The Open Book

Chapter Four: New Beginnings

By: KellyCRocker59

I'm so sorry! I thought that I had already posted this chapter, but apparently I never did. So ignore everything but the P.S. on the next chapter, which I worked hard to do. Again, I am very sorry!

Forde awoke to find himself lying in a slightly hard bed in what looked to be a cabin. He looked out a single window to see only water. They were on a boat. He turned to look around the small room, and found that the bed was the only real feature besides a lamp that was hung on a post above the door, currently unlit.

How long had he been out for? Memories of the fight were still fresh in his mind, seeing Franz's tragic death play through his head over and over again. But this time, he didn't cry. He had done all the crying that he needed whenever he had last been awake. Then he remembered Kyle's arms around him, telling him that everything would be okay.

He blushed to himself at the thought. Did Kyle want to be with him now? It seemed that way by the what had happened. However, before Forde could think further on the matter, the door to the room opened, and Kyle slid in, wearing the white shirt and tan pants that he always wore under his armor.

He blushed as he entered the room, Forde simply smiling at him.

"Are...you okay?" He asked a little awkwardly, and Forde smiled even wider.

"Yeah. I mean, physically." He said, a frown coming to his face as he looked down.

"Forde, I'm really sorry that I didn't reach you sooner. I thought I should have stayed with you, but I just...I'm sorry."

Kyle had come to sit on the side of the bed, head down. Forde reached out, seeing the pain flickering through the man's eyes.

"Kyle, it isn't your fault. None of this is. Please, don't blame yourself."

Kyle looked up Forde, and Forde leaned up to look into the man's eyes.

"Forde, about the other night. I've decided...if being with you makes me this happy, then I don't care what other people think."

Forde leaned closer, and their lips met, both of their eyes sliding closed. They kissed for what Forde hoped could be forever. It was a different kiss then the one that they had had before. This one was so full of raw passion. Neither cared what anyone thought, and they let their love flow freely.

Kyle wrapped his arms around Forde's neck, opening his mouth and deepening the kiss. Their tongues met and clashed before they were forced to come up for air, both panting.

"Forde...I love you." Kyle said, and reached out, weaving his fingers into Forde's good hand.

It felt so good to hear the other man say it. There were no longer any boundaries that couldn't be crossed. Now, everything was so open. Now, they could be together forever.

"I love you too, Kyle." Forde whispered.

But just as they leaned in to kiss again, a roar sounded from the hall.

"All hands on deck! Another boat is trying to approach!"

Kyle stood quickly, but when Forde tried to stand, he pushed him back down.

"No, you're in no condition to fight. Just stay here until I come back, alright?" He pleaded.

"Just...stay safe." Forde whispered as Kyle strapped his armor on.

"I will. I promise." He said, leaning down and pressing his lips to Forde's before quickly leaving the room, locking it on his way out.

Forde sighed. He didn't know how long he could take the anxiety.

XXXXXXXX

Kyle hurried up to the deck, not bothering to get his horse in such close quarters. Seth turned to him, the new wyvern rider from Grado, Cormag, by his side.

"Ah, Kyle. There is another boat to the south east. We can't tell who is on it through the fog, but it looks like it's trying to close in. Just stay on your guard, and try to protect whoever you had as a partner for your last mission."

Kyle nodded. He would be pairing up with Artur again. He walked over to where Artur stood at the northern head of the boat, Lightning tome clutched tightly against his chest. He also wore a beautiful ring on his right middle finger; a guiding ring. The ring had strengthened him immensely, even granting him the power to wield staves. However, he didn't seem to be bothering with that side of his new abilities quite yet.

"Oh, hello, Sir Kyle. Seth told me that we would be partnering with our old partners, so here you are."

"Yeah. How are you?" He asked, genuinely curious; anything to take his mind off of Forde.

"I'm doing well. I miss Lute immensely, though."

He looked out into the fog wistfully, and Kyle sighed. He had seen how close the two of them had become over the beginning of the war; it was only natural that he harbored feelings for the girl.

"How fares Forde?" Artur asked suddenly, turning to him.

"He's...better." Kyle said, looking away from Artur's gaze and into the fog.

"You don't have to hide your feelings, Sir Kyle. There is no reason to be embarrased."
Kyle blushed. He didn't think it was so obvious that he cared for Forde the way he did.

"W-What do you mean?" He asked, trying to play ignorant.

"Come now. It is obvious that you are in love with him." Artur said with a grin.

"That's...is it that obvious?" He asked.

The young bishop nodded.

"The way you care about what happened to him, how you give him sharp, stern gazes when he looks at you, but the way you look at him when he turns around. Of course, he isn't much better. Always fooling around to try and attract your attention, and how he tries so desperately to get you to laugh, to get you to love him in return. You two are made for one another."

Kyle looked at him in shock.

"But, Artur, whenever I think of being in love with another man, I think of weakness, of not being strong. I'm afraid the others will mock me."

Artur laughed.

"What's so funny?" He asked, angry that Artur wasn't taking his worries seriously.

"It's just...you're so oblivious to everyone else, aren't you?"

"What do you mean?" He asked, wondering why Artur was bringing this up.

