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twenty

Luka

S ighing, Luka leaned his head against a tree, his eyes closed, his legs stretched out before him. His head felt like it was being hammered by a blacksmith and there was nothing he could do about it but wait. This was the only downfall to having healing magic; he couldn't take a potion to alleviate his pain, and he couldn’t heal himself. When Fida had woken up, he’d excused himself, though he knew Morai had questions for him, he couldn’t sit there because every noise they made increased his headache. The silent stream he sat by helped somewhat, even Noa gave him some space choosing to stay with the others. He heard a twig snap, and his head pounded in revolt. He didn’t bother opening his eyes to figure out who it was, he already knew it was Morai, he always knew her footfalls. A cold compress pressed against his temple, Luka flinched from the sudden cold but didn’t open his eyes, he heard rustling, then a presence sit next to him. She stayed quiet for so long Luka decided to break the silence.

“Aren’t you going to ask?” Even talking hurt.

“I was going to wait until your headache subsided,” Morai said, and Luka grunted.

“Besides, Tanen told me everything,” she said with a smile in her voice. Luka dared to open one eye to look at her, closing it shut when the moonlight was too much.

“Is it always this bad?” Luka shook his head.

“I used too much mana and had to pull more out of the air. My body just needs to recover.” And it was letting him know its disapproval. They fell into another silence, listening to the distant sound of a night creature that produced a musical tone.

“When were you going to tell me?” Morai asked. Luka shrugged.

“I hadn’t really thought that far, and when I found out you were leaving, I thought there was no need. Besides, would it change anything if I’d told you? We’d still be rivals, and you’d still leave and I’d…?” Luka paused, swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat. Reaching up, he took the compress from her and pressed it to his other temple and sighed.

“Tanen said you haven’t told your parents.”

“They would be obligated to tell the temple, and then I’d have to go there. And you know how they are with their healers. I won’t be able to have a life.”

“Why don’t you want to go to the temple?” Luka opened his eyes, ignoring the jarring headache he got to look at Morai. She was looking down at her hands.

“Do you really have to ask that? After everything?” She looked up at him, her nose scrunched. She studied his face for a moment before looking back down at her hands.

“What exactly are you trying to say,” she asked. Luka sighed, then shifted so he could fully face her.

“If I leave for the temple, I won’t be able to be with you. But it’s not like I can be with you even if I wanted to, what with our family always pitting us against each other. Do you have any idea the fit my parents would throw if I told them how I felt about you?” Morai actually grinned at that.

“It would be quite the sight to watch,” she said, and he chuckled, then winced.

“Yes, it would be.”

“But that’s why I wanted to leave.” Luka frowned.

“Because they’d throw a fit?” Morai rolled her eyes.

“No, because I thought if I convince my parents to let me move to the capital city, we can have a relationship. I mean, you could visit without your parents actually knowing who you’re visiting.”

“Oh.” The tightness Luka had felt in his chest eased.

“And you didn’t think to tell me? I could have helped.” Morai lifted her chin.

“There’s no way I’d let you help with saving money. It’s mine.”

Luka allowed himself a full grin.

“So that’s how it is,” he said.

“Definitely,” Morai said with a smile. Luka stretched his arm out and Morai shuffled closer leaning her head against his shoulder.

“How’s your head?”

“Bearable.” They fell silent for a while.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Luka said.

“I know.”

“I’ll be working a lot at the guild and taking on jobs.”

“I know.” Another pause.

“I love you, Morai.” Morai pushed away from his shoulder to look at him, she opened her mouth, but no words came out. Taking advantage of that, he leaned in and kissed her. It was like all the tension he’d been carrying melted away with that one kiss. Her lips were soft against his, and his hand, the one not holding the compress, found its way to her neck. His breath hitched as Morai’s hands went up to his chest and stayed there. He could have gone on for longer, but Morai pushed on his chest and he broke the kiss. She had a dazed expression on her face, an expression that turned into a glare.

“That is not fair, I was going to say it first.” Ah, so she found her voice again. Luka beamed.

“Beat you to it, didn’t I?” Morai scoffed, getting up and dusting herself.

“I’m going to get you back, just you wait,” she said, then trotted off with a smile on her reddening face. Luka burst out laughing.