''Then we started talking the way that we do''
As Rose returned to her dorm after her last class, she spotted Riven's sweater laying on her bed. The piece of clothing had brought her comfort last night, as his smell lingered on it. Unfortunately, though, it was time to give it back. She sent Riven a text telling him she was on her way before putting the sweater in her bag and making it out the door.
Swerving through training and battling specialist's, Rose was searching for Riven. She had texted him again, asking where he was exactly but he hadn't responded yet. Her search was interrupted when she felt someone tapping her shoulder and as she turned around, a smile formed on her face.
'Ethan! Hi.', Rose greeted him happily.
'Fancy seeing you here.', Ethan replied as he returned her smile. 'You look a bit lost. Can I help you?'
'Oh, not lost. Just looking for someone, actually.', Rose informed him as she scanned her surroundings again, but no sign of Riven.
'You know, I've got a 15-minute break, might be just enough time to continue our last conversation?', Ethan suggested as he raised an eyebrow.
Rose thought back to their conversation, remembering how she had asked Ethan what Brandon and Stella had said about her. As Riven still hadn't responded to her text, she decided to follow Ethan to one of the benches that were spread out around the training area.
'Just give it to me straight, was it bad?', Rose asked as she sat down next to him.
Ethan let out a laugh in response. 'If it had been bad, I probably wouldn't have agreed to meet you.'
Oh god, Rose thought to herself, his remark did make sense. She opened her mouth to say something but was distracted as a shadow fell over them, announcing the presence of someone.
'Sorry, I was just in the middle of a sparring session when you texted me.', Riven informed her as he sat down in between Ethan and her. His voice sounded normal, though Rose could notice his jaw was clenched.
'That's okay.', Rose smiled at him.
Even after four months, even after the moments they had shared together, being near him still had the same effect on her. His close presence always caused a warm fuzzy feeling to settle in her stomach, sending her mind spinning a little, while time seemed to slow down. So, when Ethan suddenly spoke up, it startled her.
'Hey, I'm Ethan.', he said as he looked at Riven but the latter kept his gaze on Rose for a few seconds before turning to him.
'Riven.', he curtly mentioned before letting his eyes scan over him. Rose didn't like the look in Riven's eyes. It was a mixture of arrogance, annoyance and mischief and she already knew nothing good was going to come out of his mouth. 'Wait, I know you. You're the specialist who's known for his swimming skills.', Riven added in an amused voice. 'And not in a good way.', he pointed out as he turned his gaze back to Rose. 'This guy has fallen into the water more than any other specialist known to Alfea.'
Rose just looked from Ethan to Riven and back, not knowing what to say. To her, the story wasn't as amusing.
'Ah, yes, funny.', Ethan snickered sarcastically. 'Every specialist I spar with makes it a personal goal to get me to fall into the water ever since that rumour spread.'
Riven inhaled sharply before raising an eyebrow. 'Must really fucking suck to be so terrible, right?'
It was now clear to Rose that Riven was definitely bothered by Ethan's presence and the uncomfortableness was getting too much for her. She had to step in. 'Riv-', she started, but Ethan interrupted her.
'You know, I'm actually not as bad as the rumour makes me out to be.', he answered in a calm voice.
'Really? I'm actually not done training yet. Care to show me?', Riven challenged him.
Oh, no, Rose thought to herself, no, no, no. 'I really don't think-', Rose started again, but it was no use as Ethan had already gotten up.
'Sure, let's go.', he said as he started making his way towards a stage but Riven was quick to call him back.
'We're taking the one by the water, of course.', he smugly mentioned as he pointed his finger towards the other direction.
As Rose watched to two of them, she felt just as helpless as she did this morning. If she wanted to stop the two from letting their ego's get the better of them, this was her moment. She quickly got up too and pressed a hand to Riven's chest to stop him in his tracks. 'Riv, I don't think this is a good idea.'
'Don't worry Rosie, it'll just take five minutes. You'll wait for me, right?', he questioned as he took the hand that was resting on his chest in his own, giving it a soft squeeze. Though his gesture was sweet, he didn't wait around for an answer as he followed Ethan onto the stage.
Rose just looked at the scene in front of her, heart beating loud and an anxious feeling in her stomach. She watched as Riven scanned the area, eyes landing on Sky who had just finished a sparring session with Brandon.
'Sky! Can we have those sticks?', he yelled as he motioned for Sky to throw them into his direction.
Rose's anxiousness grew as they both caught a set of sticks and got into position. Not wanting to watch this toxic display of masculinity, she averted her eyes and noticed Brandon and Sky walking over.
