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Chapter 53 -
Flying Somewhere Out There
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Varian’s home had gotten closer and you notice a small shadow running in your direction. Happy chittering found it way your ears and you smile happily.

“Rudiger!” You laugh as the raccoon jumps into your arms.

You hug him close and Rudiger climbs up to lay around your neck. He purrs and nuzzles his head on your cheek.

“I'll be fine from here you two.” You give Attila and Vlad a hug, “Tell Rapunzel I'll be spending a few days here and I'll be back.”

“Alright, but make sure to throw a punch if anything fishy goes on.” Attila punches his hand.

You laugh, “Will do.”

The door opened and you step in while closing it back. Quirin sat at the table and you smile. “Hello, Quirin.”

Rudiger purrs and waits on the table, sitting close to you while digging in your satchel. He grins happily after holding the small box of chocolates. You take it from him, chuckling, “No.” Rudiger looks like he's going to cry, but you hand him an apple. He smiles and eats it.

Quirin looks up and smiles a bit, “Hello, (____). I'm guessing you'll be staying?”

“As always. This is the only place I love to call home.” You gaze at Quirin softly then sigh, pulling off the rose from your hair and pluck a petal off. “Which is why I have to to talk to you privately about something.” You close your eyes, “Maybe sometime tomorrow.”

Quirin gives you a firm nod, knowing from your look that it's important.

Footsteps quickly come from Varian's lab and the said Alchemist cheerfully goes over to you, giving you a hug. “(____), you finally came! I got everything set up.” He grins at his dad and hugs him too. “We'll be back later, Dad. I love you!”

You yell slightly when Varian takes your hand and pulls you outside. Quirin sat there at the table, blinking in shock at Varian's words. It's been awhile since his son had said that out loud. With a warm smile, Quirin speaks even though Varian wouldn't hear him, “I love you too, Son.”

Rudiger finishes half of his apple, then looks to Quirin and seeming to understand what he said. He chitters happily and gives Quirin the half eaten apple before running off to catch up with you and Varian.

“Hurry, hurry, hurry!”

“Varian!” You laugh. “Why are you rushing? We kinda have all night, then tomorrow.”

“i know, but I really want to show you something.” Varian smiles back at you, then you two go up on a hill.

Your eyes widen when you see it's Solaris aka The Flynn Glider.

The glider sat there in the grass, but you didn't know what Varian had worked on since the last time you two tested it. Varian opens up the door and kneels down to open a compartment in the floor.

“This is what I wanted to surprise you with.” Varian holds up a teal crystal. “I found this when I was in the caverns.”

You take it and smile, watching it give off a very faint glow. “Cool….when you built those water heating machinery?”

Varian takes out another one and nods, “Yeah and you want to know what's so spectacular about these crystals?” He takes the one you have then grinds them together.

A sudden teal spark pops before a few small electric currents buzz around the crystals. It stops when Varian does. He grins excitedly, “See?! These crystals produce its own charged particles!”

You giggle at Varian’s enthusiasm, “That actually is really amazing.” You take them again and grind them. The electrical charge goes up your arms and you yell when it make your hair poof up crazily.

Varian bursts out laughing, leaning on the glider and tries to speak, “You-you…..” He laughs and wipes a tear, “You forgot safety gloves!” He points to his own gloves.

You pout and blush in embarrassment after realizing your gloves aren't safety gloves.

He calms down a bit, “Luckily I made these crystals smaller because….well…” He laughs nervously, “A normal sized crystal causes too much energy.”

You roll your eyes and smile, “It blew up.”

“Yes and my hair was way worse than yours.” He laughs again.

You glare, then hum in thought and charge up the crystals again. You reach out to Varian and poke his arm.

Varian’s eyes widen as he shudders when the electricity zaps him and his hair poofs crazily. He blinks and glares at you as you laugh uncontrollably.

“Give me those!” He snatches back the crystals, then smirks while charging them again. He pokes your shoulder and this time it gives you a small painful zap.

“Ah! Hey!” You huffs and shove him, which zaps him.

Varian jumps, “Ow!”

You run and laugh while Varian chasing you. The two of you run around the Glider with your laughter echoing around the area. Rudiger was sitting on the seat of the glider and watching you two before jumping to join in.

You catch him and Varian stops, placing a hand on your shoulder for support.

Suddenly the charge from the two of you goes onto Rudiger. His fur fluffs out and he now looks like a big dust bunny. Rudiger blinks then chitters happily.

You and Varian look at eachother and laugh more.

Varian glances at you and couldn't help but gaze tenderly at your joyful face. You try to pat down Rudiger’s fur, but it kept poofing up. Varian lightly blushes and clears his throat, smiling shyly.

“Ready to see the view from the sky?”

You're still holding Rudiger and smile warmly, “Ready as I'll ever be.”

Varian step onto Solaris and holds out his hand, “Milady.”

You take his hand and your cheeks dust a light pink, “Good Sir.”

He chuckles, helping you in and still holds your hand. You tilt your head, only to blush more when Varian shyly kisses your knuckles. He rubs his neck and turns to the controls.

You smile to yourself and holding your hand to your cheek.

