A yawn escaped Virtus's lips as he awoke next morning, arms stretched above his head. Warm morning sunlight crept in through the window, of his and Timmy's shared bedroom. He could see the younger of the two packing his suitcase.
"Morning Virtus," Timmy greeted with a smile. Pushing his glasses up his nose. "Are you going home today?"
"Home? Oh...right. The Day of the Rose." Virtus responds, rubbing his neck. "Things are complicated back on Realia still, based on my findings last month." He grimaced, thankful Timmy understood.
"Ah, right, yeah. I forgot, sorry."
"No, you're fine. I might spend the day with Riven, Tris and the guys."
Timmy gave a sheepish chuckle, as Virtus helped him pack the last of his clothes. "Good-luck with him, he's been a grouch lately. Ever since we dealt with that Minotaur last week, come to think."
He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Bah, I'm used to his behavior, though I will admit he wasn't always like this when we were kids."
That was the concerning part. He had hoped Riven would have matured by now, as his father would have wanted. Shaking his head, he wished Timmy well on his trip, checking the clock on his wall. An ancient antique one in Realia fashion. That of bronze, carvings depicting of ancient creatures and magic. Before its winds, its pendulum swings at an even pace.
Should it open, it would reveal a display of a warrior and a dragon in great combat when the hours count down. He apologized to the guys, who became quite startled when they first heard a dragon's fire in between his laughter.
Headmaster Saladin had since made his departure, hoping to see his mother. Ripe at one hundred and thirteen years old. Virtus was thankful he did not add 'young'.
Riven was found walking out of the school, as Virtus caught up to him. "Hey, there you are. What's the agenda for today, Magenta?"
A slight eye roll is given to Virtus in turn. "Sky and Brandon wanted me to hang out with them, couldn't talk my way out of it. They insisted you come along."
"That's lovely. Sky making googly eyes at Stella, all day." Virtus faked a gag, earning a small grin from Riven. "I'll call Tris up and let her know."
Dialing her number on his phone, he was pleased to hear an answer. He was pleased she sounded in a good mood this morning, at the least. No new nightmares seemed to haunt her, as they once would.
Insisting on staying with Musa for the day, he sighed wearily having held enough hope she would be with them.
Riven had grown protective of Tristitia, though he would never admit it. Magix City was bustling with activity, by the time of their arrival. Many flocked the streets, celebrating with their parents and loved ones.
Roses began to rain upon them, bright red roses. Riven caught one in his hand, grinning at Virtus. "Only because it matches your eyes."
"Ha, ha." Virtus dead panned, nudging his sister's side feeling her laugh. He took it regardless, a shy grin crossing his face.
"Good to see you Sky, Brandon." A nod is given their way, while both in return shoot Virtus a warning look.
Why they decided to mask their identities, he could not say for sure. It only brought upon confusion for he and his sister in all truth.
"Wow, they look fierce this year." Sky declared. "It's the annual Race of the Rose." He stated, noting Bloom's confused expression.
"It'll be intense this year, for sure." Brandon replied.
"Maybe for you guys, but for me it'll be a relaxing walk in the park."
Virtus snorted, leaning his hand against his cheek. "Your arrogance is showing, Riven."
"I'm just saying. You guys don't stand a chance, they might as well put my name on that trophy right now."
His eyes began to twitch. Riven always had been arrogant, this is a known fact. Lately it had only become worse by the days. "Apparently, Riven doesn't think he'll have any competition this year." Brandon chimed.
"Last year, Sky fell off his bike in the first lap!" Riven commented, laughing.
It was far from a humorous incident. Virtus remembered his limping around for a good week, before he complete healed.
"That sounds dangerous!" Stella gasped.
"Levabikes are totally safe, with extra padding this year." Sky declared, feeling her arms around his chest.
"You promised to dance with me tonight, so don't go hurting yourself okay?"
"Well, I'll try. The chance to show Riven up is too tempting."
"Tch. The only thing going up, is you coming down." Riven scoffed.
"I'll be rooting for you, Brandon!" Bloom cheered, giving him a thumbs up.
"So, who's your cheerleader, Riven?" Sky teased.
Riven's eyes flickered, sneering at him. "I don't need one, unlike them." He halts Sky from speaking up. "If I actually wanted any of those Alfea pixies, I could have the whole little and you know it!" Virtus's eyes flared. He breathed through his nose.
