oppositum [a (maybe) Nikolai Lantsov story] (currently being reviewed)

XI

the next morning

It was difficult for Nix and Lýkos to wake up, because Lux and Persephone were used to getting up at dawn and as soon as they found them still asleep, they started to bark and lick their companion's face.
While dozing, they got ready to go out for a jog with their isenulfs. The weather was freezing but there was nothing better to wake up to. They ran for an hour before returning to the building, hoping that the canteen was open for a hot drink. Fortunately for them, it had just opened and only a few other young people, also awakened by their isenulfs, were present.
They ate their breakfast in silence and decided to fight afterwards, just to be fresh for the training.
The morning passed smoothly and without problems, Nix and Lýkos were ready for the afternoon. A new instructor introduced himself to them shortly after lunch.

"Hello everyone, nice to meet you, I will be your new instructor until Hringkälla. I will be in charge, however, only of those who have an isenulf. If you'd like to go ahead."

All the young people with an isenulf either in their arms or next to them timidly moved forward.

"Sorry if you thought we would start training with your companions this afternoon, but it will be dedicated to your move to my area. Go gather all the stuff you need and then come back here."

Everyone dispersed and went to their rooms.

"Do you realize, Lýkos! If Lux hadn't chosen me, we would have been separated!"

"Yeah, I think we would have been bored out of our minds..."

Lýkos put an arm around Nix's shoulders.

"Don't worry, you'll still be able to admire my beautiful person for a while!"
"Support you you mean!"

Lýkos patted his friend on the shoulder.

"Besides... I'll only do my drüskelle missions until I come of age... If we want to stay together after that, either we get married or you become my personal bodyguard or advisor. But anyway."
"It doesn't sound very... wise to take a poor peasant as an advisor. Even less so as a husband. And then your guard... the drüskelles won't like it too much if one of them is reduced to that..."

Nic gave him a light punch in the ribs with a smile.

"How is that demeaning?! It's an honor to serve me, you vile peasant!"

The two continued on their way, running and trying to hit each other gently, laughing like whales. When the others passed them in the corridors, they looked at them as if they were crazy, but Nix and Lýkos didn't care.

The packing of their belongings was quick, because at the end of these two years, apart from the few objects received for their birthdays, they had no personal effects. Only a few identical clothes, a toothbrush and a comb. To take them with them, they used an old sheet that they had collected a few months after starting their training to disguise themselves as ghosts and scare the other children. Back in the canteen, all the others were already there.

"Well, since you're all back, we can go to your new rooms. Of course, you will keep the same roommate."

The trip was made with a lot of noise as everyone expressed their wishes for the room they were promised.

"So Nix? How would you like your room?"
"Um... I'd like to have my own shower. And a toilet. Maybe a desk... and a softer mattress. One day I'll make you sleep in my bed, you'll see how soft it is!"

Lýkos burst out laughing as Nix stared at him, wondering how her sentence provoked irality. And suddenly it hit her. Her face turned red and she began to stammer, trying to catch up on what she had said. Lýkos put an arm around her waist and brought his mouth close to Nix's ear, so close that she could feel his breath on her cheek.

"Well then princess, we're trying to put a... how did you say... a vile peasant in your bed?"

Nix swallowed slowly and remained silent, turning even redder.

"I'll take that silence as a confession my dear."

Lýkos placed a kiss on Nix's cheek and then while laughing, winked at her. He walked away but kept his arm around his princess' hips. Nix slapped her cheeks with both hands to compose herself and gave Lýkos a murderous look.

"Idiot. Stop talking nonsense. If you're heard, people will understand everything and really break us up. I've already had to lobby for a roommate... I don't want my efforts to be undone by a mere rumor..."

Lýkos poked Nix's cheek then kissed her temple.

"Don't worry, I'll always find a way to save my princess from the clutches of evil politicians. A true knight in shining armor. Yours."

Nix made a small pout but her eyes laughed.

"Stop making that face, you make me want to eat you alive."
"Shut up or I'll make you regret teasing me like that for the rest of your life."
"Aww, my pretty princess is mad?"

Before Nix could answer him, the group stopped and a silence fell as the instructor opened the door to a sort of living room with several hallways.

"Make two rows of eight, each row will be assigned to a hallway. As for the order of your rooms, I'll let you manage among yourselves. Once you've worked it out, come back here, I still have some things to clarify about that dormitory there before I give you free reign until tomorrow morning."

Nix pulled Lýkos to join the right row as some of the rooms had a window with a view outside. They retrieved the room furthest back from the four in the hallway and threw the bundle with their things on one of the beds before returning to the living room with the others.

"You can make your rooms whatever you want. The showers are individual per room, as well as the toilets. There is no curfew, but I don't want some people to disturb the others by partying until late. You can only leave the dormitory from 5am to 10pm. I think that's all... ah yes, a courtyard is associated to the dormitory where your isenulfs can go out to walk. a trap door to their size is available, don't worry, it can only be opened thanks to a chip implanted in your isenulfs since they are small. I think I've done the trick. So go unpack your stuff and enjoy this place!"

Nix, Lýkos, Lux and Perse' returned to the room. The two isenulfs lay side by side in a bassinet and seemed to have decided to take a nap. Nix and Lýkos unpacked the bundle and put their meager belongings in the large closet and tested the beds one by one to see who was going to get which. Once they had made their choice, they went around the room to see what was inside.

"Great, they provided us with shower gel and shampoo!"
"We even got toothpaste! This room is amazing my dear Nix!"

In their excitement they jumped into each other's arms and stayed in that cuddling position for several good minutes. Nix's head was resting on Lýkos' chest and she calmed down her breaths to those of her friend. Concentrating on the warmth emanating from Lýkos' body, she realized that he was much taller than she was and looked up to meet his eyes.

"My feet hurt. And you're too tall in that position. Let's lie down and continue this hug."
"You're pretty enterprising today Nix, what's up? Have you finally realized my devastating charm?"
"Shut up Lýkos and come."

She grabbed his hand and dragged him to a bed where she put him down to lie on it and then stood next to him and hugged him.

"Let's stay like this. Let's take a nap together... like when you were afraid of the storm and I had to come and sleep with you or you wouldn't stop crying."
"Shh! You're destroying my manly image by saying that, you naughty girl."

Lýkos put his arms around Nix's belly and buried his head in her neck. She stroked his hair tenderly as she smiled.

"But you're right, let's take a nap."

Peacefully, thanks to the presence of the other, they fell asleep quietly.