The train ride to magic! PV Judas Kaine Completed

Relaxing into a state of contentment, he realized he'd never quite felt this way. He couldn't explain it, but somehow, this boy was making him feel welcome. Like, they weren't strangers on a train headed to some terrifyingly unknown world. Instead, the feeling was more like two long time friends headed for a crazy adventure together. He hoped maybe Galahad felt the same way. He wanted more than anything to have a friend to share this new experience with.

Watching the other boy's expression as he talked, Judas was intrigued by the idea of creating something the two of them could share together. Like a personal project just for them. He nodded enthusiastically and let a wide grin spread across his face. He'd never smiled so much in his life. "That would be amazing! I'd love the chance to create something with you. I've never had a chance to work on a project with anyone before." Thinking on the idea a bit more, he realized both of their passions aligned incredibly. "You know, spiders can be beneficial to gardens. They prey on harmful pests. Maybe I could even look up information on other magical creatures to help in a garden!"

"And I think maybe there would be plants we could grow together for Potions Classes." He was definitely beginning to feel more confident with himself as the taller boy showed his enthusiasm. Until the mention of his nail color. He ducked his head nervously as the boy asked what the name of that particular color was. He was sure it had been black, but now upon closer inspection, the shade did look a bit lighter. He panicked for a moment trying to come up with an answer. He wasn't sure he wanted to explain his sight issues just yet, but there was no way he knew which one this would be. Thinking quickly, he hopped up to pull one of his smaller bags from the top compartment. Reaching inside, he looked for the small bottle shaped like the one he had used. Upon finding it, he held it out for the biy to see. It was only labeled with a funny abstract concept for a name. So, not very helpful. "It's called, Envy at Night. I'm not sure why, but they all have funny names like that. I paint them myself when I just need a minute to relax. Kinda like meditating I guess."

"I think you'd look good in anythin'." Judas paused for a moment realizing what he had said. He wasn't even sure he knew why he had said it like that. His face was was warm all of a sudden without him even understanding. "But you know, it's not everyone's taste."

Sitting back down, he bit his nails once more contemplating what he had even meant. He looked at his own hands curiously. He'd never considered that his hands were any more steady than anyone else's. It was true to a certain degree. He supposed it was due to the years he'd spent playing piano. His mother did often note he had incredibly legible handwriting for his age. As to if it was nice, he couldn't say. Regardless, he was happy for the change in topic as it gave him a chance to move on from the topic of color. "I suppose my handwritin's okay. It ain't perfect or anythin'. Don't you need steady hands for gardening though? Like for handlin' delicate plants?"

With the agreement of a special project just for the two of them, Judas felt the beginning of a good friendship. The book would definitely be fun to work on, but secretly, Judas felt it was a prime excuse to spend more time with the other boy. He wasn't entirely sure why he felt this pull towards the other. Something in the way the boy spoke. His reassurances, his attentiveness and even his excitement over things most would probably consider odd. They were all large factors as to why he genuinely hoped they would be spending more time together.

As he listened to Galahad's description of the nail color, he found himself enraptured by the idea that a concept could be a color. Green with Envy, now he remembered. He'd heard that before. The fact that it was also associated with plants made his heart swell. It must be kismet, because the other boy had gushed over his love for gardening. He remembered suddenly, how Galahad referenced himself as being 'A Certain Olive-eyed male'. He'd been told Olive was a similar shade to green. Judas looked into the taller boy's eyes curiously, considering the differences in tone. He couldn't tell what exactly they were, but if he leaned closer he could see the patterns of his irises. "Like, your eyes." he said quietly without realizing. His own eyes widening, he realized how close he was. leaning back out of the other's space, he coughed awkwardly. "I mean of course, It would go with your eyes. Even though, they're lighter."

His heart was beating faster now and he took a breath trying to calm himself. He nearly succeeded until the boy suggested the idea of Judas painting them for the other male. He looked from his own slender finders, to Galahad's hands and felt himself getting worked up again. Was it getting hotter in here or was Judas just overly flushed? He wanted to take Galahad up on the offer so badly. Would the other boy's hands be soft? Or would they be rougher from working in a garden? And why was he even thinking about the other's hands in such a way? Rubbing at his cheek, he was surprised by the heat in his face. Surely he didn't have a fever. Then why was he blushing? Could the other boy tell? He'd been told a blush was visible. If that was the case, he hoped Galahad didn't think him odd for his reaction. Attempting to pull himself together he smiled nervously. "I'd love to paint them some time; just, the train might be a bit too unsteady." He looked up to the taller boy hoping he didn't sound as if he wasn't interested, "Really. I'd like that... if you'd like that I mean."

Hearing the other explain how working in the garden, required some delicacy and that his handwriting wasn't bad either, he quickly latched onto the thought. "Well, it's a good thing you're handwritin' isn't bad. It'd be difficult to write a book together if only half of it was legible."

Filled with thoughts of the two spending more time together, Judas smiled happily at the other boy. The other's grinning face and jovial personality made Judas just as excited about time outside of class as well as in. He hoped Galahad would remember the suggestion after the train ride. He imagined they would both be busy with School work and extra curriculars soon enough, but he knew the other boy would be on his own mind. He would be happy if the first weekend he had off of schoolwork, he could spend time working on the book or even showing Galahad how to paint his nails.

