This is my attempt to expand the Luneth/Arc fandom. It's so rare it makes me cry. The fact that said pairing is the shounenai pairing that I've gained interest for far beyond the interest for other shounenai pairings. I'm hoping this to be multi chaptered, and would like at least one review every two chapters. I'd normally ask for more, but I know the fandom is limited...soo...yeah. Don't like it, don't read it. No flames please.
xx(name)xx - POV change
xxxx - scene change/time skip/both
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Warriors are not needed when there is no war. In times of peace, a warrior will lay back and live his life where he wants to. And when those warriors are a certain four, they would settle down in the place from whence they came. Refia, after toils of blunted weapons, had reluctantly agreed to seek mastery in blacksmithing. Ingus had proudly rejoined King Sasune's army on active duty. If he felt any emotions over separation, he didn't show them. Then again, Ingus had always been good at hiding his emotions.
And then there was the last two. Luneth and myself. I wondered if children would still bully me in Ur, even though I had become rather famous, along with the others. I wondered if life would be better, now that I'd made something out of it. I felt rather reluctant to return, since the simple cruelty of other children had made me the shy person I was, and I'd hate to see myself get worse.
But Luneth returned to Ur. Nothing else said, that was a good enough reason for me to return as well. Luneth was, and is my best friend. I go where he goes, but I can't help but compare myself to a helpless puppy, with no choice but to go along with his owner.
And the leash that pulled me along was made of more than friendship. For a long, long time, even before this 'Warrior of Light' fiasco started, I have been in love with my best friend. Here, where I sat on a small, soft-grassed hill, I rested my chin on my knees, arms drawn around them. I sighed. How much would I be bullied, I wondered, if people found out I was incapable of loving anyone except my best friend? A male? Worse still, the bullying would come with no one to stop it, because Luneth would be too disgusted with me to be my friend.
So I do not tell. I try to keep every detail from Luneth that could give him a clue. I have a feeling that both Refia and Ingus know. They've probably noticed the little things I can't hide, the little things that Luneth is so used to that they don't seem out of the ordinary for him. They look at me when I stutter replies to Luneth's questions, trying desperately to hide my face. And they look slightly...pitying. A knowing glint in their eyes tells me what they are pitying, but they also seem to look at Luneth in the same way, too.
Luneth has these little quirks which I don't understand, but I feel I should. He sometimes seems uneasy around me, and once his eyes assume a nervous glimmer he usually excuses himself and heads somewhere lonely. I think it's because he finds it difficult to be around me, because I'm such a bad friend. Sometimes in our travels, when we've been eating around the campfire, I'm always the last to finish, and when I do, sometimes I see Luneth looking at me with a strange expression. Similar to his expression when he'd seen a very powerful sword in a shop, wanted it, but not had enough money to buy it. Only stronger, and different somehow. I couldn't think why he'd be looking at me like that at all, but he always looked away, seeming startled, whenever I caught him looking at me. Refia and Ingus always seem amused when this happens, but strangely sympathetic. I don't understand this, either.
I sighed again. Gustily. Why did things have to be so complicated?
"Hey, Arc! What you doing?" A cheerful, overly familiar voice asked from behind me.
"N-nothing!" I squeaked in reply, sounding quite strangled in my shock. I'd not prepared my rather weak 'Hide my feelings from Luneth' shield, so was unable to stop the light flush that passed over my face, and I dipped my head, hoping to shadow it. I nervously shot my eyes in Luneth's direction, breath hitching in my throat. He always looked...well, for lack of overly descriptive words, perfect. I had no idea how it was possible to run around killing monsters and not get any blemishes. Seriously, most people get a scar or two when going to war, didn't they? I conveniently didn't notice that I'd somehow avoided said scarring as well.
Apparently, Luneth had noticed my shyness, and immediately decided to inquire. "Hey, what's wrong?" He had a small flicker of that hungry, longing look in his eyes again. Luneth didn't appear to notice.
"N-nothing...I'm fine..." I knew that Luneth wouldn't buy it, but nor would he pry. He was nice like that, he did respect a person's privacy. I was critically aware of Luneth sitting down beside me.
