Kuro woke before sunrise.The faint grey of dawn had barely brushed the horizon, but his eyes refused to close again. The room felt… still, like the air was holding its breath.
Lucien was asleep, the calmest he'd looked since arriving.Mika, though—
The window was open, curtains swaying in the early breeze.He wasn't there.
Kuro pushed off the bed quietly, rubbing his neck. The wood creaked under his feet as he made his way outside, trying not to wake anyone.
Outside, the world was painted silver and blue. The inn sat on a small hill, and below it, the fog rolled over the grass like smoke.
Mika was there — leaning against the fence, arms crossed, his white hair catching the weak morning light.
{There he is…}
[Looks like Mr. Broody McJawline didn't sleep at all.]
{He looks… tired.}
[He looks like someone who's thinking about breaking the universe in half because someone else made you smile.]
{Elvastia.}
[What? I'm just saying. Dude's one possessive glare away from tattooing "Property of Mika" on your forehead.]
{You're impossible.}
[And yet, here I am. You're welcome.]
Kuro took a slow breath before walking closer. The grass was damp, cool against his feet.
"Mika," he said softly.
Mika didn't move for a moment. Then, "You should be asleep."
"I couldn't."
Mika's jaw tightened. "Nightmares?"
Kuro shook his head. "No. Just… thinking."
[Oh no. Here comes the emotional hour.]
Mika finally looked over, eyes half-shadowed under his fringe. "You shouldn't think so much. It doesn't suit you."
"That's… kind of rude."
A faint twitch of a smirk ghosted over Mika's lips. "Maybe."
For a moment, it felt normal again. Then the silence came back — thick, unspoken, filled with everything that hadn't been said last night.
"Mika…" Kuro hesitated. "About yesterday—"
"Don't," Mika interrupted.
Kuro blinked. "Don't what?"
"Don't apologize." His voice was quiet, but firm. "You didn't do anything wrong."
{…He's angry.}
[No. He's scared.]
{Scared? Of what?}
[Of losing you, idiot.]
Kuro blinked at that, his heart skipping.
Mika turned his gaze back toward the horizon. "Lucien shouldn't have said what he did."
"He was just trying to help."
Mika let out a small, humorless laugh. "That's what makes it worse."
The wind picked up, tugging at his coat. Kuro hesitated — then quietly stepped closer, standing beside him.
For a moment, neither spoke. Only the soft rustle of the grass filled the quiet.
"Mika…" Kuro said finally, eyes on the sunrise. "You don't need to protect me from everyone."
Mika's eyes flicked toward him — sharp, searching. "Who else will?"
Kuro opened his mouth, but the words died.Because Mika wasn't being arrogant.He was being honest.
[...Oh, that's new. Actual sincerity. Someone call the news.]
{He really means it.}
[Yeah, no kidding. Look at that face — it's the same one I make when I realize you're about to get yourself hurt again.]
{You care too, you know.}
[Shut up before I start gagging.]
Kuro chuckled under his breath — and Mika glanced at him, confused but faintly softening.
"You're laughing," Mika said. "Why?"
"It's… nothing."
[It's me. I'm the reason, snowflake.]
Mika frowned slightly, looking away. "You're strange."
Kuro smiled faintly. "You say that a lot."
"Because it's true."
The air fell quiet again. The sun had started to rise now — faint gold streaks bleeding into the blue.
Lucien's voice broke the silence behind them. "You two are up early."
Kuro turned, surprised. Mika didn't.
Lucien looked… perfectly composed, even with bed hair and half-buttoned clothes. The man could probably look dignified falling off a roof.
"Couldn't sleep," Kuro said quickly.
Lucien's eyes flicked from Kuro to Mika, then back. He smiled faintly. "I see."
[Oh boy. Here comes the passive-aggressive stare-down.]
Mika finally turned, eyes narrowing slightly. "We were having a conversation."
Lucien's smile didn't waver. "Then don't let me stop you."
Kuro sighed internally. {Here we go again.}
[They're gonna kill each other one day. I'll bring snacks.]
HIHIHIHIHI ITS MEEEEEE MARIOOO....just kidding just kidding im the dude that told you stuff in the first few chs..anyways so they are still on their mission to defeat...what was it again..g..goblins..?
Ah i dont know but right now they are at a inn(hotel) to sleep cuz...duh and to eat...cuz..we all know what happened before...but we dont talk about that....
well I think thats all!
See you all soon.!!
Oh have you guys found out about ############################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################################
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guess not...