ROGER'S POV

Holy shit.. I can't believe it.. I'm actually gonna meet the Gramaryes in person! I sighed, imagining how it would go. I've been watching Troupe Gramarye since I was 6 or so.. They're so cool.. Especially Valant.. "Roger? You've been giggling to yourself for awhile now. You alright?" I suddenly heard Magnifi's voice as he looked down at me. "I'm ok, sir! Just excited!!" I grinned up at him. Magnifi chuckled. "As I expect you would. Joining Troupe Gramarye is a great honor. I wouldn't pick just anyone to join, especially someone so young. What are you, 16?" I nodded, blushing a bit. When Magnifi first started the New Troupe, his daughter Thalassa was just 17. Eventually, after some more walking, we made it to Magnifi's house. Magnifi let me walk on ahead inside. He had a big house. Then, I saw them: The Gramaryes. Zak, Valant, and Thalassa. And this weird looking kid. Zak then turned to me. "Huh? Who's the kid?" Magnifi sighed. "Zak. Be nice. This is Roger Retinz. He's going to be Troupe Gramarye's newest member." Zak smirked at me. "Really? That's pretty cool. You know who we are, right kid?" I nodded. Who doesn't know Zak, Valant and Thalassa? They're the greatest magicians in the world! Then I turned to the other kid. "Who's he?" Magnifi turned to him. "Oh, that's Spark Brushel. He's the son of one of my school friends. He's also a journalist." "In training!" Spark beamed, taking out a notebook and a pencil. "This is gonna be a great scoop! End quote!" He ran off somewhere, I guess to work on the story of me joining. Magnifi patted me on the back. "Okay Roger. I'm going to get your debut show ready. All we need is your name." I thought for a minute. I didn't really wanna be something Gramarye. I then shrugged. "Uh.. Mr... Mystery?" Magnifi looked at me with concern. "What kind of shit name is that?" I shrugged again, hanging my head. Suddenly, I heard Valant's voice. "What about Mr. Reus?" Zak glared at him. "Was that a fucking pun?" Valant snickered, shrugging. "Maybe." I chuckled a bit. It's a funny name, but.. I like the sound of that. It has a real nice ring to it. I smiled at Valant, nodding. "I.. I love it!" Then I gave him a hug. I don't know why. I just did. Val chuckled, patting my black hair. (I know the wiki says it's brown. Brown hair my ass.) "Easy kid. It was just an idea..." I let go, blushing. "Sorry...." Valant smiled at me. "You're fine, bud. So what do you think of the name, Mag?" Magnifi glared at Valant. "Don't call me Mag. But yeah. It's good. Welcome to the Troupe, Roger." I grinned brightly, thinking of hugging the old man, but he gave me a look of "Hug me and I'll hurt you." Guess he's not a hugger.. After that, everyone went on their separate ways. I decided to watch some TV. When I got there, I noticed Thalassa and Magnifi talking at the kitchen table, while Valant was sitting on the couch, kind of watching them. No.. He was watching Thalassa. He's just staring at Thalassa... I sat next to him. "Whatcha doing?" Valant continued to gaze at Thalassa, as if he didn't even hear what I said. He sighed, a slight blush on his face as he smiled. Uh... Is he ignoring me? "Hey Valant. Whatcha doing?" He continued to not notice me, giggling to himself. "What an alakacutie..." (Hooray, name of the story!) Alakacutie... Wait... I gasped. Hooooly shit. You're kidding.. He doesn't.. No way! But just to make sure, I decided to try something. "You and Thalassa should kiiiiiiisssss!" I said, jokingly. Immediately, Valant turned to me, red as a beet. "Shut up, you sack of shit!" He covered my mouth, as Thalassa and Magnifi looked over in that direction. For a minute, nothing happened, then they went back to talking. I giggled, looking up at Val. "You like her, don't you?" He continued to blush, looking away. He didn't say anything for a second. "D-d-don't tell anyone! Okay?!" I continued smiling. "So you do like her?!" His blush increased, somehow, and he looked away again. "Yeah... But could you alakashush! I don't want her to hear me!!" I looked over at her, and it didn't seem like she had heard at all. "Why don't you just tell her? I'm sure she likes you too." Valant shook his head. "I can't tell her! Not at all!!" He looked back towards me. "Besides.. She's married, remember? To Zak.." Zak and Thalassa got married around 2006. I had heard about it on TV, and in the newspapers. Valant sighed. "If I go even close to her, Zak will have my head.." His expression darkened. "If she really liked me, why did she marry him?" I paused for a minute, surprised at his sudden anger. Does he hold a grudge against Zak? "Well... I'm going to go." I stood up. "If you're not going to confess, then at least talk to her. Figure out if she likes you." I then walked off, leaving Valant to think.

VALANT'S POV

I laid back on the couch, trying to process what just happened. Roger was right. I should at least try to talk to her.. See if she likes me at all.. I looked over at the table, noticing Magnifi had left. She was just sitting there, drinking some water. I sighed, walked over to her, and sat down across from her. "H-hiya, Thalassa..." She looked up, smiling softly at me. "Heya Val. How are ya?" I shrugged. "Alright, I guess..." She nodded. "That's good to hear..." She tilted her head. "You ok? You look a bit worried." Come on Val. You got this! Just tell her.. "I'm fine... Just..." I paused. "Thalassa.. I wanna tell you something." She nodded. "What is it, Valant?" I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat felt dry for some reason. It's just 3 words, Valant. How hard is it to say? I sighed, trying again. "I... I... I like you, Thalassa.. Like, really like you. I guess I could say I love you..." I realized I was rambling, and cleared my throat. "Thalassa.. I've always really liked you. When I first saw you back then.. When you were 10 and I was 14, I saw you at the park.. You were the prettiest thing I had ever seen. When I joined the Troupe 7 years later, you got even prettier.. And now, me at 27 and you at 23." I looked at her to make sure that she was listening. She was a bit red, but other than that, stared me right in the eyes. "I know you're married and all, but... I really love you.." I sighed, finishing my little monologue. Oh god.. What's she gonna say?

THALASSA'S POV

I looked at Valant, not being able to say a word. It was all so sudden. What do I say? What about Zak... Holy fuck.. Suddenly (third suddenly, I know), something came to my mind. I stood up, and walked over to Valant. "Thalassa? What are y-" Then I hugged him. "I love you too, Val! Zak may be my husband and all, but you're still my best friend. So, yes Valant. I accept your love." He blushed immediately, hugging me back. "R-really?" I nodded. "Of course!" I let go of him, smiling. Valant chuckled. "Well, what now?" I shrugged. "Wanna practice a trick together or something?" He nodded. " Alakaheck yeah!!" The two of us then walked off to practice a magic trick. Best.. Day.. Ever..

(Chapter 3, done! Sorry if I accidentally published it earlier, and unpublished it. I wasn't done with it yet. Anyway, this should be the last full flashback chapter. Chapters 4 and 5 will have a flashback section, but not a full chapter. And for 5, it'll be more of a dream. I have up to Chapter 5 planned, but after that is unknown. I'm not gonna end it at Chapter 5 though, I know that much. I have an idea for Chapter 6, but I'm still planning plot wise. 'Till then, see you later!

Edit: Oh look, a picture for this chapter. Haha, get it? Valant-tine? And his birthday is on Valentines Day? ((In my headcanon, anyway)) No? Oh well. Enjoy the pic anyway. The picture can be found under the Valant Gramarye tab on tumblr. Just keep scrolling.)