#Arkh R3Part03

[potential-fate]

Arkhelios Post

Thursday, April 26th, 2035

Munoz House Latest in String of Fires

The Munoz house at the end of Sundial Road was noticed to be smoking earlier yesterday morning.

Firefighters rushed to the scene of the fire, and managed to put it out relatively successfully. 

The Munoz family is safe and suffered only minor burns and injuries. The house, unfortunately has moderately severe damage. What is more odd is that this fire is the third in a string of bizarre electrical fires around town. The most famous being that of the Helios Mansion itself, that resulted in a young man’s untimely death.

Experts are still looking into the case of the fire at the Munoz household.

[potential-fate]

"I...." Kaeileen started awkwardly.

Talin rubbed his neck, looking quite embarassed, "Sorry, I uh..."

Kaeileen sat down on their bed for a moment, looking rather dejected. Glancing up at Talin, their shrugged, "Sorry, I thought...."

"No, no..." Talin sat next to them. He paused for a moment.

"I..." he started, "Sorry, I got a little nervous. It's not that I didn't want to kiss you, I just---"

"Oh." Kaeileen raised an eyebrow, "I thought maybe I had the wrong impression..."

"No, I wanted to," he said, "I just... Okay, this is embarassing, but I never actually bothered kissing anyone before. I know that I'm 20 and that's probably kind of sad and---"

"Me either." Kaeileen cut him off.

"Wait, really?"

"yeah," they said, "Arkhelios is a small town. I'm pretty sure half of us are related...."

"oh..." Talin looked thoughtful, "So... neither of us have any experience at all?"

"Nope. Guess not..."

"Well that certainly makes things less awkward for me." he said quietly, "uh.... do you... still want to kiss me?"

They smiled at Talin quickly, then of course, took the opportunity immediately.

[potential-fate]

Unfortunately the flames grew quite quickly, as the Helios mansion was quite old and apparently very flammable. As the fire spread around the room, Nicholas looked for an exit towards a phone line quickly. Kris was screaming in the background though and it was making it quite difficult to concentrate. 

To be fair to the kid, the flames were quickly beginning to lick at his feet and char their clothing. As Nicholas made it across the room, he quickly grabbed the phone and dialed the emergency line.

The fire department arrived quickly, and Abraham ran in at the same time as the fireman did, quickly shouting at Ironman to ask what happened, as the two teens attempted to not get caught in the flames.

Nicholas had already given up on his clothing, but was attempting in vain to get across the room to Kris, as he was surrounded by flames at this point, and screaming in pain on top of fear. 

[potential-fate]

Once they got to Kaeileen’s dorm room where they had a bit more privacy, Kaeileen decided to just go for it. No use in waiting at this point right? Dragging someone to your room like that was a bit obvious, so why make small talk? 

Kaeileen didn’t really know what they were doing, but it couldn’t be that hard… 

Unfortunately, just as they were about to plant a proper kiss on Talin, he ducked away. Kaeileen almost fell over from the lack of balance, or the shock… they weren’t sure.

[potential-fate]

Abe laughed quietly, “yeah, it’s nice having friends in class.” 

Friends that don’t know my entire life story, he added silently. It was nice having someone to talk to that didn’t know al the ins and outs of everything awful he’d ever experienced. It was nice having someone he could feel relatively normal around. 

“I mean it,” Callum said, patting his arm lightly, “you’re really fun to be around.”

[potential-fate]

“I appreciate your continued help. Please let me know if you think of anything else,” Wanda said, “have a good day, doctor.” 

Wanda hung up the phone, staring at it in her hands for a moment. This was the third fertility drug they’d tried and they were still getting no results. She was starting to wonder if it was even possible at this point. 

She didn’t know what she’d do if she and Hunter couldn’t have children. That would be devastating in more ways than one. 

No, she thought stubbornly, I’ll find a way. Somehow.

[potential-fate]

Roman glanced down as Ashe stretched, then quickly looked away, chastising himself.

“U-uhm… Oh, I’m trying to catch up to my boyfriend…” He said quickly. No reason to lie about it, right? He had decided to pick up the classes in hopes of just that. He figured if he could catch up, then Abe would be able to study with him instead of Callum. Or he guessed they could all study together, if he really had to. 

“Ah…. fun.” Ashe said quietly, “I’m surprised, you don’t seem like a business student.” 

“I….. I’m not, but I wanted to take it anyways,” Roman paused, glancing down at his hands, “I have to take over some of my parent’s business ventures eventually anyways.” 

