Last Warriors

3. Friendship Blooms

Plop... Plop...

It's 5 am and, as usual, Yue is throwing pebbles in the creek.

HeDi's life has been changed completely by this twirling adorable elf.

She is always around. For some reason, she wishes to spend time with him and being alone feels unnecessary and distressing.

"Good morning," he says, coming out of the tent with a cloth wrapped around his waist.

Yue smiles. She likes how they have become friends and he is always expecting to see her there.

"Hi!"

HeDi walks to her, stretching his arms wide in the air, and then bends down to give her a kiss on the forehead. Yue shudders and frowns.

"What was that?!" she wonders, surprised.

"Um, a kiss?" he replies, dubious. Doesn't she know what a kiss is?

"Why would you do that?" she asks sincerely.

HeDi thinks for a second, he did not plan to give her a kiss, he did not know he was going to do it. It was something spontaneous and instinctive.

"I guess because my parents did it with me... I don't know! I am so used to seeing you every day that you have become... Family? Or a friend? I don't know! If you don't want me to, I'll try to avoid doing it..." If I can, since I did not even think about doing it... It just happened!

Yue meditates for a while, puckering her lips to the side. "I guess it's fine. We are friends, I suppose," and shrugs her shoulders.

"You're always shrugging your shoulders! -he exclaims, amused by the constant gesture- Do you want breakfast? I can boil some eggs..."

"Sure!"

Dylan puts some eggs in a pot on the fire outside the tent and then goes to the brook to wash up. Yue watches him without realizing she is staring intently. She observes the muscles on his back when he leans forward to draw water with his hands. She sees his legs when he removes the cloth around his waist and is left only with his undergarment. But when he is pulled by her stare and turns his head towards her, Yue suddenly looks away and her cheeks turns red.

Why does she blush? Why does she feel strange when watching him so attentively? She slaps her cheeks, trying to feel normal again.

The water with the eggs is boiling while Dylan puts on some clothes. He then takes the eggs out with a wooden spoon and sets them on a plate.

"I made 2 for you and 2 for me. Eat."

"Thanks!" But Yue waits.

"What is it?"

"It's too hot! I have to wait until they cool down."

"Silly! I'll do it for you..."

He peels the eggs, takes her hand and places one in it.

"Ouch, ouch! It burns!"

HeDi takes the egg back quickly. "Sorry! You really have no tolerance to heat!"

Yue shakes her head with a pout.

It is a fact that Moonlighters have no tolerance to high temperature.

HeDi takes her hand gently and blows cool air on it. "Sorry..." he repeats.

Yue blushes again. Why is he so sweet today? And why is she affected by everything he does?

"I'll leave the eggs on the plate. Eat them when they're cold as stone... -he jokes-. I prefer them warm, but you do what you want..." and winks.

Yue smiles, thanks him, waits a few minutes and then eats the eggs.