A snowy adventure

It had been a few months of traveling with Sabaku and Suna. They were the best companions that Avys could have ever asked for. However, the last week had become the first week of winter, and it got colder and colder every day. Her outfit was not at all good for traveling in the snow, but she didn't want to stop to buy a coat or boots. This territory, Chisaiasz, was controlled by Asz, and they would probably recognize Avys as the princess of the Aszinian kingdom. This made traveling quite uncomfortable.

The only good thing about her travels currently were Suna and especially Sabaku. She had developed a crush on him because she grew to love the sarcastic, yet loving person that Sabaku was. Every day with him was heaven. But of course, she doubted that Sabaku shared feelings for her. 

He was just... too much of a Sabaku to probably ever notice her or love her the way she did him. While Avys was thinking her sad thoughts, Suna pinched her.

"Ow!" Avys exclaimed. She whirled around to find Suna laughing while on top of Sabaku. "What was that for?"

"You were daydreaming. I asked you the same question twice already! I wanted to make sure you weren't dead or being possessed or something," Suna giggled. "Why is your head in the clouds today?" Then Sabaku dropped Suna off of his back. "Hey! You jerk!" she yelled. Suna stuck her tongue out at Sabaku and continued walking.

"Don't hurt Av. She's our friend. And if I'm a jerk, then I guess you don't want to be carried by a jerk or travel with a jerk. Goodbye!" Sabaku waved. Then he turned to Avys. "Are you okay, Av? You seem cold.

Although Avys was freezing and was worried that she'd die of frostbite like all of the other explorers she read in her stories, she didn't want to worry Sabaku. A part of her slightly blushed at the fact that Sabaku wanted to protect her, but he wanted to protect Suna too. She wasn't special to him. And while her heart longed for Sabaku, she didn't want to destroy the friendship they shared with her confession. So, as much as it pained her, she kept her feelings for Sabaku inside. "I'm fine, Sabaku," Avys lied through chattering teeth. Sabaku drew a breath of relief and they kept walking.

After sunset, Avys was exhausted. She'd been walking for hours and she was feeling a bit lightheaded. Sabaku begrudgingly let Suna back on his back, and, not for the first time, Avys envied Suna. It was so easy for her to ask whatever she wanted from Sabaku; their bond was that strong. Plus, she didn't have to walk. All of these thoughts swirled around Avys's mind like a tornado, and then she felt a little dizzy. Everything went black.

"Av! Av! Wake up, please! Av!" Sabaku yelled. Avys woke up in the snow to a teary-eyes Sabaku. "Av! You're okay. We were so worried. I should've never let you travel without proper attire! We're going to make a stop at a Chisaiasz market nearby. That way, you'll be ready to travel," he said. Avys processed what he said and froze. No! They'd find out she was a princess and she'd be taken back to the Aszinian kingdom! Plus, Suna and Sabaku would never forgive her. She could just imagine Sabaku's face of anguish, saying, "I trusted you, AVYS. And you lied to us. You lied to me!" No, they couldn't find out. How could she avoid being noticed by the Chisaiasz people?

"Hey! You never teared up for me when I got hurt, Sabaku. That's not like you," Suna said. Then a sly smile stretched across her face. "Oh... I know why. Because -" Suna started. Sabaku glowered at her, but she continued. "Because you liiiiiiiiiike Av," Suna giggled contently. Sabaku sighed. Avys blushed a hundred shades of red, but then ignored her heart, which was willing to jump out to Sabaku and stay with him. Then she thought more practically. He wouldn't like her. She should just ignore everything Suna said.

"Anyways, I don't really want to stop at the market and get new attire," Avys said. She quickly thought up a lie. "I don't feel well enough to move just yet. Could you guys go to the market without me and maybe get me some clothes? I'll give you some money." To her surprise, Sabaku shook his head.

"I can't take your money. It was my idea to not go to the market and get new clothes. Besides, one of us has to stay here and take care of you before you get better, Av. Can I trust you to shop at the market and help us Suna?" Sabaku asked.

