Aurora forced herself to fight back the tears threatening to spill over her lids.  Taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm her nerves, she avoided eye contact with Vulpes as he sat next to her.  Maker, he's trying to act like everything's fine, I can tell.  It's times like these that I hate having a knack for reading people.  It would make things so much easier if I was oblivious.

Taking a deep sigh, she decided that it would be best not to linger on the subject, lest it ruin their friendship.  Vulpes clearly wanted to leave it be, so that's what she would do.  If it meant acting as if nothing happened from now on, then so be it.  Aurora would rather endure a lifetime of awkwardness than lose him.

Nodding quickly, she turned her head to give him a sheepish smile.  "I would never do anything to hurt you." Not on purpose, anyway. she corrected herself mentally and forced herself to put up a wall.  "You're my best friend and you mean the world to me.  I'm sorry I lost it like that."

Vulpes waved a hand dismissively. "I know, it's okay," he said calmly, not really bothering to meet her gaze. In truth he knew she wouldn't ever purposefully want to hurt him. The fact that she did was just a by product of the passion. She didn't mean it. It just happened.

With a sigh Vulpes crossed his arms and leaned back into the seat. What a mess this was going to be now. He wasn't even sure what she was thinking about him, she never did say. But that wasn't something Vulpes was overly eager to find out as it seemed likely she herself was unsure.

Best not to push it.

So instead Vulpes did his best to change the subject. "Eventful train ride so far," he said casually. "You never did tell me why a Horntail was in China."

Aurora sighed in relief at the change in conversation.  "Well, you see, something that no one knows about Horntails is that they have an affinity for bamboo.  China, as you know, is chock-full of bamboo.  The kid I saved had a bouquet of bamboo sticks.  And the Horntail was hungry." she shrugged lightly and gave a small smile.

Well, things are starting to go well,

"At least Huckleberry knows I wasn't kidding when I told him I knew Martial Arts.  He'll think twice before trying anything else," she joked lightheartedly.  "It's a shame, though.  We had ended on such good terms after detention." she sighed dramatically with a mock frown.

Vulpes laughed slightly. "I'll remember that next time I go carrying a forest of bamboo." Thank God she went along with the subject change. Much better than sitting here awkwardly trying to sort out their emotions (they could always do that later, when they didn't risk being over heard).

Upon hearing Huxley's name Vulpes rolled his eyes. "Yea, well, I'm sure you're better off without him," he said calmly. "Plenty of other, nicer, smarter, useful, humble... this list goes on for a while, but my point is there are better people you can be friends with." Vulpes gave Aurora a smile before letting his eyes wander around the room.

For a few seconds they watched the world go by outside the train. But with everything that had gone on, it couldn't seem to hold his attention. So slowly, Vulpes found himself eying his bag, and more importantly, his journal.

'I bet the universe would love to hear about this,' he thought idly.

Aurora chuckled at his remark and glanced at her feet.  "I don't need anymore friends.  I have an amazing one right here who puts up with me and makes things better.  Huckleberry can go jump off a cliff for all I care." she said simply.

Of course, that last part wasn't true, but she knew he wouldn't take it seriously.  She felt the need to talk about all that had transpired.  To whom, though, was an obstacle all its own.  Talking to Vulpes was out of the question, of course.  She didn't want to muddy things up anymore between them.

Should I tell Eric about all this?  I never told him about our first kiss in the classroom.  What would he think?  How would he react?  Would he forbid me to see Vulpes?  Would he help me out?

Vulpes quirked an eyebrow. "True," he said calmly, referring to her comment about how he was as a friend. "But, I'd assume there are somethings you wouldn't be able to talk to me about, that you could with someone else." VUlpes gave a slight shrug. "Besides, it's always nice to have a few people you know you can rely on."

The whole time he spoke his eyes never left his bag. It was odd wanting to write his thoughts out so badly. He never had felt the urge to before, not even the first time such an instance happened. It usually seemed that he found himself jotting something down, not even remembering what he wrote most of the time.

Finally giving into his temptation, Vulpes stood and reached up onto the top rack where his bag was, opening it and slipping out his journal. "Sorry," he said facing Aurora and sitting across from her. "I just need to jot something down really quick."

Aurora raised her eyebrows at Vulpes's sudden movement.  That's his journal.  He probably needs to let out his frustrations as well.  I might as well do the same thing, she thought and stood up with a chuckle.

"Yeah, me too." she said lightly and reached up to her own bag on the rack, ignoring the fact that she had to reach right in front of Vulpes's face, and brought it down.  Sitting back down, she pulled out her journal and began scribbling furiously.

After she was done, she took a deep sigh and crossed over to her sketchbook, suddenly wanting to tear open a new page.  She took the seat opposite Vulpes again, not wanting to make things more awkward.  Or worse, be tempted to do something else stupid.

