Archive of Our Own

Barclay Thorne drummed his fingers on the bedside table.

He had been waiting here for probably the whole day. He hadn’t left, worrying that as soon as he did, Yasha Robinovich would wake up.

Barclay had been sitting in this room every day for two weeks now. He just wanted Yasha to wake up. He didn’t care that Yasha might be mad at him. Hell, he wanted Yasha to yell at him. To get angry at Barclay for betraying him.

Anything was better than this.

“You seriously do need to get something to eat,” Zanna Rykova fussed. She was not a woman who usually fussed, but Barclay assumed that the High Keeper of the Tundra had grown slightly fond of the boy who sat for hours on an uncomfortable chair, waiting desperately for a friend to wake up.

Well, Barclay hoped Yasha wanted to still be friends.

Barclay had pretended to be on Yasha’s side for weeks. And he had to admit: being friends either Yasha again had been awesome. He hadn’t really realized how close they’d actually been at the Sea. But when Barclay had revealed that he actually was still on the other side, Yasha lost it. Again. He looked so… broken.

And then Yasha went missing. And almost got himself killed by his ex-Lore Master Audrian Keyes.

And here Yasha lies, in a coma and suffering from Lore toxicity.

“I’m fine,” Barclay lied. Lies really did roll smoothly off his tongue now. He was hungry, starving even, but he didn’t want Yasha to wake up alone.

“Look,” Rykova sighed, “he’s not going to wake up when you leave.”

“You don’t know that,” Barclay countered.

Zanna put her hands on her hips. “I AM his doctor, am I not? I think I can tell that he’s not waking up anytime soon.”

Barclay sighed. He knew that Rykova was probably right, but a guy can only hope, right?

“Go eat,” Rykova ordered. “If he wakes up, I’ll come find you.”

Barclay nodded glumly and got up from his chair. He stretched, and slumped out of the room. First, he stopped at a bathroom.

Wow, was that him? 

He had dark shadows under his eyes, and his hair was even more tangled than usual. When was the last time he’d looked in a mirror? 

Well, there was no fixing it now. He exited the bathroom and went looking around in search of food. He found a vending machine and searched his pockets for loose  kritters. He inserted one into the slot and grabbed the bag of chips that popped out. He opened it and snarfed them down, hunger taking over. 

He threw the empty bag in the trash, then summoned Root.

Root eyed him, and Barclay sighed. “Look, bud, I know we haven’t been able to hang out much. I’m sorry.”

Root looked him up and down. 

“Please, Root,” Barclay said, “I need a ride.”

At that, Root’s tail wagged a little bit. Root was always up for a run.

Barclay smiled at him. “Is that a yes?”

Root hesitated, then nodded. Barclay grinned and climbed on, scratching Root behind the ear, and Root trotted out of the hospital, his claws click-clacking on the floor.

When the pushed past the doors, Root took off. Barclay made a small noise of delight as they shot off through the Jungle. Barclay felt himself go hollow, and watched as Root’s fur turned into wisps of black smoke.

they had become the wind.

No matter how many times they did this, Barclay always delighted in it. Turning into the wind was Barclay’s favorite thing to do.

Within moments, they slowed to a trot again as they reached their destination. This was where Hasu Mayani lived, and where Barclay and his fellow apprentices also resided for the time being.

“Thanks, Root,” Barclay said with a grin, scratching Root under his chin. Root wagged his tail. The pair walked inside of the house, Barclay hoping that they’d be able to sneak by unnoticed and be left at peace.

No such luck.

”So you’ve decided to stop by, huh?” Tadg Murdock grumbled from his chair. He stood and narrowed his eyes at Barclay, his glasses glinting in the light.

Barclay stiffened. “I needed to sleep.”

Tadg scoffed. “So that’s all this place is? A place you have to go to when you need to sleep? A place you can’t even stop by to see your friends?”

Barclay rolled his eyes. “Tadg, we both know that’s not true.”

Viola stepped into view, towering over Barclay in her six-foot frame. “Do we?”

Barclay sighed and leaned on Root. He really did need to sleep. “Can we just talk about this in the morning?”

”No,” said Viola. “How will we know that you’ll be here? For all we know, you’re just gonna sneak out.”

Barclay stiffened again. That had been his plan. 

“See,” grumbled Tadg. 

“Look,” said Barclay. “I just want to make sure Yasha wakes up.” He rubbed his arm. “I’m… I’m worried about him.”

Cecily Lloris stepped out of a nearby shadow. “Oh, we know,” she said. “He was all you talked about before you were able to start visiting him.” She rolled her eyes.

Barclay’s face flushed. “T-that’s not true.”

Cecily scoffed. “Yeah, sure. All you talked about was Yasha this and Yasha that.” She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Barclay’s face flushed deeper, aware of what she was implying. Which wasn’t true. 

“Hasu, Shazi,” Viola called out. “He’s back.”

A honeycomb of light appeared next to Tadg, and Hasu Mayani and Shazi Essam stepped out of it. Hasu smiled a little bit at Barclay, while Shazi glared with her arms crossed.

”So you’ve decided to—“ Shazi started, but Tadg cut her off.

”We already went over that,” he grumbled.

Shazi held up her hands in mock surrender. “Well, sorr-ee, but we weren’t down here yet.”

Tadg rolled his eyes.

”Look,” Barclay pleaded, “I just want to sleep.”

”You can sleep after this!” Tadg shouted. “We just want to make sure you’re OK!”

Barclay stared at him.

”You’ve barely left the hospital since you were allowed to visit him,” Tadg murmured. “We were… worried about you.” He sighed, then added, “You and Yasha weren’t even that close at the Sea. So we’ve all been confused as to why you’re obsessed with making sure he’s okay.”

”We were close at the Sea,” Barclay argued. “You were just too grumpy to notice!”

Tadg scowled. “Well, maybe I was a little too busy trying to save the Sea to pay attention to you and Yasha flirting!”

Barclay blushed a hot, deep red. “What are you talking about?!”

“Oh, don’t give me that,” Viola snapped. “It’s so obvious that he had a crush on you. He probably still does, if you will.”

”Y-you’re wrong—“

”Am I?” Viola countered. “Look at it this way, Barclay: he was really only interested in you back at the Sea. He helped you. He saved your life in the Desert. And he keeps only trying to recruit you. Am I wrong?”

”Well, n-no,” Barclay started, “but he was only trying to recruit me because Audrian wanted him to!”

Viola put her hands on her hips. “Are you being serious?”

”Yes!” Barclay lied.

Hasu cut in. “Barclay, he really only did care about you. And after what you told us about you and him training with the Antecene…”

Barclay’s face flushed, remembering all of his and Yasha’s games of Kingmaker, all of Yasha’s glances at him, and Yasha brushing hair out of Barclay’s eyes.

The look of betrayal when Barclay revealed the truth about which side he was on.

Barclay scowled. “He didn’t like me. And even if he did, what does that have to do with me watching over him at the hospital?”

All of the other apprentices exchanged a glance, then looked back at him.

Barclay’s eyes widened in realization. “You cannot be serious.”

”Barclay,” Hasu said gently, “you did talk about him an awful lot.”

”Because we were stuck together an awful lot! He was a big part of my story!”

Cecily rubbed her eyes. “And every time you talked about him, you had a stupid little smile on your face.”

”I did not!”

”You did,” Viola sighed heavily.

”Because he’s my friend!”

“Barclay, every time you mentioned him, you’d look like Tadg staring at Hasu.” Shazi sighed. 

”Hey!” Tadg sputtered, face bright red.

Shazi waved a hand dismissively. “We all know it’s true.”

Barclay stared at all of his friends. “You seriously all think that I’m in love with Yasha?”

”Yes,” his fellow apprentices chorused.

Barclay faltered, leaning heavily against Root.

”Hey,” Hasu said gently. “I’m really sorry we all sort of attacked you like this.”

”You didn’t attack me,” Barclay breathed, staring off into space. All he could see was Yasha’s smiling face staring back at him.

”Go on,” Tadg grumbled. “Just go sleep. We’ll see you whenever you decide that we’re worth your time.” He stomped off.

Barclay watched him leave, then looked back at the other apprentices. “I’m really sorry about not being here.”

