Step by step

As we climb together

Inch by inch

Do you occupy my

heart
_

He wasn't fond of calling it a "like". He preferred "obsession". Or at least that was how he framed it up to others who questioned him, such as the stupid alligator.

"Blue turtle, the way we follow black turtle, have you ever thought of it as the same as how black turtle chases that crazy yellow turtle?"

His red eyes swiveled and glinted. It was one of those moments where Khun did not meet his eyes deliberately. Rak had used the word "we", but he was sure that he truly meant "you". Khun stood up, an impressive six feet against Rak's decompressed form. His silvery blue hair fell across his cheek, a lovely curtain against alabaster skin.

"We're just obsessed then." He grinned. "Obsessed turtles, eh?"

And no, not for once, he ever called it "love".

_

It was one of those fairly ordinary nights – the group was ravenous after an adrenaline filled test floor and they huddled together for dinner. Khun knew that these were moments that Bam treasured, having everyone around safe, sound and happy. People whom he called teammates, or companions, if he felt a bit more sentimental.

Bam called them friends.

After spending a fair bit of time together, dinner seating positions somehow also became established. Humans (or reptiles, if he counted the alligator) were creatures of habit after all. Boro sat beside Sachi. Yeon beside Wang Nan. Rak beside Hwa Ryun, simply because she ate the least and he ate the most. Endorsi was on Bam's right, and Khun, on Bam's left.

"Only Bam is befitting to sit beside a Princess," Endorsi declared the first time they ever gathered for dinner, and she became a permanent fixture next to him at all meal times.

Anyone with a brain would know that the other spot beside Bam was obviously Khun's.

There was once he walked in late for dinner after training, and there was it, his spot, an empty seat on the left side of Bam. Bam waved him over happily like a classmate who had saved him a spot in advance at school. "Over here, Khun!"

He remembered sitting down with a smile that reached his eyes.

The jibber jabber of the room droned at the background. The lights in the room had a bluish hue and the weather was chilly. The dry food supplied in abundance for the regulars tasted coarse, but the company and conversation was warm. They talked about everything – the delicious snacks, the past adventures, the future path – everything except the skeletons in their closet.

And today they happened to talk about dates.

"Y-Yeah, I went for a blind date once", Yeon confessed, her heart shaped face turning slightly pink.

Endorsi waved away her bashfulness with a hand as the rest did a bit of a double take. Dates were something practically unheard of when you were busy climbing the tower.

"Nothing to be shy about Yeon, it's not unusual for the ten families to try to play matchmaker with their children to preserve their heritage."

Khun eyeballed her across Bam as he delicately poked a slice of jerky with his fork.

"So you've been on a date before then?" He asked to satisfy the fleeting hint of curiosity he had.

He instantly regretted his decision.

Endorsi grinned at him, pearly whites showing. "Of course I've been on one," she said, sliding a hand loosely around Bam's shoulders.

"Bam and I went on a date at the thirtieth floor." Khun's fork paused halfway to his lips.

What?

We even had a kiss!" The jerky slid off his fork and fell on the table with an ungraceful splat.

That bitch.

Wang Nan wasn't the only one who choked on his drink.

"THWE BIG-EYSED TURSTLE AMND TSHE BLACEK TUSRTLE KIASSED?" Rak was somehow the only one who managed some form of speech, bits of food flying out from mouth as he chewed heartily.

Everyone turned to look at Bam for some sort of denial. Or confirmation.

A faint bead of sweat developed on Bam's forehead. He was used to being the center of attention in battles, the target of rankers and FUG, but the object of a semi-romantic discussion, not really.

He absentmindedly scratched the back of his dark brown head.

"It was just a kiss on the cheek," Bam explained. Endorsi rolled her eyes beside him. Trust him to ruin the dramatic moment.

"Come on Bam, you could have made it a bit more mysterious," she complained.

There were collective "ooohhs" across the room. No one looked particularly disappointed.

Well played Endorsi, well played. Khun glared at her as she shot him a sweet smile.

"Booorrinng", Rak said, preening confidently. "I had my first kiss at least five hundred years ag– "

Hwa Ryun raised her eyebrows beside him. "Do you even have lips, alligator?"

Dinner then continued without any further disruptions.

_

After the meal the group dispersed individually after some grumbling on who should clean up. Rak lost, having eaten the most. There was an unspoken agreement that the pocket of time before dinner and sleep was for personal privacy and everyone filed back to their own rooms, carrying each with them unspoken fears and desires.

Khun plopped down onto the cushion next to Bam, where the slayer candidate was staring into space.

"What are you thinking about, Bam?" The young man next to him was slightly startled at having company.

Bam relaxed. "Oh Khun, it's you." He smiled. "I wasn't thinking of much, really."

His blue eyed companion scowled. "As long as it wasn't about Endorsi's kiss."

Bam laughed. "Of course not. That wasn't on my mind at all." The pair then shared a bit of a giggle, the sort that young boys did when they talked about girls.

Khun sighed, crossing his legs on the seat to make himself more comfortable.

"Maybe you should just choose one of them Bam, someone you like." He turned to face Bam, in honest conversation. "So that you would stop giving anyone else false hopes."

Bam blinked. He had that expression on his face that Khun could never do – the wide eyed innocent and honest look. The look that probably won him over more than once before.

"But I like them all, Khun." His fist clenched. "That is why I will protect all of you."

Khun raised his hands to put them behind his head and leaned back against the sofa.

"So you like me too, Bam?"

Bam twisted towards him. "Of course, Khun!" His golden eyes looked slightly indignant and Khun was amused. "You were my first companion and you risked your life for me, all these years!" He was in a bit of a huff, as if he was asked a silly question.

The lightbearer placed his hand on Bam's shoulder, and silver blue hair tickled Bam's cheek. He looked in Bam's eyes, wondering how many more times could they be, close and honest like this.

He chuckled. "I know, Bam. I was messing around with you."

Bam's cheek was only inches away from his lips. That stupid Endorsi...

Khun stood up resolutely, sweeping up his shoulder length hair into his favorite blue hair tie. His ponytail bobbed as he walked to the door.

"Well, time to get some training before bed." He turned at the door. "Good night, Bam."

"Good night, Khun." Bam's smile was warm, as always.

"Oh, and Bam?" Khun's fingers curled tensely around the knob of the door. The young slayer looked up.

"Khun?"

"I like you too –"Khun paused.

"Just a bit more than the others."

The door was closed softly.

He walked down the corridor, his arms crossed against his chest, as if protecting himself from the chill.

Yes, it was probably just a "like". And it was definitely not ..."love".

_