The Land In Between

C H A P T E R 9

Amihan feels terrible at the fact that they had to stop over earlier than planned, at a random valley closeby the East Ocean. While they did agree to let Hiwaga do a teleportation spell, it's best if they minimize the distance as close as they can. It would be less taxing on her that way.

The Wayfaring High Priestess however, was scolding him a bit, "If you were emotionally unwell, you should've said so! Matters of the heart are always heavy to bear and could potentially damage you in the long run!" Amihan says nothing but wallows in silence, and Hiwaga looks like she swallowed a whole sour fruit.

Astonishingly, she opens her arms and whispers, "One time, for comfort only." Amihan stands confused but everything comes into clarity when he sees Hiwaga's pinched yet willing expression and arms that were wide enough for him to fit in. 'A hug, she's offering to hug him.' Amihan doesn't understand why but he staggers a bit until he wanders into her embrace, his chin placed gently on her shoulder.

Hiwaga rubs small circles around his back with one hand and patting his head on the other. He melts into the warm embrace and feels like crying again. 'Pull yourself together.' He gripped to himself.

After a while, he lets go and Hiwaga removes herself from the hug. She cleared her throat, a little uncomfortable but somewhat relieved that Amihan seems better. She asks "Are you sure you're taking tonight?" Amihan replies "I am. I promise I feel better now that I've gotten it out of me." And it was true, he felt immensely better after shedding some tears. It still didn't make him any less embarrassed.

Hiwaga looked at his face for any sign of doubt but he seemed satisfied enough, and so she agreed. "After setting up camp, I will teach you the barrier spell." She nudges her head to Banawag's connection, who was steadily collecting wood for the fire tonight. He seems to think that he's sneakily glancing over to them, which means by normal standards, he's downright staring at them while he's working. Amihan couldn't help but feel strangely touched at his friend's concern. "Help him," Hiwaga demands, "He's been looking for the past hour and it's getting annoying." Amihan jerks his head in acceptance before hurrying towards Banawag.

He starts by collecting some dry wood silently beside Banawag, not attempting conversation. Surprisingly, Banawag doesn't speak either. They just work in comfortable silence until Amihan couldn't take it anymore. He clears his throat and Banawag peers by his side, as Amihan begins "Uh..." More silence drifts.

"Uhm..." Amihan so eloquently says. He wants to punch himself. Repeatedly. In the face.

"'Uhm?"" Banawag throws back, shaking his head a bit in a jeering manner. Amihan chuckles before lightly whacking Banawag by his shoulder. Banawag slightly moves away, "What was that for, I'm just helping!" Amihan harrumphs in almost a comedic way, "That wasn't very helpful of you." He sobered up almost immediately, inwardly thankful for Banawag's interruption. It made him feel normal. 'Or whatever semblance of normal I have left.'

"Thank you, truly. I feel much better after your counsel." Banawag looks at him weirdly before stating, "This is what friends do, don't make it sound like a favor." Amihan rubs the back of his neck, some of his long hair sticking due to sweat. He professes, "You don't know how much I owe you. I thank you nonetheless." Banawag, after lifting some wood, dumps them in the same pile before dusting off his hands. He places them by his hips before eyeing Amihan head to toe. It honestly puts Amihan off. "Uh", he questions, "What— why are— what are you doing?"

Banawag smiles before swinging his hands back and forth. "You haven't changed much, that's nice!" He gives a small flirty smile before winking, "Of course, you've gotten more handsome as the years go by." The flush in Amihan's neck returns, and he sputters out, "I— Th-this is neither here nor there!" Banawag laughs, wheezing and bright. The sound was familiar to Amihan too, just deeper but still as free. 'You haven't changed either' Amihan softens, 'You're just guarded now. Don't hide anymore, please. I kind of like that we're friends again.'