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The first thing Scott feels as he wakes up is a pounding headache. It makes the early morning blurriness even worse, leaving him disoriented as he struggles to sit up, groaning. Thankfully though, Aurora's cool weight brings some relief, especially as she astutely bumps her snout against his forehead, giving it a tiny lick for good measure.
"Mm… thanks…"
His mouth feels like it has been stuffed full of cotton, but he powers through it to praise her, his murmurs being answered with little chuffs and purrs.
Scott holds her close, resting in the comfortable silence as his brain tries to piece together what happened the previous day or what he's supposed to be doing. There was flying, which was so fun… the written exam, where scored well and graduated… the ball… dancing with Pyro…
Pyro… he giggles, and Aurora licks him again. We danced together, and drank, and sat together for the picture, and… uh… something with the corruption… and he was mad at me…
The thought makes him frown, upset and a little bit mad, before he remembers more, including the fact that his best friend wasn't actually mad at him.
Then I told him, uh… that I was… leaving for a couple weeks, right…
Scott thinks about the mission given to him by Ser Osteon, and wonders if it's 'morning' already.
"Hm… Surely she won't be mad if I sleep more, right? 'Cause I don't think I feel well enough to travel yet…"
I told Pyro I'd stop by before going, too…
He suddenly gasps, eyes wide open as he stares at a squinting Aurora. "I know what I should do, I should go to Pyro's right now!"
The idea seems reasonable enough to him as he manages to (barely) stand up while holding on to his dragon. Well, he might also still be a bit under the influence of alcohol, considering the amount he drank, but it should be fine, right?
Maybe he's not even in his room… Scott frowns again. No, he will be, I said I'd go see him, so he will be… he has to be…
Determined, he begins walking towards his side of the tunnel that connects the two dorm rooms, managing to get there with minimal stumbling, and briefly looking back at Aurora, who seems content to stay behind, curled up in his bed (which is probably for the best, she really wouldn't fit through easily).
Getting himself through the passage, though… well, considering how proud Scott is of being graceful, despite his size, he would usually be embarrassed by his clumsy movements, but all of his focus is on the task of getting to Pyro, so he just brushes off the fall at the end (because for some reason, someone hasn't put ladders back on their section of the tunnel) with an 'oof'.
He makes it through the painting and into the other's dorm, feeling the mana veil wash over him, then stumbles towards his next obstacle: the ladder up to the highest platform of the room.
Stupid ladder… could've been in the tunnel instead, and there could be a staircase here…
It takes a while, but Scott musters enough coordination in his limbs to climb to the top, slowly, though with a few bruises from bumping against the walls and the 'doorway' at the end, forgetting he needs to crouch slightly to fit through.
As he turns around, he nearly jumps, not expecting to see Cindermeare watching him curiously, almost as if she's laughing at his antics (not that he's in any state to discern that).
"Oh… hehe… hi Cindy…" Scott whispers, moving closer to her, delighted that she easily allows him to give her some head pats. When he's done, she makes an inquisitive noise, and he tries his best to piece together its meaning, and a reply. "Um… I'm coming to visit Pyro… just need to say bye… maybe cuddle too, though…"
The answer seems to satisfy the dragon, who returns to her previous position curled up on the floor, in such a way that it looks like she's guarding against intruders, which makes Scott smile.
Yeah, I get it… I want to protect him too.
Nodding to himself, he turns around, looking at Pyro as they lay on their back on top of the covers, still half clothed. Their left arm is tucker under their head, while the right one is spread out, in a way that looks quite inviting to Scott.
A small part of him realizes how crazy what he is about to do is, and that he is not in his right mind, but it is crushed by the side of him that has yearned, for years, for even the slightest, most innocent touch from his best friend.
Mm… cuddle time…
Pyro's bed is not very big, but Scott manages to arrange himself on top of the other, across his right side, and happily sighs as he settles down, hugging the other's waist, head laying on a warm and comfortable chest.
