Sorry for the long delay. At the moment, I'm really struggling to find time to sit down and write. Since we're nearing the end, I'll try and finish this story before Christmas but I make no promises.


"So, what's wrong?", Ulgar asked. Now alone, he and Luca had sat down on a nearby bench watching the people passing by.

The purple-haired teen looked at the other with surprise. "Nothing is wrong."

Ulgar just glanced back at his friend, knowing he was not speaking the truth. The absence of teasing was scary, especially since their last conversation had been rather awkward and offered plenty of potential for Luca to make fun of him.

"You know, I've been thinking", the other began hesitantly. "What kind of sexy underwear do you want me to wear? You know, I'm a virgin, I don't know these things… ."

His face red, Ulgar was at a loss of words. "Ehm, well … this … was bothering you?"

Luca stuck out his tongue. "Sorry, you're just that hilarious." He then changed to a more serious tone. "I was actually thinking about the nightmare I… killed. You know how Elysion told us that they are intelligent creatures… Its family must be sad. And what about its child?"

"Well, I'm glad it's dead", Ulgar responded. "Because otherwise I'd be." They were monsters and better off dead. In fact, he would have liked to kill them all so they would never harm Luca. But he also knew the purple-haired teen would not agree to this. "I'm sorry I made you do this. I'm not very good at protecting you, am I?"

"Do you still want to kill the teddy?"

"Yeah, I still have a score to settle." But then Ulgar thought about how much pain fighting seemed to cause to Luca. It was amazing how the other could emphasise with beasts who had tried to kill them on multiple occasions. "Actually, never mind. I won't."

Luca gave him a questioning look but decided not to pursue the matter further. "I don't regret my choice. I'm glad you survived so I could touch your cock."

Of course, Luca had to revive the most embarrassing moment in his life. "Sorry. All I wanted was telling you that you are fine the way you are." Why could he not have said this the first time?

"Don't worry", Luca replied smiling. "That's why I love you."

"Sorry." Luca was cheerful with a beautiful and carefree smile. He did not judge others and had no desire for revenge. Instead, the purple-haired teen lived in the present rather than being a prisoner of the past. All Ulgar had done was making him feel miserable and demonstrated that he was unfit to protect the other. "I nearly let you die and even made you save me. You deserve someone better than me."

Luca's smile remained unchanged. "I forgive you", he said. "If you kiss me."

Ulgar looked at the other. He already knew how soft Luca's lips were. How much time had passed since he had last tasted them!

"But you better be careful", Luca continued. "I'm still a virgin after all."

"What do you think I'm gonna do to you?!"

"Well, given your – " Luca could not finish his sentence as suddenly, his upper body was pulled forward and Ulgar's lips were on his.

There was no other way to stop Luca's loose tongue and Ulgar enjoyed the shocked expression in the other's eyes. "I love you", he whispered, letting go of the other. "I should have told you straight on Arispade but I didn't even realise. I'm an idiot."

"It's my fault", Luca replied, his mind still lost in the stratosphere. To think Ulgar had actually kissed him! "I didn't consider that anyone would fall in love with me after seeing me naked."

"I already apologised for that!"

The purple-haired teen shook his head. "I'm glad it happened. I wouldn't have gotten your attention otherwise, would I?"

"Well, I thought you were a guy", Ulgar explained. "I mean … that… ", he added, not wanting to contradict his earlier statements about the unimportance of Luca's gender.

"Don't worry", Luca said. "I already know you're into boobs."

"Don't say it like that!"

"You think I can't see you staring at my chest?"

"I'm not staring!"

"I think we better go", Luca suggested. Passers-by, mostly women with their shopping baskets and over-curious children, had stopped and were watching the two. "My chest is drawing more attention than I wanted."

"I doubt that's the issue here", Ulgar whispered as he got up. His face already dark red, he extended his hand to Luca. "Because it's a date."

The purple-haired teen nodded and put his hand into Ulgar's. "It's a date."

