Samsara: A Spring Love

Chapter 3

Llenard quickly caught the unconscious Nico in his arms. He worriedly lay him on his lap and fanned him using the cloth that he took on his bag. The lad felt guilty when he saw the poor state of the pixie. He thought that maybe it's because of him and because they kept running away that's why he lost consciousness. He sighed and looked at the clear sky.

"I'm sorry," he softly whispered in Nico's ear. It's the first time he saw Nico's face up close. For a boy, Nico is really beautiful. He has a pointed nose, his eyelashes are long and thick and he also has a rosy lips and cheeks. It's like he was mesmerized by his beauty. Llenard couldn't help but to touch Nico's lips. There is something inside of him that wanted to kiss those luscious lips of him.

"Snap out of it, Llenard. Are you out of your goddamn mind?" He said to himself and shook his head. He couldn't believe he is having these indecent thoughts. Nico is a boy just like him. There's no way in hell he's charmed by him. But why does his heart is pounding loudly? So loud that he’s afraid that Nico might hear it. He sighed once again and pinched the bridge of his nose. He sat there quietly waiting for Nico to finally wake up.

Nico stirred on his lap, he suddenly sat up and groaned. He touched his head and winced in pain. "What happened?" He asked Llenard. He couldn't remember anything after he blacked out.

"You fainted. Are you okay now?" Llenard said. Nico gently nodded his head and thanked him. "How long I've been out?" Nico asked once again.

"Long, it's already lunch time I think," Llenard answered casually. Nico's eyes widened. Lunch time means he has to go to his part-time work on the factory. Peridot will surely grind him to pieces if he's late again.

"Oh shoot!" He yelled. He quickly got up and flew down the pine tree. "Where are you going?!" Llenard shouted above.

"I have to work," he answered. "Can I see you again tomorrow?" Llenard asked hopefully. He really wants to befriend Nico. He had a feeling that they will become a great friends. On the other hand, Nico is having a second thoughts. He really doesn't get Llenard, why does he want to be his friend? There are so many pixies out there, but why him? He looked at him and sighed.

"Fine, I'll be in school tomorrow but no more stealing!" He warned. Llenard chuckled and gave him a salute. "Yes, sire!" He replied naughtily. Nico flew hurriedly to the factory. When he got there, he saw Dandelion already waiting for him outside the door.

"Nico! You're here!" She said. "Am I late?" He worriedly asked while fidgeting. Peridot will fire him and that’s for sure. Dandelion shook her head and smiled. Nico breathed a sigh of relief and hugged Dandelion. They both entered the factory and he saw Peridot glaring holes at him. He bowed his head and continued walking to his work area.

Even though Peridot hates Nico to the core. She couldn't deny the fact that Nico is a great artisan and a seamster. All of his work are sold out. He is an asset to the factory. Every day, Nico goes to the factory after attending the school to work as a part timer. On Sundays he goes to the room of knowledge, reading tons of books and looking for the mystery of his birth. He searched his bag and found the carved necklace inside. He took it out and examined it. He shook his head and smiled when he remembered Llenard and his antics.

"That boy is crazy," he said. Image of a two young boys who are happily chatting beside the beautiful lake suddenly flashed through his mind. He touched his head and wiped the tears on his eyes. He put the necklace down and wondered. Who are they? And why does his heart aches when he saw them?

--

After admiring the view up in the pine tree. Llenard decided to go down and went to his dad. When they move here, his father got the job easily and now he is working on the cave to mine the ores.

"Where have you been?" His father asked when he approached him. Llenard scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "I was lost in the forest," he swiftly lied. His father, Citron, calmly observed him. He knew his son is definitely lying. He may have done something naughty again and now he's trying to hide it. Llenard has a habit of scratching his head when he's telling a lie. He sighed and tapped his son's shoulder.

"I'm glad you found your way here," he said and smiled. Llenard looked away from his father's intense gaze. If his father knew that he stole something from the kobolds, he will surely be scolded. He grab the shovel next to him and helped him dig. There are also other pixies working in the cave.

"I met a boy," he said. His father looked at him and back to his work. "What's his name?" His father asked. Llenard smiled and grabbed the cloth on his pocket to brush the sweat from his face.

"His name is Nico," he uttered. "He's my new friend," he boasted even though Nico really doesn't approved their friendship yet. Citron was glad, he thought that settling here will be difficult for his family. But seeing Llenard made a new friend, it's not a bad decision to move after all.

"That's good, son! By the way, I already enrolled you to the school," he said. Llenard thanked him and quietly went back to work. After working and digging, the two went home together and was welcomed by a woman and a little girl.

The woman is his mother named Amaltheia and the little girl is his sister, Ivory. His mother kissed his father's cheeks. While his sister ran at him and hugged him tight. He can't help but chuckled.

"Ivory, I wasn't gone that long," he said and lifted her up. Ivory cutely giggled. 

"She missed playing with you," his mother said. "Ma," he greeted and kissed his mother's cheeks while carrying little Ivory on his arms.

"How was your day, Llenard?" His mother gently asked. He smiled while remembering what happened today. He had a fun filled crazy adventure day. Without answering, he looked at his mother and guided her inside the house whilst thinking about Nico whom he's going to meet tomorrow.