Allured

Ch. 16

There was absolutely no way that Welch didn't see that. No fucking way. Raul wanted a different way to break it to his friend. In this moment, he rather disappear into oblivion. Was there a happier oblivion than Theron's confession though? What should he even say? Swallowing, he started, "Welch—"

"Are you going to follow me everywhere?" Theron asked Welch, totally interrupting me as he frowned at him. Raul stared, wide-eyed at them. Was this happening?

Looking completely unbothered, Welch looked over Theron to Raul. "Is he bothering you, Raul? I don't have any qualms taking him off your hands."

Oh, Odin, this can't be happening. Raul felt his mouth went dry. Was he pretending he didn't see that? Did he think he was defending Raul's honor? "Um." Come on. Words. "No..." Amazing, idiot!

"I'm not bothering him any." Theron told Welch, annoyed. "Look, just because you're my guard, doesn't mean---"

"What!" Raul shouted in shock. "When did this happen?!" He looked between the two of them, waving his hands at them as they stared at him in bewilderment. Raul wanted to blanched. "Did you guys---"

"Woah, Raul, stop right there!" Welch laughed, shaking his head. "Never in my life. It was official that I'd be his appointed over-seer like two years ago. I hate watching him as much as he hates me watching him so I don't really say anything. I am a warrior class, but my parents think it's too early for me so I'm stuck with babysitting duty instead."

"I'm not a child to be watched all the time. Especially with someone the same age as me." Theron glowered. "As you can see, I'm busy."

Instantly, Raul saw Welch hardened, clenching his jaw. "I don't believe that you are busy. Your father wishes to speak to you." He crossed his arms. "I will not remove myself here until you leave to speak to the chief."

Raul didn't know how long that they stared at each other before Theron backed down. Of course, he would because it was his father involved. He bet it was because of the games too. "Fine." Theron turned to me. "I will see you later." He promised to me before he jogged away, purposely ramming into Welch's shoulder as he left. He watched his back before he finally looked at Welch.

"I'll admit that this is awkward." Raul told him, fiddling with his hands since he didn't know what else to do in that moment. "Um... did you...?"

He sighed, deeply. "You know that I did."

Swallowing, he tried to continue, "You aren't going to say anything?"

Welch looked away. "How can I? I knew that you were after him for a long time." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just didn't expect your feelings to be returned while mine will not be. I hoped you will give up on him and learn to love me instead."

Raul honestly didn't know how to make this easier on his friend. Lowering his head, he couldn't bring himself to look at his friend's hurt. "I hope you find happiness." He doubted they could ever stay friends. He knew that the best because, well, they were childhood friends. His friend has a lot of passion for what he decides in and put his heart into.

There was a moment of silence. "If he hurts you, I will be there for you. After beating the shit out of him, of course." Welch told Raul. "No one breaks my best friend's heart. See you around, Raul."

Instantly, he looked up to see Welch's back as he walked away. Though he felt bad for his friend, Raul couldn't help but smile a little at his comment. "Thank you." He murmured, knowing well he couldn't hear him. Thankfully, he was glad that his friend took that rejection well.

"Raul!" came a very angry shrill of a voice.

Raul instantly flinched at it. He should of known that Welch would of brought her nearby or something. Knowing well he couldn't escape, he hesitantly turned around to a very angry Banu. "Hi, Banny." Anything to play this off as innocently as he could.

"Don't Banny me!" Banu hissed. Her hair flying around as if to go along with how angry she was. "I told you to rest in bed! You need another day of recovery before you do this much work---"

"But I feel fine!" Raul protested. "I've been healed just fine. No more blood. All I have is some sore muscles for not being used is all."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "You come with me and rest till tonight at least." She finally relented.

"Can I like get you to be annoying to someone else?" Raul asked, sighing deeply. "That concern really should go for someone that deserves it."

"That's up for me to decide, ass." Banu wasn't in the mood to let him get away with anything. "Now let's go and get some rest for you, mister. Do you need me to hold you along the way?"

"Oh, Odin, no." Raul answered, glancing over in hopes to see Theron when he finally made himself walk back with Banu. Sadly, he couldn't see him at all. "I'm glad you would of agreed otherwise I would of snuck out."

"I figured as much." She responded, walking easily next to him. "I don't know why you'd go out tonight anyways."

He thought about his moment with Theron today. Was it okay to assume that it was a promise to continue? "I have a prior arrangement that I got to meet up with later." Raul said, grinning outright when he thought how he'll finally let himself give in. He'll accept everything and go diving straight into the mess. 

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A/N: Sorry that this was so short! I'm slowly getting back in the swing of things again :)