"Huh… wuh?" The sudden weight, or, perhaps, the coldness, seems to startle his friend awake, though they quickly calm down as they recognize him.
He looks up, coming face to face with a drowsy and confused Pyro Dagmeare, and smiles.
"Hi."
His greeting only seems to make the other more confused. "Uh… Scott…? Everything okay…? Why are you…"
Scott just stares at Pyro, blinking sluggishly. "Uhhh…"
Why did I come here again…?
He shifts around, trying (and failing) to sit up, at which point he gets distracted by the warmth radiating from his friend, which pulls him in, like a moth to a flame, making him lay down in his previous position, clinging to the other. With a contented sigh, Scott closes his eyes.
Mm… too early… cuddles…
"Right…" His actions seems like enough of an answer for Pyro, or maybe he actually said his thoughts out loud, because the other tentatively wraps their arms around him. "Are you… drunk, still?"
Scott makes a noncommittal sound, shrugging. "Dunno. Sleepy."
There's a chuckle that rumbles through his friend's chest. "Very well, my friend. I suppose it would be cruel to turn you away."
He smiles and nods in return, letting himself be moved as Pyro slightly adjusts their position, arms switching into a proper hold, and tucking their chin on top of his head.
A quiet stillness settles around them. Only their breaths, and Cindy's soft snores, can be heard, as well as the fire mage's steady heartbeat under Scott's ear.
I could spend hours like this…
He really doesn't know how much time passes, but he soaks up every second of it, even as a nagging thought builds in the back of his mind, about why he actually came over in the first place.
Right… I have to go for a bit…
I… have to be away from him again…
"'m gonna miss you, bud." Scott whispers, cutting through the silence.
Pyro had probably almost fallen asleep again, judging by the "Hmm…?" he gets in reply.
He frowns as he thinks about the previous night, scrutinizing his dubious memories. "Oh, uh, thought I remembered telling you 'bout my trip…"
"Ah. Right."
That makes Pyro's eyes snap open, suddenly alert, but Scott doesn't see it, too busy burying his face against the other's neck to soak up their warmth. The arm that is tucked against him tightens too, but he's just happy to squeeze closer.
"Um… do you really have to go?"
Hehe… He doesn't want me to leave…
"Yeah… 'cause Osteon asked me to…" His words are muffled against Pyro's collar, but he's not too worried about them understanding him, completely trusting they will, somehow.
"But, uh, alone…?" The other sounds concerned, which is confusing to him.
Does he not trust my abilities…?
"Well… I'm probably the only one that can touch that… ice stuff." Scott mumbles, then lets out a small giggle as he recalls a certain memory. "Besides, I'm the strongest mage in the academy, remember? I even beat her in a duel…"
"Aye, you did do that…" There's a slightly bitter edge to their voice, probably remembering how their ego got bruised that day. "Regardless, the world out there is quite a bit more dangerous than a sparring match between peers, especially now that…"
The way Pyro is measuring his words makes Scott shift his position, so that he can look at his friend, curious about what could be making him so hesitant. "Now that what?"
"Well, last night, after we parted, I… went flying with Cindermeare, for a bit." The other doesn't meet his gaze, instead looking up at the ceiling. "We landed on a tall peak down south, somewhere within view distance of Ros's village, and we were just admiring the sights when, all of a sudden, two Ravens flew over us, headed west-"
"Ravens… like Flick…?"
"No, no…" Pyro turns his head, chuckling, though the mirth is short lived. "I mean Ravens as in the Storm Ravens. I'm quite certain one of them even had a rider."
Scott's eyes widen, trying to process that information. "Oh. Woah…"
The fire mage nods. "Indeed. I immediately rushed back to inform the others, and a few of us ended up going back out to Vita Nova, including Ser Osteon, who scouted the area, but didn't seem to have found any trace of the beasts."
