Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of the Abyss, it belongs to Namco rightfully.
Summary: Sync had been the one that seen everything, well, that be overestimating. He simply observed from the audience from start to finish of Asch little jealousy toward the happy couple: Luke and Tear. When things seem to remain peace, excluding jealous Asch, everything spiral downward from the stage to behind the scenes.
Pairing:
Main- AschxLuke
One-sided- LukexTear, AschxNatalia
Others- JadexGuy
Hinted- Original!IonxArietta and SyncxIon
Warning: AU, Yaoi, possible sexual content, OOC, and bit of drama.

Rant: I wanted to get some of this...LukexTear out of my system originally, but it turned out to be a first LukexTear and then an AschxLuke story. But, if possible I'll put up a LukexTear oneshot that is related to this one. Also, there will be only three chapters to this story.

Helpful Tips:
Lorelei- Present time.
"Lorelei" –Present time speaking
Lorelei- Flashback
"Lorelei" –Flashback talking/Present time thoughts
"Lorelei" –Flashback Thoughts.=
Lorelei- Titles/Setting/Dates/Emphasis/Diaries/Phone or Online talking
Lorelei- Chapter Titles/Newspaper Article/Posters

Introduction: Rainy Days

Upala High School Private Academy in N.D. 2017 in the location of Grand Chokmah, Northern Rugnica

In the elite school brimming of cool ocean colors, stone white marble buildings, and golden rimmed flags hanging proudly with the insignia of the Malkuth territory. Beyond the gates of the Upala High School Private Academy were students left and right heading into the building, school uniforms mandatory as the females wore a white buttoned up dress shirt underneath a Prussian blue trimmed with tan color coats with the matching, only the same shade of blue, skirt. The males wore the same colors, except with a more masculine shirt and coat with pants. Both outfits' collars held a ribbon, different color ribbons signifying the different years they are in. Bright crimson for freshmen, a pale yellow for sophomores, a myrtle representing the juniors and the seniors wore ultramarine ribbons. Of course, they were free to wear any kind of bags to carry their textbooks and supplies around along with their lunch boxes.

Chatter was loud among the groups of students, from everywhere it went from left to right to up and down. There wasn't even a moment of silence unless someone found a good spot to rid away of all the excitement going on. And there was that one good person that found a good spot indeed, a rather emerald hair tousled and spike up freshmen indicting on the red ribbon he wore around his collar loosely, his outer coat loose by a button and the inside of his white shirt showed his neck more by slightly. The emerald haired boy position was laidback, pressing against the trunk of a tree by his back with his hands behind his hand, and his bag sitting rather lethargy a few inches away. His eyes were closed, relaxing underneath the shade of the tree as the gentle autumn wind brush against his spiky hair and shook the trees lightly. Soft, unheard breathings slip from the boy lips, his chest lifting up and down with air slowly, letting himself enjoy this moment of relaxation without interruption.

The bell ranged, the long minute hands hitting the 10th of the 7th shorthanded hour that signaled that students would not have long until class began, the thinnest and longest second hand tick and tock slowly. The vicinity of the courtyard dwindled down quickly, leaving only the lazy, the rebellious or the overslept ones that were rushing at this minute. The emerald haired boy still slept through; unaware of the light crunching of the grass being pressed by a weight nor the girls and few men alike stared at the figure that was headed to the sleeping boy. The figure was a junior by the myrtle ribbon he wore around his collar, his uniform neatly ironed without a wrinkled and all buttoned up, matching the school strict regulations. A brown bag held in one hand while there was another bag strap against one of his shoulder, recognized being one of the Kendo club members. His blood red hair reaching his back sway slightly against the wind, his bangs pulled back that reveal his stern looks. The sharp green eyes laced with annoyance, matching the scowling face he had that didn't deteriorate his handsome looks as he stopped in front of the emerald haired freshman. He didn't say a word nor moved from that point, simply narrowing his eyes down to a glare and expected for the freshman to wake up about this time. If he weren't the one that was ordered to make sure this lettuce head, that is slacking off at the very moment, to attend class there would be no point in staying around here longer.

