Little Scraps of Love

By Desdemona Rose

Breathing heavily, Therin wearily made his way up the short stoop. The front door of his family home slid open automatically, recognizing the identity chip in his watch.

His run had been blissfully exhausting and he basked in the pleasurable hum of the endorphin high. Right before, he’d gone through an intense callisthenic routine. After a quick wash and cool down, he planned on lying in his bed. He would enjoy the sensation of his tired body on the cool sheets as he read tomorrow’s assignment.

When he opened the door to his room, however, he discovered his plan would have to wait. The bed was a complete mess. At least twenty pieces of torn-up paper were strewn across his blanket. Therin sighed. It had begun. His best friend Lucis had started his birthday game.

The two of them had been nearly inseparable since they were five. In the week leading up to Therin’s six sols birthday, the spirited redhead gave him one gift per day. Over time, the gifts had turned into notes, pranks, meals, and whatever else came to Lucis’ mind. Ten sol cycles later, he was still at it.

As Therin showered, he wondered what Lucis would have in store for him this time around. He’d long given up on asking his friend to calm down and just give him a single gift on his birthday like everyone else.

Later, Therin sat on his bed, sorting paper pieces and drinking water. It took him some time, but he finally pieced them together.

Twenty-one days of joy and heartache. I hope you’re ready. This sol is extra special. You’re turning 16. I can’t wait!!!

Your Best Friend, 

Lucis

****

As Therin walked through the hall at the end of school the next day, he heard banging from behind a door. He looked around for a second, unsure, then decided he should check on it. When he opened the door he was met with Lucis’ pale freckled face, lit in the dark closet by the glow of his identity pad. 

“Twenty days,” he said, ominously. 

 “Stars, Lucis,” Therin said. “What were you going to do if I didn’t walk by?”

“Starve to death in the cleaning closet,” he offered. 

****

Therin rushed into the classroom, hoping the instructor wouldn’t notice he was two minutes late. It was the first class of the day, full of students joining the Emergency Response Branch.

A pale hand waved him over. Lucis had, of course, saved him a seat. It was right in the middle of the classroom. Therin ignored the students watching him, moving to slip into the chair behind a dark redwood table.

He sat heavily, then popped right back up as he heard a crack right under his ass. Everyone’s eyes were on him as Lucis bent over laughing.

“What the fuck?” Therin whispered, grabbing whatever was in his seat and sitting back down. He looked in his hand and saw a seedpod popped open at the seam with a piece of paper trapped between the two halves.

“Why did you leave it in my seat?” Therin whispered.

“I didn’t know you would run in here late.”

The day count is down to nineteen
         What lies ahead is still unforeseen

“Are you planning my demise?” Therin asked in a low voice.

“You’ll have to wait to see,” he said with a mischievous grin.

****

Therin carefully checked his seat the next morning and found it free of foreign objects. He knew something was planned, but at least his day would start with less drama. Lucis’ devotion to the birthday game was something that Therin both looked forward to and dreaded. 

If Lucis would only give him notes, he’d appreciate his friend’s unique way of showing affection. However, Lucis always seemed determined to up the ante from last sol, coming up with bigger and more creative ways to celebrate his upcoming birthday.

On the way to Anatomy, Lucis walked up and gave Therin a heavy thump on his back.

“Only eighteen more days,” he said with a cheshire grin.

As he walked off, Therin reached around, following the tingle left by Lucis’ hand, and pulled off a note. He groaned when he saw it had been stuck to him with tree glue. He’d have a sticky dark spot on his back for the rest of the day.

Less than 396 hours!!!

Therin sighed.

****

With the promise of a tasty meal, Therin walked through the sliding wood door of Lucis’ family home. It automatically accepted him. He’d been added to the access list as soon as he’d received his identity chip at ten sols.

An older man bustled around the kitchen, his red hair showing hints of gray.

“He’s in his room.”

“Thanks,” Therin said and strolled in that direction. 

He found Lucis bent over his desk, focused on something. A glance over a narrow shoulder revealed a poorly drawn anatomy diagram. It looked similar to the one in their lessons, except this one had long red hair, like Lucis.

“Is that supposed to be for me?”

“Yep! I know you’ve had a hard time memorizing everything, so I made you a study guide.”

