The Number One Spot

"Tearia."

"Hmmm?"

Looking around the room, Tearia had her mind on some things as Xilo called out to her. Focusing on him she teared her eyes off of Xelfia and Relia as she focused on XIlo. Taking a note of Tearia's actions, Xilo patted the seat next to him one more time. If she didn't hear him the first time he would just have to ask a second time. With that prompt Tearia walked over to Xilo as she sat down beside him. "What does he want?" She was curious about it but never voiced that question as silence filled the room.

"I asked you what's on your mind, however it looks like you didn't hear me."

"Ahhh sorry I wasn't pa-"

Laying down on his back Xilo put his arms behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling and finished her sentence.

"Paying attention?"

"Yes"

"Any particular reason why you think that is? You've been acting weird for a little bit now."

"I...Don't know."

Xilo didn't miss that hesitation in her voice as he listened to the sounds of breathing.

"Haaa...so then it has nothing to do with Xelfia?"

Flinching hearing Xilo bring up Xelfia, she knew was caught. "I guess I was being too obvious." Slumping her shoulders she felt a little sad but didn't say anything else acknowledging that Xilo was right. With Tearia refusing to reply Xilo knew he had nailed it on the head as he freed one of his arms and began to rub Tearia's back. Thankfully for him this time she didn't try and run away and just silently accepted it as Xelfia's ears perked up from the side listening in. "They are quite stupid, I need to get out of this form fast." She just needed a little more time before she could go back to normal.

*Hisss*

Trying to get Relia to hurry up she only received an eye roll in return. "Dammit." Going back to eavesdropping, Xelfia stared at the two of them as sneakily as she could while she waited. Deciding to not run from Xilo this time Tearia waited in silence for Xilo to say something but he never did. It looks like Xilo wanted her to say something herself instead. "He already knows anyway." Clearing her throat a bit she spoke up in a soft voice.

"It does."

"Hmmm?"

"I said it does Xilo, happy now? You're right, I'm upset because of Xelfia."

Grabbing her head she felt a headache coming on as many thoughts and emotions jumbled around in there like a candy jar being emptied. Ever since Xelfia had showed up again she had felt like she had to distance herself from Xilo and even Xelfia again. She was scared, worried, ashamed, embarrassed, unworthy and the list went on. Every time she looked at Xilo she felt like she wasn't good enough or that Xelfia would once again replace her. She had thought she had gotten past these things but now it looks like they were coming back to haunt her and they wouldn't let her go. She was being sucked into the void of her doubts.

"She's just me but better in every way, I offer nothing of value and only ever annoy you! What's the point? I can't stop comparing myself to her no matter what I do. I didn't even see Felli leave and I..I...I..."

Feeling her chest grow heavy, Tearia let everything out as Xilo sat back up beside her and pulled her into his chest. He had some things he wanted to say but he let it wait. Once in a while some people just want to let everything out and currently Tearia needed a minute herself. "So, this is how you feel, eh? I wish you said something sooner" Digesting that information Xilo rubbed her hair as he thought about things. He couldn't do anything about the past and how she felt but going forward he could do better in the future himself. "I guess I kind of forgot that Tearia is quite a child too." All the differences she had showed had made him forget how she used to be and that was still a part of her even now.

Looking towards Xelfia he tried to find some power from her but he noticed she had disappeared from his sights only leaving Relia sitting there. "Huh, where did Xelfia go?" Confused for a second he felt a bit of panic until he felt Tearia slip from his grasp. Feeling a pair of arms go under her shoulders that weren't familiar Tearia wondered what was happening as she wiped some of the tears from her eyes

and looked up to see a woman with red hair sitting behind her while holding her. Seeing Xelfia in human form once again Xilo calmed down as he smiled and stayed silent.

"You know, for a girl who wants to act so tough you're quite a softy. All this time has passed and you're still no different from the last day I saw you. It's quite depressing to think about and if you honestly asked me, you're being stupid."

Staring down at Tearia as she held her, a slight mocking grin surfaced on Xelfia's face as her golden eyes lit up.

"Huh?"

"Oh you heard me loud and clear. You're an idiot, you want to claim you're not worthy or not me but let me ask you this. You remember what you tried to do to me right? I'm sure you didn't forget."

"...."