'I really thought you guys didn't quite hit it off, but I guess I was wrong. Way to be supportive, wish Stella would do the same.', Brandon joked as they neared her, causing Rose to let out a cough.
'I'm not here for Ethan.', She choked out as her cheeks turned red.
'I'm confused right now.', Sky remarked as he looked at Riven, then at Ethan before his eyes finally landed on Rose.
'I was just here to return something to Riven, but, apparently, both their ego's got bruised in the process and now they are trying to one-up each other during a sparring session.', Rose quickly explained.
At that, Brandon and Sky both laughed. 'Twenty quid on Riven.', Sky remarked as he watched the two of them fight.
'Oh, you're on!', Brandon replied excitedly, causing Rose to let out a sigh of disapproval.
'You guys can't be serious right now.', she let out as she looked at them in disbelief.
Well, apparently, they were, as they just shrugged their shoulders and continued watching Riven and Ethan fight.
Rose flinched a few times as some serious hits were delivered by both parties, but she couldn't really make out who was having the upper hand. They both moved so quickly, like the fighting came as easy as breathing but when Ethan managed to deliver a blow to Riven's stomach, Rose couldn't bear to watch anymore. She quickly covered her eyes with her hands and Sky seemed to notice her uncomfortableness.
'You don't have to worry Rose, they do this like every day. Fighting is what we do, besides, Riven is totally holding back. He could have Ethan on the ground in seconds if he wanted.', Sky bragged about his friend.
'I'm not so su-', Brandon started, but he stopped talking as Riven used one stick to block Ethan's attack and used the other to send Ethan stumbling back. He wasted no time to deliver a few more hits against Ethan's torso and took advantage of his weakened state by disarming him. Throwing his own sticks away as well, Riven challenged him to hand to hand combat but before Ethan could even deliver a blow, he was already flat on his black.
'You might not be as bad as the rumours make you out to be, but they're not that far off either.', Riven smugly stated as he looked down at Ethan.
'I almost had you.', Ethan groaned as he got up, but Brandon was quick to chime in.
'I'm sorry mate, but you really didn't.'
'Fine. I didn't, but I'm aware of the mistakes I made. Again?', he urged as he picked the sticks back up and threw a pair over at Riven.
The amused look on Riven's face told Rose he wasn't going to back down and, in that moment, Rose decided she had had enough. Before her mind could process it, her eyes had started glowing and she used her magic to heat up the sticks, causing both Ethan en Riven to drop them to the ground. The surprised look on both their faces was nothing compared to the surprise Rose felt at her sudden action but she tried to hide it as best as she could. 'Before you guys go at it again, here's your sweater.', she snapped in annoyance as she threw the sweater onto the stage. 'I'm leaving.'
As she walked away, she could hear some protests coming from both Riven and Ethan but she didn't bother to turn around. to be honest, she was too embarrassed to do so, she knew she had overreacted.
-
'So, is that him?', Rose asked Musa as they were lying on Rose's bed, scrolling through the Insta of a guy Rose assumed Musa had a crush on.
'Yes, isn't he cute?', the latter replied excitedly, practically drooling over the guy's photos.
Rose had to stifle a laugh at Musa's behaviour. She had never seen her friend like this before, but it was totally cute. 'Yeah, I guess.', she replied hesitantly.
'Oh, stop, Riven is not the only attractive guy walking around this school.', Musa complained as she playfully shoved against Rose's shoulder, causing Rose to laugh. She was about to reply when Musa's eyes started to glow a deep purple and the mind-fairy beat her to it. 'Speaking of Riven, he is at the door.'
Rose's eyes widened at that information, a nervous feeling settling in her stomach. 'What?! It's already 10:00 pm, what does he want, how does he feel?', Rose rambled out as a knock could be heard on the door.
'He's anxious, but go, open the door!', Musa whispered as she pushed Rose off of the bed.
Anxious. Rose didn't know what to make of that. After she had stormed off this afternoon, Riven had texted her, but Rose hadn't responded yet. The fact that he was now here caused a wave of guilt to wash over her. He had been so supportive last night and she couldn't even be bothered to text him back today. She quickly moved over to the door before opening it hesitantly.
'Uhm, hi.', she awkwardly let out as she looked at Riven.
'Hey, I just, I-', he started, rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably. 'I texted you.'
Realising Riven had swallowed his pride to come knocking at her door, she decided she had to do the same. 'I know, I'm sorry I didn't respond and I'm sorry for the way I acted today. It was a bit over the top to use my magic.', she mumbled as she stepped outside into the hallway.