"Refia and Ingus are in town." He commented. "They never really got the time to see much of Ur, so they're staying at the inn instead of just visiting." Luneth grinned impishly. Under the cover of my fringe, I blushed. "Personally, I've found it hard to sleep anywhere except outside. We've been traveling so much that I'm just used to sleeping under the stars." Luneth waved his hand towards the sky, which was in the cycle of dusk, the sunset darkening and disappearing into shadow. There was a short silence, before I timidly replied.
"Me too. I s-slept out here yesterday." I inwardly praised myself for not stuttering too much. I was startled to see Luneth brighten so much he was practically throwing off light.
"You planning to tonight?" Luneth asked. I timidly nodded. My silver-haired friend jumped to his feet. "Great!" Luneth declared. "I'll join you. I'll go get firewood!"
And before I knew what had happened, Luneth was darting off to the forest. I stared into the sky for a moment, then sighed. I clutched the area around my heart, desperately trying to suppress the throbbing pain of longing that never went away. I'd learnt long ago that heartache could be just as painful as any wound. Clutching harder, a single tear dropped from the corner of one eye. It was all I could do to stay sane, after so long of this pain. I sat there in the darkening night, watching the nearly full moon rise, and trying endlessly to ignore the endless heartache. How long could I live like this? How long until I wasted away, pining for what I loved too much to claim? Bitterly, I smiled. I could faintly feel my ribs sticking out more than the norm. No one would notice, I always hid beneath my loose clothes that failed to give away my weakening state.
Before it started happening, i'd never believed that love could kill a person. Now, I accept it, and I think that Luneth will be better off without me. I still sat, motionless, when Luneth returned, shooting a small greeting at me. I gave a murmur in reply, moving only to flinch at the sudden pang in my heart. I couldn't understand it. How could I be so hopelessly in love that it hurt like this to hide it? How could heartache make food seem meaningless, even life itself? When did I fall so far? I was gratefully aware of the fire being lit with an underpowered spell beside me. Luneth settled next to me, the space in between myself and the fire. I dipped my head more, trying to hide the blush that inconveniently arrived whenever Luneth did. Out of the corner of my eye, Luneth seemed very briefly flustered, the nervous look in his eyes as well as the longing one.
I studied it closely, but was unable to interpret it. Again.
"Arc." Luneth began beside me. "You've been acting strange recently. You're not eating much, at all. I think It's got worse since the end of the fighting. I want to know what's wrong." Luneth was close. Too close for my 'hide-my-feelings' side, but said feelings were very pleased to have Luneth so near, and proceeded to make my belly do flip-flops for a good while.
"Nothing is wrong. I'm fine." I insisted quietly. Luneth shifted a little closer, resulting in another inconvenient heart-pang. I had no doubt that Luneth saw the wince.
"I don't believe you, but I'll leave it alone for now, Arc." he sighed. I felt a pull of gratitude, and gave a small nod. feeling suddenly tired, I shifted a little further away from Luneth, and laid down on the soft turf, sighing.
"Good night." I murmured. I saw Luneth's eyes lingering on me, careworn and etched with worry.
"Good night." Luneth replied wearily. I'd closed my eyes, and was drifting off, when I felt smooth skin trail over my hand. While no one particularly knew it, I was a master at being awake and seeming to be asleep. I could have my eyes open enough to see out of them, but they'd be closed enough for no one to realize that I was watching. At the moment, Luneth was sitting with his knees bent in front of him, and one arm around them. The other was extended towards me, with a finger trailing absentmindedly along my hand. Luneth was gazing at the moon, and with my undetectable sight, I saw his eyes turn to me, and he seemed to notice for the first time what his hand was doing. He immediately drew it back, with a guilty look drenching his face, as if he'd done something wrong. He sighed, and continued staring into the sky. I wasn't a fool, and so I found it easy to detect the pure sorrow in his eyes.
