Huzzah a quicker update! Also this went VERY long again I am sorry, gay people real

Haruki Halloran, 18

District 7, three months before the Reaping

What do you want to be when you grow up?

It was a rather simple question, used in schools to allow the imaginations of children to take flight so they wouldn't be crushed with the knowledge that their future would be among the trees. But for Haruki Halloran, the question wasn't about something as trivial as a "want."

What can you be when you grow up? That was the real question. Haruki didn't think that what he wanted really mattered. The only thing that mattered was what he was actually capable of doing. And what was he capable of doing? That remained to be seen. His future was blurry, out of sight, obscured by an endless forest that cradled lost dreams, lost desires.

The forests of District 7 were a constant reminder of the obscurity that was his future. He supposed he should consider himself lucky that he was no longer resigned to wielding an axe for hours and hours before coming home to a child to support. That was the future for most of the people in District 7, but not for Haruki.

Even if that wasn't a desirable future in his eyes, having something tangible to depend on and to look forward to was comforting. But he had none of that. Sometimes he wished someone would just tell him what waited for him beyond the trees, but his calls were only answered with silence.

Haruki was born as an only child into a family that fit the status quo. He was a normal kid, so normal that it almost seemed abnormal. Everyone in District 7 was usually too busy to consider such paradoxes, but Haruki found himself lingering with his thoughts quite often. As a child he didn't really have friends. In retrospect, it seemed like a hollow existence, but he was never really miserable.

Everything was just…fine. Nothing was remarkable, flashy, or out of the ordinary. It was just…fine.

He had a fine path set for him, a path that led him through the endless forests of life. But, life tends to have unexpected occurrences.

It was around six years old when his way became blocked and the path was lost. This blockage came in the form of an enigmatic boy by the name of Ace Kamiya, who was just about as far from normal as Haruki thought you could get. What this boy meant for his future, and even his present, was unclear.

Haruki pulled himself out of the confluence of the past and future and blinked to view the present more clearly. It was the early morning in District 7, which was accompanied by sun-kissed pine trees and the symphonious orchestra of birds who navigated the forests so freely.

He sighed, taking in a deep breath of the sharp morning air. It was the makings of another beautiful spring day. Haruki smoothed down the creases in his white button-up before beginning his commute to school.

In the past he didn't have to make such a commute to school, but ever since he received a scholarship to attend the Inner Ring's school, he had a little ways to walk.

While not entirely shaped in a circular-fashion, District 7 was divided into rings which corresponded with social class and associated jobs. Haruki's family did well enough for themselves, but those in the Inner Ring had higher paying jobs and had more diverse work than just working with lumber.

During his schooling, Haruki had top marks and was usually at the top of his class. However, he didn't consider himself special or particularly smart. Being booksmart in an Outer Ring didn't really amount to that much. Booksmarts weren't going to help you cut down a tree any faster.

But, as luck would have it, there was some sort of scholarship program that Haruki was completely unaware of. He was 13 when he and his parents were approached by an administrator at the Inner Ring school and his parents were overjoyed to send him off to get a better education.

At the time, Haruki wasn't sure how to feel about attending his new school. It was something new though, and it was a little exciting to see what the future held for him.

Haruki made his way through the streets of District 7, getting closer and closer to the Inner Ring. His daily routine was nothing out of the ordinary, like most of the other people in the Outer Rings. On his way to school he would often pass the same people on their own routines. Haruki would always share a polite nod, smile, or wave if prompted by those around him. He was just trying to be polite, but more often than not it would come off as awkward.

Socialization was something that didn't come quite easily for Haruki. He had a hard time communicating his own thoughts, which perhaps was due to the disconnect he felt between himself and the rest of the world. But that was neither here nor there.

Despite this, Haruki was a fantastic listener. The people in his life loved to talk, and he was more than happy to sit and listen. He was always genuine in his interest though; Haruki was always curious about the thoughts and feelings of others, especially of his more eccentric classmates. He found that being introspective towards his classmates' issues was far easier than trying to unpack his own.