"Well Xilo hated you with a passion after that, I assume you can guess that too. What you did was pretty unforgiveable to him after all, however even with that being the case Xilo still bothered giving you a second chance. In front of me you are not allowed to cry about not being worthy. You've been given another chance already shows how far you've come and you need to continue proving to him that's not a mistake. As for being like me? That'll never happen, even in your wildest dreams."

With an endless amount of sass and mockery filling her voice Xelfia wasn't done, in fact she was just getting started. Tearia didn't need kind words and pick me ups. She needed a kick in the butt that would get her to push herself to go further. Tearia got complacent without any competition around and once she had showed up again she hit a wall. "Xilo's kind and I love that but he's too kind sometimes." These were things Xilo would have trouble saying right now even if he thought they were true. So in his place she would take the challenge, besides she wanted Tearia to succeed too.

"!?!"

"I'm not blind or deaf you know? I can also tell quite well when Xilo likes somebody and if you think I care about him liking you then don't be as well. I'll always be his number one and that's not something that'll change until we die. I enjoy looking down on others not looking up to them and if you think I'll look up to you then you got another thing coming. However if you want to fight for the top spot then I don't mind continuously knocking you down.

Hearing herself continuously get insulted, Tearia got more and more upset with each word. "Xelfia!" Remembering a part of the reason why she disliked Xelfia she broke free of her arms and stared daggers at her. "If you think you can just insult me as you please." With the crackle of Lightning Tearia aimed her fist at Xelfia without ever losing eye contact. Smiling Xelfia turned back to normal as she gently laughed and cut off her energy.

"I see that put some energy back into you after all and you even tried to fight me yourself this time. If you ask me that's quite a big improvement, wouldn't you agree Xilo?"

"I agree, though you could have been nicer about it or said something to me you know."

"Ehhh, it's more fun this way."

ignoring the dumbfounded Tearia standing off to the side, Xelfia took the chance to dive into Xilo's arms now that she could finally hug him again. Snuggling up to him she rubbed her whole body on him as Xilo smiled as he enjoyed the familiar feeling that he long thought he lost forever. "She's alive and still the same as before." It had been a little while since he had seen her and nothing had changed. She was still the woman she once was and that he loved.

"I'm glad you're back too, it's been a while Xelfia. Speaking of that though what exactly happened...I thought you...died"

He hated to ruin the moment a bit but that was something he needed to know. It had been nagging at him ever since he had seen her again and he couldn't put it off anymore. "Relia too." Calling Relia over he waited until Xelfia explained what had happened to him as Tearia was caught up in her own little world of anger. "Xelfia." Gritting her teeth she felt a little angry with Xelfia at first until she figured out she said all those things to help cheer her up. That helped calm down a bit but she just got angry at herself again. "I can do better, Xelfia is right." Grumbling to herself she stopped once Xelfia finally spoke up and listened. She was quite curious as well as to how she survived after Xilo's story.

"So Relia saved you in the end and you were forced to sleep for a few weeks then?"

"Yeah, I don't know how she really did it but without her I would have been dead. Sorry I couldn't come back sooner."

"No, no that's fine, don't worry about it however Relia....I'm truly thankful for what you did."

"No big...deal."

"It is though."

Feeling a little overwhelmed by Xilo, Relia slightly backed off as Azalu yelled in her head. "Just say your welcome. I know how you are but something as simple as this goes a long way and it'll get you extra points with him." "Extra points?" "Ehhhh nothing, I'm going to take a nap." Left alone with Xilo's intense stare, Relia chose to take Azalu's advice. She didn't really feel like it was something she should be thanked for though still. It just felt like the natural thing to do in that situation.

"You're...welcome.

"Come here."

Not letting any of them escape Xilo grabbed Xelfia, Tearia and Relia and hugged all three of them tightly as he felt a sense of joy fill his body.

"Thank you all."

Whispering that Xilo didn't let go of them even when they were struggling to get out. He only agreed to let them go once Xelfia brought up the fact that they had stuff to do tomorrow and should probably get to bed early. Forced to let go Xilo felt a spell of exhaustion overwhelm him and tell him how tired he really was. "Tomorrow." Getting up he chose one of the beds far away as he laid down on it. Little did he know the biggest problem of the night was truly about to start once he laid down.