”We know,” Viola said. “We just miss you. And we’re worried that… that when Yasha wakes up… he might not want anything to do with you… or he’ll…” she trailed off.

Barclay gulped. Yasha dying had been one of the only things on his mind for the past days. 

“You should sleep though,” Cecily observed.  “The circles under your eyes look horrible.”

”Thanks,” Barclay grumbled.

”So, maybe we’ll see you in the morning?” Hasu asked.

”Maybe,” Barclay agreed, before he waved to his friends and went upstairs. He reached the room that Tadg, Cyril Harlow, and Barclay himself were to share, and hesitantly turned the knob.

Tadg stared at him from where he sat atop his bed. “You going to sleep?”

”Yeah,” Barclay answered.

”Good,” said Cyril Harlow. Cyril was the Lore Master of Shazi, Cecily, and Hasu. He was one of the members of the Celestial Guard, his title being the Horn of Dawn. “You need it.”

”I know,” Barclay said, climbing into bed, without thinking about needing to change into pajamas.

”How have you been?” Cyril asked. “Is Yasha doing better?”

Barclay shrugged.

”Ah,” said Cyril, nodding. “Okay.”

Barclay smiled weakly and flopped onto his back. Root snuggled up next to him, bringing with him a lot of warmth.

”Goodnight, boys,” Cyril said.

”’Night,” Barclay mumbled sleepily.

He didn’t hear anything else before he slipped into dreams.

Barclay shot up in bed, soaked with sweat. He clutched himself in a tight embrace.

He’d just had a horrible nightmare: he watched Yasha die, the silver of Lore toxicity creeping up his arms, neck, and covering his face. 

“It was a dream,” Barclay chided himself. “Just a dream.”

He looked around the room. Cyril’s bed was neatly made, not a mistake in sight. Tadg’s bed had the sheets pulled out and the comforter half flung on the floor.

Barclay suddenly noticed how much light was creeping into room. How long had he slept?

He scrambled out of bed and hurried to the bathroom to comb his hair, pull it into a tight half-up knot, brush his teeth, change into a fresh tunic and pants, and ran down the stairs. Root hurried after him, looking a little frazzled.

”Wow,” Hasu laughed from the table. “He’s alive.”

Barclay waved a hand. “What time is it?”

”Almost noon,” Viola answered.

Noon? That was bad. Very, very bad. Maybe Yasha had woken up. Or worse…

”I have to go,” Barclay cried, then rushed out of the house without a second glance back. Root struggled to catch up as Barclay shot through the Jungle at top speed. He reached the hospital in record time, then slowed his pace as he stepped inside. With an apology to Root, he put Root back in his Mark and made his way to Yasha’s room. 

He opened the door and scrambled inside, rushing to Yasha’s bed. Yasha’s eyes were still closed, but he looked like he’d moved a bit.

”He turned himself last night,” said a voice. Barclay turned to see Rykova standing behind him. “We think he might make up soon.”

”And the toxicity?”

”Fading.”

Barclay let out a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding. “Seriously?”

”Yes,” Zanna confirmed. 

“Oh, my god,” said Barclay, grinning from ear to ear. “So he’s going to be okay?”

”We hope so,” Zanna said, returning his smile with a small one.

Barclay’s grin widened. Yasha was going to be okay!

”Look,” said Rykova, “I need to use the facilities. Could you watch him for a bit?”

”Of course,” Barclay nodded. 

“Thanks,” Rykova smiled. “If he wakes up, call for a nurse.”

”Got it.”

Zanna hurried out of the room, shutting the door behind her.

Barclay turned back to Yasha. “Did you hear her?” He whispered. “You’re gonna be okay.” The grin on his face had yet to leave. 

He brushed a stray curl out of Yasha’s eyes. He let his fingers linger on Yasha’s face, letting himself relax.

He pulled back and sat on the chair, smiling brightly at Yasha. He let himself believe that he and Yasha were going to be friends again, and that Yasha was going to wake up, and that—

Yasha shifted, and his lips moved in a slight murmur.

Barclay sat forward. “Yasha?” He whispered hopefully. 

Yasha twitched again, as though he could hear Barclay.

”Yasha?” Barclay tried again. 

Yasha’s fingers twitched. His eyebrows furrowed.

Yasha’s eyes opened.

Blue pools of confusion, tiredness, and anxiety.

Barclay’s heart nearly stopped. Yasha.

“Yasha!” Barclay shouted. He shot out of the chair and ran into the hallway. “Nurse! Somebody! He’s awake!”

Rykova came running down the hall and pushed past Barclay. She ran to Yasha’s side and checked his vitals, then did a few other things that Barclay didn’t understand.

”What’s two plus two?” Rykova asked Yasha.

”Why does that matter?” Barclay asked, but Zanna hushed him.

”F-f-four…” Yasha answered weakly.

Zanna grinned. “Do you know your name?”

”Y-yasha… Ro-robinov-vich…”

”How old are you?”

”F-fifteen…?”

Zanna smiled at him. “How do you feel?”

”Terble,” Yasha tried to answer. “Ter-rible.”

Rykova nodded. “Understandable. Do you think you can swallow a medicine?”

Yasha nodded weakly, and Zanna produced a vial of a blue mixture, then tipped it against Yasha’s open lips. He swallowed it dutifully.

“Good,” said Zanna. “Good. I’m going to get a few more. Barclay, watch him, will you?” She lectured the room.

Barclay hesitantly stepped over to Yasha’s side. “Erm, hi.”

Yasha stared at him. “W-why are you h-here?”

”Ive been here every day,” Barclay answered. 

“Whry?” Yasha warbled.

Barclay rubbed his arm, embarrassed. “I was worried about you.”

Yasha gazed at him, confused. “B-bar-clee?”

”Bar-clay,” Barclay amended gently.

”Bar-clay,” copied Yasha. His eyes swooped over Barclay’s face. “Am I… going to be… o-okay…?”

”Yes,” Barclay answered. 

“Are you… sure?”

”Yes,” Barclay said again. 

Yasha nodded, seeming content. He leaned more into the pillows, suddenly looking way more tired.

”I’ve got them,” Rykova announced, rising back into the room with more vials, all different colors. She tipped each one into Yasha’s mouth.

”I think he’s tired,” Barclay told her when she finished. 

Zanna nodded. “I would be worried if he wasn’t. Let him sleep.”

Barclay stepped back and sat back down in his chair, eyes trained on his friend. Yasha met his eyes one more time, then closed them, slipping into sleep. Barclay’s heart skipped a little bit. 

”He’s definitely going to be okay now?” Barclay asked quietly, not wanting to wake Yasha.

”He should,” Zanna answered, poking a needle into Yasha’s arm. 

“What was that?” 

“To help with the Lore toxicity.”

Barclay nodded. “Got it.”

Rykova studied him. “You’re definitely not going to leave him now, are you?”

Barclay shook his head. “Nope.”

”Well then,” Rykova sighed, “I guess I’ll notify Runa. Watch him.” She left.

Barclay stared at Yasha. His heart sped up just thinking about Yasha being okay. About him and Yasha maybe being friends again.

Yasha murmured something that Barclay couldn’t catch and twitched. He shivered, like he was cold. 

Barclay looked around the room for an extra sheet, then found one in a closet. He pulled it out and set it over Yasha, who snuggled into the sheet contentedly.

Barclay smiled at the sight. Yasha really was cute when he looked vulnerable like this.

Cute?

Yeah, cute. That was the word. Not like a grandma telling a little kid that they’re cute, but like, the kind of cute that means you’re attractive.

And that’s how Barclay thought of Yasha. Attractive.

Oh.

Oh. 

Barclay put his head in his hands. His friends were right. He did like Yasha like that. But for how long?

Barclay hunted around for any memory, anything. Maybe when Yasha saved him in the Desert?

No.

When Yasha helped him with his powers back in the Sea?

No.

Barclay ran a finger through his hair, and—

That.

That memory.

”You’re horrible at this,” Yasha chuckled. This was the third game of Kingmaker they’d played that night.

”Am not,” Barclay grumbled, hand hovering over a piece. 

“Mm,” said Yasha. 

“What?” Asked Barclay, exasperated.

”not a good move.”

”Oh, so you’re helping me?”