Eventually, the emerald haired freshmen stirred from his slumber as if he had sense a threatening presence looming over him. His lids slid up, revealing matching emerald eyes glinting with annoyance despite his tired face. He sat up slowly straighter, his hands falling to his side, and brought a knee up against his chest to rest one of his arm around the said knee. The emerald haired freshmen tilted his head up to stare at the blood haired man with a rather annoyed look, a brow rose in question that earned the blood haired junior intensified glare in return and crossed his arms. Obviously, he was not pleased while staring down at the emerald haired boy.

"About time you woke up. I was thinking of ditching you here to sleep and head to class, Sync." The blood haired man simply stated with a rather snobbish tone, showing his moody moods.

"Never asked you to look after me, Asch." Sync retorted sluggishly, covering a big yawned and stretched his arms.

"You never did, I didn't want to, but it was Van orders to make sure you don't do something reckless."Asch paused a bit, glancing around briefly before adding something. "Also, Ion wanted to make sure you don't get any stupider than you need to."

The blood haired man smirked slightly at the pink present on Sync cheeks. He silently watched in amusement as the emerald haired boy stood up abruptly, grabbing his bag and glared at Asch with the blush still present. Sync wasn't happy hearing that.

"Don't mention Ion!" The emerald haired boy hissed quietly, closing his eyes to calm himself down and return to his cool façade. He grumbled to himself for a minute, shoving one of his hands into his pants pockets and the other held the brown bag.

"…Whatever." The blood haired man shrugged, not at all threatened by that. Uncrossing his arms, he let them rest against his side and held his own brown bag, turning around as he began to walk away from Sync sleeping spot. He spoke, glancing over at Sync as he did. "I rather hurry up and get to class if I were you. In case you might make Ion sad again."

Asch took a step to the left at an incoming rock aimed for his head, not bothering to glance at the rock clattering against the stone ground, and smirked once again at Sync, who looked rather irritated now. Ignoring whatever the lettuce head had to say, the blood haired junior turned around once again to head inside the building yet stopped midway to stare at something. He didn't bother to notice Sync walking up to him, who had something to say, but didn't say anything when the emerald haired freshmen saw the dark scowl Asch had on his already stern features. Sync frown a bit as well, looking over to where Asch was looking to only give a slow nod of realization.

There was a rather beautiful junior standing near the gates, her long brown hair sway slightly against the wind while she brush a strand away from one of her uncovered eyes. A rather worried and embarrassed blush present on her cheeks while waiting for someone, holding the brown bag with cute little charms and a sky colored Cheagle key chain with both hands against her front. She had the body that women would be jealous of and men would lust for, but her rather cold personality from years under her strict guardians made it rather unapproachable for others except for those close to her. The one close to her had seen beyond that cold façade the brunette put and was now arriving at the gates.

And it was that person that Asch held his gaze on, staring at what looks to be his twin with an unreadable look. Yes, the junior arriving just now toward the brunette would be considered his twins if it weren't for the stated papers saying they were unrelated. Another thing was that his twin was the total opposite of him, more personality than appearance wise. Unlike the blood red hair Asch had, the other had a lighter red; auburn would be the better term that stopped at the base of his neck. The auburn haired junior at the gates had a happier air about him, cheerful with his warm smiles and round childish eyes that could be considered a puppy in anyone eyes if observed close enough. Also, the blood haired man twin uniform had his ribbon loose while his shirt and coat buttons were left neatly as it is. He too carried the official brown bag, but also carried a bag strapped against his shoulder signifying he too was in the Kendo club.

"So known happy couple of the school….Tear Grants and Luke Lorelei Flammel…is it…?" Sync scoff at that, looking a bit disgusted at the lovey-dovey scene.

The auburn haired junior, Luke had clapped his hands together and was apologizing frantically, trying to gain Tear forgiveness for being late with an apologetic smile. There had been some light scolding from the brunette, who shook her head simply and sighed before smiling at him. Light glinted in Luke eyes, giving a bright smile to his girlfriend, and moved to kiss her lips briefly. Of course, this earned a rather blushing red Tear who was embarrassed at her boyfriend overly display of affections and scolded him once more. But that only made Luke grin more, grabbing her hand and the happy couple walked down toward the school building while they had the time to head to class. Both talking and chatting happily about random subjects Luke bought up.

"I hope you're not going to get into your jealous tendencies, Asch." The emerald haired freshman glanced at Asch now when the couple passed them by without a care.