Of course, Ace was another story entirely. Haruki often felt like he was just trampling through the underbrush of the forest, craning his neck to look up to the very top of the trees where only a few creatures lived. And who was at the very top? Ace. That boy was truly something else. Haruki felt like it was hard to keep up with someone who seemed to be so far away from him, and yet so close.

So close.

After another uneventful walk, Haruki finally arrived at Everbloom Academy, the fabled private school of the Inner Ring. In terms of spatiality, it wasn't the biggest building around. But, it made up for that in spades with its height. Everbloom was a spire and stretched high up past many of the surrounding buildings. Classrooms were situated around the circular structure with the center of the spire being the massive spiral staircase that was as visually striking as it was dangerous (it was a little shocking just how many students would fall down it each year).

He took a deep breath and looked up at the academy that reached to the heavens. District 7 loved their branding it seemed. It was somewhat of a joke among the student body just how much Everbloom looked like some sort of twisted man-made tree. The faculty and administration made a point that it was a metaphor for "reaching for the stars" and achieving the greatest potential one's talent could get them.

Haruki couldn't help but smile a little bit at the prospect of having such amazing potential like that. It was easy to see how all of his friends would aspire to grow tall and reach the zenith of their abilities. He would never voice it to the others, but Haruki felt like he would just be left behind, a sapling unable to reach the sunlight and left to die in the dark.

Once he took a moment to take in the intimidating exterior, Haruki headed inside. Contrary to the exterior, Everbloom was really cozy inside. The classrooms were small (to fit the small number of actual students and faculty) and decorated with aesthetic value in mind. Haruki figured that the few wealthy people of District 7 might fund this school. He had hypothesized that it could be some effort to "uplift" District 7 and change their image in Panem to be seen as more than just the tree district.

Making his way to the spiral staircase, Haruki began the ascent. He tilted his head upward and gazed up at the winding metal spine. It was never a sight he got used to. It just seemed so detached from the rest of the world, but not necessarily in a bad way. Everbloom was where Haruki had made lifelong friends, and Everbloom was also where fate allowed he and Ace to meet once again.

At long last, Haruki reached his classroom and pushed the wooden door open. The quiet of the central core of Everbloom was immediately broken when Haruki came into the classroom. It was a stark contrast to the calming aesthetic of the room. It was just a little larger than his living room at home, but it was filled with wooden tables and chairs that were polished to perfection. Potted plants and greenery decorated the classroom and it always smelled of a different scent; Ms. Merrowin always liked making the classroom smell nice. The scent of lavender had been this month's aroma.

"What the FUCK is that supposed to mean?"

"Castor please-"

"No, I wanna know what this fucking bastard said!"

"Guys…p-please can't we get along-"

"Shut the FUCK up Melina."

Business as usual. Haruki sighed as he happened upon the morning chaos. The foul-mouthed boy, Castor, was about as short as his fuse. Pike, his close friend and confidant, was trying to reign him in as usual. From the last part of the conversation (if you could call it that), Haruki guessed that the soft-spoken and sensitive Melina had tried to diffuse the situation with little results.

As for who had actually set off Castor…it really didn't matter. You could breathe on Castor wrong and he would ignite in a destructive blaze. Haruki checked the clock on the classroom wall. Still 2 minutes till starting…he could do this. He always did.

"Wow, wow, everyone just calm down for a second." At the sound of Haruki's soft but cutting voice, everyone turned to look at him. "Come on guys, class is about to start. I'm sure we can figure out this at lunch."

Melina was fidgeting, already upset. Pike sighed, gently facepalming herself before silently making her way to her seat, dragging Castor with her.

"This isn't over you twat," Castor spat at a short girl with blonde pigtails who Haruki now directed his attention to. Now it all made sense. Halesia's disposition matched Castor's in vitriol and the two were often at odds over the smallest of things. But Haruki wasn't fooled by the intensity of their emotions. Things would be fine by lunch, they always were. This was just the way they were.

When Haruki began attending Everbloom, he never expected he would come across such eccentric kids. It truly was never a dull moment.