Yasha shrugged. “Here.” He took Barclay’s hand, and guided it over to a different piece. He moved the piece forward and smiled at Barclay.

Barclay paused, breath caught in his throat.

Yasha looked so… something that Barclay couldn’t describe. His curls were hanging a little over his eyes, and the warmth of his hand wrapped around Barclay’s was making him feel very warm.

Barclay noticed how close they were together.

Yasha pulled his hand back, and moved a piece. “I win.”

”Ugh!” Said Barclay, throwing his hands in the air. “You moved my piece there on purpose! I was right the first time!”

”Nope,” said Yasha. “I just figured something out last second.” He shrugged again, and smiled again.

Barclay’s breath caught as he remembered the moment. That was when his feelings became… real. He’d probably liked Yasha before then, but the feelings he had for thee other boy had developed more in that moment in Yasha’s tent.

Barclay shook his head. Oh, God, he was so stupid.

He was also in deep, deep trouble.

”Seriously,” said Yasha, setting aside the tube of slurry he’d been given to eat, “what are they putting in this? It’s really good.”

Barclay shrugged. “How would I know?”

Yasha rolled his eyes. “I didn’t expect you to know, I was just asking the question aloud.”

Barclay nodded.

Two weeks had passed since Yasha had first woken up. Barclay had come by every day just to keep Yasha company. He’d found it hard to leave Yasha’s side when he was so weak, so Barclay had just visited him every day.

After a week of the slurry stuff, Yasha was given actual food, but they still had slurry left over, so they’d given it to him. He willingly accepted. 

“So,” said Yasha, “did you actually come here every day while I was in my coma?”

Barclay flushed. “Not every day…”

Yasha crossed his arms. “When did you start coming?”

”As soon as I was allowed to,” Barclay mumbled, embarrassed.

Yasha laughed. “You were that worried about my wellbeing?”

”Yes,” Barclay answered truthfully.

Yasha shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t think anyone’s ever actually worried about me this much.” He said it casually, like it didn’t matter.

Barclay froze. “Um,” he bit out.

Yasha laughed again, giving Barclay a rare smile that was becoming more and more frequent as he and Barclay had talked.

Yasha sighed. “You’re the only one that wanted to see me?”

”Yes.”

Yasha hesitated, then shrugged. “Eh. I figured as much. Your friends don’t like me very much.”

”They did,” Barclay said. “Back at the Sea.”

Yasha rolled his eyes. “When I was pretending to be on your side. Yes, such friendship.”

Barclay sighed.

”At least I had one person worry,” said Yasha. “Not that I needed it. But, you know, it’s nice to feel wanted, I guess.”

”Did you really run away from Audrian?” Barclay asked.

Yasha nodded. “I’d had enough. Really and truly, all the betrayal I’d felt just kind of piled up, between you and Audrian.”

”I am sorry,” Barclay mumbled. “But I was on a mission.”

”I know.”

The two boys stared at each other.

”So was all of that fake?” Yasha asked quietly. “Were you really my friend?”

”Of course I was!” 

“A betraying friend, yes?”

Barclay crossed his arms and stared firmly at the floor.

Yasha sighed. “That was bad. Sorry.”

Barclay shrugged. “It’s fine.”

Yasha eyed him. “Well, thanks for… actually caring about me. Now, go sleep or something. I can see the bags under your eyes.”

Barclay’s face, neck, and ears flushed a bright red. “Y-yeah”, he sputtered. “See you tomorrow.”

”Bye,” Yasha answered, and with that, Barclay left.

Barclay zoomed out of the room and ran into a woman.

”Woah,” said Runa Rasgar. “Steady there.”

”Runa!” Barclay cried, and threw his arms around her. His Lore Master squeezed him back.

Barclay pulled away, grinning. “I thought you’d be working with Asfour.”

”Well, I heard you were still here, so I decided to drop by.” She studied Barclay. “All of this waiting around can’t be good for you.”

Barclay sighed. “I’m just worried about him.”

”I know,” Runa said smoothly. “But we really need to go to the Mountains.”

Barclay froze.

”We can’t keep putting it off,” Runa said. “Barclay, I understand you’re worried about  Yasha, but under Zanna’s care, he’ll be okay.”

”I get that,” Barclay reasoned, “but I don’t want him to be alone.”

she shot him a knowing look. “You care about him a lot. I know. But we need to go to the Mountains.”

“Look, just a  week. Give me one more week.” Barclay pleaded.

Runa sighed. “Fine. One week.”

”Yes!” Barclay cried. “Thank you thank you thank you!”

”Of course,” Runa smiled. “Now, how about we go get some lunch?”

”Oh, my god,” said Barclay, clutching his stomach. “That was literally delicious.”

Runa nodded in agreement. “Best lunch I’ve had in a long time.”

”Same.”

The two smiled at each other.

”So,” said Runa, after a moment, looking serious. She leaned forward. “Tadg was talking to me last night.”

”Uh, okay…” said Barclay, not sure where this was going.

”He told me about him and Hasu, which is great. But he also told me about you and Yasha.”

Barclay gulped. “Runa, there’s nothing going on—“

”I didn’t think so,” Runa said gently. “But I want you to know that you can always talk to me.”

”I know.”

”And if you like Yasha—“ she spread her hands “—you like Yasha. That’s totally fine… as long as he’s on our side and won’t kill you, that is.”

”He’s on our side,” Barclay said weakly.

Runa shrugged. “Things change. But, anyway, does this mean it didn’t work out with you and Zenzi?”

Barclay’s jaw dropped. “How did you know about that?!”

Runa scoffed. “Do you think I don’t pay attention? Barclay, it was very obvious that you liked her.”

”I did, yeah,” Barclay murmured.

”Emphasis on “did”?”

Barclay thought for a moment. “Yeah.”

”Okay, cool.” She smiled at Barclay. “I do hope something happens with you and Yasha, though. He definitely liked you back at the Sea.”

Barclay put his head in his hands. “How did everyone realize this besides me?”

Runa shrugged. “It was just kind of obvious.”

”Not to me,” Barclay grumbled. 

“Eh, that’s fair. Feelings are difficult.”

Barclay nodded. “Sooo difficult.” 

Runa laughed. “So, if this is rude, shut me up, but do you think you’re bi?”

”Um,” said Barclay, flushing. “Maybe? I don’t know. I mean, I liked Zenzi. And I guess I.. erm. Like Yasha.” He thought for a moment, then added, “Plus, I had a small crush on Fen at the Symposium. So, maybe?”

Runa grinned. “I’m bisexual, too, you know.”

Barclay grinned back. “I thought so. I knew it was that, or you’re a lesbian.”

Runa shrugged. “Who knows at this point. It really could be anything.” She smiled again at Barclay. “It’s really nice to talk to you about this.”

“I agree,” said Barclay. “Cecily knows, by the way. About me possibly being bi. I think probably everyone knows, but I know Cecily knows for sure.”

Runa smiled. “And you’re okay with that?”

”Of course.”

”Good.” The pair smiled at each other.

”Well, I guess I’ll let you get back to the hospital,” Runa said after a minute, standing up. 

“Yeah,” said Barclay, but as he got up, he wobbled on his feet. “Or maybe we go home and I sleep.”

Runa chuckled. “Sure.”

After sleeping all the way from two o’clock to the next morning, Barclay felt better than he had in a while. He practically skipped down the stairs after he’d gotten ready.

”Morning, Barclay,” Runa called out.

”Good morning, Runa!” He called back.

”Why are you so happy this morning?” Tadg grumbled from the table.

Barclay shrugged. “Dunno.” He took a breakfast bar from the table. “Gotta go, see you guys later!” He grabbed his satchel, where he’d packed something for Yasha, and then he ran out of the house and through the Jungle. He ran all the way to the hospital, then slowed to a walk as he got inside. He waved to a few nurses he’d become familiar with and made his way to Yasha’s room.

He knocked on the door, and Yasha’s muffled voice called out, “Come in.”

Barclay opened the door, stepped inside, and shut it behind him.

”Hi, Yasha, hi, Zanna,” he said. Yasha nodded to him from his bed and Zanna gave him a small wave as she checked Yasha’s vitals.

”How are you guys?” Barclay asked, sitting down.

