Issa’s chuckle was not the response to their question that they had been expecting, but when it turned to laughter, loud, filling the air around them, the panicked mage could only look on at their companion in bewilderment. Their mind scrambled to the most serious explanations for such behavior—that Issa had hit his head, either in the water or coming out of it, and Lec was to blame for not holding him more safely; or that too much water had gone into Issa’s lungs, and he was going mad, and Lec was to blame for throwing a whirlpool at him. As Lec found more reasons to blame themselves, they frantically searched Issa, his breaths, his expression. His eyes. Those sparkling views into this creature’s soul were telling. That excitement was back, that joy, that childish glee that had followed them through the market, and the library, and boldly aboard the cruise ship. Seeing the happy shine return to Issa’s face, Lec let out a breath, and they let themselves relax.
Had they really done so much today? Sneaking a Lucet into Evimaire was a feat alone, but they had traversed a good part of the city, had even broken a few laws, and they’d gotten away with it all. Just thinking of it, Lec lost themselves in their own laughter, more contained and tired than Issa’s. They didn’t know how they had changed so dramatically so quickly. Obedient Lec, now running through the city with bad company, disrupting the peace and acting like a child. But was it such bad company? Lec couldn’t remember the last time they had enjoyed themselves like this, and the thought made their cheeks color the slightest hue.
Once they had both quieted, Lec’s gaze fell, unfocused, as they listened to Issa speak. By the Lucet’s logic, they were doing fantastically too, though they felt anything but. So lost in the adrenaline of their chase and escape, they had forgotten about their body’s desperate pleas to rest. Now, still, away from danger, their weariness crept back to them. Fire ran down their legs, through their arms. Their headache drummed behind their eyes, at their temples. Hunger sent the world out of focus again, dizzying. After using their magic, their fingers tingled with needle-like pain. Their entire body ached, and absently, they wondered if they might be able to get to the hospital by themselves, should they need it. But they’d sooner pass out than admit to anyone they felt so weak, least of all to a sworn enemy. In reply to Issa’s question, they mumbled, “I’m alright,” though his expression gave them pause. He looked genuinely concerned for them, for the reckless idiot who had nearly gotten them both killed. Lec looked away, embarrassment tainting their cheeks. “Thank you.”
As Issa continued the conversation, Lec found it increasingly difficult to follow his words. Their headache paired with their raging thoughts were almost enough to drown Issa out entirely, but the things he was saying weren’t making much sense, either. In Lec’s eyes, they could never be the hero, because they had been the one to put their lives in danger in the first place. “You don’t owe me,” they said softly. They couldn’t imagine what Issa had that they would want anyway, until Evelin’s words crept back to the front of their mind, invasive, inappropriate. Their cheeks darkening still, they shook their head and repeated, “It’s alright.”
With the day drawing to a close, it was time for Issa to go home. A frown fell on Lec’s lips. They knew they had a lot to do, had to find someplace to sleep, a meal, maybe even a shower, before they even tried to sort out the rest of the mess from last night, and that they needed to be alone to do that, but they still wanted Issa to stay. This city had been home for so long, but so quickly Lec had felt like a trespasser within its borders, and Issa felt like their only ally. If he were to stay, they doubted there was anything they could do, exhausted as they both were, save to napping together—and there was no way that was happening. Lec nodded softly, accepting that Issa’s parting was the wisest decision. They took Issa by the hand and together set off to their prior meeting place.
Lec was too exhausted to talk, but instead of the awkward silence they were expecting, their walk was peaceful, comforting. The scattering sunlight cast a warm glow over the city, and Lec stole glances at Issa to see how he took in the familiar sights in new lighting. Would he be back? Sure, they had both suggested as much before, but Lec wondered if Issa was serious about returning, and if they themselves were serious about welcoming him back. They wanted to see more of him, more of those smiles, that look of fascination. But Issa was still a Lucet, was a beast, a man-killing animal in sheep’s clothing. Had this whole tour been a plot so that, next time, Issa could bring his family? For some reason, even for all the fear they had held for Issa just hours before, they couldn’t see him doing that. They hoped, against their better judgment, that he would be back.
Before long, cobblestone turned to dirt, and bushes sprung steadily along their path. Lec and Issa stopped at the familiar border between their homes. Lec braced themselves against the nausea that sprung from their sudden stop, then turned to face Issa. “This was… fun,” they admitted, and a genuine smile snuck over their features. “We’ll have to do it again sometime. I’ll tell Soren about today—my brother?—and I’m sure he’ll be happy to know that everything went okay. Though… maybe I’ll leave out the part about breaking and entering.” Lec chuckled softly, though the gesture felt bittersweet. Would they see Soren again before they saw Issa? Swallowing the lump in their throat, they continued. “He’s still going to want to come along, when you come back. But… I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about human culture. Probably not as much as you hoped, but that just leaves more for next time.”
They noticed they were heavily implying they wanted to see him again, and they shifted awkwardly, scolding themselves. One day of fun couldn’t erase two decades of fear. They told themselves they were too tired or hungry or pained to think clearly now, but once they freshened up their common sense would return, and they would see what a bad idea all of this was. They had wasted a day mingling with the enemy instead of securing housing for the nearing night or trying to contact their brother. But as they looked into Issa’s eyes, as a smile lit their face, they had no regrets. “Thank you,” they whispered. An awkward coughing fit followed, until Lec straightened and absently scratched at their neck. “And, um,” they added, “safe travels home.”
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