Finally content that he had written out the thoughts that haunted him, Vulpes closed his journal with a snap and tossed it on the seat next to his headphones. Giving a small sigh, he glanced back across the compartment to see Aurora sketching away. He wondered what she was drawing this time and secretly wished it was another picture of him.

Deciding against his own arrogance, Vulpes turned his eyes out the window and watched as the country side passed by. Unsure of how long it had been since they left, he glanced up at the sun, seeing it high in the sky. Deducing that it must be near lunch time, Vulpes noticed that he was suddenly hungry, and turned his head towards the door.

"How long until lunch do you think?" he asked, more as a way to break the silence than anything else.

Aurora jumped a little in her seat at the sound of Vulpes's voice.  She was really skittish for some reason.  Biting her bottom lip, but wincing at the unexpected sharp stinging, she remembered that she had bitten into her skin a few minutes ago.  Sticking her tongue out slightly to check her lips, the taste of sweet copper indicated that it was now bleeding.

"Uh, soon, I should think." she said casually and looked at the door nervously.

She didn't like to admit it, but there was a definite shift in their friendship.  Once so easily affectionate and close (both figuratively and literally), now they sat at opposite ends of the same compartment, and attempted small talk.  It was never something they had to work for.  They clicked so naturally and freely that it seemed at times as if they were made for each other.  Strictly platonic, of course.

Licking her lips free of blood, she thought about using magic to heal her lip but decided against it.  I don't deserve to be content.

"Sure hope so," Vulpes said, turning to face Aurora "Never knew kissing made one so hungry," he smiled in spite of himself. Although he remembered that they were supposed to be pretending nothing happened, Vulpes couldn't help but make a joke about the two having some connection.

He was about ready to apologize for saying it, actually, when he was a glint of red on Aurora's lips. Everything seemd to come back to those, lately. Vulpes frowned and leaned forwards. "Are you... bleeding?" He sighed and moved to sit next to her, eying her lips to get a better view.

"Uh... want me to fix that for you?" he offered.

Not waiting for a reply, Vulpes went to reach for his wand, but remembered that it was in his lap before he stood to comfort Aurora. Panicking about it's current whereabouts, Vulpes looked down and saw it sitting on the floor, halfway under the seat. Quickly he plucked it up and turned back to Aurora.
 
"Unless you'd rather do it yourself?"

Aurora's eyes widened at the comment about kissing making one hungry.  Maker, I thought we were going to pretend nothing happened. she thought nervously, effectively ignoring what he said and looked down at her drawing without seeing it.  Her mind was so clouded up that when she started she didn't even know what it was she was drawing.

Her stomach lurched as he noticed the blood on her lips.  No, just leave it alone, please. she thought hopelessly as he offered to heal it.  How was she supposed to say that she wants it to stay that way without sounding insane?

"No, Vulpes, it's okay.  It doesn't even hurt.  I don't mind it," she said lightly, trying to avoid eye contact in case he could see through her lies.  He's so close now, I can smell his body wash.  Maker, not this again, just breathe through your mouth.  Think about dead hedgehogs.  But then that last thought made her frown in sadness.

No, not hedgehogs.  Just think about hiking through the backwoods at Eric's house and all the wildlife.  Summer is a great time for birdwatching.  Stop!  You're not making any sense.  Get out of your head, idiot.  Get out!  Now!

Vulpes gave a small sigh and slid his wand back into his belt. "Well... if you're sure..." he said weakly, confused as to why she'd rather just let herself bleed. Feeling oddly defeated, he inched his way to the the side, not wanting to be too close physically. Silently, he watched as Aurora seemed to be having a mental debate with herself.

Again he sighed, and eyed the door. "Would it be better if I left for a bit?" Vulpes asked quietly, just now thinking that maybe it would be best to just leave her alone. The thought made him feel sick inside, but he didn't want to impress upon her.

"Or I could just shut up..." he added in a tone that was much more bitter than he meant it to be.

Aurora shook her head quickly and finally looked at him.  "No, that's the last thing I want," she said sincerely: its meaning in more than one sense.  We just need to make it through this train ride and then collect ourselves once at home before we see each other again, right?

"Why don't we play chess?  I have a feeling I will actually finish a game this time." she said with a huge grin.  Yes, Aurora, just pretend.  For both our sakes. she told herself, burying the last of the unwanted thoughts and feelings deep, deep down.  It was as if she never kissed him.  It was as if Vulpes hadn't confessed his feelings for her.

It was as if everything was back to normal.

Right?

It was nice to know she still wanted him around. Vulpes nodded slightly and stood, once again reaching into his bag. Luckily, this time he knew exactly where the board was and pulled it out without having to send the searchlights. Wordlessly he placed the bored on the seat between the two and set the pieces.

When he was finished he looked up and smiled, hoping everything would go back to normal.

[End]