After getting everything settled, Rythian called Zoey and Teep and told them that Lalna was going to be okay, and that he was staying over at his house for the next two days. And then the two boys stared at each other for a few seconds, blank expressions on their faces. Suddenly, they lit up.
Rythian's POV
We instantly start talking about what TV Shows we like to watch, so we start some up and just sit there, watching, for the rest of the evening. Night comes and we crawl into my bed. It's never been weird, sharing the bed, because we've done it with other friends since we were toddlers, become accustomed to it. Plus, it's not like we wake up in each other's arms or anything, so there's really no reason we find it weird. Except, tonight, it's different. We wake up and Lalna is hugging me very tight. I start talking to him.
"Ummm.... Lalna." I say. "You're kinda... Encroaching on my space here, buddy..."
"Wha? I - Oh. Sorry..." He replies, scooting over. And then I realize something.
"That's never happened while we were asleep before... Someone had to be fully aware to have done that. Never try to do something anonymously when there's only two people, Lalna."
We begin guffawing, but I interrupt.
"But really. Why did you do that."
Lalna's POV
I feel heat rise to my cheeks. Why did I do that? I really don't know. Maybe I was just cold and didn't think he'd think anything of it. I must have been too groggy at the time to no what it meant now. I mean, there is the obvious reason, the reason the winds had to change. But that... I thought I had learned to bury that. I just tell him I was a little cold.
And that's when we both start crying, like two babies.
"Why... Does... Everything... Have to be so... Ugh! Why can't you just be.. Honest with me. Lalna, please, tell me why you left. Stop acting like it's some huge secret."
"I... I'm really sorry Rythian. For everything. The eyes. Leaving. I really am .But it had to happen, and I can't tell you why. Maybe someday. Can you please forgive me?"
Rythian's POV
I stare and he stares back.
Then, I feel his arms around me, and I hug back. I realize that it's all over now. It hurt, a lot. But it's over now. He's here now. And... That's all that matters. Not the time when he wasn't. He nods into my shoulder and I realize I must have been talking out loud.
"Let's just... Enjoy the rest of the day."
...
The day starts with the pair meeting with Zoey, Fiona , and Teep. Then, they just go back to chatting and watching TV, playing video games, and then it's time to go back to bed.
Rythian's POV
I wake up in the middle of the night to feel my hand drifting over to touch Lalna's. I firmly grasp it, not realizing I had. Oh, I'm doing it too, now. Weird. I am about to pull away again when he grabs back. I realize after a few unsuccessful attempts at moving away that he isn't going to budge. I also realize that he's still half-asleep, and that he did the whole thing mostly subconsciously. I don't fight anymore, to be honest I kind of enjoy the warm hand around my own; I'm cold. I drift off to sleep... And when I wake, I realize with great sadness that the double-sleepover is over. Lalna is already packing up when I wake. Before he leaves, though, he gives me a hug. And then, afterwards, I am standing there, gripping his shoulder, and... I want to say... Something, and I don't know what. But... I don't. And then the moment is gone. And as he leaves, I feel something... Regret? But... Why? For what? Maybe - No. I push the thought from my head and I get ready to spend my Sunday doing homework.
A/N So... This chapter and the last were really fun to write.... In fact, the whole story has been. The tension between the two slowly reveals the whole story to readers, and I like how that's working, so far. More WILL become clear. I have big plans for this. Also, the next chapter will explain why this is called "Zoey's Plot." Also, the ending... I wanted to make Rythian a slight homophobe, not about others, but about himself, so that when he does realize he's in love with Lalna, things get a little... Odd. I think that part will be really hard to write, but I think it will be really fun to read (If I do it right). And if you have a theory about what the thought was that Rythian denied? Well, if it's what I think it is, then it's probably correct. Thanks for reading!