If it were any normal situation, he would be taking pictures on his phone right this minute on the most amusing faces Asch had ever made. The one dubbed as the Ice Prince of the Fabre household, genius and athletic, ignoring all of the heart-throbbing girls and boys that swoon over him and wanted to be his friend or lover, was jealous. Rather, seeing how much of a murderous look Asch had, Sync didn't even bother to think about taking his phone out. But that didn't stop any teasing.

"…Shut up…" The blood haired man grumbled the angry scowl evident on his face.

"There's princess Natalia, who you broke the engagement with when you realized your love for a certain redhead." Sync suggested innocuously.

"…She's not Luke." Asch muttered once more before ignoring lettuce head and had to head to class now. He didn't want to be late nor want to talk about his personal love life with Sync of all people.

The emerald haired freshmen shrugged and said no more, knowing this subject was a bit too touchy for Asch. Not like it mattered, he teases him about it later then, consequences be damned. It was too fun to watch Asch squirm and go into a rampage. Sync, who would rather not risk seeing Ion sad, had headed to the building shortly after Asch to get to class.

First period was Professor Dist of…Biology if he remembered.

Ugh, he always wondered if that Professor can ever teach properly without going into a speech of his "best friend", Professor Jade Curtiss. That overly flashy outfit of Professor Dist was pink. Always pink this, pink that, his hair was bit of a pink and even his lips had pink LIPSTICK on.

Maybe it should've been better if he went to the rooftop instead and escape Asch moodiness and being a nag all the time.


Inside the white marbled school building, there was the main entrance that consisted of the lobby, the cafeteria up ahead with smaller common rooms, and a small store to provide supplies. There were at least four entrances that lead to a different section of the school that consisted mainly of the years. One section belongs to freshmen, sophomores and so forth. The fifth hallway belonged mainly to the teacher's offices and one of the many libraries. There is also another section extended from the fifth hallway that leads to the athletics area, mainly for classes and clubs. Added, there was another building whose purpose was the auditorium. The many floors above the main entrance consisted of many fine arts classes, musical, more libraries and a few infirmary rooms. However, the final two floors at the top are restricted from student's uses and belonged mainly to personal use of the teachers and the headmaster. Students were not allowed, ever, unless summoned or invited for reason. Finally, there are the dorms that are separate buildings, not too far from the school. Naturally there were two different sections based for gender. One for the girls and the other for males with a dorm leader that are usually a senior with assistances to keep everything in order and make sure the students are hooligans. Students assigned to their rooms are separated by years, consisting of each floor enough for the amount of students unless they said students have a home already in Grand Chokmah. Two students per room were enough less there are some that prefer to sleep alone or there were an extra student added.

Granted, students were also allowed to walk around Grand Chokmah leisurely after school hours or during their free weekends for an entire year.

Back to the morning of the first period (Physics) in the juniors section, within Class J-1, where the students chat and had their free time before their professor, Jade Curtiss entered to start class. Luckily for Luke, who is usually oversleeping due to his dorm mate, Asch Fon Fabre, not waking him up in time to prepare to school. The auburn haired man sighed at the small recent memory, very relieved that Tear had forgiven him for his tardiness at least. Tear was always forgiving for something simple, his stupid mistakes resulting from his not so bright mind.

Tear.

His girlfriend he had been going out since the start of their sophomore year and they were declared as a happy couple from their peers. They had some ups and downs, but they were happy about the progress of their relationship. Normally right about now, they would have to take it to the next step, but Tear said to wait a while longer and wait he did since two months ago. Luke would always wait until she was ready, but some things had been off that he had begun to notice.

Luke nuzzled against his arms he used as his pillow against his desk and glance over at Tear sitting next to the window, talking to a sophisticated looking blond woman, having that air of royalty is none other than Natalia, princess of the Kimlasca-Lanvalder, in their girls' conversation. He didn't realized he had been staring at his girlfriend smiling shyly for so long that Tear glance at his direction and looked a bit…nervous? It seemed the brunette realized something and turned her head back quickly to talk to Natalia, a faint blush on her face as they continued their conversation. He frowned at this, not liking at it all.

"Why did she look…nervous for a moment…?" The auburn haired man thought to himself before moving his head to look somewhere else. Something to pass the time until their professor comes in.