His face was still very much flushed, when the taller boy jumped up remarking on the temperature of the compartment. Judas had to agree the small area was beginning to get get quite warm, but he wondered if it was truly that or if he'd made the excitable male nervous. He too felt his heart pounding, though he couldn't explain why. As he watched the other boy hop up to open the window, he had the most peculiar sensation. It was equal parts relief from his own anxiety and a feeling of loss. His own mind couldn't comprehend the feeling. He chose to ignore the feeling and bury it for the time being. He could speculate about the odd emotion later. For now he watched Galahad's antics with a happy grin. The boy was both comical and endearing as he spoke about the book they planned on writing. He couldn't wait to see what both of their handwriting's would look like on the pages. He giggled at the description of the taller boy's side of the book. "I'm sure that description will be in reverse. With plants, you can fold them into the pages. With animals, the best I can do is hope my doodles accurately represent the subject matter."

He watched as the air made a mess out of Galahad's hair and was going to offer a warning, when suddenly the older boy was coughing. He jumped up quickly to pat the boy on the back, hoping he wasn't about to choke on whatever small creature he had swallowed.

"Are you okay?" He asked quickly. For the most part Galahad looked fine, but he was obviously mortified with how he looked down to the floor. Judas was suddenly reminded of one of the few times his brother had taken him for a ride on his motorbike. He began to laugh as he remembered the incident. He'd felt just as embarrassed. His brother had warned him of the dangers of opening his mouth to shout while moving so quickly on the road, but of course Judas hadn't been paying much attention. Now as he chucked, he couldn't help more from bubbling up. He had to clutch his side for how much he began giggle. He tried to catch his breath as he sat back down worrying that Galahad may feel badly about him. "The same thing happened to me once. I swear I nearly cried when I realized what had happened. My brother had to pull over because he thought I was gonna to be sick."

He offered the embarrassed male a look of reassurance as he pat him on the back again. "At least take comfort in knowing that insect carry a lot of protein."

Glad to see that Galahad was remaining in somewhat good spirits, he let himself relax. His ribs ached with how much he had laughed, but it had just been so funny. Even when it came to accidentally swallowing a bug, they were similar. Judas did still worry about the hoarseness of the other boy's voice. He knew from experience an insect at high velocity could be somewhat painful. "We should get you some water when we get to Hogwarts." He noticed the boy looking at the clock and felt a bit sad at the thought they would soon be there.

Feeling the taller male lean into him playfully, Judas blushed heavily. He could feel the other boy's wirey frame easily now and he couldn't help but feel a bit shy. He wondered if Galahad also noticed how thin Judas was. "Well, you must get enough, because you're taller than me." He chucked. Seeing the other boy stick his tongue out playfully, Judas grinned wildly and mirrored the look, sticking his own tongue out playfully. He felt himself leaning in closer to pay attention as Galahad explained how they could work on the book together. "That's perfect! It'd be easier for sure and maybe give us even more ideas for what to put in the book."

Feeling the other male right himself and move from his leaning position, Judas was caught off guard by the feeling of loss. He wasn't sure why, but the closeness of them against each other had been quite nice. He didn't have time to dwell on the feeling as the other boy was suddenly turning towards him with his pinkie held out. He entwined his own pinkie with Galahad's, wondering if the softness of his own hands or his boney fingers might feel odd to the other male. He remembered his dad had often remarked that a real man who labored with his hands could expect a callous or two. Of course Judas had none, but he wondered what that would feel like.

As Judas listened to the other male explain the promise, his heart began beating faster. He watched enraptured as Galahad grew more serious. Despite being self conscious about how his own eyes looked, he held the other's gaze firmly. This was important. "Of course, I promise. I don't want us to go our separate ways. You're the first friend I think I've ever really had." He all but whisper. Gathering his confidence, he cleared his throat to speak more firmly. "We will remain buddies. I swear it. I could never forget about how you made me feel so welcome."

"Or how you saved me from a bruise or two, when you could have just let me fall. Like a knight." He giggled glancing away with a small blush. Looking once more to those intricately detailed eyes, he gripped the other more firmly with his own pinkie. "I promise you Galahad. We will stay in touch."

Beyond any of Judas's wildest imaginations, he'd found a friend on his first day of stepping into the wizarding world. He had of course been excited and terrified about all this school had to offer, but this was so much more than that. Galahad had stumbled into his train compartment, and into his feelings as well. There was no doubt that any adventure that waited for him would be made better by having such a friend.

Laughing at Galahad's joke, Judas nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I think you're a spider now. It's okay though, y'know I adore spiders."

When the taller male mentioned their height difference, Judas considered his father and brothers. He was certainly shorter than they had been at his age, but that didn't necessarily mean he wouldn't eventually catch up to them. He let a grin spread across his face considering the competition. "How about a bet? I mean, I don't have money, but what if we bet on a secret? If you end up taller, I tell you a secrets, If I end up taller, I tell you a secret. I'm only 4'9 now, but I'm sure I might catch up soon. My brothers are all very tall." Judas had always wanted to be in a competition, but most involved a great bit of visual acuity which he did not have. Still, this kind of competition was mostly for fun, much like the book they would be writing soon. At the mention of writing it, Judas blushed slightly at Galahad's choice of words. He knew it wasn't the kind of date that others would go on with a crush. Just a time they would meet up. He shook his head at the thought. Besides, A boy couldn't date another boy. His face flushed at the thought and Judas found his only reply was to nod vigorously. Why was he thinking about dates?

When Galahad pulled him into a tight hug, Judas felt warmth spread through his body. He'd never been able experience closeness like this with anyone but his mother. It was nice. He hugged the boy in return, squeezing as tight as he could. "I think that'll be what I call you. My knight. It could be a great name for the book. Judas and The Knight's book of Nature. Maybe. Do you think I should have a Pen name as well? What would be a good name? Something that describes me?" His own strange eyes met Galahad's curiously wondering how the other boy would describe him. Something that would set him apart from others.