Rudiger chitters and now sits on a little seat that popped up for him. He watches Varian turns back to help you clip on the safety belt and clips his on.

The young Alchemist takes a deep breath, mumbling, “Please work.”

You blink, “What?”

Varian pulls the lever and the glider gently shakes before feeling like it's on water. You nearly fall forward, but catch yourself by holding onto Varian’s shoulers.

“Wait. Are we floating?” You ask and look over.

Varian grins proudly, “Hovering actually and to save the long scientific explanation. Let's just it has something to do with the crystals, I call, (____)-Celestine. Not so much originality, but to me, it's unique.” His face is close to yours as he grins, “Because there's only one of you.” He smiles shyly at you.

You chuckles, smiling shyly, “Well you named it so it shall stay.”

He hums then continues, “The hovering helps so the glider can catch a draft.”

Solaris began to go up and soon the two of you are up in the sky even by the lightest breeze.

You glance around and felt at ease now that you see everything covered in the nights blanket. Your arms wrap around Varian and you lay your head on his back.

Varian smiles softly and holds your arm with one hand. What you didn't notice is that the glider was more like a ship, especially with the steering wheel Varian is holding steady.

“Hey.”

You look at Varian and he smiles softly, “Wanna fly it again?” He gestures to the wheel.

Your eyes seem to sparkle and you nod happily, moving in front of Varian in excitement. “It's like a ship!” You take the wheel and turn one way a bit.

Solaris gently glides to the direction you turned. “Varian, this thing SAILS smoothly!” You giggle and turn again. This all felt like you were sailing in a waterless ocean.

Varian laughs, “It sure does, so CAPTAIN (____). Where are you taking us?” He hugs you and gazes at you.

You hum in thought, “Can this do a barrel roll?”

“Uh…..I don't think-”

You grin and yell, “IT'S NOW OR NEVER!”

Your hands spin the wheel in one direction quickly and the glider suddenly tilts, beginning to turn over and over.

Varian screams and clings to you.

You laugh and cheerfully yell, pushing a lever up. Solaris immediately goes spiraling down.

“PULL UP! PULL UP!” Varian yells and closes his eyes.

You smirk and pull the lever back which the glider levels itself out and it flies smoothly. Varian leans over and clicks something into place. The wheel is now held in place so it doesn't move.

Varian turns you around and glares, “That…..” He suddenly grins in excitement, “....WAS AWESOME!”

You laugh, “Looks like Solaris can withstand tricks in the sky.”

“Yeah. Seems so.” He chuckles.

You calm down and happen to stare at Varian's sky blue eyes. They had this sort of twinkle like a star. He stares back and you glance away shyly.

Varian does the some then his heart sped up a bit when he spoke nervously, especially surprised by what he asked. “May I kiss you?”

You freeze and look at him in surprise, “Wh-What?”

Varian crosses his arms and rubs his cheek, blushing heavily, “I-I mean I was just….asking.” He laughs nervously, “You know! I mean- I'm sorry. I was just asking just in case.”

You hold your hand to your cheek too and blush, “Y-you can….if you want. I mean, unless you're just asking-” You stop a bit anxious.

A sudden air draft knocks you onto Varian and he holds you up.

“Um….maybe we should...land.” He grins shyly.

Varian now takes hold of the wheel and controls to land Solaris in an empty field. Rudiger jumps off and smiles at the slightly tall grass. He begins to run around and causes fireflies to float up.

In the seat compartment, Varian pulls out a blanket while you stroll over to gaze out at the field. “This place never fails to surprise with its wondrous beauty.” You say as Varian lays the blanket down.

“Sure. Sometimes it's best to just go out there and find yourself, I guess.” He lays down.

You chuckle and sit down. Your satchel opens up and you take out the box, “I got chocolates if you want any.”

Varian sits up and grins, “Of course I want some.”

The two of you try all the chocolates. Some made you both spit it out, then some just made you melt into its deliciousness.

You're both now lay back and gazing up at the sky. Rudiger lays asleep near your heads and purring.

It was peaceful. The night time music danced around, like the moon above was singing a lullaby to calm everything it watched over.

You feel a hand take yours and glance over to sed Varian calmly looking at the sky.

“Varian?”

“Hm?” He hums.

“Do you think we'll ever grow apart?”

Varian turns his head to you, then turns on his side with worry and still keeps a hold on your hand. “Why would you ask that?”

You turn on your side and gaze at him with a sadden look, “I don't know, but I know I hate not being able to see you for long periods of time.”

Varian hums, sighing a little, “Well to be honest, everyone does grow apart, but….” He smiles softly, “...that doesn't mean they're gone. Somehow things will work out. Just keep faith is all there is.”

He shrugs then squeezes your hand, “I won't leave you for anything, okay? We always have to stick together no matter how far apart we are.”

You smile tenderly, “Okay.” You bite your lip, then lean forward and giving a gentle peck near Varian's mouth.

Quickly, you scoot close to him and bury your face onto his chest.

Varian stares in a daze and glances down at you. He wraps his arms around you and leans down, softly kissing your forehead.

You blush and smile to yourself while closing your eyes.

Varian smiles lovingly and closes his eyes, keeping you in his warm embrace.