he aspired for rank-one colleges and a bright, successful future.
There was just this one peculiarity in him. He despised losing- any challenge, competition or possession. Frequently refusing to share something that belongs to him, this young lad had quite a tenacious nature. Lord save the person who even dared to touch his bike, or any other possession without his permission. This guy had some terrific combat skills. What he wants, he has to get otherwise who knows who might get destroyed by this potent hazard.
His sharp black eyes zeroed on his friend who, as usual, accompanied by his groupies, made his way towards him.
Rolling his eyes in amusement, Inigo caught the irritated expression on his face concealed well under his radiant smile.
Inigo has known Joel since they were nine. Their chance encounter when they were young through their parents who are good friends allowed a bud of friendship to bloom between them. Bonding through their similarities, working past their differences, these two became closer than brothers, enough to understand each other without words.
As soon as the little crowd got sufficiently close, Inigo contorted his face into his signature 'I am pissed off don't dare to come near me or, I might throw you beyond the oceans to the Arctic and, you'll die not because of the cold but of a polar Bear devouring you in lunch,' face. That did it. The herd dispersed faster than you could spot a hole in Swiss cheese.
Joel lost his fake smile and relaxed into a lazy grin as he came to a stop near his now smirking friend.
"Thanks, bro."
"No problem."
With that, they bumped their fists together in the true 'My brother!' fashion.
At that moment, Inigo noticed Joel holding a small, prettily wrapped box in his hand.
"Another present?" He asked in a teasing manner, even though he received plenty of gifts from his admirers as well.
"Yup! Another trip to the orphanage is due soon," Joel replied playfully, throwing the gift box up in the air only catch it mid way.
He frowned before adding, "This one doesn't have a name, though."
Inigo lifted his hand to his face, the index finger tapping his chin as he pretended to think.
Unimpressed, Joel waited for his response.
"A shy chick, or maybe an anonymous entity who's hidden a bomb in that box or whatever's in it, is potentially harmful with vengeful intentions. A Trojan horse, I tell you." Inigo stated with a straight face.
Joel returned an ' I am so done with you' look, before putting his thoughts forward.
"Could it...do you think it's from her?" his manner changing to that of a shy schoolboy's who's speaking about his long time crush for the first time.
Inigo felt his face harden and his chest tighten at his words. Forcing out a cheeky grin, he pulled the box from his friend's hands before the latter could form a protest.
He ripped it open before pulling out-
"Chocolates? Nice," he smiled mischievously, "Just what I needed, "he said, popping one into his mouth before his friend could stop him.
"Wha-?" Joel stared dumbfounded at the abruptness.
Inigo felt the sweetness melt in his mouth. Chewing on some softened nuts, he tasted something weird and liquid-y run down his throat..
Slapping a hand that he saw advancing towards the chocolates, he answered the question of his best friend's accusatory eyes.
"Contains nuts." He swallowed his second chocolate as he answered.
Disappointed, Joel continued to nurse his hand, watching his friend snack on his chocolates.
After three pieces, Inigo felt an odd feeling entering his system. His heart rate sped up, thumping against his chest with such force that he felt it might just fall out. An apprehensive feeling in his gut, Inigo felt anticipation invading his conscience. His ears began ringing as the last thing he heard became Joel's calls of concern. Haziness appeared before him as if a blanket of fog was pulled over his eyes.
Before he knew it, his feet began moving.
Joel gawked at his friend, unable to understand what suddenly came over him to walk tipsily forward stumbling, and tripping on air as if he had gone blind. Never in his many years of knowing Inigo had he seen the boy showcase such clumsy behavior.
Calling out to him, Joel ran after his friend.
"Has he become deaf as well?" he questioned himself, seeing his shouts have no effects as the seemingly drunken boy showed no signs of acknowledgment.
Joel paused all of a sudden before quickening his pace, thinking, "Oh no!"
Inigo floundered forward, struggling with his sudden impairments. Excruciating pain resided in his head and pounded his chest.
Unexpectedly, he collided with something. Or rather, someone.
It is agonizing to know that something not good is about to happen to you, but you cannot do anything but wait for it to collapse on you.
That is how Inigo felt right at that moment. Incapable of breaking his fall, he prepared himself to unite with the ground.
But it never came. Inigo's alliance with the ground did not happen.
He felt a pair of arms around him before he saw her.
Feeling his vision becoming clear and the ringing in his ears fading, he relaxed as the pain left his body. As Inigo's head cleared, he found himself in thin, frail arms, his body supported by a comparatively much smaller one.
Inigo does not have a ridiculously bulky frame. But he is by no means short or extremely light. Lean and tall, his physique rippling with visible hardcore muscles, he struggled to believe that he was held in the position a male would hold his female dance partner in while bending her lightly after a twirl.
One hand on his waist and the other under his neck, right below his head, he saw visible signs of over-exertion on the poor girl's face as she struggled to support his weight.
But he failed to find in him the will to relieve her of the trouble. He fell in a trance the moment his gaze caught hers. The desire to remain eternally in her arms overpowered all other senses. His lungs filled with a new breath of life as they inhaled the intoxicating scent of the beautiful maiden.
Pitch black eyes met blue orbs as a cosmic explosion erupted in their hearts, drowning them in a blaze of navy luminescence.