Chapter 16

Hearing being called one of Rean's friends made something inside of her tingle and Melyssa didn't understand why. He barely knew her and, yet, he referred to her as his friend, not just his student. Hopefully, the nervous energy she felt with Rean would be gone for good after this talk and stroll with him.

"No, you weren't. I understand why you asked." It was just the way society worked – a man and woman, boy and girl, couldn't hang out without the subtext of dating. "And for the record, I consider you a friend as well, Rean." That didn't mean she would start treating him differently whenever he was in Instructor form, however.

Wrong. A man and a woman could hang out without there being the subtext of dating. Them, for example, they were hanging out and nobody would bat an eyelash or assume anything. Ash was in a league all of his own and most people assumed he was 'dating' any woman who actually spent time in his company, given the way he 'worded' things. "I was concerned for you, that's why I asked. Ash is… a good guy, most of the time," He added quickly with a playful smile, glancing down at her as they continued their leisurely stroll. "Other times, I have to reprimand him for running his mouth and saying things that are one day going to land him in serious trouble even he can't weasel out of."

She laughed, not able to deny Ash was very vulgar, lewd, crude, and borderline sexual harassment waiting to happen. "He is a good guy, but definitely not my type. I made it clear to him – he can flirt all he wants with me, but it won't lead anywhere." Rean really did worry a little too much about people, Crow had been right about that. "I do appreciate the concern, though." They had turned to head back across the academy field since it was getting late, heading back to the dorm. On the way, Rean invited her to have some gelato with him at one of the vendor stands and they found a bench by the fountain in the middle of Leeves. "What flavor did you get again?" It was a weird flavor, not vanilla or chocolate swirled like hers.

"Uh, it's lemon flavor." Rean offered her a small spoonful and waved it at Melyssa, smiling when she hesitated. "I'll make weird noises and baby talk it until you try it." He teased, his eyes sparkling when she finally opened her mouth, watching those soft pink lips close around the spoon. "Good, isn't it?" He pulled it away when she was finished, helping himself to another spoonful. "Want another bite? What kind did you get?" Rean peered down at her, shifting closer without even thinking about it.

"Vanilla and chocolate swirled – my favorite."

Melyssa found herself compelled by those fuchsia eyes and held her own spoon out, letting him sample hers like she did with his. Just like he had done, her eyes watched his lips enclose around the spoon to take in the vanilla, chocolatey goodness before pulling back. What was happening? Why was she suddenly getting butterflies in her stomach? It wasn't anywhere near as strong as when she was with Crow, but…there was definitely something there.

"What do you think?"

"Delicious." Rean ran his tongue along his bottom lip, making sure to catch the corners and not miss a bit of that gelato. "I may have to get that kind the next time we do this." He said it easily enough, without thinking, and flashed her another grin. They were almost shoulder to shoulder now, sitting so close, and he realized this was the most relaxed Melyssa had been around him. "You know," He hoped he wasn't jinxing it by saying it out loud. "This is… nice, I don't think we've ever just talked like this." He knew they had never hung out either.

Truthfully, she couldn't agree with him more and took another bite of her gelato. "You're right, we haven't and this is really nice. I don't remember the last time I did something like this." Granted, she had lunch with Ash, but…it wasn't relaxed and fun like it was with Rean. And Ash didn't make her heart pound in her chest and warmth spread throughout every portion of her body. "I like hanging out with you, Rean." Just him, not Instructor Rean or the Ashen Chevalier or Divine Blade of Eight Leaves. Just him, the man, stripped down with that gorgeous smile and hypnotic eyes. "And I wouldn't mind doing this with you again."

"You've had a crazy week, haven't you?" Rean chuckled, more like a crazy term so far. She was by far the most exciting thing happening in his life right now, now that he knew what was -mostly all- going on with her. "I like hanging out with you too, Melyssa. I think we should do it more." He bent down so he could see her face properly in the star and moonlight, close enough where their noses were almost brushing together. "Maybe after this field trip to Jurai, we could hang out again, what do you think?"