There was Asch a seat away to his left reading his book as usual, glaring at anyone that approaches him, be it friendly or cocky. Luke couldn't help chuckle softly at that, typical of Asch, the Ice Prince to act like that. He did wonder why the blood haired man broke off his engagement with Natalia; he heard it from Guy when the blond tried to cheer her up during that time as a friend. It seemed Asch wasn't interested or loved someone else, it was unclear for now.

Speaking of Guy, he raised his head up slowly and looked around for familiar spiky blond head. Guy was usually earlier than him and that sort of worried him. He knew the blond can take care of himself, but this was his best friend and there was something he needed to talk about. He frown at that, about to look for more when the door slid open and everything happened in an instant.

Students went to their seats and sat down quickly, all ready with their books and pencils ready. Their posture straight and respectful, smiling ever so cheerfully it looked force (with the exception of Asch and few others). Every pair of eyes watch as a man in his thirties walked inside, shoulder length dark blond hair contrasted the blue suit he wore, making his pale skin stand more. His crimson eyes tilted up to stare at the students of the room through his glasses, a smile stretch against his face showed that he was pleased with the students' behavior. He walked over to his desk in front of the chalkboard and places his bag down, pulling out a folder with all of the student names inside and looked over at his class once more.

"Good morning to you all, I hope you all had a good weekend and did the essay I assigned you all last week."

"Yes, Professor Curtiss." All the students, with an exception of a few, synchronized.

"Good, please do hand them all in while I take roll. " Professor Curtiss ordered, but sent a glance over at Luke, who noticed it immediately and glared. The smile grew on the crimson eye man face, a teasing one as he added. "Through I expect a few like Flammel sitting over there looking like a zombie would forget his essay."

Snickers occurred, even Asch smirked at that and glance over at Luke rather snobbishly. Tear covered her smile with her hand, hoping to not seem rude toward her boyfriend. Whispers erupted at Luke embarrassment for the day, harassed by the famous Professor Jade Curtiss himself. The auburn haired man eye twitch, crossing his arms and slouch against his seat with a pout.

"I did it…and I'm not a zombie." Luke muttered back weakly.

Thankfully for Luke, no one particularly bothered to ridicule him for Professor Curtiss little teasing. It was normal for Professor Curtiss to act like a rather blunt and sarcastic person toward his students, making slightly insulting remarks despite his variety of knowledge.

Most of all, no one wished to test Professor Curtiss patience. The last person that did have been punished that would have been considered breaking the rules within school grounds, but the professor was an exception. It was allowed for Professor Curtiss long as the person isn't dead.

No one said it be traumatizing for that person through that he had to be moved to a different class.

Roll call went by quickly, a chorus of "here" in many notes. Yet the auburn haired man stared at the empty seat in front of him where his blond friend usually sits. He remembered seeing Guy yesterday, looking quite all right, did something happened to him?

"Looks like everyone is here, let's start class now." Professor Curtiss concluded with a smile, closing the folder and turned around mid-way until a student spoke up.

"Professor, Cecil isn't here!"

"Oh? I know, Mr. Cecil informed me he wouldn't be here today, because he felt rather unwell and took a day off." The crimson eyed professor reassured the students using the same smile that won't accept any questions.

"...This makes me wonder if I should look for Guy or not later…." The auburn haired man sweat drop, thinking he might leave that matter alone till during lunch or after school hours.

The students never asked anymore seeing that Professor Curtiss gave that look that spoke loudly "Do not ask or else" since they all treasured their sanity (and lives).

The morning classes passed rather quickly today, the formerly sunny morning was beginning to become cloudy instead. A few students brought umbrellas in case since there was news that predicted it would rain, yet so far there was not a drop of water. It was lunch time however for the students and break time for the teachers. Students either headed down to the cafeteria at the main entrance or those that brought their own lunches stayed in their classrooms with tables moved into groups.

Tear had her bag on her desk, pulling out a bento with a pink cloth and little patterns on it and stood up slowly after she put her bag back on the hook on the side of her desk. The brunette about to leave with her lunch stopped, looking up to see Luke that approach her with a cheerful grin and held up his own lunchbox.

"I didn't forget my lunchbox this time! So we can find somewhere to eat if you want, Tear." The auburn haired man informed her happily.

"I'm glad, that you didn't forget or else you have to wait in line while your stomach is growling." Tear smiled softly, her cheeks pink at the overly cute boyfriend standing in front of her now.