That makes him frown in concern. "So, did they just… vanish?"
"I'm not sure." Pyro replies, shaking his head. "I think it was just a matter of them being quite fast, so the time it took for me to travel back to the Academy was probably sufficient for them to get some distance, or find a place to hide themselves from sight. Perhaps I should've given chase when I could, but…"
Scott snorts. "I'm surprised you didn't, even though it would've been a stupid idea."
"Yeah, well…" The other grimaces. "I may be rash, but I'm not foolish. There's no way I could go up against two of those creatures alone, if we came to blows, and I did not want to risk Cindy either."
"Mhm."
"So, yes, contacting Ser Osteon was for the best, even though we lost their trail." They turn their gaze to the ceiling again, sighing. "At least, this way, we know for sure that the relevant authorities have been warned, and are on high alert."
Scott nods, shifting around slightly, which makes Pyro look at him again with his previous concern.
"That is the reason I was asking if your quest is still scheduled as planned. After all, we were told it was for the best to stay in the Academy for now, or overnight, at the very least…"
He hums, trying his best to give the other a reassuring look. "I'm sure Osteon will let me know if anything's changed, but I'm going north, which is, like… far away from the Storm stuff anyways, right?"
"In theory, yes, but if they're beginning to survey and infiltrate the Summer Realm…" Pyro's right hand comes up to Scott's nape from its previous position under him, gently carding through blonde-blue hair. "Just remember to be careful, alright?"
He leans into the touch, nodding in agreement. "'kay."
Pyro chuckles. "I realize how it sounds for me of all people to advise against careless ventures, but I feel the need to do so anyways." He sighs. "You… it's been so long since I've had such good companionship. I mean, Gods, even as children I think we were not this tight, always squabbling and teasing as young boys do. What we have now is… too important to lose." There's a brief pause. "You are too important for me to lose."
"Yeah." Scott replies eloquently. His insides are feeling all warm, like last night. Surprisingly, there's even a faint blush on his cheeks.
If he was more aware, he would be hiding against Pyro's neck again, but in his drowsy state he instead gets distracted staring at the other's face.
Still can't believe he got so handsome while we were separated…
Scott can still remember clearly the moment he first saw Pyro again, during the trials, and just knew it had to be him, despite some initial disbelief. He remembers the anger, the relief, all the things he had thought and felt during their years apart and all the memories he held of his best friend, his… first and only love.
They've both come so far, after those first weeks of heated arguments and bitter feelings, with some ups and downs, and unfortunate circumstances, but… the events surrounding Pyro's kidnapping, that made him feel like they were back to square zero once again, but only strengthened their bond… their newfound companionship, with communication becoming so easy that, astonishingly, they could resolve an argument within the same day… fighting off the bandits together, and then that dreaded trial, where he was ready to burn (ice?) the whole world down to fight for the other's freedom…
And, through it all, even through those harsh winters that had made him colder, way before he got magical powers, and through the years of desperately, sometimes bitterly yearning for someone who left him behind… Scott's love never wavered. If anything, after those eight years, the past few months together had only made it grow stronger, through the uncertainties of figuring out if they could ever be the same, if they could be better…
In the warmth of the other's embrace, all of his buried feelings bubble to the surface, and, lacking his usual inhibitions, he can't help but let them out, clearer and with more intent than the previous two times he has said those three words recently.
"Pyro… I love you."
There's a gasp, and it feels like the world has come to a standstill.
It might be for the best that he's not in any state to overthink, because the range of emotions that cross his friend's face, before it settles on a soft smile, would've definitely sent his brain into overdrive. He can only stare wide eyed, waiting for an answer with bated breath.
"I…" They hesitate for a moment, their caressing hand coming to a stop and just holding his face, and staring deeply into his eyes. "I love you too."
Scott feels like a fire has been ignited inside him, an inferno that can't compare to the bonfire from earlier, or to anything he's ever felt, even before freezing mana started flowing through his body, or before he lost Pyro the first time.
