Writer's Corner: I'm happy so many people like the story so here's an update! Thanks for the reviews and another big shout out to Tsume for beta-reading!

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ρ α ş τ — ρ ѓ ε ş ε η т — ғ υ т υ ѓ ε

a Terra/Aqua collection

by

P h o e b e N o i r

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S t a g e 2

"ϊ đ ε α ş"

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"So...did it work?" Ven asked, looking over at Terra, who was slumped almost double.

Both boys were sitting on the edge of the dock, letting legs dangle over the edge above the surface of the water. The sun was setting, casting multi-colored beams of light across the sky. Dark blues and purples shone on the crystal water. The stars were starting to come out, but Ven didn't notice. He was too busy worrying over his friend, who looked like he might roll into the ocean.

"No," Terra muttered under his breath, clenching his fist as he bowed his head more.

Ven patiently waited for Terra to continue, but as usual he had to prompt him. "...Okay, why?" Terra's response was an exasperated sigh.

Over the past week, Terra had been trying to get Aqua to go out with him. Not go out as friends, but as each other's dates. However, every time he tried, Aqua seemed to misunderstand.

When he suggested they go have lunch, she brought her books and invited Ven to come along. When he suggested they meet up at the sparring field to do something, she showed up with four people behind her. She was under the impression they were going to have a practice session, so she invited more people to observe.

"So we can all practice. It's great, since we'll be tested on enemy ambushes soon," she told him, with that smile that made it hard to be upset with her... but not so much with everyone else. After that session, the rest of the poor freshmen went back to their rooms with sore ribs, cuts, and singed clothing.

Finally, at his wit's end, Terra went to Ven for advice. Terra had taken his advice and applied it earlier that day. Now Ven was waiting for the results.

"...She's allergic," Terra deadpanned. Ven blinked and then rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"She doesn't seem the type to be allergic to flowers...what kind did you get her?"

"...Amaryllis," Terra told him, sighing before he explained what happened. He had half a dozen red and white amaryllis flowers in his hands as he waited for Aqua to come out of class. She was always the last to leave, but the moment she stepped out of the door her eyes zeroed in on the flowers. She quickly backed away, covering her nose. Terra for the most part was stunned. He was exceptionally hygienic!

"Aqua?" he asked, only for her to put a hand in front of him in a 'stop' fashion.

"Don't come close. I'm sorry, but I'm really allergic to those flowers," she explained. Aqua quickly apologized again, telling him she would see him later before running away in the opposite direction.

"...Do you even know what Amaryllis means?"

"No. Does that matter?"

Ven groaned and pressed his palm to his forehead. "Tragic love."

Terra raised his head slightly to stare at the blond-haired boy. "How exactly would you know that?"

Ven shrugged, putting his hands behind him so he could lean against them. "I hear things."

Terra opted to say nothing, preferring to look over the water and ponder his next move. There had to be a way to get Aqua to go out with him—just the two of them with no one else—and have her understand that he liked her. Thus far his only plan was locking her up in a room and telling her there...using diagrams. Finally Ven piped up again.

"Why not try serenading her? Girls like that." The moment those words slipped from Ven's lips, he was promptly shoved into the water.

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