2024 - Amazon Forest

Darkness wraps around Ayaz like a heavy blanket as he gradually opens his eyes, blinking against the dim light filtering through the thick canopy above. A frown creases his forehead as he realizes the discomfort of his clothes sticking to his damp skin. How can it be so humid in a rainforest at night? His mind races, disoriented and bewildered.

As he shifts to sit up, intending to peel off the heavy fabric clinging to him, he feels a weight pressing down—not just any weight, but the familiar form of Druig. The mind controller has his head resting on Ayaz’s stomach, an arm draped possessively around him.

Ayaz tries to gently nudge Druig off, desperate not to disturb his peaceful slumber, but Druig stirs, groaning softly before slowly opening his eyes, then promptly closing them again, burrowing deeper into Ayaz’s warmth. “Don’t move,” he mumbles, voice thick with sleep.

The frost-hearted Eternal lets out an exaggerated scoff, battling the mix of irritation and amusement bubbling inside him. Druig sprawled across him like a cat is not exactly how he wants to wake up. Yet, as he steals a glance at Druig's serene face, there’s an undeniable sweetness to the moment. Maybe he can tolerate this for a little longer. He shakes his head, trying to dispel his lingering feelings. What is he even thinking?

Focus, Ayaz. He mentally chides himself, feeling the familiar tug of emotions he thought he had locked away. He’s here to help his family, to stop the Emergence, and then return to France. Yet, deep down, he knows the truth—Druig already holds Ayaz’s frost heart in his hands. It’s only a matter of time before it shatters again, leaving him to pick up the pieces.

He knows better than to provoke Druig when he’s in this state, but instinct overrides caution as he attempts to pry Druig off him. Note the keyword: attempts.

“Don’t move.” Druig's voice is now cranky as he shifts, pushing Ayaz back down onto the bed with surprising force, causing Ayaz's head to bounce off the pillow.

Ayaz feels the irritation swell within him, the frustration spilling out. “For the love of Arishem! Just let me take my shirt off. It’s bloody hot in here!”

Druig opens his eyes once more, shifting to prop himself up, disentangling their limbs, waiting expectantly as if he’s giving Ayaz permission to take off his shirt.

With an eye roll, Ayaz yanks his shirt over his head. But before he can toss it aside, Druig's hands shoot around his torso, pulling him back into the embrace with astonishing speed, and Ayaz gasps, feeling Druig’s warmth enveloping him once more. So much for personal space.

“You not move,” Druig whispers in a raspy voice, his breath warm against Ayaz’s ear, before drifting back into sleep.

“Merde,” Ayaz mutters, feeling both exhilarated and trapped. The skin-on-skin contact ignites a wildfire of sensation in him, and he can’t help the smile that tugs at his lips. They can be together, doing nothing, and yet it feels like everything.

The next morning, Ayaz stirs at the gentle caress of something feathery against his neck, only for a playful bite on his earlobe to jolt him fully awake. What the—?

His heartbeat quickens, and he gulps as Druig moves back, peppering kisses along his neck. “Do you mind?” Ayaz murmurs, still caught in the haze of sleep. He feels Druig shake his head slightly against him.

“Not really.” Druig’s reply is teasing, undeterred, and he continues his affectionate assault.

Ayaz shudders, a wave of pleasure coursing through him at Druig’s lips against his skin. It’s like fire and ice; a dangerous mix he can't resist.

Druig’s kisses trail down Ayaz’s bare chest, each touch sending electric shocks through him, before capturing his lips with fervor.

Ayaz can’t help but smile into the kiss, pulling Druig closer by his dark hair. Druig responds with a soft growl, kissing him harder, their lips moving in perfect harmony, speaking a wordless language of love.

In an instant, Ayaz flips them over, straddling Druig, his hands resting on Druig's shoulders while Druig’s back meets the headboard. They continue their passionate exchange, a silent conversation flowing between them, filled with longing and unspoken fears.

Ayaz breaks the kiss for just a heartbeat to yank Druig’s shirt off, and as his lips find Druig’s again, he trails kisses down Druig's jaw and onto his neck. “Did you move on?”

Druig catches his breath, his gaze serious. “No. Did you?”

Ayaz sighs, resting his head on Druig’s shoulder. “I tried. But couldn’t.” He feels a wave of vulnerability wash over him, but he steels himself. “Just because we mess around doesn’t mean we renewed our relationship. You’re not forgiven.”

“Will you ever?” Druig asks softly, tracing Ayaz’s spine with his fingertips, sending shivers through Ayaz's body.

Ayaz hesitates, his heart racing. “I don’t know. Amazing how things change over time.”

