That Boy's Bolder Than I Thought.

After Val drops me off back in his room, I go and stare out the window for a bit. It’s still locked up, so no sneaking out today. But maybe I can sneak out some other time and tail Val, figure out if it’s just the marriage thing stressing him out or anything else. I feel like I’m missing too much information, so I can’t make any plans to help. Sneaking around as a cat will be much, much easier. Ms. June is still on edge after the book fair escape. I wonder if I could do it later this week instead?

The rest of the day passed by slowly and without incident. I lazed around a bit, stole some of the new books to read for myself, ran around the room a few times for exercise… I’ve never felt this antsy about being locked away in a room until recently. I wonder why? I just… want to be by Val’s side to make everyday a little easier. Is that so selfish? Still, the day comes to an end, Val returns to his room tired as the sunsets and goes to get ready to turn in for the night. Once the sun is fully set and night is in full force, Val exits his bathroom.

He looks far more relaxed after a shower. Dressed in a white pajama set, he sits on the edge of his bed, scrolling through his phone quietly. I jump up onto the bed, sitting next to him as he does, and he lets a hand fall to my head for some mindless pets. He’s just reading a few news articles, probably just keeping up with local things. Suddenly, a tapping at the window catches both my and Val’s attention. We both startled at the unexpected sound, me a bit more… exaggerated, I guess. When we turn to look, an even more unexpected face is on the other side.

Wait, how?! I blink in disbelief, but Val doesn’t seem too phased, because he just laughs a bit before getting up to open the window. When he does, he grins at the person on the other side.

”What do you think you’re doing?” He says with a teasing tone. “I didn’t think it was possible to climb up the wall here anymore, the gardeners cut down the vine plants years ago.”

”Just gotta put your mind to it, and it’s not impossible anymore.” The voice of Marius resounds, tone reflecting Val’s. He doesn’t hesitate to pull himself inside of Val’s room, flashing Val a smirk. “Are you already turning in for the night? God you’ve grown soft. It’s not even that late.”

”Can’t help it. I’ve been working since I got up this morning, I’m exhausted after all of that.” Val spits out with a bit of bitterness in his voice, though not directed at his friend. Marius looks around the room, taking in the surroundings. His gaze pauses on me for a brief second, as to acknowledge my presence, before he turns back to Val.

”Turn on your fireplace. It’s freezing in here.”

”Alright.” Val chuckles, walking towards the fireplace. Marius follows to plop himself down on the loveseat. He’s still looking around, when his eyes land on a photo framed on the wall.

”You still have that?” He mutters, but Val hears it and follows his gaze. The tips of Val’s ears turn red when he sees what Marius is looking at. I crane my neck to catch a glimpse, myself; it looks like Val and Marius as kids play fighting.

”Oh, yeah.” Val responds, standing up once the fire has started. “I… still have a lot of things like that. The pictures were… easier to display. Other stuff I kept is in my closet.”

”I see…” Marius says. He barely reacts when Val comes to sit next to him, shifting over to make room for him.

”So, uh.” Clearing his throat, Val turns to face Marius. “Why’d you decide to come by? It’s been ages since you’ve snuck in like that. Were you bored or something?”

He’s clearly trying to joke, if his smirk is any indication, but Marius doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, he thinks for a minute, before slowly turning to face the boy next to him.

”So… that whole… matchmaking thing, your dad is doing, how’s that…. Going…”

The smile on Val’s face disappears as Marius talks, and he turns away from him, head hung. It takes a beat before he responds.

”Not… amazing. He gave me a deadline now. I’m worried that if I don’t meet it, he’ll force me to marry someone I don’t know or like. But thinking about that whole thing… just makes me want to run and hide instead. It’s not like I can’t find someone I want to marry, but now every time I’m faced with it… I feel like I freeze. I hate it.”

”…Sorry.” Marius mumbles, throwing an arm around Val’s shoulders and pulling him a bit closer. Val lets him, his head landing on Marius’ shoulder. “Your dad should cut you some slack with the way he’s been working you. How are you supposed to meet someone and date them with a schedule like yours?”

”…Don’t know. He doesn’t seem to care though. It’s more about results…”

”Well, I don’t like it.” Marius quietly declares, voice softening. “You should get to choose without pressure from others. I don’t want you to get married like that.”

”…Thanks.”

”I’m curious though… do you have anyone in mind? Like, if they asked you to, you might marry them?”

Val blinks, lifting his head to look at Marius, who’s staring into the fireplace.

”I… I don’t know.” He admits. “If they asked me… A person that fits that…” Val frowns, getting lost in thought, before he can continue. “I’ve met a few people that I think are attractive, but I don’t know fully if I could love them. I’ve only ever had a crush on one person, but that’s… probably a lost cause now… so I don’t think anything will come of that. I’m thinking hard about the others. I like them… but can I see myself marrying them?” Val sighs, resting his head back onto Marius’ shoulder. “I guess that’s why people date first. How am I supposed to date someone knowing that in just a few short months I’m expected to announce that I’ll marry them? And the longer I wait, the less time I have to decide.”

”A lost cause, huh…?” Marius echos. “Is it someone I know? The crush. Like, maybe that girl…?”

”What? That girl? …Do you mean Yancy, from the book fair?” Val asks, moving his head slightly to look at Marius a bit better. Marius just nods, and Val chuckles a bit. “Oh, Yancy. She’s cute, yes. I like her… I thought at one point maybe it would be easy to fall in love with her if I played my cards right. She’s charming. But she’s not the person I liked… That’s…”

Marius shifts, causing Val to have to sit up. He turns to Val, looking at him as the warm glow of the fireplace paints his face. The arm that was around Val’s shoulders slips away, hand gently brushing the hair out of his face and cupping his cheek. Val’s eyes widen as he stares at his friend, who returns his stare unflinchingly.

