Stolen Kiss

Morning came so soon. Note hadn't expected to be able to sleep at all. His mind had been running in circles all night. He swore he could hear the familiar whirr of a struggling computer coming from his ears. All while a peaceful kiss thief contently slept pressed against him. The sleeping style wasn't unfamiliar. If anything, it was missing the second clinger that usually occupied Note's other side.

 That was another thought that had Note confused. Ravan had wandered off, but usually he couldn't stop him from creeping in. If Xian was doing something, he would usually use it as an excuse to follow suit. He'd never miss a chance to sleep together. Why'd he run off like that. If he hadn't wanted to clean up, he only needed to say it. Perhaps he'd been drunker than he let on. Note could understand wanting to hide while feeling weak.

 Xian shifted and sighed. His brow scrunched even more together then usual. Note rubbed at the frown lines. Serves you right. Playing silly games with a trickster like Rav. Did they have hangover cures in the house? Was there a potion for that in a world of magic? Was there a recipe? A soup? He recalled certain foods used to be eaten in some of the stories he'd read before. The foods changed depending on the region the plots were set in though.

 Laying in bed wasn't going to solve any of his questions. Note could feel his back ache from laying still too long. Worming his way out of Xian's arm's, Note got up. After freshening up he crept around the house. The kids were all still sleeping soundly. Most of the animal's had wandered off for the morning. Their food had been refilled already. Scratch was nowhere to be found either. So, Ravan was up and about somewhere then.

 Note stretched a bit before going out for a walk. Wolf was laying out in their small yard. It began slowly stretching its large body, getting up to follow him. Joining him for his stroll. The faint smell of spring was creeping into the cavern district. So, Note took a route outside the mountain, enjoying the small peaking colours. Just starting to rise up from the defrosting earth. Wolf sniffed at the little buds, appreciating them in its own way. Note gave the beast a few pats.

 Note had thought and thought about what happened last night. But he was inexperienced in such things after all. An education through books, could only help so much when it came to reality. Being an avid romance reader did not make him an expert. Was Xian's action's just as simple as the amorous side effects of drink. Drinking in stories often was used to force a progression of plot. A secret that would otherwise have been kept guarded is revealed.

This was a world that in some strange way existed in his world as a novel. Such classic plot lines could exist as everyday reality here. So, Xian having some sort of romantic physical or emotional feelings towards him… Couldn't be entirely denied as impossible. No matter how easy – or how much- he wanted to brush it off as such. Note knew his weaknesses well. He was an idiot about feelings. Especially when it came to himself.

Had Lise's jokes been due to her noticing something he hadn't? Note felt a new light shining on the way others treated his relationship with his teammates. Liaud too… His way of interacting had a slightly odd vibe. Like a father trying to tease his child while welcoming a new member of the family. Note nearly tripped over his own feet.

Did… Did Xian? Now don't get ahead of yourself. Note smacked himself. Wolf looked over at him, letting out a huff as it came to lean on his legs. The weight and warmth of the big fluffy body was grounding. Note felt the pounding in his chest. It was so loud he almost felt like he was leaning on wolf for balance.

Note stood still breathing slowly and trying to avoid the headache that had suddenly begun creeping up his temple. A weight landed on his shoulders. A little head rubbed against his. Cooing in its scratchy voice. Note felt the pain ease as how his upper and lower body was being warmed from the cold spring air. He gave Scratch a few pets as thanks.

"Can we talk?"

Came a voice from behind him. Note turned to look at Ravan. No hint of surprise, since Scratch's presence had given him away. Note titled his head. Ravan looked off; perhaps even nervous. Now that is strange.

"Of course. Are you alright? You're always making fun of me for dark circles. You look like you didn't sleep a wink."

"I didn't really. You don't look much better and you didn't even drink- But that's not… Not what I want to ask you."

"What do you want to ask me?"

Note was growing more curious. Ravan never looked unsure of himself. He was trying to conceal it. But he was doing horribly. Playing with a maroon-coloured pendant around his neck.

"What do you think of me?" Ravan blurted.

Note blinked, "Troublesome, great cook, can and will stab me, pain in the ass, reliable."

"Not- Not like… Fair enough but not like that. What about Xian then?"

Note hesitated a moment at hearing Xian be brought up suddenly. Before responding.

"Quiet, knows too much yet… knows nothing, but dependable?"

Ravan seemed unhappy with his responses, getting closer as he sighed.

"Are you being cryptic on purpose, or is this just your default setting you fox."

Note and the two animals clinging to him all titled their heads at Ravan together. Ravan wanted to grab hold of the annoying fox and open him up somehow. So, he could peak in and get a good look at what was going on in his head. He felt it in the way Note had easily answered about him but had struggled and hesitated for Xian. They were closer in some way. The things Xian knew… Were things he didn't. It became clear to him then. Despite all that they had shared. There was a wall Note had up. Up against everyone but Xian who was already somehow inside.

