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*Enchant*
In the entirety of Enchant's life as a voyager, and an even longer "life" as a spirit, he never really experienced intense emotions. Well, except for the time when his ark sank due to the apocalypse which wreaked havoc on the Kingdom of Sky aeons ago. His memories were hazy, but he vaguely recalled his throat constricting in panic as the waves rose higher and higher amidst the ferocious storm, crashing onto the ark's deck mercilessly. Fear. Fear was probably the most intense emotion he had ever felt.
Until Rhythm came along.
Enchant instinctively reached for his golden pipe, drawing in a lungful of smoke. Rhythm, Rhythm, Rhythm. The chirpy quest giver was always on his mind, affecting him in so many ways. The mischievous grin, the moonstone-white hair, the bouncy footsteps. Everything about Rhythm was so foreign, but so, so intriguing. He was like a gem sparkling among dull-looking rocks, and Enchant couldn't help but turn his head for a closer look.
Suddenly, Enchant realized he was spacing out and coughed vigorously due to the excessive smoke in his lungs. His chest felt like it was on fire, and he blinked back moisture that was beginning to collect at the corner of his eyelids, causing his long eyelashes to glisten under the yellowish light. He took in deep breaths, trying to recollect himself, before the oh-so-familair flapping of wings snapped him out of his reverie.
"Sir Enchanttttt~!"
Oh, God.
Enchant released a deep sigh, adjusting his turban awkwardly as he averted his gaze—perhaps not completely—from the eager quest giver. He tried not to stare in awe as the gigantic white owl in front of him began to shapeshift, twirling and twirling until a lithe figure bursted through the fluttering plumage, drenching his spells and potions stall with a gleaming white light.
"Enchant, how much have I missed you," Rhythm began, resting both of his palms on Enchant's velvet-clad table, smoothing out the lush purple fabric with his slender fingers. He leaned in incrementally, allowing a feather stuck on his head to tickle Enchant's skin. As always, Rhythm was already invading Enchant's personal space upon his arrival, without a sliver of shame on his angelic features. If other spirits dared close their distance with Enchant, he would undeniably snarl in annoyance and tell them to get lost. But when Rhythm did it… well… Enchant couldn't find a reason to push him away.
"Greetings, Sir Rhythm," Enchant replied stoically, his eyes passive and mouth pressed into a thin line, "Have you come to take a look at new spells at my stall, perhaps?"
"Oh geez, cut the formalities, Enchant. We're friends." Rhythm protested, clucking his tongue in dissatisfaction. With a loud "oof", he hoisted himself off from the sandy ground, resting his bottom on the table surface. Enchant tried not to cringe at the sight of a magic scroll trembling precariously on the edge, and some greenish liquid sloshing around enthusiastically in a round-bottomed flask.
“The potions.” He uttered under his breath.
“What?? Sorry, Enchant… I couldn’t hear you!” Rhythm said innocently. Enchant sighed in exasperation. He was planning to reiterate his concerns when Rhythm scooted even closer to him, so close that his fingertips were brushing against the thick material of Enchant’s sleeve.
Enchant didn’t know if he was hallucinating, but he could definitely feel blood rushing to his cheeks and his throat beginning to close up, rendering him speechless. His eyes were fixated on Rhythm’s pale hands, the way it contrasted against his sapphire blue shirt, the way it looked slightly smaller than his, the way it crept towards the hem of Enchant’s sleeve and began tugging petulantly. He wondered how it would feel like, to have Rhythm’s hands in his, to feel Rhythm’s hands caressing his cheek, to have Rhythm’s hands peel off his turban and card his fingers through his hair. He didn’t know where these feelings came from, or when they started to sprout and consume his age-old mind, but he surely wasn’t able to will them away.
Enchant coughed in an attempt to cover up his flaring blush and prayed to the elders that Rhythm paid no notice.
“Ohhhhhh… someone is shy~!”
So much for being inconspicuous.
“I do not know what you mean.” Enchant cleared his throat, shielding his flaming face from Rhythm's sharp eyes with his sleeve.
“It’s nothing difficult to understand, Enchant. You were blushing.”
“Was not.”
“Owls have excellent eyesight, you know.”
“You must have mistaken.”
An awkward pause stretched between the two. Enchant kept his sleeve on his face, trying his best to avert his gaze from Rhythm’s intense one. He attempted to focus on the bubbling sounds of a growth potion boiling, or the soft tinkling of test tubes on the stone shelves behind him. But all of those sounds were soon blocked out by the incessant beating of his racing heart, threatening to burst out of his rib cage.
This happens every time I see him, Enchant soon realises after a few seconds. He could feel his heart hammering and expanding in his chest, forming a huge lump in throat. His throat and chest constricted painfully, but it surely could not be out of fear like the time when his ship sank. Instead, his reaction was triggered by a different cause. Something strange, something unfamiliar, something—
Someone.
Everything happened because of someone.
“Earth to Enchant,” a distant voice called out in exasperation. Enchant blinked rapidly, almost letting out a surprised splutter as he saw Rhythm crouching on his table, his lithe body curled up into a ball as he supported his chin on his knees. Rhythm raised an eyebrow when Enchant remained quiet for too long, as if waiting for a response.
“My apologies, Sir Rhythm,” Enchant finally muttered, his voice straining against his throat, “I was simply pondering over new recipes for my potions.”
Enchant pulled at his earring absentmindedly, anticipating a snarky remark from the witty quest giver. But what greeted him was an ambiguous look that crossed over Rhythm’s face, masking his previous cheerful expression. Somehow, it made Enchant panic in worry, and he yearned to reach forward and hold Rhythm’s face gently in his palms.
