Overlooked (Closed)

Sire turned, giving the girl one of his small smiles. Ever since he had met her, he’d been getting better at it. Something he didn’t necessarily think he was capable of. But here we are.
“Hey,” he replied, in a sort of tired voice. It was deeper and raspy from the cold morning air and lack of sleep. “I’m glad you decided to come.”
His tired eyes met hers, the yellow irises looking almost joyful, if not holding the slightest bit of nerve. He was a little worried, sure. But everyone was. That was normal for the limitless class.
Sire’s eyes wandered around, breaking their gaze from the girl and instead locking onto the cloudy sky. Wherever they would be going, it was normally much warmer and sunnier. Like a summer camp. Kind of.
Except many students weren’t this worried about summer camp. Or maybe they were. Sire wasn’t one to judge.
He rocked back on his feet, taking his hands from their positions and letting one hang loose at his side while the other brushed the hair from his eyes.
“You… excited?” he asked slightly awkwardly. He had never been the best at conversations. Though he never thought much of it. He was sure Seo Hyeon wouldn’t mind.

_{(sorry it’s a lil short)}

Sire glanced over, taken slightly by surprise. His hands fell, and he put them back in his sweatshirt pocket. The book was still held tight in his arm.
“Sure,” he replied in a sort of calm mumble. “And don’t worry. This is a lot of kids’ first times.”
He gave a nod to a few other members, not pointing out who exactly but gesturing in the general direction. A small group of first-years were huddled by the gate to the entrance of the courtyard, already hasty to go. Either they wanted to get there fast or get it over with fast. Most likely the second one.
“There’s not much to worry about,” he said fluidly, starting to get a hold of his voice, yet it still kept the same tone. “If your powers are strong, and you’re good at what you do, you should have no issue.”
And if your power doesn’t hurt you every time you use it, he thought, internally cursing himself. He realized he did this quite often.

His eyes flitted back to the sky, and he drew out headphones from his pocket. He clicked them into his phone, putting a single bud in one of his ears. He offered the other to CC, holding it out.
“I don’t know if you’ll like my music…,” he began, trailing off. “But you’re welcome to listen with me.”
What was he doing? He didn’t even know. He was slightly… embarrassed about his taste in music, to say the least. Some people believed he would listen to heavy metal, whereas those who really knew him would suspect he listened to modern rock or alt. In reality… he listened more to lo-fi and indie. Maybe Seo Hyeon wouldn’t judge him for that. Or maybe she would. But he didn’t care. Right?

(It’s okay, don’t worry :)

Sire’s eyes looked slightly surprised, yet he kept the same expression, his eyes just staring straight forward to see a bus pulling in to the stop. It didn’t look like their normal school bus— almost like a bus that would be used for a band on tour without a big budget.
He motioned for them to walk forward as to preserve the headphones situation. He didn’t reply to her declaration of actually enjoying his tase in music, but he felt much better. He didn’t actually know how much that had mattered.
He took a couple steps forward, trying to walk in-line with CC. It was a sort of awkward way, but he enjoyed sharing this sort of connection.
Thinking to himself, he gave his same little smile, yet he buried his face in the collar of his sweater yet again. Maybe from the cold, but maybe just to hide his face from the expression. His eyes glanced over to Seo Hyeon, but before she could return the look, they flitted away. Before getting on the bus, he took one look around the courtyard, then joined the line to enter the bus.

(bump? Don’t feel pressured to continue or anything, you can tell me if we’re leaving this idea lol. Just wanted to see whatcha wanna do)

(No no it’s ok! Take all the time you need! I was just wondering)

