“Iki!”
My heart stops. It flutters a bit at the voice. I turn around to see the long-haired elf walking my way.
“Oh!” I stammer. “Allisa- ah!”
The elf hugs me again. She did this before I left to find the Blades. I remember that Maeko asked what was going on with us back when Allisa was holding my hand during the meeting with Soveliss.
I don’t know what to make of any of this…
Allisa giggles as she steps back. “How have you been? You got a new look.”
“Oh, this?” I look down at my attire. “It’s just easier to train in… I guess. But I guess I’ve been well.” I look at Allisa. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been well,” Allisa says. “Naomi and Soveliss have been training with the others… everyone’s getting better at managing their magic!”
“Hey, maybe then we’ll be able to defend ourselves here,” I say.
The elven girl nods. “Mhm!”
“Heyyyy Iki. I need to talk to you real quick.”
I look around. I recognize the voice almost immediately. As my eyes scan the surrounding bystanders, I make eye contact with Naomi. She grins for a moment when I nod, then I glance at Allisa.
“Hey, I’ll be right back,” I say. “Someone needs something.”
“Oh, alright!”
I quickly move to meet with Naomi. Sakasu stands beside her, looking up at her girlfriend. Naomi smiles again as I cross my arms.
“Is everything alri- hey!”
Naomi reaches out to me. She grabs my arm and gently yanks me close. She and Sakasu giggle as I yelp before she puts a finger to my lips.
“You better not break Allisa’s heart.”
I blink a few times. As I look between the girlfriends, I narrow my eyes in confusion.
“What?”
“Iki!” Sakasu’s voice rings in my ears. “Allisa totally likes you. Are you blind?!”
As those words repeat a few times in my head, I find myself standing in silence. My mouth drops slightly in surprise. I look between Sakasu and Naomi again.
“What… do you mean…?” I ask. “Is this a joke?”
Naomi rolls her eyes. “Please tell me you’re just joking…”
I mean, I’ve found myself questioning Allisa’s behavior around me. She’s been wanting to hold my hand. She hugs me whenever she sees me. She gets excited when we meet again…
“...I mean, I’ve noticed the behavior… but do you really think it’s that?”
Sakasu puts a hand on her hip. “Naomi and I both heard her talking to Soveliss the other night-”
“You were eavesdropping?!”
“As if you haven’t…” Sakasu jokes with narrowed eyes before snickering. “And she was talking about how she hopes she can spend more time with you because she freaking LIKES you.”
“She… didn’t use that language,” Naomi rolls her eyes playfully again. “But she did confess her crush to someone, and we happened to overhear it. That kinda happens when one person can’t speak telepathically.”
Shit. Does she actually like me?
I can’t help but think about my reactions to her behavior. The way my heart raced when I realized she hadn’t let go of my hand. The heat on my cheeks whenever she embraced me. It’s a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s not anger.
Wait… no…
“I… might… like her too.”
Naomi and Sakasu glance at one another with a look I can’t recognize. The blonde raises an eyebrow while the other’s turquoise eyes widen with a grin. Sakasu nods out of nowhere, but I suspect they’re having a conversation telepathically with one another. They giggle together as the two look back at me, ending what was in their private conversation.
“Knew it.” Sakasu says. “Now stop wasting time and go ask her out!”
“Now?!” I look at the two lovers. “That’s insane. We’re about to leave to talk to the Yasei’s soon…”
Naomi shrugs. “I mean, we got together just after Nova was attacked last time everyone was here.” She smiles. “And it’s a somewhat calm moment. Might as well shoot your shot.”
I cross my arms. As I look down, I think about what I could do. Naomi is right; there isn’t anything perilous happening right now with anyone. And we’re only going to speak with the Yasei’s next. There really isn’t anything stopping me besides my own fears.
But what if she doesn’t actually have feelings like that? Sakasu and Naomi wouldn’t be pulling my leg… right? They’re my friends. I don’t want to make a fool of myself! And Sakasu wouldn’t do that to me; I don’t know her entirely as well as I do Nova and Saisho, but I don’t think she’d purposely harm me.
