Outside

Chapter 9

I don't remember ever falling asleep. The last time I checked the clock was 6 AM. Now I'm waking up at 4, just a few hours before the event Occi has planned. I groggily stumble out of bed to grab a bite to eat from the dining hall. Upon opening my door, I spot a folded piece of paper at my feet. The words "From, Kyan" catch my eye immediately and I read over the letter.

Dear Nox,

Meet me in the training area. Don't ask. Just come. I mean, no rush, but whenever you have the chance! Also, good morning, or afternoon, or whenever you see this. :D

From, Kyan

Forget breakfast. I want to see him.

I get dressed and fly out the door. I rush down the winding hallways past countless doors until I reach the large double doors with the Training Room sign. The bright lights stun my sleepy eyes, and I rapidly blink in attempt to focus my eyes. A blurry figure steadily moves across my line of vision, heading towards me. The object comes into focus and the haze of color gains character.

"She's alive!" Kyan shouts. He looks exhausted but his eyes are filled with excitement. "Holy crap, Noxie, that may just be a new world record for sleeping in." He teases, sounding out of breath.

"What are you doing here of all places?" I ask him, yawning and curious why he wanted to come back to the place where he got beat up.

"I figured I'd pretty much be useless if I needed to protect you... or myself, so Occi is teaching me how to use weapons and fight in ways that are less of a strain on me. So far I've tried a few handguns and an automatic rifle or two from Occi's arsenal but..."

"Wait, you're learning how to use weapons?" I ask him. Kyan isn't even the type to hurt a fly. Learning how to use things like that seems so unlike him.

"I figured it was about time that I started protecting you, so I called Occi over to help me with that." His face is bright and enthusiastic for someone learning to hurt people.

"Not gonna lie, Key, it seems concerningly out of character of you to learn this kinda stuff. I'm fine taking the "protecting" part of our relationship." My face turns red and I bite my tongue. "Of our friendship, that is." I correct myself.

"But I'm a guy. I'm supposed to protect you too. You're always playing bodyguard with me and I just want you to feel like I have your back too."

"If it comes down to it, I'm not letting you throw yourself in front of me to protect me, ok? If you ever got killed because you were protecting me, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself." I reply.

"I'll still play it safe; you know me. I'm saying worst-case scenario. Like if you... I don't know... ran out of bullets and someone was about to stab you or something." He folds his arms. "I've been practicing and I'm not too terrible with the low-recoil handguns."

"I don't care how good you are, you're not putting yourself in danger. I'll always be by your side for defense, so it's ok." I grab his wrist. "It isn't like you to be so eager to learn how to harm someone."

"I'm doing this for you!" He throws his hands in the air, forcing me to let go.

"Then stop!" I shout back.

"Fine! Sheesh, I was trying to do the right thing." He sighs, shaking his head.

"Kyan." I grab his wrist again. "You're perfect the way you are. Please don't think you have to be some violent tough-guy because of some stupid thing Ellie or Drew told you." I tell him, staring straight into his eyes.

"I want to be stronger for you."

"Don't let them get into your head. You are strong. You can outsmart any situation. You can defend yourself fine without harming people." I grab his other wrist. His eyes find the floor, and his hair covers his face. I rest my forehead on his and he sighs. "You always told me violence shouldn't be the answer. Don't change your values because of other people's stupidity."