[51.2] Friends are the Only Armor You Need

Once I finished, we left the Palace and our shame behind. We strolled down the streets of the capital with no direction in mind. I let out a sigh, "I barely got any sleep last night. I think I might return home for a nap."

Zephyr rubbed his dark eyes, "Well your parents left the party straight to the honeymoon so at least you don't have to worry about them banging-"

I casually slapped him over the head, "Why do you have to keep saying that?!"

He held his head feeling wronged, "Because they are!"

"So! That doesn't mean you should say that! It's disgusting!"

He snickered, "What is? The fact that they are-"

I covered his mouth forcibly before he could spout any more nonsense. I shook my head, "Sometimes I really hate you."

He pushed away my hand and smirked, "Liar. You love me."

I reached over to give him a noogie, "That's right. But don't let it go to your head."

"Aaah! Let me go! You trashy woman!"

I laughed and released him from my grip, finding enjoyment in his irritated expression as he ruffled his hair. Suddenly he froze then spun around on his heels and darted away.

I blinked in disbelief, "Um…"

That was random.

I heard a soft voice, "Z-Zephyr! Wait!"

I turned to the voice to see Hazel running towards us.

Ah.

That's why.

She stopped in front of me looking confused, "...Why did he run?"

I averted my gaze, "Um… Er…"

Maybe because he slept with his ex while they were in a cold war?

She looked at the ground looking genuinely hurt, "But I thought… I thought he had forgiven me…"

I let out a sigh and reached out to pat her shoulder, "There, there."

Her bottom lip trembled, "But last night… Why would he-"

I cleared my throat awkwardly, "Y-You know… Sometimes when you're a little out of your mind… You just want a booty call."

"A booty call?" She looked at me in confusion, "What's that?"

I felt my cheeks blush in embarrassment, "Y-You know… It's when um-"

Seeing her expectant expression, I couldn't bring myself to explain it.

I turned away, "J-Just give him some space for now."

Her expression turned somber, "O-Oh… Yeah… Sure…"

Ugh…

I know she and Zephyr have some bad history together…

But seeing her like this, I feel a bit bad for her.

I scratched my head awkwardly, "You know… I'm feeling rather sleepy. I could go for a cup of coffee and sweets right now."

"Oh…" Her expression suddenly lifted, "Oh! Would you want to visit a coffee shop?"

I nodded, "Do you have anywhere in mind?"

She scanned the area and pointed to a distance, "What about that one? It looks like it sells lemon bars."

I narrowed my eyes to see, but everything looked hazy, "You can see that from here?"

She looked a bit embarrassed, "It's um… The power of the Holy Light."

"Ah… I see…" I shifted uncomfortably, "Should we go?"

"Oh! Yes. Let's go."

We entered the shop and took a seat at a table. I ordered a variety of dishes and drinks until the table was filled to the brim. I took some chocolate powder and added it to my coffee.

Hazel watched me, "I've never seen someone add that before."

I laughed awkwardly, "It's as close I can get to a mocha here."

A customer entered the stop and went to the counter, "-Can I have an Americano. Six shots of expresso. Two pumps of vanilla. One pump caramel. Whipped cream. Chocolate powder on top."

I leaned over to see the source of the familiar voice and saw Rebecca standing at the counter wearing the same thing she wore yesterday. It looked like she just got up from bed.

The barista gave her a dirty look and pushed over a simple cup of coffee which Rebecca took without caring.

I waved to her, "Oi. Rebecca!"

She strolled over to us groggily, "Oh. You two are here also?"

I tapped the table, "Come sit with us."

She shrugged and grabbed a chair from a neighboring table. The man shouted at her, "Oi! You can't just-"

She turned to glare at him, "F*ck off."

He wilted and turned away from her, allowing her to drag the extra chair to our table. She sat down with a groan.

Hazel stared at her for a moment, "Oh. I think I remember seeing you yesterday, but I never got your name."

She glanced at Hazel, "Rebecca. You're Alora, right?"

Hazel's expression turned dark, "...Hazel."

"Ah. Hazel."

Sensing the tense atmosphere, I tried to change the subject, "Do you come to this coffee shop often?"

She nodded, "Usually."

Hazel smiled, "You must really like it here."

"Not really. But it's right next to my house so it's good enough."

I gave her a look, "You didn't stay at the Palace last night?"

She casually raised her coffee cup, "No. I couldn't remember which one was supposed to be my room, so I went home instead."

My face twitched, "Seriously?"

She stretched, "All those rooms look identical! Even the hallways confused me! It took me so long to figure out how to get home. I had to break a window to escape."

…Looks like I need to prepare an apology.

She yawned, "It's not a problem. I live so close to the Palace that it wasn't like I had to walk far. But where did you go? Did you manage to find Cyrus and Zephyr?"

My face flushed red, "O-Oh… I found Cyrus…"

She stared at me, "But not Zephyr?"

Hazel calmly raised her tea, "I found Zephyr."

Rebecca gave her a look before smirking, "Nice."

Hazel flushed red, "I-I didn't mean-"

Rebecca laughed and slapped her back, "There is no shame in it. Even an outsider like me could tell how compatible you two are."

Hazel looked at Rebecca with starry eyes, "R-Really?"

Oh wow.

With just one sentence, Rebecca won Hazel over.

