Growlanser: Wavering Rapture

Author Notes:

Hello again! Sorry for the little hiatus, I had school work, you know the usual. Anyway I've noticed that there is plot hole (dun dun donnnnn) where it says I think in the first chapter that Wein knew that Ernest was not an Imperial Knight but then later on I go and say he didn't know at all (I mean he knew but not the heart breaking details.) Forgive me!!!! It was an honest mistake. Plus I've noticed I made some typing errors, oopsy... Anyway thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy this new chapter. WARNING OOC and GAY if you don't like guy on guy relationships just pretend Wein's a girl (it's not that hard.) Lyell talks a lot more this time and you get to see a new side to Carmaine. Plus introducing a character that unexpectly might capture your heart, even though in the game you just so totally hated him. Enough of me, ENJOY!!!!

Chapter 4: Rain

~Growlanser High School East Entrance~

Wein stood under the roof of the entryway, a dilemma before him. The rain came down hard, almost like needles, creating a loud seemingly patterned sound on the tiles above. Wein didn't live as far as he use to but in such weather and without an umbrella how could he get home without getting too soaked? He felt a gaze on his back and turned to see a taller boy with white hair and red eyes. Wein did not expect to see Lyell again so soon.

"Lyell, what are you still doing here?" Wein asked slightly nervous over how they had left off prior.

"I had kendo practice. It seems like you don't have an umbrella. I brought mine, you can use it since you live a bit farther than I do. I don't mind," Ernest held a small and neatly wrapped umbrella out towards Wein.

"Oh no, I couldn't. You don't need to burden yourself over me." He smiled shyly toward his idol.

Lyell's expression changed slightly from emotionless to concern. "Your band aid will fall off if it gets wet. If you don't want to burden me then take the umbrella and go home. I wouldn't want to you to get sick after your first day here. You were really looking forward to it."

Wein took a moment to think and then his face came alive, an idea came to mind. "Why don't we share the umbrella? That way you won't worry about me and I won't worry about you."

Ernest was nervous about the proposal, he didn't know if he could control himself around Wein in such a situation. "Ok but we'll have to stay very close together if we don't want to get wet. I'm afraid the umbrella isn't that big."

Wein smiled happily, "I really don't mind as long as you aren't uncomfortable with it."

Lyell nodded and opened up the umbrella. He held it so that Wein could comfortably grasp it and they positioned themselves under it. Wein's shoulder touched Ernest's arm causing the older boy to blush violently.

They stepped out into the rain huddled together, walking toward the exit like a couple. Zion who was watching from the second story window did not approve.

(Z: They are sharing a freaking umbrella! That is so lovey dovey it makes me sick. Damn that pretty boy he's stealing my man from me by using the old 'Oops, sorry I forgot my umbrella, let's share' trick! I bet he knew it would rain today and planned in advance. Wait how could he know Lyell before today? Oh that's right Carmaine and Lyell use to be best friends so of course they know each other already. If only Slayn used the East Entrance and offered that pretty boy his Umbrella this wouldn't have happened. I highly doubt Slayn brought one though since he has limbo to pick him up. Lyell should have a limbo ride not that black magic freak!)

Zion's insides were screaming, it should be him under that umbrella not that freshman with a hair band. Yet Zion could have no say, fait could not be controlled with all the White Magic in the world. He decided it was time to head home and plot tomorrow's course of action.

Lyell and Wein were walking in beat, their hands dangerously close together, and their hearts beating frantically for one reason or another. Wein was nervous but he decided that now might be the best time to bring 'it' up.

"Lyell," he called looking away as he spoke.

"Yes?" he calmly replied.

"What did you two fight about?"

There was an awkward pause, Lyell didn't wish to lie or cause Wein pain, so he decided on doing neither. "I got into a fight with a gang from another school and I sent the other students to the hospital. Carmaine said I didn't have to be so violent and so I was exiled from the Imperial Knights. I think we would still be friends if it were not for that," Ernest explained. He kept out one detail, but it was one of embarrassment and unimportance, so technically he wasn't lying he was just not giving out all the facts.

"Oh, I see… But at least you weren't expelled from school entirely. If you had been I'd be soaked to the bone by now." Wein smiled up toward the ex-knight, a smile that took all of Lyell's strength to look away from and resist. His heart was beating loudly in his chest and if not for the rain he would be afraid that Wein could hear it.

Another awkward moment of silence passed and the two didn't speak. Suddenly the sound of a smell kitten came from the alleyway, and it caught both of their attention.

Ernest gave full responsibility of the umbrella to Wein and quickly picked up the kitten and brought it back over to the umbrella. Its fur was a thin, grey, and its eyes were a grayish blue. Lyell used one hand to grab the umbrella and the other to hand the shivering feline to Wein.