His heart-splitting sadness seemed so familiar, as if I should easily recognize its cause. But I couldn't, and I found myself worrying anxiously about my friend. I carefully kept my breathing even and relaxed, as a sleeping person would, and continued trying to place his expression. It was causing me sadness too, since I really didn't want the person I loved being unhappy. Unsuccessfully, I tried to block the image of Luneth's broken eyes, which was quickly paired with an image of my own reflection in the river, the image oddly alike Luneth's in its sadness. I pushed the images away, and noticed that Luneth was certainly not becoming any happier. Trying to offer some source of comfort, I shuffled closer to him 'in my sleep'. He stiffened considerably, but then relaxed. I was pleased to see a small smile pass over Luneth's face. Then he fixed his unusual violet eyes on myself. They were surprisingly warm, and it contained the expression of slight desperation and no small amount of longing. the expression that was appearing more and more often.
"Arc, my friend..." I perked up. He was whispering something to me that I was obviously not supposed to hear, due to me being 'asleep'. "You're driving me insane." I didn't miss the disturbing hungry look that he'd added to his expression, all focused uncomfortably upon me. How was I driving him insane? Was I really that annoying? The fact that his expression remained warm when saying it declined the possibility of my annoyingness causing it. Luneth sighed, and laid down in the grass beside me, eyes still open and looking upwards. He was stroking my hand again. Perhaps unintentionally, but why would a subconscious action involve stroking the hand of your best friend? Honestly, I didn't mind. The inevitable feelings I had for Luneth made me quite enjoy it, actually. And so, like that, I fell asleep for real.
xxxx
xxLunethxx
I woke up the next morning surprisingly warm, which was strange, since the fire would be out by now. My eyes darted to my side, and I noticed grimly that Arc was right next to me. After some inspection, I deduced that I'd done a bit of shuffling and so had Arc, and we'd ended up in a disconcertingly snuggly position. Arc seemed to have buried his face in my shoulder. I swallowed, fighting the blush, and lost. It was usually Arc's job to do the entire-face blushes, but it seemed I had one of my own now.
Being in love with your best friend was very difficult. Especially when said best friend was (and still is) attractive and likable to every detail. His shy personality is rather endearing. But for now, my main focus was removing the blush from my face. I eventually succeeded, sighed, and was still. I didn't want to move, in case I'd wake Arc. Though I can't deny that my eyes were constantly fixed on him. And so, when Arc woke up, he saw me looking at him from a strangely small distance. It was then that Arc realized what position he was in, and turned completely red. All his face and neck, actually. He yelped, and zipped a meter or so away, sitting down there and looking supremely embarrassed.
"S-sorry!" He squeaked. My stomach proceeded to twist and flip. I was getting very annoyed with that stomach. Yes, I found his personality and shy disposition attractive, and dare a male say it, cute. I did feel sorry for poor Arc though, he was looking very flustered and appeared to be hyperventilating slightly. But he also looked...scared. Why would Arc be scared of me? That thought was quite saddening. I didn't want to scare my best friend, who inevitably, was also my love interest. I put on a warm smile, and dismissed it.
"It's okay. Don't worry." I waved it off. Arc blinked.
"You're not mad at me?" he asked, sounding faintly surprised. I felt mildly offended. Mad at Arc? For unintentional snuggling? Hell, he'd be happy with a lot more than snuggling. But naturally, because Arc probably wasn't gay, I'd have to be content.
"Of course not. Why would I be?" I asked. Arc shuffled uncomfortably.
"It's- ...Never mind." Arc broke off. I frowned, and walked towards him, sitting down next to him. Arc's expression blanked, but certainly not entirely.He's never been very good at hiding emotions.
"Arc." I said firmly. "You are scared of me. I want to know why."
Arc blinked. "Scared of you...?"
"Just now, you looked scared. I-" My expression wavered. To anyone else, I suppose I'd have looked stricken. "I don't want my closest friend scared of me."
"Luneth-" Arc broke off, and started again. "I'm not scared of you."
"Then what were you scared of?" I asked, feeling horrid for upsetting Arc. he didn't mind a bit of light teasing, but actual fear was not welcome.
"Just of- well, you know." My expectant stare told him otherwise. Arc sighed. "I thought you were gonna de-friend me." I blinked in disbelief. Arc was more insecure than he'd thought. Way more.
"Because of an accidental cuddle?" I asked incredulously, noting the resulting blush to think about later. "Arc, you're my best friend. It's been that way ever since we were kids, and hasn't changed. I'm not going to suddenly not want you as a friend because we shifted in our sleep- you could become a Warrior of Darkness and I'd still be your friend." I meant it, too. I'd never fight Arc, loyalty to him was first and foremost. I bloody loved the guy, to the point of insanity. It was getting unbearable to simply withhold my feelings. Really, it was all I could do to restrain myself from jumping him.
