It's going down, I'm yelling timber (Oriel)

[Luxanna Viera]

It had been quite a while since Lux had seen her friend, Oriel. Mostly because the idiot had been hospitalized 'cause of a snakebite. She couldn't really say she was all that surprised or anything, because it seemed that her dear friend managed to get himself into all sorts of trouble. But, she had always and would always follow the boy with her eyes closed and her heart in her hands, without a single sign of doubt or even regret. Maybe it was foolish of her to put that much trust into such a reckless person, but she could really care less. She loved him in spite of his wicked ways. (Though, she didn't really see him as wicked in any kind of way.)

She couldn't help but feeling a little guilty for her absence the past weeks. She hadn't really been around a lot, and she wasn't sure how Oriel would feel about her dropping by like this either. But, there was only one way of finding out, right? Yep.

So, here she was; Standing outside his dorm with sweaty palms and a racing heart. She knocked on the door and took a step back before running her hand through her newly dyed, blonde hair. Man, she could almost imagine his reaction to her foolish decision when it came to her new hairstyle. With a amused smile on her lips she waited patiently for the door to open. Oh, she could only hope that Oriel was actually home.

Maybe she should have called before coming? Maybe he was too busy to see her? Well, he'd better be happy about her showing up! And she was surely going to make sure he knew that if he even dared to complain. Oh yes, because everyone knew how fierce and vicious little Lux could be. (Ha-ha)

''Open Sesame!''

[Deleted]

Oriel had gotten back from the hospital the day before, and he was glad for it. Granted, he loooved all the attention he was getting from friends and Phen, but really, he was about to go crazy in there if he'd stayed another day.

He'd kicked Phoenix out of the dorm, saying that he needed some alone time and that Phoenix needed to actually go out and do something other than fawn over Oriel. Now that he was more coherent and not doped up completely on drugs, Oriel saw how much Phen had been suffering and practically forced the other boy to get away to take care of himself, especially since Oriel was in no shape to do it.

Oriel was resting on the couch when the knock came at the door, a knock that he had decided not to answer, whoever it was could go fuck themselves.

Until he heard the voice of what could only be described as an angel.

Oriel popped his head up from the couch, then practically rolled off the couch with a loud "thud" before scrambling - and hobbling - to the door to swing the door open to see….

Oriel furrowed his brow, looking down at the blonde girl in front of him. He lifted his head to look over her and down the hall both ways before speaking. "Excuse me, but have you seen an little puppy around here. Short, clumsy, brunette, answers to the name of Lux?"

[Luxanna Viera]

Several scenarios went through Lux's head as she waited for her friend, no, her best friend, her brother, her overprotective knight in shining armor to open the door, and she could honestly admit that his reaction to her hair had been one of them. She wasn't surprised. A little disappointed maybe, but it was only to be expected. This was Oriel after all. And his sassy, rude nature was one of the many reason as to exactly why she loved him so dearly.

The brown haired boy was met with a glare as he opened his mouth and spit out the usual venom. ''Ha-ha, you're so funny.'', she said dryly and poked him in the stomach. ''I see the injury didn't damage your brain. 'Tis a real shame.'' That was a lie. She had been so worried about him after hearing about the accident, she had barely been able to sleep.

She pushed her way through the door and looked around before turning back to face her oh-so kind and gentle friend, Oriel. ''How are you feeling? Do you need anything? You know if there's anything I can do, all you have to do is ask, right?''

[Deleted]

Seeing Lux's beautiful face was always an event that brought sunshine to Oriel's day. Even if that face was unattractively surrounded by a mess of blonde straw. Lux was....well in simple terms, Lux was like a little sister to him. He loved her to death, that had been easy to figure out. It was the realization that his feelings for Phoenix were similar yet so much different than that kind of love that had been confusing and messing with his head for so long. He loved her. He wanted her to be happy, he wanted her to be safe. And he wanted Lux to maintain her innocence, ie, stay away from seducing and manipulative blonde playboy whores who treated women like a spoiled kid with a box of crayons; as soon as they were no longer sharp, pretty, and new, he'd throw them away in an instant.

Maybe he was being judge mental, but it was hard not to recognize that mentality in someone else when Oriel himself was like that for so long.

"Oh, no. D-d-de-definitely, definitely no brain damage," he uttered stupidly. He scrunched up his face a moment before dropping it and breaking into an actual smile.

