Chapter Five: Comfort Zone

Jax leaned against the door frame, his hand supporting Ludachel's weight as the latter leaned on him, looking slightly pale and uncomfortable.

He couldn't discern if the faint jingling of the bell above the entrance or the loud drumming of his heartbeat were causing the disorientation he felt in such close proximity to Ludachel – a person he had admired since his youth. His grip tightened on Ludachel's arm, sensing the firm, toned muscles beneath the leather coat.

As his mind wandered and desires stirred, a voice abruptly brought him back to reality.

"Thank you for preventing me from a face-plant, but I don't appreciate being felt up by a giant mass of muscle in the process," Ludachel remarked sharply, pushing Jax away and freeing himself from the embrace, fixing the teenager with a frigid gaze of piercing blue.

"Are you alright, Ludachel?" the shopkeeper called out from the counter, bewildered by the strange encounter between the two boys.

In Ludachel's mind, he couldn't shake off the visions that plagued him, a sight he wasn't supposed to see, a disruption to his task of delivering Eve's package.

As Ludachel swiftly pushed past Jax, exchanging a brisk farewell with the shopkeeper "Everything is fine, a pleasure doing business with you and again, sorry for the delay."

his mind already clouded with the haunting visions that seemed to follow him relentlessly. His footsteps carried him with urgency towards his motorcycle, his only respite from the unsettling images that lurked in the crowded streets.

However, before he could make his escape, Jax's hand grabbed his arm, halting his departure, causing Ludachel to turn sharply, his expression a mix of surprise and guarded curiosity. His dark eyebrow arched in silent inquiry as he locked eyes with the startled red-headed figure before him.

"Can I help you?" Ludachel questions suspiciously, glancing down at the youths tanned hand.

Confused by his own body, Jax is left stuttering at Ludachels beautiful face contoured by the sunlight and finds himself Caught off guard by his own impulsive actions, Jax stumbled over his words, the sincerity in his gaze belying his uncertain demeanour.

"I... I mean, would you perhaps... Consider joining me at a bonfire gathering on the outskirts of Gate 12 at 9 pm?" His voice betrays a hint of nervousness.

Silence enveloped them, the air heavy with unspoken possibilities as Ludachel absorbed Jax's unexpected proposal. His gaze lingered on the earnest expression before him.

As Ludachel inquired, "And you are?" With a curious tilt of his head, examining Jax from head to toe, trying to recall if he knew the guy as Jax confidently responded, "I'm Jaxson, but you can call me Jax." Feeling a surge of courage, he tightened his hold on Ludachel's arm.

Ludachel chuckled softly, stepping closer to Jax, amusement dancing in his eyes as he asked, "And do we already know each other, Jaxson who prefers Jax?" The air between them crackled with a blend of uncertainty and unspoken tension that only seemed to be felt by Jax alone.

With a shaky breath, Jax admitted, "No, we don't." As he leaned in closer, drawn by the captivating allure in Ludachel's eyes that seemed to hold galaxies within them for a fleeting moment, the promise of divinity that lay dormant.

Ludachel swiftly pulled his arm away from Jax's grasp, a look of incredulity crossing his features as he settled onto his motorcycle and secured his goggles. "So why, then, would you ask a stranger to accompany you to a potentially perilous party out of the blue?" he questioned, the engine of his bike humming softly in the background.

Caught off guard, Jax stuttered, his mind racing for an explanation. "It's precisely because of the danger that I thought having you there would be a wise idea. I may not know you personally, but I've heard of your reputation for living on the outskirts where threats like the Deathtems roam freely. I figured your experience could be valuable," Jax blurted out, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency.

Ludachel arched an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing on his lips.

"I see," Ludachel replied, the skepticism evident in his voice. Igniting the engine of his bike, he exhaled sharply, the rumble of the motor drowning out the tension between them momentarily.

With a slight shake of his head, Ludachel continued, "So, you think I'm some kind of protector, a meat shield against the dangers that could lie ahead at this gathering?" His gaze held a mix of amusement and mild irritation.

Jax, feeling the weight of his impulsive invitation, scrambled to find the right words. "No, no, it's not like that at all. I... I just thought... I mean, I wanted to extend the invitation because I thought you might appreciate a change of pace, a new experience, I hear you don't mingle much." Jax stumbled over his words, his earnestness shining through the awkwardness.

Ludachel's expression softened slightly, a flicker of understanding crossing his features. "I appreciate the offer, but I prefer to handle my own battles," he stated firmly, the engine of his motorcycle growling beneath him, ready to carry him away.

With a nod and a brief smile, Ludachel revved his bike, leaving Jax behind in a cloud of dust, the echo of the encounter lingering in the air. Jax stood there, watching Ludachel disappear into the distance, his mind swirling with the encounter and the fleeting connection that bloomed and faded in the span of a few moments.