"Does that mean you want to be with Av alone? For the 'adults' to do whatever they want when they get rid of the kid?" Suna asked. Sabaku's glare intensified and he looked like he was about to bury  Suna in the snow.

"Fine, fine. I won't third wheel!" "Just stop. I'll give you extra money to buy a toy for yourself if you want. But only if you behave, Suna," Sabaku said as evenly as possible. Avys gave Sabaku a grateful smile. Sabaku just nodded back. Suna muttered something about bribery but consented anyway. She left to go to the nearest Chisaiasz market.

"Do you need anything, Av?" Sabaku asked. Av was still lying faceup in the snow, and it was pretty cold. It was pretty hard to sit upright like Sabaku.

"Well ... um ... I kind of ... well ... want to sit upright, but ... I can't on my own. Could I ... uh ... maybe sit opposite to you, back to back?" Avys murmured. Sabaku's eyes widened, but he curtly nodded and proceeded to help Avys get up and sit next to him, back to back. Avys was glad she didn't ask to lean on him side to side. That would've been too awkward and Suna would tease them endlessly about it later. But Avys did somewhat like Suna's teasing. It made it more possible that Sabaku liked Avys. She sighed as she sat upright. Then, as if by instinct, Avys clutched Sabaku's hand. Sabaku seemed more surprised than angry, and clutched her hand too.

Avys's heartbeat quickened. If she didn't tell Sabaku how she felt about him now, she would NEVER be able to live with herself. "Sabaku?" she said quietly, so that he could hear her, but only loud enough for that to happen.

"Yeah?"

"I - I like you," Avys blurted out. "But I mean, if you don't, uh, you know, feel the same way, it's fine. Maybe we can just be friends? I don't want to make things awkward and I don't want to ruin our friendship. It's just been killing me these last few months, not being able to say my true feelings. Please don't tell Suna!!" Avys quickly said desperately.

Sabaku turned and stared at her. For a long time, he just looked at her, not saying a word. Finally, after a minute or so, he spoke. "Av... don't get me wrong..." Sabaku started, and as he said those 5 words, a tear rolled down Avys' face. 'So he doesn't like me that way. And he probably never would.' Sabaku turned away, not wanting to say what he wanted to say to her face. "... you're an amazing friend, and a lovely companion. But I don't see you that way. We've been companions for what, a few months? And in that time, I haven't spoken to you too much, and I barely know anything about you. So... I'm sorry. I don't like you like that," Sabaku finished. Avys was willing herself to stop crying, but the tears wouldn't stop. Sabaku pulled out a hankerchief and handed it to Avys. "I'm really sorry, Av."

Just then, Suna came back. "Oh, Av! I got you some new -" she began. Then she saw the streams of frozen tear droplets on her face. "What did you do, you big brute?!" she asked, hitting Sabaku on the head.

Avys wiped her eyes and looked Suna directly in the eye. "I tried to get up, and I fell. This snow is harder than it looks, you know. Sabaku didn't do anything wrong. I'm fine now, although, I could use a hug," Avys lied. Suna seemed to buy it and gave her a hug.

"I got you some cute clothes! There's a cute bunny jacket, with a hood that has bunny ears! And some cute pants! And a long-sleeved shirt that says, 'I could explore all the world, but the best place I've seen is home.' Don't you think they're cool? And I have a pink scarf for you! Put them on, put them on!" Suna exclaimed. Avys wanted to put it all on, but Sabaku was there and she wasn't going to change in the snow. She decided to wear the pink scarf and the bunny jacket.

"How about I put them all on once we get to a place to stop? I kind of want to change in privacy," Avys said. "I love the clothes, though! What did you get for yourself, Suna?" she asked. It wasn't like Suna to pass up on a free toy.

"I was going to get a toy, but then I saw the scarf. I knew you'd love it, so I bought it for you. You're welcome, by the way," Suna teased. Avys hugged Suna. She was so sweet. Only then did she notice two things: a) she was still holding Sabaku's hand >///w///< and b) Sabaku wasn't saying anything.

"Thank you, Suna! Sabaku? Why aren't you saying anything?" Avys asked. Sabaku stood up immediately, making her fall on the ground.

