None of his training prepared him for this. Ahaz looked over at Atino, who gave him a gentle smile. They had been talking again for the last week. However he was still too big of a coward to tell her how he felt. Even after his talk with A'lan he was still unsure how to tell her exactly how he felt. Right now they were sitting near each other at the meditation pond.
He had a dream last night where he was finally together with Atino. They were both happy, much happier then how they were apart. It made him realize how much he needed to confess how he felt, to move their relationship forward, that is if she was interested. If she wanted to remain friends, he would allow that to happen. He didn't want to lose her as a friend that was for sure.
He cleared his throat. “Atino, do you think we could take a short walk before you have to return to your duties.” he asked hopefully.
Atino had had a troublesome night, much like the nights after her master had died. She had always had trouble sleeping at night, as once the sun went down her nerves came out. Darkness was something that she could never handle. However as she grew older she was able to handle and control her fear, for the most part. Last night though was different. Her fears came back, causing her to toss and turn all night.
Today she wanted to spend the day with her friend Ahaz. Really, she could have spent the day with any of her friends and she would have ended up happy. It just happened that Ahaz was the first she ran into. Overall it was good that she ran into him. He had his own fears, fears of being confined and stuck. She remembered how he reacted when he was in the pillar, how he lost control of himself and how she was able to calm him.
It had been a terrifying moment, she had to admit.
When Ahaz spoke to her, she gave a quick nod. A walk would be nice, a chance to clear her mind of all the thoughts that troubled her. She was thankful that the situation between them had faded. There was a moment, just a small moment when she allowed herself to think with her heart and not her brain. She had seen couples fall apart and end up not being friends afterward. The thought of that happening to her and Ahaz was something she feared.
Ahaz led the way into the forest a little ways. He didn't go too deep, just deep enough were they wouldn't be over heard. Then he stopped and turned to Atino. This was the perfect spot, he thought as he looked at her. She looked beautiful here, her browns standing out amongst the trees. It he could he would just watch her, with all her beautiful perfection, imperfections. Everything about her just made his heart beat faster then normal. However he couldn't pause time and live in the moment forever. He could make himself feel that way in her presence though, if she said yes and if he got the courage to ask her.
“Atino, I love you.” he said bluntly, yet timidly. He looked at her with sincerity. “You have been my closest friend since I've gotten here, but I honestly feel like we could be something more. If you're not interested then that's okay, but I don't want to pretend this didn't happen like our kiss.”
His brows furrowed. “This means everything to me, being with you even as a friend or as something more. When we weren't talking, it caused me so much pain and I don't want that to happen. If you aren't interested in me, then I would like to remain friends.”
He did it. He actually told her exactly how he felt. A sigh of relief left him.
Atino was shocked at first, but she quickly got over that. “I really like you too.” She said, looking at the ground at first then at him. Saying love wasn't the right thing, not yet. She didn't seem right saying love. The love she had for her master before he died was something powerful. The way she felt toward Ahaz was strong, but not quite as strong as it had been for her father figure mentor.
“If, if we try this, become a couple, I want a promise that whatever happens we will remain friends.”
Ahaz smiled. “Yeah. I would like that. I promise. Our friendship means more to me then anything else.” He said.
She leaned over and put her nose on his, her eyes closed. Everything was happening so quickly, yet she felt more peaceful then she had been in a long time. Then the moment passed and she moved back a smile on her face. “Now what do we do? I've never been in this sort of relationship before.”
Ahaz laughed. “Yeah, as far as I know I've never been in a relationship either. Maybe we could start by just spending some time together, talking, enjoying each others company?” He suggested. He wrapped his tail around hers. She said yes, he thought happily. They were together at last. He couldn't be any happier then right now. “Should we tell anyone or should we keep it a secret. I know we shouldn't keep it a secret, but if things don't work out, no one will act any differently toward us.” It was nice to know that he wasn't the only one afraid to lose their friendship. Together he was sure they would keep it intact.
“That sounds good. We can start with that.” When he mentioned keep it a secret she frowned. “I don't want to keep us a secret. I know it might make things easier for us, but I want to proudly be by your side. I want to tell my friends that I am with you.” She said, thinking about Abeo and how she would react to the news.
Ahaz nodded. “Then we won't keep it a secret. We will inform our friends about our relationship.” He gave her another gentle kiss on the head. Then he stood up and walked away, over toward some flowers. Atino watched him with curiosity. He pulled some flowers out and started making something. It took him a while to weave the flowers in and out of each other. Atino watched in silence as he did so. Once he was done he put it around Atino's neck. It was a flower necklace.
Her eyes lit up. “Thank you so much Ahazutako!” She said with a grin. The flowers were brightly colored, blues and greens.
Ahaz smiled. “I thought they would be pretty on you. I am glad you like it.” He wrapped his tail around hers again. “Want to go back to the pride?” She nodded her head and they started to head back to the home, to share their news with their friends.
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