Chapter Text
...One day...I will kiss you...
...Caden...
The words that were in Caden's head played on repeat...and yet the man still wanted Caden to have the one thing he has on his mind: a kiss.
One day, Caden walked to Illarion's mansion, only to find that he's not here--just his friends, Valerius, Iolaire, and Chione.
"Uh, Caden?" said Chione, "What's up?"
"You're looking for someone?" said Valerius.
Caden lifts his finger hesitantly and says, "Yeah, I'm looking for Illarion. Is he here?"
Val laughed after hearing Caden's question, Iolaire and Chione chuckled with him, thinking that Caden's visiting Illarion, but he interjects.
"If you're looking for him, he's probably at the academy sitting outside"
'Yeah, he's at the academy, you can't miss it."
"Thanks, guys", says Caden as he walks the long way to Everdark Academy.
Over at the academy, the students are busy studying for their midterms, others are already having plans for their futures as they packed up their stuff. Rose, Esme, and Kaila are heading out the door and spots Illarion on the bench reading a book. Illarion knew something's up: three students wanted him for themselves or even a more-than-ever private study party at the dorm. But he's not here for them, he's here for him: Caden Bryce.
"Oh, Cade...where are you?" he thought as he closed the book. He stood up and put his book in his bag. Illarion was about to leave when he sees Kaila, Rose and Esme in his direction.
"Hey, 'Rion!" said Esme, calling him by his nickname, "We've been expecting ya!"
Illarion cringed at the nickname, pretending not to hear it, "Esme...hey."
"So, who're you waitin' on? Huh? Who?" said Kaila.
"Hmm. My mate", said Illarion, smiling, "Why'd you even ask?"
Rose said in her lilting tone, "Yeah, I mean it's not like you to wait on your boyfriend like that."
"If you got a chance to meet up, here's the location", Kaila said, handing Illarion the picture of Archon Gardens.
"Archon Gardens? Are you sure I can meet Caden?"
"Yes! What're you got to lose?"
"Go to him, Loverboy", said Esme, chuckling.
With a light blush dusting his cheeks, Illarion replies, "That I will. Thanks."
And with a kind smile, Illarion leaves the academy, knowing that Caden will soon be here at Archon Gardens.
"Just wait, Caden...you and I will meet at Archon Gardens...and share our first kiss", he thought to himself as he walked home.