"Well, I guess you were so worried about Forde and everything, but..."

"Just say it!" Kyle snapped.

"Well, you see, you aren't the only man who harbors feelings for another man."

Kyle just stared at Artur. So he wasn't the only one? He wasn't out of the normal?

"You see, there are several men, actually. Garcia holds feelings for the younger man, Sir Gilliam. General Seth is not afraid to show his love for the wyvern rider Cormag, though they only met a few days ago. Even Lord Ephraim, though it is rather awkward with such an age difference, finds comfort in the arms of his mentor General Duessel."

Kyle was in disbelief. General Seth, in love with another man? General Duessel and Lord Ephraim? It was so weird. And he was afraid he wouldn't be accepted because he loved Forde. He didn't have anything to worry about after all.

"That really helps, Artur. Thanks." Kyle said with a smile to the bishop.

However, just as Artur turned to reply, a roar was heard just in front of them. The most ghastly thing Kyle had ever seen emerged from the fog; it was like a massive eye, roots hanging under it as it floated at them, iris glowing. Kyle could only look at it in shock as Artur blasted it quickly with a wave of his hand, causing it to explode into pieces as the bomb of light exploded upon it.

"We're under attack!" Seth roared, "All hands prepare for combat! Protect the healers, get as many torches as you can! We're dealing with creatures from another realm!"

"W-What was that?" Kyle cried in shock.

"A Mogall. One of the many creatures that have been populating Magvel of late. They are especially weak to my light magic, as well as Sir Moulder's." Artur said, "Quickly, draw your weapon! We must prepare for combat!"

Kyle drew his sword, scouting the area. Just as he turned, he saw a beast with red skin and wings sprouting from its back, gripping a lance. Tana and Vanessa soared at it, Tana lancing it through the middle as another emerged, only to fall into the sea with Vanessa's javelin through its middle.

Everyone was hurrying to defeat the enemies, and Kyle realized that, even though he was scared to death, he had to fight and not think about what it was he was actually fighting. He thought of Forde, lying below deck, waiting for him to return. He would fight for Forde, so that he could the one he loved once again.

XXXXXXXX

Forde almost jumped from his bed when Kyle opened the door and came slowly through it. However, joy quickly turned into worry when he saw a cut that graced Kyle's cheek, running from right under his eye to his jaw.

"Kyle!" Forde cried.

Kyle didn't say anything. He just two four quick strides and pressed his lips to Forde's, his fingers gently gripping the other man's hair. Both of their eyes slid closed, and Forde wrapped his arms around Kyle's neck. They finally parted, both panting.

"W-What got into you?" Forde asked with a smile.

"I realized just how great it is to have you." Kyle said with a slight blush, standing up straight and pulling off his armor and setting all of his equipment in the corner by Forde's.

"Well, that's good. How...who attacked?"

"More like what attacked," Kyle said, sitting down beside the other man, "They were monsters. Zombies, giant eyes, gargoyles, all seemed to have just been pulled from some twisted fable."

Forde nodded.

"You aren't surprised?" Kyle asked in shock.

"Well, it's just...Franz told me about how they fought some a while ago when he was traveling with Erika." Forde said, head dropping.

"Oh. I'm sorry, Forde, I didn't mean to bring it up." Kyle said softly, gripping the man's hand.

When Forde looked back up at him, he wore his usual smile.

"It's fine! I like thinking about how happy he always was."

Kyle reached out, brushing his fingers along the man's cheek.

"Why do you always put up this mask, Forde? You don't have to hide behind your smile when your around me. I just want you to be happy."

Forde grinned wider.

"I'm happy as long as I'm with you, Kyle!" He said cheerfully.

The other knight sighed.

"When you're ready to talk about it, tell me." He said, looking away.

"I'm sorry, Kyle." Forde whispered, and Kyle looked up at him in surprise.

Forde's smile was gone, replaced with a sad frown, his eyes torn between pain and hiding.

"I just...I'm not ready to talk about it yet." He finally said, and Kyle reached out, wrapping his arms around the one he loved.

"It's okay. I'll wait. You don't ever have to tell me. Just...whenever you're ready." He said, and Forde nodded against his shoulder.

They sat there on the bed like that for a long while, and then Kyle finally pulled away and looked at Forde. It had grown dark in the time they had been sitting there, and Kyle was tired after the long fight.

"I'm ready to go to bed." Kyle said.

Forde nodded, and Kyle noted the blush on his cheeks. Wasn't he supposed to be the embarrassed one?

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Well...we only have one bed. Are we going to...?" Forde asked, looking down.

Kyle smiled.

"Well, we are together, right?" He said, slowly sitting up and pulling off his shirt to reveal the toned chest that Forde loved so much.

Forde blushed, and Kyle smiled.

"Well, I'll sleep on the floor tonight. Maybe tomorrow we can...share the bed." He said, blushing himself and lying down on the floor.

"Kyle?" He heard Forde ask.

"Yeah?"

"Will you...say it again? Just one more time?"

Kyle had to think about what he wanted him to say for a minute, then he understood.

"I love you, Forde." Kyle said with a smile.

"Thanks. I love you too, Kyle."

They both fell asleep moments later, neither knowing that they dreamed about one another.