Heart Over Sword-Chapter 306: Wedding of the Century (7)

"Damn, Ger. You’re so cold even the floor is starting to get icy," Ronan jested as he clasped his shoulder, snapping Ger from his daze.

"Go back to your party, Roach. They are much better company than me."

Ronan sighed in exasperation a little dramatically as he wrapped his arm over his shoulders and tightened his hold on Ger’s neck. Head to head, Ronan pointed at Ger’s nose. "Nah, your company is all I need tonight." Ronan was sure Ger could easily get out of his hold, but he was being a good sport and playing along.

"I’m not sharing your bed," Ger scoffed, his dry humour returning.

"If you don’t share mine, I’m crawling into yours!"

Ger visibly shivered in response. "I doubt you can sneak up on me now, Roach, but you can try. It’s not going to end pretty, though!" Ronan smirked at his friend and the slight rise in the temperature around them.

Ronan made the right choice to see his friend. It wasn’t a choice, really. It was easy to leave those women and come to his friend’s side. The only reason Ger was by himself was because he left to go to the water closet, and it was a while until he returned.

Since Ger’s death and sudden return, Ronan has been reluctant to leave him for a long time. He was like one of those clingy girls he hated waking up to in the mornings. Yet Ger did not seem to mind. He appeared to be aware Ronan was a little traumatised after almost losing his best friend.

"Nah.... You’re my cuddle buddy! You can’t deny me!" Ronan went to ruffle Ger’s hair, but that was something he wouldn’t let Ronan do. His hand caught him swiftly, and in a flash, they were separated.

"Don’t say such things so loud! People will get the wrong idea!" Ger hissed, his eyes twinkling in amusement until he realised just how quick his movements were and how Ronan was watching him.

Ronan stared at him in awe for a moment whilst Ger looked away, seeming to loathe his very existence. Ronan frowned. Ger might be a moody fuck and have some anger issues, but he should never loathe himself for discovering a way to survive. The atmosphere started to grow darker again, however, Ronan wouldn’t allow it to.

"What do you mean?" Ronan began taking slow steps towards Ger. "Are we not cuddle buddies?"

The atmosphere surrounding Ger grew darker, but it had nothing to do with his self-loathing and more to do with Ronan making a scene and causing misunderstandings. Most watched them with intrigue already because who was out of their mind to approach such a man?

"Roooach..." Ger took a step back as Ronan continued to saunter towards him. "No!" He pointed at him like Ronan was a naughty puppy.

"But... Ger! I thought you liked me being the big spoon!"

Ger abruptly turned away. He couldn’t stand there and listen to Ronan’s gibberish. It did, however, distract him from his darkening mood. A small, genuine smile graced his lips after a day of faking it.

"You told me you liked being a little spoon!" Ronan called after him, causing Ger’s expression to darken and that smile fall from his lips as he pretended not to know who Ronan was. As he did, Ger’s direction towards the doors led him past Axel and the woman from earlier.

Ger nodded at Axel once in greeting, but he had no intention of crashing their little date. The woman stared at Axel with stars in her eyes as he spoke to her. Shaking his head with a small smirk, Ger pushed open the double doors, his need for a little air time making his body itch. Or it could be because he needed some time away from the romantic atmosphere.

Ronan followed behind, though, most likely to make sure he didn’t do anything stupid. "If you’re coming with, I’m taking off to burn everything off," he warned over his shoulder.

"Ooooh." Ronan caught the door that tried to swing shut in his face. "You going to give me a free flying lesson?"

Ger glared back at him and then sighed. "Don’t get used to it."

⚜⚜⚜

Back in the hall, Axel returned his attention to Nariel after briefly watching his friends leave. He knew Ger was going through a tough time, and it said a lot of Ronan left those women ready to sink their teeth into him. Guilt started to swarm Axel’s chest, but before the doors shut behind Ronan, he gestured to Axel the ’okay’ sign before waving him off. Axel understood enough.

He was fine to stay with Nariel. That guilt still raked him, though.

"You are so sweet," Nariel commented quietly. "Your friend... is he okay?"

Axel’s eyebrows shot up at her direct question. "He will be. You have keen eyes."

Nariel shrugged. "It is always best to have good awareness about your surroundings. Your friend..."

"Ger."

"Ger... He was giving off ominous vibes, yet Ron.."

"Ronan."

"Ronan approached him and cheered him up," Nariel smiled warmly. "You must all be such good friends. I can understand why from some of the stories you have shared with me. They are also giving you space to pursue me."

Axel’s ears turned pink again. "I uh... I don’t want to assume I have a chanc-"

"Nonsense!" Nariel leaned forward and pecked his cheek. "Pursue me all you like. I am interested."

Axel’s eyebrows must nearly be off his forehead by now. Nariel was so direct. He loved it. In the short time, he’d started to get to know her, he didn’t need to guess what she was thinking or if there was some sort of game they must play to advance in the bud of whatever this was.

"Now... Are you ever going to ask me to dance?" Nariel tilted her head to the side.

Direct and went for exactly what she wanted.

Axel shook his head as embarrassment and disappointment flourished through him. "Sorry, lass, I do not know how to. I must warn you; I am no noble."

"Then let me teach you, and you can tell me more of your wonderous adventures!" Nariel smiled up at him, uncaring towards his comment about nobility.

Axel’s gaze flicked to the dance floor. He would embarrass her too much. Nariel read his mind and stood up, reaching her hand out for him. "Come... The night isn’t too cold. It would be great to dance under the moon!"

"Aye, lass. It would."

Sneaking away from the celebrations, Axel laughed heartily with Nariel, who giggled and showed him away from the hall and to the gardens where plants he’d never seen before grew and shone like those at the wedding reception. Nariel began to position him with an upright posture and where his arms should be. Whilst the she-elf was busy tending to him, Axel’s sharp gaze locked onto movement from the side; he immediately pulled Nariel into him protectively, his arm up, ready for some sort of attack.

Instead, he was faced with the bride and groom running from the hall, laughing as they snuck away themselves. Axel relaxed, released Nariel from his hold, and gave his undivided attention to her, ignoring the couple that obviously wanted to get away from everyone for some alone time.

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