Adeena: Finished your coffee yet? *taking final sip of cup of tea*

Ruwalk: Yes. Can we get on with this now?

Adeena: I guess so, if you're going to insist.

Ruwalk: I believe I will have to insist.

Adeena: In that case ...

Disclaimer: I don't own Dragon Knights.

Before Alfeegi could say anything, she dropped his hands, stood up and said "I see. I had hoped your answer would be something else. I hope you will be happy."

As she walked out the balcony door, Ruwalk clutched the wall trying to keep from collapsing. [No! Why, Alfeegi, why? Why did you hesitate?]

She made it to the railing before her knees gave out and the tears started falling. "Is this turning out for the best Lykouleon? Is this what you meant?"

[Where did she go?] Alfeegi thought, looking up at the sound of sobs. He noticed the open balcony door and tracked the sound to there. He moved to stand by the door. Looking out he saw her, crumpled and crying. Her words weren't entirely clear, so he moved closer and heard "I don't want to be alone anymore. I'm so tired of being alone" repeated over and over; words that echoed in his heart. Words that he couldn't ignore anymore.

"Adeena, please stop crying" Alfeegi said gathering her into his arms. "I won't leave you alone" he continued as he stood up with her in his arms.

[Where do I take her? Not back to the ballroom, too public. Maybe … I'll take her to her new room] and walked back through the room into the hallway and started towards her new room, passing Ruwalk without noticing him, so intent was he on the one he carried.

Ruwalk left the room behind them. As soon as Alfeegi turned towards the new room, he took a side corridor and ran to get there before the two arrived. [Good] he thought, reaching the room and seeing them just turning the corner. He slipped into the room, leaving the door ajar, and hid in the shadows once more, praying that Alfeegi would take the right step.

Alfeegi, on the other hand, was not real sure what he was going to do once they got to her rooms. He was still unsure about committing himself to her as he had to Ruwalk, but her words on the balcony had cut, and cut deep. He knew he couldn't leave her, but could he admit his love for her? That he didn't know.

He reached the door and pushed it open. Walking into the room he looked around, hoping to find someplace to put her where he could hold her and be comfortable. Unfortunately the sitting area did not contain any piece of furniture that fit that description.

He looked around again and noticed the door to her bedroom was open. (Ruwalk had opened it as he slipped through unnoticed.)

[There should be something in there] Alfeegi thought and walked through. Seeing only the bed and a couple of dressers, he decided to put her on the bed. Putting action to words, he moved to the bed and placed her gently in the middle of the king-size bed, then went to close the door.

As he put her on the bed, Adeena noticed the loss of comforting arms and then the sound of footsteps walking away. [He's leaving!] and her tears started pouring once more, punctuated with loud sobbing sounds every couple of seconds. Her feeling of loss was overwhelming.

As he shut the door, meaning to keep others out, Alfeegi heard Adeena start crying again, as if her heart was breaking. [No] he thought, moving quickly back to the bed and cradling her once more. [I won't allow this. I can't let this go on, but how do I stop it?]

"Adeena" he said softly, pulling her even closer. "Adeena, please stop crying. Please!" almost in tears himself.

Suddenly, a scene from his past entered his mind. It was the day Ruwalk first told him how much he loved him. He had been crying and Ruwalk had kissed him to put a stop to his crying. [Maybe,] he thought [just maybe, it would work with her.] Once more putting actions to words, he tipped her head just enough so he could reach her lips and kissed her. He had meant it to be a gentle, tender kiss but as soon as his lips touched hers he lost control, but she did quit crying.

[Yes!] Ruwalk thought as he watched Alfeegi lose control. [Finally! I won't have to interfere after all.] But he stayed in hiding to watch a little longer anyway, just to make sure.

As the kiss ended, Adeena pulled back a little and shook her head to clear it. "Alfeegi, wha …" she started to ask but was stopped by a finger laid gently upon her lips.

"Hush" he said. "it's my turn to talk and yours to listen. No interruptions, ok?" She nodded and he continued "You asked about Ruwalk and I answered. You asked about yourself and, I admit, I hesitated. Not because of how I felt, but because I didn't know how to express my feelings without compromising what I had already said about Ruwalk. Can you understand that?" At her nod he continued once more. "I love you as much, and in the same way, that I love Ruwalk. I didn't know I could do that."

She readjusted herself so she was sitting beside him leaning against the headboard. She put her arms around him and gave him a hug but didn't say anything, somehow knowing there was more that he had to say.

Alfeegi leaned against her, accepting the comfort she was offering and continued "Ruwalk and I have been together for only a few years. I watched while he recovered from losing you – it was terrible. I swore I'd never let that happen to him again. When you came back, and the two of you seemed so happy together, I thought I'd be able to let him go. Then you had to start spending time with me. I fell in love with you so fast I'm still reeling. But I couldn't see any way it could work. I've been trying to reconcile myself to living in the same house as the two of you, but not being able to touch either of you, for the past month."

"And today?" she asked quietly.

"The rooms, you mean? Yeah, seeing you pick the perfect room for a family and having Ruwalk agree with you – it hurt."

"Is that why you were so rude to us tonight?"

"I guess. I hurt and I wanted both of you to hurt too. Misery loves company you know" as he turned his face away from her.

[Don't turn away. Please, don't turn away] thought Ruwalk as he listened. [You're gonna blow it if you do!]

Adeena: *claps hands* Lunch break!

Ruwalk: What?! Another break? Must you keep doing this to me?

Adeena: Yes, to all the above.