"Besides, someone has been eyeing me lately. Isn't that right, Virtus?"
Virtus's jaw slacked. His face burned red with anger and embarrassment. "I-I have no idea, what you're talking about." He spat.
"Oh, come on now. Those little nicknames. I see you look at me in class, when we spar with one another."
"I look at you with wonder, not the good kind. The kind that makes me question, what happened to that sweet kid Tris and I used to know."
An unkind smirk graced Riven's face, as he tilted Virtus's chin upward. "You are really hot, when you're angry...I dig that."
Cold water was dumped over Riven's head and shoulders, soaking his hair and clothes. Sky burst into laughter first, before Bloom, Stella and Brandon followed suit. He eyes the broken flower vase, beside his left foot.
"Sorry. My hand slipped." Bloom grinned. "Better think twice, before messing with my friends brother."
Though he had been angry, Virtus placed a hand on Riven's shoulder. "Riven...hey-." It was shrugged off.
"Ah, just leave 'im." Sky scoffed, nudging Virtus. "C'mon. We 'gotta get goin'."
"Yeah...of course."
~//////~
"Ladies and gentlemen! Creatures of all realms, welcome to the annual Race for the Rose! Will this year's champion go home with his third rose trophy? Or have last year's losers, learned a thing or two?!"
His helmet atop his head, Virtus pulled along side Sky. His mouth felt dry, like cotton. All he could picture at that moment, was that cold look about Riven's eyes. A different cold, that he had not been accustomed to. A faint grin crossed when Sky gave a thumbs up, returning the gesture.
From the sidelines, he waved at Stella. Looking to his left, he was surprised some to find Bloom handing Riven a new helmet. He blinked in confusion, only to lift his head at once hearing the announcer start the count-down.
Soon as the light turned green, he sped off. Whenever he raced, be it on a dragon or a bike, that was where he felt most alive. More alive than he could possibly be. Riven had already gone ahead of them, causing more determination to burst within Virtus.
"Comin' through!" he revved his bike, pushing past two more bikers up to Riven and Brandon. Brandon's bike began to lose control, he could see it from his rear-view mirror, crashing into the crowd. "Whoa-!" A gasp escaped, feeling his own bike seem to hold a mind of its own as a girl racer sped past him.
"Riven! Virtus!"
Bloom in her fairy form was amongst the racers. His eyes widened at the sight, to see her. "What the heck? Bloom?!"
"What are you doing here?!" Sparks began to fly from Riven's helmet, blinding him. "I can't see a thing!"
"Guys, look-out!" Bloom shrieked, failing to snag the back of Riven's suit.
The back tire of Virtus's bike explodes. He has no time to react. No time to think, when it spins, forcing him off. There's a pop in his left shoulder when he hits the ground, swearing he saw stars as Bloom raced for him and Stella towards Sky.
"Virtus, Virtus hey-can you hear me?" she choked, slapping his face in a light manner.
His eyes hold a glazed look about them, before his vision returns to normal. "Bloom...hey. What the-?" a gasp escaped, finding a young woman with long, brown hair helping Riven to his feet. "Isn't that one of the Trix? Darcy?"
Brandon had been holding Bloom back from her.
"A Timmy illusion! Do you expect anyone, to believe that nonsense?" Riven sneered.
"She's not wrong, Riven, look at what the Trix do to people." Virtus tried to counter. He remembers the war on his planet taking place. Willing himself not to stoop to that level of mindset 'they're all that way'.
"Whatever, we're leaving. You coming or what?"
Virtus bit the inside of his cheek. He saw that look on Riven's face. One that said 'how can you not side with me, on this?'. When no answer is given. Standing at Brandon's side, Riven shot Virtus a glare of a look, storming off with a smug Darcy.
~/////~
A headache the likes he has never had before stole upon him that night, of their return to Red Fountain. His room never felt empty now that Timmy had left for home. He found he missed, his honesty at a time such as this and calm presence.
Sky's familiar knock caught his attention, muttering a 'come in'. "Thought you could use some company..."
"Thanks. Riven....he'll be okay. I know he will."
Sky held no answers to that. Allowing Virtus to believe, whatever he wished for that time being.