Daevari -II-

Chapter 6.5: Fruition

Ari had sought out Kaval, but he was nowhere to be found. He could not even pick up his scent, which meant that Kaval had not been there for some time. Ari wandered through the halls in search of him until he paused to gather his thoughts. If Kaval was not here, the only other place he could think to look would be at Nis'.

Ari hesitated before ascending the winding stairs to the second level. He continued until he reached the sixth floor, then proceeded down the dimly lit hall. As much as he wished to avoid it, Ari could not bring himself to leave without informing Kaval first. He would bite his tongue and bear it.

His encounters with Nis were never pleasant. Nis condescended him, berated him, always making him feel wretched. Nothing good ever came of their meetings. Not once. Still, Ari dragged himself down the hall until he began to pick up Kaval's scent. It led him toward the center of the corridor. He hesitated at the door before knocking. Silence. He knocked again. This time, a voice answered.

"Come in. There is no need to knock in the future..." came Nis' voice.

Ari opened the door and was greeted by an array of pillows in various sizes and colors, scattered across the floor. Articles of clothing, most belonging to Nis, littered the space. Ari paused before rounding the corner into the bedroom. He thought better of it and instead chose to wait in the sitting area.

Nis stepped out first, casually tossing some of his fiery red hair aside. It was only for a moment, but Ari saw it—his neck was speckled with bite marks, pale skin dotted with blossoming red. Ari tried to look away, but the opening of Nis' shirt caught his attention before he could. Nis tied it lazily and took a seat across from him.

A knowing smile tugged at Nis' lips, as if he was aware of the thoughts running through Ari's mind. The awareness made Ari conscious of the gaze fixed upon him. Nis unnerved him in more ways than he could count. He did, and yet... a small, indistinguishable part of him wanted to understand Nis, to learn more about him. They were both Daevas, after all, and Daevas were rare. Like it or not, Ari knew they gravitated toward one another. Just as they did now, in this very moment. Many pieces forming one whole.

Nis rested his head in his hand, twisting a long strand of hair around his finger as though Ari's presence no longer interested him. The silence became stifling.

"Nis, why do you despise me so?" Ari blurted, unable to hold back any longer. "What have I done to deserve your ire?"

Nis' expression did not change. He continued playing with his hair, as if contemplating Ari's words. Then, after a moment, he spoke.

"Tell me, would you care for someone who harmed a dear friend of yours? Someone who professed their love without considering the storm of emotions brewing inside that person? Whose ignorance and selfishness caused them so much suffering that they became a shell of who they once were?"

Ari blinked, his chest tightening with guilt. "Although Dezhi had a role to play, you cannot blame him for everything."

"I know I made mistakes—grave ones—and I cannot undo them. But I will spend as long as I must to earn his forgiveness, his trust... I cannot lose him," Ari murmured. "I cannot imagine life without him."

Nis' expression softened, but only a fraction.

"I do love him, and I do not think you understand just how much."

"Oh, I think I do, Little Sri," Nis replied, his voice carrying a familiar edge.

Ari narrowed his eyes at the name, but Nis continued.

"You make it so obvious. It is rather endearing, watching you fawn over him. To you, there is nothing Auovin could do that would make you turn away. I find that rather dangerous, do you not?"