The seconds ticked by and the rest of their class came filing in. Sonata happily came in with a cinderblock of books in her arms, followed by Gabriel who crept into the room in his trademark dark clothes which were a stark contrast to the neon green hamster cage that housed the class pet. Then Charlotte practically ricocheted into the room, bouncing with excitement about whatever musical composition she had just cooked up. Just before the bell rang, Linden dragged himself into the room, distracted by something he was tinkering with.

Ms. Merrowin followed, closing the door to the classroom and going to sit at her desk. Now 9 out of the 10 students' desks were filled. One absence, and of course it was-

"Where's Ace?" Haruki asked, looking around as if Ace would suddenly materialize out of thin air with a shit-eating grin plastered across his face. He could practically hear his laugh even in the silence.

The rest of the class shrugged. Ace had a reputation for being flakey and odd, even by this class's standards.

"He's probably talking to birds," Castor scoffed.

"Or blowing something up!" Charlotte offered helpfully.

"Perhaps he shivered at the prospect of the Dark One manifesting within my power. Everyone should rightfully fear the machinations of a being such as I!" Gabriel said, not looking at anyone in particular and letting out a hearty guffaw.

"That's delightful! But I think he went to the river. It's a rather nice day after all," Sonata replied sweetly.

Haruki nodded and tried to relax. Ace was probably fine, right? Surely he wouldn't get himself into any trouble on his own for too long.

That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, the first time they met was when Haruki had discovered a crying Ace in the forest when they were little. Ace had broken his arm from falling down a hill. He was just a kid alone in the woods. Haruki had initially been annoyed by the crying but helping Ace out of the forest made him feel something good.

It was a rather unremarkable moment, but he and Ace had become close friends ever since. They spent a lot of time together in the following years. At first Haruki had been reluctant to become friends with Ace but…Ace was not someone you could get rid of that easily. He grew on Haruki like a rash and soon there was absolutely no way of getting rid of him.

Around when they were 9, Ace and his family moved away. Haruki never admitted it, even fully to himself, but it wasn't easy. He had never met anybody like Ace before. Sure there would be other "friends," but there wouldn't be anyone like Ace. There was no one else in the world who was like Ace Kamiya.

The years went by and Haruki ended up at Everbloom, where, as luck would have it, Ace attended school. They even ended up in the same class. Haruki couldn't describe or label what he felt upon seeing Ace's face again, but it was warm and it was comforting.

Their friendship picked up right where it left off, and things had been going steady ever since. However, Ace was still the weird boy he always was. It was a handful, but deep down Haruki was attracted to that eccentricity. There was something so oddly magnetic about Ace Kamiya that made you want to see whatever he would do next.

It was hard to pay attention in class when Ace wasn't there. What could he be doing right now? Was he getting into trouble? Was he blowing something up? Or was he just swimming in the river?

Haruki mulled over the possibilities while he took a sheet of paper and began folding it into a little paper flower. It was something he had picked up when he was little. He didn't consider it a talent, especially compared to the others in his class, but it helped him relax a little.

When the lunch bell finally rang, Haruki grabbed and his bag headed back down the spiral staircase without any hesitation.

"Haruki, wait up!" Sonata had followed him down the stairs and caught him just before leaving. "You're going to find him aren't you?"

Haruki nodded. "Was it that obvious?"

"It was to me." She smiled and tilted her head.

They both stood there in silence for a moment. There was a glimmer in Sonata's eye that Haruki didn't quite understand.

"Well…go grab him, as they say!"

"No one says that Sonata," He smiled at her and turned to leave. She waved at him as he exited the grounds. Haruki had no plans to return that day. Not without Ace anyway.

He walked with a brisk pace through the route that would take him to the river that he and Ace would hang out at. It was a beautiful spot in warm weather and the two of them would go there to study on nice days. Ace would usually go swimming, but Haruki preferred to just sit on the sides with a nice book.

The route took him by a quaint little bakery that Haruki had an afterschool job at as a dish-washer. It wasn't much but he figured that any contribution to his family helped. The place was also frequented by he and his classmates; they often had brunch there together. Careful planning was a nightmare with this group, but they always somehow managed to make it spontaneously work.