"Then….Do you wanna find a spot right now, Tear…?" Luke asked shyly, staring at Tear as his girlfriend nodded. It was a sign for the auburn haired man to grab her hand and held it, which earned a blushing Tear who was still embarrassed by this despite the months they've been together. No less, Luke was happy, holding Tear hand as they left the classroom and talked about the classes today while finding a spot.

On the other side, there was a certain blood haired that is appearing grumpier than usual when he spotted Sync just outside one of the smaller lunch commons. Asch had not seen the happy couple due to force to leaving earlier the moment the last of their classes ended before lunch when the Supervisor of the Kendo Club and History teacher, Professor Van Grants, needed to speak to him about the club. He was the Captain after all and there were some arrangements needed to be done for the summer matches later on. Also, he was required to find Sync once again since the lettuce head had been skipping his Algebra and Biology classes and that had been reported to Professor Grants. This ruined the blood haired man mood, because it had taken up most of his time to eat when he can.

Currently however, Asch was sitting close to the emerald haired freshmen and eating his lunch quietly, munching rather angrily. Sync raised a brow at the munching noises, sipping his juice box through a straw and pulled it away to speak.

"Isn't someone moodier than usual?" The emerald haired freshmen had stated than questioned nonchalantly.

"Your fault I had to spend some of my time, because YOU skipped classes." The blood haired junior retorted after swallowing his food and pointed his chopsticks at Sync, glaring even.

"Um…Can I sit here, you two….?" A meek voice spoke out of nowhere, forcing the two men to look over to find a girl. She was rather short in height, her appearance looking more like a middle school student than a high school student if it weren't for her uniform. She was a sophomore even from the pale yellow ribbon indicated around her collar. Her long and bright pink hair stopped against her back, her round ruby eyes stared at the two shyly as she clutched a sewn ghost looking doll in her arms and in her hand was a green bento.

There was a shrug from the emerald haired freshmen and a slight nod from the dubbed Ice Prince.

"You don't have to ask, Arietta." Asch reminded before going back to his lunch now.

"I-I know, but…" Arietta stuttered, taking her seat next to Sync and put her doll down next to her. She places her lunch box on her lap and unfolds the cloth, lifting the lid up and started eating with her chopsticks. Her ruby eyes glance over to the group of girls in the same year as her were chatting, but once the group of girls made eye contact with Arietta, she moved her glance away back to her lunchbox. Snickers can be heard while they continued walking, minding their own business now.

"…Never cease to amaze me how idiotic people can be." Sync commented, his eyes narrowed slightly at this and took a bite of his sweet bread.

"I'm sorry to trouble you all…" The pinkette apologized softly, looking guilty.

"Don't apologize…The people that attend this school, majority of them are nobles. Not very surprising in what they do in their spare time." Asch grumbled, done with his lunch now and sipping his bottle of water. He too was a noble, but different from the others considering his experiences by effects of his family wealth.

"Besides…You have someone already protecting you." Sync added referring to a very influential person next to the Ion he knew that had some liking to Arietta. Not that he would say who it was out of a slight dislike for him.

Arietta understood immediately who Sync was implying and flushed madly, nodding slowly at that and ate in silence. But there was something else that caught her attention and stared behind Asch, who did miss the stare and became confused.

"What? Is there some ghost behind me?" The blood haired junior questioned the pinkette, earning shook of "No" from Arietta.

"Maybe it's an octopus." The emerald haired freshmen snickered, ignoring a glare Asch sent toward him.

Silently, Asch turned his head around to figure out what Arietta had been staring at; Sync did the same as well. Now, there was a scene he rather not watches, better term, never in his entire life.

There they were, Luke and Tear, the supposed happy couples were having their intimate moments. A minute or two ago, there was Tear feeding Luke from her lunchbox and the auburn haired junior accept it happily and opened his mouth to eat it. Both of them talking about something that Asch couldn't pick up on, but whatever it is, Tear blushed at that and said something before Luke had turned red as well.

"…Disgusting…Nothing special about Tear…." Asch thought to himself darkly, but continued to stare at the couple and wished he had averted his eyes that moment.