“Sure,” he replied, monotone. He slid in beside the window, carefully, watching as she sat beside him. “Thank you.”
He was right— it was extremely nice to have someone here he didn’t mind. Sure, he knew almost all the kids, but they were all… exactly that. Just people he knew. With Seo Hyeon… he’d consider her a friend. Now.
It had been a packed last couple of days since the brawl. Packed with social interaction, at least. He hadn’t had schoolwork— that was almost alien to him. But Seo Hyeon had kept by his side. He didn’t know whether to curse or thank her for it.
Sire glanced over to her, giving another one of his tired melancholic smiles and nodding.
He found his heart beating just a bit faster, which took even him by surprise. But with the sun shining in from behind him and casting a glow on her, it was almost angelic. It seemed about right, though. Sire would be the absence of light, just outlining him, whereas CC would be bright and happy and full of light regardless. Or, at least, that’s what he thought.
He noticed her tapping a hand.
Nervous, maybe, he thought. But really, who isn’t…?
Sire took a deep breath, not sitting entirely to the side of the window so CC would have to be a slight bit closer than normal in order to fit fully on the seat. Maybe the contact would calm her.
It wasn’t for his own heart. Right? No. It was for her only.
But no amount of convincing could help his real feelings.

He glanced over at her hand set closer to his, debating holding it for about as long as it took her to act. He finally settled on not, instead staring back out the window and enjoying the music in his ear.
And suddenly, she had moved.
Sire almost choked on his breath as he felt the contact. His heart hammered in his chest, a quite large blade peeking out of his other hand, not the one Seo Hyeon was holding. His mind raced as his hand started to bleed slightly, but he retracted the blade as quickly as he could and put his hand under his leg.
Maybe she didn’t see, he thought. Maybe she won’t be concerned and move. But why do I care? She can move. That’d be fine. Right. Yes. I don’t care.
Despite his thoughts, his face grew hot and his cheeks flushed. His heart still beat too fast, but the music in his one ear helped him calm slightly. He realized he had been holding his breath, and finally let it out, feeling himself slow.
He had to hold in a shiver, not even knowing what it was from. It wasn’t cold. Just nerves, he guessed.
Just nerves, nothing else.
And just like that, Sire moved his hand, positioning it so his fingers intertwined with hers. He claimed it was against his own will. But his heart had made him do it nontheless.
Still, he didn’t say a word, just went back to looking out the window.

Sire let out a small nervous laugh— something he almost never did. He felt his heart flutter a slight bit, rising in his chest. He took a long sigh, clenching his free hand under his leg nervously. Something he usually did when he was uncomfortable. Tensing up, that is.
“I-it’s ok,” he mumbled softly. He glanced over, his crooked smile remaining on his face. He tried his hardest to calm himself, with little avail.
“I guess we’re alike, you and I,” he continued, adverting his gaze back outside. He slightly squeezed her hand, noting that the girl’s was unusually cold. It was fine for Sire, though. His blood normally ran pretty warm, him wearing heavy clothing most of the time as to cover the scars, even in summer.
“With the random bursts of power,” he explained further, his voice now holding a bit more variation. “Hopefully they can teach us how to fix it here.”
He nodded to the accompanying professor a couple seats up as he spoke.
Though he seemed calm about the situation— the whole knifing when nervous fiasco— he truly despised it. Especially when there was someone he would enjoy. Such as Seo Hyeon. The flutter she gave him when just looking in his direction resulted in paper cuts. The minor actions caused bigger blades. If anything ever happened… heck, it’d be enough to kill him.
He shook his head, still trying to convince himself he didn’t actually like her. It was just nice to have a friend. Friends hold hands. Friends do this. Right?

(Gotta love these two stubborn oblivious children XD)

Sire lifted his hand from beneath his leg. Blood was smeared across it, but that was to be expected, with how nervous he had gotten. He grit his teeth, not from the pain, but from the anticipation of what CC would say.
The deep crimson was clear against his skin, like the splatter of paint against a complimentary palette. It no doubt had stained the back of his pant leg, but he wasn’t too concerned about that. He was concerned about the girl’s reaction.
Sure, she had seen worse. Healed worse. With him, mainly.
The gauntlet had probably soaked up the most of the blood, which bothered him slightly. These things were a pain to clean, but of course, he wasn’t a stranger to it. He had to do it after every single sparring battle or training session.
He carefully removed it, again revealing his scarred-up arms. He held his hand out to Seo Hyeon, his amber eyes locking onto it instead of her.
“You don’t have to,” he informed. “But thank you.”
He seemed slightly distant, but only because all of his energy was being spent trying to calm himself down. Which was contradictory, sure, but he was trying. Though, his mind just kept bouncing back to the contact— the girl’s hand in his own.