It was a strange feeling, walking through the streets together with Luca. The Nemesian city resembled Mousanish, although it felt like they had gone a few hundred years in the past. While the houses looked modern, they were never more than two storeys high and the windows had no glass in them and some did not even have doors, just an open doorframe. Due to the city being sheltered from the weather, there was no need for these things. Plus, Elysion had explained to them that burglary was unheard of on Nemesis due to their religion. It was indeed peaceful in the streets, there was chatter and laughter here and there but no incidences or arguments.

"Look, these are apples!", Luca suddenly shouted pointing towards on of the shops. In front of the building, a variety of fruits were on display. "They look just like those on Astra. Do you think we can try one?"

Ulgar looked at the apples and back at Luca, the excitement visible in his eyes. They did not have money nor any idea about the local currency. But being on a date and unable to pay for the person he loved hurt his pride in a way he had never imagined. "Wait here for a second", he said. His only option was to sell something.

The black-haired teen sighed as he spotted a shop with spears on display. How convenient that weapons were sold on the high street like hot dogs.

Fighting only caused Luca to suffer and he knew that being able to protect his friend was an illusion. Plus, now considering the monsters their equal, Luca would not approve of him killing them. He sighed again as he handed the teddy's claw to the merchant. Luca's smile was more valuable than a piece of a cadaver.

"Where did you go?", Luca asked him, already eating the apple.

"Just sold some junk", Ulgar responded, giving the other a questioning glance.

"Oh this? I told them you'd pay for me."

"You did what?!" Perhaps he should go and buy back the claw.

"But you have money now, don't you?" Luca then changed his tone, holding out the half-eating apple. "Here, I saved some for you."

Ulgar did not know why he went into the shop, dumping the golden coin he had received from the weapon merchant onto the counter. There were no marks on it and the black-haired teens could not guess its value. "That's for the apple my friend stole."

There was a blonde girl serving him at the till. "How odd", she said looking at the coin. "I gave your friend that apple for free but thanks for coming back. I don't think we have enough change for that though. Just don't worry about it."

Ulgar could see Luca's grin from outside. He knew that once again he had been played by the other.

Outside, Luca shrugged and explained, "you looked like you wanted to pay."

Ulgar blushed and did not even understand why. "Well if you want … I'll buy you something else." Given the reaction of the girl, he would be able to pay for whatever Luca wanted. Probably.

"The must have brought apples from Astra", Luca pondered as they were continuing to walk through the streets.

"So sour", Ulgar commented as he finished the rest of the apple and tossed the remainder into a bin. "I wonder if they – "

"Let's go in there!", Luca interrupted pointing towards another shop. "I want to get black dye for your clothes."

"You don't have to – " But his friend had already vanished inside the building.

A couple of hours and all of his patience later, Ulgar found himself exiting the stop carrying a number of paper bags filled with various items. The fact that he had still money left gave testimony to the claw's value. "What are you gonna do with all of this?", the black-haired teen asked as they continued to walk down the high street.

"I want to make new clothes for Aries and me. The Nemesians kept ours when they gave us those dresses", Luca explained. "What a shame, I'll have to take Aries' measurements again… ."

Ulgar looked to the ground, unsure of what to reply. He did not approve of Luca being too close with the girls, but neither with the boys. However, he also did not want to stop him from interacting with their friends.

"I'm joking", Luca finally clarified, visibly enjoying seeing Ulgar being at a loss of words. "But what kinds of clothes do you want to see me wearing? Cute … or sexy?"

"Why would I care what you're wearing?"

"Guess you're only interested in seeing me naked..."

"That's not it!" Well, it was his own fault that Luca saw him as a pervert. "You see… I like… spending time with you. I like looking at you … your clothes always look good anyway. And… ." Ulgar knew he had been fooled when he saw Luca's grin. Perhaps one day he would learn. But for now, he was happy walking down the street hand-in-hand with the person he loved.