Up next is Collin x Grayson.
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Third person point of view-

"You're a Mage! That is really cool, not gonna lie."

Magic was always something that captivated her. The ability to tap into an essence within oneself to use in order to make life easier. It was fascinating, beautiful, and above all else, rare. It had been years since she had seen a magic user and now that one was once again in her presence, it was rather difficult to think of anything else when her mind wandered away from responsibility. The girl was always that way, curious and spontaneous, mystified by the world and the ancients.
The fire crackled beside them, Mia watching as Grayson placed another log into the flames. Embers and ash rushed forth in a cloud of thick debris, quick to disburse and fall gently back into the gnawing fire. Her lime green eyes, filled with a beautiful orange illumination from the flames that complimented the hue of her orbs, wandered to the hybrid sitting a few feet away from herself just around the blaze.
Now that they were able to relax, he appeared to be in peace. His eyes had a gentle glow, in a literal and figurative sense, though not too obvious even within the darkness of night. He sat with his long legs crosses beneath himself, body planted onto his navy blue sleeping bad. It was in way reliving to see him sitting; to not be towered over considering that elves only reached up to five feet while Drake was around seven at least. It was nice to see his relaxed expression, not taking everything too seriously or in pain from a freak migraine. He was at ease.

"You sir, you're cool!"

For some reason or another, the memory of her own words came to mind, bringing about a tightness to her chest. He was fascinating, nonetheless, rather it be for his magic or blank eye or Enderman side or even his life before this time. Though, she was just as curious to learn of Grayson's past as much as the Mage's. Even so, why could she not get the purple and white eyed man out of her thoughts?
Grayson cracked his back, releasing a long breath like a sigh. Both of the two who sat around the campfire watched as he drew his sword, anxious for a moment before the ex-commander explained his reasoning for drawing his weapon. His emerald eyes stared off, fixated into the distance at the forest when they had met their new elvish comrade.

"I'm going to head out to get some food and more firewood. You two stay here."

The hybrid and elf smiled back, nodding. "Can do buddy." Drake replied, his voice calm and soothing whenever he spoke, unless he was scared or screaming in pain. Mia's ears dropped for a moment at the thought.

Grayson spun around, soon enough fading into the mysterious darkness. The two left behind watched him walk off until he was no longer in sight. Finally, Mia could no longer hold herself back. Her head snapped towards the mage with a squeal and fists shaking back and forth in short bursts of movement.

"Drake! Can you show me some of your magic?! Please?"

The hybrid scratched the back of his neck, letting out a soft but nervous chuckle. It was difficult to see the faint pink rise in his human cheek within the dim light of a small fire. His ear lowered as he turned away.

"I don't know, I mean... I try not to use my magic unless it's important. I can drain me if I use too much."

The elf crossed her arms and let her lower lip stick out. Her brows furrowed. "Aww! Fine, be that way." She turned away to face the crackling fire, closing her eyes. "I thought you were cool."

Drake giggled, his eyes rolling in the sockets of his head with bouncing shoulders. He knew that her words were empty, meant to be a joke, but then again, he had no intention in disappointing a beautiful lady. He looked away and lifted up his hand, holding up a single finger.

"Alright fine, but only one spell!"

The girl began to spontaneously cheer, eyes sparkling in delight. Drake laughed in joy with her excitement. It had been a long time since he had been around such joyful people...four years to be exact. Ever since Armen died... He cleared his throat, turning back to his hand that began to glow in purple and blue light, along with a faint mixture of white and pink. Mia's eyes grow as she watched the magic energy dance around on his palm.
The light wrapped around his entire hand, waves of energy traveling nearly up to his elbow. Taking in a deep breath, his arm extended and the magic energy stretched out, dancing in the air before it began to take the shape of a large object. It curved and rounded, Mia's eyes locked onto it in astonishment. Drake smiled as he watched her out of the corner of his eye, a warmth in his chest from seeing her in such a state. Did he feel pride? Pure happiness? He did not know exactly, but he liked it.
Mia gasped as the magic took her own form, twirling around to face the two. Her hair, each strand moving individually, and dress swung with such realism. She could not look away, taken by the beauty, too mesmerized. She gasped as she was snapped out of her trance, watching the magic dissipate, leaving the two in only the orange fire glow.

Her head turned to look at the hybrid as he laughed, his human cheek a light shade pink. "It's been awhile since I used that spell. It's cool but not very useful."

Mia got onto her hands and knees, leaning close to him with massive eyes. "What?! That was beautiful! I loved that!"