”I’m fine,” Rykova answered.

”I’m still stuck in bed, as you can see, but not dead. So okay,” Yasha told him.

After a moment, Zanna drew away from Yasha. “The Lore toxicity is fading. And, today, I think we’re gonna start on your physical therapy. How does that sound?”

Yasha nodded along. “That sounds fine. Thank you, Miss Rykova.”

Zanna smiled, a rare sight. “Of course. How about we get you started around noon? That way you can talk to Barclay.” She turned her face to Yasha so Barclay couldn’t see her. Barclay wasn’t sure, but it looked like Yasha’s face flushed slightly. 

“Um, yeah, okay,” Yasha agreed. 

Rykova leaned back. “Good. I’ll leave you two alone, then.” She smiled at the both of them and left the room.

Barclay smiled at Yasha. “I brought something.” 

“Oh, really?”

”Yup.” Barclay opened his satchel and took out a game of Kingmaker.

”No, seriously?” Yasha asked. “You brought Kingmaker? You actually want to lose to me again?”

Barclay laughed. “I just figured it was better than just sitting here talking.”

”It is.” Yasha moved the tray table over him, and took the game from Barclay. “Come on, help me set it up.”

An hour later, Barclay had failed epically. 

“Oh, my God,” Yasha laughed. “You’re so bad at this game.”

”I know, I know,” Barclay grumbled. But he smiled at Yasha. “You wanna play again?”

”Sure.”

The two boys began setting up the pieces, their hands occasionally brushing when their pieces intersected.

”There we go,” said Barclay. “Alright, winner starts.”

”Nah, you go,” Yasha corrected. “I’ll give you a chance.”

Barclay sighed and simply moved a piece a space forward.

Yasha bit his lip, then copied Barclay. On this went for a while, until almost all of Barclay’s pieces were captured and Yasha was still going strong.

Barclay saw an opening. He smiled at Yasha, and captured his king.

”what?!” Yasha yelled. He looked at the board, then at Barclay, then back at the board. “Did you actually beat me for once?”

”I think I did,” Barclay said smugly. 

“Ugh,” Yasha said dramatically, throwing himself back against the pillows. “My streak is lost.”

Barclay laughed. “Oh, what a shame.” 

Yasha pointed at him. “Shush. It was this one time.”

“Still beat you.”

”I’m never gonna live this down, am I?”

Barclay smiled. “Never.”

Yasha rolled his eyes at Barclay. 

“How did you get so good at this game?” Barclay asked eventually.

Yasha looked away. “I used to play a lot with my sister.”

”Oh.”

Yasha’s whole family had been killed from a blight in the Tundra. Yasha had been the only one to survive, from his Beast Motya’s fire Lore. And then Audrian Keyes had found him and saved him.

Yasha nodded. “Yeah.”

The silence thickened around them. This was an awkward subject. It probably was always an awkward subject to talk about your dead sister, but still.

”Do you want to play again?” Barclay asked eventually.

”Not really.”

”Ah. Okay.”

Zanna peeked her head in the room. “Hi, you two. Yasha, it’s time to start your physical therapy.”

”Okay,” Yasha answered. 

“Barclay, come here for a minute,” Zanna said. Barclay nodded and followed her out of the room. 

“Do you think you could help him walk down to the physical therapy room?” Zanna asked him. “I think he’d do better with you than a nurse. Of course, a nurse will be there, watching from afar in case something happens, but I do think it’d be better if you helped him.”

”Um, sure,” Barclay agreed. “Yeah, I can do that.”

”Thank you,” Rykova said. “Go on, now.”

Barclay nodded and went back into Yasha’s room.

”What did she want?” Yasha asked.

”Um, she wants me to help you with the physical therapy,” Barclay answered, face flushing.

”Oh. Okay.” Yasha looked a little confused, but he pushed his sheets back nonetheless. “Help me up? I wouldn’t ask, but, yknow. It’s kinda hard to walk.”

”Yeah, of course,” Barclay said, walking over. He took Yasha’s hands and pulled him up gently, then wrapped an arm around Yasha’s shoulders. Yasha, in turn, wrapped his arm around Barclay’s waist. They shuffled out of the room and down the hall, to a door marked “Physical Therapy”, which sounded promising.

When the opened a door, a nurse waiting for them. They smiled at the boys and waved. “I’ll be here if you need anything.” 

“Thank you,” Barclay said. He led Yasha over to a couple of bars that looked like help for walking. “Here, go… in between these… hold on… and walk…?”

”You don’t sound so sure,” Yasha teased, but he did what Barclay said. He stumbled along in between the bars uneasily, but he walked nonetheless.

Barclay cheered him on, feeling embarrassed while doing so, but it felt like a nice thing to do. After a while, the nurse told the boys that Yasha had done enough and could go back to his room. Barclay thanked the nurse again and led Yasha back down the hall.

”Thanks,” Yasha mumbled when he got back in bed.

”Anytime,” Barclay said. “You okay?”

”Yeah,” Yasha grumbled. “I just hate feeling so helpless.”

Barclay nodded sympathetically. “I get that.” 

Yasha rolled his eyes. “I don’t think you do. But thanks.”

Barclay sighed. Yasha could be very difficult sometimes. But Barclay couldn’t really blame him. Yasha was stuck in this room all day and not able to leave bed. It must’ve sucked.

A knock echoed through the room. Yasha said, “Come in,” and in walked Viola Dumont and Tadg Murdock.

”Tadg?” Barclay asked, confused. “Viola? What are you doing here?”

”We came to see Yasha,” Viola answered.

”Duh,” Tadg grumbled.

Yasha was silent. Barclay glanced at him, and he looked completely blank. 

“Um, here,” Viola said, handing out a bouquet of beautiful green flowers.

”Thanks,” Yasha said, completely monotone. He gestured for Barclay to take them, which he did, and set them on a table.

”How are you?” Viola asked softly.

”Fine.”

Barclay was also frozen. He was worried about Yasha. He probably was so confused as to why people who hated him were asking how he was.

“We wanted to just come by,” Viola explained. “Wanted to see how you were.”

”Why?”

“Because you almost died,” Tadg broke in. “Plus, Barclay seems to think you’re on our side.” He sighed. “And I guess I trust Barclay’s judgment.”

Barclay huffed. “Thanks very much.”

”No problem,” Tadg said.

”And,” Viola added, “you almost dying wasn’t exactly awesome.”

”Why?” Yasha asked. “You guys hate me. I know it. I’ve accepted it. I betrayed you. I get it. You have a right to hate me. And, to be honest, I don’t really care.”

”You do,” Barclay mumbled. “I know you’re lonely a lot. That’s part of the reason why you wanted me to join you and Audrian.”

Yasha scoffed. “I wasn’t lonely. Audrian asked me to get you. So I tried.”

”You didn’t remotely care that I would be your friend?”

Yasha faltered.

”See,” Barclay said. 

“Yasha, we do care about you,” Viola butted in. “I know you don’t believe it, but we do. You were our friend at the Sea. We can see that you’re trustworthy. You ran away from Audrian. He almost killed you. I don’t think you’re the sort of person to go running back to someone after they put you into a coma for weeks.”

A hint of a smile flickered on Yasha’s face. “I wouldn’t go back to him. There’s no reason to.”

”Exactly,” Viola said. “We care about you.” 

Yasha glanced at Tadg.

”Okay, fine, yes,” Tadg scowled. “Somewhere deep inside of me, I do care about your wellbeing. I am here, aren’t I?”

Yasha smirked. “You sure are.”

After a moment of silence, Yasha ran a hand down his face. “This might seem stupid and annoying, but do the others seem worried about me?”

”Yes,” Viola promised. “Hasu said she wants to visit.”

”Shazi and Cecily?”

”They’re coming around.”

”Ah,” Yasha nodded. He sighed heavily, then said, “I wouldn’t mind having friends again. If you guys wanted me.”

Barclay brightened. “We do!”

Viola nodded. “It’d be great.”

Tadg shrugged.

Yasha smiled a little bit. “Okay.”

”I’m really sorry,” Viola said, “but we have to train.”

”Oh, okay,” Yasha nodded.

”Barclay, you could come…?” Viola added, a little hopeful.

”I’d rather stay here, sorry.”

