Tales of Arcadia: Mordred's Curse

Part 9

"Mordred..." Douxie knocked on his brother's door, leaning his head against it tiredly. He'd gotten off an extra-long and tiring shift of work that day, Zoe and his other bandmates had already gone home, and he hadn't heard from Irene in three days. Douxie knocked for the fourth time... Hah... The same amount of times Irene and Douxie texted and said they couldn't meet due to opposing schedules. And of course, that was the knock he'd finally heard some commotion before his brother's footsteps heading towards the front door.

Douxie put a hand against the door frame to hold himself up as Mordred opened the door.

Mordred saw him and had to try his best not to laugh, "You... Look awful, my brother."

"I FEEL pretty awful," Douxie confessed.

Mordred stepped aside to let him in, a hand on his back as he passed and went to a chair, "You uh... Wanna talk about it?"

"I wouldn't mind."

"Alright... where'd it start?"

"A few weeks ago, I guess," Douxie mumbled, stretching the back of his neck as he sighed.

Mordred simply listened, occasionally jumping in to clarify things.

Douxie's voice always seemed to sort of rush or mumble over whenever he said Irene's name... Yeesh... Whatever feeling he did have for her, they'd gone farther than either of them had hoped in the circumstance.

"Maybe the distance from Irene is a good thing," Mordred suggested gently.

"You SAY that, but I can't stop thinking about her..." Douxie muttered, ruffling his hair up.

"You SAY that, but I can't stop thinking about her..." Douxie muttered, ruffling his hair up.

"And you say she hasn't shown up in days...?" Mordred said carefully.

Douxie simply sighed in response, his eyes watering a bit the moment he'd stopped talking.

Mordred frowned, "Douxie..."

Hisirdoux looked away, with a very faint smile, "Why do you always insist on being right?" He said faintly.

"Douxie, look at me, alright?" Mordred said, putting his hands on his little brother's shoulders, "Look at me... I didn't say any of this to hurt you, I said it to advise? I'm your big brother, it's kind of my job... Just try not to think about it, alright?"

"... Alright."

Mordred hugged Douxie again, he could almost feel how nervous the younger wizard was, even as he pulled away.

Mordred checked his watch before hissing in a breath, "You can stay the night if you need, but I've got someone I promised to meet in a few, I'll be back in about an hour."

"I'll head home. Thanks anyway, Mordred."

"I could drive you if you want?"

"I'm all right. Thank you, really."

"Alright," Mordred smiled, heading out with Douxie, getting in his car as Douxie started walking.

"That kid really is a sad boi," Mordred muttered.