◀◀ FORGET ME.

           To be honest, when Vylad said ‘friends’, he didn’t            even really know what the other meant by that. He            hadn’t had anyone but Sasha that he’d consider a            friend in a long time, and even that was an uneven fit.             He visibly frowned. “Friends.” He guessed that might            be the right term for it, but he didn’t understand why            he felt disappointed. He didn’t know if he wanted            something more or something less, either option            left him with this strange feeling, which frustrated            him.

『✦』  “That’s surprising.” He commented, adjusting his             position as he was beginning to slump. He really             didn’t get involved much with political stuff unless             he had to when he was the head guard of Oboros,             it didn’t interest him, but he would’ve figured that             at least one of the Ro’meave kids would have             been married off. He started to think about Pauline             a little, but quickly dispersed the thoughts and             remained attentive to what Vylad was saying.

            The more Vylad mentioned Lord Aphmau, the more             curious he became about her. Sure, he knew of her,             but he had only ever really recognized her as a threat.             He knew that she was kind, but that was honestly it.             “What’s Lord Aphmau like?” Maybe if he knew more             about her, he’d feel at least okay enough to go to             Phoenix Drop. Because right now a lot of danger flags             were raised around that village, for him anyway.

What was she like? He felt like he knew the woman intimately after all this time, but he had only seen her a few times in all the 20 or so years and she had only actually known him for the past year.

‘Well. She’s a bit older than me, I believe. She’s strong and she knows how to lead a village.’ He pondered for a moment and readjusted how he was sitting. ‘I was keeping an eye on Phoenix Drop so long ago because my brother was there. I didn’t expect for her to come in and take over the way she did, but it worked out, I suppose.’

           “Hmm.” He hummed thoughtfully. Vylad’s words were            definitely re-assuring, and had put off a little more of his            stress. “Maybe you’re right.” Saying that felt odd, given            their history. The slight tension between them has been            on his mind throughout this whole time. “Vylad.” He started,             but he didn’t really know how to word the rest, pausing            briefly to think about what he was gonna say. “It’s okay,            if you don’t really forgive me.”

“『✦』 Gene looked bewildered at this. How old was Dante             now? He had no idea, but either way this was             shocking to him. Kids were nightmares. How does             his little brother put up with THAT. A confused look             was plastered on his face, and he shook his head             briefly. “That’s… I don’t even know how to put it.             I feel like I should be happy for him or something,             but I’m just shocked.”

            He thought about this for a few more moments.             “Maybe. I definitely can’t say I’m not curious. It’s just             such a strange feeling… I guess I’ve never really             thought about how I’d feel if Dante had kids one day,             or anything like that.” He ran a hand through his hair.             “Wow. Nephews, huh.” Then he had a question. “Do             you have nephews? Surely one of your brothers had to             have married at this point.”

‘They haven’t actually, no.’ He paused for a moment, thinking back to the children who were now adults he had only seen a few times since his arrival in the Overworld and the infant the lord was now caring for. 

‘But my oldest brother is in a relationship with Lord Aphmau and they have 3 adopted children together. 2 older boys and a baby girl. I’d like to consider them my family.’ At least he had a chance to be there for Lilith now, though as he reflected, he realized he really hadn’t been there for anyone in quite some time since Gene had come to live there.

『✦』 Gene wasn’t so sure about Vylad’s re-assuring            words. Maybe it was just him being paranoid, but            he was sure that his status as a shadow knight            wouldn’t be exactly glossed over. But he couldn’t            be sure, and he only really had Vylad’s word to            trust at this point. Which felt strange to say. He            still didn’t know how he felt about the other man.            “Maybe you’re right.” Doubt edged his words.

            The lack of words felt uncomfortable, and he             still felt tense around Vylad for a majority of the             time. He supposed that he couldn’t really ask             for complete ease, it had only been just a bit ago             that he apologized for the past 15 years or so.             He couldn’t help but get lost in his own thoughts             to reflect about his actions, unusual for him.             Even though Vylad had forgiven him, he knew that             the scars left by what he had done would always             be there.

            He almost didn’t hear what Vylad said, but it             snatched him right out of his thoughts. “He-,             sorry, what?”

Finally, something actually drew a proper reaction. It was so amusing he almost wanted to laugh at the other’s expression in response to his comment.

‘Yes, there’s two boys.’ He had only shared a few words with Dante in all his time on the island, it hadn’t really come up, so he didn’t know the names of the children and it seemed Gene hadn’t known of their existence.

He also had nephews, he had to remember, but they were grown men now and likely didn’t consider him to actually be their uncle as it wasn’t by blood and he had been absent for years. Still, he felt something there for them, even if they hadn’t spoken a word to him. 

‘Even in its prime, it wasn’t that successful. From what I understood, the previous lord had no idea how to run a village.’ That was in stories he had long since forgotten, perhaps a little fresher in his older brother’s mind as the elder had now become the younger, but he knew that it was all in good hands now.

