Blending Into Gray

Chapter 5

Roman's confusion filled my senses.

"Well, shit."

Then, his relief.

I reached over, moving to at least shake his hand.

He gave me permission to kill him, I better show some camaraderie, shouldn't I?

Eyeing my hand, he took it.

I released his hand - noting that he was wearing gloves.

And I couldn't help but -

"Why the fuck are you wearing gloves?"

He turned slightly red, chuckling.

"My father trains me more in hand-to-hand in case I'm ever disarmed. I didn't know that it would weaken my grip on my sword."

His embarrassed laugh made me realize that we were a bit different, but obviously still shared that similar background.

"You're good with a sword though, Elias," he praised.

I gave him a smug smile.

"I should be. That's all I've ever learned. I was never taught hand-to-hand."

Roman's jaw dropped.

"Really? I would've thought that would be the first thing to learn!"

"Says the guy who can't hold a sword correctly," I snorted.

He scoffed, blowing tendrils of his dark hair out of his face.

It was playful, his emotions revealed. He didn't mean any malice.

Hesitantly, he sat down, and I joined him a little bit away.

We stared out at the pond in silence, neither of us speaking.

What was there to say?

We couldn't bring ourselves to kill each other, and that was our only purpose.

Our only tie to each other.

"What do you do in your free time?"

I turned to meet his eyes, confused.

He was looking right at me, addressing me.

"You know," he elaborated, "when you weren't constantly told that you'd have to kill me. What do you like to do? Do you have a job or something?"

I blinked.

"No, not really. My dad's friend owns a bakery, and I'll help her out sometimes, I guess. It's not really a job."

"Do you use your ability, then?"

I shrugged.

"Kind of, but not really to influence them to buy anything or whatever. I just point out to her which customers are having a bad day. She'll give them reduced or free stuff."

He nodded.

"That's rather nice, actually. I always loved sweets."

I gave a wry smile.

"Do you not anymore?"

He shook his head, attempting to correct himself.

"No, I do. But I don't really get any, anymore. My dad thinks it's 'bad for my health', or something. A cupcake every once in a while wouldn't hurt me," Roman groaned.

I couldn't help myself.

I stifled a laugh, biting a knuckle to keep myself from bursting out laughing.