Part 2

  Raphael looked away, cheeks tinged with pink. The warmth crept up his neck, and he could feel his heartbeat fluttering in his chest — a bit too fast, a bit too loud.

  – I don’t know what got into me.His voice was soft, uncertain. – This whole realm has a strange influence on me.

  Liam watched him carefully, captivated by the subtle blush spreading across his face. There was something vulnerable in the way Raphael averted his gaze — a flicker of hesitation mixed with quiet honesty. Liam leaned forward again, his voice lower, gentler.

  – It’s okay – he murmured. – This pce can have that effect on people.

  His eyes briefly flicked down to Raphael’s lips before returning to meet his gaze. The moment lingered.

  The blush deepened.

  Seeing it made Liam’s grin widen, a mischievous glint fshing in his eyes. He tilted his head slightly, the edge of a smirk forming.

  – You know – he began, his voice barely above a murmur – there’s a rumor among the students...

  He paused for effect, green eyes locked on Raphael’s. The air between them had gone still — expectant.

  – Yes? – Raphael asked quietly, his voice breathier than he intended.

  Liam smiled.

  – That angel blood makes us... – his voice trailed off flirtatiously – extra attractive to certain humans.

  He leaned in just a bit closer, speaking almost in a whisper.

  – Is that why you’re blushing so sweetly?

  Raphael swallowed hard. The question nded somewhere between teasing and intimate. His pulse stuttered.

  – It’s not fair. It’s all new to me. And... I don’t feel like myself either.

  Something shifted in Liam’s eyes. The teasing faded slightly, repced by something softer, warmer — not less intense, just different. Calmer. Real.

  – It’s okay – he said again, more tenderly this time. – You’re adjusting to a new world here.

  He slowly reached up, brushing a strand of hair away from Raphael’s face. His fingers lingered briefly on his cheek — gentle, deliberate.

  Raphael trembled.

  The touch sent a small shiver through him, unbidden and instinctive. His eyes fluttered shut for just a second, leaning into it before Liam’s hand withdrew. The contact, though brief, left behind a strange warmth, and Liam didn’t miss the way it affected him.

  He grinned again, clearly enjoying this discovery. Raphael, meanwhile, tried to remember how breathing worked.

  – So – Raphael said, trying to recompose himself – I bet it makes you very popur. Your angelic blood… and your amazing looks.

  Liam let out a soft ugh and ran a hand through his red hair with exaggerated modesty, but the way his gaze lingered suggested he appreciated the compliment.

  – You could say that – he shrugged. – Angel blood does have its perks in the popurity department around here.

  He leaned back, amused — but still watching Raphael closely, like he was waiting to see what he’d say next.

  – Soooo... should I get in line?

  Liam threw his head back with a ugh, eyes sparkling.

  – If you want to – he teased. – But I have to warn you — the line might be quite long.

  – Ok. I’m not very patient, so I think I’ll look around for someone more... avaible.

  Liam chuckled, shaking his head.

  – Smart move – he said with a grin. – Though I must say, you’ll probably find most guys here a bit... unavaible.

  He waggled his eyebrows in exaggerated fashion, making Raphael smile despite himself. But there was something behind the joke — a truth that peeked out, thinly veiled.

  – Are you saying I’m not good enough for them?

  Liam’s smile faltered. His eyes widened in surprise, genuine concern fshing across his face.

  – Whoa, whoa, whoa – he ughed nervously, holding up both hands – that’s not what I meant at all! You’re definitely good enough for anyone here.

  – So what did you mean?

  He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. The confidence in his posture softened just a little.

  – Alright, fine. Most guys here are either taken... or not looking for anything serious – he said vaguely. – And let’s not forget, you’re a human. That might deter some...

  – Ok. First – Raphael interrupted, raising an eyebrow – who said I’m only looking for something serious?And second – he added, more quietly – since I got here, I’m learning I’m not an ordinary human. I don’t even know anymore if I’m human at all.

  Liam’s smirk returned at the sharpness of Raphael’s reply, but his expression also turned a little more thoughtful.

  – Fair point – he said with a soft chuckle. Then, after a pause, he nodded slowly. – You’re right. This pce has a way of making you question everything about yourself.

  Raphael set his fork down and leaned back slightly. His stomach was full, but something in his chest still felt open — stirred.

