The Miscreants of Xiphoid Camp [NOT UPDATING CURRENTLY]

» 2131 « Chapter 25 - Valentine's day

February 14, part I - Bradley Robinson

"Happy Valentine's day, James," he whispered. "I brought you coffee," Being a Junior Counselor in Training at Xiphoid Camp had its benefits, such as unlimited access to the coffee machine in the staffroom.

"You're the best," James whispered back, taking the steaming mug from Bradley with a small smile.

How in the world had he gotten so lucky? James was so beautiful and perfect. Even the scar across his face was lovely. They were running quite a bit of a risk, behaving in such a romantic way in the non-privacy of Tertius. Todd and Nicolas already knew, thankfully, but it was the younger two that Bradley was concerned about finding out. What would they say? Who would they tell? Children were unpredictable, that was what Bradley loved about them. It was charming, to meet someone so fully immersed in the whimsy of life as those two were.

He only hoped they didn't find out about the demons and magic too soon. It would destroy them.

"Ground control to major Brad?" James whispered, bringing Bradley back to the cabin in the present. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"How about something better than a penny?" Bradley laughed softly and pulled James close.

Everything was perfect.

February 14, part II - Todd Boyce

Valentine's day was officially the worst, Todd decided when he woke up that morning completely and depressingly alone. He hadn't been single on Valentine's day for a while, and he had forgotten how utterly lonely it felt, especially with Brad and Jim giving each other those lovey-dovey looks every other second. Brad had sworn him to secrecy about him and Jim, saying that they were trying to keep people from finding out, but in all seriousness, there was nothing subtle about the way those two were behaving.

They had slipped out of the cabin sometime early in the morning, probably to go on some grand romantic escapade somewhere, and now Todd was alone.

A soft knock sounded on the door, and something was slipped underneath it. Finally, a bit of luck. Perhaps it was from Brooke Harwood in Secundo, or Alexia Aspinoza in Quartus, or even—

Todd picked up the pink paper heart with a white lace trim. To: Avior was written on the front in a swirly script.

Todd threw his head back and sighed loudly. Even a literal twelve-year-old had more game than he did. That was just cruel. A real kick in the ass.

Hold on. This could be funny. Avior was extremely vocal about his great disdain for Valentine's day. This would drive him nuts. Todd all but pranced gleefully over to Avior's bed and shook him gently. "Vivi, wake up," he said. "I have something for you,"

Avior cracked an eye open. "What's it?" he asked sleepily.

"A valentine!" Todd crowed.

Avior groaned loudly and rolled onto his back, pressing the heels on his hands into his eyes and slowly dragging them down his face. "What's it say?" he asked after a long silence.

"Read it yourself," Todd said.

"Don't want to. Just woke up and my eyes are tired,"

"Well, fine, then," Todd unfolded the heart. "Oh, come on!" he cried as a pile of golden glitter spilled out onto the floor

"Ha," Avior said. "You have glitter on your pants now,"

"Shut up, you little brat. Okay, here's what it says..."