Its big round eyes instantly took affect on the young man, "Aw, you're so cute little one. Don't tell me someone actually left out here in the rain?" He stroked its fragile back and it seemingly replied to him with a peep like meow. He kept it safely in his arms as Lyell held up the umbrella for them, keeping close to Wein so that they could all stay dry.

Finally they reached Ernest's doorstep and he turned towards Wein. "You should come in for a moment and then I'll escort you home."

Wein held the kitten up to his face, "Will you be taking responsibility for Randolf?"

"Randolf? Well, I have the time and space so yes. Are you sure you want to name him Randolf though?" Lyell thought the name suited a creepy old man better than a cute ragdoll.

"Yes, he just looks like a Randolf to me. Thanks Ernest, I'm glad you now have someone to keep you company in your apartment." Ernest took the small kitten after closing the umbrella and they both went inside. Wein sat down on a loveseat as Lyell left the room.

The room was contained with modern, but dull furniture, most likely inexpensive. The place seemed spotless and spacious despite its true size, an illusion most likely created by the room's lack of furnishings. There was a loveseat, a recliner, a coffee table, a wall mounted television, a small bookshelf, and a space saving rack the held a few movies. Yet despite the rooms lack of substance it felt homey, calm, and comfortable, reflecting its owner's demeanor.

The kitten adventured across the room, scouting out its new territory. Ernest reentered rubbing a towel against his head with a casual leather jacket on and no shirt underneath to hide his abs. Ernest quickly scooped up Randolf and as he did the kitten became limp confirming that it was a ragdoll. He dried off the kitten with towel gently and placed it back down onto the couch where curled up into a ball and fell asleep.

He looked at Wein and Wein looked at him as he stood up and grabbed his schoolbag. Ernest spoke, "I'll take Randolf to the vet tomorrow and I'll pickup some food for him on my way back from your house. Your brother's probably worried so I'll take you home now."

Wein looked at his bare chest, "What about a shirt?"

Ernest looked calm as he spoke, "It's more comfortable to just wear my jacket like this. Don't worry I won't catch a cold." Wein didn't want to argue over a shirt so he looked past it and the two were out the door.

They both held the umbrella, the arms forced to touch, but this time the two were less nervous. Some how the kitten had loosened up the atmosphere between the two and they chatted casually about the ragdoll Randolf.

Finally they arrived at Wein's home and he turned toward Lyell, "Thank you for everything today. If not for you I would have never found the black magic room until it was too late and I would have caught a cold. On Randolf's behalf I must thank you for saving him, I'm sure he'll be happy living with you." Wein's smile revealed his white and shiny teeth.

Ernest let a small smile escape from his lips, "It was no big deal, you needed help so I provided it. I'll have to acquire paperwork before I truly have ownership of Randolf though, though I'm pretty sure there won't be many difficulties, there is the chance he could belong to someone else."

"Why don't you come in?" Wein asked out of courtesy and not of thought.

Lyell frowned, sadness glazed over his eyes. "I can't."

"Oh that's right," Wein felt ashamed for forgetting what had occurred between his half-brother and Lyell.

The front door opened and Carmaine peered outside. "Wein you're home, where have you…" he stopped as he looked up at Lyell and frowned. "Why are you here?" he asked, anger in his tone.

Wein looked Carmaine in the eyes, "He was just sharing his umbrella with me and walking me home." Certain firmness was glowing in his eyes.

Carmaine was surprised but then he realized what it meant, "So you know the truth now." He felt ashamed, angry, and guilt, his fist was shaking, "Go inside, I need to speak with Ernest."

Wein opened his mouth to say something decided against it and went inside. Carmaine shut the door behind him and leaned against the wood.

"I can see you guys stopped by your place. What did you do there?" The protective older brother shot a suspicious glare at his former friend.

"We found a stray kitten on our way here so we decided to drop it off at my place. I got wet when I picked up the kitten so I changed. You know I wouldn't do anything that the possessive older brother wouldn't approve of if that's what you're thinking. Then again you're only half-brothers," Ernest kept his cool, but Carmaine clenched his teeth.

"So you're saying I don't have say? But I do, I'm his guardian and I have the right to worry about him. You're impulsive and reckless and you expect me trust you around my family? After what you said to me or should I say didn't say to me how can you expect that." Cramaine tried his best to tame his emotions, he stepped forward and Ernest stepped back. Another step, and then another and Carmaine was standing in the rain, his fists shaking at his side, his head down. If he was crying you couldn't tell.

"You're still mad over that? You're the one who didn't give me a chance to say it. You know I don't expect you to trust me but you should know that I would never do anything to hurt him intentionally." There was an awkward silence, soon broken by the clapping thunder.

Ernest turned around walked away, Carmaine didn't try to stop him, he didn't even move. He just stood there in the rain staring at the ground, no emotion or expression on his face. If he was crying you couldn't tell…