”…I had a crush on someone when we were kids, too.” Marius admits. “Turns out, I couldn’t shake it, and now I’m here. Getting jealous of things I have no right being jealous over after everything that’s happened.” Marius pauses, taking a deep breath. “…Someone told me I should just tell them, though. Otherwise we might just keep hurting each other and that feeling won’t go away.”

”…Oh… You liked… someone…” Val can barely get his voice out as Marius leans closer to him. I can barely see the blush creep into Val’s face in the firelight.

”Yeah. And now I want to at least shoot my shot before I get my heart broken again.” Marius says with finality before he closes the distance and kisses Val on his lips. Val’s eyes widen before they slide close, hands coming up to grip at Marius’ shirt. The kiss lingers, and then it’s over, and Marius pulls away slightly. They both open their eyes, neither pulling away. Marius licks his lips and takes a gulp of air in, lightly bumping his forehead against Val’s.

”I…” Marius sighs, like he was holding his breath that whole time. “I was so in love, I never stopped thinking about it, even when… I was mad and hurt, and a dumb kid… Somehow, I want to make it work this time.”

Val remains frozen, words caught in his throat. If you looked close enough, you could see panic in his eyes as he sat there staring at his friend. His mouth would fall open and snap close a few times, but no sound came out. Maybe Marius noticed, too. After a minute of no response, he finally pulls away, turning his head not to look at Val. For a second, Val looks shocked and leans forward to try and follow, but stops himself before he can commit.

”I should probably go.” Marius says, giving himself a tight nod. “I just… needed to say something tonight, or it would drive me crazy. That’s all.”

He stands up when he finishes talking and begins walking towards the window. It takes Val a second, but then a switch in his head flips and he’s scrambling to stand up and chases Marius to the window. He throws his arms around him, hugging from the back as he buries his face between Marius’ shoulder blades, letting a shaky breath escape.

”Don’t go…!” Val’s voice comes out, weak and shaky, like he’s about to cry. “Don’t leave again… please… I don’t… I just…”

Val’s breathing gets faster, voice cracking before he can’t get anymore words out. The poor boy is crying, and Marius isn’t the type of person who could ignore that. Marius turns around in Val’s hold gently, returning the hold and letting Val hide his face in his shoulder as he cries. He runs his fingers through Val’s hair as all of his emotions come crashing out. Patiently, he holds Val, waiting for him to calm. Eventually, Val’s breathing does even out, despite the hiccups that sneak out here and there. Neither move or say anything, until Val lifts his head as looks at Marius with reddened eyes.

”I… I’m sorry…” He starts. “I’m such a mess right now…”

”It’s ok.” Marius reassures, his hand continuing its methodical strokes in Val’s hair. Val closes his eyes and leans into the touch.

”No, it’s not.” Val says, his frustrations seeping into his tone. “I can’t even sit there and hear you out like you deserve without… freaking out… Ugh, I can’t do anything right lately. I haven’t felt like myself… I…”

”Everyone has off days. You’ve just been going through it, y’know?”

”I’m not supposed to have those…” Val frowns, blinking back up at Marius. “I need to give you a response, too…”

It’s Marius’ turn to frown, looking a bit sad.

”Val, I… hahhh.” Marius shakes his head. “You don’t have to. Not now, if you’re not feeling yourself. I don’t want you to make an impulsive decision. It’d… be too cruel.”

”But…”

”Please, Val.” Marius begs, placing both hands on Val’s shoulders. “What would your response even be right now? You froze up just now and broke down as soon as you snapped out of it.”

”I…” Val looks down to Marius’ chest, avoiding his eyes.

”…If there’s something that’s stopping you from saying how you feel right now, then I don’t want to hear it.” The finality in Marius’ voice leaves no room for argument. “Please, Val. I… I want you to be ok. I don’t want you to say you like me if it’s only to stop me from leaving. I won’t go anywhere until you are able to pull yourself back together and tell me honestly how you feel… I promise that much.”

Val remains quiet, not looking happy about this conclusion. Maybe as a bit of comfort, Marius pulls Val back into a hug. He lets himself be dragged forward and leans into Marius. When they break away, they give each other a nod. Marius turns away, opening the window and climbing down. Val watches, waving as Marius supposedly walks away. He hesitates before closing the window, a shaky breath escaping. Val walks over to the bed and crashes down into the pillows, hand reaching out to me blindly for support. I let him pull my tiny body closer as he gets comfortable.

”…My head is such a mess.” He mutters. “Just this morning, I found Yancy’s accidental confession rather cute. Now Marius comes in and kisses me? …I haven’t even properly responded to Leo yet. I thought I could manage all of this, but the more I think about all of it, the more jumbled my thoughts are. What should I do, Princess? My feelings are all jumbled and I’m scared of hurting people I care about. I don’t know if I can pull myself together on my own…”

His sad eyes turn to me. I blink, wishing I could respond, but all that comes out is a small mew. Val sighs, curling in on himself.

”…I wish my mom was here…” He says so quietly, turning his face into the pillow as he fights back tears. He hugs me a little tighter, squeezing my heart at the same time.

I’m frustrated. I feel like a useless pet. I’ve never felt so upset, and yet all I can do is nuzzle him as he vents out all of the stress he’s been holding inside. He doesn’t need me right now, but I’m all he has to turn to. All of the romance novels I’ve read, and yet I have no idea how to help this boy who’s clinging to me to keep himself together.

I’m just a cat, after all.