Lux invited herself in and Oriel stepped back with a limp that, while not pronounced, was still noticeable to anyone watching carefully. "What? And actually admit that I'm not superman? Clearly you must be talking about some other selfish, vain bastard who don't know when to quit." He sent her a sideways smirk, one that was pleasantly lighthearted despite his snark. "And I'll bet he's not nearly as handsome either." Oriel framed his chin with the thumb and index of his good hand, brushing them lightly over the small hairs that had accumulated over the past week of non-grooming, his smile ever-lasting. With a quick look down and a snicker, Oriel brushed that same hand back through the dark brown waves of his hair that had grown just short of his shoulders over the past couple months.

"Fuuck, it feels like forever since I last saw you. When did," he twirled a finger at her, to indicate her newly blonde hair, "this happen?"

[Luxanna Viera]

Lux was well aware of Oriel's feelings towards a certain other blonde, which was why she had kept her mouth shut about everything that had happened on that front. Well, that and her not admitting to it ever happening of course. Besides, Oriel had more than enough to deal with as it was, she really didn't think he needed the extra... Fuel. Even so, Oriel seemed to look at her as if she was a helpless little girl that needed constant protection, when she actually had grown quite a lot over the past months. She surely wasn't as innocent or oblivious to the world around her anymore, but how was she supposed to explain that to someone that oh so clearly put her on a pedestal with a forced halo around her head?

She loved Oriel dearly and entirely, but sometimes she really did wish he would see her for what she was, instead of what he made her out to be. She wasn't this fragile little being anymore. But, she wasn't going to taint anything by spoiling the nice time they could have together. ''Well, sounds to me like everything is normal then.'', she said with a huff, followed by a smirk.

''Oh, I don't know... Superman? Somehow that doesn't seem all that fitting. Robin sounds more accurate.'' After taking another glance around the room, Lux turned around to face Oriel. She gave him a smile and shook her head. Their childish banter never grew old, and she never found herself growing tired of it either. She quite enjoyed it actually, at least now that it didn't annoy her anymore.

''That's because it's been forever.'', she pointed out before following his finger to her hair. ''Don't ask. It was a heat of the moment kind of thing. I'm going to ask Evony to dye it back. Hopefully she won't color it blue or something like that.'', Lux huffed. ''Anyways. How are you?'' Lux didn't really want to talk about her new changes, because all her changes lately only seemed to trace back to one thing, one thing she'd rather not tell Oriel about.

[Deleted]

If Oriel ever found out about Lux's secret rendezvous with a certain blonde, there's not telling what he would do. This was neither in a good nor bad way, but was simply fact; there was no way to predict how Oriel might react to finding out that his Princess with White Wings was no longer as innocent as she appeared, or at least how he had built her up to be in his mind. And recent events - beating the tar out of Kodi, finally making things official with Phoenix, getting into a fight with Erik that landed him in the hospital with a snakebite - only made the potential reactions more variable. As it was, he really didn't know what kinds of new stresses he could manage.

"Holy highlights, Batman!" he exclaimed in a super-cheesy voice. "She might actually have a brain in there!" The smile never left his face, however, as she wandered the room. Oriel pushed the door shut and walked(read:hobbled) over to the couch at a pace faster than he could comfortably move at. This might have intentionally crashed himself into a neanderthal hug over the short girl, his arms hanging over her shoulders like an orangutang. "Has it? Guess I've just been caught up in my own stuff for a while there...." he trailed off before exploding into, "You must have missed me so! That's why you dyed your hair such an offending color! I'm sorry to have neglected you I promise I wont do it again!!" Oriel's arms grew tighter around Lux as he vaguely danced her around in a short circle before letting go and finally plopping down on the couch.

He looked up at Lux with a giant dopey grin, looked away to the side with a mildly pensive look in his eyes, then back up to Lux with a nod. "I'm alright," he admitted. "I'm actually Ok." He didn't say much else, though, and simply stared up at her, drinking in that adorable face that just became radiant when she smiled - even if it was marred by an ugly color of blonde hair.

[Luxanna Viera]

Oriel's childish behavior always seemed to make her feel better, and she couldn't keep the warm giggle from escaping her lips. ''You better not.'', she said with a determined tone and shook her head. Though, she couldn't say she was as happy as she probably should have been. She had this nagging feeling of guilt from keeping secrets from her dear friend at the pit of her stomach. But... It had to better this way, right? Besides, it wasn't like she owed him every single detail of her personal life...right? Lux followed him with her eyes as he wandered over to the couch and followed him only to lean in against it, keeping her eyes on his face.

''I'm glad.'', she said with a nod and ran her hand through Oriel's hair, ruffling it playfully before looking away. With narrowed eyes and pursed lips she took another glance around the room, as if she was avoiding his gaze. ''You had me scared there, y'know.'', she said mildly. She didn't know what she'd ever do if something really bad ever happened to her dearest 'big brother'.

