~ Chapter Eight ~
T ime seemed to stand still when Regan was with the Twins.
They had taught him so much in such a short amount of time.
There was much for him to learn but he soon didn’t feel like an outsider to himself or his abilities.
He learned how to call both electricity to him as well as water, though controlling the two elements was something he’d need to work on, especially after being zapped several times trying to do too much with both elements at once.
This caused the Twins a great deal of amusement.
At least we were all laughing after I shook off the shock.
However, the more he worked with the Twins, the more he grew comfortable.
One thing he noticed as the hours ticked by with the Twins, the older they got.
Unnoticeable to him at first, but by the time they finished their first session on Saturday, the Twins no longer appeared as young.
They seemed older—definitely not teenagers, but not too far off.
He wanted to ask them about their aging but there didn’t seem to be time.
Not only were they all tired, but the Twins had so much they needed and wanted to share with him.
When Regan opened his eyes, he glanced around the grassy field, no longer basking in the sun as shadows from the pine trees grew darker and cooler. A light from Lutin’s stone cottage blazed. He shuddered and stood.
How long have I been gone?
His legs ached as did much of his torso and butt.
I didn’t think I was sitting. We were up and moving the whole time.
He walked to the front door of the cottage and knocked gently as the sounds echoed around the space and the yard.
“Come on in, Regan,” Lutin called out.
He opened the wooden door and crossed the threshold.
“I’m in the kitchen.”
Regan followed the voice and made his way to the cottage’s kitchen where Lutin busily pulled together a meal. Instead of seeing the beautiful creature he saw with the Twins, Lutin had returned to his other self.
I don’t want to think of him like this as normal, now that I saw his true form.
“I wasn’t sure you were going to be back tonight. Time moves differently in the Elemental realm.”
“Is that where I was?”
“You were in their home.” He laughed. “I was surprised to get pulled in.” His cheeks and neck pinkened. “Sorry about the shock.”
“What shock?” Regan asked, then nodded. “Oh, right, don’t worry about that. I’ve been zapped by electricity enough in my life, it’s no biggie.” A chuckle escaped his lips. “I should’ve known better water and electricity don’t always play nice.”
“I meant about my appearance. I can only assume you were taken aback. I didn’t want you to see me like that.” His cheeks were red as was his neck and this time Lutin was having trouble making eye contact.
“Why? You’re beautiful.” Regan stopped as his arms crossed his chest and his gaze dropped to the floor. “I mean… well… you’re… you.”
Lutin smirked and let out a hint of a laugh. “Thank you.”
“So, the… the Twins, they showed me a lot.”
“Really? Care to share?”
Regan nodded and focused, and held out each of his hands.
On his left hand several sparks started to appear, and once he had a small ball of energy, he tossed it to his right hand in a high arc.
Once in his right hand, he wiggled his fingers and the energy dissipated.
Regan shook out his hands when finished.
“You dissipated the energy into the environment?” Lutin asked, his head bobbing up and down.
“I think so,” Regan said. “I mean, energy can’t be destroyed and I don’t know how to convert it into anything else… yet…” He shrugged.
“And what about water?”
“That’s a bit harder.” Regan glanced around the kitchen. “Do you have a bowl?”
Lutin nodded, opened a wooden cabinet, and pulled down a bright green ceramic bowl.
Regan took the bowl and placed the vessel on Lutin’s wooden table.
He began wiggling his fingers over the bowl and after several minutes of concentration, drops of water began to fall into the container.
A few at first, but more soon came. After a minute, Regan stopped and took as deep a breath as possible and pulled out a chair to sit.
“Not very impressive. I know,” Regan sighed, kneading his forehead.
“Water isn’t as easy as electricity. I have to pull the water from the air and that’s a lot harder.
I’m supposed to be able to pull water from anywhere, but…
” He stood and took the bowl with water to dump the liquid into the sink basin.
“Well, for one day that isn’t bad.”