”That’s alright. Come on, Viola, let’s go,” Tadg said with a wave. He and Viola exited.

Barclay turned back to Yasha with a small little grin on his face. “Did you hear that?”

Yasha eyed him. “You could’ve gone with them, you know.”

”I didn’t want to,” Barclay answered truthfully, sitting back down in his chair.

”Why?”

Barclay shrugged. “I like hanging out with you.”

Yasha’s pale face flushed slightly. “Oh.”

Barclay rolled his eyes playfully. “As if that’s a surprise. I am here every day.”

Yasha shrugged, looking away.

”Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask,” Barclay began after a moment, changing the subject, “do you think you’d be able to summon Motya?”

Yasha’s expression darkened. “I don’t know. And I don’t want to try if it means I might get myself killed.”

Barclay paused. “Sorry, yeah.” 

Silence wrapped around the two boys in a prickly blanket, making Barclay feel incredibly uncomfortable.

”I’ve been meaning to tell you,” Barclay said quietly, “that I have to leave in four days for the Mountains.”

”Oh.”

Barclay winced. “Yeah.”

Yasha didn’t meet his eyes. “Well, that’s not your fault. And it’s not like I’ll die without you here.” Yasha crossed his arms. “I don’t even need you here, to be honest.”

Barclay bristled. “I came here for you.”

”Well, I never asked you to.”

Barclay scowled. “Fine, then, if that’s what you want.” He pushed himself out of the chair and stormed out of the room. He didn’t stop until he was outside of the hospital. He ran his fingers through his hair and started running. He ran and ran and ran until he reached his current living space. He snuck inside and went up the stairs into the bedroom that he slept in, and buried himself under the covers. None of his friends were here (probably still training), and he didn’t really care. He wanted to be alone. Barclay didn’t want to hear any “I told you so”s. That’d just make him feel worse.

He understood that Yasha was probably annoyed and moody from being cooped up in that room all day. He really did. But it didn’t make it okay for him to just tell Barclay that he didn’t want him there. Barclay had been there out of the goodness of his heart—

No, that just sounded selfish.

Barclay had been there because he wanted to be there. So maybe Yasha didn’t want him there. Maybe they weren’t friends. Maybe the betrayal had cut too deep for Yasha to forgive him.

But he played Kingmaker with me, Barclay thought, then scowled at himself. That didn’t mean anything, though. There was nothing else to do. Yasha was probably bored and didn’t want to play with me, but knew that if he did, he wouldn’t be bored.

Barclay huffed and rolled onto his side. Yasha really could be infuriating. 

You’re thinking about the Yasha in your head, you know. The real Yasha probably isn’t as aggravating as the one in your head.

Maybe he is.

It was like the angel and the devil versions of Barclay were arguing on his shoulders, and he wanted them to just shut up.

Barclay sat up and put his head in his hands. He just wanted his mind to be quiet right now. He didn’t want to think. He just wanted to be numb.

Wow, who knew fighting with Yasha could do that to him?

You’re angry because you have a stupid crush on him, Devil Barclay informed him. Which is perfectly reasonable, by the way.

No, it’s not, Angel Barclay chided. You don’t get to be mad at Yasha because you have feelings for him. How is that fair?

”I agree with both of you,” Barclay mumbled, voice muffled from his hands.

I’d be better if you agreed with me, Devil Barclay said. That way you can be angry in peace.

Barclay glanced over at where Angel Barclay would be. “You got anything better than that?”

Yes, Angel Barclay answered. Being mad isn’t going to make you feel better.

”You’re probably right, but right now, I want to be mad.” Barclay looked over at where Devil Barclay would be. “I agree with you. Thanks.”

No problem, Devil Barclay grinned maliciously, then disappeared in a poof of red smoke.

Angel Barclay huffed and poofed away in a cloud of pearly white smoke.

”I’ll take a nap,” Barclay told himself. “Maybe I’m just tired.” He kept telling himself that as he began to drift off into a deep sleep.

Barclay sighed as he packed his bags. He hadn’t gone back to the hospital since he and Yasha had argued. He didn’t feel like it, and, honestly, he didn’t think Yasha wanted to see him.

”Barclay, when you’re ready, we can stop at the hospital,” Runa told him, poking her head through the doorway. “That way you can say goodbye to Yasha.”

Barclay nodded. “Thanks.” Saying goodbye was probably a good idea. Angel Barclay had won that battle this morning when Runa had first mentioned it.

Those four days passed quickly, what with training all day and reading late into the night. Barclay was exhausted, but he was ready for the Mountains.

”Go on,” Runa told him when they reached the hospital. “We’ll be out here.” She glanced at Tadg and Viola. “Do you guys want to go in, too?”

Viola shook her head. “I’m fine.”

”Same,” Tadg agreed. Barclay had told them about his fight with Yasha, so they were also mad about it. It was nice of them.

“Okay,” Runa said. Barclay gave them all a little wave and walked into the hospital. He followed the path he knew all too well now to Yasha’s room, took a deep breath, and knocked.

”Come in,” Yasha called.

Barclay took another deep breath and opened the door.

Yasha’s eyebrows furrowed when he saw him. “What are you doing here?”

Barclay bit back a snarky retort and said, “I’m leaving for the Mountains. I wanted to say goodbye.”

”Oh.”

Barclay stood there awkwardly, then sighed. “Look, I’m sorry about leaving. I am. I…” he shuffled his feet. “I missed you. A little bit.”

Yasha crossed his arms. “Sure.”

”I did,” Barclay muttered. “Why don’t you believe me?”

”Because I got mad at you. Why would you miss me if you knew I was mad and that you were mad?”

“Oh, geez, I don’t know,” Barclay growled, tearing his hands through his hair. “Maybe because you’re my friend?” 

Yasha scoffed. “Friends? Sure. You betrayed me, and then we played Kingmaker. Best friends.”

Barclay’s nostrils flared. “I was never really on your side. How could I betray you?”

”Because we were friends then. And you just left. And I ran after you, but you didn’t even take me with you.” Yasha scowled. “And look where it got me?”

”I didn’t mean for you to get hurt!”

”Sure, but I still did. Maybe if you’d taken me with you, I wouldn’t have been here in a coma!”

”We can’t just waste time on “maybe”s and “what if”s. Those could go on forever!” Barclay told him. “I didn’t know leaving you would make you get attacked. I’m sorry. I really am!”

Yasha’s scowl deepened. “And I believe you. But you just LEFT the hospital and didn’t come back! I DID want you here! You WERE my friend. But you LEFT!” Yasha yelled. He froze, staring at the ground, probably in shock of what he’d admitted.

”You’re infuriating,” Barclay growled. 

“How am I infuriating?” Yasha screamed, pure, raw emotion breaking through. “I just admitted what I’d lied about! How is that infuriating?!”

”You’re infuriating because you’re blaming me for all of this! Why did you lie in the first place?!”

”Because I didn’t want you to know that I actually did enjoy having you here! That I actually enjoyed having a friend! That I’m so lonely all the time because YOU’RE NOT WITH ME!” Yasha shrieked. He put his head in his hands. “I hate myself, Barclay. I hate myself. I wish I hadn’t woken up from that coma. I wish I’d just been like that forever so I didn’t have to face myself and my stupid feelings!”

Barclay was frozen in place. Yasha never talked like that. He kept his emotions locked inside of him and in check. No one got to know the real Yasha.

”Why do you care about me being with you so much?” Barclay asked.

Yasha looked up at him, and Barclay was surprised to see actual tears running down his face. “Why do you think?” 

Barclay froze again. 

Yasha let out a hysterical, watery laugh. “Oh, look, Yasha Robinovich is at it again! Messing up yet another friendship! God, isn’t that just awesome?”  he let out another laugh. “I really do want to die. I hate myself. Why am I like this?” Yasha didn’t seem to be talking to Barclay anymore. It seemed like he was talking to himself.

Barclay was still frozen. Yasha liked him. Right? That was the only possible explanation for what he’d been saying.

”Yasha,” Barclay began, gulping, “I…”

Yasha grinned at him deliriously. Not in the good way. In the insane way. “Shocked, are you? Wasn’t it obvious?”

Barclay clasped his hands together. “No, not really.”

