Chapter Text
Vihaan jumps out of the way as another swing is made towards him. Him and Terrin are still in the training hall, even after everyone else has called it a day. Vihaan is tired, but the adrenaline is still rushing through him, and he laughs as he jumps away from another swing.
“You're getting predictable,” he snickers, and Terrin grips his staff harder. It's made for training, a soft layer coated around it, but they could still get bruises if they're not careful.
“Maybe I'm just trying to lower your guard,” he grins back, taking another predictable swing towards him.
“You sure you aren't just tired?” The statement could've come from a place of concern, but they both know this is an ongoing tease now. “You're allowed to call it quits, you know.”
“The same goes to you.”
Terrin takes another swing, but this time Vihaan doesn't jump out of the way. Instead, he grabs the staff on its way towards him, and twists it to catch Terrin off balance. Terrin yelps as Vihaan pulls the staff towards himself, pulling Terrin with it.
“I told you you were getting predictable,” Vihaan grins up in his face.
Terrin's bickering demeanour disappears, and it's replaced by a fluster spreading over his face. Vihaan suddenly realizes how close they're standing, both still with a firm grip on the staff. Terrin looks at him with big eyes, and Vihaan's grin widens. He can understand why the Lady likes him so much. He's cute when he gets like this.
Vihaan's eyes fall slightly, and lingers on Terrin's lips. They look soft. The two of them are already close, what if he leaned in even closer? He plays with the thought for just a second. His heartbeat flutters, barely, but Vihaan notices nonetheless. It would be so easy to close that gap. He wouldn't, of course.
That is, until he does.
The gap is suddenly not there anymore, Terrin's warmth in its place instead. Vihaan can feel how he tenses his body, a weak sound getting muffled by their kiss. It's not as soft as Vihaan imagined, it's clumsy, neither was prepared for the sudden contact. They're frozen like that for a moment, it feels much longer than it actually is, before realization washes over Vihaan and he abruptly pulls away.
"Oh shit," he mumbles, his eyes widening. "Shit, shit, shit."
He takes a step back, distancing himself. Terrin just looks at him with equally wide eyes, mouth slightly open, but no words come. Vihaan lets go of the staff, and it falls to the floor.
In his moment of panic, Vihaan turns to flee. Flee from his mistake. He turns around, and barely manages to take a step away, but Terrin is quicker. He grabs Vihaan's arm, stopping him from getting further.
"Vihaan."
Vihaan turns slowly to look back at him. Terrin's grip is firm, but his head is turned away, his other hand covering his flustered face. He won't meet Vihaan's eyes.
"Shit, I'm so sorry, Terrin," Vihaan continues to ramble. "I-I don't know what came over me, shit I- fuck-"
"Vihaan.”
Vihaan finally shuts his mouth. He desperately tries to read Terrin's expression, but his hand hides too much of his face for Vihaan to be able to decipher anything. His mind is about to spiral further, when Terrin's grip softens. His hand moves down to Vihaan's own hand, and takes it carefully.
If he wanted, he could take his escape now, but he doesn't. The soft hold on his hand calm him enough to stay. Barely, but enough.
"Terrin, I..." Vihaan tries, quieter this time, but he trails off. Terrin's thumb moves slightly over his hand, and Vihaan somehow feels the confidence to return the soft hold. His gentle gesture makes Terrin lower his other hand, finally looking properly at him.
They look at each other for a moment, no words exchanging between them. Terrin's face is still reddened with fluster, paired with a look in his eyes Vihaan can't quite figure out. It could be shame, or disappointment. Vihaan feels his own face fluster, mostly from regret, but the memory of their kiss makes something else flutter deep inside him.
"I..." Terrin finally says, breaking the silence. Vihaan looks at him expectingly, still concerned.
"I-I didn't realize you.." Terrin continues, practically whispering. "That you also..."
Vihaan is about to apologize again, but confusion exceeds his concern when he hears Terrin's words.