Arc looked happier. "...Really?" He asked tentatively.
I rolled my eyes. "Arc, if need be, I'd die preserving your own life. Every time some evil enemy was about to kill you. Every time." Arc turned pink, but looked as if he were about to cry. Judging by the...obscenely happy look in his eye, it wasn't because he was sad.
"Th-Thanks, but please don't do that." He said meekly. "Y-you're my best friend. You're not allowed to die." I laughed. That was endearing, but also amusing.
"Neither are you." I told him. I thought for a moment. If he was really this insecure... "And just in case you have more doubts like this... you're a brilliant friend, always have been. I don't think you're weird, at all-" -He'll probably think I'm a complete freak if he finds out I love him- "- and nor are you ugly to me, or bad in any way." That should take care of it. I suddenly noticed that Arc was bright red, and looked a little woozy from happiness and embarrassment. Whoops. So many compliments must have been a bit much. But still...one did not get so happy when a friend gave you a compliment... It was nice to have made my love object happy, but it was a little strange to be overjoyed about a compliment. Wow, he really was insecure.
"...Thanks." Arc said, sounding happier than he had for a long time. It was then that I noticed- Arc had been unhappy for ages and I didn't even notice it! Not until he was happy. I dubiously wondered if I was only imagining that his emotional balance seemed centered around me. It was a nice thought that I could be the one to cheer him up easily, but rather depressing if you noted that he'd been unhappy for just about years. I hoped he wasn't unhappy because of me somehow.
"No problem." I replied, shooting a look at him overflowing with friendliness and warmth, smiling slightly. If I hadn't been watching him, I wouldn't have been aware of the brief flash of contentment that left as fast as it had arrived. Now he was smiling, a small smile, but a smile which somehow seemed to have an undertone of sadness. Filing it into my 'Arc's disconcerting behavior' area of my mind, I took his hand and helped him up with it, not releasing it once up. Instead, feeling a little guilty, I caressed his hand slightly with my thumb. I wondered how he'd react. He turned pink, looked down slightly, but definitely seemed happier, and the sadness was gone from his smile. "C'mon. let's get back to town." Wondering about it, I gave into emotions for a while longer, simply running a single finger along his hand as I pulled him gently along. I noticed him staring at his hand and mine with incredulity, as if he didn't believe what he was seeing. he didn't seem upset, though, strangely enough.
After a short while, I released his hand, and I saw Arc lightly touching it with the fingers of his other hand, a warm look on his face. The journey through the forests to Ur was spent in comfortable silence, the lack of goblins logical, since we'd killed so many. I knew that caressing Arc's hand was a result of poorly controlled emotions, but I had no idea what the cause of Arc seemingly not minding was.
After a while, we entered Ur, and I made my way to the inn.
Suddenly, my belly rumbled. I grinned sheepishly. "Uhh, I think I'm gonna need to get breakfast before I go see the others. You hungry too?" Arc looked startled.
"Um...not really..." Which was strange, since I'm pretty sure he didn't eat anything yesterday night. Ah well, his life.
"Alright. I'll meet you at the inn later, okay?" Arc nodded rapidly, and scurried away. He was a very nervous boy. I shrugged, and zoomed off to ask Nina for breakfast.
xxxx
xxNo POVxx
Refia and Ingus were sitting in their room. Desch had appeared to visit around an hour ago. After all, he and Refia were having a not-so-secret affair. Even Luneth knew. Though currently, Desch was using the Inn toilet. That was when there was a small knock on their door.
"Come in." Refia called. She was surprised to see Arc enter. Ingus seemed surprised, before he assumed his I'm-An-Ice cube-That-Doesn't-Melt' expression again.
"Hi Arc! Where's Luneth?" Refia asked excitedly, dashing over and giving him a quick hug. Quick, because Arc would turn red otherwise. And because Luneth would kill her, of course.
"He went to get breakfast. He'll be by later." Arc replied timidly. Ingus snorted.
