As they climbed the stairs to the Temple, Kiyeri and Ashiya pushed through the crowd. In the center of it, behind a decorated black metal fence, lay a stone that was somewhat pear-shaped. The light falling through the temple's large windows made the stone glow like something out of a fairy tale.

  The locals had been watching the two of them for some time, but once they entered Temple, townspeople quickly realized these young men were people of great importance, and the Temple suddenly emptied, whispers accompanied by hurried steps of people from all sides.

  "Aaahhh..." Kiyeri sighed, "...we don't bite..."

  "That's even better, they would only get in the way." Ashiya brought a cushion for Kiyeri to sit on as he spoke.

  "And you?" Kiyeri asked.

  Ashiya waved his hand away, "I don't need it, I stopped by while Kiye was sleeping."

  "In the third person..." Kiyeri thought, shaking his head and remembering how soon after the escape, he felt panic about their communication and thoughtlessly forbade Ashiya from addressing him as "you", and Ashiya obeyed, but instead of "you", he had found another option and started speaking to Kiyeri in the third person. It was really very strange, but Kiyeri didn't know what to do and left everything as it was. Over time, Ashiya began to use the abbreviation "Kiye" to soften the situation a little, so Kiyeri also switched to addressing him as "Ashi" "If only we had been born on equal terms..."

  He sat down on the cushion, crossed his legs, and interlaced his fingers, closing his eyes. A minute of concentration and his reserves began to fill up rapidly. Quickly finishing his meditation, Kiyeri took a deep breath and opened his eyes as he exhaled. Turning his head towards the door, he saw Ashiya leaning his shoulder against the frame, his arms crossed, he was looking at something in the distance, thoughtful.

  That profile seemed mesmerizing to Kiyeri. Black hair fluttering in the gentle wind kept rising and falling down his back, the clothes emphasizing his elegant body, a handsome face lit by the sun and eyes as deep as the abyss, a proud posture emphasized by a slightly raised chin. He simply gasped, he could feel something fluttering in his stomach. Kiyeri closed his eyes and stood up, after a few seconds he clenched his fists, then released them and, looking straight at the target, said, "Ashi, come, I'll braid your hair while we wait, you know it's not appropriate to walk around untidy."

  Ashiya flinched, stepped forward instinctively - then froze, eyes wide."..what?"

  Kiyeri couldn't bring himself to repeat it, so he simply waved his hand for him to come over and pointed to the cushion with his finger, "Sit down."

  As Ashiya sat down facing the door, Kiyeri knelt behind him on one knee, gathering a handful of that long, silky hair. He ran his fingers through it slowly - once, twice - letting himself feel the softness, like something he hadn’t dared to touch before. Then, with careful, practiced movements, he began to braid, "I‘m grateful for the barrier. A good night's sleep really does clear one's head. About our conversation earlier..."

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  Ashiya flinched noticeably, which made Kiyeri choose his words even more carefully, "You didn't cross the line, you don't need to apologize to me... when... many years ago you told me... your thoughts, everything was very complicated. In my eyes, you were just an arrogant rookie who didn't know where to pour out his energy, you constantly caused trouble, you acted immaturely... and most importantly - you were noble-blooded... and your parents had big plans for you. From my side, it seemed like you were looking for entertainment. I had just become a Master, I had to take care of my mother, supervise the squad, and constantly look over my shoulder, my hands were full, that's why I was so impatient and answered you so rudely."

  After finishing braiding Ashiya's hair, Kiyeri placed both hands on his shoulders and, not letting him turn around, continued, "After spending a lot of time together, after completing dozens of missions, my opinion of all squad members, and especially you, have begun to change. I've realized that you take serious matters seriously, that you don't say what you don't mean, and many other things, but... that doesn't change our fate, facts remain facts."

  Ashiya tried to turn around to say something but was immediately pushed back into place and obediently sat in silence. Kiyeri drew in a shaky breath. “I know what happened while I was locked in the dungeon, I know what you did and why you were locked up. Although your actions were not right, I would be lying if I said that I was not impressed. Although everything seems hopeless in the current situation, I want to throw everything away and disappear somewhere, we both worked very hard for the future and we can both still get it back, there is still a way home, where everything that others only dream of having awaits, I ask you to be patient and let's see where this, probably last journey will take us“

  By the end, Kiyeri could barely breathe. He honestly felt like fainting - and worried Ashiya might’ve noticed. “However, I agree that there are some things to change now, so let's start from the beginning. As we turn a new leaf, maybe you can address me casually?"

  Kiyeri said the last words with a smile and removed his hands from Ashiya's shoulders, but Ashiya remained sitting still. After a few seconds, a quiet approving “Mhm“ came from him.

  Kiyeri rose to his feet and strode towards the door, satisfied with the result, certain that Ashiya had understood his point, but still not daring to turn around. Ashiya, meanwhile, put the cushion back in place and followed behind. As they stepped outside, a cold wind blew through them. Ashiya began to descend the stairs, whispering quietly, "I‘m going to fetch something for you... Wait here, please, I'll be right back."

  Kiyeri's face broke into a smile, and the warmth rose in his chest, painting his cheeks pink despite the wind.

  Soon after, the crowd on the street could be seen parting, as if cut by a knife, Kiyeri squinted his eyes, recognizing his colleagues primarily by their shining clothes. Seyre walked first as if leading the way, his blue cloak fluttering in all directions, and he was accompanied by a woman in a long peach robe, her thick blond hair braided and neatly tied into a bun. From the look of it, the couple seemed to be chatting pleasantly. A few steps behind were the siblings, among them another golden-haired woman in a peach cloak. All three, bending slightly, were examining something in her hands.

  “Perfect,” Kiyeri muttered to himself, “just the person I need.”