Haruki made a brief stop inside and purchased a few cinnamon rolls. He figured that if Ace was in fact at the river, they probably wouldn't be going back any time soon. Might as well get something to eat for the two of them. That's what friends are for right?

He continued his brisk walk, letting the sweet aroma of the freshly baked cinnamon rolls waft through the brown bag and melding with the scent of the pines that the warm winds carried throughout the district.

Walking down to the river took time and energy, but Haruki was fueled by stress. Why did he have to get so worked up when Ace would do things like this? Usually Haruki was fine dealing with Ace's shenanigans, but today felt oddly different.

Haruki didn't dwell on it. He just kept walking before coming to the forest trail that would take him to the river. Without hesitation, he pressed onto the trail and entered the forest.

Even at the height of the afternoon, the sun still barely shown through the thick leaves of the trees. Sun beams flickered in and out of Haruki's path as he trapsed over twigs and pine needles. He heard the distant sounds of workers, but they were soon drowned out by silence and then the chirping of birds.

The trail turned and bent like a writhing snake before the trees finally began to thin out and the sound of water entered Haruki's ears. He followed his senses through the forest, much like he had all those years ago. After all this time, he was still chasing after Ace.

Finally, the trail brought him to the edge of the riverbank. Sun flickered and danced across the calm silky water, finally being allowed to shine more clearly through the shield of leaves from up above.

Right as he came out of the forest, he saw a figure swimming in the water, causing ripples to shimmer and expand out from around it. Haruki breathed a sigh of relief.

Ace.

Haruki stepped forward and waved awkwardly. Ace didn't seem to notice him just yet. He continued forward and sat on one of the rocks by the riverbank. Haruki gently placed his things down, including the bag of cinnamon rolls and the pink paper flower, and looked at Ace swimming once again. Should he call out? Make some sort of sound? Haruki never knew what to do.

Just when he was settling on a decision, he looked up to see Ace splashing towards him with a slight grin on his face.

"Ah, what luck!" Ace called from the river. Haruki couldn't help but smile. The river looked so open, so free, free to flow where it was supposed to go. Any obstacles in its path were temporary. The current was steadfast on getting where it needed to go.

It would only occur to Haruki months later, but the forest was behind him, and the river was in front of him. He had made it through the forest with a specific goal in mind, something to look forward to, something to strive for. Maybe the question of Haruki Halloran's future wasn't answered with a what…rather… a whom.

Ace Kamiya, 18

District 7, one month before the Reaping

Was one lucky to be born?

Ace Kamiya wasn't sure.

His mind felt like a blizzard of jigsaw pieces, each of which belonged to a different puzzle entirely. The moment he was born, Lady Luck whispered into his ear and promised to rock the boat from side to side for his entire life. It would be an eternal storm, and he would be the sole sailor of his ship. He would be the captain, desperately trying to command a crew that had been tossed overboard before he even grasped the wheel.

Ah yes, luck. An intangible, unquantifiable beast that reared over the lives of man. Intangible. Unquantifiable. Fickle. Cruel. Generous. All words that described luck in its essence, but also not at all. How could something so incorporeal and so contradictory have such an influence, a presence in one's life? Ace figured that he would never know the true answer.

Perhaps he should consider himself lucky to have been born since he was a "happy" surprise to his parents, but perhaps he was unlucky to be born. The first thing Ace learned how to do was how to be lonely.

At the edge of the lower class, Ace's parents spent the majority of their lives working. They were happy that Ace could provide a supply of tesserae, but that was about it. Even now, he couldn't recall a single time his parents showed him an act of love. Maybe he was lucky to be born, but maybe he was unlucky to never experience what it was like to be raised by people who loved you.

It was currently late evening. The sun had dipped just below the canopies of the pillars of trees that supported an expansive roof of greenery. Ace could see flickers of vibrant pinks, blood oranges, and dripping reds peeking through the trees. The air was warm and a soft breeze danced through the leaves that rustled like bedsheets fluttering in the dead of night.