"At the rate that ignoramus eats, he'll be here in a few minutes." And both Light warriors were stunned to see Arc's First Glare aimed at him. Suddenly, the door to the room opened again, and Desch barged in, nearly whacking Arc over with the door. Desch suddenly noticed Arc.
"Hey Arc! Good to see ya, you little devil-" Desch gave him a playful shove, certainly not intended to do any damage. So naturally, Desch was surprised when Arc fell backwards onto Refia's bed, as if he'd been a feather, and not a notorious Light Warrior. "What the-"
"Desch!" Refia growled. "Why'd you do that?!" She was about to kill her dear boyfriend, when she noticed him staring at Arc incredulously.
"Arc," Desch began. "I know you're shy, and all, but have you even been eating?! You're almost sixteen and you weigh like a bloody three-year old!" Arc shrank back, looking ashamed.
"Are you sure you are not exaggerating, Desch?" Ingus asked quietly, an eye fixed of Arc. Desch's indignant look said enough. Refia 'hmm'ed and walked over, grasping the collar of poor Arc's robe. She pulled upwards to pick him up, and to her astonishment, he was barely heavy at all. She could have easily done push ups with Arc sitting on her, he was so light! Refia stared, blinked, and gaped at the terrified looking warrior. Refia dropped him on her bed, then walked over to Ingus and attempted to pick him up the same way, much to his protests. She couldn't even get him off the ground. She halted her attempt, and stormed over to Arc, who cringed. He knew he had it coming to him.
"Explain now why you weigh so little." She demanded. Arc stared downwards.
"I don't...really...eat..." He paused. "...maybe a bit every few days...maybe..."
"For the Gods, why Arc?" Desch asked , stricken. Ingus looked quietly concerned.
Arc said nothing. Refia was scanning her brains for anything important enough to Arc that he'd torture himself like this. The conclusion she came to was unlikely, but had some stock.
"Is it anything to do with Luneth?" She asked, sitting on the bed beside him. His silence was a good enough answer. Looking hopelessly confused, Desch took a seat on Ingus's bed, next to the soldier. "What's he done?" Refia demanded.
"Luneth hasn't done anything!" Arc defended. He drooped. "I- It's just..." he looked up at them, sighing. "You know don't you? About me-" he broke off. The light warriors understood.
"About you loving Luneth? We'd be fools not to." Ingus stated. Arc blushed, but quickly returned to looking miserable. Desch gained a look of understanding.
"I-I try to hide it from him, he doesn't know. I've not told him- who knows how much he'll hate me if he finds out?" The other three exchanged looks. They knew, naturally, that Luneth would certainly not hate Arc. He'd probably do something far more...affectionate. But they all knew that Arc wouldn't be convinced of that. "I-I don't want to lose him, I need him around...so I've tried to-" he swallowed, and shrank into the shadows of the corner. That didn't stop them all from noticing the glistening tears, multiplying in number running down his cheeks. Arc shook with the sobs, but made no noise.
"I try to...to not...but it hurts-" At this point, his sentences were broken and he was constricting the area around his heart, attempting to stop the pangs. "-I can't stop it- it's like actual, physical pain. It rips me apart, and food makes me feel sick...I just can't-" he broke off. "I can't." he finished miserably. The others exchanged sympathetic, and worried looks.
At that moment, Desch strode over, his face more serious than they'd ever seen it. "Remove your robe." Arc stared up at him in confusion.
"Desch, what-" Refia began, before she was interrupted.
"We need to see how bad it is. How much he's starved himself." Desch hissed. Refia bit her lip, but nodded. Ingus's expression hardened.
"Do what he says." Ingus told Arc. Arc understood, and knew he would be able to dissuade them. He removed his robe, and under that there was a mythril vest. Those clung to the body- they wouldn't be much use otherwise. And as they stuck to the body, the room's inhabitants could see the outline of his ribs rather clearly. Desch looked shocked, Refia mortified, and Ingus's expression went dark. Very dark.
"Arc." Refia began gently. "If you don't eat, you'll- you'll die!" Arc looked at her with a strange, small smile.
"I know. I've lost all ability to eat a thing, now. It won't be long." His eyes traced over the horrified expressions of his comrades, and he began to put his robe back on. "Luneth will be better off without me." His bitter little smile seemed horrible- so horrible on him.
