Chapter Text
„These roses are a part of me,“ the blonde said, handing him a bouquet of blue roses.
They glittered in the evening light, almost shining as if they had a light of their own. They weren't just simple roses and couldn't be bought at just any flower shop. No, they were made of ice, a kind of witchcraft unique to the boy.
When Kirito took them, he tried to be as careful as possible, making sure not to damage the delicate petals. They didn't have a scent, yet the black haired boy raised them up to his nose out of habit. The he smiled and pulled them closer to his chest as his date continued his explanation.
„They won't melt or wilt as long as I'm alive. That way you will always have a part of me with you.“
„But I don't have anything for you.“
Eugeo shook his head and smiled.
„You've given me so much already. I should be the one giving back more.“
Ever since his childhood friend had vanished, Eugeo had isolated himself from the other witches in his coven and even from other humans. Only after he met Kirito during an exchange program of their schools was he able to open up. He was still a little awkward around others, but as long as Kirito was there, he knew he could face any hardship.
They were able to become friends so easily, it was no surprise that they confesses their love soon after.
However, their happiness wasn't one they could share with the world. They were both in different covens and it was a century old rule that witches from different covens were not allowed to be in a relationship.
In the past, such a relationship brought one of the biggest war between witches, one where many lifes were lost.
But that was in the past. The modern witches weren't as secluded as they used to be. Laws like that should have been unnecessary by now. And yet, obeying the laws was something witches took pride in and as simple trainees neither of the boys was able to defy them.
But despite that, Kirito and Eugeo decided to break the laws when they spend the night together, giving each other the love only they could give.
The morning sun fell through the gap in the curtains, shining into Kiritos room and illuminating the soft blonde hair of his still sleeping partner. The black haired boy usually wasn't the first to wake up, but on this morning he was glad he did. That way, he could enjoy Eugeos sleeping face, his gentle features more relaxed than usual. Kirito tried to resist poking his cheek or else he'd wake him.
They would need to go seperate ways soon. The exchange program existed to give trainees the chance to expand their knowledge in witchcraft, but Eugeo had his own school with his own specialties. And since they were rather far away, visiting each other just like that was near impossible. So all they had was their phones and the little time they had left now.
„Could you give me the chamomile from the shelf up there?“ the girl asked.
The black haired boy didn't listen. He was staring out the window, lost in thought. So she had to repeat herself more forcefully.
„Kirito-kun, the chamomile!“
Again, no reation. The brunette had to walk over to him and spoke when she was just a centimeter away from his ear.
„Are you even listening to me?“
The boy jumped in surprise and fell down the windowsill, right unto his butt.
„A-Asuna? Why did you do that?“
„You weren't answering. I told you to get me the chamomile. We'll never get the potion done at this pace.“
„Ah, right. The potion,“ he said, scrambling to get back on his feet.
After he stood up, he walked over to the shelf with the herbs and took the first one he saw. Asuna watched him with furrowed brows.
„That's fennel. Chamomile is the daisy-looking plant.“
With a nod, Kirito switched the herbs and finally came back with the one they needed. As Asuna took them and carefully plugged the petals, she continued to speak.
„You've been pretty strange lately. As if your thoughts are somewhere else. Did something happen?“
The black haired boy hesitated for a second. Even though he could trust Asuna with his life, they were in school right now, so there was always the possibility of someone overhearing them.
„N-not really. I'm just not feeling well.“
The girl looked at him from the side, suspicion all over her face.
„Are you sure? If you need help, you can always talk to me.“
Kirito stayed silent. It was unsettling how well she could tell something was off.
Ever since he and Eugeo got together, he felt like anything he said or did could bust their secret. It wasn't specified what kind of punishment they would get, but he didn't want to risk it. He didn't want Eugeo to get hurt because of him, even if it meant taking all of the blame himself.
And so, Kirito couldn't answer her. Which gave Asuna the last hint that she was right.
She put down the herbs and went over to the window, where the boy had been before. She looked outside and saw a different class being tutored outside. There were also a few people from the exchange program, including Eugeo.
„You were watching him, weren't you?“
„W-watching who?“ he stuttered.