He had always loved walking through the forest. In his loneliness, it was the forest that raised him in place of absent parents. He was a child of the forest, drinking in the sunlight, soothed by the lullabies of songbirds, and raised like a sapling who would grow into a tall tree. But unlike the trees, Ace would not live a long time. He wished he could reach the heights of the tall oaks and redwoods, but his roots only stretched so far, and he would never be able to bloom the way he wanted to. The desire to reach the stars was overwhelming, but nothing on earth would be able to get him there. What luck, to be so close yet so far.

As a child, he spent most of his time wandering and thinking. There weren't many other things to do, and most other children avoided him. He was a bit of a peculiar child, which made him an easy target for the local bullies. Luckily, Ace had a knack for always being just one step ahead.

His loneliness allowed him plenty of time to think, which he preferred anyway. Ace's mind was molded by the forests that raised him. It became a forest itself, each tree a new thought. Some were old, larger than life and easy to return to. Some were new, sprouting out of the ground with a hopeful spark of life.

Time passed as Ace moved through the forest, but of course, luck had not miraculously evaporated into the ether. When he was a little over six years old, luck took the form of a particularly protrusive root. He had been walking through the forest like always after his parents had left for work in the morning without a word. Naturally, he was lost in thought and was caught unawares as his foot snagged on the root and he plummeted down an adjacent hill. What luck.

And what luck it was, for his arm to snap like a twig underfoot as he tumbled all the way down. Ace crumpled into a ball like wadded up paper as he began to cry and hope for his parents to come and save him from the forest. Their home was a mere 100ft away, but their area of the district wasn't very populated.

He was a child, a baby bird with a broken wing who had tried to leave the nest because its parents had abandoned it. But, as luck would have it, he never learned how to fly.

Now Ace was truly alone, abandoned, helpless, hoping that someone, anyone would come and save him. In those moments after the fall, he thought that his new home would be the forest floor, and that it would be forevermore. He would be broken, alone, helpless, bathed in tears, and easy prey for the animals in the woods (but there were no dangerous animals in these woods, what luck).

Those minutes felt like an eternity as his tears seeped into the ground and his cries were lost in the forest, the trees remaining stoic and silent.

But, the scales tipped again. What luck it was, that there was someone to hear his cries and come to find his crumpled, pathetic form. He came out of the trees, bathed in light, a savior with an outstretched hand.

Haruki Halloran was the most brilliant creature on the face of the earth. According to Haruki, this moment had gone very differently, but Ace knew the truth. Perhaps breaking his arm was the luckiest thing that ever happened to him. Otherwise, how would Haruki have entered his life? It was fate, destiny even.

He was lost in the forest, broken and alone, but a hand and scooped him up and cradled his feeble form. It was pure luck that Haruki was the boy next door, a neighbor that Ace had never met. In retrospect, Ace was happy to have felt that pain, and he would happily break every bone in his body if it meant that Haruki would enter his life. That pain was inconsequential compared to the rewards it reaped. Without that pain, that broken wing, he never would have met the beacon of hope that was Haruki Halloran.

He did the best he could to treat Ace's wounds, but Ace felt like his arm had already been healed. Haruki only seemed vaguely interested in Ace, but that was hardly a concern. Ace happily chirped and proclaimed that Haruki would be his best friend until the end. Haruki made no response but there was certainly no refusal. To six year old Ace, that was still more compassion than had ever been shown to him. Thus, they were best friends.

The feeling became mutual over time as the two ended up hanging out, battling their loneliness by exploring the forests together. Yes, together. Who could have guessed that "together" would be something so appealing, so warm, so enticing? Ace and Haruki were just two children in the forests, two souls in flight. Ace's wings had finally healed, and Haruki didn't know it, but he had taught Ace how to fly.

The scales of luck must remain balanced, and Lady Luck was ready to tilt them once more around the time Ace was nine. First came the good luck: his father had secured a promotion which meant a higher income and better living conditions. Then the bad luck: it meant that the Kamiya household would be moving from the Outer Rings into the Inner Ring. To Ace, this was the worst thing that could have ever happened. Soon, Haruki would be lost from him.

