Navia
People are... odd.
That's the conclusion I'd reached as we continued our journey toward the Red Orchards and the Amber Leopard, now with two extra members. Lucia hung around me more and more, often looking tired and sad. I asked once if she wanted to talk about it, but she answered that the heat kept her awake. It didn't explain the sadness, but I know better than to pry. People have a right to keep their secrets. I enjoyed her company, though I get the feeling it greatly annoyed Sabien. He was as open as a book when it came to his emotions, which I'd pointed out on numerous occasions.
"Careful there." Said boy caught my arm as I stumbled over something– probably my own feet– and righted me gently. "Watch where you're going."
"Sorry." I offered a rueful smile, "I was lost in thought."
"That much was obvious." Lucia laughed slightly from where she walked on my left.
"Thinking about what?" Sabien inquired curiously. "You've been caught in thoughts a lot lately."
"Oh, this and that." I replied vaguely. He wasn't wrong; after the fire I'd had a lot on my mind.
"Hm." The Islander didn't look convinced by my answer, and I had a feeling there'd be more questions later.
"Hey, Navia!"
I turned my head toward the voice, eyebrows raised. Both Niko and his brother, Aiden, were beckoning me over. I brushed Sabien's fingers off my arm and jogged in their direction. "What's up, guys?"
"One of Jayde's blisters popped open." Aiden explained as Jayde sheepishly showed the blood on her arm.
"It was an accident!" She exclaimed, "I wasn't even touching it!"
"Liar." Aiden answered affectionately, "Navia, she was scratching it."
I frowned. "Jayde, I told you to come to me if they were itchy."
"It wasn't super bad! I thought it was fine!" Jayde retorted.
"So you scratched it and broke it open." I sighed. Jayde hung her head guiltily. I pulled out a small pot of the poultice specifically for such an occasion. "Lucky for you, I have just the thing." I smeared it on the blister after carefully wiping away the blood. "Come to me if it itches again, got it?"
"I promise!" Jayde nodded.
I looked to Aiden, who inclined his head in thanks. The two walked away, while Niko fell into step beside me. After a few moments of comfortable silence, I glanced over at him. "Those two... are they...?"
"Hopelessly in love?" Niko snorted. "Yep. Have been since we were young."
I chuckled. "Well, that's cute."
"Not as cute as you and Sabien though." He teased in return.
I blushed and rolled my eyes. "Come on, you and Lucia could beat us with cuteness any day."
He went quiet. I blinked. Had I said something wrong?
"She doesn't seem to feel like that." Niko finally answered stiffly.
"Really!" I felt my eyebrows shoot high on my forehead. "The way she talks about you says differently."
"Why does she keep avoiding me then?" Niko was frowning. "Jayde came and she left, won't talk to me..." the realization dawned on his face. "Oh. My. Tellun. She thinks– me and– no way..."
I smirked. "Maybe you should clear that up."
Niko nodded frantically, and we ran in their direction. He pulled Lucia aside and they conversed not-so quietly together. Sabien side-eyed me as I reclaimed the spot at his shoulder. "And?"
"And what?" I returned innocently.
He shook his head, a smile blooming across his lips. "You little matchmaker, you."
"Whaaaaat, me? No way." I denied with a laugh.
He looked an arm around my shoulders and pulled me into him, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "Well, you sure got rid of that annoying snob."
I gave him a hard jab in the ribs with my finger, which left him gasping with giggles and rubbing his side. "Don't be mean, now, kyif. She's still part of the team."
"Sure. But that doesn't mean she's not a snob!" Sabien avoided the smack I aimed for his face, laughing as he darted away. I chased after him, chuckling myself. Suddenly, he vanished from view.
I stumbled to a halt and pouted. "Hey, no fair!"
No reply.
"Fine." I called Cerco from passive. The wolverine growled softly and tilted his head at me. "Sabien's being sneaky and I need help finding him." I explained with a light laugh. The mammal bobbed his head and I swear I could see a smirk on his muzzle as he turned and bounded around, snuffling the sand. Within a few minutes he'd found a scent. I ran after him, and we quickly found Sabien, because he had to remain immobile in order to stay perfectly invisible.
"Dang it." He cursed good-naturedly as I tackled him into the sand. Laughing, we got back up and rejoined the group.
"I'll be finding sand in my clothes and hair for weeks." He joked, Eldya returning to passive state as Cerco did as well.
"So will I." I agreed, "but t was worth it."
"Definitely." He caught my hand and entwined our fingers, palms pressed close.
"You're hopeless, you know that, right?" I rested my head on his shoulder.
"I know." He smiled gently. "I hear it all the time."
"Not like that." I protested. "I mean, you're a hopeless romantic. I love that about you. You're not hopeless in any other way."
"Thanks." He raised his eyebrows teasingly. "No other way though?"
"Well..." I pretended to think.
We laughed and he pulled me close again. Everyone had drawn ahead again, giving us a few moments together. I stopped in front of Sabien, our eyes locked. I tilted up my chin and met his lips with mine. We stayed like that for a few minutes, then pulled away, breathing in sync as our foreheads rested against the other's.
"We should probably get back to the team." He whispered after a moment.
"I suppose." I was disappointed, but accepted his hand. We took off at a run together, back toward the group. And, as we ran, hand in hand, I came to another conclusion.
People are odd, yes, but somethings are odder. For instance, this feeling we call love. You think you know what it is, but once you experience it, you realize that it may not be so complex as others make it out to be. And that may be the oddest thing of all.
Bruh. I live. School's outtttt ya yeet!! Sooo I celebrate with a chapterrrr! (Idk what to write here oof-) Anyway, ill probs be updating more often cuz... ITS SUMMER YAYYYYYY! See y'all soon! :3 I promise this time! I swear, I'll make another chapter soon, so stay tuned! Hope you enjoyed this chapterrrr boiiii! Love y'all 3000!
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