"The ravenous fire that crackled in your souls was one and the same, stoked by repressed fear and the overwhelming desire to survive in a world that only valued material power."
In their desperate battle to survive the harsh aristocracy, the desire...
A strange sense of awkwardness filled you whenever you thought about the Sōrsānt and the way he expressed wanting to befriend you.
What you were doing was forbidden by the Ērmār's rules and yet, you found yourself helpless before Hyunjin's own helplessness. You had decided you could at least grant him half of his wish. After all, you weren't completely void of empathy, as much as you liked to feign it.
"Could I...show you something after this round?"
There it was again, that sleuthing awkwardness. It had been nearly a week of such tentative conversation. The many days you spent training together seemed to matter none when the idea of becoming friends loomed over your every interaction.
Hyunjin was making some progress though, you thought, bringing your Kizāri to clink with his on the sand. "Of course, Sōrsānt."
Your agreement seemed to fuel him, for he won that round in a few measly beats. You bit back a curse at the soft touch of his Kizāri on your skin. Talented bastard.
You were crouched on the sand beside Hyunjin shortly, watching as he channeled his magic through the ground. When he removed his hand to unveil the flower, his fingers trembled with exertion.
Delicate snowy petals and lush green leaves adorned the little blossom which stood proudly on a strong stem.
"I have improved," the Sōrsānt breathed. He reminded you of a pup seeking praise from its doting owner, eager to flaunt even the smallest of achievements.
"I see that." you smiled, reaching out to brush your fingers over the soft petals. There were no flowers in Amaranthine palace. You allowed yourself to admire the rare view. "It's very beautiful."
It was not as perfect as the first, accidental creation of his that you had seen, but this flower was wonderful too. You could tell that the Sōrsānt had spent plenty of time improving his skills, and this blossom was proof. Much like how the previous flower was beautiful, in its weakness and imperfection, for it symbolized a new beginning.
Hyunjin beamed but said nothing in response to the compliment.
You stood a moment later and picked up your Kizāri to continue your training. Following you, Hyunjin pulled his flower from the sand and stuffed it inside his coat. His movements were quick, as though someone might walk in and catch him with this incriminating plant in his grasp.
You frowned, suddenly realizing something. "Do you get rid of all of them?"
He was surprised. "Yes."
"Oh."
It made sense that he would. It also made your heart twist with nonsensical loss.
"It doesn't bother you?"
"It does," he admitted, turning his Kizāri over in his hand. He appeared upset and suddenly, you found yourself missing his hesitant smile. "But I don't know of a way to hide my endeavors other than this."
You nodded solemnly, silently hoping for a future where he doesn't need to hide his magic anymore.
But you didn't say that, instead, "I hope it doesn't weigh you down. I don't plan on losing to you again today, Sōrsānt."
To your unreasonable relief, the corner of Hyunjin's mouth lifted into a challenging grin, and you were taking your positions in the square. "Oh? I wouldn't worry about that too much."
As your Kizāris swung, you dared to wonder if your awkwardness was born from your fear of the Ērmār, or of the revelation that you didn't truly mind the Sōrsānt as a friend.
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