Love in Sadal Suud

Lyude cherished his moments alone with Kalas, and he wasn't afraid to admit it. Well, to himself anyway. He told Xelha once and she thought it was cute, like a little brother enjoying time with his big brother. Lyude wanted to smack her when she said that. But how could she understand? Things like this just didn't seem to be part of her culture or understanding.

Lyude and Kalas walked alone for only a few seconds before Lyude asked Kalas a question.

"Kalas, When did your grandfather give you your winglet?"

'Ach, with the wings again?' thought Kalas. He was sick of annoying questions and he was especially sick of Lyude mentioning his winglet. It was a fucking fake wing his grandfather made for him! That was it! Nothing more, dammit!

But he still answered.

"When I was about 8 he gave me a really simple one. I couldn't fly well with it, though. He gave me another at age 12 that worked pretty well, then another at age 14. I'd pretty much stopped growing then so it still fit perfectly. This one, of course, is pretty damn new, as you know. It fits even better than the last."

It was odd how comfortable Kalas felt with Lyude. He even spoke differently. Lyude was never rude or sharp with him, which made him easy to talk to. Hell, he was even easier to talk to than Xelha. His questions were just as annoying, though.

"Wow, so that's... four winglets from the great Georg! That must make you feel proud. Of course the great Georg is your grandfather, which I'm sure would make you even more proud, but um, I mean, I'm sure you knew that already, that you should be proud of that. At least in Alfard, since Georg was so famous there. So I'm proud to know you, too. You being related to Georg and all, and... I'm sorry, I'm babbling and I'm not making any sense."

Lyude was blushing by this point. He had been hoping to have a nice conversation, and to let Kalas know that he liked him, at least as a friend. It didn't seem to be working. The look Kalas was giving him wasn't exactly a friendly one.

'Is he blushing?' Kalas thought. 'Wow... he's either really, really dorky, or...'

A thought rushed into Kalas' head. It involved Lyude, with pretty red pigtails and a pink dress and lots of flowers, smiling and giggling. Kalas almost laughed except that the vision also included him, rushing toward the pretty Lyude, arms wide, smile wider, waiting for the moment he could have him in his arms and-- No! Not again! He didn't think like that! But... did Lyude think like that. Was that why Lyude had just been talking like he had? What if Lyude was having these same thoughts?

Kalas was blushing a deep red by then. He peered up at Lyude, who still had a warm pink to his cheeks. Their eyes met for a moment. Kalas couldn't speak as a new realization washed over him. No, he didn't want to think like that! But what if... He was getting so lonely, so damn frustrated, and Lyude was just like everything he wanted...

"Hey guys, what's the problem?"

Gibari rushed in fast. He could see the red faces and intense stares. He could feel the tension in the air. Obviously a fight was either about to start or had just finished.

"Oh, nothing Gibari!" Lyude let out a big smile, but his face was even more flushed.

"You sure?" He said quietly to Lyude. "Cuz if he's starting somethin'"

"No, he's been on his best behavior. I just... asked a stupid question that came out wrong and embarrassed us both." Lyude figured a semi truth was best to downplay this.

"Ah! I understand," Gibari said. He smiled widely, fully accepting that Lyude could say some damn stupid things sometimes. I mean, who the heck cries out "This will cleanse the evil out of you!" before beating something to death with a gun?

Kalas just stared on at the two guys, alone for a second time at the back. He began to ponder again...