Hazel studied Rebecca closely, "You're not at all curious about me? My past? Why exactly Zephyr was acting like that last night?"

Rebecca scoffed in disinterest, "Not my business."

Hazel beamed with joy.

She's been successfully won over.

Rebecca nodded at me, "So? What happened when you found Cyrus?"

I averted my gaze, "Oh… Um. He was playing hide in seek."

…Under my skirt.

Rebecca laughed, "I'm surprised he was still able to do that after he drank so much."

I groaned and ran my fingers through my hair, "How did he not die?! Is he secretly an alcoholic?!"

Hazel laughed, "Well the body of a demon is better at fighting off poisons and toxins. When the demon has the ability to use illusions, alcohol can barely even cause an effect. They have to pour high-quality liquor consistently into their system and even then, it wouldn't last very long. Heh. I almost forgot he inherited my genes as well. Holy Light Priestesses are even more immune to those things. His normal human inheritance probably can't overcome the demonic blood and Holy Light in his veins."

My expression turned pale, "W-Wait… Are you saying…"

Hazel casually raised her cup of tea to take a sip, "Cyrus's body would probably dispel the effects of alcohol within a few hours… Or even less."

I immediately started doing the calculations in my head.

After his last drink, I looked for him for maybe an hour and then-

The lemon bar dropped from my hand.

That means…

That means he was completely sober when we-AAAAAH!

Why does that make things worse?!

So he remembers and he-AAAAAH!

I slammed my head against the table screaming.

Hazel flinched from my sudden outburst, "W-What's wrong?!"

Rebecca suddenly spat out her tea, "OH MY GODS! They f*cked!!!"

My face turned bright red and I screamed, "N-No! We didn't!!!"

Hazel's mouth dropped open, "Y-You two?! You actually-"

I waved my arms frantically, "NO! You're misunderstanding!!!"

Rebecca ignored my denial, "How did it feel? I imagine the men in this era are disappointing."

"They aren't disappointing! Or at least, he's not." I paused, "Err… I mean. How would I know?!"

Hazel jumped in, "Does he have my stamina? Or Zephyr's?"

"WHY DO YOU WANT TO KNOW THAT?!"

"I'm just curious." Hazel leaned back, "My stamina is better than Zephyr's-"

"AAAH! Why are you treating that as a competition?!" I hid my face, "And don't act like you're his parent!! It's so weird!"

She added absentmindedly, "-Although Zephyr is a lot freakier than me. He comes up with all these moves-"

I pelted her with cookies, "STOP TALKING!"

Rebecca scooched closer to me, "Is that why you are wearing such modest clothes today?"

She pulled the collar of my dress down to expose my neck. I panicked and pulled it back up, "Stop trying to undress me!!!"

She gasped, "Oh wow!"

What is wrong with her!?

She pulled up my skirt, "OH WOW!"

"WHAT THE HELL!?" I pulled it down and scooched away, ending up closer to Hazel, "Stop it!!"

Rebecca laughed teasingly, "He really is a little beast. Was he born in the year of the dog?"

Hazel grabbed my wrist and pulled up my sleeves, "It was consensual, right?"

I snapped, "Of course it was! It was a dream come true!"

Rebecca chuckled, "That good?"

ACK!

They tricked me!

Hazel let out a sigh of relief upon seeing no bruises on my wrist, "They say the curse mark makes you lose your mind so I was concerned for a moment."

I pulled my wrist away and pouted slightly, "He was a bit wild, but it didn't scare me. It actually was a bit exciting…. Towards the end, he became gentle though. It was very sweet."

Rebecca whistled, "He looks so prudish and entitled. I guess you never know a person by how they look on the outside."

…Like you should talk.

"Well if he ever tries to hurt you, just let me know. Descendent or not-" Hazel's expression turned sinister as cracks appeared on her teacup, "-I won't hesitate to kill him."

I scooted a bit away from her, "Hazel… You can be really scary sometimes."

Rebecca laughed, "Yeah you just let me and Hazel know and we will go beat him up."

I gave her a look, "...You too?"

"Sure. I'm not much of a fighter, but maybe I can turn his blood into alcohol?"

My eyes widened, "You can do that?"

She leaned back, "Um… Probably not. But I can always try."

I laughed at their earnest expressions, "Why in the world would you two ever do that?"

Rebecca smiled softly, contrasting her b*tchy face, "We are friends. Duh."

I blinked, "...Friends?"

Hazel nodded in agreement, "At least I'd like to think so."

I stared at the two of them in surprise.

Usually, I wouldn't believe them that they could actually do anything…

But if it's them…

Then I have no doubt they could actually defend me.

I laughed silently to myself, "Is this what it feels like to have support?"

Hazel tilted her head, "What was that?"

I smiled at her and Rebecca, "I was going to say the same for you two, but I fear more for what you will do to your partners than what they will do to you."

Hazel panicked, "Oh no! I would never hurt Zephyr! I would rather die than that!"

As Hazel anxiously defended herself, I couldn't help but laugh.

I patted her hand comfortingly, "It's just a saying, I wasn't being serious. Plus, if you do hurt him it'll be the last thing you ever do."

Her face reddened, "I wouldn't dare."

I turned to Rebecca, "And what about you? Do you have anyone you're interested in?"

She shook her head, "Only myself. People need too many emotions and I certainly can't commit to that."

I took a sip of my coffee, "At least you're self-aware."