Of Love and Death.

The Past Chapter 14: Party Time! Pt. 5

Mind smiled. In a single step, he closed the gap between himself and Fire. He wasn't relieved. Fire's words hadn't assured him of anything. Because he hadn't needed to be assured that the sun wouldn't hurt him. He'd already known that. Been more certain of his safety around his friend than anything in this universe.

With his mouth still in a smile, Mind hugged Fire. Wrapped his arms around the sun and pressed his face into the sun's shoulder. The soft smoky scent of burning wood enveloped him. If the shadow hadn't already been at peace, he would have been now. Fire's presence did that to him. With barely a breath, Fire started to hug him back, just as Mind began to speak, "I do too," the shadow whispered softly, closing his eyes. He meant it just as much as his crush had. And he knew Fire knew that.

Now they were back to where they'd begun. No sound in the room except for Mind and Fire's breathing. But now it sounded so much louder. Mind could hear and feel his friend's chest rise and fall. Calmly and smoothly, in rhythm with his own inhaling and exhaling. The shadow let his mind wander until he thought of nothing. He knew Fire did the same. They were just at peace, there with each other.

After a long while, there was a knock on the door. It was jarring and unexpected and caused Mind to jump backwards. Who, huh? He exclaimed. The mind-reader wasn't used to being snuck up on. Normally, he knew everyone who was in his vicinity. There was a bit of shock on Fire's face as well. Although the shadow didn't know if that was because someone knocked, or because he'd abruptly hopped out his boyfriend's arms.

With his heart still beating fast from the shock, but Mind had realized it was just Water. You kind of figure out who someone was when you speak in their brain. But the shaking didn't quite go away. That was the annoying thing about fight or flight. It lasted much longer than was useful when there wasn't a threat. Was useful when you were in danger. But right then Mind looked somewhat silly.

Instead of answering Mind's question, Water just kept talking. "Just letting you know, Light wants you soon, Fire. He plans on revealing his big grand plan," the sun explained, his voice slightly muffled by the door. But still more than understandable.

A pang of disappointment ran through Mind. He knew that he and Fire couldn't just hide away forever. But he had been enjoying it. Judging from the look on Fire's face, the sun felt the same way. He was looking slightly down, a mournful expression in his eyes. "Alright, fine," Fire grumbled.

Outside the door, Water laughed. "Alright. See you soon," the fish-like Nexus Force agreed. Although Mind knew that the man who'd become his friend understood Fire and his annoyance.

As Water's footsteps disappeared, Mind looked at Fire. "I'd forgotten about the whole reason for this party," Fire sighed sadly. There wasn't much Mind could say to that. He'd forgotten too. Most everyone had. Save Light, annoyingly.

Me too, Mind agreed with a sigh as well.

There was something on both Mind and Fire's thoughts. Something which the latter seemed to be trying to hide he was wondering about. Mind wasn't quite sure why. Maybe his boyfriend was embarrassed. Fire didn't seem to know either. But either way, well, that could be figured out later.

Taking a step forward, Mind let his grin return. "What is it?" Fire asked, his mouth twitching. There was something in the sun's voice. Slightly confused but also a little bit hopeful. Almost a chuckle to the words. Not too slow, not too quick, Mind took Fire's hand in his. And the sun did the same with Mind's free hand.

"You want to kiss me," the mind reading shadow said with a certainty that was unique to him. The look on Fire's face was enjoyable. Bright red with a slightly huge grin. And by slightly, Mind meant very large.