AN: Thanks so much once again to notasongfic and TaintedBloodLily for reviewing the previous chapter.
And, minor spoiler, Avith will reappear, just not for a while. I just want to build up Lynus' belief that everything is fine, only to take it all away from him :3 Now, enjoy!
Chapter 21:
Lynus was leaning against the front counter in the lobby, having agreed to watch over the always popular Inn for a short time while Matron busied herself in the kitchen, preparing a mighty feast for all her explorers. He had a book with him, which was keeping him entertained in-between answering inquires and pointing out the spare rooms to exhausted explorers.
He was calmly flipping through a book on making herbal medicine when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist. He was then pulled back against a taut chest that was free of armour. He wasn't alarmed, though. He knew the owner of these arms and simply smiled, feeling quite comfortable.
"Morning," Lynus said as he lifted a hand to run through red hair, tilting his head slightly to allow Axel to rest his chin on his shoulder.
"Morning," Axel managed around a yawn.
"Another tough night in the Labyrinth?"
"Those damn 'moving floors' are getting annoying," Axel mumbled, the irritation palpable in his voice. He must have been talking about those strange barbed black things that littered the floor, making it painful to step foot on.
Lynus hadn't personally seen them, but he had heard plenty about them.
"Oh, yeah, Shen wanted to give you some stones," Axel suddenly mentioned, slowly becoming more awake. "I left the bag in our room."
"Stones?" Lynus questioned before realisation hit him. "Oh! You mean stones from mining spots?"
Axel nodded against his shoulder, yawning once again. "Yeah, I think so."
"Ah, good," Lynus smiled, slightly surprised as he wasn't expecting to have a piles of potential gemstones to go through so quickly. "I'll look at them later."
Lynus then went back to his book, Axel still hanging over him as he decided what he was going to have to eat. The two were completely oblivious to the pair of pink-haired young ladies that were watching from a distance.
Peering from around a corner, Binah couldn't help but giggle at the sight of Axel complaining about something into Lynus' ear, while Lynus would nod his head at the right times, occasionally giving the redhead a sympathetic pat on the head. She found it both sweet and adorable. What made it even better was the fact that Lynus was smiling.
Now, she had seen Lynus smile a lot during the couple of years she had known him. But his smiles before were forced, pushing aside his own fears in order to offer anyone some reassurance. A sad upturning of the lips, his eyes distant and hesitant.
Lynus tried to be strong for everyone, and Binah did find some comfort in his gentle reassurance. But it also made her sad.
However, since coming to Lagaard, she had noticed a change in his smiles. They were becoming more real and natural. Shy smiles, flustered smiles and amused smiles. And they were reaching his eyes.
It was really good to see!
"What do you think?" Binah asked, turning to her partner-in-crime…er, friend.
Becky was standing next to her, she too, peering around at the pair at the front desk. "I think they're cute," she answered with a small smile.
"Right!" Binah beamed. "Lynus looks so happy with Axel. They should totally be together."
Becky titled her head to the side. "A couple?"
Binah continued to grin. "Sure!" It only made sense, right?
"Hm…" Becky hummed in thought, lowering her gaze to the floor, a finger pressed against her lips.
"We should get them together," Binah advocated, shifting excitedly on her feet.
"Kay," Becky agreed, smiling as she clapped her hands in front of her. "Sounds fun."
"I know!" Binah giggled as she pushed away from the wall she was leaning against in order to peer at Lynus and Axel. "But how?"
"How about we make a request?" Becky suggested. She had grown up around explorers. She knew how they worked.
"Yeah!" Binah cheered, grabbing Becky by the hand in order to pull her along. "Let's go directly to the Guardians!"
Becky gripped Binah's hand as she toddled behind her. "They'll probably want a reward, though," she said.
Binah's enthusiasm dimmed a little and pouted. "You're right."
"Let's ask mama."
Gusto returned, Binah promptly began to pull Becky in another direction, where her mother was working in the kitchen. Without reservation, Binah skipped into the kitchen where Matron was expertly watching over several boiling pots, stoking the fire oven and roasting several different types of meats. And she did so with a smile and a hum of a little known tune.
"Mama?" Becky said as she gained her mother's attention by tugging on her apron.
"Yes, sweeties?" Matron asked as she glanced down, her smile never faltering.
"We want to make a request to the Guardians," Becky explained. "But we'll need a reward, won't we?"
"A request?" Matron seemed intrigued. "What kind of request are you making?"
"Matchmakers!" Binah replied cheerfully, throwing her hands into the air in an animated manner.
"Hoho! For Lynus and Axel?"
"Yes!" Both girls chided at the same time, happy that they weren't the only ones.
"I see," Matron continued to chortle. She then leaned forward and gave the two girls a wink. "Leave the reward to me."
"Ok," Becky smiled, moving forward to give her mother a quick hug. "Thanks, mama."
Binah waited until Becky stepped away from her mother before reaching forward and taking her hand again. "Let's go," she said as she tugged her along.
"Kay."
"Kids these days," Matron was heard saying, he amusement still very potent. "So nice to see."