He was so close, she could smell the lemon on his breath from the gelato and his own scent, some kind of musky cologne. He was her Instructor and Melyssa should have pulled away from him, but she couldn't. This was wrong on so many levels, but Melyssa found herself nodding and smiling, teal mixing with fuchsia.

"I'd like that, Rean." Was it wrong to want to hang out with her Instructor alone? No, he wasn't an Instructor – not right now at this moment, eating gelato with her. It was a man and an almost woman sharing a moment together under the moon and stars. "And…I wouldn't mind sparring with you again too." Without realizing it, her voice had lowered and turned a little husky, along with his. "I had fun with you last time, believe it or not."

Even as oblivious as he could sometimes be, that was a change in her voice that even Rean could not miss. He wasn't sure if she had noticed the way it had changed, gotten a little velvety, but every last bit of him did. "Well, you've definitely improved since then." He had noticed that during their practical exam earlier with the combat robot. Her footwork had improved drastically, the dancing was only enhancing her already considerable natural ability with her Cutlass. "I look forward to it and hopefully," His own voice had deepened a timbre. "It'll be soon."

Danger, danger! Walk away NOW! There was an alarm ringing in her head that Melyssa couldn't ignore and she slowly pulled back, finally breaking their eye contact. "Just let me know the time and place and I'll be there." Her voice had returned to normal and it felt as if her heart would fly out of her chest at any second. "Thank you for the gelato and the walk. Goodnight, Rean." Melyssa squeezed his hand and stood up from the bench, tossing her half-eaten melted gelato in the trashcan before heading to the dorm. What in Aidios' name am I doing?! He's my Instructor and…Crow's best friend! Crow is the one I want to be with, right? For Goddess sake, he doesn't even remember me, how could he possibly want me to be with me? Melyssa frowned, not understanding where these new feelings she developed for Rean were coming from.

It didn't make sense, but it was obvious they had a connection…a STRONG connection.

To an outsider looking in, someone who would have been privy to her thoughts, being in love with Crow would make little sense to most people. Children didn't fall in love at eight, nine, or ten years old, right? Not true, eternal love. Usually, that was puppy love, the stuff time and space made seem sweeter and more than what it really was. It was also irrational to think that a childhood 'sweetheart' would return the affection after all that had happened throughout the years.

Someone like Rean would have probably understood it though and offered to help her any way he could because he was that kind of guy, even if it meant he was shoving aside his own feelings. Where had that come from? Rean watched, with a somewhat dopey smile, as Melyssa disappeared into the dorm finally, shaking his head as he pushed himself to his feet. There was something there, here, between them and he wasn't sure exactly how strong this 'something' was, but he definitely wanted to explore it.

Maybe it was impossible for children to fall in love with each other, or one falling in love with the other. Crow had been instilled in Melyssa's heart, however, and she was never able to fully shake him. Even when she thought he was dead, he still remained in her mind and heart; not a day went by she didn't think about him and wish for him to be alive. However…as people grew and became adults, things changed, feelings changed and she couldn't deny the connection between her and Rean.

Walking into the room she shared with Crow, Melyssa stopped at the sight of him sleeping with his arm over his eyes, shirtless in just his boxers, his chest rising and falling steadily. He really was a beautiful man, but then again, so was Rean. Shutting the door and flipping the lock on it quietly, Melyssa walked over to her bed and kicked her shoes off, doing everything in the dark. She didn't want to disturb Crow's rest. Quickly changing into her nightclothes, Melyssa slid under the covers and laid down, staring up at the ceiling.