Now that Lux had the time to think about it, she knew that she probably should have told Oriel about Carter earlier. She probably would have told him now, if the timing had been better. She figured the guilt from keeping a secret was far better than the guilt of making a bad situation worse.

''You got to take better care of yourself and be more careful.'', she finally said and looked at him, her expression serious. Maybe she was reading too much into it, or maybe it was her guilt throwing her off, but things seemed a little tense. At least from her point of view, but as long as he was okay, there was no reason for her to dwell on the bad stuff. At least, not now.

[Deleted]

He kept his eyes up on her, like an attention starved puppy as she took a spot beside him against the couch. Those same eyes fluttered shut in ecstasy while she combed her hand through his shaggy mane, leaning his head into like a kitty. Mmmm….head scritches.

If there was anything amiss with Luxanna's behavior, Oriel didn't notice, he was far to concentrated on the fact that she was here, now, and paying attention to him. He rose his arms up and wrapped them around her waist, pulling Lux in a little more and burying his face into her side. "I didn't mean too…" his muttering voice came out low and muffled. And apologetic. He really didn't like making her worry…or anybody else, like Phen.

Oriel turned his head, keeping his arms wrapped with his right hand gripped around the brace on his left wrist, and rested the side of his face against her instead(for breathing purposes). "I know….I'm working on that…." He lifted his eyebrows along with his head to meet her gaze, his own face a little bit more somber to match the drop in his mood. "I really am." Oriel's eyes seemed to be pleading, as if he wanted her to believe his efforts. He loosened his grip and settled back against the couch, looking down at the carpet. "I don't want to keep doing that kind of shit anymore," he elaborated, his tone soft yet still noticeably frustrated. "I don't want to keep losing friends like that. 'Cause I can't just…." Keep a lid on his issues.

[Luxanna Viera]

Happily accepting the pull, Luxanna closed her eyes and let out a silent sigh. She had missed this. That much was sure. ''It's okay.'', she whispered, feeling bad for making him upset. That hadn't really been her intention. Luxanna turned around, just enough that she could rest her head on his chest. She clutched her fingers around his shirt and sighed once more. ''I love you, you know.''

Sitting slightly up, Luxanna watched his face; The way his features changed as he spoke. He really did look sorry, and that made her feel even worse for scolding him. She remained silent, watching him as he talked, narrowing her eyes in the process.

She wanted to tell him about what had happened at the retreat, but was this really the time? She felt even worse now for keeping it from him. But... Part of her was also glad. Glad that she didn't add onto the stress he so apparent was feeling already.

''Oriel...'', she began and sat up, a little unsure of herself. ''Are you all right? Considering everything, I mean.'' She hoisted herself further up, crossing her legs and leaning her head against the back of her hand, now facing him. ''Like really, are you a hundred percent okay?''

[Deleted]

Oriel was a rather easy person to read at times, especially in the presence of someone he was completely comfortable with. At present, the number of people he could do that were less than what could be counted on one hand. But by simply observing, one could pick them out with little effort. The more physical he was with a person, the more he hugged and hung off them like a spoiled kid. Like a child. The touches were rarely anything more than those of a little boy wanting to be coddled by someone he thought loved him.

He smiled and nuzzled his face into her golden hair. He didn't like the color, but he wasn't going to reject Lux for something as small as that. "….me too," he muttered in a low, grainy voice. "L…love you." Oriel had been getting used to saying it out loud, and he had to admit that it felt nice to be able to express it in words.

Oriel did love her. Probably always had. But…not in the same way he did Phoenix. It was close, very similar. It could probably very easily turn that way, Luxanna was still considered one of the most important people in Oriel's life.

He kept his eyes down, bringing his hands in for idle fiddling. Oriel shrugged. "I dunno," he admitted softly. He blinked and peered up at her through his thick lashes. "I…I'm happy." For the first time in what seemed like an eternity. He nodded, taking his eyes away to peer around the room. "I am ok." By all rights he shouldn't be. Even with everything that had happened lately, Oriel felt fine. "It scares me." In his experience, happiness had always been a bad omen.

[Luxanna Viera]

The feelings were surely mutal, there was no doubt about it. They had a bumpy start, and thinking back, at that time, Lux had never expected herself to grow so fond of him. She had disliked him during their first few meetings, but now? Man, she couldn't even picture her life without Oriel in it. She was glad it had happened the way it did, though. He had annoyed her so much, which she honestly believed had lead her to care so deeply. Either way, he had quickly grown to become someone she considered as family.