He ran his fingers along the tattered spine of the book on his lap, anxiously chewing his bottom lip at the latter’s ending comment. ‘I really don’t think the punishment would be that harsh, if there was one. Aphmau is a compassionate lord.’

And Gene had never done anything directly to her, had he? Well, sans knocking the woman out so many years ago when she had started unraveling Phoenix Drop’s past, but she wouldn’t know that nor have to.

‘There’s no cruel people there. And it’s not as if I would make you do it alone; I’ll still be here.’ It felt silly acting as though he was the older man’s parent, but the reaction, should it come, would surely be worse if he didn’t accompany Gene into town. At least they felt some sympathy for him and would perhaps be a little less distrusting if he vouched for his…friend.

A crack of lightning outside the window caused the shadow knight to buck off the couch by an inch, startled by the too-close sound that had likely struck a tree not far from the cottage. Despite all his healing he had done, which was a remarkable amount, loud noises didn’t sit well with him and he wasn’t sure if they ever would.

Fingers tightening in the blanket draped halfway off the cushion of the sofa, he pulled it over his lap and leaned forward to sit the book on the coffee table. Once more they fell into a lapse of awkward silence; personal questions felt too imposing and out of place for their relationship and yet, what was their relationship? Nothing felt appropriate or safe.

He wanted to ask if Gene was happy here, though that was a stupid question he no doubt knew the answer to, but then again, the elder shadow knight didn’t seem entirely too upset living here at this point either. They had become comfortable with each other, domestic even, in a strange way he wasn’t sure he wanted to acknowledge.

            The lack of words felt uncomfortable, and he             still felt tense around Vylad for a majority of the             time. He supposed that he couldn’t really ask             for complete ease, it had only been just a bit ago             that he apologized for the past 15 years or so.             He couldn’t help but get lost in his own thoughts             to reflect about his actions, unusual for him.             Even though Vylad had forgiven him, he knew that             the scars left by what he had done would always             be there.

『✦』 “Ah.. interesting choice.” He blinked, looking down            at his feet. He wasn’t entirely intrigued by the idea of            the Divine Warriors, he lost interest the moment he            was turned into a Shadow Knight. There was a different            religion to follow there, and he had devoted his entire            life in the Nether to following it the best he possibly            could. Just for the Shadow Lord’s praise, and he certainly            got what he wanted. He just wasn’t sure if it was            worth it, seeing as he was now simply unwanted by            the Shadow Lord at this point. He shrugged off the thought.

           “Sure. I wasn’t totally crazy about following the faith of            Irene, but it was something I believed in.” He remembered            at least attempting to go to the Church in his town whenever            he remembered to. “I had other things to do.” He stopped            himself there, looking back at Vylad. “What is that town like?            The town that my brother lives in now.” He’d be lying if he            said he wasn’t curious about it.

He wasn’t surprised when the conversation didn’t linger subject; it was something he felt a bit embarrassed about anyway so he didn’t mind the quick change.

He bit his lip at the mention of the village, drawing his knees up and folding them to the side on the sofa while he picking at one of his nails.

‘It’s the village of the Phoenix Alliance and it’s led by Lord Aphmau.’ He knew who that was, right? He really didn’t know. ‘He’s a guard there. The population is growing quickly, as well as the alliance.’

The man wasn’t sure if he should actually be telling Gene such information or not, but it was too late to take it back now. He supposed he would find out anyway if he actually went into town sometime.

            He decided to bring the former thoughts up, feeling             a little uncomfortable as his mind trailed to Dante.             Another time. “I remember when you were watching             over that town. It seemed... small, and extremely             insignificant all that time ago, I guess times have             changed since then.” He remarked. “I certainly             don’t think I’d ever feel safe going there, though.”

『✦』 the feeling of warmth in the morning as soon as            gene woke up was refreshing, rather than the            cool air that formerly flooded the small cottage.            he woke up, blinking his eyes open. he sat up,            yawning and getting to his feet.            he didn’t try too hard to get ready for the day,            as he wasn’t too concerned about his appearance            for the moment. deciding to go find vylad, he stepped            outside.            ` `morning, vylad.` ` he gave a small wave and returned            the slight smile. ` `what are you up to?` ` he moved to stand            closer to vylad. although he wasn’t a morning person, he            tried his best to be friendly when it was a good morning.

‘Tending to the garden.’ With the recent rain showers, the weeds had quickly started to take over what they had. The basket was loaded with what he had pulled up and what was likely going to be dinner.

He sat back in the grass, motioning for Gene to come over. The sun was just now starting to spill into the yard, warming the air and ground up. The younger looked rather content, crossing his legs where he sat and squinting against the bright sky.

It was rather early; the sun hadn’t quite peaked over the mountain yet so the small cabin and garden were sheltered in the cool, humid shade of the trees. Vylad was taking this pleasant period to work in the garden in peace, weeding the soil and planting the new seeds that would sprout in the winter months.

Alone with his own thoughts, he had lost track of time and looked up in surprise when he heard the front door to the cabin open.