It's a fire that doesn't burn. Not anymore, at least, because hearing those words spoken so sincerely by the love of his life means that for once, the sparks of yearning aren't painfully constricted against his chest, now racing through his whole body instead.
In his groggy, half-drunk and half-asleep state, Scott briefly wonders if this is all a dream.
If it is… I never want to wake up.
We could just stay forever in this moment like this.
The silence stretches, neither knowing quite what to say, until Scott, giddy, remembers something else. "Hehe… you said it back this time…"
Pyro's hand, that had resumed its comforting touches, pauses again. "What do you mean?"
"The other day… I finally said it, but you didn't…" He pouts at his friend's perplexed face, thinking he should for sure know what he means. "And today… or, yesterday, too, I…"
"But, I did." They reply with certainty, though they seem to be trying to recall what exactly happened.
Scott's confusion mirrors the other's. "Huh…?"
"Well, I… ah, right." Pyro's face morphs into a grimace, apologetic. "You… truth be told, you had already crossed the threshold of your dorm room, so the mana veil would have repressed my voice… but last night, I definitely think I did, we were just… exhausted, and drunk, so I, er, may have slurred my words…?"
He thinks very hard about the previous day (which is quite difficult at the moment), and the conversation they had before parting ways. It makes his headache worse, but he manages to recall the other's muttered reply.
Pyro… he actually said it.
"Oh. Oh yeah, I think I just… yeah, too sleepy to hear. Or, uh, register, I guess." Scott chuckles, burying his face in Pyro's chest in embarrassment once more.
"Well, it was hard to miss." Despite the other's wording, he can hear the teasing grin on his face. "Though, I suppose we're both fools. I didn't even, I wasn't…" He sighs. "I've been so focused on our feats and misadventures here, and the dragons, and all of that, that I hadn't even considered that kind of connotation to your words until just now, when it really hit me."
Hearing that, Scott sobers up a little. "Yeah. That's the kind of person you are, though. I've always known…" He holds on to Pyro tighter. "There's just always a lot going on, huh? I never thought there could actually ever be a 'we' beyond friendship, even if recently..."
"Ah. I see…" The fire mage's arms embrace him, and he can feel their breath against the crown of his head. "So, you've… how long have you…?"
"Well, I…" He shrugs, trying to not let the years of longing affect his voice. "To be honest, I don't think I remember there ever being a time where I didn't love you, even before I had the words to describe exactly what I felt."
"Oh."
Pyro takes his time to process that fully, while Scott, now definitely more alert, is already beating himself up for his drunken actions and words, no matter how good the outcome might look at the moment.
What was I thinking, sneaking into his room, into his bed? And saying all that embarrassing stuff, even… even admitting to my true feelings.
The longer the other takes to speak, the more Scott wants to curl up and hide from the world, despite the fact that, currently, that means burrowing deeper against the other's chest.
Maybe I've ruined everything now. What if he wants to stay friends? Or, we could've taken it slow, if I just kept my mouth shut, instead of… of… I don't know, guilt-tripping them into something they probably don't want? Or…
His thoughts are disrupted by Pyro moving, adjusting their arms to squeeze him tighter, and pressing a careful kiss into his hair, startling him.
"I'm… really sorry, Scott."
He notices a feeling of warmth again, but this time, it doesn't come from him, and it makes him realize that the other is using his magic to counter the frost that had begun to spread from his overthinking.
It all only makes him feel worse.
"It's okay." Scott says, shaking his head. "You didn't know, you don't… you don't owe me anything, or-"
"No." Pyro interrupts him again, moving them so that their eyes can meet, gently holding his face. "This isn't… I just, I can already tell what's going on in that pretty head of yours, and it's not, you're not… Your feelings are not a burden to me, Scott."
The 'pretty' comment makes Scott blush. He wants to cut in, to argue with the words being said, but the other doesn't allow it, continuing to make his point.