"Really?" Sabaku grumbled. He looked at her with a glance that said "Just tell Suna what happened. And you know why I'm not saying anything." Avys avoided his face. "Let's just find a place to stop for the night."

When they got to a westyau (a place similar to a hotel, but everyone stays in one big room. There is one big room where all guests stay. There are no maids, and if you want something, like a shower, you'll have to pay the water bill associated with that shower. Nothing there is free except for the beds. Because of this, it's insanely cheap), Avys collapsed on the bed closest to the window. There were only three available beds left. When she sat on it, she felt something under her bed. When she opened it, she saw a horde of cockroaches in it. She screamed.

"Av! What's wrong?" Suna yelled.

"COCKROACHES!" Avys squeaked. She started to put her pillow on the floor after checking that there were no cockroaches on the pillow. "Sleeping on the floor is better than sleeping on a bed full of cockroaches," Avys mused. Sabaku grabbed Avys's pillow and put it on his bed.

"You can sleep on my bed. I'll sleep on the floor," Sabaku said. Avys felt a surge of anger rising.

"Are you just trying to be nice to me because you pity me about what happened today, Sabaku? Because if that's what this is, I don't want it! I don't want or need pity from the likes of you. And I certainly don't appreciate being treated as such!" Avys hissed. Sabaku glared at her.

"Fine. Then just stay on the floor, where you belong, you traitorous snake! How do we even know you real name is the truth or if you are who you say you are?!" Sabaku growled. He laid back down, knowing he hit a near as he saw Avys' absent face stare back at him.

Avys lay on the floor, processing what she had just said and felt sick. Had she really lashed out at him like that? He didn't deserve this! Avys threw her face in the pillow, hiding her sobs. Everything had gone wrong for her these last few hours.

When she woke up, Sabaku and Suna were gone. Avys searched for them in a panic. Where were they? Did they leave her? What was she going to do without them? When she asked the owner of the westyau, he said, "Oh, they left a few hours ago. I asked them where they were going and why they weren't with you, but the boy said that it was none of my business. They're not here anymore. And you can easily travel out of Chisaiasz in 2 hours. So they could be anywhere by now. I'm sorry... WAIT! You're Avys Watage! The princess of Asz! Why are you here?" With a jolt, Avys realized that she needed to leave. Now. As she turned to run, the owner grabbed her hand. "Finding you will be my big break, darling. You're not going anywhere." Avys screamed and asked for help. The owner started to shove her back into a closet so she couldn't escape.

Then, miraculously, Sabaku and Suna came back. "LET GO OF AV!" Sabaku yelled. He punched the owner in the face, loosening his grip on Avys. and took Avys's hand. "Let's get out of here," he said.

"I thought you guys left because of what happened yesterday," Avys said. As they were running, tears welled in her eyes. "I thought I was alone again... Sabaku, I -" Before she could finish, Sabaku kissed her on the cheek.

"Stop. It's okay, Av. We just went to eat, that's all. We saved you some food, too," Sabaku replied. He lowered his voice. "And I know, you're sorry. It's fine. I forgive you. I like you too. I just don't want to rush things, okay? Everything's happening so fast," he said.

Avys suddenly realized that she should confess everything. "Guys, I need to tell you something. I - I lied about who I was. I'm Avys Watage, the princess of Asz. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner. I wasn't sure if I could trust you guys back then, and then I was worried about what you guys would think about me lying for so long. But I'm done with hiding the truth," she said. Sabaku laughed and Suna giggled.

"We know, Av. We put two and two together. Just because we're from another kingdom doesn't mean we don't recognize the princess of the Aszinian kingdom! You didn't even disguise yourself that well or change your name too drastically. Besides, we like calling you Av," Sabaku said. Suna nodded. Now it was Avys's turn to chuckle.

After they were across the Chisaiasz border, Avys leaned into Sabaku's ear and replied to what he said earlier. "I'm fine with waiting and taking it slow. If it takes years for you to completely open up to me, so be it. I'll wait as long as it takes, Sabaku," she whispered.