Nobles

Ch. 10: What the hell is going on?

"Why won't this shit do as I want, Reki!"

Philo angrily stared into the mirror and straightened his butterfly again; he ran his fingers through his newly cut hair and over his now shaven chin. He was not used to that level of normalcy looking back at him in the mirror. Reki had been right, it had been a project to shave, and his mother had been thrilled, it simply felt wrong after so many years.

"I look like a dork!"

He inspected himself in the mirror. The tuxedo was impeccable, but he felt like it did not fit him right because he had lost weight. There was nothing wrong with the fit of the suit, he already knew that. It was him wearing it that was the problem.

Though he knew he should not, Reki started laughing. "You do look like a dork. I liked you better with the beard."

Both he and Philo had gotten haircuts and removed their beards. Neither of them was really comfortable in their own skin anymore because the army clothes and uncivilized exterior had been their life for years, going back to normal had been a drastic change for them. They had both clung to the long hair and beards like a shield against their new lives, but now they had to accept it.

Had to accept that life was going to be different, and by the looks of it, it was a permanent change. It was what they had fought for. What they had hoped would happen.

Having it be a reality was a difficult adjustment.

"Don't start with me."

"Relax. You'll get through this. I promise you'll feel a lot better after the ceremony."

"I sure hope so."

Not sure if he should ask, Philo looked at Reki. "Do you think it'll work out? Will we be happy?"

"I'm sure, Philo." Reki gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder and adjusted his own butterfly with equal discomfort.

"With time, maybe," Philo mumbled.

He pulled at the uncomfortable collar of the shirt and again tried to fix the butterfly. "And Reki," he said with a small sigh of gratitude, seeking eye contact in the mirror. "Thank you for being my Second."

"You're my oldest friend, like I would miss your wedding?"

"No I mean it." Philo gave his friend a hug. "One day Octavia will say yes, and I'll be your Second."

He said the words, but he could hear how untrue they sounded. Octavia had been given plenty of chances, but she was still merrily dating one sleazy playboy after another. Even that summer she had been dumped by one and came running to him and Reki. And Reki, being the friend he is, had taken care of her. He had brought her ice cream, pizza, and booze. Reki had even forced Philo to sit through a rom-com marathon for Octavia. And the moment Octavia had felt better she was off, and Reki was left picking up the pieces of his heart, again.

Sometimes, he wanted to shake Octavia and tell her a few truths.

Tell her how immature she was, how inconsiderate and plain cruel in her ways of treating Reki. Philo knew he could not control Octavia's heart, who she loved was her own business. And he would always stand behind her choices if she was really in love. But she had better learn to treat Reki with some respect.

He deserved as much.

Reki deserved so much more for all he had done during the war. Still, he wished for nothing for himself other than Octavia. Which by the looks of things would be another war to fight for him.

"She'll never accept me, I'm not interesting enough for her."

The sadness Reki displayed all over his face burned into Philo. The pain in his blue eyes was evident. Even the times Philo had had Reki on his operating table during the war, Reki had shown less pain.