The balcony air was colder than it should have been. Not the chill of night, but the kind that seeped from within… the kind Hermes carried wherever he went.
He stood there, watching Magni's broad frame outlined against the stars.
For a long time, Hermes said nothing. Just the scrape of his breath, the hammering of his heart. He wanted to turn back, but his feet rooted him in place.
Finally, he forced the words out.
"…Why?"
Magni stirred, not looking at him. "Why what?"
"You know what." Hermes' voice was sharp, brittle. "Why didn't you stop it? The Ferris wheel. Ymir. Me."
Magni was silent for a beat. Then, softly, "Because it wasn't mine to stop."
Hermes felt his chest tighten. "You… like him. Don't you?"
The words hung in the air, fragile as glass.
Magni didn't flinch. "Yes."
Hermes' throat went dry. Somehow, hearing it spoken aloud hurt worse than guessing. "…Then why let it happen? Why not fight for him?"
