Morning arrived quietly.
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains, warming the still room.
Elior stirred first.
Sleep faded slowly as awareness returned to his body — warmth, closeness, steady breathing near his ear.
He realized he was wrapped securely in Kael's arms.
For a moment, he froze in surprise.
Carefully, slowly, he tried to move away — afraid even the slightest motion would wake him.
Kael looked exhausted.
Even in sleep, the fatigue showed. His injuries were worse, yet he had stayed beside Elior the entire time.
Elior's chest tightened.
At the brink of death…
he had clung to Kael without thinking —
and somehow ended up protected in those same arms.
So weak, he thought.
If I were stronger…
maybe I could protect someone too.
The way they protect me.
I don't want Kael — or anyone — getting hurt again.
His gaze drifted upward.
A few strands of Kael's hair had fallen over his eyes.
Soft. Careless. Human.
His lashes rested quietly against his skin.
Morning light traced the sharp line of his nose,
the calm curve of his lips,
the quiet strength resting in his features.
His face looked peaceful in sleep — free from worry.
So different from the fierce, unshakable presence he carried when awake.
And without realizing it, Elior smiled.
How can someone look this gentle… and this strong at the same time?
I don't know why I feel safe around you…
But you're always there for me.
You care. You protect.
Sometimes you act reckless… and I don't even like it…
So why…
Why does my heart race every time?
A quiet breath escaped him.
Slowly, hesitantly, Elior placed his palm over Kael's chest and leaned closer.
Warmth seeped through the thin fabric.
Steady. Certain. Reassuring.
He listened.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Does your heart beat like mine when we're like this?
Do you feel what I feel?
Why are you always by my side… hmm?
Sunlight spread gently across them.
Breath mingled. Heartbeats echoed softly in his ears.
The sound calmed him.
This… is peace.
He had missed this warmth.
Missed this closeness.
Missed being held like this.
A quiet realization bloomed in his chest.
Ah…
So this is why I can never push you away.
His cheeks flushed pink.
But what Elior didn't know—
Kael had already woken
the moment that hand touched his heart.
He simply chose not to move.
Not yet.
He wanted the moment to last.
Elior looked up at him again, believing he was still asleep.
Gently, he brushed the loose strands of hair away from Kael's eyes.
Handsome…
Talented…
Strong in both studies and combat…
At the academy, Kael outshone almost everyone.
I can't even compare.
And yet…
You never leave my side.
Elior smiled softly.
Suddenly—
Kael's hand moved.
He caught Elior's wrist and opened his eyes.
"What are you doing to an injured person who's trying to sleep?" he murmured.
Elior stiffened. "I— I wasn't—"
Kael leaned closer, voice dropping to a teasing whisper.
"Planning something mischievous?"
Heat rushed through Elior instantly.
Why does he always catch me like this?!
"Wait— were you pretending to sleep this whole time?" Elior asked.
Kael smirked faintly.
"I was going to wake up…
but I thought I'd rest a little longer."
A pause.
"I didn't expect someone to take advantage of a sleeping person."
Elior's face burned bright.
"N-No! I wasn't thinking about doing anything," he stammered.
Kael's lips curved slowly — not a full smile,
the kind that appeared only when he was quietly enjoying himself.
"Now?"
Elior blinked.
"So… you're saying you were planning something for later?"
"I—I didn't mean that! Not now, not later! Don't twist my words!"
"Oh?" Kael murmured. "Then what exactly were you doing just now?"
His gaze dropped meaningfully.
"Touching here… adjusting things there…"
A tiny pause.
"If I hadn't woken up, who knows how far your bravery would've gone."
Elior's eyes flew wide.
His whole face turned red — ears, cheeks, even his neck.
He looked seconds away from combusting.
"Y-You—! Why are you saying such nonsense?!"
Kael almost laughed.
But then a thought crossed his mind.
If I tease him too much…
he might stop coming close to me.
The smile on his lips softened.
"Alright, alright. Maybe I exaggerated," he said lightly.
"But I'm not completely wrong either."
He released Elior's wrist gently.
"I'll let you off this time."
Elior opened his mouth to argue—
but no words came.
Flustered beyond recovery, he slipped out of bed and hurried to the bathroom.
Kael watched him go…
and quietly smiled to himself.
Elior shut the door and faced the mirror.
Cheeks flushed. Eyes unsettled.
He splashed cool water onto his face.
"So embarrassing…" he muttered.
"Why does Kael always say things like that…?"
He pressed his palms to his cheeks.
"Every time… I end up like this."
A small sigh.
"What am I supposed to do now…?"
The question lingered.
And the moment slowly faded.
After freshening up, Elior stepped out.
The room felt strangely empty.
"Kael…?"
No answer.
Kael had already returned to his own room.
Later, they met for breakfast. Quiet. Gentle. Unspoken things passing in glances.
When they finished, Elior gathered courage.
"Shall we check on Aevrin?"
Kael paused.
He didn't like how often Elior worried about Aevrin…
but Elior's heart was kind.
So he nodded.
They walked to Aevrin's room.
Aevrin had just woken.
"How are you feeling?" Elior asked softly.