”Oh, right, I forgot you’re oblivious as hell.”

”I am not,” Barclay argued. 

Yasha sighed. “Seriously, I didn’t mean to say all that. I wish I could go back and stop myself from going insane. Too late now.” Yasha waved his arms at himself. “Go on. Make fun of me. Make threats. Hurt me. I don’t care. I’m used to it.”

”Yasha, no way am I doing any of that.” 

“You should.” Yasha seemed disgusted with himself. “I had a crush on you. Why? I don’t know. Do I still? Yep. And I hate it. I hate it, I hate it, I HATE IT! But I can’t make it go away. So I’m stuck with it.” He let out another crazed laugh. “Do you know  how much it hurts?” He shook his head. “No, you probably don’t. Because you and that girl with the Papierfly worked out well, didn’t you? You experienced zero heartache. Lucky you.” 

“Actually,” Barclay mumbled, “it didn’t work out. And I do get what you’re feeling, by the way.” 

”That’s a shame. Got any other girls hanging on your arm? Viola? Shazi?” Yasha asked, ignoring the second part of Barclay’s confession.

Barclay shook his head adamantly. “No.”

“Fine then, do you like anyone? I want to see if you can even begin to relate to how much it hurts to like someone who you could never end up with.” 

“Yasha, trust me, I understand.”

“Do you?” Yasha tilted his head at him. “I dont think you do.”

”Do you want to know who I like? Who’s made me think I’ll never be with them?”

”Sure.”

”You.”

Yasha scoffed. “Thanks a lot, Barclay. Make fun of me.” Then he shrugged. “Whatever. Audrian did it to me a few times.”

”No, I’m serious, Yasha. I like you.”

Yasha peered at him. “Are you that determined to hurt me?

Barclay scowled at him. “How do I make you believe me?”

Yasha shrugged. “Quite simply, you can’t.”

An idea formed in Barclay’s head, and without his permission, his brain began to carry out with it. 

He moved towards Yasha and clasped his arms around his neck. He pulled Yasha up, and up, and up, slowly enough for Yasha to ask him, “What are you doing,” but Barclay didn’t stop, and he pressed his lips to Yasha’s.

Yasha’s lips were hot, like his Lore, and Barclay felt his whole face flush against his own, but Yasha didn’t pull away or push Barclay away. He replied by kissing Barclay back, their lips moving in perfect tandem. Barclay felt Yasha’s teeth graze his lower lip before he pulled back.

Yasha stared at him and Barclay stared back, in shock of what he’d done.

He backed away from his friend, panic building up inside of him. “I-I have to go!” He spun on his heel and sprinted out of the room, all the way until he was outside. Runa and his friends, thankfully, didn’t ask questions. They all just got on their carrier dragon silently.

Three months later…

Barclay hummed to himself as he browsed the aisles of Beast treats. He’d figured that he ought to buy some for Root, who’d been very obedient and well-behaved the whole time they’d been in the Mountains, and he hadn’t really had any treats in a while.

Barclay picked out some that he knew Root liked and brought them over to the register. He slid over some kritters and thanked the cashier before turning to find someone in a deep green cloak, tan trousers, and boots laced halfway up their calves. The figure was hooded, but Barclay could feel their eyes on him.

He stared back, feeling nervous, but the figure turned away, maybe realizing they didn’t know Barclay. Nevertheless, Barclay sped out of the shop quickly, wary.

As he made his way down a street in Halois, he could hear someone’s shoes click-clacking after him. He quickened his pace and turned down a nearby alley, hunched down in the shadows, and watched as the same person from the shop stalked down the street—then turned into the same alley Barclay had ducked into. Barclay’s breathing sped-up, but he stood and readied a fighting stance.

The person stopped where they were, then swept back their hood to reveal a pale face, blue eyes, curly blond hair that was clearly growing out, and a small smirk.

Yasha.

”Y-Yasha?” Barclay asked, lowering his stance.

”Hey, Barclay,” Yasha smirked.

”What are you doing here?”

Yasha crossed his arms. “Am I unwelcome?”

Barclay’s face flushed. “N-no! I’m just… surprised? And how did you find me?”

Yasha dropped his arms to his sides. “Lots of searching. I figured Runa would’ve taken you guys to Halois, and, from there, I just walked around, looking.” He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “I’ve sort of been looking for two weeks.”

Barclay paused. “Wow.”

The two boys stared at each other.

”H-how are you?” Barclay asked eventually.  “When did you get out of the hospital?”

”I’m good,” Yasha replied. “They let me out, like, three weeks ago. But I’m doing really good. Physical therapy went smoothly and I can even use Lore.” He smiled a little bit.

Barclay smiled back. “That’s good.”

Barclay suddenly noticed how tan Yasha looked. He’d clearly gotten sun and healed a lot more than Barclay realized.

He looked… nice.

Okay, more than nice. Cute? Handsome. Yeah, handsome.

This was different from Barclay’s crush on Fen. Fen and Barclay would’ve never happened. Barclay barely knew Fen, anyway. All he’d known was that Fen was attractive. That was it.

Barclay actually knew things about Yasha. He knew Yasha liked Kingmaker. He knew that Yasha never got cold. He knew that Yasha liked everything perfectly organized. He knew that Yasha got seasick easily.

But Barclay would never have a chance with Yasha. Yasha was probably weirded out by the kiss they’d shared, and his crush (if it even ever existed) was surely gone by now.

“I, um,” Barclay shuffled his feet, “missed you. A little bit. But I thought you hated me? And that I’d probably never see you again.”

”Why would I hate you?” Yasha questioned.

Barclay’s face flushed. “I, er… nothing. No reason. I think. Anyway.”

Yasha eyed him suspiciously, then shrugged. “Alright,” he said finally. “How have you been?”

”Fine,” Barclay answered. “Just a lot of training. Hoping Audrian doesn’t kill us in our sleep.”

Yasha winced.

”Sorry,” Barclay apologized. “I didn’t—“

”It’s fine. Just hearing his name….” Yasha rubbed his arm where the silver of Lore toxicity had been creeping up on his body. “I really did believe him. I trusted him. And the second I came running back to you…” he pantomimed an explosion. “Boom. Lights out.”

”I know.”

The two boys stood there in silence.

”So,” said Barclay, reaching to scratch the back of his neck, finding that some of his hair had escaped its knot, making it more of a half-up, “d’you wanna come over? And see Viola and Tadg and everyone?”

Yasha paused. “They won’t hurt me? Or try to?”

”I’m not sure,” Barclay said truthfully. 

Yasha sighed. “Well, we have to catch up somehow. Yeah, I’ll go with you.”

Barclay tried to ignore the way his heart zipped and zoomed. “Okay, cool.”

”Cool.”

Barclay stared at Yasha until the boy let out a laugh. “You know you need to lead me there, right?”

Barclay flushed. “Oh, yeah. Sorry. Come on.”

Yasha flipped his hood back on and the two boys exited the alley.

”Wow,” said Yasha when they’d arrived at the residence at which Barclay and his friends had been staying in. He put his hands on his hips. “This is impressive.”

”I know, right?” Barclay grinned, making his way to the door. “I’m pretty sure Viola’s dad pulled so strings or something.” He unlocked the door with a key, and stepped inside. Yasha followed.

”I’m back,” he called into the foyer, shouldering his satchel. He nudged Yasha, who took off his hood. They made their way through the entrance and to the living room. They found that the apprentices were all there. 

“Hey, Barclay,” said Viola, looking up. “What’ve you been up—woah.”

”What is it?” Tadg grumbled, keeping his eyes locked on his sketchbook. “I swear, if Castor or Root damaged some of my stuff—“ he finally looked up. He froze.

Hasu, Shazi, and Cecily slowly raised their gazes to Barclay and Yasha.

”What is he doing here?” Shazi shouted, jumping to her feet. 

“He’s okay, I promise—“ Barclay started.

”I thought you two hated each other!” Viola asked.

”I also thought that,” popped in Cecily.

”I third that statement,” Hasu added.

Tadg just stared, until he finally asked, “Why did you bring him here?”

“Because he came all the way from the Jungle to find me!” Barclay answered, exasperated.

Shazi crossed her arms. “All the way from the Jungle? And you said he didn’t like you.”