“Maybe we’re the ones who’ve changed.” Druig’s voice is barely above a whisper, laced with concern. “What happened to you? You’re distant…”

“…and cold?” Ayaz cuts in with a dry chuckle, the humor masking the hurt. “I grew up. Mind-wise, of course.”

“You used to care a lot.”

“Things are easier when you don’t care. Nobody gets hurt.” The words taste bitter on his tongue.

Druig’s frown deepens at Ayaz’s harshness. “I know you don’t agree with Sersi’s plan.”

“Celestials are like the ocean. They give life and take life away without bias. If they were gone, this universe would eventually end. What she’s trying to do is free humanity from the natural order. It’s unnatural to allow all life on an entire planet to be destroyed.” Ayaz explains, his voice steady but filled with conviction, resting his head against Druig’s shoulder, eyes drifting shut.

Druig gently takes Ayaz’s pale-as-snow hand into his, placing a tender kiss on it. “Arishem’s way is archaic and violent.”

“Well, again, I don’t care.” Ayaz murmurs into Druig’s shoulder. “I hope it all ends soon.”

“Except there is no end, is there? We’d carry on without our memories or free will for eternity.”

Ayaz lifts his head, meeting Druig’s intense gaze. “I wouldn’t mind leaving this world. I only wish that when we do, I could remember you. I’m in love with you, Druig. And I hate myself for loving you without limits.”

Druig opens his mouth to respond, but the door slams open, interrupting the moment. “Thought I’d find you here.” Kingo strides in, a smug grin plastered across his face as he glances between the two, with Karun trailing behind him, looking awkwardly amused.

Ayaz groans in annoyance, embarrassment flooding his cheeks. “How the hell did you get in?”

“The door was unlocked, genius.” Kingo shrugs, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “And by the way, nice position.”

Ayaz turns beet red, leaping off Druig like he’s been burned, while Druig bursts into laughter at their unexpected guests. As he throws Druig’s shirt back at him, Ayaz pulls his own shirt on, clearing his throat in an attempt to mask his embarrassment. “That is how we exchange our opinions. You want to exchange opinions with me too?”

“No. I’m good.” Kingo waves his hands dismissively, still smirking. “One time you make fun of him and another you sleep with him. Isn’t it a little odd?”

“You made fun of me? That means you talked about me.” Druig shoots a smug look at Kingo, and Ayaz can’t help but roll his eyes.

“I'd rather vomit blood and saliva than talk about you,” Ayaz snaps, throwing an exaggerated glare at Kingo. The words feel grotesque in his mouth, and he cringes internally. “That’s bloody disgusting.”

His golden eyes drift to Karun, who’s capturing the moment with his camera, clearly relishing the chaos. “If you put that on your documentary or whatever, I will not hesitate to drain your soul like a Dementor and feed your soulless corpse to my puppy.”

“You don’t have a puppy,” Kingo points out, amusement dancing in his eyes as he observes Karun’s face pale at Ayaz’s threat. Without hesitation, Karun lowers the camera, clearly not willing to test Ayaz’s resolve.

“Camille has a puppy,” Ayaz shoots back, a hint of pride creeping into his voice.

“Ah, the untitled girlfriend. She’s cute. You’ve got competition, Druig,” Kingo whispers, directing the comment toward the mind controller. The words draw Druig's attention, his expression a mix of confusion and something else—something more unsettling.

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” Ayaz states firmly, shooting another glare at Kingo, this one laced with danger. “Why are you here, pote?”

“Hestia and Ikaris are back with Phastos. Get ready; we’re leaving.” Kingo nods toward the door, making his exit with a casual wave. Karun follows like a lost puppy, leaving Ayaz and Druig alone in the charged silence.

Ayaz can feel Druig's gaze burning into him, a heat that ignites the air between them. He sighs, running a hand through his knotted golden hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “Ask away the bloody question.”

“Should I be jealous of this Camille?” Druig’s tone is uncharacteristically serious, arms crossed defensively across his chest.

“It’s up to you,” Ayaz replies, his nonchalance masking the tumult of emotions swirling within him. He refuses to meet Druig’s eyes, focusing instead on lacing up his boots.

“That’s not an answer,” Druig presses, his voice tinged with a mix of jealousy and disbelief. “I thought you didn’t move on.”

“I didn’t. But I tried,” Ayaz admits, feeling the weight of the truth settle heavily in his chest.

“By doing what? Sleeping with her?” Druig's voice sharpens, cutting through the air like a blade.

Ayaz’s anger ignites like a wildfire, pushing him to the brink. “You have no right to question what I do or did! Because from what I remember, you were the one who left me!” he shouts, the words erupting from him with all the pain and frustration he has kept bottled up. In a flash, he teleports away, the room spinning around him as he escapes, not waiting for Druig’s response.

He is done.

END OF ACT 2