Vira turned off the light and lay down next to Saka. Saka felt extremely conscious of every movement of Vira's. He hadn't forgotten what Vira had said before dinner.
"Now for redemption," Vira spoke, breaking the silence.
Saka turned towards him, mentally preparing himself. What did Vira have in mind? Last time his punishment had been reading fat books. And Vira's room was filled with those.
He crushed those thoughts. No. Sen Vira would not torture him during the weekends.
The moonlight poured into the room through the west-facing French windows, which illuminated Vira's face. The scar across his nose and face appeared a faint silver.
Saka found it beautiful but did not voice it. He had the urge to touch it, but restrained himself. He knew Vira was touchy about it.
"What are you staring at?" Vira asked him. He could see the glint in Saka's eyes and nothing else, as Saka lay with his back towards the window to face him. Part of his face was shadowed.
"You remind me of the silver dragon," Saka said lightly.
Vira stared at him for some time. Even last time, he had been staring at the long scar, something that Vira had hated about his face.
"Want to touch it?" Vira asked. He would make this a one-time exception.
Saka's eyes sparked. "I can?" He asked, moving his hands up to Vira's face.
"Why are you so fixated on it?" Vira asked. He closed his eyes as Saka gently traced it with his fingertips.
That area alone was smoother than the rest of his face.
"Because it makes you my silver dragon."
Saka made it sound like Vira was his pet.
Vira chuckled. "Your silver dragon?"
Saka nodded, withdrawing his hand. He did not smile, but his eyes shone. He was happy.
"Hmm... He was stabbed in the face, but that gave him more character. People spread rumors about his fierceness because of the scar, but he was the gentlest being that ever lived."
"Then, what does that make you?" He asked, wondering if Saka would refer to himself as the beast tamer or dragon slayer. Last time, Saka had made the same reference.
"The dragon's husband, but I'm not mentioned in that story," Saka responded sadly.
Vira giggled at the simplicity of Saka's thought process. Saka was unique, maybe that's what drew Vira to him.
"I've always hated this scar, but thanks to you, maybe I won't hate it that much." He said that and smiled.
He turned to face the ceiling. "Have you wondered how I got this scar?"
Saka didn't say anything. He waited for Vira to continue. Honestly, he hadn't given it much thought till he heard about it from Maw Lava.
"I was an idiot who wanted his mother's love and attention, I guess. I slashed myself when she said she hated my face. Maybe with the changed face, I thought I could get her to like me. Haha, that didn't work. The joke was on me."
There was silence. He felt Saka's hand lightly touching his cheek.
"How blindly you must love her to be able to do that to yourself," Saka whispered. His eyes flashed with anger, but his voice showed sadness.
Though Vira didn't tell him the complete story and made the situation sound light, Saka knew the whole truth since he heard it from Maw Lava.
That day he had cried as if someone had wrenched his heart.
Vira just looked at Saka. People had called him crazy. No one but his grandma had stood by him. She had kicked everyone out of her life to protect him.
"Would you have done it if you had been in my place?"
Saka shrugged. "I don't know. Honestly, I may not have." Vira nodded. It made sense.
"But if it is for you, I would do anything."
Vira's eyes widened in shock. He turned back on his side to look properly at Saka."What are you saying? You should never do anything so crazy. Do you understand?" Vira sounded angry. He was angry. Angry that Saka took his worth so lightly.
But Saka shook his head. "Sen, if I did it for you, it would be worth it. Generous to a fault, giving without expectations, loving without boundaries... I would be mad to lose a person like you. For you, I'd gladly give my life if it could save you."
Vira looked at Saka. He was touched to the point of tears. "You are an idiot."
There was silence. Saka just stared at Vira for a few seconds.
What was he thinking? Vira wondered.
"Sen, you trust me?" Saka asked suddenly.
Vira was taken aback by the question, but without hesitatiin he replied, "of course."
"Then, could you close your eyes?"
"Hm?" Vira looked at him blankly.
Saka urged him, "Just trust me and close your eyes."
Vira closed his eyes. Saka inched close to Vira. Vira was completely aware of the movement; he could feel Saka's face very close to him. He held his breath. What was Saka planning to do?
Saka gently held Vira's head and pressed his forehead against his. He then whispered, "Every time I had a nightmare, my mom would do this; she would take away the sadness and the fears. I hope I can take yours away, so you will never cry again about what happened to you."
Vira was simply stumped. How could there be a person this adorable? He took a deep breath. Now was not the time to be tempted. He gently rubbed Saka's face with the palm of of hand.
"Thank you, Saka. I think it worked. I won't ever feel sad about my past anymore." He smiled, his smile mirroring his love.
Was there a possibility to fall any harder for Saka?
He didn't think it was possible.
Saka smiled shyly. He felt happy he could bring that smile to Vira's face.
"Sleep now; we'll have a busy day tomorrow."
Saka nodded and moved back to his bed.
"Good night, Sen!"
Two minutes later, Vira heard Saka's gentle snore.
"How does he manage to fall asleep this quickly?" He wondered, as he smiled to himself.