One solution sprouted in Ace's mind, its roots quickly taking hold. He proposed his plan to Haruki in the forest one day. They were to run away into the forest, away from their homes and away from everyone else. Haruki was the first person that ever acknowledged Ace's existence, and he was the only one that mattered to him. He thought it was the only solution, but Haruki just stared at him and told him that things were never that easy. But oh how Ace wished it were that easy. Nevertheless, Ace conceded his plan to fly away with Haruki. What would be the point if Haruki wouldn't come with him?

Soon the day came, and surprisingly without much fanfare. Ace was never very good with his emotions, and he always had a hard time vocalizing what he was feeling. It was impossible to find the right words to express just how important Haruki was to him. So many things were left unsaid, but Haruki had other plans.

Just before Ace went off down the road with his parents, Haruki grabbed Ace's hand and pulled out something. It was a folded paper flower. Haruki sometimes made them and discarded them, not thinking it was anything to be proud of, but Ace thought it was just so brilliant.

So, in that moment, when he placed this little folded paper flower in his hand, something bloomed inside Ace's heart that he wasn't able to label. There were so many things to say, and yet there were no words to say either. Ace moved away with Haruki fading in the distance, lost to the trees. But in the palm of his hand was one final gift, this beautiful flower. Ace had never owned any material thing that he ascribed too much value until this simple flower. In an instant, it became his most cherished possession.

The next few years of Ace's life were marked with loneliness. His only solace was Haruki's little flower, which he carried with him at all times. Its home was in his jacket pocket, and Ace would obsessively check to make sure it was still there at all times. Haruki was still with him, carried in that pocket, wrapped up in that little flower.

That single comfort only offered a slight reprieve from the sorrow of his new life. In the Inner Ring, he folded in on himself as his parents became obsessed with fitting in with the upper class and presenting a pleasing appearance. Worrying that his oddity would compromise their social status, his parents made an effort to keep him occupied. Thus, Ace started taking cello lessons. Beautiful wooden instruments were carved, sold, and played in the Inner Ring. It was a perfect way for Ace to look like he fit in.

The cello was a melancholic instrument to Ace. It had a rich tone that echoed with intense emotion that no other instrument could really capture. But it was all superficial. Ace was alone once more, lost in the forest. Loneliness was hardly a comfort anymore. Now he had learned how to be together, in coexistence with another person. Ace couldn't relearn how to be lonely.

He felt like his arm was broken all over again, his wings clipped, abandoned on the forest floor. There would be no savior this time. His savior was far, far away.

Luck had other plans.

It was the first day of school at Everbloom Academy. Anyone who was anyone in the Inner Ring sent their kids to attend Everbloom. It was supposed to be the cutting edge of advancement and achievement in District 7. Ace admired the drive to strive beyond the label as the lumber district, but he wasn't sure what he was supposed to study. What sort of talent did he have? He didn't have any skills either. The only small comfort he had was that he had gotten to know some of the students at Everbloom from his school in the Inner Ring before transferring to the private academy.

They were all a bit odd. It seemed like Ace should fit right in, but he never fit in anywhere. He was a piece to a puzzle that simply didn't exist. And so, when he stepped into his classroom at Everbloom on the first day of school, he was expecting more of the same loneliness. What were two songbirds without each other?

The class was just about full when a final classmate stepped into the room. He was lanky boy with dark hair and a plain white button-up shirt with a stupid looking tie. Ace had looked up to meet this boy's eyes, and then it was as if sunbeams flooded the classroom.

Haruki Halloran was standing before him.

It seemed impossible. Ace thought he was dreaming, but then the teacher called Haruki's name and it became all too real. Haruki looked like someone had slapped him in the face when their eyes met. Gosh, his eyes were so fucking beautiful.