“There’s something else.” Regan faced Lutin. “The Twins, they seemed to get a little older—not a lot older, but the age difference was something I noticed.”
Lutin rubbed his chin. “Now that you’re talking to each other, they’re going to mature and grow up. They’ve been in a holding pattern of sorts for a long time.”
“Because I ignored them.”
Lutin’s gaze dropped. “Hard to say.”
“No. I know.” Regan huffed. “It’s because I ignored them and pushed them away.” He shook his head, his lips pulling into a frown. “I’m such an idiot.”
“You, my friend, are not an idiot. You didn’t have anyone to teach you, and by the time you met Max…” He paused. “By the time you met Max, you were too old, or so everyone thought.” He smirked. “Shows what people know.”
“I know there are rules, but I really wish Max would have said something, or I found out sooner. Things would be a lot different...” Regan didn’t want to speak the rest of his thought, but he had a feeling Lutin understood. Perhaps if Regan understood his powers, Max would still be here.
Lutin walked over and lifted Regan’s chin to meet his gaze. “If you would have come into your powers at any other time, chances are you might not have ever met Max, or your life would be on a completely different path. And I know that is something neither of you would want.”
Swallowing hard, Regan nodded. “Thank you.”
Lutin stepped back. “Now are you ready for something to eat? You must be starving.”
“Oh, no. I should.” Regan glanced around the kitchen. “I have food at the cabin. I don’t want to impose on you more than I already have. And I’m sure you want to get out of… well, you know. Let the real you… out?”
Lutin’s gaze narrowed. “This is the real me.”
“No, I mean…” Regan waved a hand in Lutin’s direction.
“I know what you meant, thank you. Now good lord, stop being a fussy queen.” Lutin huffed. “I already cooked and I know what you have in the cabin and a PB the Twins want to start bright and early in the morning.”
A flash of a frown crossed Lutin’s face but was quickly replaced with a warm smile. “Good night then. I’ll come by and collect you around seven. I’m assuming you’ll want to continue your tutelage in the safety of my sanctuary?”
“Yes, I think that would be best. If it’s not an inconvenience.” Regan stood a bit taller, ignoring the tingles building in him. “And as a thank you, why don’t I take you to dinner tomorrow night? I know an excellent place. Casual and fun.” He fought the urge to drop his gaze or ball his fists.
“Are you sure?” Lutin asked. “You don’t have to.”
“I know, but I want to.” He shifted slightly from his right foot to his left.
“Then it’s a date. Assuming you’re not too tired,” Lutin added with a hint of a grin.
“Great.” Regan swallowed and moved toward the door. “Night.”
“You know how to get back, or do you need me to walk with you?” Lutin followed Regan out of the kitchen.
“I think I got it. I follow the path and I should end up at my front door.”
Lutin nodded. “Correct. Goodnight.”
Regan waved and hurried out the cottage door.
Luckily the night wasn’t too dark, so he spotted the path with ease.
The cool damp air help to calm his body and allow him to focus.
Given the promise of dinner the next night, he didn’t have time to concentrate on his misplaced desire—was it misplaced?
—since he was more worried about figuring out a restaurant for dinner.
Still, the not so familiar tingling felt good and his cheeks not only burned but began to ache from his smile.
Did Lutin say ‘date’? That was something he didn’t figure would make him so giddy.
Especially with how incredibly beautiful he actually was.
I hope I get to see him like that again.
He wondered as he walked back to his cabin if perhaps the idea of dating Lutin wasn’t crazy or a slap in the face to his relationship with Max.
He’d been on a few dates somewhat recently, though none of them went anywhere, so really what would be the difference here?
If I’m honest, I haven’t felt this way in a long time. Not since… well, not since Max.
“But Lutin’s a Fae. What would that even be like? Does it matter? Are there things that might become an issue?” he said to no one as he walked to the cabin. “Then there’s the whole keeping our relationship and learning professional,” he added.
Well, I think I’m allowed to change my mind if Lutin’s willing.