——— ——— ——— ——— ———

Ludachel returned to the mechanic shop, his sanctuary, where his mother, Eve, was engrossed in designing her latest invention. Eve, with her brown cornrows fashioned in a tidy bun atop her head and her overalls marked by years of hard work, meticulously traced the contours of her creation on the blueprints spread out before her.

As Ludachel entered, shedding his well-worn leather coat onto the waiting rack, he caught Eve's attention with a purposeful clearing of his throat. Making his way to the makeshift kitchen area, he opened the fridge, pausing at Eve's question.

"Have you eaten?" Eve inquired, adjusting her glasses slightly, a touch of warmth in her eyes hidden beneath her studious facade. Unbeknownst to Ludachel, Eve's glasses were more of an accessory, part of her carefully maintained guise as a humble mechanic while hiding her celestial nature for just a little while longer.

Ludachel, sipping on reconstituted milk, grumbled in response as he settled beside Eve at the table. "No, thanks to a certain someone who insisted on dragging me out of the house the moment I opened my eyes."

Eve ceased her sketching, setting aside her pencil and removing her glasses to regard Ludachel with a playful glint in her eyes. Propping her chin on her hand, she teased, "Oh, what happened to my dear Lu today? Seems like someone swapped him with a grumpy doppelganger. Where's my sweet, lovable son gone off to, hmm?"

Ludachel slumped back in his chair, hands covering his face in frustration. "I'm sorry, Mom. It's not you I'm mad at. Some kid in the city basically called me a loner indirectly in the nicest way possible, and it's just been bugging me, cause he may be right."

Eve couldn't help but laugh at Ludachel's exasperation, causing him to sigh even louder. "Well, he's not entirely wrong, I suppose. Since your mother is your only friend," she teased. "But tell me everything that happened leading up to this."

Ludachel recounted the day's events to his mother, who listened with a mixture of amusement and interest. As he finished, Eve's eyes sparkled with mischief. "You should go to that party," she declared. "Show him that you're not a loser, and if things take a turn, I have every confidence in your abilities to handle it."

"Ugh," Ludachel groaned, but Eve noticed he didn't outright refuse.

"Great! It'll be good for you. You need to socialise more with people your age," Eve encouraged, giving Ludachel's leg a light slap before heading towards the kitchen. "I'll whip us up some lunch in the meantime."

The prospect of attending the party seemed to linger in the air, a mix of reluctance and curiosity swirling within Ludachel as he watched his mother disappear into the kitchen. The invitation, coupled with Eve's subtle nudge towards a new experience, left Ludachel contemplating the idea of stepping out of his comfort zone and maybe some alcohol could distract him from the figures that lurk in the dark, and no, it's not just the Deathtems that do.

——— ——— ——— ——— ———

As Jax entered his apartment, the familiar scent of incense greeted him. Rin, with her fiery pink hair, looked up from her nail painting session on the worn-out couch, her eyes curious.

"What took you so long to grab a pack of cigs? And why do you look so hot and bothered?" Rin said with a playful tease as she flashed a mischievous grin.

Jax let out a sigh, his mind still reeling from the encounter with Ludachel. "Rin, Brain, I think I fucked up big time," he confessed, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

Brain, sitting at the small coffee table littered with sketches and half-finished projects, raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Oh? What's got you all flustered?" His tone was calm, but there was a hint of genuine interest in his gaze.

Taking a seat opposite Rin on the couch, Jax launched into the tale of his unexpected invitation to Ludachel and how he got harshly rejected, not relaying how the ensuing conversation has left him feeling a mixture of nervousness and longing. As he spoke, Rin's eyes widened with curiosity, and Brain's expression shifted to a thoughtful frown.

Rin, still blowing on her freshly painted nails, chimed in, "Wait, soooo~ you invited him to the bonfire gathering at Gate 12? That was a fucking bold move, Jax! Weren't we just discussing how getting involved with him isn't a safe idea? Ludachel isn't exactly known for his sunshine attitude towards strangers. I'm shocked you even asked, and the fact he let you live for touching him has me stumped.

Brain interjected, his voice measured, "It's okay Jax, just think of it as an interesting encounter if he doesn't show up, though. Maybe Ludachel will surprise you, and from the sounds of it, he doesn't seem all that bad."

Jax ran a hand through his tousled red hair, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "I just hope I didn't overstep or put Ludachel in a difficult position. There is something about that guy that makes him hard to ignore."

Rin set aside her nail polish, her expression thoughtful. "Well, whatever happens, it's clear that Ludachel has left an impression on you. Who knows, this bonfire gathering might lead to something unexpected if he does decide to show up, I for one can't wait! But first I'm going to bed, night, night losers."

When click of Rins bedroom door closed, the room fell into a contemplative silence, the weight of Jax's impulsive invitation hanging in the air, mingling with the scent of polish and incense. As the evening light filtered through the window, casting a warm glow over the room, the anticipation of what the future held for Jax and Ludachel lingered, a spark of inpatient desire igniting in Jax's heart.