Lady Luck had sent Haruki back into his life, and everything felt ok, finally. Ace was so elated he completely forgot about the potential balance of bad luck that would surely blow through his sails. And so, as he happily ascended the spiral staircase at the center of Everbloom after lunch, he tripped and smashed his head into the stairs. The nurse at the infirmary told him that he had been concussed, but Ace didn't care. Haruki had helped him to infirmary and he was here now, just inches away.

Even with concern written across his face, he was just so…so…he couldn't label it. Ace knew how much he missed Haruki, but the flood of emotions of seeing him in the flesh caught him unawares. What were these feelings? Why did he feel so warm when he looked into his eyes? Why did he want Haruki to hold him and never let go? Why did he want to see his sparkle in the sunset while their hands were entwined?

Despite these flowering feelings, he and Haruki picked up right where they left off. It was as if nothing had changed. They were just two kids, two birds flying with their wings outstretched.

Things had changed though. Now they were surrounded by new classmates, ones that were so odd that they were captivating. Ace might even dare to call them friends, but that was a strong word. He was often unsure of his place among them. What sort of value did he have compared to others? It made him feel like an outsider, but all he wanted was to be liked.

Haruki seemed to make friends quickly, and those friends were dragging him on escapades before long. Ace would never have dared invite himself to something, but that was never a concern. Whenever something would be going on, Haruki would drag him there without fail.

He didn't get along with all his classmates, but things were better than they used to be. Haruki was here, and it seemed like his luck had finally stabilized in the subsequent years. Sure there were little tips of the scale here and there, but nothing so drastic.

At this very moment, his classmates were supposed to be celebrating the end of the school year with a massive concert that Charlotte organized every year. That girl's energy was intimidating, but she did always throw an excellent party.

This particular Summer Bash was notable because it was the last one they would have before they would graduate. In their years together at Everbloom, Ace admitted to himself that he had grown fond of some of his classmates. Perhaps he was lucky to have grown to be able to call them friends. But, perhaps he was unlucky because he hardly deserved to be with them. Everyone was so talented and excited, and Ace was just Ace.

Charlotte had asked Ace to perform in the concert this year, and he had agreed with coaxing from Haruki at the time. It was just another cello recital, that was all. Ace practiced, but then the day came. He was backstage watching everyone laugh and dance, and something felt off. He felt like he shouldn't be there. All those happy faces didn't belong next to someone like him. Sure, Ace was happy to support others, but putting himself on display for them? Who was he to place himself on a pedestal with the likes of Charlotte's insane compositions and Kara's impeccable pianist skills?

He couldn't even pick out Haruki in the crowd. Without him, he felt his mind start to wander and soar. Before he knew it, he had left the area and wandered into the forest. It was lonely, sure, but Ace deserved it. Maybe he deserved to be lonely. How lucky was he to be among so many amazing people, but so unlucky to not belong with them?

Ace sighed as he kept strolling through the rows and rows of dark woods. The sun was melting into the horizon now, exploding with a final swan song, a symphonic burst of colors streaking through the sky. Everything was fine though, surely.

A snap of a twig caught Ace's attention and he quickly looked towards the location of the noise. Would some animal finally rip and rend his body? Would its jaw tear his neck and puncture his vocal cords so he wouldn't even be able to scream for help?

Upon seeing the source of the noise, Ace just laughed out loud, his voice bouncing from tree to tree.

"There you are," Haruki Halloran said, materializing from the forest. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed him with his clumsy walk and his dorky white shirt.

"What are you doing here?" He asked after his laughter subsided. Haruki raised an eyebrow.

"Looking for you of course. What else would I be doing in the woods right before sundown?"

"Maybe getting lost. You never know with these woods."

"It's lucky I found you then. I don't want you getting lost again."

Ace just smiled and shook his head. He avoided Haruki's eyes, suddenly very interested in what his shoes looked like.

Haruki stepped up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Ace tried not to shiver from the touch.

"You missed your cue. We were all worried about you. Everyone was really excited to hear you play."

"No one should want to hear me play."

"No, that's wrong," Haruki sighed. "Look, it's the end of the year and we all wanted you there. This is our chance to celebrate our friendships at Everbloom."