"Arc!" Refia hissed. "Don't you dare think like that! You mean more to Luneth than anyone else does! You-" She was broken off by a distant voice.
"Hey guys!" Came the yell from across the hall leading to the room. Arc paled.
Arc sprang to his feet, and he exited just as Luneth arrived. The other boy greeted him cheerfully, which rubbed off slightly on the dying teen. "I'm going out." He said quickly, and made his way away. Luneth looked honestly puzzled, but shrugged and entered the room anyway. He was expecting greetings from his friends- and was quite surprised to see Desch.
But he certainly wasn't expecting to be dragged in and pushed onto a bed by none other than Ingus, and everyone proceeded to stare at him as if he'd murdered the local princess.
"What?" He asked, defensively, wondering what he'd done wrong.
xxLunethxx
I had no idea why they were looking at me as if I'd gone traitor and killed somebody, but I intended to find out.
"What?" I asked.
"Um...nothing!" Desch said cheerfully -uneasily-. Refia glared at him, then turned to me.
"You, Luneth, WILL be confessing your feelings to Arc in the span of two days." She hissed to me. I was shocked for a second, but quickly hid it with a puzzled look.
"I don't know what you're talking about." of course I did. My question was how they knew.
"We're not stupid." Ingus stated. "We've seen the way you look at him, the way you act around him. Heck, anyone except a person like Arc, who never believes in himself, would be able to know just from how you look at him."
I stared at the floor. Oh dear.
"And you!" That was Refia. When she is in a mood, and talks to you, it was smart to look at her. So I did. "So help me, if you don't confess to that warrior before tomorrow lunch time- heck, after that there won't be any warrior left for you to confess to!"
"What does that mean?!" I demanded. Refia wasn't threatening Arc was she?
"It's something that you'll have to get Arc to explain to you! Though I doubt he ever would unless you've confessed!"
"But what if he hates me? He'll reject me." I frowned. Refia did not seem sympathetic. Nor did the others. Really, what had happened to them?
"Gods, Luneth, you are stupid." Ingus told me scathingly.
"Hey!"
"You really are, Luneth. Seriously." Desch told me, frowning.
"And I don't give a flying shit what you're afraid of happening! If you don't do it I will get Desch to castrate you!"
"Why do I have to do it?" Desch whined.
"Because you're my boyfriend and I said so." Refia humphed. She growled at Luneth, eyes full of evilness. "So, are you going to?" She questioned threateningly.
"Y-yes!" I replied quickly. Refia relaxed.
"Good." She purred. "Make sure you do. Now, I'd go find him, if I were you."
I gulped, and quickly made to escape, darting out of the inn as fast as I could. Outside, I slowed into a thoughtful walk.
Now...how am I going to go about this...Thank you Refia, without you making me, I probably would have never decided to confess. It's easier when you know you don't have much choice, though I do wonder what got those three all riled up... Anyway, I'll have to take it slow, if I just confess he probably won't believe me: I'll scare him away... hmm...I wonder if he's on the hill?
And so, I began making my way towards the hill we'd slept on. Rather quickly, I might add. Indeed, Arc was on the hill. He made his way up it, making the poor boy jump when he greeted him. Arc was staring blankly off into the distance a short while after I'd sat down beside him. He was beautiful as ever, but it wasn't normal for Arc to be staring off into the distance. he'd usually blush or stumble over his own words for a bit.
"Hey, Arc, what's wrong?" I asked. Arc became a lot more like Arc upon being asked. His cheeks pinked slightly and he dipped his head, flustered.
"Nothing." He replied hastily. I frowned.
"C'mon, Arc. You can tell me." I insisted. Arc stared at the ground, his cheeks flushed. "Okay." I sighed. "I won't ask. Anyway, how are you?"
"I'm fine." Arc replied timidly. I sighed.
"If you're sure..." I was sure he wasn't, somehow. I sighed again, and laid back on the grass, watching the clouds. Making my move, I brushed my arm across the grass and lightly ran a finger over his smooth-skinned hand. He jerked with surprise, peering at me nervously out of the corner of his eyes, which were rather wide. I smiled reassuringly at him, locking eyes with him and gazing warmly into them. Arc turned red. He certainly blushed easily, but that was something I liked about him. The corners of his lips were twitching upwards slightly as I caressed his hand, feeling glad to do so and not be denied.
xxxxx
In the trees...