“I can’t study a dissected body that has your hair. Do you have any idea how morbid that is?”

Lucis turned and bright blue eyes looked up at him. “Come on, I’ve been drawing this all day.”

Therin rubbed his temples. Most of the time, Lucis’ weirdness made his life more interesting. He wasn’t anywhere near as creative. But, some days, he wondered if Lucis lived on a different wavelength than the rest of humanity.

****

Enjoying the cool fall air, Therin was busy at the less enjoyable task of studying. Learning what he needed never seemed to come easy to him. Lucis, on the other hand, absorbed everything without trying.

He’d found a table and bench in the far corner of a park, away from the crowd. The distant sounds of voices soothed him as he closed his eyes and recited the steps to assisting a cardiac arrest patient.

Halfway through and feeling confident, a voice interrupted him. He opened his eyes to see Nymph, a non-binary student that was in his pathophysiology class. Xe was much shorter than him, though sitting required him to look up.

“Lucis said to give you something.” Xe bent down and put a kiss on his forehead. “Sixteen days,” was delivered with an overly sweet smile.

“Um, thanks.” He looked around the park for Lucis, but didn’t see him.

As Nymph skipped off, Therin turned his focus back on his identity pad. He should have known to turn his location off before leaving home.

****

A walk to school alone probably meant Lucis had something planned for his morning class. Therin hoped it wasn’t some kind of prank.

When he arrived, his gift was already waiting for him. A decent sized picture, framed in a weave of twigs, was propped on his desk. The student that sat behind him was smirking.

With some trepidation, Therin picked it up and almost sighed with relief. It was a simple smiley face, floating, with long red hair.

Therin looked down. “I drew it myself,” Lucis said proudly.

“I can tell,” Therin said as he sat. But, smiled and added in a somewhat amused voice, “thanks.”

****

Today’s lunch was prawn noodle soup, which was one of his favorites. As Therin waited, savoring the enticing smell, Lucis leaped into the space in front of him.

“What are you doing?”

“You get to have your birthday first, so I get to eat lunch first on this day, fourteen days away.”

“Our birthdays are less than two months apart,” Therin pointed out. “What weird thing have you left for me today?”

“Nothing weird,” Lucis said, holding up two fingers, a thin scroll of paper between them.

Therin took it and unrolled the note.

I can still be nice sometimes.
         The best friend you’ll ever have,
         Lucis

“Thanks,” Therin said, quirking a smile. “Does that mean I get your share of lunch, too?”

“What?” Lucis asked with mock outrage. “Definitely not.”

****

A coolness in the center of his chest pulled Therin out of a deep sleep. He groaned and cracked his eyes open. Blue eyes, dark in the shadows of his room, and a jester smile greeted him.

“Dammit Lucis, what time is it?”

“I strived to be here early enough that I’d find you still in bed.”

Therin looked at his chest. A white plate sat on top of his golden-tan skin. It was some kind of cake. He sat up on an elbow, holding the plate with his other hand, to see what it was. It took him a minute to work out the shape in the low light. The rising sun was barely filtering through his blinds. 

A crude number one and three.

“We don’t have school today. Did you have to wake me for this?”

“I thought everyone liked breakfast in bed. I even made it myself.”

Therin looked up at him. “Is it safe?”

Lucis picked up the one and took a big bite out of it. “Yep,” he said, mouth still full. Then he walked out of the room, leaving Therin with the three.

****

The instructor’s unending lesson droned on, and Therin did his best to focus. He was typing notes when he felt something hit the back of his neck. Turning, Therin shot a glare at Lucis. There was no question where the distraction came from. His grin was confirmation.

Looking around, Therin saw the paper ball not far from his desk. He leaned over and grabbed it, using the advantage of his height.

He carefully pulled apart the ball.

The back of your head is the perfect shape.

Therin turned, his eyebrows questioning. Lucis answered with his finger lifted, motioning for Therin to turn back around. Rolling his eyes, Therin did just that, and tried, once again, to focus.

****

At lunch the next day Lucis offered him a small paper bag with Birthday Boy scrawled on it.

“I brought you a treat.”

Inside sat a small, soft, blue fruit. Therin gently took it out and sniffed it. 

“It's a plum, from Pangu.”

“Where did you find it?” Therin asked, then took a small bite, instantly falling in love with the rich, sweet fruit.