“Oh, cool cool… Well…. If you wanted to come study with me some time or something, let me know?” Ashe smiled at him, and Roman tried to determine the other man’s intentions for the offer. 

“Uh… sure.” He said finally, “I’ll uh… hit you up in class some time?” 

“Sure, man.” Ashe said, “I’ll see you later, yeah?” 

He grinned again, and then waved and ran off towards one of the other dorms. Roman stood there for a moment, still confused by the entire interaction. He wasn’t sure what the other boy could want from him, but he could only assume that he wanted something. Everyone always wanted something from him. 

[potential-fate]

Luckily the twins were still small, easy to handle, and mostly well behaved. That being said, they still grew like weeds. Ian felt like Jayson and Isiah had been born yesterday, yet they were almost 4 now already. Soon enough, they too would be going off to primary school. 

Ian tried not to think of it. He did sometimes wonder what he’d do with these last two were too old to need his help all the time. He felt like being a father was all he’d done for the last 20 years, and he wasn’t sure what he’d do once that was no longer necessary. 

[potential-fate]

In all reality, they’d actually started trying before they’d actually gotten married. Not far enough back to rouse suspicion if she had fallen pregnant, but as far back as they could without accidentally having any illegitimate children. 

Not that Salem Bellamy needed to know that. Certainly he didn’t now, as it hadn’t worked anyways.

[potential-fate]

“Hey listen….” Kaeileen had spent a decent amount of time following Zane around back when they were in Arkhelios. He’d always turned them down though, even though he had no problem hanging out with them before Ulyssa had entered the picture. 

“We’re all grown up now, officially away from home….” They continued, and away from Ulyssa….

“I was thinking… we could go out sometime?”

“Look… Kaeileen.” Zane put his hands up, “I like you a lot but…. Not like that.” 

Kaeileen’s face fell, “but I—” 

“Besides, just cause Ulyssa isn’t here doesn’t mean I’m single.” 

Kaeileen sighed.

[potential-fate]

“HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU–”

Roman gasped quickly when Callum actually shoved him, cutting off his shouting immediately. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but the other boy attempting to physically fight him wasn’t on the list. 

[potential-fate]

“You and Callum don’t exactly… see eye to eye.” Abe said. 

Roman shifted slightly, “yeah cause he’s jealous.” 

Abe raised an eyebrow, “really? Do you have to–” 

“It was a statement of fact, not a dig at him.” Roman looked at Abe. He rolled his eyes. 

Abe bit his tongue. He was trying to fix this, not cause more problems, “...right.” 

“Abe,” Roman looked at him seriously, “Everyone here knows that’s why he doesn’t like me, besides you. You refuse to see it.” 

“I just don’t see—” 

“You’re dating me.” Roman said matter of factly, “He wishes you were dating him. Ipso facto, he doesn’t like me because he’s jealous.” 

[potential-fate]

“Hey” Abe sat down gingerly on the couch next to Roman, tapping him lightly on the shoulder as he did. 

Roman glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. He frowned, rolling his eyes before turning back to whatever was on the TV across the room. 

Abe sighed. He probably deserved that.

“Hey…,” He tried again, “I’m sorry…” 

FInally Roman looked at him, the irritation clear on his face, “Sorry? For what..?” 

“You know…” 

“No, I really don’t,” Roman scoffed, “What transgression could you possibly be referring to?” 

“I….”  “Because you have so many options.” He added, “Or was that apology supposed to be an all-purpose coverage type deal?”

[potential-fate]

Callum chuckled awkwardly, and Abe frowned a little. 

“You know, it’ll be fine. I’ll talk to him.” Abe said, “He doesn’t get home until late anyways, I’m sure he’ll be fine if we reschedule.” 

“Really?” Callum’s smile this time was more genuine. 

“Yeah, I mean, we can hang out any night, right? Your friend’s party is only tonight.” Abe said. Roman and him could hang out any night. And Roman wouldn’t be back until late anyways… Wouldn’t it be better for Roman too if they rescheduled to a day he didn’t have a night class?  Everybody wins this way, right? Abe thought to himself. It’ll be fine.

[potential-fate]

For now though, he could focus on making sure they got as many skills as they could, and learned the best behaviour possible. He figured that would make them a little easier to handle than Lucy and Nathan. 

So far though, Ian hadn’t had to worry about the two of them. 

[potential-fate]

But at least the conversation didn’t get stale. When they’d finished the meal they’d had, they’d walked back to respective houses, sharing most of the journey together. As He waved goodbye to her, he realized it had been quite a long time since anyone had really listened to him.