Ugh. My head hurts.
“Okay… I’ll have a chat with her.” I look up at the lovers. “You’re sure this won’t backfire on me?”
Naomi grins. “I’ve known Allisa since we were little. If there’s anything I’ve learned… if her heart is following someone, it isn’t a prank.”
“You’ve got this!” Sakasu gives me a little thumbs up. “Just be smooth!”
Smooth… right.
I give a nod in thanks. I turn around, walking back to Allisa. Her eyes light up as she sees me. I give her a small grin.
“Hey. Do you want to step outside real quick?” I tilt my head towards the cottage door. I offer her a small smile as I hold out my hand to her.
Allisa’s ears twitch curiously. “Oh? S-sure! Let’s go!”
Her smaller hand takes mine. I guide her towards the door of the cottage as everyone converses with one another. I make one more glance at Naomi and Sakasu before we leave.
“You got this, Iki.”
“Good luck!”
I let out a shaky breath. I reach for the door handle. As we go outside, I find myself completely alone with the elven woman. We stop just outside of the cottage. I turn to look at Allisa again.
What have I gotten myself into?
“So… why did you want to come out here?” Allisa asks. “Is everything alright?”
I nod. “Oh, yeah. I, um… wanted to talk to you.”
How the hell do I go about this?! I’ve never asked anyone out before! Maybe I should have asked for advice first…
“About…?”
I think for a moment. How should I go about this…?
I take a deep breath.
“I kinda noticed something between us…” I begin to speak. “I don’t know if it was ever present in any other time I’ve been in Destiny and seen you, but there’s something different. You become really excited whenever I’m around, and I notice there are things we’ve shared that others haven’t.”
Allisa’s cheeks fill with color. Her eyes widen a little. “O-oh. Um. Are you talking about all of the hand holding and hugs?” She whispers. “I can stop-”
“No!”
Allisa and I look at one another. Her eyes are locked with mine. Her mouth drops open a little as she tries to speak. Ultimately, she shuts her mouth, pursing her lips for a moment.
“Listen, Allisa…”
Shoot… What now?
…I got it.
“I don’t want you to stop any of that,” I say, “I actually… enjoy it.”
Allisa’s breath hitches. “You do?” She tilts her head a little with a twitch to her ears.
I nod. “Yeah.” I offer her a smile. “It’s nice. Really.”
Allisa squeezes my hand. She has a little bounce in her step. “I’m so glad. For a moment, I thought you hated it…”
“Not at all,” I reply. “Actually, it’s made me realize that I don’t think I’ve had someone show me this kind of affection before.”
Allisa freezes up. She stares at me as her mouth drops. “H-how did you know it was affectionate?!” She asks.
I mean, I guess I’ve always known? I knew it was different. I knew this wasn’t how she normally presents herself. She was more reserved last time we were all here, but she’s grown warmer towards me.
I think this is the first person I’ve known to have a crush on me.
“A hunch, I guess,” I say with a shrug.
Allisa purses her lips. “Y-you’re not… mad… right?”
“No.” I say.
Come on, Iki. Think. How can you say you like her back without being cliche?
Slowly, I adjust how I’m holding Allisa’s hand. I take her hand gently within mine. As I raise her hand up, I watch her eyes for any discomfort. My heart is racing as I try to flirt.
I gently kiss the top of her hand.
Allisa’s face turns a red color. She starts smiling from ear to ear, her eyes meeting with mine yet again. Her free hand covers her mouth a little.
“I-Iki!”
I feel my cheeks fill with heat. My heart is trying to escape from my chest. Everything around me feels lighter than before. I can’t stop myself from smiling at the elven lady.
“Hey Allisa,” I whisper. “Would you mind letting me be your Knight?”
Allisa’s eyes light up with an emotion I’ve seen in others' eyes before. She smiles wider, which is something I didn’t think was possible. She starts nodding frantically.
“Yes!” Allisa giggles. “Oh goodness, yes!”
Holy shit. I did it.
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