Crow hadn't meant to fall asleep. He had come in and figured he and Melyssa would talk before they went to bed. It was what they had done the past few nights since they had finally had it out and talked about their mutual past, even if it wasn't mutually remembered. He wasn't forcing anything, he just asked her questions, seeing if anything stuck or jogged his memory and she'd ask him questions about his time in the war and things like that. Even though some things he had been ashamed of, it was still alarmingly easy to talk to her, and she never judged him, even for his darker deeds. Crow thought maybe it was because she had known who he was prior to his life turning to crap. He hadn't meant to fall asleep, but he hadn't thought Melyssa would be out so long with Rean either.

The bath really was heavenly in the dorm.

Melyssa sighed in contentment and shut her eyes, having her bathing wrap on just to be on the safe side. This was a public bath for the women after all. The steam rose around her and it was comforting, relaxing and she could feel the soreness and aching of her muscles deteriorate.

"Mind if I join you?"

Her eyes snapped open at the sound of an all too familiar voice, slowly looking up at none other than her Instructor. "Rean…" What was he doing in the women's bath?! "T-This is for the women…"

Rean smirked, wearing just a pair of bathing shorts, and stepped into the hot water to glide over to her, his arms slicing through the water. "I know. Don't worry, I locked the door."

"B-But…" The smell of him was infiltrating her senses once again and her mouth turned dry, those fuchsia eyes burning through her. "I-I'm not sure…" He was her Instructor for Goddess sake! "Rean, I…"

Rean pulled her flush against his body and his mouth descended on hers hungrily, his arms wrapped around her to prevent her from escaping.

"Well, well, isn't this interesting."

She broke the kiss instantly and looked up at the sight of Crow staring down at them while Rean began kissing down her neck. "C-Crow…" How did he get in here if the door was locked? "T-This…"

He waved her off, sliding into the water, and pulled her away from Rean. "My turn for a taste, partner."

Snapping her eyes open, Melyssa jumped slightly in bed and looked around the room, slowly sitting upright breathing heavy. In front of her, Crow was still sound asleep and Melyssa was caked in sweat, glancing at the clock. Four A.M. flashed back at her and she scrubbed her hands down her face, swallowing hard. Water, she needed a drink of water and quietly left the room, heading to the bathroom. What in Aidios' name was THAT dream about?!

That dream was telling her that she needed to try spending some quality time with a member of the opposite sex. Or at least that's how a female friend would have interpreted it. Altina would say that obviously, Melyssa had feelings for both men. Monique would encourage her to try for Crow.

"What are YOU doing up so early?"

All Ash had been doing was getting a drink of water and MAYBE finishing off this book, leaning against the hallway wall wearing nothing but a pair of shorts and those were dangling dangerously low. He snapped his book shut and tucked it beneath his arm, eyeing her curiously as he stepped away from the wall. The lighting was really dim but he had been warned to not go wandering during 'evening hours' because he was 'interruptive', he called bullshit.

"You look flushed, beautiful."

Goddess, save me! What was Ash doing up this early and sitting in the hallway for? She was half-asleep, but her adrenaline was pumping through every vein in her body from the dream. "Yeah…bad dream." No, no it wasn't a bad dream. It was a VERY good dream, in fact…a naughty dream too since Rean was her Instructor. "I just came out for some water. I'm a little parched." Ash held his hand up in a one-second gesture and retrieved her a cup of it from the men's bathroom, handing it to her. She took it, feeling a little confused, and muttered a 'thanks' before downing it, her breathing slowly returning to normal along with her heart rate. "Didn't think anyone would be up this early. Do you do this often, Ash? Wait for damsels to leave their room, so you can offer them your help?" She smirked, though it wouldn't surprise her if that was his actual motive.

Ash flashed her the book cover. "Actually, I sneak out here to read when I can't sleep." He informed her with an easygoing grin, not at all bothered by her comment and he wouldn't have been bothered by her thoughts either. He did have a reputation and he had earned every last bit of it. "Monique gets pissy if I have a light on after hours, says it interferes with her beauty sleep, so… I come out here, where the light is already on and people are usually asleep." He patted the space on the floor beside him. "Come join me, I'll even read slowly so you can read along with me. Or you can tell me about this bad dream of yours if you want."