Our Soul Nexus

Chapter Twenty

It was like every damn person who looked at Ayben now, looked at him like he was a specimen of rare fungi or something.

But no one bothered to approach him and ask anything, which Ayben would've preferred over the distant stares and whispers. It was uncomfortable at best and prevented him from focusing on his studies.

"Why don't you head to your folks?" Rei suggested, hiding out with Ayben in the academy back gardens.

"They haven't met Rizel yet." He stated, his head leaning back on the grass.

Rei laughed. "Cool? Let me rephrase, what's stopping you from visiting your family while this shit storm dies down?"

Ayben rolled onto his face, breathing in the scent of grass and dirt. "I repeat, they have not met Rizel yet."

Rei shoved him lightly. "What's that got to do with anything?"

Ayben sat up. "How are you not bothered by that? Have your parents met Ghul?"

He shrugged. "My parents don't care to meet him. But if they do, I'm not gonna stress about it."

Ayben groaned. "Well, it's not the same, my parents will want to meet and talk to him and he's not a talkative person, you know?"

"Have you asked Rizel how he feels about it?" Rei asked.

Ayben paused. "Um...well, no. But, I just don't wanna put him in that position to begin with."

Rei chuckled. "You're kidding no one, Ayben. You can't make decisions for him. If you don't ask, you won't know."

Ayben conceded on that. He was just assuming how Rizel would feel about everything. But the thought of asking him and having a negative reaction...well it was scary. He was scared of pushing him away, scared of moving backwards and losing him.

"How am I meant to do that?" Ayben mumbled.

Rei stood up, dusting his pants of any grass. "I'll leave you to it."

Ayben lurched back. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Rei had a cheeky grin on his face. "It's a nice day, make the most of it. I'm gonna go find that fiery purple-head."

Ayben couldn't even protest his departure. He had left so quickly before Ayben could even stand up to join him, leaving him sitting on the grass alone.

But Rei was right. And if he didn't bring it up now, when would he be able to? He needed to get away from the academy for the night, he was tired of getting asked questions by the others in the dormitory.

"Rizel." He called out gently.

The portal appeared in place of his silver flame, revealing the snowy prince who was laying on his bed. It was a strange sight, seeing him slightly dishevelled; his shirt was unbuttoned halfway, his hair unbrushed and his eyes looking darker than usual. He still looked charming and beautiful, but rather rough around the edges.

Where Rizel usually looked like an angel of the Celestials, he now resembled a ghostly doll. Still breathtaking, but eerily dark and cold.

"Hey. Am I bothering you?" Ayben said carefully.

Rizel flicked his gaze over to Ayben. He didn't seem perturbed or upset.

"Never. What can I help you with?" Rizel replied, his tone even but lacking a spark.

Ayben felt his heart sink a little at his dull mood. "Is...is everything okay? You can talk to me, Rizel."

He sat up from his bed and leaned forward, his shirt opening and revealing a portion of the smooth, milky skin beneath.