Ravan took a few more steps closer. Wolf raised his hackles slightly, something about Ravan was putting the beast on edge. Note patted it's back soothing and shuffling to stand between the two. Wolf let out another huff turning and walking off. Strangely Scratch also took off, flying from Note's shoulders to land on wolf's back as it walked away. The little dragonling chirped its farewell as the two were left alone.

Note was even more confused now. Ravan's composure had returned. His face portraying nothing. Ravan without a word reached out and poked at the charm he'd given him.

"Am I not someone you can trust? Have I not yet earned that much."

"I trust you. I wouldn't live with -or go on missions- with someone I didn't trust."

"You would too. Your horrible at saying no to orders."

Ravan put on a pout; eye's looking downward.

Note sighed, "I'm no people person. I might have had no trust when we met. But from strangers to now is so many pages."

"Then can you tell me?"

"Tell you? Tell you what?"

Ravan turned his big eyes to Note, like a hurt and pleading prince. An act that surely had gotten him what he wanted many times as a child.

"The thing's Xian knows that I don't. Don't try denying it. I see the looks. The whispers about things I don't get even if I over hear them."

Note took a moment to figure out what Ravan was fishing for. A memory flashing briefly past. A time Note had gotten caught up muttering to Xian about one of his D&D characters. Ravan had arrived and overheard but had been so lost by their discussion he'd stayed quiet. Note felt a sudden wash of realisation. Ravan was always so keen; how could he not notice. The secret of Note's origin, he'd never considered telling him.

They'd become so close already. He'd already taken up Xian's habit of calling him Note. So, he'd naturally forgotten, that perhaps his ally deserved to know. Xian had done some research, travellers from other plains of existence had been documented before. Such topics were secured deep in the Division archives though. Such people seemed rare but at least it was clear. Note had not been the first to be brought to this world. Yet the average person surely wasn't aware of the possibility of travellers. Would Ravan even believe the truth? Did not believing mean he wasn't worthy of it?

"If I tell you… You can't interrupt me. If you don't believe me. That's your problem. Ask Xian if you can't accept it."

Ravan seemed eager to listen for once, so Note gave him the story so far. Ravan's face went through a few different looks. Clearly finding parts unreliable but keeping his arguments to himself. Once Note was finished, they'd already walked back to their district and were sitting in Note's favorite spot. Sitting in silence as Ravan mulled over what he'd been told.

"I… I won't pretend to understand everything you've said. But it's a bit too ridiculous to be anything other then the truth. You could be mad… But if bird brain is going to drag me to the library to prove you sane… I'll just accept it. Is that… Everything then?"

"I've talked so much so early in the day. My throat's already sore what more do you want."

Ravan let out a slight chuckle.

"How about what happened last night."

 "Hmm?"

 Note had a moment of panic. Was that what Ravan had been asking about? Or was he just trying to get every possible secret out of him. Was what happened a secret? Would Xian even remember? He must be up by now. If he did remember, would he be hurt waking up alone? Relieved?

 A hand came to rest on Note's clenched fist. Ravan seemed to have had a weight lifted with Note's explanation. Even if he hadn't fully wrapped his head around it yet.

 "I didn't mean to see it. But I caught a bit. Did he… Did you? Are you okay with it? Are you two together now."

 "Wha- He just. I'm not quite sure why he did it honestly."

 Ravan laughed somewhat bitterly, "You really don't know why. It's my fault then. I shouldn't have taken my eyes off you."

 "Why would it be your fault? Ah you did get him drunk. Yeah, it's your fault. My precious first kiss snatched by a drunk duck."

 Note gave him a teasing shove, trying to joke about the embarrassing topic. Ravan swiftly wrapped his arms around him though. Giving a squeeze, clearly with no intention to release him.

 "First kiss? In both lives? How sad."

 Ravan was using a joking tone, but some other emotion was sparkling in his eyes.

 "How about a confession? Ever gotten one of those."

 Note snorted shaking his head, as he tried to wriggle free of the little koala holding him tight.

 "I've had feelings for you since the day we met. I was curious since you were so strange. What you've told me today… does help explain some of it. Since then, to now. I think it's changed a bit. I'm past just liking you at this point. I- Let me hold you close like this. As much as I want. Let me stay with you, however you feel towards me. Just let me stay. I love you Note. Whoever you were. Who you are now. I love you."

 Note was stone still, shocked beyond belief. This was the kind of confession scene worthy of a protagonist. Ravan truly was living up to his role as dashing love interest. Why then was it being said to him??? Ravan's arms slowly loosened. His hands shook ever so slightly as he brushed his fingers along Note's jaw, turning his head towards him.

 "Can I steal your second kiss? If you don't want me to, just say so. But if you stay still, I'm going to take it."

 Another great line. Note felt the heat rushing to his face as his heart skipped. He could tell his ears were turning red. As Ravan traced over them. All he had to do was move away. All he had to do-

 Ravan slowly closed in. Giving ample time for Note to object or push him off. Inching ever so close, until he had to tilt his head to avoid their noses bumping. His breath and Note's mingling. Ravan gave a wry smile his voice low and whispering.

 "You silly fox."

 His lips pressed onto Note's, his stubble prickling his skin.