"I know you know me well. I'm a man of my word, loyal and fierce even through our past misunderstandings, correct?" Pyro pauses, expecting him to agree, so he nods. "And I'm sure you also recall our agreement to be honest with each other, to always try to communicate instead of letting things fester, which is what I'm hopefully doing right now."
Scott continues to agree. His thoughts are trying to run away again, but the intensity of his friend's gaze doesn't let them, instead anchoring him to the present and really making him listen.
"I… I need you to trust that this, us, whatever that becomes, is not influenced by some sense of guilt or duty. It's a given that, yes, I am experiencing those feelings, but…" Pyro looks away briefly, considering their words. "I am also coming to terms with the fact that I, too, have perhaps felt the same for a long time, but just didn't…" With a deep sigh, they look at him again, caressing his face. "Romance always felt like something for future me to think about, a reward or footnote at the end of my ambitions, which I've been chasing all this time. But that doesn't change the fact that, given the opportunity, the two of us naturally became this close again." They smile fondly. "It doesn't change the way I would look at fields of lavender and remember a certain someone's eyes, or the way I would, during my hardest moments out there, miss the boy that had always been by my side, sitting together by the hearth."
"Oh." Scott doesn't know what to reply to that, staring at the other, wide-eyed.
"Just because I didn't acknowledge it as that kind of love in my head, or didn't realize what it actually was, doesn't mean that there were no feelings involved. After all, I've always considered you my closest companion in life." The way Pyro is looking at him finally makes him break eye contact, bashful. "The only one close to a similar standing is probably Ambear, who we of course only met recently… though that is, of course, strictly platonic."
He nods at that. "Yeah, Ambear's one of my best friends too. Did you guys end up…?"
"We talked for a bit, but then got interrupted by the call to assemble for the fight." They respond, examining the patterns on the ceiling. "I think we're going to be okay, though."
Scott is relieved, with at least one weight lifted off his chest. "Good. I thought I needed to stage an intervention at this point… can't have my besties sad at each other."
He hears Pyro's agreement, and feels the way his gaze falls on him again, but lets the stillness envelop them, reflecting over the words that had poured out of his friend's heart about his feelings.
It… it feels like they don't quite know yet, exactly, how they have always felt, but… I suppose that makes sense.
He's always had his head in the clouds, thinking about a higher purpose.
Who has time to think about silly things like love, when a grand destiny awaits?
Still, in order to quiet the doubt in his heart, Scott feels like he must ask the 'what if' that has always gripped his heart.
"Back then, if you knew I… how I felt… would you have stayed?"
"I…" Pyro's pauses for a moment, deliberating. "I think… it would have been harder to leave."
They don't say it outright, but the obviously implied 'no' hangs over both of them.
It doesn't surprise Scott. As much as Pyro leaving had hurt him, and still stuck to his side like a thorn sometimes, he has long come to terms with it, especially ever since coming to the Academy, being able to understand just why his friend might have wanted to see the world.
I guess a part of me still hoped his answer would be 'yes', though.
After a beat of silence, the other speaks again. "Would you have left with me, if I had asked?"
He meets Pyro's eyes and shakes his head, not knowing how to elaborate further. He just knows that at the time, he doesn't think he was brave enough to leave their hometown behind, too attached to his parents and the rest of the people he knew.
We both understand, then.
It's nothing he hadn't expected, and… there's a sort of liberation that comes from that mutual understanding.
"Well, I suppose we can thank the powers that be for allowing us to reunite, and find a space where we finally see eye to eye." Pyro says, getting a pointed look from him, which makes them chuckle. "Er, most of the time."
Shared laughter leads to more comfortable silence, which Scott can't get enough of, just basking in the other's presence and warmth. Though, this time, the quiet feels charged, both staring, with red-dusted cheeks and eyes that drift all over, mapping features… especially each other's lips.
