Okay, I am so sorry for the huge delay with this chapter, but it's not just this fic that's been not worked on, I haven't touched any of them for weeks due to various circumstances *glares at evil circumstances*
Anyway, I'm sure you're all going to love this chapter, so read on.
Eight
Lai looked around his room and sighed.
What was wrong with him? He couldn't seem to sleep. He would have put things down to his unusual sleeping patterns, but having been up because of an unusual cosmic event for the past week, he really should have been dropping dead from exhaustion. But even with his weariness and heavy limbs, drooping eyelids and the prospect of at least a full day of rest, his body did not want to slip into unconsciousness.
Perhaps there was something bothering him, something that kept his consciousness too focused. But he could think of nothing … literally. His mind was completely empty, a useful trick he'd learned while meditating. Now he was thinking, but while lying in bed, staring at the arched ceiling, he still could not close his eyes and rest.
Something unconscious then … but again, what? What could have him so preoccupied?
"Hartia might be able to help," he mused aloud, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of his bed and pulling on his robe. He quickly slipped on his boots and laced them haphazardly before exiting his tower room in search of Hartia.
It was early in the night, but sometimes Hartia was a late sleeper. Lai hoped that this was one of the nights ... he didn't wish to disturb Hartia from his rest. He was always so peaceful while sleeping.
Hartia was actually getting ready for bed when Lai knocked on his door. He looked out curiously at Lai then opened his door completely.
"Lai, what brings you here?"
Lai held out a familiar book. "I thought I'd return this," he said with a smile. "And also ask for a bit of help."
Hartia took the first volume of his precious Black Tiger collection, his lips quirking slightly in a smile as he let Lai into his chambers. "What did you think of it?" he asked as he closed the door behind them.
Lai hesitated then answered truthfully, "I can see why you are so enamoured of the series, however, it's not something I'd usually read myself." Hartia's face fell slightly and Lai chuckled. "I will admit it is rather interesting though and I'd like to keep reading. You know how I hate to leave things unfinished."
Hartia grinned. "So it wasn't that terrible was it?"
Lai sighed. "No, it wasn't and I apologise for my years of telling you it was a childish waste of time."
"You never said that."
"But I was thinking it … sometimes. Until I saw that note of yours." Lai smiled. "I don't know how you survive to stay exactly as you are Hartia, you are quite a marvel."
Hartia blushed and turned away busying himself in putting his novel back where it was supposed to go. "Yeah … well …" He cleared his throat and managed to keep his face from turning red again as he turned back around. "So, you need my help with something?"
Lai smiled and sat down in the chair opposite his desk. "If you don't mind."
"Not at all." Hartia sat down and frowned at the mess on his desk. "What's the problem?" he asked curiously as he straightened up a few stray papers, putting some away in drawers.
"I can't sleep."
Hartia paused in his tidying and stared at Lai. "You can't sleep?"
Lai nodded. "I've been up all week with my latest project, I'm thoroughly exhausted, I've tried absolutely everything, but nothing is working. How did you manage it last time? Because if I recall correctly, I wasn't much help with you."
Hartia shook his head. "You recall incorrectly then for you're the only reason I slept at all." Hartia hesitated before saying, "Why don't you stay with me the night? Perhaps then I might be of some more help to you."
Lai hesitated only a moment before smiling gratefully. "You may well be of great help to me. Thank you Hartia."
"My pleasure. Here." Hartia handed him a book, the second Volume of the Black Tiger series. Lai saw his lips quirk in an amused smile. "To help you fall asleep if naught more."
Lai chuckled softly, taking the book. "Had it been that easy, I would have read your entire collection by now."
Hartia stuck his tongue out at Lai then moved to his bathroom to allow them both more privacy. Lai got up then sat down on the bed and pulled off his boots, suddenly feeling a bit nervous. It was odd though, he'd slept with Hartia before, so why should he feel any different now? Was it because he felt slightly vulnerable about asking Hartia for help?
He had disrobed and was lying under the covers flicking through the book Hartia lent him when said owner of the room walked back in with a small smile. No matter how hard Lai would try to deny it, the comics were captivating and rather entertaining for all. He never actually said he hated them after all, and 'like' can easily turn to 'love' with time and determination.
"What's so amusing?" Lai asked quietly, not looking up from the pages.
Hartia moved in beside him, still smiling. "Nothing really." He rested his chin on Lai's shoulder and glanced over to read the comic along with him. "I love this volume, this part in particular."
"Well don't spoil it for me," Lai admonished with a mock-glare.
"I won't," Hartia promised. He shifted slightly to get more comfortable while also being able to still see the comic over Lai's shoulder.
Lai didn't really seemed to mind how close Hartia was, he actually loosened up in the warm embrace, shifting so they could both be comfortable and see. But soon he slowly felt his mind drift a bit as he contemplated the images before him less and the comforting warmth surrounding him more. He idly wondered with half his mind why he always felt so content around Hartia just before he was caught in sleep.
Hartia glanced down at Lai when he felt his head lean back against his shoulder. It was different to see the stoic psychic like this. Whenever Hartia had stayed with him, Lai was always the last to sleep and first to rise. Hartia had rarely seen him so at peace.
He savoured the rare sight before him for a long moment before taking the book from Lai's weak grasp and placing it on the stand beside the bed and extinguishing the candles around them with magic. He pulled the covers closer around them and held onto Lai tightly, much as the psychic had done for him when he could not sleep.
Kissing the top of Lai's head gently, Hartia let himself drift off.
* * *
Lai stirred slightly from his deep dreamless sleep.
He couldn't recall ever having felt so content while sleeping before. He allowed himself to doze for a while longer before finally realising he should probably get up. He opened his eyes only to wince at the brightness of Hartia's room. It was obviously getting close to noon to judge by the intensity of the sunlight streaming through the window.