“Ah, I see,” Rhythm began, his fringe concealing his eyes—Was his voice trembling?—“It’s all about your potions. Even when I’m present, that’s the only thing you can think about. How rude.”
“Sir Rhythm, I—”
“I came all the way from Valley to visit you, yet you won’t even show some sympathy.” Rhythm continued, turning away from Enchant as if he was ready to leave. “Am I really that spiteful? Do you really not want my company?”
Enchant was at a loss for words. What was Rhythm even saying? The quest giver might have disrupted the Forgotten Ark’s serenity for a few months, but his intentions were never malicious. If anything, Rhythm only came to see Enchant, either convincing him to have an idle chat with him, or begging him to explore the Kingdom of Sky together. Enchant had dismissed him every time, but it was because he was afraid of what Rhythm made him feel. Afraid of what would happen if he embraced the emotions blooming in his chest, afraid of how Rhythm would react if he knew.
Maybe, just maybe, Enchant mused, I feel a certain fondness towards Rhythm.
“Until later, Enchant,” Rhythm uttered under his breath. Enchant’s panic magnified tenfold.
No, don’t go.
“I will see you next week. Goodbye.”
An invisible force tugged at Enchant’s chest, urging him to do the right thing. It was either now, or never. “Rhythm! Wait!” The words tumbled out of Enchant’s mouth before he could register what was happening.
*Rhythm*
Rhythm halted in his tracks upon hearing his own name. His own name, without any honorifics, spilling from Enchant’s mouth.
He sucked in a deep breath, trying to calm the erratic beating of his heart as unspoken affections hung in the air. Enchant never addressed someone outside his family by their name. Rhythm might not be his best friend, but he knew him well enough to understand that Enchant only reserved first names for people he cared about most. Enchant’s words spoke volumes, and Rhythm, despite being a stranger to romance, felt his heart explode with hope.
*Enchant*
“Rhythm. Please, listen to me.” Enchant felt his voice quivering. He didn’t know he was capable of speaking to someone with such emotion, and it shocked him that a single person could bring such profound changes to him. He saw Rhythm stiffen in front of him, the heels of his boots digging in midway through Wasteland sand.
“Rhythm, I’m sorry for dismissing you.” Enchant started, feet shuffling beneath his billowing cloak. “It was never my intention to upset you. I don’t dislike your presence at all. In fact, I—I look forward to your weekly trips to the Forgotten Ark.
“I’ve never met a person like you before, Rhythm, so full of energy and vitality. Ever since I was a child, I have been brought up by a stern uncle, who trained me with utmost discipline and austerity to prepare me for the role as leader of the Ark. To be honest, I’ve never indulged in much childish play, I simply didn’t have time for that. So, seeing you bursting with joy and enthusiasm every time you come to visit… I just… didn’t know how to react.”
Enchant took a deep breath, laying his palm flat over his beating heart. Before he knew it, Rhythm was already standing in front of him, his blazing gold eyes boring into his intently.
“Do you find it weird?”
“What?”
“That I act like a child. That I act differently from the people who you're used to. Do you find that weird?”
They were so close now. Enchant could feel Rhythm’s soft breath tickling his skin, could feel the warmth radiating off his flushed cheeks.
“Not at all,” he replied, almost instantaneously. His hand moved on its own, seeking refuge between Rhythm’s silvery-white locks. He heard Rhythm’s breath hitch slightly as he leaned into his large palm, mingling the warmth of their skin.
“In fact, I like it a lot.”
Before he knew it, Enchant leaned in, and their lips were touching.
*Rhythm*
Rhythm had been waiting for this moment ever since he laid eyes on this enchanting spirit. When Enchant leaned in for the kiss though, he was still caught off guard and almost stumbled backwards into the sand.
It’s happening, his brain chanted incessantly, oh my god, it's happening. He’s kissing you and it's not a dream.
Rhythm felt soft lips pressing against his, a bit hesitant at first, but growing more adamant when he grasped onto Enchant’s neck encouragingly. He moved his own lips experimentally, exploring the bumps and crevices of Enchant’s mouth. His lips are kinda dry at the corners, Rhythm mused to himself while suppressing a giggle, must be due to the desert winds in Wasteland.
He had to muffle a whimper when Enchant started nibbling on his bottom lip without warning, giving it a soft tug right after. I thought this man has never kissed anyone before, Rhythm thought, he seems to really know what he’s doi—oh, just stop thinking. The man of your dreams is kissing you and you're having this internal monologue—
“Rhythm, I—I have something to tell you.”
Enchant’s voice suddenly cut through the haze of passion, bringing Rhythm back to reality. He blushed profusely as his eyes landed on Enchant’s lips, which were now red and glistening. He was also hyper aware of Enchant’s sturdy arms supporting his tiny waist, drawing him close so that their chests were touching.
“Rhythm, I find trouble putting my present feelings into words, but I still hope to get this off my chest,” Enchant began, puffs of hot air escaping his lips, “I think—I think I feel a certain fondness towards you.”
I think I feel a certain fondness towards you.
A normal person would most likely frown at such a vague confession, demanding a more certain response from the object of their affections. But Enchant was not a man of words, and to Rhythm, his confession triumphed over all kinds of poetry and serenades that his brain had conjured up prior to this pivotal moment.
Rhythm couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across his cheeks as he rested his palms on Enchant’s face. The quest giver’s eyebrows creased slightly in confusion, his eyes searching Rhythm’s frantically, as if scouring for a response.
“Enchant,” Rhythm whispered gently, “I also feel a certain fondness towards you.”
The next thing he knew, he felt the same pair of lips crashing against his, and Rhythm was certain he had never felt such intensity in his whole life.
~The End~