… … … … …
Macerio stared at the two pink-haired girls before him with a look of blatant disbelief. "Um, let me get this straight; you want us to play matchmaker?" he asked.
Binah, the bubbly Troubadour nodded, as she bounced excitedly on her feet. "That's right."
"For Axel and Lynus?"
"Spot on!"
Macerio blinked, letting the words finally sink in. "…Why?"
"What do you mean why?" Binah retorted tersely, puffing out her cheeks.
"P-please?" Becky pleaded, clasping her hands in front of her. "You'll be rewarded."
"What kind of a reward?" Macerio asked, with a slight sense of trepidation as what such request would offer. He glanced over at his other guild-mates, Jhon, Tobyn and Chi-hung, but they all turned away, pretending to be busy doing something else and weren't inauspiciously listening in.
"Mama is thinking of something," Becky explained with a resolute nod.
Macerio felt himself go pale. "Wait…even your mother is involved?"
"Come on!" Binah urged with a slight whine, grabbing Macerio by the arm and pulling at him. "Please!"
"You'll…" Macerio began to say, but trailed off. He didn't know what to say. Asking that a guild of experienced explorers to play matchmakers was a little far-fetched, right?
Come on! They spend their time trekking through a monster filled Labyrinth. What would they know about matchmaking?!
But there was no way they could say no. Not to the daughter of the Inn-keeper, especially.
"You'll have to ask Hamza!" he said, spluttering slightly and truly desperate, pointing at the dark-haired War Magus that was sitting silently in the corner the entire time, reading a newspaper.
Immediately, Binah spun around and bounded toward Hamza, the guild's leader. "Hamza! We-"
"Yes, yes, I heard," Hamza chuckled as he lowered his paper, granting the two young ladies before him with a charming smile.
"Please?" Binah said as she clapped her hands together in a pleading manner.
"Matchmakers, huh?" Hamza chuckled as he folded the paper and placed it on top of the table. "This guild?"
He grew silent for a moment, as if seriously contemplating fulfilling the request. He gave another telling chuckle as he stood up from his seat. "…Sure, why not?"
"Yay!" The two girls automatically cheered.
"What?!" Macerio spluttered. "Y-you can't be serious?"
Macerio was gobsmacked. He spun around to face his guild-mates again, noting that they, too, were wearing expressions of shock and bewilderment. It reinforced the fact that Macerio hadn't misinterpreted anything.
"A guild cannot deny those in need," Hamza said as he wagged a finger at his guild, looking far too amused. He then unexpectedly picked up his sword that had been resting next to his chair and holstered it.
"Where are you going?" Macerio asked, still in a state of shock as Hamza strode toward the exit.
"Me? I've got a couple of rookies to train," Hamza said simply.
"Y-you…you take an impossible quest for us and then leave?" Macerio was completely flabbergasted. "You bastard!"
"Now now, mind your language," Hamza chastised, although he still had that annoying little amused grin on his lips. Even his eyes held a light twinkle to them. "There are young ladies present. Have fun now."
"Argh, I hate you!" Macerio yelled, dragging his hands over his face. He then allowed his shoulders to sag in resignation when he felt a pair of small hands grab at him, tugging him along. "Why?!"
"Come on," Binah giggled, which sounded a touch sadistic in Macerio's opinion. "Let's get started!"
Once more Macerio glanced over at his companions, looking for help. But all he got were looks of bewilderment and sympathy.
Jhon leaned toward Tobyn. "Are we really going to do this?" he asked.
Tobyn folded an arm across his chest and pinched the bridge of his nose. "…Seems so."
… … … … …
Stepping out of his room, Lynus was slightly startled to see Macerio standing by himself in the middle of the hall, looking agitated and incredibly uncomfortable. The expression of befuddlement on his face didn't change, even as their eyes met.
"Ah, Lynus?" he said, sounding rather…awkward.
Lynus frowned, concern bubbling in his chest. "Something wrong?" he asked.
Macerio lifted an arm and scratched the back of his head in a skittish manner. "Ah, no…Er…"
"What is it?"
Macerio unexpectedly sighed, dropping his arm, his whole body posture drooping in a rather defeated manner. "Listen, don't ask any questions," he said, pointing at the end of the hall behind Lynus. "Could you please get something out of the linin cupboard over there?"
Lynus eyed him off suspiciously. He glanced in the direction Macerio was pointing in, noting that there was indeed a closet, the door open and the shelves clean and tidy. "…The walk-in one?" he asked,
Now, why couldn't he just do it himself? What was going on?
"Yeah."
"…What am I retrieving, exactly?"
"A pillow or something? Could you just do it?"
"…Alright."
Macerio looked intensely relieved. "Thanks," he muttered.
So many questions were running through Lynus' mind. But he decided to simply bite his tongue and just go with it for now. Whatever was going on, he sure it wasn't vindictive or cruel.
He granted Macerio one last questioning look before he turned on his heel and headed toward the cupboard. During the short walk he noticed Axel moving up from another hallway. Then, Binah and Becky unexpectedly appeared, ploughing into the back of Axel. Axel's eyes widen in surprise and he immediately paused in his steps. He blinked before turning his head to look behind him.