"I'm fine—" Aevrin began.
Then he noticed Kael's tired expression.
His tone shifted.
"Elior… my back and hands still hurt a lot."
He reached out and held Elior's hand.
"It hurts so much… what should I do?"
Kael's expression darkened.
Elior's face filled with guilt.
"I'm so sorry… You got hurt protecting me…"
Kael stepped forward and gently pulled Elior's hand away.
"If you're in pain, lie down and rest," he said calmly.
"Don't move too much. If your wounds reopen, healing will take longer."
Aevrin fell silent.
But irritation flickered in his eyes.
His fingers slowly tightened around the bedsheet,
knuckles paling as the fabric creased beneath his grip.
The smile on his face remained gentle — sweet enough that Elior noticed nothing.
Kael did.
Elior nodded. "He's right. Please rest. I'll feel worse if your injuries get serious."
Aevrin forced a small smile. "I understand."
Kael changed the topic.
"You both remember today is our deadline, right? We have to return."
Elior blinked.
"Oh— right… If you hadn't reminded me, I would've forgotten why we came here."
He looked at Aevrin with concern.
"Can you travel in this condition?"
Then quietly to Kael—
"His injuries are still serious…"
Aevrin forced a small smile.
"I'll manage. Just some pain. A little more rest and I'll be fine."
"When do we leave?" he asked.
"Evening," Kael replied. "Around four."
Everyone agreed.
Later, Kael went alone to the temple.
The monk was there, arranging offerings.
Kael bowed respectfully. "Thank you for everything."
The monk smiled warmly.
"How are the three of you? Do you need anything?"
"We're planning to return this evening," Kael said.
The monk's brows furrowed.
"So soon? Your injuries haven't healed fully. What if something happens?"
"That's why I came to ask," Kael replied politely.
"Could you arrange a carriage to take us down the mountain?"
The monk sighed softly.
He wished they would stay longer…
but he understood some journeys couldn't be delayed.
"I'll arrange it," he said gently. "Take care of yourselves."
"Thank you," Kael said with a bow.
As he walked away, the monk looked toward the sky.
And quietly offered a prayer.
Evening arrived quietly.
Kael, Elior, and Aevrin stood outside the temple, side by side.
For a moment, none of them spoke.
They simply looked around —
at the stone paths,
the fading sky,
the place that had changed them.
So many memories were left here.
So many moments they would never forget.
They had come for practice.
For learning.
For a simple assignment.
But what they experienced was far greater than any lesson.
They learned fear.
Trust.
Pain.
Courage.
And though many questions still remained unanswered,
somewhere deep inside, they knew—
The answers were waiting ahead.
This wasn't an ending.
It was the beginning of something new.
A new bond.
A new journey.
The three of them… stepping into an unknown future together.
How would their story unfold from here?
The sound of wheels broke the silence.
A carriage arrived.
They climbed in quietly, and the journey down the mountain began.
If they had walked, it would have taken four or five hours.
But by carriage, the descent felt shorter…
almost too quick for hearts that weren't ready to leave.
After some time, the carriage stopped near the town road.
They stepped down.
The driver nodded and rode away, leaving the three standing under the open sky.
It was time to return home.
Time to return to ordinary life—
after days that felt anything but ordinary.
Elior turned to Aevrin.
"If you can't come to the academy tomorrow, take proper rest, okay?"
Aevrin smiled gently.
"It's nothing serious… but I'll listen to you. Thank you, Elior."
Kael looked away.
He didn't like how soft their voices sounded together.
Elior then turned to Kael.
"Um… I… we…"
He struggled, words tangling with shy breaths.
"Take rest too. Let's meet tomorrow."
Kael noticed Elior's flushed face.
His expression softened.
"Don't always worry about everyone else," he said quietly.
"You take care too. Goodnight."
They parted ways.
Three paths.
Three directions.
One shared story.
The sunset stretched across the sky in warm gold and fading rose.
Light spilled gently across the road like a quiet blessing.
Elior walked a few steps… then turned slightly.
Kael was still there.
Watching.
Not waving.
Not calling out.
Just making sure Elior was safe.
Their eyes met.
Kael looked away first.
A slow breath left him.
Stay safe.
I can't lose you again.
He turned toward home.
The sky burned softly at the horizon,
as if the day itself was reluctant to let them go.
They were separating for now—
but something invisible still tied them together.
Not fate.
Not coincidence.
Choice.
And somewhere between unspoken words and stolen glances,
a quiet thread began to reveal itself —
thin as light,
soft as breath,
yet unbreakable.
A thread stretching gently between Kael and Elior.
Once hidden.
Once unnamed.
Now slowly tightening…
slowly glowing…
Because both hearts had begun to understand.
Not fully.
Not fearlessly.
But enough to hold on.
Enough to try.
They were no longer running from what they felt —
only learning how to carry it.
A thread stronger than distance.
Stronger than fear.
And as the last light faded,
that fragile bond shimmered quietly in the dusk —
their new journey
finally, truly
beginning.
—by Aurea;"Dusk didn't end their day;
it gently wove an unseen thread—
pulling distant paths closer to the same tomorrow."