The auburn haired junior leaned forward to press his lips against Tear, who looked surprised and flushed bright scarlet, embarrassed at Luke public display of affections. However, the brunette slide her eyelids closed and replied back to the kisses that lasted for a while. Both their hands moved to lace their fingers together, intertwining them into a soft squeeze. Their faces scarlet of this display of affection before it was Luke that deemed that the kiss would be enough and pulled away, sending Tear, whose breathe taken away by that kiss, a sheepish grin. The brunette recovering her breath smiled at that and chuckled before she handed Luke a bottle of water, her lips parted into some words that made the auburn haired junior flush madly. Luke accepted the offer and the bottle Tear gave, cooling him down quickly and hopes to assist his stomach digestion.

"I'm so surprised they have guts to make out like that in public." Sync spoke sarcastically, through had a disgusted look at the happy couple.

Both pairs of ruby eyes and emerald tilted their head up to find the blood haired junior already standing up, grabbing his bento and bottle of water, and stomp away quickly. There was a dark look on Asch face, his green eyes conflicting with many emotions right now despite trying to put on a neutral look. The pinkette and the emerald haired freshmen silently watched their upperclassman leave the outside and into the building, back to class most likely. When deemed safe to speak, Arietta looked at Sync with an anxious look.

"A-Asch is going to be all right…right…?" The pinkette asked, one of the few besides Sync that knew about Asch crush despite the silence their upperclassman had.

"Don't know, don't really care." The emerald haired freshman shrugged, sending a glance over where Asch last walked before looking at Arietta. "Hopefully, he won't do something stupid."

With that said the two looked over to where the said happy couples were to find them silent and not looking at each other now. Sync raise a brow at that, observing them with his matching emerald eyes and gave some thoughts.

The previous pink mood from earlier wasn't there, the rosy faces of embarrassment had disappeared leaving only an expression of…anxiety and awkwardness. Again, they were still silent and had not looked at each other in the eye. Not even a glance. They must've spoke about something that created this tension filled air between them when the emerald haired freshman didn't hear, not like he had heard anything in the first place.

Arietta seemed to notice something, but made no stance to say and simply observed them as Sync had done. The pinkette clutching her doll tightly after she had finished eating her lunch, the edginess here was uncomfortable for her.


Fortunately, the lunch bell had ringed out of the blue, signaling for the afternoon classes to begin now. Added, it wouldn't be long till the sprinkles would fall from the completely gray sky. Most of the students, including the said couple and Sync and Arietta headed to their classes to their respective sections. The classes pass by quickly when the rain began to pour like endless tears close to the end of school hours. Sports clubs have been cancelled today due to the weather, leaving the students to go to their other clubs or head back to their dorms unless they dare to walk around the Floating Capital in this gray weather.

In the boys' dormitory, around the third or fourth floors where the juniors occupied mostly, Asch was in his shared room, with the absence of Luke who stayed at school for the band club and lying down on his bed on one side of the room. Their room was same with the majority of the others; two beds with two desk with the basic necessities of a desk lamps, two nightstands with mini clocks added lamp that were sometimes rarely used, one drawers, and one closet. There was a window at the end of the room straight across from the only door that left the room covered by dark tan curtains, but in the redheads' room, the curtains have been moved out to the way to reveal the gray clouds and the relentless rain pounding against the windows. Not that Asch cared, he found the sound of the rain to be the only thing not driving him crazy and wash any of his thoughts about a certain auburn haired man and his girlfriend.

The blood haired man can remember clearly how much they never got along at first, through it was one-sided with his annoyance at Luke. Asch never knew exactly what made him hated Luke, he thought it was the appearances; the fact that Luke looked exactly liked him and was the total opposite of him that annoyed him. The obvious fact that he, Asch Fon Fabre is superior to Luke Lorelei Flammel in every aspect and subject is it school and sports. But there was one thing excluded was that Luke had some things that he, Asch, did not have at all. It was the happiness, the optimism Luke had around him that could cheer someone up even on a bad day. That everyone was attracted to the cheery charisma the auburn haired man had like moths to flames. Sure, Luke wasn't the brightest bulb or the strongest person here, but he was trying hard even if he was clumsily about it. Asch knew that Luke had joined another club than Kendo, which was the band club, and heard of his singing talents along with his magic fingers along the guitar. Coincidentally, he visited one of their concerts before albeit Ginji, another close friend other than Sync and few others, had to drag him since the blood haired man needed some fun and liveliness of the school festivals. Not that he would admit it out loud, but he had been impressed with the band. He could've paid attention to the other members, but there was one person who held his gaze the entire time.

Luke.