"Ok, you two," Axel said as he glanced over his shoulder, looking at the two girls through one eye. "Why are you trying to push me?"
"Move!" Binah commanded as he feet slipping on the floor as she tried to push against Axel with all her might.
But Axel, being much stronger and taller than the two girls combined, didn't budge an inch. "What if I don't want to?"
"You have to!" Binah said as she head-butted Axel's spine with her forehead. "Just move!"
Becky moved around to tug at his arm, peering up at him with pleading eyes. "Please?"
"Fine, fine," Axel relented as he began to take slow steps, making it appear as if the girls were the ones that were making him move.
Lynus chuckled to himself at the sight. It was adorable to see. He wondered what Binah and Becky were up to as he reached the closet, ready to complete his own baffling task. But as he stepped inside, he noticed that there were no pillows. A few towels, bed sheets and pillowcases; but no pillows.
"Where are you pushing me?" Axel was heard asking.
"Just a bit further," Binah replied.
"Are you trying to push me into a closet?"
"Shut up and move!"
Lynus blinked when he realised how close the voices were. He spun around and quickly found himself face to face with Axel, his red-haired friend looking as surprised to see him as he was.
"Axel?" Lynus questioned, blinking when he noticed that Binah had stopped pushing him, and was instead pulling Becky by the arm, leading her away. "Binah, what are you-?"
Lynus was unable to finish his question as the Guardian's Beast, Chi-hung, suddenly appeared, running toward them. Then, with a short leap, he head-butted Axel in his back, propelling Axel forward. Neither of them had the chance to utter a sound as Axel fell against Lynus and they tumble back into the closet.
Lynus' back collided with the back of the closet, winding him for a moment. He found his breath a moment later, though, when Axel's hands slammed against the wall on either side of his head, stopping himself crushing Lynus against his body and the wall.
Then, the door was slammed shut, plummeting them both into a dense, confusing darkness.
"Shit," Axel muttered, his breath ghosting against Lynus' cheek, indicating how close they were. "Are you ok?"
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," Lynus replied, slightly dazed. "Just surprised."
Axel's hands slid down the wall, moving to grasp Lynus by his upper arms. In turn, Lynus' hands rested against Axel's chest, their bodies pressing together in the tight space of the linin cupboard.
After taking a moment to gather their bearings, Axel turned to look over his head to the closed door. "Hey!" he yelled to anyone who was still lingering around just on the other side. "What are you trying to pull?"
"Door's locked!" Binah replied in a sing-song tone.
Axel snorted. "I could break it down, you know?"
"Mama won't like that," Becky chided in her usually timid and soft voice.
Axel paused. "…Dammit," he muttered under his breath. "That woman scares me more than any FOE in the Labyrinth…"
Lynus smiled at Axel's words before he shook his head. "Why would they…?"
"Who knows?" Axel commented, sighing as he shifted slightly so that Lynus' feet were in-between his. "I wonder when they'll let us out."
"We'll have to wait and see, I guess," Lynus replied, wiggling slightly to get more comfortable.
After a bit of silent squirming, they finally became settled. Axel's arms were wrapped around his slender frame, keeping his back from the wall. Lynus, in turn, had his hands on Axel's chest, his fingertips brushing along his collarbone.
Their positions weren't completely uncomfortable. It was just…slightly awkward. His awareness toward Axel was suddenly heightened. He could sense everything about him. He could feel the muscles of his chest under his hands, feel the steady beat of his heart. He had this particular scent as well; earthy, yet like grass after a spring shower.
Here, being pressed against his chest, Lynus felt…safe. He was much smaller than Axel in body size, but he didn't feel small at all. He felt important. Like he was wanted, needed, and not just because of his healing abilities.
It was because of something else.
Slowly, he eyes trailed up to look into Axel's own gaze. In the subtle darkness of the closet, his blue eyes seemed more intense than usual. And his face was so close to his, causing a funny fluttering feeling to appear in his chest.
It would be easy to close the gap between them…
Suddenly, the small closet was full of light. The door had been flung open and standing in the threshold was the Guardians' Protector, Jhon.
"Sorry!" Jhon panted as he held the door with one hand, the other held out in front of him in an apologetic manner, looking incredibly flustered. "But we've received a critically important request. Apparently, monsters have been spotted by the guards to be heading toward the entrance. We need to stop them. Before they reach the stairs."
With his arms still around Lynus, Axel practically swept him off his feet as he helped him out of the closet before he darted off, no doubt searching for his weapons and armour. He didn't ask any questions. He knew such an urgent request was important. He could be filled in along the way.
A moment later, he reappeared with everything he needed. He nodded in Jhon's direction. Then, without a word, they raced down the stairs where the rest of his guild-mates were waiting.
Leaning over the railing, Lynus called down at them. "Be careful!"
"Won't be long!" Axel answered back before he darted out the door, Jhon, Tobyn, Shen and Magnus right behind him.
Lynus continued to stand there for a moment longer, gripping the wooden railing tightly, that familiar feeling of hopelessness etched its way back into his chest. He didn't like it. Being left behind. Being useless.
He…wanted to be useful. But how?
AN: Whoo! Let the fun begin!