The past connection — pt 1

2017, September 5th

(Sartis Est)

The last three months had been exactly what Bart needed. Satis Est was beautiful, diverting and lively. They always had something going on, from feasts to street festivals and balls, the party seemed to be non stop. Bart was happy for his friend. In the last three months he watched as Ethan charmed his way into Diane’s heart. They were a completely different couple and even Aria was slowly letting go of her reservations.

Bart was on his way to Ethan’s room to check on him. He was late for combat training and despite his goofy, childish demeanour, in the three months that Bart had been here, that had never happened before. Just as Bart was about to open the door and dump a jug of water over Ethan’s lazy ass, the door opened and out walked Diane and Ethan. She blushed and curtsied.

"Good morning, Lord Bart," she said, looking down before disappearing down the hallway hastily.

"Good morning, Your Highness," he called after her, turning his head back to Ethan. "And a very good morning to you, Ethan," Bart grinned knowingly. "Have a good night?"

"A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell," Ethan smirked, his eyes lighting up.

He really was over the moon for them. It wasn’t every day that an arranged marriage actually ended in love. A pang of hurt vibrated throughout his body at the thought. He hoped CC’s engagement was turning out just as well, for her sake. Only after he left Terres Somnia did he learn the truth about her fiance, that it was in fact an arranged marriage. Of course it was, she never would have chosen to marry someone that wasn’t him. He knew that, even before he received the news he knew, but he ran away anyway like a bloody fool. Would he have been able to stop it if he stayed?

"Since when do you count as a gentleman?" Bart chuckled.

Ethan gave him a look and laughed too.

"Who am I kidding? You’re right. She was amazing, is amazing," he sighed happily.

"I’m glad you guys figured it out man," said Bart, showing Ethan a bittersweet smile.

Ethan knew the last three months had done nothing to dull the agony in Bart’s heart. He didn’t even want to think about what he would do without Diane and they’d only met a few months ago. Bart had known his girl for years. Aria still flirted with Bart relentlessly, but Bart was less forthcoming. He didn’t exactly shut her down, but he didn’t encourage her either. Honestly Ethan was starting to worry. She was getting more and more attached and Bart still couldn’t see past the one that got away.

"My happiness would be complete if you and Ria-"

Bart gave him a warning look.

"Aria deserves better than me. I may have ruined the woman I’ve loved since I was nine’s life by not fighting for her, not going to her, the way she fought for me, came for me. Aria deserves better than to get stuck with that guy."

Ethan took Bart in. He didn’t think this thing would go on so long. After all, they were just kids when they met. She was his first crush. They never even dated, hardly even knew each other from what Ethan had heard. Ethan was a die hard romantic, but Bart seemed to be holding onto a fantasy rather than something that actually existed.

"She must really be something, this girl of yours."

Bart smiled, remembering the misleading innocence in CC’s eyes. The way she unapologetically took things she wanted, the way people were helpless, powerless around her, simply had to give her what she wanted. They never saw her coming, never saw how formidable she was. He certainly hadn’t, not until it was too late and he was hopelessly and forever hers.

"CC is danger wrapped up in the sweetest candy. She’ll be your undoing while smiling at you and you’ll like it too. She certainly was mine."

Ethan slapped a hand on Bart’s shoulder.

"She sounds like a dream, but waking up to something real, something that’s in front of you, that’s living man."

Aria kept inviting Bart to be her official date to things and every time, even though he ended up spending all night with her and dancing with only her or talking to only her, he turned her down, saying he would come, but only as her friend. She liked him, she really did, but even she couldn’t keep this up indefinitely.

"We’re having a feast tonight in anticipation of the arrival of a royal guest. Want to be my date?" Aria asked.

Bart smiled at her, watching her pretend to read so that she could have an excuse to be with him while he studied.

"We’ve been through this Ria."

"Hey, can’t hurt to ask right?"

But it did hurt, it hurt every single time he gently let her down.

"You should ask someone else."

"The guys around here just aren’t as hot as you."

She slammed the book closed that she had been pretending to read and dropped into his lap. Bart inhaled sharply. He still wasn’t used to her doing that, wasn’t used to seeing her up close like this. Her playful face; her silky, long, red hair that she’d started wearing down because he’d told her to. He wasn’t missing a single thing about her and he hadn’t since the day they met. Watching her was like feeling life flow through him. Being with her made the heartache bearable. But Bart knew that being with her was wrong. She deserved more than him, more than someone who was just trying to get through the day.

"Looks aren’t everything," he said, gently setting her down on the chair he’d just been in.

She took his hand in hers and held it up to her cheek.

"They’re not as strong or as thoughtful or as generous or as smart-"

"Okay, okay, I get it," he said, shaking his head. "I can’t be your date tonight, but I’ll hang out with you if, if you stop touching me."

She looked at him, running their hands up her belly. Bart pulled away as she approached her chest.

"Okay fine," she agreed.

"No touching, no flirting," he said, holding out his hand for a handshake.

"Hey now, I can’t agree to that."

"Take it or leave it."

He laughed at her as she squinted her eyes with her hands behind her back, looking like she was really between a rock and a hard place.

"Alright fine," she smiled, raising her hands in surrender before she shook on it.

Aria brought Bart out to an open field set up with a target, a bow and arrow.

"Didn’t think this would be your kind of thing. You handle yourself like a pro with a gun," he observed.

"It’s not. I may be an ace with a pistol, but I suck at archery," she answered.

He gave her a suspicious look.

"Bullshit."

"It’s the truth, I swear. Teach me? You’re obviously an excellent shot."