[i]Alright, just like last post I mentioned I’ve been editing old pages, and this one is so important to me and the story. I hope you enjoy the new improved version of Shadow and Variks getting together :)[/i] The door opening sends Shadow's heart into overdrive. She pulls in a deep breath at the sound of his voice. It sends shivers down her spine. "You are awake." "Awoken," she murmurs, laying with her back to him. "Joke...?" "Yeah. Joke." She can't help but smile, turning onto her back to look up at the ceiling. She can't meet his eyes. "I have heard Guardians say, if you have to ask, it was not very funny." Shadow sighs. "Well, I guess you better think of some good jokes, to help me out." The room is silent for a while, and then from the corner of her eye, she sees Variks lower himself to the floor. He kneels beside her bed, his face close enough for her to faintly feel his breathing. "You are feeling better?" he burbles in question. "I'm alright." Variks's eyes narrow as he shifts around, looking like he wants to say something. The waiting is killing her. "I do not recall... discussing this old tradition with you. Where did you learn it?" The hunter almost hoped they could avoid any conversation about the whole thing. Just go back to the way it was. Whatever it meant to not ruin the years of relationship they had already built between them. "I talked to Wolf," she responds honestly. Variks scoffs under his breath. He looks away, flexing his fingers as if he were imagining wringing the ex wolf's neck. "Of course," he mutters. Variks rests his real arms on the edge of her bed and gazes at her. Shadow can't help but turn her head to look at his face. He blinks glittering blue eyes at her. Her heart skips. "May I ask you something?" "Of course you can," the hunter responds, slightly pulling herself into a sitting position. "Why?" Eyes closing, Shadow sighs. "Variks, you already know all the reasons why I want to be more than your friend. If you want someone to keep repeating it for your entertainment, find a dumber Guardian." While her words are edged, a fond smile tugs at her mouth. Variks blinks, his eyes widening in surprise. He chuckles deep in his chest, taken aback, and reminded of the reason he enjoys her company. Silence presses around them until she decides to speak again. The hunter stares at the ceiling. "I wanted them proud of me, you know. So when you ask why... It wasn't easy," she whispers, voice cracking. "But I was starting to fall in love with you. I knew I could never be what they wanted. Not while I cared about your people. They weren't ready for change." Variks lowers his head, his voice tainted with guilt. "I took you from them." The hunter looks back at him. "It's not your fault. I wanted to be here." Variks meets her eyes. "Not anymore?" Hope soars in the hunter's chest at his uneasy tone. "That's up to you." Shadow swallows, finally coming forward with her concern. Since she had lost, what would she be now? And now that she had offered such a thing between them, would he tell her to go? "I'm not asking you to leave." He frowns, offended. "You are my fr—" he pauses, correcting himself. "Well... I suppose you are more than that now," he admits, his eyes meeting the floor almost shyly. Shadow nearly chokes on air. "B-but I lost!" She sits up fully now, head swimming. "Not the fight I watched," he objects. Shadow lays back down, breathless and completely lost for words. "You have won," he adds again, folding his real hands together. "Whether you would debate it was by default, I do not care. I will honor the tradition. It is my own choice." His mechanical hands gesture in the air as if brushing her anxiety away. What did he expect her to say in response? She decides to think about something else. Anything to cure the tension stinging the air around them.      "You know, when I first met you, I didn't like you," she blurts.      Variks feigns surprise. "Really? Why not?," he clicks.      She shrugs with a smile, answering anyways. "I don't know. I sucked in the prison and I needed someone to blame. And you didn't know personal space." Mandibles opening incredulously, the eliksni jabs an accusing finger at her. "That is very funny coming from you," he says, a dry laughter rising from his chest.      "And your voice, I didn't like that either," she chuckles, her golden eyes softening with fond memories.      "Ah, you do not seem to have a problem with my voice now, hmm?" he chatters smugly.      Shadow turns her face from him, hiding a smile. "I tried to convince myself I didn't like you. That I wasn't..." Her smile fades. "Interested in an eliksni. I couldn't be feeling..." She averts her eyes down at her hands, heart aching. "Turns out you're quite difficult to resist."      Variks's teasing expression is replaced with a somber, humbled stare as he considers her words. "Love is difficult to resist. Perhaps... it is best not to fight these things." He strokes her arm gently, an awkward attempt at comforting her.      Shadow's stomach twists. After yet another drawn out silence, the ex guardian takes a quick glance towards her Kell.      "Variks?"      "Yes?"      "Why did you decide to let me stay here? I never asked." Variks swears her burning amber gaze could bore holes into him. He takes his time to answer.      "You listened," he replies very simply, but not without the strain of emotion pulling at his words. "I meant it when I said you should have been eliksni." His hands move closer to her, gently brushing against her. "And Queen Kell had said, I should spend more time with you."      "She did?"      "Yes."      "Is there anyones business she doesn't interfere with?" she asks fondly.      "I don't think so," Variks drawls amusedly, before adding, "Thank you."      "For what?"      "Changing your mind about the eliksni... about me."      "Of course. I admire your culture, loyalty and bravery." Shadow explains. "Or, the way you told me it used to be. I wanted to see that happen again. I still do. You shouldn't have to do this alone."      She stares into his eyes as a soft, broken up purr sputters from his throat.      Nerves begin to pull hard at Shadow's gut again. She draws in a quick breath. "Variks?"      "Yes?"      "Do you... uhm— did you ever," she stutters dumbly, looking away and turning red. "...like me?"      He struggles for words. "I have always liked you," he answers decidedly, a defensive tone to his voice.     That's not the way I meant, she thinks, but before she can voice her thoughts, he continues.      "But—" Face half hidden in the fur of his robes, his eyes shift around the room in discomfort. "I have thought of you ...in a different light... for a little while now. I thought the same as you did. Not an easy thing to decide, I'm sure you understand, considering..." He looks back at her to gesture to her skin, her hair, her eyes, her ...everything. He means an awoken.      Heart leaping into her chest, she swallows.      "Shadow," Variks begins hesitantly, looking relieved to get the attention off himself. "You are aware you did not have to do this, yes? Between us..." He reaches out a hand, sliding it under her own. Sparks dance along her skin where he touches her. "We have known each other well. You could have simply asked me, spoken with me about what you wanted... how you felt for me. Such fighting is not necessary."