Chapter Text
"Don't you need some help?"
"No, I can do it myself. Thank you." Andrew breathed out, drops of sweat trickling down his face. His shaking, exhausted fingers wandered over the cipher machine.
Luca started to turn the crank from the side.
"You know, you look absolutely stunning today."
"Excuse me?" Andrew stopped squinting and looked straight at him.
"Even covered in... sweat... and blood. And.. dirt. You look pretty stunning."
"Oh, stop it, Balsa! Let me concentrate, I want to win this match."
Luca felt his heart beat a little faster. Andrew pushed him away from the cipher.
"Go! I'll get their attention!" Andrew shouted, looking at Naiad swimming towards them.
Of course, Naiad didn't even want to look at the Gravekeeper. She took out her harpoon, ready to drown Luca.
Luca was already half health, already. It would only be a matter of time before he was drowned. His whole body ached. He could feel himself getting heavier with every move, with every jump.
He managed to kite until the cipher was primed. Unfortunately, he was knocked down by the water right after the pop. Naiad chaired him and teleported to the next gate. Luca sighed, his head hanging down. He was so tired.
"You dumbass!" Andrew's hoarse voice echoed over his head.
The rescuer managed to pull him out of the chair.
"I'm your dumbass." Andrew looked at him in disbelief. "What? You think..."
The Naiad's harpoon pierced him.
*
"I think I was a bit too hard on you."
Luca curled up next to Andrew and closed his eyes.
"It's all right..." He murmured. "You won't get your badge though..."
"Could be worse." Andrew sat on the bed, hissing softly. "Are you sure you don't want to visit the hospital wing?"
"I should rest up for tomorrow's game."
"I'll make you some tea."
Andrew got up from the bed and left the room.
Sighing, Luca rolled onto his back. He looked straight up at the ceiling.
He wished he had a little more courage to finally tell Andrew that he felt something more. Something more than a casual friendship. But he was afraid. Of rejection? Of being left alone? Maybe. Maybe he was.
"What on earth have you got in your hair?" Luca asked as Andrew came in with a tray. "Are those paper hearts?"
"Demi." Andrew rolled his eyes. "She's making something for Valentine's Day."
Andrew placed the tray on the bedside table. Luca finally got up and took one of the hearts from his blonde hair.
"A Valentine's costume party." Great. I'm not going."
"Why not? It might be fun."
"I hate parties."
"You hate everything." Luca reached for his teacup. "We could go together and just... enjoy each other's company. You don't have to dance."
"Not a chance."
Luca took a sip of tea.
"C'mon. You can't spend the whole day alone in your room." He nudged Andrew with his elbow. Andrew swallowed and put down his cup.
"Excuse me, but I'm a bit tired. I'm going to take a nap."
Luca watched as Andrew left with the second stupid paper heart in his hair and closed the stupid door.
And he left the stupid purple petal in his bed again.
Luca walked over to his wardrobe and took out a small wooden box. Inside were more of the purple petals. They were already darkened, some even dried, but they were Andrew's. He left them every time he visited. Andrew left them everywhere. On his bed, on his desk. Everywhere he could. He didn't know if the purple iris on his coat was dying. Or was it planned? No, definitely not.
He put the petal in the box and tucked it under his clothes.
*
Luca stumbled into the dining room. Andrew was sitting hidden in the corner, sticking his fork into the eggs on the plate. Courageously, he walked closer and sat next to him.
“Hey! You got the badge!” Luca pointed at the little brooch with latter A on his chest.
“I decided to join the night rank match.” Andrew yawned.
“That’s why you look so tired.. you are too pretty to be tired.”
Andrew furrowed his brows, finally biting into his bacon. Luca could feel his cheeks burning.
“Anyway, you didn’t change your mind about the party?”
Andrew shook his head.
“I’m not going.”
“A pity. I wanted to see what you are capable of.”
“In the matter of alcohol?”
“Actually, no. Something definitely else.. ouch!” Andrew kicked him in the ankle.
“Don’t say nonsense like that!”
Luca laughed throatily.
“Don’t worry, I’m joking! I’m only joking!”
“And you are going?”
“Of course!”
“Then maybe I’ll consider going too.”
Luca could feel his heart skip a beat.
“But only if you won’t get terrorshocked in today’s match. I’m still counting. Yesterday was your twenty sixth one this week.”
Luca gasped.
“You bastard!”
This time Andrew laughed.
Oh, it was beautiful. Beautiful sound.
*
Luca sat on the couch, looking at the other survivors around the room. He couldn’t find Andrew.
“Hey, want some?” Demi leaned over and took out a can of beer from her basket. It had a little red ribbon tied on it.
Luca nodded and took the can.
“You are not sitting with your boyfriend?” Luca spitted the beer and coughed loudly.
“Who!?”
Demi rolled her eyes.
“Andrew. He is sitting at the bar.”
“Oh. I thought he didn’t want to go there.” Luca took another sip, this time properly.
“Well, he came straight to drinking. You better keep an eye on him, honey. Enjoy the party!” She waved to him and left.
“You are drinking beer? Oh no, darling, we don't do that.” Tracy sat next to him with a bottle of vodka and two glasses in her hands. “Andrew is drinking round after round next to the bar and I think he’s about to pass out soon. Strong guy.”
Tracy poured vodka to their glasses and filled the rest with the soda that was standing on each table.
“Now tell me. What is going on between you and him?”
Luca grabbed the drink.
“Nothing. We are just.. good friends.”
“Good friends. Don’t you see how he looks at you?”
“Oh.. I think that’s.. that’s not what you think.” He took a sip from his glass.
“Lies! Lies! Luca, he fell head over knees for you. You just need to talk to him.”
“I guess I'm just afraid of making things awkward between us if it doesn't work out."
“Sometimes you have to take risks for love.” Tracy refilled his glass.
"Let's just concentrate on the party, shall we?"
"Fine. I want to see you on the dance floor."
"In this?" Luca pointed to his white coat and tightly buttoned waistcoat. "Not a chance."
"I know you. You'll drink three glasses and strip."
Oh, he ended up on the dance floor. Spinning Tracy in his hands, laughing. Suddenly he stopped filling the uncomfortable clothes.
A little tired, he stumbled back to his couch. Andrew was lying there. He looked absolutely gorgeous in his long white jacket. His glasses fell down on his face.
"Are you drunk?" Luca giggled and nudged him. "Me too!"
Andrew muttered something under his nose and caught Luca's hand.
"Huh? I can't hear you."
"Let's go to my room."
"Your room?"
"I..." Andrew hiccuped. "I want to get out of here."
"All right... all right, get up. I'll help you."
Luca helped him to his feet and they left the ballroom. The music slowly faded.
"Oh, you've really filled up, haven't you?" He looked at Andrew's drunken form. He was tripping over his own feet, bouncing from wall to wall.
Luca opened the door and let Andrew in.
Then he felt himself being pinned to the wall.
"Kiss me." Andrew said softly in a husky voice. His breath reeked of cigarettes and alcohol. "Fucking kiss me, Luca."
Luca didn't even bother to think. He cupped Andrew's cheeks and pressed his lips against his.
They lost themselves in another dance. The hot dance of intertwined bodies, their hands wandering over them. Their jackets fell to the floor with a loud rustle.
Luca pushed Andrew onto the bed and sat astride him. He leaned forward, his hair falling over his face.
"Wait, no. No, we're not doing this tonight. We are drunk."
Luca pushed Andrew onto the bed and sat astride him. He bent over, his hair falling over his face.
"Wait, no. No, we're not doing this tonight. We are drunk."
"Then kiss me again. Please... kiss me again."
Luca listened.