The sound of hooves thundered against the dirt road as Kaelen and Aldric rode swiftly through the night. In the distance, they spotted Aelor struggling to carry Rylan's limp body, his face pale and drenched in worry. Without hesitation, Kaelen leapt off his horse, rushing to Aelor's side and helping to lift Rylan. Aldric quickly dismounted as well, pulling Aelor onto his horse before remounting his own.
"Hold on, Aelor," Kaelen urged, his voice calm but firm. "We'll get him to safety."
Aelor nodded, his grip tight on Rylan's frail frame as they sped toward the outskirts of town, their destination clear: Gordon's forge. The blacksmith was known for his loyalty to those in need, and they had no one else to turn to.
When they reached the house, Kaelen banged on the wooden door, his voice low but urgent. "Gordon! Open up!"
The door creaked open, revealing Gordon's towering figure. His eyes widened as he took in the sight before him: Rylan, pale and trembling, in Aelor's arms. Without a word, Gordon stepped aside, ushering them in.
"Set him down here," Gordon said, motioning to a sturdy bed near the hearth. Aelor carefully laid Rylan down, his hands shaking as he brushed strands of damp hair from Rylan's face.
"What happened to him?" Gordon asked, his voice gruff but tinged with concern.
Aldric's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. "The king's men," he growled, his voice thick with anger. "They did this to him."
Gordon cursed under his breath, already gathering supplies. "Stay back," he ordered. "Let me take care of him."
Kaelen gently guided Aelor away from the bed, his hands firm on the elf's shoulders. "He's in good hands now," he assured him.
"But he's barely breathing!" Aelor cried, his voice breaking. "I can't—what if—"
Kaelen cut him off, his gaze steady. "He's stronger than he looks. Trust Gordon."
Gordon worked quickly, cleaning Rylan's wounds and applying salves to soothe the bruises and cuts that marred his delicate skin. The room was filled with tense silence, broken only by the crackle of the fire and Rylan's faint, ragged breaths.
Aldric stood by the door, his back turned to the others. His shoulders were tense, his head bowed. Guilt and rage warred within him, but he refused to let either show.
"He'll live," Gordon finally said, standing and wiping his hands on a cloth. "But he's going to need time. Rest, care... and someone to be here when he wakes up."
Aelor immediately moved back to Rylan's side, taking his hand gently in his own. "I'll stay with him," he whispered, his voice resolute.
Kaelen nodded, placing a hand on Aelor's shoulder. "We'll keep watch outside. You're safe here."
Kaelen led Aldric outside, the crisp night air carrying the scent of rain-soaked earth. They walked silently to a nearby tree, the house still visible but far enough to ensure privacy. Kaelen leaned back against the trunk, crossing his arms as Aldric sat heavily on the ground, his head bowed and hands clasped tightly together.
After a moment of silence, Kaelen broke it. "Are you ready to face him? To apologise when he wakes up?"
Aldric didn't answer immediately. His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white. "Do you think an apology could ever fix what I've done?" he finally said, his voice low and filled with self-loathing. "I let those bastards near him. I knew what they were capable of, and I—" His voice cracked, and he pressed his palms into his eyes. "I deserve to die for it."
Kaelen's gaze didn't waver. "You think dying will fix it? That's the easy way out, Aldric." He knelt down, his voice firm but not unkind. "Deep down, Rylan might forgive you one day, but he'll never forget. And neither will you. That's the price you'll have to carry."
Aldric's shoulders shook, his face hidden by his hands. "I hate myself," he whispered. "I've hated myself for years. For the things I've done... to elves, to people like Rylan. I thought I could bury it, start over, but this..." He looked up, his eyes red. "This proves I'm still a monster."
Kaelen crouched beside him, his tone softer now. "You're not the same man you were back then. Monsters don't feel guilt. They don't cry for the people they hurt. You made a choice—a terrible one—but you still have the chance to make it right."
Aldric let out a shaky breath, his head falling back against the tree. "What if he hates me?"
"He has every right to," Kaelen admitted. "But hate isn't all he's capable of. You've seen how kind he is, how much he loves despite everything he's been through. If anyone can find it in their heart to forgive you, it's Rylan. But you'll have to earn it."
The two sat in silence for a while, the weight of the conversation settling over them. Finally, Aldric spoke, his voice barely audible. "I'll try. For him... and for myself."
Kaelen nodded, standing and offering Aldric a hand. "That's all anyone can ask."
Aldric hesitated, then took the offered hand, allowing Kaelen to pull him to his feet.
Kaelen sat back against the tree, exhaling heavily as the tension of the day weighed on him. He stared into the dark forest, the distant sounds of crickets filling the quiet. Moments later, Aldric nodded his thanks to Kaelen and trudged back toward the house, his steps heavy with exhaustion and regret.
"Go get your wounds patched up," Kaelen had told him. "I need you sharp for tomorrow."
Aldric had nodded silently, muttering a faint, "Thank you," before disappearing inside.
Kaelen stayed outside, needing a moment to himself. The cool night breeze brushed against his face as he leaned his head back, closing his eyes. The soft creak of the door behind him made him open them again.
Aelor stepped out quietly, his golden hair glowing faintly under the moonlight. He walked over to Kaelen and slid his hands down over Kaelen's shoulders, his touch soft but grounding.