„The boy from Rulid. What was his name again, Eugeo? You've been spending a lot of time with him recently.“
Kirito knew where this was going.
„Could it be that you have a crush on-“
The black haired boy silenced her by putting his finger on her lips. Then he came closer to her and whispered with a panicked expression on his face.
„Don't say it. If people would find out about us, we'd be gone.“
„So you two are already...?“ she whispered back.
Kirito nodded.
„Do you even know in what kind of trouble you'll get in? This isn't like one of your experiments. You won't just get away with some detention!“
„I know, I know. That's why you have to keep it a secret.“
„Who knows what Kikuoka is going to do with you. Or what his coven is going to do with him.“
„If we're really going to be caught I'll take all the blame. You know that Kikuoka goes easy on me.“
Asuna hesitated, thinking about what she should do. In the end, she sighs.
„Okay, I'll trust you. But please make sure to keep it from the others. I don't want to see you hurt.“
Slowly, his smile came back and out of relief, he wrapped his arms around her.
„Thank you Asuna, you're the best,“ he said, squeezing her tightly.
„You know that I still owe you for helping me with Yuuki.“
It was dark when he arrived at the park. They had make up an excuse that Eugeo would help him practice elemental magic, but in truth, they planned on meeting up for another date. Though they would probably end up practicing a little after all.
When their eyes met, both of them had a smile on their face. During the day, they were only able to act like friends, but during the night, when most people were already sleeping, they were able to treat each other like lovers.
Before Kirito was able to say anything, the blonde took his hand and pulled him closer. The other hand cupping his cheek, he closed the gap quickly and kissed him. It took the black haired boy by surprise.
„What if someone saw this?“ he said in a hushed voice.
„Don't worry, I put up a barrier.“
His smile reassured Kirito and now that he was feeling safer, he went in for another kiss.
They spend their evening together, always making sure to stay within the barrier that would lead anyone who came too close to it away from them. It wasn't a particularly difficult spell, but it was still rather advanced. Kirito wondered when he had learned it.
He trusted Eugeos ability to learn extremely fast, but there was still the worry that it wasn't executed properly. And despite his best efforts to ignore it, it stayed in the back of his mind.
Perhaps he should have listened to it.
It was on the next day. The last class had just finished and Kirito and his friends were heading back to the dorm. Eugeo tagged along, already having been fully welcomed into the group. It was supposed to be a relaxing afternoon, but as soon as they saw Kikuoka waiting for them at the entrance of the dorm, they realized something was off.
Usually, when Kirito had gotten into trouble again, it was one of the teachers waiting for him. If they didn't get him during classes. But this time, the leader of their coven himself was there. And his face didn't look like it was just a little mischief that Kirito would get punished for.
He and Eugeo looked at each other at the same time, both having the same horrible realization.
They must have been caught.
„I guess you know why you're here, right?“ the man spoke after leading the two boys into his office.
„N-no?“ the black haired boy lied.
Kikuoka sighed in annoyance and continued.
„You two have been seen meeting up at night. And it didn't look like it was a meeting between just friends. Anything to say to that?“
The boys stayed silent, looking down at their feet.
„Look, I can understand if you guys find each other attractive. Even a little crush os okay, we've all been there. But you should remember the witches laws. You shouldn't let your relationship develop any further than that.“
He paused and continued in a more sympathetic voice.
„I'm giving you another chance. If you two promise me you will end this here, I won't inform the others. Eugeo will have to go back to his coven soon anyway.“
The shock of hearing his proposal took all the words out of the boys. It was surprising to hear a deal where they could get away unpunished, but they were more horrified than relieved.
Both of them knew their choice was objectively wrong, but their love for each other was stronger than that.
They looked at each other with determination in their eyes and held hands as Kirito answered.
„No.“
Kikuoka stayed silent and looked at them with pity. Then, after a long while, he spoke again.
„Then that's all I can do for you. Kirito, you'll be grounded until we've chosen your punishment. Eugeo, you will go back to Rulid immediately. Your leader will choose a punishment for you. And neither of you is allowed to contact each other again.“