8.Raindrops Keep （Not） Falling on my Head

8. Raindrops Keep (Not) Falling on my Head

Samson asks me to meet him on campus Friday night.

Our tutoring session didn't go exactly as planned, yet I'm excited to meet him anyway. Making plans on a Friday evening… there's no way he wants to study tonight.

Is this a date? Do I want it to be a date? The excited flutter in my belly says yes. I find him on the quad near the magical studies building, not sure what to expect.

“I brought dinner.” Samson holds up a paper bag with a colorful logo. He looks beautiful, like a Greek god chiseled from bronze and tattoos. But that doesn't point to this being a date; he always looks like that.

“What’s the occasion?” I wonder.

He shrugs that brawny shoulder of his and confesses shyly, "I wanted to do something nice for you."

Oh. Not a date then. I’m still not entirely what it is, just not a date. Do I even deserve this?

“You really didn’t have to do that,” I say. "You're the one who did more for me when you took me to the bay."

“You didn't have to agree to work with me after I was an ass,” he counters. “And I could tell you were disappointed when our powers didn't click. Come on, let me thank you, Argyle.”

“I couldn’t even help you,” I remind him unhappily.

He steps in close to me, and his steady gaze holds mine captive. “You tried, Argyle. And we’ll try again. I’m really glad you’re giving me another chance.”

This isn’t a date. Maybe it’s better. The excited flutter is back. He’s so earnest and just wants to do something nice for me. How can I refuse?

I nod and smile. “Lead the way.”

We only walk for a little while before Samson has a question.

"You eat fish, right?"

"Of course. What else would we eat underwater? There weren't any pigs or chickens." I rush to add, “And that’s not cannibalism! I’m not a fish."

He gives me a strange look. "Okay? I didn't think you were."

I flush as I remember an encounter with a horrified student. “There was an incident in the cafeteria my first week on campus. Never mind. Don’t even ask.”

"Come on, you have to tell me something now."

"Water nymphs are beings from the sea. We have things in common with aquatic creatures like scales and gills, but we aren’t literal fish people. This student did not understand that." I glance at the bag he’s carrying and realize why he’s asking. “Oh, is that what we’re having for dinner?”

"Fish people?" he asks with amusement.

I roll my eyes. "Yes, fish."

"Honestly?" He pauses our walk and shifts awkwardly. "I had a hard time deciding what to get for dinner since I wanted to surprise you. I wasn't sure if you'd be tired of eating fish all the time or if human food would be too much for you."

This is my first time spending so long on solid ground, so sometimes my stomach can be sensitive to more adventurous foods, but that rarely stops me from trying new things.

"I actually enjoy trying new dishes. What did you decide on?"

"Nothing too crazy. I tried to find a balance between both worlds. After all, that's who you are, right? The best of both." Samson smiles easily and continues walking. It takes me a moment to catch up with him.

The land and the sea, the best of both worlds—that’s exactly how I see myself. It amazes me how easily Samson grasped that and validated the concept without making it seem like a big deal. For the first time in a long while, I feel truly seen and appreciated for who I am, for all of me.

He looks back at me from the edge of the garden. "Something wrong? You don't have to eat this if you hate it. It's just mac and cheese with salmon."

"It's perfect," I assure him.

As we approach the tall grass that surrounds the hidden alcove, Samson pauses and turns to me. With a playful flourish, he sweeps his arm through the grass, holding it back for me to pass. "After you."

I chuckle and step through the parted grass. Just as I'm about to set foot on the soft grass near the pond's edge, a cold drop of water lands on my shoulder. Surprised, I glance up at the sky. Another raindrop falls, this time hitting my cheek.

"Oh, you had to jinx it," he scolds lightly. "Now it's raining."

"Maybe it will stop in a second?"

As if on cue, the sky opens up and a steady rain begins to pour down on us. Water droplets pelt against the pond's surface.

"Wow, I jinxed it again," I laugh, tilting my head back and letting the cool rain wash over my face.

Then the rain picks up, threatening to drench me. I don't mind water, obviously, but it is a little much when I'm wearing clothes that get all wet and soggy. If I were naked—no, it's safer not to think of being naked around Samson.

Samson grabs my hand, and we dash for the willow tree, seeking shelter beneath its drooping branches. As we huddle together under the tree's canopy, Samson frowns at the falling rain.

"I really wanted to do something nice for you, to thank you and now it's ruined." He glares daggers at the relentless downpour, as if sheer willpower could make the rain cease its assault.

When he catches me grinning at his adorably brooding expression, Samson narrows his eyes, trying and failing to look stern.

"What's so funny?" he demands.

"You look so put out over a little rain," I tease gently. "Don't worry, I can help."

I step out from under the willow tree's sheltering branches, letting the gentle rain wash over me. The torrential downpour has ceased for the moment, turning into a slower, steady shower that's easy to work with. As the cool droplets kiss my skin, my scales tingle with energy, glowing a soft blue-green as my brand activates.

I tilt my face up towards the dark gray sky as I reach out with one hand. I redirect the flow of the rain, bending it to my will. The droplets part around me without touching me directly, rerouted by the invisible force of magic. The water curves and twists through the air to avoid me.

A low whistle of appreciation draws my attention, and I turn to see Samson watching me with unabashed awe, his dark eyes drinking in the display of my power over the water. He steps out from under the tree and dashes to me, not wanting to get caught in the rain again.

I adjust the scope of my magic so that we can both sit down and eat without getting wet. Samson unfurls a plaid blanket and lays it out on the damp grass at our feet. He gestures for me to join him, and we settle down together, cross-legged in the middle of the makeshift dry zone I've created. All around us, the rain continues to fall while we remained untouched.

"This is awesome," he laughs. "Rain, rain go away."

