(Fol)

No matter how much he wished he did, Deo did not have the stamina and energy that Kisee had. Soon he was bent over, breathing heavily, his shirt plastered to his back.

The tall grass shifted and Kisee stuck his head out under Deo’s, looking up at him, “are you ok?”

Deo forced a small smile, “I’m fine... just a little tired.”

Kisee pursed his lips, gaze wandering for a moment before snapping back to Deo’s eyes, “Ok! Let’s take a nap then!”

***

Wefyu’s eyes snapped open, trapped tears escaping. His breathing and heart rate were rapid, effects of a nightmare he had already forgotten. His hands were pressed against his chest, tightly gripping wads of his shirt. He slowly opened his fists, knuckles aching. He sat up and tugged his shirt back down over his stomach, trying to smooth out the wrinkles.

His room had the artificial darkness of a nap at midday, curtains drawn but a few slivers of blinding light peeking through. He fumbled blindly on the short table by his bed until he found his monocle. Without it even his “good” eye couldn’t see much farther than a foot or two in front of him.

Groggy and sore, Wefyu slid out of bed and pulled his pants back on before heading for the door. He immediately went next door to check on Deo. He knocked and called out. When there was no response, he slowly pushed in.

Deo wasn’t alone in his room, laying next to him on the floor in a nest of cushions, was Kisee. The two young boys held hands as they slept. Wefyu’s heart was stabbed. Even this, Kisee could have and Wefyu could not.

Kisee sat up and rubbed his eyes sleepily, “Wefyu...?”

Wefyu shrunk back from the door, “I just wanted to check on Deo...”

Kisee held out his hand as if to beckon Wefyu closer.

But Wefyu merely said, “don’t nap too long,” before leaving and closing the door behind him.