He turned his head, knowing he would not find Hartia there at this hour and glanced at the table, finding a note. He woke himself up a bit more and sat up in he bed, stretching and blinking, then he picked up the short note.
Lai,
Couldn't bear to wake you. Did you know how innocent and cute you look while sleeping?
Anyway, I knew you'd need the rest, but I had to get to my classes, so I apologise for not being here when you wake. I also want you to rest for the remainder of the day. You have been up all week, after all, your body must still be a bit weak. Don't do anything to stress yourself.
I should be finished in the late afternoon around dusk, I'll see you then.
Hartia.
Lai blushed slightly at the first statement. Cute? Hartia always did have a rather odd sense of humour, very childish, but it was just another of his extremely endearing traits of his that made him Hartia.
Lai bit his lip in confusion as he suddenly felt very odd. Recently whenever he thought of Hartia he would feel lighter, almost happier and certainly very content. The young sorcerer was his closest friend, but Lai wondered if things had developed even further than friendship. He was beginning to suspect it of himself, but he was still unsure of Hartia.
Placing the note back down he got up and moved into Hartia's bathroom, showering quickly and dressing again, his mind still preoccupied with his odd thoughts. Once ready, he made the bed and cleaned up a bit and headed out of the room.
* * *
Hartia sighed as he headed back to his rooms.
Everything was back to how it was before, without the hassle of upcoming examinations, or the situation he was placed in with Majic's leaving. It was slightly tedious, but comforting in a way. Structure and predictability were something of a comfort to most. Though Hartia was also one who relished in the odd and surprising events that had often occurred in his life. It made things interesting.
For now though, he would enjoy the quiet.
He opened the door, frowning at the lack of life he sensed within the room. He put his books down and headed to his bedroom. Lai was obviously not there, and he had not left a note. Admittedly, Hartia wasn't Lai's keeper, the man could do as he wished, but Hartia was still a bit put out by the fact he didn't say anything to him.
Perhaps he had something on his mind, like I did when I could not sleep.
It seemed the most likely situation. But like he, Lai probably also needed someone to talk things over with.
With a small smile, Hartia left his room in search of his friend, knowing of the most likely place he would find the psychic. He climbed the familiar steps to the battlements easily and stepped out to find what he was searching for sitting exactly as he had all those weeks ago.
Lai felt his friend's approach, but he did not lift his eyes from the gold and crimson scene before him.
Hartia did not sit down, he instead stood, leaning against the thick stone battlements, watching the scene with Lai.
"Have you ever considered how different our lives could be?" Lai asked quietly as the sun continued to set.
"In what way?"
"Any way. What if you had followed Krylancelo instead of staying with us, would you still be as close with me?"
Hartia frowned and looked over at his friend. "Lai? How can you ask such a thing?"
Lai shrugged. He looked away and swung his legs back over the edge so he could stand with Hartia against the battlements. "It was just something that occurred to me today. I wondered what we both would be like had we not known each other so well. I did not find the resulting thoughts very pleasant."
"Good, for I cannot imagine a life without knowing you." Hartia smiled at Lai, who still looked rather melancholy. The smile faded. "Lai, what is it?"
Lai didn't answer immediately, his eyes still trained on the small sliver of sun still left above the shadowed mountains.
"My greatest fear is that you shall leave Hartia. You once told me that you never wished me to leave, for you have lost too many already. I am of the same mind, though I know that I would feel your loss more keenly than any others I have known."
Hartia stared strickenly at the older man, who still refused to meet his gaze. Despite this, Hartia could still see the intense pain and sorrow in his eyes. He reached out and clasped Lai's hand tightly in his own, lacing their fingers together and startling the other man.
"Lai, I shall make the same promise you made to me: I will never leave you. So your fears are rootless."
Lai finally looked up and met Hartia's intense gaze. He smiled at his friend. "Thank you Hartia," he whispered. "I think you well know how much this means to me."
Studying his friend closely, seeing the emotions displayed so openly in his eyes Hartia nodded. "Indeed I do." He paused for a moment, as though considering things. He watched his friend closely, almost hoping for some sort of indication from Lai.
"Hartia?" Lai asked quizzically.
Hartia shook his head and leaned in closer to Lai, hesitating only a moment, perhaps waiting for Lai's consent, before pressing his lips gently to Lai's.
The kiss was only momentary, but both were intensely affected by it.
Hartia watched Lai closely. Was this what he had seen in the other man's eyes before? Longing?
"Lai?" Hartia whispered, but Lai reached up to return the chaste kiss, holding it longer, waiting for Hartia to respond. He closed his eyes as he felt Hartia trail his hand gently over his cheek, returning the soft kiss.
Hartia broke away slowly, opening his eyes and watching Lai as he did so, his hands never breaking contact with Lai's skin. Lai's eyes fluttered open and Hartia smiled gently at him.
"I wonder if you saw that coming," he mused.
Lai started to laugh at the comment and Hartia grinned at the sight.
"That would have ruined the surprise I think," Lai managed to reply after a moment.
"Very true," Hartia agreed wrapping his arms around Lai. "Some things are meant to stay unseen, so we are able to enjoy them more."
Lai smirked playfully. "I'm glad this is so enjoyable for you, but I'm sure it shall be just as enjoyable inside, out of the cold wind." He tugged at Hartia's hands and pulled him towards the stairs, leaving the now darkened scene of their first kiss as they moved together into the warmth of Hartia's room and the comfort of a night shared together.
AN: So how's that for some Hartia/Lai stuff? ^__^ Hope you guys liked that.
Unfortunately the next chapter shall be the last to this particular fic (this wasn't really going to be a long one) But in case you're wondering, I was thinking of writing a sort of sequel to this.
But more on that next time.
Laters.
