Chapter 5: In the Rough

She was staring again- not at me, just out into space with an unreadable expression. The test had come back negative, and while I knew I should be feeling relieved- I wasn't. It was a strange feeling, actually...

I'd never had anything against Atlas. Prior to living with her and the rest I'd simply dismissed her as an uncouth and unladylike 'savage', for lack of a better word. As we'd gotten more familiar with each other however, I had allowed myself to get curious...

She was utterly and completely different from any of the girls I'd met living in Merceya with my family. She was a strong and willful person, who had endured what we knew as a 'living hell' in day to day life and come out the better for it. She was a fighter and a survivor. Yes, she could be crass and stubborn at times, but really that was an essential part of who she was. She did not tolerate idiocy, and was unafraid to speak her mind and tell anyone and everyone exactly what she thought of them.

And truthfully I found that honesty to be refreshing.

Women from home were usually just seen and not heard, unless they were talking among themselves. It was the same with children. Mother had been one of the rare 'exceptions' to that unspoken rule, and even though she spoke her mind she was always soft-spoken... She'd always held back and not allowed her emotions to overwhelm her judgement.

I leaned my head back in thought. Now I was feeling homesick too, somewhat... I didn't miss the neat lawns or the big empty houses. I didn't even miss the people too much, and I certainly didn't miss Father. My mother, on the other hand, I did miss- sorely...

Atlas huffed, and I looked over as she got up from the table. "... So what next?" she asked, looking at me.

"I'm not sure, really," I replied. "Call me crazy, but I'm actually somewhat disappointed..." I said, before hastily adding "Not at you."

She grinned. "What then? Don't tell me you were secretly hoping for kids outta me..." she said with a short laugh.

"Well, no... Though I'm not altogether opposed to the idea anymore," I admitted. "If you'd be willing I wouldn't mind courting you."

"Courting?" she asked, looking confused. "Are you asking me out or what?"

I chuckled. "...Oh God what am I getting myself into?" I asked quietly. "Yes, I'm asking you out. If you're willing to have me, I'd like to try at least once."

"I'll think about it," she said, stretching. "Right now I've got other things on my mind."

"Oh? Like what?" I asked.

"It's Saturday, and Siar's waiting for me outside for our usual spar..." she explained. "Gonna have to focus on that for now."

"Oh, well all right," I said, nodding as I grinned. "Just don't get hurt." She rolled her eyes and grinned back, before heading outside.

I closed the door behind me, scanning the back yard for any signs of my sparring partner. Not a trace- good... "Gotta give him credit, when I tell him to hide he does a very good job," I mused, stepping off of the porch.

I walked to an empty and open part of the yard, where I could get a brief moment to think about things. He couldn't jump me if there was no cover.

So Aeo wanted to date me? That was a kinda sudden turn of things, but not a bad one. I had to admit, after that little scuffle we'd had a few days back he was definitely growing on me. And apparently the feeling was mutual. Under any other circumstances I'd say 'what the hell' and go for it.

But here I was feeling like I was getting torn in half...

A sudden sound behind me caught me of guard, and I jumped nearly a foot off the ground. Too slow, and Siar lunged into me. So much for open spaces being safe. "Looks like there's a snake in the grass!" I shouted, rolling with him once we hit the ground.

He wound up on top. "You're sloppy today..." he said, getting off. "Something up?"

I blinked, still on the ground on my back. "Not really, was just in the middle of some deep thinking, you know?"

"...My apologies for interrupting," he said. "Do you wish to talk instead of spar, this time?"

I glanced over to him. "You okay with that? I mean, I know you look forward to these little matches."

"It can wait. If you need to talk," he said, tentatively placing a hand on my shoulder "I will listen."

I felt myself blush. "Well..." I started, sitting up. "Aeo asked me out right before I came outside. I kinda wanted your input on it..."

"What do you want to do?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," I said. "I mean, he's a good guy. If I weren't so worried about you I'd have said yes right then."

"Why are you worried about me?" he asked.

I looked over to him. "You know why, Siar..."

He frowned. "...It's a valid concern, but I will live," he said. "You've said it before, I'm a lot better than I was when we met."

"So you think I should agree?" I asked.

"It would be a disservice to yourself to not at least try," he answered. "I will still be here if things do not work."

"You're a good man, Isamu... and an even better friend. Don't ever doubt that," I said.

I waited inside for their little match to be over with. As I was waiting, I let myself get acquainted with the idea of dating Atlas- or was I going to have to call her Marti from now on?

Would I take her to introduce to my parents? 'Father would have a fit' I thought with a cheeky grin. I wasn't sure how Mother would take it, but she'd always said to do what made me happy. I liked to think she would approve, because next to Atlas's approval I needed hers also.

And of course this was all assuming she would say yes. Her refusal was just as likely, if not more-so. The back door opened, and Atlas and Siarnaq walked back inside. "That was quick," I noted.

"Well, he did jump me," she said, shrugging as Siarnaq made his way back to his room. She watched him leave, before turning to me and coming over. "Truthfully, I got distracted... Was thinking about earlier..."

"Oh... Sorry about that," I said, pursing my lips nervously. "I guess I should have waited?" I asked.

She shook her head, chuckling a bit, "Maybe. It doesn't matter now though." She leaned back against the doorway, glancing away a bit before grinning. "I decided I'm gonna give dating you a shot."

I blinked. "You will?"

"Well yeah. I like you, so why not?" she asked, looking up and giving a more open grin. And I could see that she was actually blushing, her tanned skin taking on a more reddish hue. "But we gotta learn more about each other, fair?"

"Yes, that's perfectly fair," I said. "We could start now, if you wish. I do have some pictures we can look through."

She nodded, and I led her back to my room and began looking for said pictures. "Wish I could say I have some, but I really just brought a few along with me when I left home..."

"You can get them," I said. She left, and while she was gone I found what I was looking for. I sat on the bed, looking through old picture albums and picking out a few images to examine more closely.

I had to admit, most of them were good memories... And maybe this new turn of events would lead to more of them.

Only time would tell, really...

After a moment of waiting, my ears just barely picked up the faint sound of the piano being played. Curiosity got the better of me, and I got up, walking toward the living room. Atlas stood at the end of the hall, and motioned for me to stay quiet as we listened.

I peeked around the corner, surprised at the sight. 'Well, I suppose now I know why Thetis mentioned the piano,' I thought, watching the blue-haired teen play. After a while, I nudged Atlas. "That's a dancing piece he's playing," I whispered.

"I don't dance..." she replied. "Well, not to that..."

"Do you not know how?" I asked. She shook her head, and I smiled. "Would you like to learn?" I asked, taking her hand lightly.

She glanced down at our hands, before looking at me. "Only if it's you teaching..." she said, seeming almost shy about it. Probably was the first time I'd picked up on it too.

Deciding to take a chance I pulled slightly on her hand and leaned up onto my toes, giving her a light kiss on the lips. I held myself there a moment, before feeling her other arm wrap around my back and she started kissing back.

Mentally I grinned. She hadn't done much kissing before, but that was all right. Yes, maybe Atlas had a few rough edges. Maybe she needed some polishing...

Didn't mean she wasn't still a diamond...