Chapter 47

After getting hold of a pair of full fingered cycling gloves for him, Arados had suggested False crash on his floor for the night. After all, Ni was hardly likely to try anything with False whilst he was in the presence of one of his uncles. Arados couldn't help but smirk when he remembered referring to himself as Ni's uncle. It was technically true after all, but that didn't make it any less amusing considering how much older Ni was in comparison to him.

For a few moments Arados studied the gloves False had brought for him. The main body of them was white, but the grip on each of the fingers and the Velcro strapping at the wrist was an off coloured black. They were kind of ordinary looking, but at the same time kind of cool, despite the fact they didn't really go with anything in his wardrobe. When the five days were up he would sort out something a little more co-ordinated. Not that he was particularly vain, he'd just rather people's attention wasn't automatically drawn to them and…

His train of thought was interrupted by the sound of False starting to rouse. Turning towards him, Arados peered down. His already limp blond curls did not make for good bed hair and the t-shirt and shorts Arados had loaned him to sleep in didn't really look right on him. But despite this there was just something about watching him wake up that made Arados smile.

'Good night?'

'Huh?' False blinked up at him in weary confusion. 'Oh right,' he stretched, before yawning deeply. 'Your floors surprisingly comfortable.'

'That's probably because of the thick layer of clothing covering it,' Arados laughed, before stretching himself and sitting up. 'Any plans for the day?'

'Apart from trying to avoid my devil of a father, no. You?'

'Well there's not a whole lot I can really do, is there?'

'What do you mean?'

'My agoraphobia,' he shrugged. 'Somehow when I'm with you it goes away for a little while, but…' he shrugged again, trying to keep the comment itself as casual as possible.

'How's your left arm looking?' Slowly False got to his feet, stretching again as he did.

'Um…' Arados lowered his gaze to study it, 'the blue lines no thinker than it was last night. I guess it just transferred over and will probably start growing today.'

'More than likely,' he studied him for a few moments, before moving over to where he'd left his own clothes.

'You're not getting up already, are you?'

'I don't like lounging around much,' False shrugged. 'Is it alright if I use your shower?'

'Vii Sen like to be clean now?' Arados couldn't help but cock a curious eyebrow.

'Only when we're trying to impress people.'

'Oh?'

'Yeah,' he smirked, 'otherwise we just let ourselves become total slobs. Because growing up dead obviously gives us no sense of self-respect.'

'You're winding me up aren't you?' Arados couldn't help but pout slightly.

'Yep, what gave me away?'

'The smirk.'

'Yeah, Kissy says that too. But I just can't keep a straight face when I'm lying.'

'So how often do Vii Sen wash?'

'Probably more often than you,' False tilted his head cockily. 'I mean, you don't look like you've seen water in a month.'

'Hey, it's only been a week.'

'Then you don't laze about well,' he shook his head, before making his way into Arados's bathroom.

'Want me to show you how it works?' Arados called after him.

'I think I can work it out,' False shut the door, 'but you'll be the first to know if I have any trouble.'

After the long talk Lus had with his father the night before, he finally felt better about things. He still couldn't honestly say he was happy with the fact his mother was pregnant with a child she wanted. But that didn't mean he was going to continue being selfish about it. Taking a deep breath, he quietly made his way around the kitchen, preparing breakfast for his parents. It seemed like the kind of thing a kid would do, but he didn't really care. He just wanted to prove he could be mature. After all, that was something brought up in the discussion with his father.

Just as he was preparing the eggs, he felt someone's eyes on his back. Coughing nervously, he continued with what he was doing and tried to remain calm.

'You know I was hoping it would be a surprise.'

'Hoping what would be?' Kisara's voice sounded, surprising him more than a little.

'What are you doing here?' He spun quickly round to face her.

'I couldn't find False,' she frowned. 'I mean, I've never been very good at tracking him, even though I can always tell when he's within a hundred yards of me.'

'I see. But I thought…'

'Oh, don't worry, I went back and slept last night, I promise. But I woke up a little early this morning and thought I'd see if I could find him.'

'You're really worried about him, aren't you?'

'Wouldn't you be?'

'I have been,' he pulled a face. 'I mean, I'm as close to Tay and Ara, as you are to False. That's if I've judged how close you are to False correctly.'

'I don't know,' she shot him a strange look, 'have you?'

For a few moments he couldn't help but wonder what was going through her mind. Then his cheeks suddenly felt hot and swallowing hard he turned away.

'You're blushing,' Kisara laughed nervously.

'I'm not.'

'Yes you are, why?'

'I… um…' he glanced back towards her. 'I…'

'Oh gee,' her face took on a shocked look. 'Oh no. I've got to go.'

'Kisara wait…' but he was already too late, 'but I didn't say…'

'That you definitely do like her?'

Jumping slightly at the sound of his voice, he turned towards where his father was standing.

'I don't…'

'Yes, you do,' his father cut him off, 'but I think you should be careful with her.'

'Why?'

'She's hiding something from you, that's why she ran away just now.'

'You don't think she… likes someone else, do you?'

'I don't know. I just know she's hiding something.'

'Hmm,' Lus pressed his lips together.

'Thank you.'

'What?' He blinked in confusion.

'Your idea,' he pointed towards the half prepared breakfast. 'Thank you.'

'I just wanted to…'

'I know,' his father cut him off. 'Thank you.'