Hero Complex

While you were making up with your friends in the secret room, the three boys made their way outside the mess hall for a less attention-grabbing conversation. They stood in an alcove, just outside the library where you were.

"Come on then, say what you have to say," Kieran began, "because you clearly have a lot to say. I could accept the haughty attitude towards me, but stop acting as if you're so important and rambling on insensitively about your Hero Complex, which you clearly have," he added. Still furious from the earlier banter.

Caelum stood there quietly, but in his mind, he kept thinking if you were alright, "Look, it's our fault alright, and we sure as hell know it. But don't think that for one second it was alright for you to put your frustration towards Emilia." he voiced out.

"Well, at least I'm actually trying to be one. And if you know her so much then the least you could've done was be one for her," Dorian retaliated. Kieran felt frustrated, he knows it, but there was nothing he could've done at that moment. "And I might not mean much to her, but she's important to me. So if you really do owe up to your faults, then the best you can do for her is to stay the hell away." with that, he turned and left.

Only then did Caelum truly feel the weight of his guilt, and without noticing it, his whole left sleeve was on fire, "Bloody hell Cal, control yourself!" Kieran immediately started patting the fire out, "It wasn't your fault, you didn't mean to hurt her." he insisted.

Caelum took one deep breath and the fire receded, leaving his whole left sleeve singed. "Maybe he's right, we should just stay away from her," he whispered, but it was loud enough for Kieran.

"Snap out of it! If she is who we think she is, then we need her help." Kieran shook Caelum's shoulders, "She said so herself didn't she? And with that personality of hers, do you think she'll allow us to avoid her let alone ignore her?"

"But is it worth it if she'll be the one getting hurt?" Caelum retorted, a hint of anger, towards himself, "Haven't you noticed how she's been treated around? How so used she is to feel pain and letting herself be badmouthed as if she isn't there." he exclaimed further.

"And you heard her, she's had enough of it from everyone else. We'll have to find another way," Caelum said with finality before turning and leaving Kieran to stand there by himself--pondering what to do next.

Meanwhile, you've ended your short get-together with the girls to attend your classes, unaware of the inner turmoil you've brought to the boys.

"So," Damara began, "what's your relationship with Dorian?" she asked, making you stumble on your feet.

Eyes widened you turned to face her, "What are you talking about?" shock evident in your voice. "He's a friend, that's all there is. And don't ever ask that question again, especially in front of Briony," you added, lowering your voice. You admit that ever since you've met Dorian, he's been considerately overprotective, to some extent.

But that was it because to you, he probably felt like you needed a hero, and he felt sorry for how badly you needed one, "But let's be honest, that kind of attitude towards someone is not something you can just label as being a concerned friend." she countered, which in all fairness is a reasonable point.

"Yes, but that's how he is. He's a literal Knight for crying out loud, it's just probably a personality of his, having the feeling to protect those he thinks need protection. Ergo, me." you concluded with that, not leaving anything up to further debate, you excused yourself.

"I have Herbology next, got to go," and you sped away towards your classroom. Not really looking where you were going, you accidentally bump into someone.

"Emilia, there you are." it was Dorian, "Can we talk?" he asked, pleadingly. Nodding your head slightly, you thought it would be better to clear things up early before things get further complicated.

"What do you want to talk about?" you asked hesitantly.

He passed his hands through his hair roughly before sighing, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been insensitive and yelled at you like that. I just don't want you getting hurt that's all." his apology was genuine to you, and you felt that he truly meant it.

You smiled and patted him on the shoulder, "Thank you," he was startled by your reply, "for being concerned for me all the time. And I know I can be tiring to look after, and yet you never falter. I know you're just trying to protect me, so thank you." your smile was the only thing he needed at that moment.

"I was just--I just felt like you didn't need me anymore. Ever since those two came, you've stuck to them all too close and now you're hurt." he ruffled his hair from frustration, "I just feel like I suddenly can't get near you, with them acting like walls around you." he admitted. You never realized that's what he felt.

He stepped closer to you, while you slowly stepped backward until you were between him and the wall behind you. He slowly placed his hand next to your head, trapping you. He looked down upon you, your faces a mere inches apart, "Am I even allowed to remain as your Knight?" his voice was as low as a whisper, but despite your obliviousness, you weren't a fool. "Can't I be the only one?" he asked lastly, staring straight into your eyes.

"I really appreciate the thought Dorian, but I'm not a child, and I don't expect you to keep on running around and trying to protect me," you replied, unable to meet his gaze, "You're a great Knight Dorian, but I don't want to keep depending on anyone. I also need to stand on my own two feet," you slowly glanced up at him to see his reaction, but there was only a smile there.