“I used the Imported Tastes app. I had to walk for thirty minutes before a solcar finally drove me to the Cristal Bassin District, but,” he smiled warmly, ”it was worth it.”

****

Therin had another invitation to Lucis’ house. The smell of something savory and season drifted over him and made his stomach grumble. He waved as he walked by Lucis’ parents who were comfortably reading on the couch.

In the kitchen, Lucis’s narrow frame was at the stove, poking at something in a pan.

“That smells amazing. I didn’t know you could cook.”.

Lucis turned and grinned at him. “Sit down. I don’t want you to see my secret recipe.”

Therin gave him a skeptical look but did as he was asked, watching the focus on his friend’s face as he continued to poke at the pan.

Later, tiny edible flowers arranged in the shape of a number ten were presented to him. They’d been cooked into the top of a fish filet.

****

Therin followed Lucis through a narrow trail that cut through the dense Anunitum forest. They were not that far outside the Great City, but it felt like they were in another world. 

As kids, they hiked this trail with their families. Once, they’d followed a Giant Kunzite Fly off trail and found a small clearing with a massive dead stump in the middle. It was close enough that they wouldn’t get lost, but it still felt secret.

In the clearing, Therin pulled a canvas bag off his shoulders and placed it on the stump. Inside was the picnic lunch Lucis had packed and he offered to carry.

The hike had his stomach grumbling. Therin pulled out a sandwich wrapped in wax paper and opened it. On top of the bread lay a piece of artfully crafted paper; blue flower petals pressed into undyed paper fibers. The note made Therin smile.

Seeing you brings me joy.

****

Therin was on babysitting duties. Tarja, only five sols, was gleefully running around with other children. He noticed Nymph sitting on a bench and walked over.

After a brief discussion about their classes, xe asked, “Are you and Lucis in a romantic relationship?”

The question surprised Therin. “Um.” He thought about how much time they spent together and the birthday game everyone talked about. Maybe, it wasn’t a strange conclusion to come to after all. “He’s my best friend. I’ve known him for as long as I can remember.”

“Oh,” with a coy smile, xe asked, “do you want to go on a date?”

“Uh,” Therin said again, then gave xyr a sideways smile. “I’m flattered, but friendship is all I can offer.”

He’d never thought of Lucis as anything other than a close friend. But, now he found the idea made the back of his neck heat unexpectedly.

****

“Stars,” Lucis said, dragging out the word, “why must time move so slowly? I don’t want to wait seven more days.”

“Why do you care about my birthday so much?” Therin asked, not for the first time. He knew the answer but, after his conversation yesterday, he needed to hear it again.

“Because,” Lucis said matter-of-factly, “it’s the day that you came into this world. The best day in all of Talithan history.”

Therin’s usual response was to roll his eyes, but today, the answer made his stomach do a nervous little flip.

****

Another day and another gift, though Therin was starting to anticipate them. Curiosity and excitement were getting the best of him. He carefully guarded his emotions, not wanting to disappoint himself or read into something that wasn’t really there.

Today was a card with a small string hanging out of it. Before pulling on it, Therin asked, “Did you make this one, too?”

“Of course,” Lucis said. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

A pull on the string and a large six covered in redhead smiley faces popped out.

****

Therin stretched, getting ready for a run. He loved the feel of his feet pounding on the sidewalk. Soon it would be too cold for evening runs, but he would take advantage of the nice weather while he could.

Earlier he’d received a note saying Lucis would finally give him what he’d always wanted. That was it. Therin had been distracted for the rest of the day. 

“I made it,” Therin heard behind him. He turned to see Lucis jogging up to him. “I’m finally going to come and run with you.”

Therin smiled. There was a ball of mixed feelings in his gut, but he kept that to himself. “Can you keep up?”

“Just don’t run too fast,” Lucis said. “If you make me pass out, you’ll have to carry me home.”

****

The day had been mostly quiet, both from school and Lucis. The sun was setting and worry teased at the edge of Therin’s mind. What if Lucis didn’t show up at all today? He also wondered if he’d seem desperate, or needy, if he messaged him.

He was telling himself that he could go one day without Lucis when his identity pad chirped with a door alert. Relieved, Therin walked out of his room. The automatic door had already admitted his friend.