”T-that’s not—this isn’t about that!” Barclay scowled, flushing. “I couldn’t just leave him on the streets! What if someone calls for his capture? What if someone hurts or kills him?!”

”It’s not like he’d be better off here,” Cecily mused. “One of us could hurt him. Cyril might even call someone on him. What if a member of the Guard comes round? What did we do then?”

”Look,” Barclay started, “he’s safer here than on the streets!”

”I know you guys don’t trust me,” Yasha said, stepping forward, arms raised like, “I come in peace!” “But you should. We were friends at the Sea. Believe it or not, it was hard to leave you guys behind. Really.” He sighed, then dragged a hand down his face. “This is gonna sound cheesy, but if we want to fix the world, we have to work together. I see now that Audrian was wrong. His methods were wrong. Killing Legendary Beasts to get the Wilderlands back to how they should be is wrong. But he’s right. The Wilderlands need fixing. You see that, right?”

The apprentices nodded glumly in agreement.

”Okay, good,” Yasha said curtly. “And, who’s to say Barclay won’t ditch you guys and come after me if you kick me out? He’s my friend too, you know.” Yasha crossed his arms, leaning his weight on his right leg.

Barclay flushed, looking down at his feet. He really didn’t know what he’d do if his friends didn’t let Yasha stay with them. Would he go with Yasha?

Maybe.

His friends hadn’t been his favorite people when it came to Yasha, and that bothered Barclay. Honestly, abandoning them and staying with Yasha—if they kicked Yasha to the streets, that is—was sounding better and better as he thought about it.

”Can he please just stay here?” Barclay pleaded. “How about this—let him stay for a week. See if you guys mind. If you’re all alright by the end of the week, he stays. Permanently.” He glanced at Yasha, then added, “If he wants to, of course.” Barclay crossed his arms. “And if you won’t let him stay, then I’m going with him.”

Not a lie. Just not exactly the truth.

His friends looked at each other in a silent debate for a few moments, until Viola sighed. “Fine, he can stay here,” she decided. “For the week. And we’ll see after that, I guess.”

“Thank you,” Barclay grinned. “Seriously, thank you guys. So much.”

”Yeah, yeah,” Tadg grumbled.

”If he kills us all in our sleep, I blame you, Barclay,” Shazi scowled.

”He’s right here, you know,” Yasha muttered.

”Where is he gonna sleep?” Hasu asked.

Barclay glanced at his friend. “You can stay in my room…?”

Yasha shrugged indifferently. “Whatever.”

Barclay sighed. “Follow me. I’ll show you where it is.” He waved at his friends and then led Yasha through the house. Up one staircase, up another, down a hall, and through a door.

”Here,” Barclay said, opening the door. Yasha nodded to him and stepped inside. 

Barclay’s room was spare but spacious. He had a queen size bed, a desk, a walk-in closet—he seriously didn’t need all that space for all of his clothes—a private bathroom, even a small couch by the window, and a balcony overlooking a view of the snow-capped mountains. 

Yasha whistled. “Huh, you won big.”

Barclay nodded. “Yup.” 

Yasha pulled off his cloak and hung it up in the closet. “Where should I sleep?”

”Is the couch alright?” Barclay asked. 

“Yeah, of course,” Yasha nodded. “Literally anything with padding or cushions is awesome. ‘Cause I slept on cold, hard ground for a very long time.”

”You are aware that you were in a bed for weeks, right?”

”They moved me to a different room,” Yasha informed him. “That bed was like a stone slab.”

”Ah.”

The two boys stood there awkwardly after that.

Finally, Barclay broke the silence. “Um, dinner is in half an hour, I’m pretty sure. So we can hang out up here if you like. I think I have a Kingmaker board somewhere.”

”Alright, cool, thanks,” Yasha nodded, sitting down on the couch. “Bring it out; I haven’t played in ages.”

After Yasha had beaten Barclay so bad he was convinced he’d have to go into hiding, they stopped for a moment just to chat.

”So hows Rykova?” Barclay asked.

Yasha nodded. “Pretty good. She kept me company after you left. She’s an awesome woman.”

”Totally,” Barclay agreed.

”She was so surprised that we’d fought,” Yasha continued. “She assumed we were, like, best friends or something.”

Barclay looked down. “Well, we are friends. Right?”

Yasha nodded. “If you’d like to be.”

”I do!” Barclay assured him, a little frantic. More calmly, he repeated, “I do.”

The two boys sat there in silence for a moment. 

“Um, anyway,” said Barclay awkwardly, “dinner should be ready. Shall we go check?”

”Sure.”

The two friends made their way downstairs, sides occasionally brushing. Barclay knew that if Cyril and Runa were back, they’d all eat dinner together. If not, then they’d eat alone or in tiny groups. Usually Tadg with Hasu, Shazi with Viola, and Cecily and Barclay on their own. That was how it was, and it was fine.

Runa and Cyril were in fact not home, but Yasha and Barclay made themselves plates and went back upstairs. Barclay was kind of happy to eat dinner with someone else for once. Root wasn’t great company when eating. His breath smelled bad, and he chewed with his mouth open.

”Hey, is it okay if I summon Motya?” Yasha asked after a few moments. “It’s dinnertime for her, too.”

Barclay shrugged. “Yeah, sure.”

Yasha nodded in thanks, and then his Smynx appeared next to him. She surveyed the room coolly, head held high. After a long glare at Barclay, she settled herself next to her Keeper. Yasha obediently stroked her fur. 

Motya was a gorgeous Beast—snow-white fur, piercing amber eyes, and flickering flames hovering atop her ears. She was also very regal and disliked most people. Very formal.

Yasha held out a bit of the casserole he’d taken from the buffet downstairs. “Want some?”

Motya huffed, but she deigned to eat the food anyway, but she clearly wanted something else. What, Barclay didn’t know.

”When did you first summon her again?” Barclay asked.

”Only a week ago. It was kind of frightening. I didn’t know if Lore would take over again.” Yasha smiled a little at his Beast. “But Motya appeared, and she definitely was a little annoyed at being cooped up for so long, but she was happy to see me. Weren’t you, girl?” He scratched Motya under her chin, who purred softly.

Barclay smiled. “I don’t know what I’d do without Root by my side for so long.” He touched his Mark gently.

Yasha ducked his head. “Yeah. He’s your best friend; I get that. I missed Motya.”

Barclay grinned at his friend. “I’d expect.”

Yasha smiled back and held out some more food to Motya. The Smynx ate it, a look of disgust crossing her face.

Yasha met Barclay’s eyes, and they both burst into laughter. It really wasn’t that funny, but the boys laughed anyway. Barclay wasn’t sure when he’d last laughed with his other friends like this.

He’d missed Yasha a lot. 

Barclay slowly took a bite of his own casserole. He was worried he’d start giggling again and choke on his food.

It’d be very awkward.

Eventually, night fell, but Yasha and Barclay were still awake, playing Kingmaker and telling each other silly to stuff to make the other laugh. 

Barclay was really happy that Yasha was here.

As the hours ticked by, Barclay gradually started to grow tired. He stifled a yawn, but Yasha noticed.

”Hey,” his friend said softly. “It’s alright if you’re tired. We can go to bed.” Then he shrugged. “Well, you can. I have a couch. And, plus, I’m always awake.”

”You’ve told me before,” Barclay said dryly, remembering a time when he’d been in the Antecene camp. He’d went over to Yasha’s tent to talk, and Yasha had told him that he was always awake.

Barclay doubted it, but he wasn’t going to spoil his friend’s fun.

”Okay,” said Barclay, standing and walking to his closet. He quickly changed into sleep clothes in the bathroom, then climbed into bed. Yasha was on his couch, still fully clothed, but staring up at the ceiling, petting Motya softly.

”’Night,” Barclay murmured, already drifting off.

”Good night, Barclay,” Yasha told him, blowing out the bedside lamp, and Barclay slipped into dreams.

Barclay awoke in the middle of the night, thirsty. He stumbled out of bed to find Yasha passed out on the couch.

So he does sleep, Barclay thought with a grin.

He made his way out of the room and downstairs, ready to just get some water and fall back asleep.

Life was not that easy.

Barclay paused at the bottom of the staircase to find Tadg, Runa, and Cyril. 