He slowly moved away, looking dejected but tried to hide it with a smile, "Right, but just know, I'll be here if you do need me, see ya," then he turned before you could reply.

After that, you blindly walked to your next class, looking at the floor not really looking where you were going once more, you bumped into someone yet again.

"Oof! Sorry about that--" but then you looked up to see Caelum.

He looked surprised to see you, "Oh, hey. Where you off to?" you asked slightly awkwardly because you haven't had a chance to talk to him alone since he was always with Kieran and the situation never really arose until that moment.

"To the uh," he looked hesitant, and this was the first time you've seen him react this way. He sighed, "I was looking for you. About what happened earlier, I should've stood up for you." he lowered his head, looking down, clenching his fists by his side. Then you saw his singed clothes, which immediately triggered something within you.

You took three strides and grabbed his hand, startled he looked back up, to see you on the verge of tears, "Don't blame yourself for something you can't control." your voice cracked, "Because despite what everyone thinks, I should know that feeling more than anyone." the last part was barely a whisper.

"I know didn't mean to hurt me, but it was my choice to go to the woods last night, and I said I would help you, so that's what I'm gonna do. You're not alone..." you let your words fade away as he suddenly grabbed you and pulled you close to his body.

He was quite tall, so your face was buried in his chest, he wrapped his arms around you tightly, but angled himself as to make sure not to crush your broken arm between you. It took you a while before you slowly hugged him back, he buried his face in your messy hair. You smelled him, and it reminded you of mint with a hint of burnt sage.

"I'm sorry," he whispered slowly, you felt his breath on your neck, and a sense of warmth spread over you like a blanket, "let me just hold you for a second," he said lastly, and your cheeks warmed up. Good thing the corridor was empty or else people will clearly misunderstand.

You didn't know how long you stood there before he spoke again, "From now on, let us be your hero," you didn't clearly understand what he meant so you found it hard to reply, "If we're gonna do this, you have to promise not to put yourself in a position where we won't be able to help you." you just nodded, because he sounded like he needed a form of confirmation from you.

Then he slowly let go and so did you. You immediately missed the presence of his warmth as he put a distance between you. You stood there for a couple of seconds before you said, "What happened to your uniform?" you pointed you his burnt blazer and shirt.

"This is uh, there was--" he found it hard to explain what happened because he knew that if he told you the truth that he combusted out of rage then you'll definitely worry. He wasn't able to finish because Kieran suddenly popped up, out of breath.

"There you were, I was looking everywhere for you." he slumped next to you, "Please don't make it a habit to suddenly walk away and disappear," he put his arm around your shoulder, "both of you," he said accusingly which made you laugh slightly. You didn't expect things to go this way, it started with a group project but now, there were two more people who made you feel like you belonged.

You laughed, "Alright then, how do you feel about two weeks of detention?" you asked as you pulled them to the library.

Kieran groaned, "Do we really have to?" he asked, clearly hating the idea of spending his whole afternoon, arranging books and dusting old bookshelves.

"Oh please, you're lucky that's all we get. The last time I got detention, I was asked to pull weeds from the field. Took me all week to even get through half of it." you cringed, remembering the back-aching punishment. "Then of course there were also the stray balls from the lacrosse game practices."

You shrugged, "There are worse punishments so suck it up," then you entered the library. As soon as you did, a hand waved at you, it was Rowan. He stood up from his chair and walked towards you in paces.

He stopped right in front of you, looking worried, "I heard what happened, are you alright?" he scanned for the damage and his eyes landed on your arm sling. And then towards Kieran and Caelum, he glared, "You did this." he said accusingly.

You shook your head, "No, it was my fault. You know, clumsy me." you laughed nervously. It's gonna be the same argument again, "It will heal and besides, it doesn't even hurt that much anymore." you moved it slightly but it was just popped in place this morning so you winced when a sudden sting jolted through you.

"It's not exactly a compelling argument if you wince like that," he argued. He was about to say more when Kieran raised his hand to stop him, "Who are you anyway?" this time, it was him who was glaring coldly at Rowan, whom immediately closed his mouth, and cleared his throat.

"He's my groupmate to a project in Mythical Biology, speaking of which, have you done the research?" you asked in hope to change the subject and clear the air.

Rowan losened up and piqued, "Definitely, I even wrote down several ways in which we can capture one. I've wrote the full research, they are actually like normal honey bees, and they also have a queen. If we could get our hands on a sample of their nectar, we can attract them and set a trap." he explained excitedly.

"That's great, but uh, considering my current predicament," you motioned to your obvious handicap, "I don't think I'll be of any--"

"We'll do it."