t had been a rainy day, and most of the Shrine Knights of the Murond Glabados Church had spent the day indoors. Kletian was no exception; he had sat in the library most of the day, concentrated on studying magic scrolls, and copying some spell lists for later use. There was also a more personal reason why he avoided talking to anyone, but he didn't really had to worry about such things most of the time. The library provided him with the peace he sought.

It wasn't until it started getting dark outside that he realized it was getting late. He glanced around the room, noticing that the only other person present besides him was the librarian. He sighed and gathered his things. The fact that it was getting late reminded him about a certain detail.

How forgetful of me, he scolded himself. I forgot that I promised to meet Rofel later.

He exited the library, feeling repentant. The reason why he was avoiding people was that it was his birthday. He guessed that nobody actually knew or remembered, but he had to wonder if Rofel did, had been planning for something, and was tired of waiting for him already.

The rain outside made the mage frown, but he just pulled his hood on, crossed the yard, and entered the building where the knights' quarters were located. Rofel had a room near the one which belonged to Vormav Tingel, the leader of the Shrine Knights. It was only logical as Rofel acted as the knight leader's right-hand man most of the time. Kletian knew the way to the room well, and not entirely just because he was a close advisor of Vormav's.

I wonder if Rofel's still awake.

He slipped into the older knight's room, not too surprised to find Rofel sitting on the bed with a pillow behind his back as he browsed through a pile of papers. The Divine Knight was wearing only his nightshirt with the sheets covering his legs, but in any case, it surely wasn't anything unusual for Rofel to be working at a late hour.

"Sorry to keep you waiting... Are you awake because you were waiting for me?" Kletian asked anyway although he didn't really think that was the case. His brown eyes studied the older man as he crossed the room and placed his papers on the desk by the wall.

The older knight smiled and looked up from his papers. "Not really, Kletian. I was going through some paperwork, and I didn't actually notice how late it is. Some of these things I've been reading are really interesting though. Like this report I'm currently reading... about zodiac signs."

Kletian removed his robe and placed it carefully on the back of a chair, hoping it would be dry by the morning. He wasn't wearing his armor today, so he just stripped most of his other clothing before crawling into the bed next to Rofel.

"Zodiac signs?"

"As I said, these are quite interesting papers," Rofel answered. "Reports about how the zodiac signs affect our lives and might even have effects in battle... But I also found this horoscope part rather interesting."

The mage smiled. "I didn't know you were interested in horoscopes."

Rofel shrugged. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. It's still my job to know about things, so I've been doing this study. This here is really interesting though... Gemini. Want to hear? Your zodiac sign is Gemini, isn't it?"

"Well, sure..." Kletian shifted to find a comfortable position in the bed, then closed his eyes.

"Gemini is your star sign which tells us that the Sun awakened the dual sign of the Twins in the Zodiac on your birthday," Rofel read. "Let's see... This says that the Gemini are ingenious, quick-witted communicators. I think that fits. Hmm... Also says that you are often restless, easily bored, and can become frustrated if things are moving too slowly. Well, I don't know if you're easily bored, but I find that part of getting frustrated somewhat correct..."

Kletian blushed slightly but drew the sheets closer, hiding his face. "...Rofel..."

The older man smirked. "I apologize. Well, this also says people of your sign are great talkers and very social... Hmm, don't know about that last part. Maybe it doesn't apply to mages who like to read a lot?"

"Maybe? I don't feel that I'm too social," the Sorcerer commented. "So, what else does it say?"

"Let's see. According to this, you have little faith in yourself... Think that's true?"

Kletian turned to his side and looked at the older man, thoughtful. "I don't know. But do I really need to have faith in myself, if I have faith in God and Holy Ajora? I believe God will take care of His children."

Rofel smiled gently. "True. Well, let's see what else is in here. 'Your flexible body enjoys agile sports: gymnastics, swimming, and so on'... Hmm, interesting. But you don't practice much sports though, do you, Kletian? You do practice with your magic, but..."

"Sounds more like Izlude than me," Kletian said. "I'm not that... flexible," he mumbled then blushed bright red all of a sudden as he realized what he had just said. "I... I mean... Izlude is a Knight Blade. He does practice a lot, sports included. And he's a Gemini like me, so it kind of fits?"

"Yes," the older knight answered. "And this continues by saying that people of the Gemini sign are also skilled with design, arts and crafts, magic and illusion, and music. That's more like you there, hmm?"

The mage nodded. "Well, I am one of the best mages in the Shrine Knights..."

