"We have to act fast." Veter says as he tries to calculate a plan.
"Veter has a point. We'll need a plan of action. My magic isn't effectively working as we all had hoped for; we unfortunately don't have the amount of time I had previously given to keep Koron alive."
"You said we had roughly three days before he dies, right?" Raion says urgently.
" Yes, three days, but now... " Baskia nervously fidgets with his hands, avoiding eye contact with Veter and Raion.
" We can't afford to beat around the bush. Spit it out, Baskia. " Veter looks concernedly over at Baskia.
"I understand. Koron will die in a day and a half if his wounds are not treated immediately. "
"I see. " Veters glance shifts away from Baskia and onto Raion's.
At this moment, Raion has yet to say a word as Veter and Baskia go back and forth trying to devise a plan. Raion is simply sitting there looking down at the ground, barely making out the words that Veter and Baskia are saying; it all sounds like a foreign language to him.
A day and a half... we only have a day and a half. Is that even enough time? Where do we go from here? What will happen to Fourth if Koron dies? No, I can't think like that; everyone is counting on me. I have to act strong. Though... I wonder if I will be able to control this rage. From what I have gathered, any time I feel immense anger, I change.
"So that's settled then. We have a plan, everyone knows what needs to be done." says Veter proudly.
"It's a risky one, but if this is what we must do to find Fourth. I'll lay down my life once more."
" You really did a lot for us, didn't you?" He grabs Baskia's cheeks and pinches them.
Baskia shoves Veter away from him, but that doesn't stop Veter from moving himself closer to Baskia. "Come on, Baskia, what's wrong? Afraid to show affection in front of Raion."
Veter wraps his arm around Baskia's neck from behind, his face inches away from Baskia's.
"You smell like burnt cedar." He whispers into his ear, as he deeply inhales Baskia's scent. "I wonder why that is?"
"Veter! Could you at least try to restrain yourself? There is no need for all this um... " Baskia stutters his words softly.
"This?" Veter asks, with a puzzled look upon his face.
"Affection, Raion is here." Baskia whispers to Veter and motions to where Raion is.
"Are you embarrassed by my affection?" He lowers his voice, so only Baskia could hear him.
"No, that's not what I'm saying. " says Baskia sternly, so Veter understands his feelings.
"Then, what is it that you mean?" says Veter.
With Baskia's head looking down he goes. "How do you think Raion will feel?"
Veter doesn't say a word; he lightly rests his head on Baskia's bony shoulder, attentively listening.
B "I'm afraid that this could upset Raion. Seeing you be so kinda and warm towards me. You being happy... " He pauses for a quick second, then continues. "And I am happy. But I fear that he will end up hating us..."
Raion, who's sitting a bit further away from where Veter and Baskia are conversing, lifts his head and goes, "I don't hate you. "
Veter and Baskia both look at Raion, stunned.
"Did he hear what I said?" Baskia asks nervously.
"I'm not sure."
Vetter nuzzles his chin deeper into Baskia's shoulder, his face away from Baskia's.
Baskia keeps trying to nudge Veter away, but he's not budging. While all this is happening between them, Raion is the same, talking to them.
"I don't hate you, and I won't ever." Says Raion.
Veter lets out a sigh and says. "That's a relief."
He unwraps his arms from Baskia and walks to where Raion is sitting. He places his hand on Raion's back, looking behind him at Baskia. "Wouldn't you say so, Baskia?"
Baskia feels himself getting a tad jealous.
"Why am I getting jealous over this... ridiculous." He mutters, annoyed.
Raion can see that Baskia appears flushed in color. "Baskia? You good?"
Baskia snaps back to reality.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just something on my mind. "
"Oh? Such as?" Veter says slyly.
Veter could already tell what was bothering Baskia, and he was enjoying the toying.
Baskia shoots Veter an unpleasant look, his face grows in frustration, and a hint of embarrassment. "Let's just move on. "
"Oh, by the way." says Raion.
"Yeah, what?" Veter replies.
"Out with it, Raion." says Baskia.
"I've known all this time."
"Known what?" Baskia voice becomes shaky, and he stutters his words.
"About you and Veter."
He calmly speaks whilst still attending to Koron's wounds; his hands are now completely drenched in Koron's blood, and some of it has stained Raion's sleeves.
"I've known way before this whole fucked up stuff with Koron. And to think you thought I'd be bothered by it. I get where you're coming from, Baskia. You were just worried about my feelings. It's cool, really."
He says this all with a nonchalant attitude; meanwhile, on the other end, Veter is running his hands through Baskia's hair, while Baskia is slowly rocking back and forth.
"Since before Koron...?" Baskia questions Raion.
"Yep, Veter really gave it away. He's always so touchy-feely with you. Hard not to see. "
Baskia instantly swipes Veter's hand from his head and gives him a dirty look.
Veter lets out a chuckle.
"What can I say? I can't help it." Veter says with a smile, looking at Baskia, while he holds on to the corner of his shirt.
Baskia glances down at where Veters is holding on to. Ahh, he just can't stay away. A smile forms on his face.
"Yeah, so there's no need to feel bad on my account, Baskia, or worry. Like I said, I'm perfectly fine with it. If anything, I was rooting for you guys."
Baskia's face begins to grow hot and warm to the touch. He quickly places his hands on his cheeks, turning away from Veter and Raion.
"Hear that he was rooting for us. That's nice, isn't it?" Veter pulls more at Baskia's shirt to get his response on the matter.
"Yeah, it's nice." He mutters through his hand, his face turning even redder.