The bright sun burned my skin with its offensive rays. I swiped some of the sweat from my brow and glared up at the bright blue sky. This was Darsineka, it was never this bright, nor this hot. I leaned on my broom and heaved a deep sigh. We were cleaning the barracks and training fields today, which is totally unfair. I had hoped for a nice day off after coming back home from the hunt I was just on with my team. My whole body ached from being thrown around by a minotaur. “Ugh I shouldn’t be here. I should be relaxing.” Longingly I looked out towards the training area. It was then I caught sight of Wren sharpening some of the weapons by himself.

The rhythmic motion of Wrens arm as he dragged a whetstone across a blade of a sword. His hair clung to the back of his neck and forehead with sweat, but he didn’t seem to notice or care. He looked completely at peace with his task, barely even looking up as others walked past him with their own tasks. Like the noise of the world around him couldn’t reach him.

I wonder what it felt like to be let into a space like that.

Ezra dragged a box next to me, startling me out of the thought. He offered me a drink which I took graciously. My mouth and throat felt like a desert in this heat. “Stay hydrated.” He said simply as he sat on the edge of the box, taking a big swig of water.

Dramatically I pressed my hand to my chest with a gasp. “Awe you do care about me.” Taking a seat next to him I leaned my shoulder against his and heaved a deep sigh. I took a drink of what he had offered me and let its sweet texture dance on my tongue. We sat in silence for a while before Ezra pointed his bottle at Wren.

“Have you spoken to him lately? I heard his hunt went so well his team was the first back. He’s picked up some serious skills. I can’t believe he’s the same kid that got sick off Drinna mushrooms last year.”

I hummed in agreement with Ezra. “Yeah, those muscles of his really have come in too.”

“Dude.” Ezra shoved me with his shoulder, and I laughed. “You have been pining over him the last few weeks, what is up with you?”

“Me, pining? Never. Slanderous of you to assume.” That comment earned me a deadpan look from Ezra. He raised a brow like to ask if I was being serious with him. I averted my eyes, suddenly finding the sky interesting again. “I don’t know, I can’t explain it.” I swirled the dark liquid in my bottle. “He and I haven’t talked very much to be honest with you. But when I look at him, sometimes I just feel like he and I have a lot in common.”

“Yeah?” Both brows went up this time, clearly not seeing what I was seeing.

“Yeah… I can’t put my finger on it quite yet, but I just know we would get along. I just wish I had the courage to talk to him more.”

“Clay Dashkov? Nervous to talk to a boy? It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.” Ezra finished off his water and handed me his empty bottle, I took it with furrowed brows, staring up at him as he got up to stretch. “Your charm will wear him down eventually. Just talk to the guy, he seems approachable enough.” We looked back towards where Wren was as he sharpened a knife. Holding it up to the light to catch the light. “Well… Except when he has something sharp in his hands, maybe try later.” I rolled my eyes. Then Ezra’s voice turned serious again. “I don’t know much about what it’s like to be an Infernal, I’m sure he has some demons. But if there’s anyone I know who could get him to open up, it would be you.”

I glanced back again, just for the briefest second, and this time I caught Wren’s eyes. A breath of a moment before he turned back to his work like it was nothing. Like he hadn’t just caught me staring at him like an idiot.

“Oh, Gods Ezra, what am I going to do? I shouldn’t feel like this. Pinch me, maybe this is all a dream, and when I wake up, I won’t actually be pinning for him.” Ezra reached out and ruffled my hair. He was like a pesky older brother when he did things like that.

“Yeah, no. This is unfortunately your reality. Now let’s finish up this work so we can get some rest.”

With a defeated sigh I began cleaning again. Pushing the box where it belonged. Ezra grabbed his rag and window cleaner to continue where he left off. I was just dusting off my hands when a new voice startled me out of my skin.

“You missed a spot.”

I turned fast and saw Wren standing just a few feet away, a towel tossed over his shoulder, a bottle of water in one hand. I blinked. “What?”

He motioned towards my forgotten broom and the trash I had swept up. “You missed a spot. You didn’t finish sweeping.” He said it like it was simple, matter-of-fact.

“Oh… I was just about to finish that.”

He nodded his head and turned to leave. But for half a second I swore he hesitated. Like he wanted to say something else. Or maybe I hoped he was going to. Then he walked back towards the weapons rack, taking his towel to brush off the sweat that gathered on his forehead before slinging it over the chair he had been sitting in.

I watched him, heart stammering like a sparrow was caught in my chest.

He had spoken to me. That was something, wasn’t it?

Ezra leaned around the side of the building; fake shock plastered on his face. “Oh no Clay. He talked to you. You’re doomed now.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Oh, Gods I am doomed. Did you see that? He never talks to me first. And did you see what he looked like? Even better up close.” I covered my eyes and crouched low to the ground, wallowing in my feelings. I hated how the image was burned into my brain, behind my eyelids. He was perfect, and exactly my type. The way his shoulder blades curved on his back, his jawline like a knife. Hell, even the way his eyes trailed over me like he was memorizing every detail. This had to be more than pining.

“I saw him. Don’t worry. And I am perfectly okay.”

“Gods Ezra, do you think… I mean… What if he doesn’t even like guys? Or worse, what if he doesn’t like me and I don’t even stand a chance? What if that was him judging me?” I groaned.

“Well then, we will have to throw your tragic love story a proper funeral and help you move on. But come on, Wren isn’t that kind of guy. He probably was just genuinely looking out for you, checks are about to happen, and they expect the work to be completed before we break for lunch. Now get to work Dashkov, I don’t want to leave you behind.”