Ch. 6: The Power to Protect (SUN)
We continued walking back in what I hoped was the direction of the castle, when suddenly Fluff ran off.
OO: "W-wait! Fluff!"
I hurridly ran after the dog and ...
OO: "...so pretty."
A glade of flowers spread out before me.
OO: "Is this where you wanted to go Fluff?"
Tiny petals of blue-purple fluttered in the night breeze.
This flower...is the one Avi likes.
I felt my heart break as I looked at the flowers with Fluff.
At that time...
Fluff: "Grrr..."
Hearing Fluff's growl, I turned around and saw strange shadowy shapes emerge from the forest.
W-wolves...!?
A large pack of wolves stared at us, fangs bared.
OO: "Fluff...!"
I picked up Fluff and tried to run, but the wolves had surrounded us in an instant and were closing in on the space between us.
OO: "...!"
I held onto Fluff, wanting to protect him from the oncoming wolves...
Wolf: "Kyain!"
A great slash appeared in one of the wolves and let out a cry of pain.
Avi: "OO!"
With his large sword at the ready, Avi moved between Fluff and I and the wolves, protecting us.
OO: "Avi!"
Avi quickly mowed through the attacking wolves, and just like that sent them fleeing back into the forest.
OO: "A-Avi..."
In relief, all the strength left my body.
Avi: "You alright?"
Avi asked anxiously as he sheathed his sword.
OO: "Y-yeah..."
While I was trying to steady my breathing, Avi walked up to us.
It was then that I noticed a red gash on his arm.
OO: "Avi, you're hurt!!"
Avi: "Ah, it's nothing."
OO: "But you're bleeding..."
As I pressed my handkerchief into the gash and tied it on to stop the bleeding, Avi’s face twisted in pain.
OO: "A-are you alright? Does it hurt?"
Avi: "I told you, it's nothing."
As if trying to alleviate my worry, Avi smiled kindly.
OO: "But why are you here?"
At my question, Avi pinched the bridge of his nose as he hesitated to answer.
Avi: "…I was looking for you. I went to your room to apologize, but you were gone. I’m sorry about this afternoon…"
OO: "No, I should be the one apologizing…I’m sorry."
With things between us settled, my heart began to race uncomfortably.
Avi: "Anyway, this place is…"
He narrowed his eyes as his red hair glistened in the moonlight.
Avi’s eyes filled with pain as he looked at the flowers, and I didn’t know what to say.
Avi: "..."
In front of us, the blue-purple flowers gently swayed in the moonlight.
Avi: "…anyway, we’re going back. It’s dangerous to go out walking at night."
OO: "Alright..."
...
......
Avi: "But how did you know where that glade of flowers was?"
Avi asked with curiosity. We had returned to the castle and he was treating his injury.
Avi: "That place is…"
Avi’s face filled with pain as he spoke, and my heart ached.
OO: "…I went after Fluff, and we ended up there."
Avi: "I see…so Fluff remembers."
Avi muttered and he seemed overcome with emotion.
His voice made my chest twinge in pain again.
OO: "…Avi, will you tell me? Why you sometimes make such a sorrowful face? When we talked about the dried flowers, and when you look at Fluff…and when you saw the painting."
I assumed Avi would get angry again, but I couldn’t help myself from asking.
OO: "I don’t want to see you so sad. I…want to know more about you Avi."
Avi: "OO..."
Avi gave a small smile and patted my head.
Avi: "…It’s not a very happy story."
I looked Avi in the eye and nodded, and he quietly began to speak.
Avi: "When I was little, my body was very weak. I’d often get fevers, and my mother would worry. One night I had a really bad fever…I heard about it later, but my life was probably in danger. Seeing me like that, my mother…went out alone in the middle of the night to pick flowers in that glade."
I want to cheer him up but...
Avi stopped talking for a moment, but before long he continued.
Avi: "Just like what happened tonight, she was attacked there by an animal… Fluff’s mother had gone with her too… She went…to pick flowers for me. Because of me, they both…"
If my body had been stronger.
If the flowers bloomed nearer the castle, they wouldn’t have died.
I knew then of Avi’s strength, and how he’d hidden his sorrow among the flowers, and tears blurred my vision.
Avi: "…I wanted to become strong. So that it wouldn't be my fault, and I wouldn't lose the things precious to me. I wonder if I've achieved that strength..."
Avi's voice was full of sorrow and I moved closer.
Avi: "OO..."
He slowly reached out his hand.
Avi: "…is it alright if I touch you?"
I nodded with a smile, and his hands gently held my cheeks.
OO: "Avi..."
Avi: "...I wonder if I can protect you the way I am."
OO: "You just did back in the forest."
That hands that touched me were full of strength, and they slowly traced my lips.
OO: "..."
I reflexively turned my head away in embarrassment.
Avi: "Look at me."
Avi’s whisper was forceful. I looked up at his gallant eyes, and was completely enthralled.
However, I could see the depths of the sadness there too.
I want to surround him. I want to support him…everything that he is.
That is what I thought, wrapped in the light of the evening.
I want to bring him happiness.
Gently, our lips came together.
Avi: "I won't be separated from the people important to me again. I'll become stronger...so I won't lose you."
OO: "Me too...I don't want to lose you either."
We kissed again, deeper.
As if wanting to convey the feeling of love, I continued to respond to the depths of the passionate kiss.
END