Ace just chuckled. He didn't really want to go back now. He was alone in the forest with Haruki now. That was really all he wanted, all he ever really wanted. Ace just wanted to get lost in the forest with Haruki and leave everyone and everything behind.

"Ace, look at me." Ace tentatively met Haruki's sudden assertive gaze. "We all want you there. I promise. I would never lie to you."

Looking into Haruki's eyes, all Ace could think was that he wished that Haruki would have said 'I want you there' instead.

I just want you to want me.

They were very close together now, just the two of them in the dark. A thought crossed Ace's mind as he stared at Haruki's face, framed by the dark forest.

"We're still just children of the forest, aren't we? Just lost in the woods, wandering through an expanse of ageless spires that tower above our small forms with a might that we cannot fathom. It makes one feel small doesn't it?"

Haruki raised an awkward eyebrow and tried to make some sort of noise of acknowledgement that didn't quite work. "Uhhh, yeah…sure." He scratched the back of his head and looked away from Ace. "Let's get out of here, we don't want to be lost in the forest after dark."

Oh, if only Haruki knew that as they stood there, the little paper flower was in Ace's coat pocket at this very moment. And it was always there, having made its permanent home the day Haruki shyly placed it in his hands. Ace instinctively patted his pocket to make sure it was still there. It was. It always was.

He looked back at Haruki, who was now peering at the last wisp of sunlight that seemed to be desperately hanging onto the edge of the horizon. Even in the dark, he was just so radiant.

Haruki smiled at him, and that was all it took for his heart to flutter and for his legs to fly with him all the way back to the concert.

Somehow, they made their way back to the concert with no difficulty. Haruki called it memory, Ace called it luck.

They showed up at the back of the crowd and peered at the stage. The crowd wasn't actually that big, but anything loud tended to get overwhelming for Ace very quickly. He liked his quiet.

Charlotte was playing an impressive guitar riff and making everyone dance like their lives depended on it. She finished, and the crowd erupted into applause. In a flash, she bounced over to the microphone and shouted "Are y'all having fun tonight? WOOOO!" The crowd responded, and Haruki laughed. He had such a nice laugh.

"I know that was exciting, but…" her eyes scanned the crowd. Ace had no way to prove it, but he felt like her eyes had locked onto him. He shifted uncomfortably.

"…we're going to slow things down a little bit! Kara, hit it!"

A blonde girl in a beautiful pink dress walked out on stage and waved before sitting down behind a piano on stage. Charlotte grabbed her guitar and joined Kara in…a waltz.

Everyone in the crowd started to pair up. Ace saw Sonata and Gabriel immediately twist into each other's arms, blushing while they started to slow dance. Castor shyly offered his hand to Pike, which she gladly took.

The tune kicked in, and Ace did have to admit it was gorgeous. He could see why it ignited the romantic response it did. The music was soft but powerful, and the couples danced, enveloped in each other's arms.

Haruki was smiling at everyone dancing, fixated on his friends in front of him. Ace looked at Haruki while Kara and Charlotte's music made his heart swell.

Thoughts fluttered through his mind like falling leaves. Before he could even process them, they were gone. The only things he caught were unlabeled feelings; a desire to grab Haruki's hand and lead him to the dance floor, a desperate desire for Haruki to hold him in his arms.

But it was not so. Haruki was barely looking at him. Why was he feeling these things? What did it even mean?

"Stay with me forever, for a whole life long," he whispered under his breath without thinking, the words taking on a mind of their own. Ironically, he had no say in the matter.

"Huh? What did you say?" Haruki asked, leaning in.

"Oh, nothing."

What luck to have been found in the woods by the person he adored so much, but also what terrible luck it was to stand here without holding his hand, without flying through the forest with him by his side.

Despite everything, Ace Kamiya still felt like a child lost in the forest, just waiting to be saved, just wanting to be loved.

I know that was a terribly long chapter but gay people possessed me and if I had to write it then all of you have to suffer with me. I had a lot of fun with these once I finally got over my block.

I'm excited to continue plugging away as we get closer to finishing intros! 2 more to go.