Theatrically, with a hand behind his back, Lucis said, “if you accept, I have brought someone for you to love and care for.”

Before Therin could respond, Lucis’ hand shot out and revealed a small purple and teal plant. Sticking out from the palm sized clay pot, on a small twig, was a note with the number four written on it.

****

Therin was running late, again. His ability to concentrate on anything had been completely destroyed by Lucis’ gifts. He’d spent all night staring at the little plant. The way Lucis had presented it had turned into the worst kind of tease. He’d stayed back to ask the instructor some questions. Eventually, he was told they had a class to teach, and he needed to go.

As he hurried through the hall, Therin saw an impossible to miss head of long red hair and slowed down.

“What are you doing?” he asked. “Class has already started.”

“I know, but,” Lucis said, pointing up, “I accidentally dropped something on the top of this shelf and I need you to get it.”

Therin rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

“It’s so tall,” Lucis said, making a halfhearted reach towards the shelf.

Therin reached up and pulled down an envelope. Before he could open it Lucis grabbed his arm and started dragging him off. “Quick, we’re late for class!”

****

They walked into a large dome. Circular rows of chairs surrounded an impressive central stage. The envelope yesterday held two tickets to a play titled, “The Song of Achilles, an Earthian Story.” They didn’t need physical proof, their seats had been reserved digitally. Lucis’ carefully crafted tickets, his attempt to replicate something from ancient Earth, sat in Therin’s room.

“I’ve wanted to see this play for months,” Lucis said, beaming.

Therin grinned back. Lucis’ excitement always put him in a good mood. It was catching and chased away Therin’s stress.

“What’s it about?”

“Patroclus and Achilles,” Lucis said. “The play was adapted from a book by an author named Madeline Miller.” With a smile that made Therin’s heart thump, he added, “They were lovers.”

Therin did his best to focus on the play in front of him, but all he could think about was running his hands through Lucis’ long hair and wondering what it would feel like to kiss him.

****

It was the day before his birthday and it took all of Therin’s self control not to pace impatiently around the small house. There was no school, and he’d have the day off tomorrow as well. He wondered if Lucis had put in an absence request, or if he’d have to wait all morning and afternoon to find out what his friend had in store for him.

He’d kept his identity pad close by, glancing at it every few minutes, hoping to see a notification of some sort. Nothing came until almost 1600. Therin had been contemplating the idea of going down the street to Lucis’ and demanding that he reveal what he’d planned.

A message popped up on his device. “We should camp out under the stars. I already set a tent up on my roof. Then, we’ll be together as soon as your birthday hits and I can give you your gift.”

With his heart pounding, Therin typed back, “on my way.”

****

The tent stood forgotten as Therin and Lucis laid on their backs, looking up at the stars. When he’d first arrived, Lucis’ parents had wanted to play family games and had an early birthday cake ready for him. Therin forced himself to be patient and let them distract him as time crawled by.

When they were finally free, Therin followed Lucis up the stairs that ran along the side of the house. The sun was gone. The only light on the roof came from a candle, which was sat in a large, wide bowl to prevent a fire. It gave the roof a romantic light that played all kinds of games with Therin’s emotions.

They had talked about inconsequential things. Lucis had to guide the conversation. Therin’s brain had stopped functioning hours ago. Eventually a silence fell over them. Not really noticing the stars, Therin spent his time imagining the consequences of kissing Lucis, both good and bad.

He was still lost in thought when Lucis rolled over to his side and leaned his head against his hand. Therin looked up at him and for a moment lost track of his breath.

“I decided to cheat and give you your present a little early. I can’t wait any longer.”

Lucis reached into his pocket and produced a folded note. Therin took it, a nervous thrill running through him as he opened it.

Therin,

You’ve been my favorite person for as long as I can remember. I know no one will ever fit in the
piece of my heart that’s shaped for you. For your sixteenth birthday, I give you me.
We can continue as best friends and I will still be happy, having you by my side through everything. But, I will also give you more, if you want. You can have all of me, forever.
Love,
Lucis.

Therin read through it three times, even though Lucis was laying right there, looking at him expectedly. Then, giving Lucis the only answer he could think of, Therin reached up and put his fingers through Lucis’ long hair, pulling him down for a kiss.