Sire watched as the cut dissipated, soon only revealing a small white slit. Gosh, she was helpful. And nice. Convenient. It was amazing to have her around. Not only because she healed him, though. It was her. Just— well, he didn’t necessarily know how to explain it. It just was what it was. And he enjoyed it.
“The healing, or—,” he was cut off when she held his hand again, then realized what she meant. His face grew noticeably red despite his best efforts as he glanced from her hand to her eyes.
“Y-yeah,” he said quietly, his words small. “Sure.”
You sound like an idiot, he thought to himself. Get a grip. You’re friends, that’s it.
His body grew tense again until his breathing calmed. He turned to look out the window, completely unsure if he wanted to stay here forever or couldn’t wait until the ride was over. There was a thin line between them, despite them being opposites. He felt like he needed to go sit down in a dark corner and rethink his life mottos.
He finally sighed, closing his eyes.
Sire wasn’t the kind of guy to run from the truth. He was the kind of guy to know deep down what he meant, but never show it for the life of him. He gave an internal nod.
Damnit, he thought, though it was more in an acceptance, as much as it could be. You win this time, stupid heart. You just better not get yourself broken, idiot.
And with that, he opened his eyes, both of them holding a certain new light. Denial would have to wait.

Sire blinked, still staring straight forward. He took a moment before reply.
“I get it,” he mumbled. “It’s rough. But I have no doubt you’ll do fine.”
So it’s for comfort? he thought. Not because— no… she feels the same, right?
He shook his head. Why am I overthinking this? It’s so unlike me.
He let out a small laugh at himself, smiling for a moment. He was oblivious he had done so, but his face rested in a sort of gleeful emotion— contentedness? That’s what someone might call it. Sire didn’t necessarily feel it often, but ever since he had met Seo Hyeon, it’d become more relevant to his situations. And, honestly, he didn’t mind.
He glanced over at her for a quick second, then back to the window. Pine trees began to pass, and the sky overhead looked much more clouded. They were getting close to the grounds, where they’d stay in cabins until Friday. That have them about three days to work their butts off with little reward.
It was sort of like a camping situation. Schedule was: get up at five, eat, train until late evening, eat, do whatever, and lights out at nine. They were regulated like children, but Sire didn’t really care. During the evening there was normally a campfire, which he didn’t mind in the slightest. There were little things to look forward to.

Suddenly, a small patter of rain made itself heard batting against the roof of the bus. A low grumble could be heard from a few students, but if anything, Sire was infinitely more excited. He loved the rain and any kind of cold weather— be it snow, hail, rain, fog, or just clouds. In this case, it was just the rain, fog, and a thick overlay of clouds, as they drove deeper and deeper into the forest.
Sire looked out the window in awe, like a small kid looking into a fish tank.
The bus suddenly pulled to a halt, some kind of gravel clearly beneath the tires. The professor pushed himself up, walking out down the aisle and motioning for the students to file out. The rest of them looked less nervous now, due to the schedule the rest of the day. The most of it would be familiarizing and going over tactics and looking at the next two days. No real training today, no. The hardcore stuff started tomorrow.
Sire didn’t move. Nor did he look over. He was happy, to say the most. His hand was content and warm in Seo Hyeon’s, and frankly, he was okay with that.
He finally glanced over, however he kept still, waiting for her to determine whatever they decided to do.

_{(sorry it’s a bit short)}

Sire was surprised when she didn’t let his hand go, but hey, he wasn’t one to complain.
He got up as well, rising with her. He grabbed his own bag with his free hand, slightly awkwardly holding his gauntlet and book in one hand. The other was occupied, clearly, and couldn’t be moved. Didn’t want to, actually.
Sire contemplated whether he should let go or not. What if people saw? Surely there’d be publicity. Seo Hyeon and the outcast son of the headmaster. The socially askew student who skips class like a delinquent and a good kid, dating.
But who was he to care, if she didn’t?
He paused for a moment, slowing down his thoughts as he took a deep breath.
They weren’t even dating. He didn’t know if they would. Heck, they were just holding hands. He needed to get his mind out of the… quite delightful-seeming gutter.
He shook his head, looking back to Seo Hyeon. He took the headphones and wrapped them back up, slipping them into his pocket.
He squeezed her hand slightly, nodding.
“Yeah,” he replied, gesturing forward. “After you.”

