Chapter 41: "No one loves me like you do" (End of Season 1)

Song recommendation: Like you do (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0IFcRBQB4E&t=1396s)

Ace nodded but his eyes were still on Kalandra who was draped around Clover. Her hard glare was noticeable. He quickly retreated back into his books to get away from her. He was glad when the bell tolled at the end of the day and he had some time away from her.

He and Albaric returned to the student halls. He noticed Albaric was particularly chipper and smiled.

"I think you two would make a good match," Ace observed. "You and sister Rena,"

Albaric's face went bright red, "What are you saying?" he jostled Ace playfully.

Ace realised he hadn't seen Albaric this happy in some time. He felt relieved.

"Sister Rena seems like a good person," Ace went on.

"She is," Albaric said, becoming more serious, "She was a friend of my sister,"

Ace turned to him. He knew Albaric's sister had died during the war but he rarely mentioned her. This was the first time he had brought it up on his own.

"Was your sister a member of the order?"Ace asked softly.

"Mmm," Albaric nodded slowly, "We didn't get to see each other often when we were young, but sometimes I would sneak into the temple to visit her. Rena was always by her side. She was a really shy and quiet kid," he began to laugh but then his eyes filled with sadness.

"Anyway," he inhaled sharply, "She's a sister now,"

"What does that matter?" Ace paused.

Albaric gave a wide grin. He spun Ace around by the shoulders. He hadn't noticed by they had reached their door.

"Go get ready," Albaric patted him on the back then left for his own room.

Ace surmised that was the extent Albaric wanted to discuss the matter. He stepped into his room. What was there to get ready? He always wore the same thing. He only had the shirts Albaric had bought him in the Elf country. Nevertheless, he set out a long black sleeved shirt.

It skimmed down his carved tanned muscles. He threw on his jacket and waited. It wasn't long before the sisters arrived to escort them back to the courtyard. It was the winter season so the courtyard was usually a sparse husk.

The first thing Ace noticed was that the students were loitering the edges of the courtyard. They seemed to be filtering around the edges of the courtyards as if a section had been cordoned off. As they approached Ace saw that was indeed the case.

When they reached the green, a small set of blankets and refreshments had been set up. A set of lanterns lit the area around them. The sisters formed a row breaking the area off from the others, though it was too dark to see who was there anyway.

They walked further down. Clover and Kalandra were already huddled together on one of the blankets. Sister Rena rose from the other side to greet them as they approached.

"You didn't need to go to all this trouble," Albaric gushed. He scratched his head with uncharacteristic self-consciousness.

"It is no trouble," Rena replied. "This is something I used to do for the younger girls. I think the students need some relief. Please take a seat,"

Albaric timidly took a seat on one of the blankets beside her. Ace was wondering where he ought to sit when Clover waved to him emphatically. He could still feel Kalandra's eyes drilling into him but he took a seat anyway. Ace stared up at the blank canvas above them.

The sky was clouded. Despite Rena's efforts, it was a dull, starless night. Moreover, it was bitterly cold. Not even the blankets could warm them. The truth was, he hoped they could go in soon. Why did Clover ask to come out here?

Rena stood in front of them, "Please be patient with me. It's been a long time since I've done this,"

Ace wondered what she was going to do. She held out her hand. A flicker of light broke into a fiery whirl around her hand. The warm glow dove out into the blank night's sky painting it roaring red and efflorescent orange.

Ace starred up breathlessly. Just when he thought it couldn't get any more dazzling, the flames began to move wildly. Slowly but surely, small flowers and intricate patterns spiralled around through the night air. The ferocity of the fire was so great it warmed the air nicely.

Sister Rena's magic was beyond what he imagined. Despite the continuing flares and designs, she took a seat. It continued to light the sky. From behind, the student's began to clap and cheer. For that one instance, the dark tower was transformed into something bewitching and magical. It was just like the storybooks.

Ace couldn't look away. It could have been minutes or hours, but the show made the time pass differently. Ace's reverie was broken, by a warmth against his hand. A soft hand was interlinked with his. Clover's white hair tinkled his nose as they leant against him. It seemed like a dream. Maybe the whole night was a dream.

Finally, the show ended. The last of the dazzling light was subdued under the dark sky. However, as the students disappeared and the sisters began to pack the things away. One thing remained. There was the hand still interlocked with his, still warm.

Ace glanced over at the rest of the group. Rena and Albaric were still in conversation. Kalandra was lying down at the other side asleep. And then there was Clover, breathing softly against Ace's chest. He realised his heart was pounding.

"What did you think of the show?" Clover said.

"It...was beautiful," Ace flushed. "Did you tell her to do that?"

Clover looked up at his face. "It was better than I expected,"

They were so close, Ace could feel the blood rising. He hoped they couldn't see how red he had become in the dark.

"I've never seen anything like that," Ace said, trying to fill the silence.

Clover's eyes twinkled. They smiled warmly. Ace swallowed hard, he averted his eyes. Friends. They were friends. They were just friends. Ace started to pull his hand away but Clover caught it tightly.

"Look at me," another hand slid around his neck.

Ace found himself looking deeply into Clover's eyes.

"What is it that you like about me?"Clover said softly.

"What I like about you..." Ace stammered. Could he really answer that?

"Ah, just forget it," Clover's hand began to break from him.

"I like your laugh," Ace blurted out, "I like the way your hair glisten in the light. I like how soft your touch is. I like..."

"That's enough," Clover rolled their eyes.

But Ace wasn't finished, "but most than any of the rest, I like that when I look into your eyes I see this... light. It's so bright, I think it might blind me. But I want it to. I wouldn't mind if I could just see you. I mean really see you - all of you - even if it was just for one moment,"

"You're not afraid?" Clover asked quietly.

"I'm afraid all the time," Ace frowned, "but I still can't stop looking,"

"No one loves me like you do," Clover smiled.

Then something came over Ace, he pressed his lips to theirs. He expected them to pull away or repel him but instead, the hand-pulled him closer. He felt the full force of the hot and breathless kiss.

He couldn't hold himself back. He grabbed Clover and they fell back on the blanket. He never knew a kiss could feel this good. It was so deep and consuming, he didn't want it to end. The whole world disappeared...

"Ace?"

Ace opened his eyes. He stared down, his chest rising and falling rapidly. Clover's porcelain features stared back at him. For a moment he was lost in the thought: How can anyone be so perfect?

"Don't forget to breathe," Clover let out a light laugh.

Ace's eyes widened. He quickly took in a breath, his cheeks flushing pink. He met Clover's eyes more timidly.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"Why are you sorry?" Clover continued to laugh.

They skimmed a finger along his chest. It felt like it touched every nerve. It kept going further and further down. Ace shivered as it stopped above his waist.

"I forgot how muscular you are," Clover remarked.

"You don't like it," Ace faltered.

"It's growing on me," Clover smirked.

They pulled him down once more. This time he fell under their sway. Ace could feel Clover's chest against his and their fingers running through his hair. He felt a hot breath against his ear then a warm caress down his neck. Without meaning to a moan escaped his lips.

"Oh? I barely touched you," Clover grinned," You're pretty sensitive,"

Ace's face became red again. He was about to look away when Clover caught him by the chin.

"Why are you always looking away?" Clover asked earnestly.

"When I look at you, I can't control myself," Ace confessed.

"Control is an illusion," Clover pressed their lips to his, "and it feels much better without it."

--------------------- (End of Season 1) -------------------------------