Circles

Part 2 - Corym's Story

It was two days after the incident, and Corym Bloom couldn't stop thinking about Milo Anani. The idiot was clearly hiding from him, keeping them trapped in a constant game of cat and mouse.

He would have thought that finally taking a step with his crush would make things easier. Hah.

Maybe he was the idiot.

It was late afternoon when he knocked on Milo's door. Seventh time lucky, the door opened, and Corym felt a trace of butterflies in his stomach he hadn't felt in years upon seeing the tall human. He smiled at Milo's instant blush.

"Hi. Finally, Hi..."

"Hi... Hey, Corym, about the other night, I'm so sorry I -"

"No. Milo I've grown good at rejecting people, there's no being sorry here, okay? If you were out of bounds I would have made it abundantly clear." Corym said with a grin, reaching out to Milo's arm, who immediately tensed.

"I-... why are you here?"

Corym took a step back and smiled, before bowing at the waist before Milo, extending a hand. "Will you do me the honor of joining me this fine evening, my liege?" He said, exaggerating a posh accent in hopes it would make Milo smile.

It was surreal, the joy he felt when he saw that grin.

Gods, he was hopeless.

With Milo's hand in his, Corym led him to a secret part of Upper Menthis. When he was young, he had found a sub-balcony, a small wooden observation deck, abandoned since the war was last threatening the Sharn borders. Now, higher towers served the same purpose.

This place was secluded, decorated with a few dancing lights, some pillows and a small mountain of snacks and drinks. The balcony looked outside of the city, towards a smoking, red horizon from a faraway battle.

"Not that this isn't beautiful, and flattering and all... but why did you bring me here?" Asked Milo, taking a seat on one of the pillows and reaching for a sweet roll.

"Thought a genius like you might recognize a first date when he saw it" joked Corym with a wink, handing a glass of wine to Milo, who seemed flustered into silence.

He was so adorable, it was truly unfair.

"There's... ah. Another reason I brought you here" started Corym, taking a seat next to him. "Two nights ago, when I found you screaming from those nightmares... you just started speaking, and told me so much about those dreams that plague you night and day. You made yourself vulnerable. To me. You showed me the darkest part of yourself. And since that night, I've been obsessed by the things you've told me, and the want to tell you my own story. My own nightmare. If you will hear me."

Milo nodded silently, allowing him to continue.

"OK, here it goes. I know there's a lot of rumors about me and my family going around the school and the Institute. The last person I had the displeasure of joining on a date thought I was an orphan, a professor asked me if my parents were in jail... I hear the whispers in a hall calling me a bastard. None of it is fully true, Milo." He took a breath, and finished his glass of wine, maybe too quickly.

The buzz helped.

"I- you know my type. I'm half-drow, meaning we live to about 500 years. I remember the war vividly. I was just a kid, those 100 years ago, and some things are blurry. But I remember the pretentious cockiness of those who came to the Underdark and made us leave, so they could use our home to hide. I remember running and hiding through the battlefield as we were trying to find a safe way out. I remember the chains around my wrists - mine and my family's - of those on the other side of the battle, thinking we were enemy spies. I remember the prison dinners and the cold stone floors and the metal bars they kept us behind. I remember my father being interrogated, and hurt. It- it was infront of us."

"Corym, I-"

Corym held up a hand. "I need to finish this." He took a shaky breath

"They never trusted us Drowfolk. Very few did. Until one day, months later, an elven woman clad in silver armor freed us. She freed all those of my kind, and we were brought to an estate, where we were interrogated once, peacefully. She uhm, gave me this" he lifted an arm, showing a complex bracelet on his wrist. "I can't remember her name, just that she was important. Unfortunately... the prison was right about one thing. My dad was holding secrets... he- he's still in jail. After that, our names were cleared, and we were given a small house on the central plateau. Mom and I have been actually quite happy there and still go visit my dad sometimes."

"I dream of that time of my life often. It's mostly a mess of emotions and sensations, but they always come back. That's also why I'm spending as much time as I can at the Institute. I see the war coming closer, Milo. I need to be ready to fight, for others, for my kind, and for myself." Corym looked out towards the red horizon and flinched at the sound of an explosion in the distance. "We're all shattered, Mi, but sharing our stories heals us, one fragment at a time."

He waited in silence for a moment, letting his story sink in around them.

"Mi?"

Corym chuckled. "I was trying something out."

He was surprised by what happened next. Milo had shifted over to his side, adjusted some pillows, and pulled Corym close, holding him tight and safe. Corym sank into his embrace, thankful that his complexion didn't allow blushing to stand out.

They sat there together in silence, watching the sunset. Only once the first stars came out did Milo speak.

"I won't tell anyone. I promise. And..."

"And?"

Milo shook his head. "I um-"

Corym saw something shift in his eyes then. They went from their usual enchanting gold and silver to a darker red. He watched as he shook his head in frustration. That change vanished as quickly as it appeared.

It may have been a trick of the light.

Instead of focusing on it, he smirked. "Let me guess. And... I'm lucky that the guy I'm dating is good with nightmares and is exceptionally cozy to snuggle with?"

Corym burst out laughing at Milo's immediate blush and tiny nod that followed. "I don't know about that second part but-" Milo groaned and hid his face in Coryms shoulder.

Well damn, he was in trouble.

Corym stood up, pulling Milo up with him. "Thank you for listening, dear" He whispered, before reaching up to kiss him.

Yeah, absolutely in trouble. The guy tasted like honey and morning dew, for crying out loud.

"Now, no need to apologize for doing that last weekend anymore, by the way, we're even."

His hand fit nicely in Milo's as they walked back to their respective rooms.

Art by me, @justanothernerdling on insta