By sunset, the group returned to Krugi, accompanied by dozens of Sky Beasts. Their wings folded in unison as they screeched and laid down beside the pens where the Stram were.
Jakery and Ether waved goodbye to Valentine and Danitour, departing towards their home where they intended to spend the rest of their day. As they walked, neither of them talked.
They kept to themselves, going over what they've done so far and what they could do if they are given enough time. Especially for young Jakery, who still feared taking lives.
When they arrived, he was the first one to slip out of his combat gear and get comfortable in a long wool gown designed for Yonies. Ether requested for the Armory to make one for him, and using some leftovers they did.
Ether sat in front of the fire, watching it burn and dance as his younger brother sat beside him. Leaning against the wall, keeping both eyes fixed into the embers as well.
"Do you actually find that comfortable?" Ether asked.
"Yeah, I don't know why you don't find these comfy. Have you ever worn one before?" Jakery stretched. "Sometimes it feels like a hug. At least from what I can remember."
"Those hugs were from me," Ether kept his eyes on the flames. "Back in the Light Legion, remember?"
Jakery felt the gown's warmth, hugging himself to keep it in. "Aaaah! Waaaarm!!"
Ether grinned. "I don't know why but I've been disliking my Yonie side recently, more so than usual."
Instant worry and panic crept into Jakery, sending him sitting straight and fixing his eyes right on his brother's half-lit frame. There was something to seeing two contrasting sides sit a couple steps away from him on a chair that discomforted him.
"No, wait, why do you dislike it? I mean, it's so nice being a Yonie. Why don't you like it? You get an adorable face, big eyes, soft skin, a - and even a cute voice! Why don't you..?" Jakery frantically asked.
There was no direct response. Only glancing around the room for anything to talk about. But it was difficult to see under the shadows, which sent half the room in utter darkness.
So instead of trying to move away from the topic, he confronted it. Ether placed his hands on top of each other, getting ready to explain.
"Lately, I've been busier than usual. Having this body once felt great because I was so unique and cool and all, but now? Now it feels weird. I want to be a Zegus, like Solice wanted me to."
Jakery frowned. "All of Lya's effort in bringing us closer to our Thresher roots was for nothing? This is all we have left of her, dammit."
Tears started to form in his eyes, there was something Jakery did not want to lose above all else. He swallowed the tight knot that developed in his throat then looked back at his brother.
"B - but if you... do - do end up getting r - rid of that Yonie side... will you still com - comfort m - me?" Jakery muttered.
It felt sudden to hear it, especially since they were both so used to being Yonies around each other. Hearing him ask about it made Ether feel uncomfortable, the realization that this would go too.
Before he could respond, he had to think about the reaction. He could not say something without thinking about how it could emotionally impact Jakery.
"Huh... Okay. I tried going over it in my head, but I don't think there is a better way for me to put this. But I want you to be a big boy, and for that, you need to grow out of that gown," Ether explained.
Something broke in Jakery's eyes, the tears. They began to slowly run down his cheeks as he imagined a world without the motherly comfort of his oldest sibling.
Jakery's cheeks swelled, trying to stop himself from completely crying. Something about hearing Ether say it made him feel surreal, as if nothing was normal anymore.
Despite his best efforts to stay quiet, Ether instantly knew there was something off because of the silence. He shot up from the chair and made his way closer to him.
Wet trails decorated the young Zesher's cheeks, reflecting the embers differently. Ether frowned, reaching down for Jakery's frame. Upon noticing the gesture, he accepted.
Just like old times, Jakery climbed into his brother's arms. Allowing Ether to comfort him, keeping both arms secured around his back. It felt soothing, like a lullaby.
"H - how will I be able to know comfort?" Jakery spoke through sobs.
Ether rubbed his back. "Don't worry, I won't throw you out there like that. I know it would put a lot of stress on you, so I won't. Just know I want you to grow up stronger than this."
"Am I a burden? Is it because I am too sensitive?" Jakery dug his head into his brother's chest. "I promise I'll s - stop if that's so."
"You're my best Yonie companion and the most adorable face Koroth has ever seen, if anything you're a ray of hope to me. How about I make it up to you by some food?" Ether changed topics.
Jakery wearily smiled, keeping his eyes up on Ether's. "Yeah! Foood... Eteni?"
"How about Eteni ribs? I could probably fetch something else before the stands close," Ether confirmed.
"Can we just have Eteni ribs? They are yum!" Jakery said in a low but playful voice.
Ether laughed. "Get the candle, you're going to help me. Just don't forget to get something to wipe your hands with. It needs a little fat-trimming."
With that, Jakery leapt out of his sibling's arms and dashed into the darkness. Going around the house searching for his own candle in his bedroom's table.
Before he returned, he took out a small black towel he would often use for wiping away messes. It would be where he would wipe his hands after finishing different steps of the meal.
Not long after, the siblings stood shoulder to shoulder. Dividing left-over fat from the ribs, completely careless of what happened earlier. Although it did not get erased from Jakery's memory.