WMMAP - [S1] Shelter You - (愛)してる

[Revelation]: A False Hope, You Gave Me

Recap to Chapter 34: Who Shelters Who

"A friend. Is that all I am to you?"

"Yes."

"You called Lucas a friend as well, but he is more than a friend, is he not?"

"...why are you asking me all these... questions?"

"When you were in Obelia, when we were there, together... Did you know, I had feelings for you. I still do. After all these years that we had lost contact."

"I used to have feelings for you."

"You do?"

"Past tense. You are just my past. Things are different now the day you left."

---

"...Please... Can't... Breathe..."

"I... I'm sorry!! I didn't see you!"

The dotted sunlight that made its way through the leaves of a tall old tree shimmered on top of them. Athanasia quickly rolled off the young boy, onto the grass next to him. Embarrassed, she averted her eyes to the ground, fingers knitting together.

"...It is alright." He said.

A voice that seemed generally calm and soft with an easy manner. A voice that lured Athanasia to steal a glance in his direction again. She watched him slowly sit up, and brushed back this beautifully glittering white hair with his fingers. For a moment, time had stopped as a flash of warmth burned Athanasia's cheeks.

He stood up and reached back down to help Athanasia up to her feet, but she would just stare at his hand.

"Ah... Was it the dirt?"

"No-"

He did not wait for her answer as he took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands. A gentle yet serious expression on his face made him look like a man more than a boy.

What does he look like when he smiles? She thought.

He motioned his hand again and this time she took his hand quickly, not wanting him to misunderstand her hesitation from earlier.

"Are you hurt somewhere?" He asked.

"No! No! I'm perfectly fine! Are you?"

"...I hit my head a bit, but this is something minor." He said, rubbing the back of his head. "Why were you running? Is something wrong?"

And then an angry voice boomed through the opened door which made both of them jump. Athanasia unconsciously huddled against the newly found companion, finding a sense of safeness. It made the young man flinch a bit. Hesitantly, he slid his arm over her shoulders. That was the least he could do to calm both of them down, knowing who it was at the door.

Leonidas stopped in front of the doorway, his face turned from anger to surprise, then to a smug expression.

"Well, fancy meeting you again." Leonidas mocked. Ezekiel said nothing. Instead, he grabbed both of Athanasia's hands and gave her a tug, and started walking away.

"Aww... The little pup is going to run away again, isn't he?"

The young man clenched Athanasia's palm, as Leonidas had already gotten under his skin. Ezekiel let go of the hands he held, and turned to his rival head-on. The way he balled his hands into fists, made Leonidas snort in return.

"What? Are you going to punch me? Go on. I will give you a head start."

Ezekiel took the bait and stepped forward. Athanasia could only watch, as she could not find the voice to stop the fight. But she feared for the boy that was half the size of his opposing team.