And there forth, he began to question these feelings he had for his roommate. These constant dreams of Luke faces haunting him that began so innocent grew to somewhere more intimate by the days passing day in the middle of their freshmen year to the point Asch thought he was going crazy. Worse, was that he was beginning to see Luke in a new light and that wasn't easy considering how Sync noticed it immediately. Damn lettuce head.

Also, there was something he didn't expect Sync to say when the lettuce head had noticed when they were hanging out with Arietta and her crush, E.I.* one time. It was a blunt, three worded sentenced that connected all the pieces together to his turmoil.

"You're in love."

That point, Asch wondered if Sync had gone insane, because he knew the lettuce head does not deal or relate to anything in that subject. Apparently, his expression must've said something that time due to a sharp look from Sync that reminded him of the lettuce head and his relationship to N.I.*. Thus no questions said out loud.

Love, he had to question that emotion.

The closets he ever got to love was love of a parent, his only frail mother, and much as he would dismiss the thought, there were few people he considered close friends. So this emotion was new to him, after all, there was no one special in that kind of manner in his life before Luke. Luke had changed everything the moment they met, talked, and despite how annoying his roommate can be, he found it…charming.

Yet, his life of solitude and silence of being a noble did not make it easy for him to say his feelings loudly to the auburn haired man. Winter had passed quickly, along with spring and heading into summer, and still Asch had not said anything or given any hints. He knew somehow that Luke could never feel the same for him and that only brought more of the hole drilling into his heart. Then what came after only deepen the pain.

Luke had confessed to Tear and Tear had the same feelings for him, and officially were a couple by the start of their sophomore year.

Despite it all, he kept the mask on, no, it wasn't a mask. He acted like himself the entire time, the Ice Prince title, while keeping that mask on around his roommate. For once, he was glad that Luke was oblivious of never noticing his true feelings are, but it didn't stop the auburn haired man to notice something wrong.

Yulia, it was very hard to not lose any control and let himself go that moment when Luke was so close to him, asking what was wrong with a worried look. Asch swore that was the only time he had worked so hard to keep his control and luckily, Luke backed off eventually with a doubted look that his roommate was not all right at all. That time wasn't repeated again, not that Asch would want it to happen again, he didn't know if he could control himself next time.

Honestly, Asch never knew how painful it would be to watch his…love be with someone else, smiling so happily with that loving gaze in those round, innocent green eyes. That spark of life he didn't want to let it fade away ever. That's why he never did anything and acted like his usual anti-social self, even around Luke. He didn't want to ruin Luke happiness, because he was selfish.

Asch sighed loudly and turned around to his side on his bed, facing the wall, and shutting his eyes. There was too much thinking involved and a nice nap while hearing the sound of the rain was nice. But that would have to be delayed when he heard the door open with a loud creek. The blood haired man knew who it was considering that he had locked the door earlier and expected the usual, hyper greeting from Luke. The cute kind that always energetic and brightens the mood even on a rainy day like the sun. He waited and waited, but not a sound when the door finally closed and that made Asch frown.

Letting out a grumble, Asch sat up and opened his eyes to stare at a sight he didn't expect.

His roommate was indeed there, but dripping wet head to toe in his uniform. Heck, practically soaked to the bone would be the better term to use. What really did bother Asch was how quiet Luke was, eerily quiet and staring at the floor in front of the door with his short bangs covering his eyes. Not a movement seen from the auburn haired man.

This worried Asch, very.

"Hey, dreck, what the hell are doing soaked here?" The blood haired man decided to speak up, thinking that Luke would just stand there and be wet for the rest of the hours left.

Then, as if surprised, Luke tilted his head up with an expression Asch couldn't practically bear to see. The sight of Luke reminded him of a wet puppy, hurt with those puppy eyes staring at its master. Hurt, Luke was hurt and Asch frowned more, concern showing for once in his lifetime to care other than his mother. Slowly, Asch got out of bed to walk up to Luke to stop mid-way to hear his soaked roommate speak with the very same hurt tone. That one little sentence broke all hell.

"Tear and I…We…broke up…"

TBC


A/N:

Some notes on the *...

E.I.* is referring to the Original Ion, also known commonly to me is Evil Ion.

N.I* however is known to me as the replica Ion, the nice one.

Reviews please, criticism are nice~ Just no flames or bashing, I really hate those. :)