Riven chuckled in response. 'Well, yes, maybe it was, but, hey, at least we know it's working properly again.', Riven joked before his face turned serious. His hands reached for her waist as he leaned in closer. 'I'm actually supposed to be starting my shift right now, but I also want to spend time with you. Come join me?'
Rose was taken aback by the sudden change in his behaviour and his low voice combined with the way his breath fanned over her neckline caused a shiver to crawl up her spine. Though Rose was longing to take him up on his offer, what he suggested was risky. 'I don't think that's allowed.', she sheepishly stated.
'Come on, live a little. Nothing ever happens during these shifts, you can trust me.', Riven urged and the pressure on her waist made her take a step back, her back hitting the wall.
Her knees felt weak as he just moved with her, closing the space in between them and his touch caused her breathing to be short and shallow, her head spinning as her hand involuntarily moved up to his stomach, lightly clutching onto the fabric of his sweater.
Rose could notice the cheeky glint in his eyes while he looked down at her hand before his gaze travelled to her waist. In their movements, Rose's shirt had ridden up a little and Riven was quick to take advantage of it. He let his thumbs trail over her slightly exposed skin and Rose couldn't help but gasp softly at the skin to skin contact. 'Please, Rosie? I just want to show you something.', he coaxed.
The way he touched her, the sound of his voice, the intensity of his stare as he looked into her eyes, he was completely taking over her senses and Rose was sure Riven was aware of it. His nickname for her made her insides melt and her curiosity got the better of her. 'Okay, just let me grab my coat.', she managed to weakly stutter out, an empty feeling welling up inside of her as they let go of each other.
Rose followed him out into the gardens and watched as he sat down on a bench placed underneath a pergola. Flowery vines covered it's pillars and the top of the pergola was open, creating a window to look out at the night sky.
'Is this what you had to show me?', Rose asked sceptically as she folded her arms in front of her. This is not worth the risk of getting into trouble, she thought to herself.
Riven just let out a laugh as he grabbed her arms, unfolding them and pulling her closer. 'Come sit down.', he instructed softly, and Rose obeyed.
'Hmm, yes, the garden is really beautiful.', she said as she looked out over the various flower patches. They were lit up by lanterns which were lined along the paths leading through the garden, however, the lighting was dim. 'Though, it's even more beautiful during the day.', she added, causing Riven to laugh again.
'It's not about the garden.', he started. 'It's about this spot.'
Rose followed his gaze as Riven looked up. She was taken aback by how breathtaking the night air looked. Dozens of stars were shining bright, all visible due to the clear air, but that was not the most impressive part, the impressive part was that a violet-coloured veil was right above them. It seemed to be vibrating, moving even and it turned the sky around it into a soft purple shade.
'I knew you'd like it.', Riven smugly remarked as Rose could feel his eyes on her face.
She turned to look at him. 'I do.', she confirmed. 'How come I've never noticed it before?'
'It's not always visible but I knew tonight it would be.', Riven revealed.
'Thank you for showing me.', Rose whispered as she looked back up again. 'you know, I really love it here. Alfea. The beauty of it, the magic, the people, I really feel like I belong here.'
'Well, I'm happy for you.', Riven remarked but Rose could hear a mixture of scepticism and hesitation in his voice, as if he couldn't quite believe what she was saying.
'I really wish you liked it here more.', Rose replied softly as she met his gaze. By the look in his eyes, she knew her words had touched him and her heart ached as she could see the saddened expression on his face.
'I just don't see it.', Riven started. 'Alfea is supposed to be all that, but not to me. I don't see what's so likeable about it and magic is really just a pain in the arse if you ask me.'
'I'm sorry you feel that way.', Rose said as she tried to gather all her courage and scooted a little closer to him. 'Maybe I just have to try to get you to appreciate magic a little more.'
'Well, good luck with that.', Riven chuckled doubtfully as he put an arm around her shoulders in response. 'Though, I am glad for meeting you.', he added as he smiled down at her.
'Me too.', Rose simply replied as she returned his smile.
They just sat there for a while, enjoying each other's presence as Riven spoke up again. 'Just so you know, I did get Ethan to fall into the water.'
Rose shook her head in amusement at his revelation. The fact that Riven couldn't suppress the urge to emphasize that he was obviously better skilled, confirmed he was jealous before and, though it might be wrong, part of her liked it. It was what had probably caused him to open up a little more, to suddenly show her a little more affection. He cared about her more than he led her to believe, she was sure of it now.
'Who's Ethan?', she asked rhetorically as she let her head rest on his shoulder.
***
~ Actually finished this chapter during my workout in the gym hahaha. Thank you for reading, voting and commenting! Have a nice evening/day lovelies 😘~