  – Ok. I’m full. What are your pns after dinner?

  Liam patted his stomach, clearly content.

  – Nothing much, really – he said, shrugging. – Maybe hang out in the common room or go for a walk around the grounds.

  He looked at Raphael curiously.

  – What about you?

  – I don’t know – Raphael said quietly. – I still don’t really know the pce. Before dinner I didn’t even know how to get here from my room.

  Liam’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, his fork pausing mid-air.

  – Wait, you’re kidding! You actually managed to find the dining hall on your first try?

  He shook his head, chuckling under his breath.

  – Most new students end up wandering the halls for hours. The school yout’s notoriously tricky.

  – Yeeeeaaah... – Raphael hesitated, fidgeting slightly with the edge of his tray. – That’s the point. I haven’t.

  Liam’s smile faded a bit, his eyes narrowing as something clicked behind them — a spark of realization.

  – Oh... I see – he said softly.

  He stood up from his seat without breaking eye contact, his casual demeanor shifting into something more attentive. Walking around the table, he came to stand next to Raphael, not towering over him, but close enough that Raphael could feel the warmth of his presence.

  – Well, how about I show you around then? – he offered gently, voice softer now. – I know this pce like the back of my hand.

  Raphael looked up at him.

  – You don’t understand. I didn’t find the way on my first try... and I wasn’t wandering either.

  Liam’s face turned serious in an instant. The pyful edge melted away as he leaned down slightly, his brows drawing together.

  – I don’t think I understand what you’re trying to say – he murmured.

  – You found your way here without even trying... and that’s not normal.

  Raphael nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his own words as he spoke them aloud.

  – No. I closed my eyes in my room, and when I opened them... I was standing in front of the Great Hall.

  Liam’s eyes widened, pupils diting just slightly. He took a half-step back, as if steadying himself, then reached out instinctively and gripped Raphael’s arm. His fingers were firm but not rough, grounding.

  – You... you teleported? – he asked, barely above a whisper. – From your room to the Great Hall? Without even trying?

  – I don’t really know what happened. – Raphael gave a weak shrug. – Fortunately, I was already dressed.

  Liam let out a breathy, disbelieving ugh — more out of tension than humor. He leaned back against the table for support, clearly trying to wrap his head around what he was hearing. His gaze never left Raphael.

  – And you have no idea how you did it?

  Raphael shook his head, feeling small and exposed under Liam’s scrutiny, though it wasn’t unkind.

  Liam exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck, visibly processing.

  – Because... let me tell you something. That’s not something even most advanced magical beings can do.

  – You see? – Raphael said, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. – How am I supposed to not be confused?

  Liam’s grip on his arm shifted slightly, becoming more reassuring than reactive. His thumb brushed gently along Raphael’s sleeve in a subtle, grounding gesture.

  – I can only imagine how confusing this must be for you – he said softly. – But... maybe it’s not such a bad thing.

  He looked at Raphael with something deeper now — not just curiosity, but a flicker of awe. A recognition of something rare.

  – Maybe this is your power.

  Raphael didn’t answer right away. He looked down at the floor for a moment, then back at Liam.

  – Maybe. So. What do we do now?

  Liam’s grin returned, slower this time, but with a spark of mischief.

  – Now – he said, straightening to his full height – we need to test this theory.

  He looked around the mostly empty Great Hall, his eyes dancing with amusement and intrigue.

  – Can you do it again? Can you teleport?

  Raphael blinked, clearly caught off guard by how quickly the conversation had shifted from serious to... experimental.

  – I don’t know. I was kind of panicking... because I hadn’t asked Era how to get here.

  Liam nodded, not missing a beat, his expression now calm and focused.

  – Alright, let’s try something simple – he suggested.

  And without waiting for permission, he reached out and gently took Raphael’s hand.

  His fingers were warm and steady, anchoring. The contact sent a jolt up Raphael’s arm — not unpleasant, but intense.

  – Close your eyes again. Imagine yourself back in your room.

  He gave Raphael’s hand a light squeeze, as if to transfer a bit of courage through the gesture.

  – And when you open them... you should be there.

  He smiled at him — not teasing now, but truly encouraging. Waiting.

  Raphael closed his eyes.