Oh, Gods, are we… is he going to…
"Can, um…" Pyro is the one to break the stalemate, voice almost faltering. "Can I kiss you?"
Even though he knew it was coming, the question still short-circuits Scott's brain, so he can't even make a cliché remark, like, 'I thought you'd never ask', and instead just nods in reply.
He lets himself be guided, trusting the other's experience or, at the very least, their confidence, and closes his eyes, holding his breath, waiting for the moment their lips meet.
However, nothing could've prepared him for what kissing Pyro actually felt like. The sparks and fire that the stories speak of were there, yes, but more than anything…
It felt like coming home.
Kissing Pyro felt like a hearth welcoming him into its embrace, like watching the sunrise together, like every tender moment they had ever shared.
Scott clumsily reciprocates, melting into the other's touch and getting lost in the sensations, so much so that, when the fire mage pulls back to catch his breath, he chases their lips, not even aware of his own lungs burning for air. His eagerness amuses Pyro, making him grin as he brings his face closer again, touching his forehead to Scott's as they both recover, and wiping a stray tear that he also didn't notice had escaped him.
I feel like I'm dreaming, but at the same time, I… can dreams even be this intense?
It feels like a secret space just for the two of them, the way they're sharing breath, and staring into each other's eyes… and all of it feels like home, too.
He releases a shaky sigh, taking everything in, knowing for certain that there's no way this is anything but reality. "You know… I was afraid, even just moments ago, about how things would work out, but… I think we'll be okay."
Pyro nods, rubbing their noses together. "Well, I don't think I see much changing at all between us, in terms of how we act. Aside from, you know…" They lean in to peck his lips, pulling back with a smirk. "Some additional perks."
It makes Scott giggle, especially noticing certain things with the 'magic of the moment' over. "Hopefully with better breath, 'cause we're both kind of stinky right now."
"Eugh, yeah, too many beverages, mixed into a foul concoction…" The other scrunches his nose. "Don't worry, I'm usually much better at keeping the smell under control."
With a fond smile, he nods. "I know."
Pyro smiles back at him, with that boyish grin that he so adores, and tenderly moves their hand to his nape, resuming their earlier ministrations. "All in all, whatever happens, whatever the future throws at us… we'll figure it out together, yeah?"
This time, Scott is the one to lean in for a kiss, though he lingers for longer than the other had. "Together."
From the moment they saw each other again, he has wondered where life would lead them. Would they walk side by side? Would they drift apart once again? He had been full of unresolved feelings, like fear and resentment, towards his childhood best friend.
In recent times, though, with their reconciliation, but also especially now, with their new closeness… Scott could only imagine them stepping towards the metaphorical tomorrow hand in hand.
No matter what trials they may still need to overcome.
They share light kisses and quiet moments, until, some time later, Pyro scans the room for a moment then pulls back, as if suddenly remembering something. "Uh… Scott?"
He blinks up at them, confused, and a bit sleepy again. "Hm…?"
"What time were you supposed to meet with Ser Osteon?"
Ah.
"Er…" Scott sits up, trying to think about what he had been told, struggling to remember an exact time, especially considering how late everyone went to bed. "I'm… I don't even know what time it is now, I'll be honest."
Pyro hums, looking up at his windowed ceiling. "It… should be midmorning by now, I reckon?"
Morning sounds about right, but… ugh…
He sighs, laying back down and closing his eyes. "I'm sure they can wait for a bit longer."
The other looks at him, raising an eyebrow. "If you say so…"
Scott squints up at him with a petulant face. "You wanna cuddle or not?"
"Ah, alright…"
The two settle in as they were before, holding each other close, and he focuses on soaking up as much as he can of Pyro's warmth and presence, almost as if he could build a stockpile of it and take it with him, in his bag of supplies for the upcoming trip.
Sigh… if I could, I don't think I would ever more from this position.
He would worry about pulling himself away later, whenever 'later' might be.