Her heart thumped as he laughed again, the faint blush on his cheek deepening. Only then did she realize the heat growing in her own face. The elf sat back down, looking to the grass beneath herself. Her fingers reached down, plucking the green strands from the ground. What was this she was feeling? Why was it so persistent and so...uncomfortable? It was like a fire burning inside of her, the hands beneath her gloves growing clammy, chest aching and face at a hundred degree temperature. These feelings were unfamiliar to her, so she had no clue on what to think of it, nor how to properly identify it.

"Thanks." He replied with a bright smile, turning back to the fire.

She tried to think of something to discuss to get her mind off of the feeling. "So...how do magi even use magic? I mean, why is it so rare?"

The hybrid looked up, gathering his thoughts to answer the question. "Well, I don't particularly know for sure but I've read somewhere that magi have a certain blood type that allows them to have the capability to use magic, but it's difficult to come by. If you have mana in the blood, then you can cast spells."

"Wow."

His smile returned as he watched her gaze into the flames, the two now surrounded by the calming embrace of silence aside from the wood crackling and the occasional ribbit of a frog since they were so close to the water. He loved her personality, the optimism that he found to constantly lift his spirits up. It reminded him so much of Armen, and even when he thought of his friend in comparison to her, it was difficult to feel upset. Just her sheer presence and that warm smile kept him lifted.
He sighed before standing, Mia pushing herself back as her heart skipped a beat. For a few moments she had forgotten how tall he was. As he came over and plopped down beside her, she scooted over, the intense, almost unbearable warmth spreading beneath her skin once more. Her arm flinched as he gently grabbed her wrist, relaxing when he asked her to trust him. She did trust him, even if they did just meet earlier that day.

"Here. I can't see if you have mana, but I think this might give you a taste on what magic is like, you know, minus the drainage of energy and tingling feelings."

She was already feeling tingly with his touch anyhow. "So optimistic." She joked, proceeding with a giggle that Drake returned in response.

He looked back up as he lifted her arm, the glow returning to his hand, now engulfing the elf's hand as well. Mia's spine shivered, feeling the warmth of the magic around her skin and this odd yet pleasing sensation running up and down her arm. She watched as the energy formed the small figures of four butterflies, all four taking little time to fly circles around them. She laughed when they landed on her, warm but tickling her exposed skin and skin covered in thin clothing. Only did her eyes open up again when Drake let go of her.

"How did that feel? I know that it is not the same as actually magic, but..." he scratched the back of his head. "I don't know. I just though it might be nice."

Mia's cheeks blushed. "...It was amazing, Drake. I mean, yeah, it's probably nothing like actually using magic but... It was very nice. Thank you."

The mage only laughed. Her eyes looked down at her hand, once again clawing at the ground beneath herself, not to distract her thoughts, but to calm the yearning for his touch once more.
She finally looked up into his eyes. This feeling. She was beginning to realize what it was, something she never expected to ever feel. The realization only caused her to want to hide her face and never show it to him again. Her heart seemed to beat faster, bringing an irrational fear that it would burst within her chest.
It's just a petty crush! It won't last! These thoughts seemed to scream in her mind in a matter of seconds or less. She did not know how she was suppose to handle this situation, bringing frustration that she desired to get rid of. He can not feel the same. They just met!
It was almost disappointing when he stood and began to walk away from her, heading back to his own sleeping bag. The thoughts in her mind snapped.

"Drake..." She refused to look him in the eye. He turned to her with a gently, deep coo. "..."

She froze up as their eyes locked, his calm orbs staring into her heart, pulling at it's strings like an angel's harp, strumming to the heavily music of love. Her eyes tore away from his, unable to get her words out. Eventually something came forth but it was not her intended confession.

Her eyes closed as she gave a warm smile. "You're awesome."

His grin brightened, eyes reflecting happiness, flattery, and appreciation. The elf lifted her head as his blush deepened and he turned away. Did he..? No, of course he would blush at a compliment like that. The way his eyes rested on her own made her feel lost in those beautiful purple, magenta, and white hues.
A hand was placed against his hip, feeling his own face scorching. Was it because he was embarrassed? Flattered? Yes...but it felt like there was something else within him; something that he did not recognize and could not name. All he knew was that she made his chest feel tight, his skin grow warm, his palms grow clammy, and heart race.

"You too."

She did not think her face could burn any hotter, and boy was she wrong. They both grew quiet, with Drake heading back to his sleeping bag, sitting down on top. For a few minutes, they exchanged light conversations that only lasted briefly, but each one had left the other intrigued, though neither chose to tell much on their past. Not yet.
When Grayson returned, beginning to cook and toss wood into the fire, her pointed ears listened to their every word, finding comfort in the hybrid's soothing voice while the anxiety of the darkness crept in. She loved seeing him smile, to hear him laugh. And she laughed along too. Even with these feelings bottled up inside, Mia could not ask for any better. These were her friends, her family, and now realized love. These two boys were her home. Drake was her home.