Kaelen smiled faintly, looking up at him. "You're supposed to be resting."
Aelor leaned down, resting his chin gently on Kaelen's shoulder. "I couldn't," he said softly. "Not while you're out here carrying everything alone."
Kaelen reached up, covering one of Aelor's hands with his own. "I'm fine, Aelor."
Aelor shook his head, his lips curving into a small, affectionate smile. "You're always saying that. But I know how much you're holding in, Kaelen. I see it."
Kaelen turned slightly, meeting Aelor's eyes. "Thank you, Aelor. For trusting me… for being here."
Aelor smiled warmly, brushing a stray strand of hair from Kaelen's face. "No, Kaelen. Thank you. For everything you've done today, for Rylan, for Aldric… and for me. You never give up on anyone."
Kaelen looked away briefly, his expression softening. "I just want to make things right. For all of us."
"You will," Aelor said, his voice filled with quiet conviction. "We'll do it together."
They stayed like that for a moment, the weight of the day easing under the warmth of their connection. Eventually, Aelor took Kaelen's hand, pulling him gently to his feet.
"Come inside," Aelor urged. "You need rest too."
Kaelen allowed himself to be led back to the house, the weight of the night feeling just a little lighter with Aelor by his side.
Kaelen closed the door behind them as they entered the small room, the soft glow of the moonlight filtering in through a single window. He paced toward the corner of the room, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His thoughts were consumed by the king's revelations—the lies, the secrets, the pain they had all endured because of it. His jaw clenched, and his fists tightened, anger rising again as he replayed the king's cruel words.
Aelor watched him quietly for a moment, concern etched across his face. He stepped forward cautiously. "Kaelen," he said softly, his voice like a calming melody. "What's wrong? Please, talk to me."
Kaelen snapped out of his spiraling thoughts at the sound of Aelor's voice. He blinked, taking a deep breath to steady himself, and turned to look at the elf standing in front of him. Aelor's eyes were filled with worry, his golden hair framing his face like a soft halo.
Kaelen's anger melted away as he reached out, brushing a gentle hand along Aelor's cheek. "It's nothing," he said softly, though his voice betrayed the weight of his thoughts. "Just… everything the king said. It's hard to ignore."
Aelor leaned into Kaelen's touch, his hand coming up to rest over Kaelen's. "You've been through so much, Kaelen," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "You don't have to carry all of this alone."
Kaelen gave him a small, tired smile. He stepped closer, wrapping his arm around Aelor's waist and pulling him into a tender embrace. Aelor rested his head against Kaelen's chest, his hands gently rubbing over Kaelen's chest as if trying to ease the tension there.
A slight blush crept over Aelor's cheeks as he glanced up at Kaelen. His voice was hesitant but honest as he murmured, "It's been a while… since we've been together like that." He averted his gaze quickly, his blush deepening. "I know it's the wrong timing. I shouldn't have said anything."
Kaelen blinked, his eyes softening with affection. He placed a gentle finger under Aelor's chin, tilting his face up to meet his gaze. "Aelor," he said, his voice low and soothing. "You never have to apologize for how you feel. Ever."
Aelor's lips trembled slightly, his vulnerability clear. "I just… I miss feeling close to you," he admitted quietly.
Kaelen leaned down, pressing his forehead against Aelor's. "I miss it too," he whispered. "But right now, just having you here with me… it's enough. You're enough."
Aelor smiled faintly, his blush still lingering. He pressed a soft kiss to Kaelen's lips, a silent promise that despite everything, their bond would endure. For now, that was all they needed.
Kaelen chuckled softly against Aelor's lips, the warmth of his smirk teasing as he deepened the kiss. He gently guided Aelor toward the bed, his movements deliberate but tender. As Aelor's back met the soft surface, Kaelen positioned himself between his legs, their bodies perfectly aligned. He gazed down at the elf beneath him, the moonlight accentuating Aelor's delicate features, his golden hair spilling like silk across the pillow.
For a moment, Kaelen's smirk faltered, replaced by a trace of worry. His hand rested lightly on Aelor's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "Aelor," he murmured, his voice laced with an edge of vulnerability. "I'm afraid. One day, if I'm not around… if something happens… you might end up like Rylan. Hurt, broken, violated. And I couldn't live with myself if I let that happen to you."
Aelor's eyes widened at the admission, his hands instinctively reaching up to cup Kaelen's face. "Kaelen," he said softly, his tone steady but full of emotion. "You have the sweetest heart, do you know that? You think of everyone but yourself. But I know you. You'd never let anything like that happen to me."
Kaelen exhaled deeply, leaning down to press a kiss to Aelor's forehead, then his hand, and finally his lips again. "I don't just think of everyone," he whispered, his lips brushing against Aelor's as he spoke. "I think of you. Only you."
Aelor smiled faintly, his fingers threading through Kaelen's dark hair. "Then stop worrying," he said, his voice tinged with a mixture of affection and playfulness. "Because as long as we're together, I know I'll always be safe."
Kaelen chuckled again, the tension in his chest easing at Aelor's words. "You always know what to say, don't you?" he teased, his smirk returning as he trailed his fingers down Aelor's sides, eliciting a small gasp from the elf.
"I have to," Aelor replied, his voice soft but unwavering. "Because you're mine, Kaelen. Just like I'm yours."