"You hate rain, don't you?"

"Guilty. I prefer the heat." He reaches out and touches the droplets falling near him, amazed. "It's not so bad, not like this."

I smile and busy myself with unloading our food from the now slightly soggy bags. When we start eating, it's clear he made the right choice.

"This is delicious, Samson. Thank you for thinking of me." I savor a bite of the creamy macaroni and cheese, the flaky salmon melting on my tongue.

"Glad you like it. I wanted to find something that felt familiar but with a twist."

We eat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the gentle patter of rain falling next to us the only sound.

I sneak a glance at Samson as he eats. He clears his throat, twisting his head towards me, and I quickly avert my gaze, warmth creeping into my cheeks at being caught staring.

He doesn't seem to notice, having something else on his mind.

"Can I tell you something? You know how I have trouble controlling my fire sometimes, but I didn't really tell you why."

I nod, giving him my full attention. "Of course."

"The conventional approach to mastering an element’s magic is balance,” Samson begins. “The caster and the element come together in harmony. But that's not the approach my dad taught me."

"It isn't? What method did you learn?"

"Total surrender." Samson stares into the dark waters of the pond as he explains. "Why should you even try being an element’s equal? Give yourself over to the element. First you submit and then the element shapes you and makes you stronger. Then when you become tough enough to take control, you conquer the element and make it submit to your will."

"Whoa. Did that work?" No is my guess. Imagining a child at the mercy of the elements is not a pleasant thought.

"It seemed to at first. I had a lot of power and endurance for a novice. But I never got to the conquering part. Being at the mercy of fire and magic, it puts too much strain on the body,” he says almost casually around a mouthful of salmon. “I nearly had a heart attack at 16."

"Oh my god, you did?" I gasp and look at him in alarm. Given our serious conversation, I know he’s not kidding about what happened 10 years ago, but I wish he was.

"My body was exhausted, and I ended up in the hospital around horrified magical healers. That was when I learned that I’d basically been doing magic wrong my whole life, that my parents' methods were not normal and seriously screwed up. I left home and moved in with my mom’s estranged family. I recovered, started building a new life for myself, but I didn’t have magic anymore. I wanted to leave it behind."

"But you can’t. The fire is part of you.” I grew up with a connection to water magic. Human casters aren’t inherently magical in the same way, but once they connect to an element, it’s hard if not impossible to let that go.

"Yeah,” he agrees quietly. “Started practicing again a few years ago. But I've never been able to really figure out the balance part where the fire and I come together. Letting the fire take over is so second nature. The fire keeps overwhelming me, unless I shut down completely."

"Shut down? Is that what you told me about before, keeping your emotions at bay?"

"Yeah. Magic can feed on your emotions, and it's even worse with fire. Any strong feelings are like fuel for the flames. I can control my powers when I'm detached, but they take over whenever my emotions get involved."

Now it makes more sense. Why he has the issues he does. Why he’s fun and flirty but shuts down when the conversation gets more serious. And yet here he is opening up and being real with me. I’m awed that I get to see him like nobody else does.

While the urge to wrap him in my arms and hug him forever feels overwhelming, I resist. A full body tackle hug is probably too much for him. So, I just scoot a tiny bit closer, making sure our sides touch.

"You will learn control,” I promise. “You’re smart. You’ll figure it out."

"I hope you’re right." Samson sighs and sets down his food.

"There’s no question. I’m right. Don’t doubt me. I may not understand school, but I know magic. I know this."

He nudges me with his elbow. "You’re more intelligent than you give yourself credit for."

"Hmm. Then maybe we both need to stop being so hard on ourselves and start believing in ourselves instead?" I suggest.

"Whoa, you’re asking a lot there,” he chuckles. “I suppose I can give it a try, if you stick around to help me."

"I’m not going anywhere.” There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.

It isn’t fair he has to make this trade off. That he has to give up emotion and hold himself back to maintain control. Samson should be free to feel everything, all the highs and lows of life without giving up a piece of himself, his feelings or his magic. I’ll do whatever I can to help him find the balance he needs.

He’s making progress. I know it. I’m the proof. Here he is, slowly letting me in and showing me who he really is.

Sticking around the man next to me isn't a problem, though our current location has some downsides.

"Whoa!"

"Looks like the rain's picking up again."

The storm clouds shift above us, revealing a stream of moonlight. For a moment, I’m lost in the way it dances across Samson’s face, softening his sharp features and illuminating his skin with a gentle glow. He looks right lit by flames, but he isn't too shabby when the moon shines down on him either.

As the clouds shift, the rain I had magically diverted earlier begins to fall on us once more. That ruins the spell as Samson hunches over what remains of his food and looks supremely put out.

"Don't worry, I'll fix it." I hide a smile as I lift my hand, a flicker of magic sparking from my fingertips. This time, instead of redirecting the droplets, I stop them in mid-air, suspended above us like tiny diamonds in the moonlight.

"Note to self," he grumbles. "Next time I plan an evening under the stars, check the weather forecast first."

"I don't know. Seems to have worked out pretty well, don't you think?"

He looks up and whistles. "Yeah. Quite a view."

He's right. The view is pretty damn great, the water hovering above us, refracting the moonlight into a thousand tiny prisms that dance across Samson's face. I don't know what's better, the sight of all the raindrops lit up by the moon, held there and glowing above us, or sharing this with the man next to me.

It's like we're in our own private world, the rain around us blocking us from the outside world. I love it. I lean close enough that I can feel his shoulder next to mine as we both stare up at the raindrops above us. I think he leans into me too.

This may not be a date. But between the nice gesture, what he shared with me, and the beauty of the rain hanging overhead, it doesn't feel like a normal night either. It's special.