• Butterflies of Daria • [Complete]

• Chapter 4 •

It was dark outside. Hours had passed with no sight of Reign. The only lead was Faust who refused to say anything about his whereabouts. Muriel, Asra and Aisha were sitting quietly around Asra's kitchen table. Sailem had gone out to try and find Reign. Muriel hadn't said anything but everyone in the room could pick up on his Aura and the fact that he wanted to say something.

'Muriel, please...If you know anything, please tell me' Asra begged. Muriel just stayed quiet, noticing that he was still holding onto the cloak that was left behind on the beach. In his own mind, the story was completely twisted. He heaved in a deep breath before slowly explaining what he though was going on.

'I saw Reign on the beach' He finally handed the cloak to Asra. 'With a man....doing...-' He didn't want to finish that sentence 'Inanna scared him off and Reign ran away...' He felt terrible for insinuating such a thing to Asra, whose face was now hidden in his hands. He let out a small groan. All that he could think of was how strange Reign was acting around Julian today. He felt his mothers hand on his shoulder.

'Did you see what he looked like?'

'I don't know if it was Julian if that's what you're asking...'

'Surely there is a misunderstanding. Has anything like this ever happened before?' Aisha pondered

'No, mum...but then again, Reign has never been a girl before either'

'Dear, before you become too paranoid, why don't you talk to Reign about this when he gets home?'

'I will...but first I need to go see Julian' He got up, grabbed his tan coat and started to leave.

'I'll come with you' Muriel rose also. Asra smiled gratefully as Faust slithered up his leg and into his sash.

'We'll be back soon, mum!' Aisha smiled as she watched the two leave. For about three minutes she sat at the table, completely lost in thought. That's when she heard the door open quietly. She whipped her head up and saw not one, but two people that made her smile.

'Sailem! Reign!' She jumped up and embraced the two in a hug. They returned it tightly. As soon as she finished, she drew her attention to Reign.

'Dear, where have you been?! We've been worried sick' She held his head in her hands. Before he could say anything, Sailem piped up.

'I ran into him in the flooded district. He looked a little worn out' Sailem smiled tiredly.

'Sorry...I just...' he didn't know how to finish that sentence. 'Where is everyone?' The three sat back down at the table and Aisha explained what was going on. Everything from Asra explaining the accidental gender bending to Muriel's side of the story and Asra's worries about Julian. When Aisha mentioned that Muriel and Asra went to find Julian, Reign's heart started to race. Now Asra thinks Reign was sleeping with Julian and he knew that they would be there at Julian's house already and he wasn't sure if Julian would be able to stay quiet. And again, his stomach started to turn, his head started to spin and he knew he was about to throw up again. He jumped from the table and ran to his bathroom. Sailem jumped up after him. Placing a hand on his wife's shoulder.

'I'll handle this' The second Sailem left the room, Asra, Julian and Muriel re-entered the room, all yelling over each other.

'You're so unbelievably paranoid!' Julian shoves Asra off him.

'Can you blame me with the way you two are acting?!' Asra growled

'I though you would've at least trusted Reign' Julian flew his arms up.

'Reign has barely told me anything for the past month!' Asra's aura was a bubbling red 'What did you two talk about in your house today?!'. Julian scoffed.

'I already told you! Reign was worried about you over working yourself so he just wanted to ask me to check if everything was norm-'

'That's bullshit and you know it!'

'Asra!' His mother yelled, and suddenly the house fell quiet. 'You may ask Reign what's going on yourself, but only once you've calmed down' She said with finality.

Asra's chest tightened 'Is he here?!' He quickly made his way down the hall calling out for Reign. It was. He went quiet as he entered the bathroom and saw Reign with his head back in the toilet bowl with Sailem sitting next to him, holding his hair out of his face. Sailem looked up at his son and held a finger up, indicating we'll be out in a minute.

•~•~•

Muriel and Julian shared one black leather couch while Asra and Aisha shared the other. They were in the living room for a while before hearing a small knock on the front door of their home. Before anyone could move, the door opened and in pranced Portia and Nadia. The two girls were clearly not expecting everyone to be there. Nadia spoke first.

'Good evening everyone' She smiled, placing down a square shaped package on the table. The smell alone notified everyone that it was a large loaf of pumpkin bread. Asra jumped up from his seat.

'Nadi! Portia! How are you?' Nadia rubbed her temple a little

'Other than some headaches, we are well' Nadia made herself comfortable at the table while Portia went up and wrapped Julian in a hug. I

'Ilyushka! It feels like I have seen you in ages'

'Agreed' he laughed.

'Did you have another dream, Nadi?' Asra sat down in a chair across from her with a concerned look.

'Indeed I Did' She flicked a bit of smooth purple hair over her shoulder as Portia and Julian came over to listen. Nadia eyes down Julian out of the corner of her eye before continuing 'This one was particularly questionable' she leaned in a bit. 'There was an endless hallway which hosted doors...many many doors. Julian was there too, just standing in the center. He didn't move, but his mouth was sewn shut...then, one by one, the thread began to snap. That's when I woke up'

Everyone's attention moved to Julian which made him very uncomfortable.

'But what does that mean Nadia Dear?' Aisha questioned and she rose from the couch. But Asra interjected with a salty look.

'It quiet literally means that Julian knows something and is on the verge of telling us the truth' Julian just shook his head lightly in disapproval.

'For god sakes, Ilya! Reign could be in trouble and you're just selfishly keeping it to yourself' Asra slammed his hand on the table, causing everyone to jump a little.

'Maybe you should try being patient with the person you secretly love, aye?!' Julian crossed his arms angrily 'Fine, I DO know what's going on, but it's not my place to say anything so I'm not going to' he grumbled

'Ilya...' Portia began until The was a small click that came from down the hallway. Sailem exited the bathroom followed by Reign who sheepishly wiped as his mouth. When the two reached the living room, Reign's heart jumped out of his chest at the unexpected crowd of people. Asra got up and warily walked closer to Reign. This only caused him to subtly hide behind Sailem.

'Reign...please talk to us' Asra pleaded. Reign hung his head in shame, know that if he tried to explain, nothing would come out of his mouth. That's when Julian would make the decision for Reign. He walked over and whispered something in Reign's ear.

'I know you're scared...but I think this is your only chance to tell them all together'

Reign eyes widened. He knew Julian was right but he really didn't want to say anything. He was almost embarrassed about the entire situation.

'If you want I can tell them and you can just listen'