13

They stopped near a brown horse that had been tied up, shifting its weight lazily. Without a word, Alric loosened the reins.

Before Silas could react, firm hands gripped his waist. A sharp inhale caught in his throat, but before he could step away or protest, he was lifted effortlessly. His boots left the ground for barely a second before he landed on the saddle, warmth lingering where Alric's hands had steadied him.

Silas blinked, his grip on the saddle tightening. The closeness was impossible to ignore—Alric sat just behind him, the faint brush of fabric and the warmth of his body an unspoken presence.

He swallowed, forcing himself to focus ahead, pretending his heart hadn't just stuttered in his chest.

"I was being ridiculous, I'm sorry," Alric said, guiding the horse into a slow pace. Silas blinked, momentarily speechless, before attempting to glance back.

But he quickly turned away when he realized how close they were. If he moved even slightly, his back would press against Alric's chest.

"Not... not at all. I understand your concern."

"Just accept my apology."

Alric's voice was firm—closer this time. Silas could feel his breath grazing his ear. Alric had leaned in slightly to make sure his words were heard, but the gesture was unnecessary. It was just the two of them, and the quiet surroundings made it easy to hear every word, even without closing the distance.

Alric's voice softened as he spoke again.

".... I want, I want you to accept my apology."

There it was—that gentle tone, unexpected yet familiar now. Silas didn't know why, but every time Alric apologized like this, something in his chest warmed. Maybe it was petty of him, but a part of him liked hearing it. It made him feel like the bad memories from their time in the dorms didn't hold as much weight anymore. Maybe, just maybe, his first heartbreak wasn't something to fear forever. Maybe he could let it go.

A quiet smile tugged at his lips as the horse carried them higher, away from the main estate. The air grew crisper, the scent of pine and earth surrounding them as tall trees lined their path. The gentle rhythm of the ride lulled Silas into a calm he hadn't expected.

When they finally stopped, Alric dismounted first, turning to him without hesitation. His hands found Silas's, steady and sure as he helped him down. But even once Silas's feet touched the ground, Alric didn't let go.

They walked in silence, Alric leading, Silas following without question. The quiet between them felt different now—not tense, not uncertain. It was pleasant.

Then they stopped.

Silas's breath caught as he looked ahead. The sky stretched wide before them, a masterpiece of color—blazing orange melting into rich purples, the last light of the sun casting a golden glow over the landscape. The estate below looked smaller from here, almost distant, as if they had stepped into another world entirely.

His eyes widened, the words lost in his throat. He hadn't expected this.

It was enchantingly beautiful.

And for the first time in a long while, he wasn't sure what to feel more—amazement at the view or the warmth lingering between his hand and Alric's.

"Do you like the color?" Alric asked, his voice calm as his gaze stayed fixed on the horizon. His hand was still loosely holding Silas's, his grip light but unwavering. "Whenever I see the sky… the purple always stands out to me. It's beautiful."

Silas let out a quiet laugh. "It's pretty."

"Just like the color of your eyes. It's pretty."

The words landed so suddenly that Silas felt the heat rise to his face. His heart skipped—just for a second—before instinct took over, and he quickly pulled his hand away. Alric flinched at the loss of contact, as if only now realizing he had been naturally holding on for too long. Silas rubbed his own hand, trying to ignore the lingering warmth.

"I never… never really liked the color of my eyes," he admitted. His voice was softer, almost hesitant. "But when I look at the purple in the sky, I think it's beautiful."

"Don't say that…" Alric murmured. "You're even more beautiful."

Silas froze.

There was no teasing in his tone, no lighthearted playfulness. Just sincerity. The kind that made it impossible to brush off.

Silence stretched between them as they both turned back to the sky, watching the last traces of sunlight fade into twilight. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of earth and leaves.

Then, after a long pause, Alric spoke again.

"I usually like to paint here," he said, his voice quieter now, as if lost in the memory. "It's peaceful… just the sound of rustling grass and leaves. I used to sit here with someone I love—he liked gazing at the sky too." He let out a slow breath. "Too bad I didn't bring my painting supplies today."

Someone he loved?

Silas felt something tighten in his chest.

"That's new," he said carefully. "I didn't know you had a crush on someone."

"I don't deserve that person," Alric replied almost instantly.

Silas turned to him then, and for the first time, he really looked. Alric's face remained unreadable, his expression as composed as ever—but his eyes told a different story. There was something there, something unspoken, dancing just beneath the surface. A quiet sadness, lingering in the depths of his gaze.

Silas swallowed, unsure why it suddenly felt so hard to breathe.

"So, how's the person that you loved?" Silas asked, his voice light, though something inside him felt heavier. "Are you even trying for him, or do you just assume you don't deserve him?"

Alric turned his head toward him, staring silently. His blue eyes held an intensity that made Silas feel as if he were being studied—like Alric was trying to memorize every inch of his face. Silas tensed under the scrutiny, then quickly turned his head away.

"Well… I didn't try," Alric admitted after a long pause. "He's too good for me."

Silas let out a small laugh, though his chest felt tight. "Oh, haha. I never thought I'd hear a man as powerful and as handsome as you lack confidence in his love life. I think you could get that person just by using your face."

Alric exhaled, shaking his head slightly. "No, I don't think so… Sometimes, we should just let go of something when we know it's better for them without us."

Silas didn't respond right away. His fingers curled slightly, an odd sensation settling in his stomach.

"...."

"Sorry," Alric said after a moment. "I think I'm talking a lot today."

"No, no, I don't mind, actually," Silas replied quickly. "I mean, you said you wanted us to be friends. This is the kind of topic friends usually share."

"You're right." Alric paused, hesitating, his teeth pressing lightly against his lower lip as if debating whether to continue.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"Do you… do you have someone that you… ugh, love too?"

Despite his calm expression, his deeply furrowed brows betrayed him. He looked like he didn't actually want to hear whatever Silas was about to say.

Silas blinked, caught off guard. A quiet, awkward laugh slipped past his lips— not knowing why the air suddenly felt so thick between them.