seven

The tension among the boys in the following days was evident, Nicolai’s already quiet and stiff demeanor sunk even deeper into the dark. His voice barely heard and his eye-bags slowly getting more and more defined. 

 

“Nicolai?” Mr.Izaz called, startling the vampire out of his daydream. “Would you answer the question?” 

 

“I’m sorry, sir. What was the question?” Nicolai croaked, voice dry and rough. The boy pinched his arm nervously. 

 

“Which herb or flower allows an identification potion to identify mixed species as well as true blood species?” Mr. Izaz spoke slowly, walking to stand in front of the student. 

 

“I- I don’t know, sir.” He stuttered, dropping his head down and digging his nails in deeper. 

 

“Marigold, Nicky.” Ryo murmured, “You taught me that.” 

 

“Oh.” The boy let out, his posture sinking deeply into his seat. 

 

“It’s okay, Nicolai. Re-read your notes before the exam.” Mr. Izaz spoke

The derailment of Nicolai’s well-being didn't go unnoticed either, each day got harder for the others to get the young vampire out of bed or through each class. HIs voice had gone hoarse with each word he spoke and his eyes somehow seemed even more dead. 

 

“Nico,” Theo said one night, as they sat on the balcony looking at the moon. “I’m

worried.” 

 

Nicolai hummed, turning his head to look at the smaller fae. 

 

“I don’t see you.” Theo continued, slowly laying his hand next to Nicolai’s, the fae’s heat felt through the closeness of the two. “I don’t see you and it scares me.”

 

The vampire’s eyes fluttered closed at the statement, his hand inching closer to Theo’s. “I don’t see you.” He spoke lightly, voice scratchy and a small smirk on his lips. 

 

Nicolai could hear the slight smile in the smaller’s voice, “You know that’s not what I meant.” 

 

“Tell me, tell me what you meant.” The lanky boy let his eyes open again, meeting those of Theo’s nicely in the dim light. 

 

“I don’t see you, your aura, your eyes, the freckles on your collarbone or the light that shines all around you. I don’t see you.” The fae gently intertwined their fingers with the vampires. “Is this okay?” 

 

Nicolai nodded slowly, lightly squeezing the hand in his. “This is okay.” 

 

“What do you see?” Theo asked, his eyes studying the boy across from him. 

 

“You.” He said, a small shimmering smile growing upon his face. “I see you, your wings, your eyes, the beauty mark behind your ear, the giggle you hide behind your hand. I see you.” 

 

“What else? Other than me, when you close your eyes, Nico, what do you see?” The smallest of the two moved closer, noses almost touching. 

 

“When I close my eyes?” The vampire inquired, squeezing the hand in his just a little bit tighter. “I see a ghost.” 

 

“Oh?” Theo whispered, his eyes filling with a mix of concern and confusion. “Tell me about them, the ghost.” 

 

“They have shoulder length black hair, and fair skin.” He started, eyes closed. “Red eyes, the most stunning red eyes. The color of merlot, the type your aunt would bring to a family dinner.” 

 

“Yeah? This ghost sounds like quite the attractive being.” Theo teased. “Tell me more, what is the ghost doing?” 

 

“He’s dancing, with-with this shadow, a dark shadow. A waltz. II hope they are dancing to jazz but I can’t tell.” Nicolai explained, “The rest is white, all white. It’s bright and ear-splittingly loud.” 

 

“Do you remember what you're seeing? Who was the shadow?” The fae reached out, gently placing his free hand on the taller’s waist. “You can tell me.” 

 

“Kali, I was dancing with Kali.” He smiled. “She wanted me to teach her to dance.” 

 

“Why can’t you see her?” The boy breathed out, hot against Nicolai’s cheeks. 

 

“She’s not dead.” He answered quickly, body tensing lightly. 

 

“Neither are you.” He sighed, “Neither are you.” 

 

“You know what happened, Theo. You know that’s not true.” 

 

“Nicolai, Look at me, open your eyes.” He spoke, moving his hand to lay on the vampire’s cheek. “You are alive.” 

 

The vampire stayed silent, eyes never wavering from Theo’s. 

 

“You are alive, Nico.” The fae all but cried, “You are alive.” 

 

“I am alive.” He repeated back. 

 

“You survived him.” Theo reminded the other. “You survived him, Mini.” 

 

“I survived him.” Nicolai mirrored, leaning to rest his forehead against Theo’s. “What does it mean that you don’t see me?” 

 

“It means the spirit has passed on.” He whispered. “There is no ‘old’ you. Just you. It’s just you now.” 

 

“Is that good or bad?” A tear rolled down the vampire’s cheek, his white eyes quivering. 

 

“It’s amazing, Nicolai. You are amazing.” He leaned in even more. “I think you are amazing.” 

 

“Can I- Can I kiss you, Theo?” Nicolai whispered, eyes trailing to the boys lips. 

 

“Yes, kiss me.” He answered, pulling the vampire’s face towards his. 

 

Slowly, Nicolai interconnected their lips, a hand going to Theo’s hair, twirling the fae’s curls in his fingers. His fangs lightly hooked on the boy's bottom lip. 

 

“You taste like merlot too.” Theo giggled as he pulled away briefly. “I like it.” He slowly pushed Nicolai onto his back, Theo now laying on top of the vampire. 

 

“I like you.” Nicolai spoke, both hands now in Theo’s hair. “Why don’t we go to the room, T? I don’t want, Mr. Izaz to find us.” 

 

“Come on, Nico. I have somewhere better.” The fae spoke, leaving a soft kiss on the other before getting up to his feet and pulling the other up with him. “You’re going to love it.” 

Soon the duo had made it off of the school campus, hands intertwined, eyes following one another, bare feet against the dewey grass. “Theo, we’re going to get in trouble.” The vampire whispered, following as the fae ran across the rickety old bridge. 

 

“Only if we get caught.” He smiled, squeezing the boy's hand tighter. “We’re almost there.” 

“This better not be some elaborate plan to murder me, Theo Mercia.” Nicolai laughed, fully and truly laughed. 

 

“Never, Nicolai.” A wild smile on the fae’s face as they finally made it up the hill. “We’re here.” 

 

The two stood atop the hill, tall grass grazing their legs and fireflies scattered around. That wasn’t what intrigued Nicolai however. At the bottom of the hill ran a small creek, the water shimmering against the moonlight. “It’s stunning.” 

 

“I thought you’d like it, from this point, you can always see the moon.” Theo reassured him. 

 

“I see it.” He smiled widely, turning to look at the fae again. “I like it.” 

 

“I see you.” Theo let out with a shock, the fae’s black eyes interlocked with Nicolai’s,

stunning, beautiful, merlot eyes. “I like you.”