''Don't you ever forget that.'', she said with a soft smile and ruffled his hair. That was one of the reasons she was so scared to tell him about what happened at the retreat. The boy thought so highly of her, and if what she had done changed that... Well, if it ruined, damaged or strained their friendship in any way, she didn't know what she'd do. And that... That made her feel even worse.

But right now, that didn't matter. All that mattered was that Oriel was okay. Her own problems and concerns could wait. She wanted to keep things like this at least a little while longer. Even if that made her sound selfish.

Luxanna listened, nodding slightly as she watched him. She was glad to hear that he was happy, and that he was okay. Things could have gone a lot worse, and the current blonde was more than thankful that things had ended the way they had. She had no idea what she'd do if they hadn't. ''As long as you're happy and feeling good, then that's all that matters, right? I mean, even if you're scared, you should enjoy it. Happiness doesn't come cheap.'' She knew all about that.

[Deleted]

There was always going to be a seed of fear nesting deep inside him. The fear that everything was going to collapse, this life he had that was even at it's worst still so much better than the life he used to have. It had made him distrustful, of what others said, what they did, what he saw from them. He was afraid that everything he thought he knew about others, everything he though he felt from them was just an illusion. That one day he was going to wake up and realize that he'd been fooled the entire time. That Phoenix didn't love him. That Lux just pitied him. That everyone hated him in exactly the way he hated himself.

It was hard to convince himself otherwise. The only time he was certain of this unbelievable reality was when he could hold it right in his arms. He loved feeling like he mattered. "Ok…"

He strained his lips into a tiny, sideways smile. "It's not fair, you know," he accused. "You always say exactly what I need to make it all alright." Oriel leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and playfully leering up at his Princess. He cocked his head, letting his long tresses hang down off his shoulder. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you had a thing for me." Oriel continued to lean in, pitting their faces no more than a few centimeters apart. "Am I wrong?"

[Luxanna Viera]

When he accused her, the girl smirked. ''That's my job.'', she said proudly, her smirk growing bigger. She was glad her words had some impact on him. After all, cheering him up had been her goal and when he smiled, even if it was a small one, she considered it a success, and that in turn made her happy too. When he leaned in, Lux didn't pull back, she didn't even blush. She simply continued to smirk and raised her eyebrow slightly. ''Oh yeah, my heart skip a beat whenever you're around.'', she said overdramatically, moving in even closer, the tips of their noses almost touching. She bashed her eyelashes at him and sighed, ''Oh but what can you do~'' She had almost forgotten how fun this was. ''You're not wrong.'' She moved in as if she was about to kiss him, but instead she flicked his nose with her finger and pulled back with a chuckle.

''Now, now, Oriel. Don't get cocky.''

Her smile softened as she pulled her feet underneath her, resting her head against the back of the couch. ''I'm hungry. Let's get something to eat. My treat.'' She wasn't quite sure what she wanted. Something sweet, like ice cream. And cookies. Not that it was real food or anything, but who cared. She could worry about that when she was old and wrinkly.

[Deleted]

He loved teasing her. He loved her sass. He loved her blushes. He loved how Lux always seemed to be able to reassure him and think that things were going to be all right. Lux had so much trust from Oriel that it was hard for him to imagine that she might fool or trick him like his fears told him. He shook them off, refusing to indulge in them and just enjoy the fuzzy sense of belonging he got from someone caring for him so much like family. "You do a good job," he encouraged her, his own grin widening with hers.

The first time he'd done this, brought their faces so purposefully close together, Lux had reacted much the same. No blushes, no pull backs, nothing. It intrigued him then, it was amusing now. Though, what was even more amusing than that time was that rather than not responding to his invasion, Lux pushed back with an edge in her tone and a spark in her eye. Even if it didn't show on his face, it caught him by surprise. She was so close, Oriel only had to move forward just a little to….

Luxanna pulled back and he chased after just a moment before he stopped himself. He smirked, his eyes leering over her as if to say "touche".

Oriel rolled his head back. Food did sound good. "What were you thinking? I mean, I can make something here if you want." Oriel was still restricted to campus until further notice. Getting into fights tended to do that.

[Luxanna Viera]

Lux returned the smirk with a slight victorious gleam in her eye. She adored how Oriel always seemed to push her limits and tap at her pride, making her want to do better, to push back to match up. It was fun, hilarious even and she loved it. It probably was her favorite part, and the fact that she managed to do such things without blushing... Well, that was a victory on its own.

''You can cook?'', she asked, her voice showing a little more surprise than what she had intended. ''Well, sure. Why not.'', she said with a shrug. That could surely get interesting all right. ''Amaze me.'', she smirked, as if she was daring him.

Pulling her hair up into a messy bun at the top of her head, Lux stood from the couch and stretched. ''Hurry up, slowpoke~''