"That is so cute! Mmmph-" Refia had a hand clamped over her mouth.
"Shh, you'll give us away!" Desch hissed quietly. Ingus harrumphed from his position.
xxxx
After a while, I actually took his hand and held it gently, still running my thumb across it. Arc looked rather surprised to say the least. He gave a strangled-sounding squeak, but didn't attempt to reclaim his hand. I gently tugged on his arm, prompting him nearer. Arc understood, and while looking nervous, obediently shuffled quite a bit closer, until they were literally side-by-side. Arc, was of course, bright red, but as always, it lessened as he got used to the position. After a while, Arc looked my way and successfully caught me staring at him. No- staring wasn't the appropriate word- gazing at him. Yes, gazing at him. I smiled warmly, and made sure he knew it was for him, looking him in the eye. My poor little love looked close to fainting, but persevered and stared adamantly at the clouds above.
After a long, long while (Probably a few hours)Arc shuffled closer. But as there really wasn't any room left between us, 'snuggled' would be a more accurate word. I was more content than I'd been for a long time- laying like this felt so natural, comforting. Arc, upon using my shoulder as a pillow, gazed anxiously at me, wondering if he was allowed. I smiled at him, nodded slightly, and he relaxed, his face more tranquil than I'd seen it for a bloody long time. My arms were crossed above my head, and I removed one of them to trace gently over Arc's cheek, stroking it continually with one finger.
"L-Luneth!" He squeaked nervously, his eyes wide and surprised. He seemed to be watching my hand with a strange reverence, and so I assumed he wasn't reacting negatively.
"It's alright, Arc. Don't worry." I told him warmly, channeling the love I felt for him into my voice and eyes, and I gazed into his brown eyes. He was like an angel; kind, intelligent...beautiful. My finger, that was caressing Arc's cheek changed its course, and began tracing over his dry, smooth lips. Arc's eyes widened as he looked at me. Evidently, he didn't know what to think. Arc is insecure, I think he has a hard time believing that someone loves him, even if the actions said person is doing are clearly over the border of friendship. Arc was probably having an inner duel, his insecurities vs logic/common sense. I suppose I'd need a bit more boldness to get him to realize.
I looked at the sky briefly, and gaped. It was getting dark! How'd he spent so long here without realizing it?
xxxxx
In the trees...
"God, I wish he'd hurry up." Refia complained. She was once again silence by her dear lover.
"As do I. At least we know he's gonna do it."
"And hopefully that will prompt Arc to resume eating." Ingus observed quietly.
xxxxx
I didn't particularly care what time it was. I turned my eyes back to Arc.
xxArcxx
I had to admit, Luneth's hand-caressing was rather nice. Comforting, slightly mollifying the hunger for my best friend's affection. Hand caressing is all very well...as was the snuggling (also very comforting), but the next minute Luneth was stroking my cheek! Though it certainly felt very nice, and made my stomach flutter, I did know that caressing was not usually practiced by best friends, but sense told me that Luneth obviously did not have feelings for me, he was just being friendly. Then his finger traced over my lips! If that wasn't more than friendliness-
Nope, got to catch myself. I might love Luneth, but he'd never like someone as ordinary as me. Soon, it wouldn't matter. Who knew how much longer I could survive without food? Probably a day or so, at the most.
I noticed Luneth turn his eyes to the sky, gape, then return his gaze to me. I shivered. His eyes were practically dripping with warmth and care and affection. But naturally, I had to be delusional about the last bit.
"So, Arc, where will we be staying tonight? Here, or do we go home?" He asked me softly. Going home? Going home, naturally, would stop all of the attention Luneth was giving to me: it was the closest to love I'd ever got from my friend, and I certainly didn't want to give it up very quickly."
"...Here." I murmured, eyes fixed on the finger that was stroking my cheek again. I saw Luneth smile, perhaps he liked the closeness as well? Unlikely. He gave a small nod.