  He felt Liam’s fingers squeeze his hand gently, grounding him. There was something steady and warm in that touch, something that cut through the swirl of thoughts in his mind. Drawing in a slow breath, he focused on the image of his room — the shape of the bed, the window, the soft light spilling across the floor. He could almost see it, almost feel the familiar air against his skin.

  The quiet of the Great Hall faded, repced by the calm inside his mind. His heart beat slowly, rhythmically.

  Then he opened his eyes.

  And there he was. Standing in his room. Alone.

  Exactly where he had imagined.

  The air felt different here — still and close, like after a storm. A flicker of disbelief passed through him. His hand was still half-raised, fingers curled as if Liam had only just let go.

  – Wow – he whispered.

  A soft shimmer rippled beside him — and in the blink of an eye, Liam appeared. He popped into existence with effortless grace, his body settling into the room as if it belonged there. A faint pulse of energy lingered in the air where he’d materialized, and a slow, mischievous grin pyed across his face.

  – Well, that confirms it – he said, clearly impressed. – You’ve definitely got teleportation abilities. And they’re strong too, judging by how quickly you can do it.

  – So, you have them too?

  Liam chuckled, raising his hand, which now glowed with a soft, pulsing silver light — not harsh, but ethereal, like moonlight caught in water.

  – Yep. Teleportation is one of my specialties – he said proudly. – But yours is... wow. It's on a whole other level. You didn’t even need a spell or a rune.

  – So I should wear something to sleep, in case you’ll try to visit me at night. – Raphael smirked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

  Liam ughed, his eyes crinkling with mischief as he sat down comfortably on the edge of Raphael’s bed. He bounced once against the mattress and let himself rex against the headboard with casual familiarity.

  – You’re asking for it now – he said, grinning. – Alright, fair warning — I might pay a te-night visit just to test if you can teleport in your sleep.

  – Ok. So I seriously should stop sleeping naked – Raphael said with a pyful grin.

  Liam’s ughter softened into a mischievous smile. He leaned back, stretching out with one arm behind his head, utterly at ease.

  – Definitely – he advised, his voice low and teasing. – Unless you want me to find you fast asleep without any clothes on...

  He waggled his eyebrows with mock innocence.

  – Not that I’m compining...

  Raphael blushed, heat blooming in his cheeks before he could stop it. He turned his head slightly, but Liam was already watching, already catching the change in his expression.

  Liam noticed and smiled, the teasing in his expression melting into something warmer, gentler. His gaze softened.

  – I’m just kidding – he said, more quietly now, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Raphael’s ear.

  His fingers lingered for just a second, brushing lightly against his cheek. There was a softness in the gesture, almost reverent — and yet something in it made Raphael’s pulse skip again.

  – But seriously... I might visit you tonight.

  He leaned in, his breath brushing along Raphael’s skin, his voice dropping to a whisper.

  – So be ready.

  Raphael smirked, but his pulse betrayed him — quickening, stirring somewhere low in his chest.

  – Your night visit while I’m sleeping nude doesn’t scare me as much as the perspective of teleporting somewhere else, like Professor Igneel’s office for exaple.

  Liam burst out ughing, doubling over slightly as he clutched his stomach.

  – Oh god, can you imagine? – he gasped between ughs. – Waking up in Igneel’s office, naked, while he’s lecturing his css... that would be priceless.

  He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, still chuckling. The image clearly amused him far more than it should have.

  – I don’t know if I would be ughing then – Raphael muttered with a shy smile.

  Liam leaned back again, clearly still amused by the mental image.

  – Well, I promise I’ll be there to save you if that happens – he said, more softly now, though the humour still danced in his voice. – I’ll teleport you back to your room before anyone notices.

  Then he leaned in again.

  His voice dipped, slower this time — almost deliberate.Liam’s lips brushed lightly against Raphael’s ear as he whispered:

  – And if you’re naked... I’ll make sure to enjoy the view before teleporting you back.

  His breath was warm against Raphael’s skin, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine. Liam pulled back only slightly, but his eyes remained locked on Raphael’s, searching him, holding him there.

  – Are you flirting with me?

  Liam’s grin widened.

  – Maybe – he said, his voice light, pyful. – Is it working?

  He leaned in even closer, close enough for Raphael to feel the ghost of his breath.

  – Because I’m definitely flirting with you right now – he murmured.

  Raphael raised an eyebrow, barely suppressing a smirk.

  – And what about the rest of the queue?