A Toast

As soon as they got back at their space, Garen looks at his clock and finds that it was barely [6:00AM]. Garen difused the reeking pheromone that was left in the room with the use of a special spray. After that, he scratched his palm so hard and purposely wounded his hand just like the one he had then, wrapped it in bandage. Garen made another wound just in case that the verse sends someone to quickly check up on his condition. Yuhan strictly instructed him to not rouse any suspicion and to start of, he must conceal his powerful ability to regenerate himself.

Garen felt a stinging and annoying pain from the palm of his hand. He thinks that he might've made it too deep but, it's fine that way. Garen took some inhibitors given to him to slow his regeneration and peacefully sat down on his bed. Liliane knocks on his door and when Garen opened it for her, he saw the worried gaze from that kind and beautiful eyes.

"I'm fine." Garen says as he softly smiled towards Liliane.

Garen saw the bottom lip of the girl, slightly perking up. Garen knew Liliane was trying to hold herself from pouting, exactly like holding down herself from thinking too much. He knew that Liliane is worried of him but, he can't help but adore her even in this situation. In a way, he was glad to see that there is still the Liliane he knew.

The Liliane he saw at the beginning of class, seemed too different that he barely wouldn't recognize her hollowed eyes. Too gloomy, expressionless, to the point that he was scared of the sight of her blankly staring in the space with such emptiness.

"Lili..." He called out to her simply because perhaps he missed her so much.

Even though he knew that Liliane is already back to his side, he can't help but feel afraid every time that he wakes up. Countless fear running around his brain like ones that are busy cars on a busy street.

Garen always had lucid dreams but lately, he is afraid that his current reality might just be a dream he is desperately showing himself. Liliane will always seem like a dream. Ever since he met Liliane once more, he finds himself to be unable to distinguish dreams from reality.

"Lili..." He whispered once more, his face looking down.

Maybe it was because of his previous awakening that his senses are sharper than before. Garen could hear Liliane's heart beat playing in a fast rhythm. Maybe, there are still fear that is left on Liliane's heart. It is sad to think that he is making her afraid still but, he hope no more for that.

"Lili... I love you." Garen says it and he heard her heart beats even faster, her breathing seem a bit harder. He heard her let out a trembling gasp before she opens her lips.

"I... Love you... Too..." She silently whispered that it couldn't be heard by ordinary people but, Garen heard it well.

Garen remembers Liliane was always confident to reply back on whatever random nonesense he says. It was a first to witness Liliane being nervous like this.

Garen reached with his other unwounded hand and gently held Liliane's.

"Then... Promise me that you will not struggle on your own." Garen says and he heard her heart beat faster that instant.

"I will..." Liliane showed a smile but, Garen knew better. Liliane is lying.

Just when Garen thought that he finally got closer to Liliane, he felt her trying to place distance once more.

Garen is torn between having to act tender, caring, loving, be a fool for her, and having to act against her lies to find the truth.

Garen simply smiled back and Liliane enters his room with a tray holding two mugs. The two went inside and sat down on the floor, their backs resting on the bed.

Garen sets his mug down beside him and grabs a remote controller and controlled the lights in his room. He turned off the light and activated a projector on his room. The room was soon surrounded by projected star lights that shine and flickered all over. It was like a galaxy at that moment and there were only them in place where peace resides.

"Do you remember this?" Garen asked and he saw her eyes getting wet and it reflected the beautiful lights.

As the two often played outside as children, Garen would take her to all sorts of places in the town. One time, they saw this one galaxy projector that was a popular item back then. Garen remembers little Liliane admiring it from the shelves for she only have enough money for her necessities only.

"This is beautiful..." Liliane whispered and Garen felt his breath being robbed away from the image of stars that Liliane reflected on her eyes. It was like the Ocean merging with the scenery of stars.

Garen already knew of Liliane's loveliness but, a beautiful sight would never fail to capture a person's heart. Garen already knows he loves her but, he can't help but fall in love towards her once more.

"I love you." Garen says with warm, soft, and loving voice.

Garen would never tire to say this word as long as it is Liliane.

"I love you." Liliane says lovingly in reply. At least Garen knows that the feelings are sincere.

Liliane's head turned towards him and those beautiful eyes that reflected the galaxy, reflected his own image. Garen felt his soul can be trapped on it--- No. He felt that he would love to be trapped in it. Garen draws his face closer and Liliane's lashes fluttered from his notion. Garen smiles with his nervous heart. He softly pressed his lips against Liliane and she accepts it as she closes her eyes. Seeing that Liliane doesn't mind, he starts to softly kissing her. He felt her warm and soft lips against his as he traced it with own.

He then softly kissed her eyelids, it was warm from her crying. Garen dreads that these beautiful eyes have cried so much because of him

He then, softly kissed her forehead with helplessness of adoration. He softly places his forehead against her's, desperately wishing that all of his thoughts, his worries, his love, all that he wants Liliane to know and understand, he wished it would reach to her.

Garen lets out affectionate pheromones that made Liliane a bit drowsy. He then, started to kiss her lips even more passionately. He used his hand to support her neck and he felt that cold metal sting his warm hands. He felt her every breath escaping as he kissed desperately.

"Ga... ren..." Liliane gasps in the mere calling of his name.

He tasted her lips and it was as sweet as her lies. Garen stopped when both of them were breathless.

A cup of hot coffee is for someone who wants to stay awake, a cup of hot tea is for relaxing, a cup of hot milk is for warmth, a cup of hot chocolate is for comfort, and a cup of hot liquour is to get drunk and escape loneliness.

But, the mugs they hold have already gone cold while their lips have gone hot.

Garen's golden gaze flickered even more beautiful and more captivating than those projected stars... And it lands its gaze upon Liliane.

A cup never shared to another, simply holds many regrets. How can one want to drink if there is doubt in the drink?

Liliane's lies are little drops of poisonous worry and Garen is not afraid to be poisoned rather, he worries that it would poison Liliane by time.

"I love you." He says this as if a seal is done.

There might be secrets yet to be untold but, Garen simply trust on those words of love they share.