"Sure." Luneth whispered, turning his head to whisper it in my ear. After all, out heads were rather close. Mine was resting on his shoulder. His breath tickled my ear, and I shivered, staring at him and trying desperately to keep the love and longing away from my expression. It was inevitable, I loved Luneth, and for him to be so close (and downright seductive) was torture. To put is simply, my best friend and the object of my love was arousing me big time.
Luneth spoke again, and his lip trailed across my ear. "Have I ever told you? Have I ever told you how much I care about you?" He spoke softly. For a minute, I thought I heard a muffled squeal from the nearby trees, but dismissed it as the wind and focused on Luneth's words. They were comforting, so comforting. "To me, Arc, you are the most important aspect of my existence. You matter more to me than anything else..." A small smile graced my features, my heart was beating wildly against my chest. I briefly noted that the heartache seemed to have entirely disappeared, but I didn't get time to ponder on it, because suddenly my head slipped off of Luneth's shoulder, and said boy sat up, bringing me with him. His hand prepped up my head from under my chin, and I was looking into his violet eyes. I just stared, entranced.
"Luneth..." His name came form my mouth with wonder, desperation. The damn boy had completely demolished my 'Hide feelings from Luneth' shield.
"You're beautiful Arc. Did you know that?" He breathed, his eyes held the same expression as mine. Longing, unbound affection, eyes misted with desperation for the love of the other.
"W-what?" I stuttered. My sense had just shut down and died. Just friends most certainly did not call each other beautiful in such a way. He could scarcely believe it, was afraid to, just in case it wasn't true.
"You're beautiful." At this point, Luneth pushed me back, so that I was on my back and Luneth was above. His hands were gently grasping my wrists, which were up by my head. His knees were each bent and supporting him next to my own legs. Luneth's face was breathtakingly close to mine, his hair (which was untied) tickling my cheeks. "You're beautifulwonderful and I love you, Arc." My eyes widened to full capacity. I turned to jelly. He must have noticed my disbelief, my insecurity, for he prompted to reassure me. "I love you, Arc. You're mine, I love you and I never want to let you go." His every word was laced with passion and possessiveness, and seeing no resistance on my part removed his hands from my wrists, supporting himself with one while he pushed the other through my hair. His other hand quickly ceased supporting, instead lacing around my back, and Luneth collapsed on top of me. His lips crashed onto mine, and I could feel the long suppressed desire and love that was currently claiming my mouth.
After a second to comprehend what was happening, I returned the kiss full force. Immediately, Luneth used more power, delighted that his feelings were clearly returned. Luneth shifted his position upon me and suddenly the kiss deepened. I was fully intent on kissing my new lover's brains out, and obviously, he mine. In mid-kiss I parted my lips in a primal murmur on Luneth's lips. Naturally, Luneth proceeded to put the gate way into my mouth to good use, and before long we were snogging each other's faces off like a couple on honeymoon.
xxxx
As soon as Luneth had turned Arc over and hovered above him, Refia had been glued to the the scene in wide-eyed fascination, her lips parted in the shape left by an 'ooo'. When Luneth collapsed on Arc and proceeded to kiss him, then was clearly kissed back, Refia threw a fist into the air in triumph. "Haha!"
"Shut up, I want to watch!" Desch hissed.
"Pervert." Ingus sighed, returning his eyes to the pair. His eyes widened in morbid fascination. "hang on- are they using tongues?!"
Desch leaned closer, peering. His eyes widened too. "Holy shit. They really are."
"Bloody hell." Refia muttered, awed. "They sure hit it off."
Ingus seemed disturbed, but fascinated. "Who knew that idiot is such a good kisser? That's something I could have happily lived my life without knowing."
"Bloody hell." Refia said again. She whirled around to face Desch. "Why don't we ever do that?!"
"Errr..."
Refia grabbed her boyfriend by his clothing and brutally tugged him towards her. "Give me romance or die!" Desch blinked for a moment, before grinning.
"Gladly."
Ingus looked on in disbelief. "Are they warriors or rabbits?" He muttered, before excusing himself and escaping back to Ur before the idiots mentally scarred him.
Life was strange.
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This story will consist of many SEPERATE LunethxArc stories, though some, like this one, will have a part two. I'm willing to bet that at this current time, my story is the longest LunethxArc story in the fandom. Yay!