Chapter Text
It’s raining again and it seems like the droplets are pouring even harder against the muddy patches of grass around the never-ending garden in the sanatorium. From the small shed that the exit of the house provided, Camellia was able to watch the downpour without getting wet. His soft eyes scanned the area with slightly furrowed eyebrows, it’s as if he’s thinking deeply which was kind of uncharacteristic of such a boy.
The boy’s dormitories are either so lively and chaotic or like this time, so quiet. He’s only ever been close with a lad like False, who is always rowdy and mysterious. Camellia could get along well with the other boys, but he wasn’t as cool as them – he didn’t carry any sense of suave nor was he interesting so every moment felt like a fleeting memory. He never truly felt like he belonged somewhere.
That anemic guy, where was he anyway? He’s a prefect too for god’s sake!
Camellia sighed, he turned around and entered inside the house once again while gently closing the door – successfully blocking out the noises from the heavy rain. Scrawny and average, Camellia didn’t stand out from the crowd of other vampire boys when he walked inside the now busy lounge hall of the house. All he could think was when he could see Sylvatica once again, it had felt like a long time already.
“Ah, you’re back!” Hearing the husky voice from behind, Camellia turned around to see the sickly pale young man. Camellia’s face was neutral, devoid of the usual boyish grin on his lesser pale face. “I should be the one saying that,” Camellia walked over to the prefect of the boys’ dormitory. “Where did you go?” He added as he scratched the back of his head, he pulled his hand away creating a patch of cowlick on his slick, black hair.
False let out a raspy laugh, he pulled out an envelope of letters with the emblem of the clan stuck by the fold. “I went to take the letter from the master!” False looked at the envelope with a smirk on his lips, he rubbed his thumb against the textured paper and hummed.
“Although I’m not gonna read it,” he said.
Camellia huffed, he knew False wouldn’t although it did make him wonder why he would never read such an important thing; after all, it’s a letter from the master himself. Then again, like False has told him a few times already – the master won’t know!
Camellia shrugged and sighed, bored out of his mind. He wondered what Sylvatica might be up to, it’s only the afternoon anyway and they have already taken their medicines.
Right, medicine. Camellia didn’t know whether to be thankful for it or not, it did ease the symptoms of the chrysalis but it also sometimes felt like it was degrading some of his memories. He stared out on the window, the rain had weakened a little at least as the drops rolled down with inconsistent speeds.
“I’m just gonna put this letter in my room,” False said. The equally scrawny lad turned around and started walking in one of the corridors leading to the prefect rooms.
Camellia hummed and his feet started to drag him to a familiar path. It did not matter if it was still raining, the droplets of rain fell gently on top of his head. He trailed slowly on the bricked bridge connecting two houses, he just followed the only wooden door that he could see until his cold hand touched the door handle. One gentle creak and Camellia’s finally inside a cramped space, there was the spiraling stairs leading to the end of the girls’ dormitory.
Camellia could smell the rain that was sipping through the bricked walls, it created an earthy scent that was locked inside a cramped room. Camellia walked down the stairs and his tracks were smooth until he saw the familiar brown hair.
“Cherry?” Cherry looked up at the sound of the soft voice calling out to her name.
Although her expression was unreadable at first, she was quick to flash the familiar annoyed look on her soft face. “Oi! What are you doing here again?!” Cherry glared at the boy. Even if she was a vampire, her eyes had never looked lifeless and were always expressive.
“Me?” Camellia chuckled. “I’m here to visit Sylvatica.”
Of course, he’s here for her. There was a conflicted expression on Cherry’s face as her eyebrows furrowed deeper but she immediately masked it out with a quick retort. “And why are you so calm about it!? You’re barging in the girls’ dormitories! Again!” Always so expressive, Cherry pointed out an accusing finger towards Camellia. But it really wasn’t just an accusation because Camellia won’t deny that he was doing such a thing.
Camellia raised his hands and shrugged. “It’s only Sylvatica I plan on seeing, so if you don’t mind,” Camellia tried to pry his way even in the narrow stairway. Cherry was quick to roughen up as she blocked the only path to the lounge hall of the girls’ dormitory. “No! No! No way!”
Lily, who was on her way to see where Cherry was headed to, could hear the commotion from the narrow stairway. She followed the sound, her steps were like feathers as she recognized the two voices.
“Move out of my way, dwarf.” With the banter comes the teasing laughter. Lily could immediately tell who was there with Cherry. “Shut up, you boy-girl!”
But as Lily approached, there was a sudden pause in the middle of the bantering. Cherry was breathing the same air as Camellia, their faces were close as the boy tried to squish his way out. Cherry could smell him, it was faint but there was a fragrant scent of vanilla on him. They were so close that Cherry found herself barely breathing, like she’s holding it back or that – it was stolen away from her.
Camellia furrowed his brows but gently, he had not felt any ounce of annoyance but he was surprised to see Cherry up close. Her face really has that soft glow on her despite how pale vampires were supposed to be. Her eyes were brown and bright, he could almost make out his own reflection in those orbs. Yet, he didn’t think much of it; this was Cherry after all. They were always shouting at each other, they never met eye-to-eye but there was a certain connection between them and it happened to be stronger on Cherry’s side.