"..what?"
Terrin's eyes widens as if he just now realizes his words. He looks away again, and his hand loosens its grip, but Vihaan is quicker to tighten his own grip this time.
"No, you don't get to escape either," he huffs. "I need you to explain that 'also'."
Terrin turns back to face him, his mouth a thin line, eyes searching Vihaan's expression. Vihaan can practically see the thoughts running through his head, before Terrin sighs and averts his gaze.
“I, uhm... The Lady was aware of my feelings long before I was.. I suppose I'm not that hard to read, and she knows me well at this point..”
Vihaan can barely process Terrin's words, a thousand questions running through his mind.
"...how long?" is all he can manage, and Terrin tenses his shoulders.
"I-I'm not certain.. a while? I didn't want to.. assume, or expect anything.."
"...but you have feelings," Vihaan continues, and Terrin sends him a worried glance.
“I mean.. you're my best friend, Vihaan. You're one of the most important people in my life, it.. it's honestly strange I didn't realize my feelings sooner..”
Vihaan's heart flutters again. How has he not been able to understand his own feelings until now? How did it take him this long to finally see how much he cares about him?
“I, uh.." Vihaan begins, but hesitates. "I haven't really been aware before, but it makes sense now that I, like..” He makes a careful grimace. “like you..”
He didn't think Terrin could get much redder, but there's a clear reaction to his words. He stays calm still, despite the fluster, and carefully continues.
“You didn't realize?" Terrin asks puzzled. "Then why would you do that earlier?”
Vihaan makes another grimace and looks away.
“I-I don't know, it just sort of happened.”
"Do you regret it?"
Vihaan looks back. Terrin's expression is earnest, and Vihaan can feel himself fluster again as well.
"...you promise you're not angry?" he asks carefully.
"I'm not," Terrin says.
"Then no."
Terrin still clearly has more he wants to say, but he hesitates, before he continues carefully.
"...do you… want to give it another try?" he mumbles, no confidence in his voice. Vihaan looks at him for a second, before he huffs out a quiet laugh. I can't with this guy.
"It's impossible to refuse that irresistible puppy-eyed look," he snickers, before he pulls Terrin's hand towards himself.
Terrin stumbles closer, and they both hesitate for a moment. Terrin's eyes are longing, but Vihaan is once again keeping his eyes on Terrin's lips. His heart skips a beat, he hesitates for just another second, before they close the gap again, properly this time.
The kiss is even softer than Vihaan imagined earlier, now that they're both prepared. Vihaan tilts his head slightly, and he can feel Terrin running his thumb over his hand.
They lock eyes for a beat when they pull away, before they both avert their gaze. Vihaan takes a second to let his heartbeat calm, before he huffs out a quiet laugh.
“We're flustering like teenagers,” he snickers carefully.
"I-I'm just not used to this.." Terrin mumbles back.
"Sure you are, you and the Lady do this all the time."
"You're not her."
It's Vihaan's turn to silence, warmth creeping over his face. It’d be easier if Terrin would tease him about it all, but his expression is so genuine Vihaan has to look away. They keep the hold on each other's hand, neither wanting to let go despite the awkward tension between them.
“I, uh..” Terrin continues. “I-I should probably have a talk with Adette about this..”
“Absolutely, you should,” Vihaan huffs. “Don't make me a homewrecker.”
Terrin chuckles quietly and sends him a lighthearted smile.
“I promise you won't be..”
Terrin runs his thumb softly over Vihaan's hand one more time, before he lets go.
“I'll, uh.. I'll talk to you later tonight,” he mumbles. “...don't let your thoughts spiral too much.”
“That goes to you, as well,” Vihaan carefully snickers back, and Terrin sends him another smile. Then he picks up the staff and walks towards the door, giving Vihaan a light wave before he leaves.
Vihaan is left alone with his thoughts, another fluster taking over him, and he covers his face with his hands.
“..fuck,” he huffs lightheartedly.