“He brought Yasha here,” Tadg growled. “You guys can’t be okay with that! 

Runa sighed and dragged a hand down her face. She looked extremely exhausted. “Look, I know that you don’t like him very much. I get that. I’m not the biggest fan of Yasha either. But if Barclay trusts him, we should—“

”Barclay trusts anyone who is nice to him,” Tadg spat. “He doesn’t know who to trust.”

”Yasha is a good guy!” Barclay jumped in to the conversation, stalking over to the Lore Masters and his fellow apprentice. “And I don’t just trust anyone who’s nice to me. Audrian was nice. But I don’t trust him, now do I?”

”Fine,” Tadg grumbled. “You trust any boy with a pretty face who’s nice to you.”

Barclay’s face flushed. “What are you talking about?!”

“Oh, you know what I mean,” Tadg said smugly. “Don’t you remember Abel?”

”What?!” Barclay exclaimed. “I didn’t like him like that!”

Tadg scoffed. “But you didn’t stop him from calling me “Fish Food”, or realize who he was working for. The hints were all there.”

”You didn’t know either!”

”I figured it out before you.”

Barclay scowled and looked to Runa. “Are you not okay with Yasha staying here?”

Runa sighed. “Look, I just want everyone to be safe—“

”Ugh!” Barclay threw his hands into the air. “He’s a good person! Would you go running back to someone who put you in a coma?!”

”No,” Runa said gently. “But we don’t know Yasha that well.”

”Well, I do! And I know he’s trustworthy. I don’t get why you guys can’t see that.”

”Maybe because he’s hurt all of us in some way?” Tadg growled.

”He hurt me, too!” Barclay exploded. “And you don’t see me ringing bells for his capture!”

”I’m not saying he should be in captivity—“

”You sure sound like it,” Barclay sneered.

Tadg rolled his eyes. “You know what? I don’t care anymore. I’m going to bed.” He stormed away.

Barclay crossed his arms. “I just want everyone to understand that Yasha’s not gonna murder everyone while they’re asleep.”

Cyril sighed. “Barclay, Tadg told us about the one week thing. I think it’s a good idea.  How about Yasha trains with you and you try to get the others to trust him?”

Barclay scoffed. “It’s not going to work. Viola and Tadg were okay with it when Yasha was still in the hospital, but then Yasha and I fought, and I stupidly told them, so now they don’t trust him.”

Cyril nodded, his eyes soft. “I understand. We can talk more about this later. For now, you need to sleep.”

Barclay sighed but nodded, then turned to leave.

He never got his glass of water.

“Okay,” Barclay said the next morning, rubbing his hands together. He and Yasha were outside, ready to train. Their fellow apprentices were scattered around them. “What shall we do?”

Yasha smirked. “Wanna duel? That was fun back at camp.”

”Ooh, good idea,” Barclay grinned.

The boys stepped back, nodded to each other, and when Barclay shouted, “Go!” Yasha was already lunging.

Barclay laughed and dodged, shooting a pellet of wind at his friend. Yasha didn’t see it coming and was knocked onto his back. But Yasha quickly flipped himself up and landed in front of Barclay. 

“Hey,” grinned Yasha, who then shot a small spark at Barclay, who dodged again and hit Yasha with another pellet of wind. Yasha was, again, knocked off his feet.

Barclay lunged forward and landed on top of his friend. “I win!”

Yasha scowled, but Barclay could tell he wasn’t really annoyed. “Kind of unfair. I can’t exactly set you on fire.”

”Oh, what a shame,” Barclay laughed. His hair was hanging in his eyes from the way he was lying on his friend. 

Yasha swallowed hard. He reached up and tucked a bit of hair behind Barclay’s ear, his hand grazing Barclay’s face. “Your knot is coming undone.”

Barclay chuckled, his face red. “I know.”

The boys stared into each other’s eyes, both gazes fierce.

Barclay’s heart was pounding and he felt like wind was zipping through his stomach. God.

”Um,” said Yasha eventually, “should we go again?”

”Oh, yeah, sure,” Barclay answered, flushing deeper and clambering off. He helped Yasha up, and then they were at it again, all morning long and a little bit into the afternoon.

The week flew by, filled with laughter and dueling and Kingmaker and talking late into the night. It was the most fun Barclay had had in a long time.

Then it was, as Yasha had been calling it, Judgement Day.

Barclay had made Yasha stay in their room,  because Barclay wanted to break the news. It’d be more fun that way.

Because there was no way his friends would say no.

”Okay,” said Barclay, sitting down with his friends. “Have you guys decided yet?” He kept his fingers crossed in his lap.

Viola looked around at the other apprentices. “Yeah. We have.”

”Alrighty then,” Barclay grinned. “So can he stay?”

Viola sighed. “Look, Barclay… the whole point of this week was to get to know Yasha. We didn’t get that chance. You spent the whole time with him.”

Barclay was getting nervous. “What do you mean?”

”We don’t,” Viola began, choosing her words carefully, “know him well enough for him to stay.”

Barclay jumped to his feet. “What?!”

Viola sighed again. “Barclay—“

”Then have him stay another week! None of us knew each other that well, but we still gave everyone a chance! How could you just kick him out?!”

“Barclay, please,” Hasu started, but Barclay wasn’t listening.

”I can’t believe you guys,” he whispered hoarsely, then turned and walked away. He made his way upstairs, and slowly opened his door.

”So, what did they say?” Yasha asked when Barclay had shut the door behind him.

Barclay couldn’t help it—his eyes filled with tears. What if he never saw Yasha again? He cared about Yasha a lot. Not just because he had a crush on him—because Yasha was his friend, through and through. Through stick and stone, they’d found a way to be friends again.

Barclay couldn’t just… give that up.

”They said no,” he said quietly and sadly. 

“Oh,” Yasha mumbled. 

“I know.”

The boys stood there. 

“Well, I guess I’d better leave then,” Yasha said quietly, turning away. Barclay’s tears dripped down his face. 

Yasha collected all the little trinkets he had and put them in a bag. The few movements probably only took a minute or two, but to Barclay, it felt like hours. 

His friend was leaving. 

Yasha turned to him.

Barclay stared back.

”I guess… maybe I’ll see you around?” Yasha said, slightly hopeful.

Barclay wiped at his face. “Definitely. Write to me. The second I’ve got my license, I’m finding you.”

Yasha’s eyes widened, but he nodded. “O-okay.” 

“Bye, Yasha,” Barclay said quietly.

”Good bye, Barclay,” Yasha murmured, turning to the balcony.

But then he turned back, and strode over to Barclay. He cupped Barclay’s face in his hands, then kissed him.

Barclay gasped but didn’t pull back. He kissed Yasha fervently, like he never would again.

He probably wouldn’t.

After a moment, Yasha pulled back. “I wasn’t going to leave without doing that.”

A thousand thoughts flashed through Barclay’s mind. He wanted to say all of them, but only one came out.

”I’m coming with you.”

”What?!” Yasha said, aghast. “But your friends… and your training… Barclay, you haven’t got your license yet!”

”I don’t care,” Barclay said fiercely. “I’m going with you. Where you go, I go. I’m not abandoning you again. Never again.”

Yasha gaped at him, his face colored red.

“I…” Yasha swallowed. “Okay.”

Barclay nodded seriously, then started packing everything he could fit in his satchel. Everything felt heavy. But he knew he was making the right choice. He wanted to be with Yasha. And he could go back to his acquaintances if he needed to. Maybe they’d come find him. If they did… Barclay could only go with if Yasha could, too.

”Okay,” said Barclay, shouldering his bag. “Let’s go.”

Yasha nodded.

They made their way to the balcony, and climbed down. The boys landed softly on the ground.

Barclay breathed in the crisp air. He gazed at the snow-capped mountains, at the sky.

At the wilds. 

Wind whistled through the trees. Beasts howled. The grass was a lush green.

Barclay knew that this was where he was meant to be. He was born with his wild Lore. He’d been born for the wilds. 

He looked at Yasha. He reached out and took Yasha’s hand in his own. He twined their fingers together.

Barclay squeezed.

Yasha squeezed back.

And Barclay Thorne made his way into the wilds, hand-in-hand with Yasha Robinovich.