“Camellia? Cherry?” Lily’s raspy voice was heard and Cherry immediately pulled away as Lily was finally within their vicinity. Camellia, on the other hand, seemed surprised, taken back by what just happened – Cherry tried to compose herself and huffed as she turned her head away.
Camellia smiled as he saw Lily, he waved his hand. “Lily! Ah, finally.”
Cherry was still silent and Camellia looked at her to see the brown haired girl’s head turned away. Like the slow, clueless boy he was, he didn’t think much of it and looked at Lily once again. “Hey, I have to see Sylvatica. Cherry’s been let loose again.” He laughed before rushing further downstairs where his figure then disappeared after a quick turn.
Lily looked at Cherry, there was a mischievous glint in her eyes but seeing Cherry quiet – she dismissed it. “Hey, you should come back downstairs. Rose is looking for you.” Cherry huffed, her shoulders stiffening for a moment. “What could she possibly want from me?” Lily shrugged and smiled, leaning against the bricked walls. “I don’t know. Probably some company.” Lily’s face relaxed as she continued to look at Cherry’s face. “It’s better than being alone, you know?”
It totally was better than being alone. Everyone is scared of being alone, even vampires aren’t immune to such fear. It doesn’t matter if you’ll live for hundreds or thousands of years, with no one by your side – it’s a life not worth living for.
“Sylvatica!” In an empty hall, Camellia finally spotted the petite figure of his beloved. Sylvatica stood by the window, just as Camellia was earlier, watching the droplets of the soft rain touch the ground. Her face looked peaceful but solemn, was she thinking deeply about something?
Sylvatica’s face lit up for a moment at the sight of the young man, his innocent eyes and boyish smile that she had grown fond of.
“Oh, Camellia.” Her voice was beautiful, it was feminine and so soft; he never got tired of hearing her calling out his name. Camellia’s grin grew bigger, he felt giddy seeing Sylvatica and even giddier seeing her walk up to him. There was a pause as they got closer but eventually, Camellia found his arms around her smaller frame and he held her tight. Sylvatica took a deep breath, her nose buried on his shoulder and hand on his lean back.
It was cute, how Camellia could barely hold back around her.
In Camellia’s arm, Sylvatica’s messy thoughts are forgotten – she focused on what was there, with her. As vampires, they do not understand the concept of warmth that humans talk about; they say it is something that two people can share. Was the hug really devoid of such warmth? Or is it that Sylvatica can’t feel it?
This is where I belong, Sylvatica.
This is my rightful place.
Sylvatica can’t really feel her own body but she doesn’t pull away from the hug. There is that voice, telling her that she’d be safe in Camellia’s arms; and she doesn’t hesitate to follow it.
Something — or someone, was taking over her body.
“Is there a problem?” Camellia’s voice rang softly in Sylvatica’s ear, it was so gentle and a bit hesitant.
Sylvatica can’t help but smile, burying her nose further while the soft fabric of his clothes rub against her skin. “Nothing,” Sylvatica murmured. “I’m just happy you’re here.”
Camellia held Sylvatica in his arms and he had no thought of ever letting go. He rocked Sylvatica in his arms a little, humming an unknown melody as he pressed his nose on her soft hair; inhaling her soft scent. It puts him at ease, knowing he can truly be himself with Sylvatica and that he won’t ever feel lonely.
Although he could tell something was bothering Sylvatica – he was only capable of recognizing it from her expressions but he cannot arrive at a strong conclusion. He wasn’t good at reading people, he had always been a little slow like every boy around his age was. He doesn’t have the most impressive emotional intelligence, but he knows he loves the girl in his arms.
Camellia sighed and closed his eyes, he needed this, needed this hug.
“Camellia?” Sylvatica felt the strong embrace from the boy. Camellia hummed at the soft voice calling his name. “You’re so clingy today,” Sylvatica muttered but there was no hint of annoyance, her voice was fond. Camellia chuckled, breathing in Sylvatica’s scent.
“I love you, Sylvatica.”
He loves me, Sylvatica.
He loves you too.
Sylvatica stared at the thin air, she didn’t know what to feel but she didn’t let go. For some reason, her heart fluttered and her stomach felt giddy – an unfamiliar feeling creeping under her skin.
“I love you too, Camellia.” As if it was a mantra, something she has known for years – Sylvatica couldn’t help but say those words.
She loves Camellia…
Lycoris loves Camellia, for that she must love him too.
Hearing those words from Sylvatica, it made Camellia happy – it was all he needed to hear to feel assured. He didn’t know what Sylvatica saw in him and until now, he still hasn't found the answer to those questions.
Whenever he thinks about it, he is amazed. That’s really who Sylvatica was, she’s lovely and sweet. Camellia isn’t a fascinating boy, nor was he special. He wasn’t the strongest boy in the clan and he’s built like a plank but in his arms, he knows Sylvatica feels safe. To know there is something in him that she sees, it makes him happy; that he could be extraordinary to a special girl like Sylvatica.
It was all he knew he needed to be, to be Sylvatica’s.