Rofel laughed. "The best, Kletian. Yeah, I guess the part about not believing in yourself was correct then. You really need to start thinking more highly of yourself. Ah, anyway... The next paragraph says one of the colors of your sign is light blue. Hmm, I wonder..."

Kletian glanced at Rofel's blue robe that was neatly folded on a chair next to the bed and hid his face, feeling even more embarrassed. "Rofel! Stop teasing me like that."

"Sorry. Couldn't resist," the older man apologized. "But speaking of that, I came across some papers about relationships between zodiacs... Ours have a neutral compatibility, did you know? But there's something here about Gemini and Capricorn in a relationship..."

The Sorcerer closed his eyes again but moved a little closer to the older man. He didn't really know what he considered their 'relationship' to be, but he couldn't help but feel a little curious. "Hmm? So... What does it say about... us?"

"That I'm the more serious part of the relationship and more silent while you specialize in communication. Not sure about that, even though I'll have to admit that I am serious and might appear to be somewhat silent at times..." Rofel smiled to himself, turning the page. "This also describes the Capricorn to be... possessive. Huh. And worried about your security... Well, that I am."

"And you aren't possessive?" Kletian commented, somewhat teasing, before he sat up and leaned closer to the older man to glance at the papers.

Rofel shook his head, still smiling. "Fine, you win. Maybe I am?"

The mage returned the smile. "A little? Hey, that also says that the Capricorn is more orderly and likes routines. Well, you kind of have to be, in order to take care of all the work you do for Lord Vormav... And you are organized."

"Quite true."

Kletian looked at the older man's face then leaned closer to read more. "Speaking of the Gemini... 'The sexual attraction can be strong and your light touch can..." He blinked and paused for a moment, then continued. "...arouse the horny Goat, but Capricorn prefers the tried and true, being less than likely to experiment'... um, right..." He escaped to the other side of the bed again, unable to hide his embarrassment this time. "...I don't think... that... fits you too well."

"Maybe not," Rofel said. "But would I try new things if you didn't want to?"

"I... uh... suppose not..." Kletian mumbled, looking down. "But I'm not really as... uh, interested in experimenting as that report says..."

The other knight smiled again and returned to reading the paper. "Well… But this says Capricorn is a leadership-oriented Cardinal Sign, so it is interested in long-term outcomes..."

The mage sank lower in the bed, hiding under the sheets. "...Oh?"

Rofel placed the papers on the nightstand, smiling. He picked up a small object that had been hidden by a handkerchief from the table, then turned to the younger man. "Could be that I am. This Capricorn is, after all, staying with this one Gemini I know and will continue to stay."

"Rofel..." Kletian sighed but couldn't keep himself from smiling. "I... well... I guess the Gemini is staying with that Capricorn too then, since it's not like I would be interested in..." He trailed off, wondering what he was trying to say anyway. He knew he loved Rofel even though he publicly refused to admit such emotions existed. It was enough of a sin that they shared the bed so often.

The older knight took his right hand and slipped something on his finger. "Happy birthday, Kletian."

Kletian blinked then looked at his hand. On his finger was a simple, silver ring with the holy symbol of the Glabados church engraved on it. "Rofel! You... shouldn't have..."

"But I wanted to get you something. A symbol of friendship and... maybe a little reminder of something else while I'm at it." Rofel smiled, knowing too well that that was all he could ask from Kletian. The Church they served wouldn't have approved more than a friendship. "I saw it when I was in Dorter last month and figured you might like it."

"...It's... simple and beautiful. I..." Kletian studied the ring, wondering and guessing what the older man really was after. "Thank you, Rofel. I will carry it as a sign of our friendship. And... Well..." He turned to look at the wall. "I didn't expect anyone would remember. I was kind of avoiding people today anyway... I hope you didn't have anything planned. I might've ruined your plans by being so late..."

The older man smirked. "Well, I did have something planned..."

"I... sorry, Rofel..."

"Don't apologize," Rofel said, touching the mage's hair softly. He then reached for his nightstand, turning off the light from the lantern. "It's okay. I didn't have anything too special in mind. Just this..." He drew the younger man closer for a passionate kiss.

Kletian closed his eyes as he was kissed, and allowed the older knight to hold him and caress him softly. Tonight, he didn't really care if the Capricorn wasn't feeling like experimenting with anything. He was quite happy with just being with Rofel.

Author's notes:

I love the pairing. I came up with the main idea when thinking of what to write with the theme "Horoscope" (for a challenge I never finished), and the fic has this plot thingy because I wrote this on Kletian's birthday - 6th of June.

- Lady Harken (June, 2004)