Okay... So, Here's The Thing...

Chapter 29

"I'm sorry. I really am." Lukas burst out.

Raven offered a small smile. "It's okay. Don't cry, I promise I'm not mad at you." He brushed the tears off Lukas' face— he hadn't even realized he'd been crying.

"Well, I am a little mad at you, yes." Raven said after a moment. "But I'm mostly worried about you. This isn't like you. And I was mad because Elaine's involved. She's nothing but trouble." Raven grumbled.

Lukas let out a little laugh. "Yeah. I know. And I was being stupid when I even decided to come here in the first place."

He paused. "But... I wanted to prove that I'm able to do stuff on my own. And you don't have to be my knight in shining armor all the time."

Raven quirked an eyebrow. "Who says I'm your knight in shining armor?"

Lukas opened and closed his mouth, like a gaping fish out of water. Raven laughed, rubbing circles on his arm. Then he stood up and sat beside Lukas on the bench.

"I think, you're your own knight. And you're certainly no damsel in distress." He said firmly. "You are an amazing person. You're more than capable of protecting and rescuing yourself. Me being there for you isn't me being your savior and knight."

Lukas teared up.

"You are more than okay and you don't need to prove anything, or change yourself in anyway." Raven's eyes softened. "You're perfect the way you are."

His eyes darted down to Lukas'... lips. Then they went back to his eyes.

Lukas' heart thundered.

Raven locked eyes with him and he stared back. The dark-haired boy leaned closer.

"Can I..."

Lukas' heart fluttered. Raven licked his lips. Lukas gulped.

And then, Raven cleared his throat, leaning back. Lukas blinked, confused.

Raven coughed awkwardly. "Oh, um, never mind."

He let out a small laugh, looking away. Lukas laughed awkwardly along.

Stupid me. What was I expecting?! For Raven to—

Raven stood up. "C'mon, let's get you to sober up." He smiled.

—

Lukas was leaning on Raven, the latter holding up more than half his weight, as Raven led him into the Gwon mansion and up the stairs.

"Eun-sun hyung's still at the boring meeting. He told me he'd brief me in the rest of what I missed, but I doubt it's anything important." The dark-haired male spoke.

Lukas stumbled, and Raven steadied him. "Careful." He murmured. Lukas blushed. "Thanks."

Since when did I BLUSH whenever Raven talked?! Why am I...?

Lukas chose not to think about it too much.

Raven helped him up the stairs and led Lukas into his guest room and sat the brown-haired boy on the edge of the bed.

"If you feel like throwing up, throw up. You need to get the alcohol out of your system. After you do, I'll get you water. Then you should wash up and sleep." Raven said gently, already taking a towel and draping it over the chair next to the bathroom door.

"I—I don't have any clothes to change into. The ones Eun-sun bought for me to wear are all in the laundry now." Lukas said, a little embarrassed.

"You can borrow my clothes then." Raven offered. In a blink, with a huge gust of wind, he had sped off using his vampire speed. He didn't need to hide it anymore around Lukas.

The boy smiled goofily, thinking about the dark-haired male. Raven came back with a set of fluffy pajamas. He set it down on the bed beside Lukas, and patted the other's back.

"C'mon, you should at least shower—"

A lurch of sickness shot up Lukas' throat and he shot up, shoving Raven aside. He bolted to the bathroom and crashed in front of the toilet, retching into it.

Great. I threw up. Lukas thought bitterly. Well... At least I got the alcohol out.

There was a shuffle behind him. Then, warm hands patted his back, soothingly. Raven gingerly combed his fingers through Lukas' hair, and the latter nearly melted.

"Good, the alcohol's at least out. I'll get you some water. In the mean time, rinse your mouth if you're done... um..." Raven awkwardly gestured to the toilet.

Lukas wanted to laugh, if it weren't for his stomach and throat aching. He instead nodded with a weary smile, waving Raven's fussing hands away.

Raven looked decidedly relieved as he bolted to get water for the other. He came back just as Lukas was done washing his face and rinsing his mouth. It still tasted gross.

Lukas was given a glass of cool water and a mint. "For your dry throat and also for the taste." Raven explained.

Lukas grinned. "You really are the best."

Raven smiled. "I know. You tell me that a lot."

Lukas downed the entire glass of water and chewed the mint. It really did help with the taste.

"Okay, now get in the shower and wash up." Raven said half sternly. "It'll be better for you to go rest as quick as possible. The sooner, the better."

Lukas chuckled. "Okay, mom."

Raven scowled, before sighing.

Lukas stood up, only to have a dizzy spell wash over him. Raven caught him as he was about to fall and his brows furrowed.

"Are you okay? What happened?" Raven asked. Lukas managed to mumble out a half-coherent, "Yeah, I'm okay. Just dizzy."

Raven pursed his lips. "Think you can stand through a shower? Or do you want me to run you a bath instead?" He asked.

Lukas looked at the dark-haired male through his half-opened eyes, and mumbled, "You're too kind for this world. Why are you so caring?"

Raven cracked a smile. "I just am. Now am I running a bath, or...?"

A knock on the bathroom door interrupted Lukas from answering. They both turned to find an orange-haired male leaning on the door frame.

"Sorry, I must be interrupting something, but Raven really needs to hear this." Eun-sun said apologetically.

Raven tilted his head. "What is it?"

Eun-sun stood in the doorway with a grim expression. "Raven. The vampire council. They're back in the U.S."

And then Lukas blacked out.