Sire let her lead him, like a puppy who didn’t care for his own freedom. Once off the bus, greeted with the frigid air, he felt more alive than ever. It was beautiful out here— the deep grey of the sky causing the dark green of the trees to stand out among it. Fog held in the air, giving it a slight damp feeling.
His eyes wandered past the students, taking in the camp grounds. It looked exactly like it sounded. Small cabins lined the far side of the massive clearing, pine needles, bark, and dirt coating the ground. Directly in the middle was a gigantic campfire, although it was put out at the moment. Logs lined it, meant for small groups, but with gaps to fit more logs if needed. To the right lied two other cabins, likely for a medical tent and the teachers/instructors.
Based on past experiences, Sire knew training happened elsewhere. There’d be a small trail off behind the cabins that they would take, and end up in a sort of large, cleared out cavern almost.
He glanced back to see the bus taking off once again. Stuck here.
But as Seo Hyeon hugged his arm, he didn’t really care.
“A little,” he replied in a soft mutter. “But it’s nice.”
The professor turned, addressing the whole group that had exited the bus.
“For now, you are to go to your cabins. Since we have a small group, we’ll be taking the two leftmost ones. Girls will have the cabin on the right, boys, left,” he commanded, gesturing to the six lined up on the opposide side. The two the class had were next to one another.
“Set your stuff down, then acquaint,” he informed. “Meet at the fire at 12. I’ll go let them know we’re here.”
With that, the professor walked off.

Sire gave a nod, gently wresting himself from her side. He looked back with another one of his timid smiles.
“I’ll see you in a sec,” he said softly, turning back and continuing to walk with the group of boys to the far cabins.
He pushed the door open, taking a top cot on the far side of the room.
Sire really didn’t mind rooming with people, but when it came to bunk beds, he hated them. At least these ones were fine— jutting out of the walls like shelves instead of being attached at the rim.
He set his bag down on top, kicking his feet over the side and setting down his book. He slipped his gauntlets on begrudgingly, sliding his book over to the diminutive side table.
After that, he surveyed the team of boys.
Aryan was here— to be expected. There were only four boys, including Sire. He noticed one of the younger years, Simon, a quiet boy with some sort of teleporting ability. The other, besides Aryan, was a kindly-looking fellow, or as other people would call it, “nerd.” He had large rimmed glasses with blonde hair, accompanied by large green eyes. He was about Sire’s age, if not younger. The others called him Tiki, Sire unsure what it was short for, if anything. Although it was a suiting name— having some power over fire.
The others took their seats on the cots, beginning to talk about the camp. The buzz was there— they were certainly more excited than they had been before.
Sire looked out the window, waiting for Seo Hyeon to finish unpacking and introductions. Maybe she’d come over once she finished and they could take a walk…? or not. He didn’t care. She could take her time. After all, they had about an hour or so until they had to meet around the fire.

Sire’s phone lit up beside him, which caught his eye. He pried himself away from the “inclusive” conversation that was occurring. He held it up, heart beating a bit faster as he read the name it was from.
Sire wasn’t the kind of guy to keep silly contact names, or even nicknames. Though, as he read the name, he figured a small heart might look good next to it.
Shaking his head quickly, he opened up his phone and read the message. Taking a deep sigh, he texted back.

“mhm. It’s Aryan, Tiki, and Simon. You might know them”

He clicked it off and set the phone by his side again, turning his head back to the boys. As if on que, the blonde kid called up.
“You’re Sire, right?” he asked.
Sire nodded.
He returned the nod, letting out a smile. “Nice to meetcha. You excited?”
“Moderately,” Sire lied. “You’re Tiki, right?”
“Sure am. And this is my lil brother, Simon,” he replied.
Simon, the auburn-haired boy, gave a small wave. He looked nothing like Tiki, with small blue eyes and freckles. Sire never would have guessed.
Sire nodded. “I’ve seen you around before.”
Aryan instantly bounded up to Sire’s bunk, leaning an elbow on the side and giving a grin.
“And, of course, you know who I am,” he laughed.
“Mhm,” Sire mumbled. His gaze was still fixed on his phone. “Sure do.”