Gently, white snow falls outside. Quietly, it falls for the dried tears. Nothing but

Its soft sound comes to break the dreary silence that fills the small room.

This second and for eternity, the icy silhouette will stay in his arms, in the sanctuary it longingly deserves. The coldness dances on the pale skin, yet it can not penetrate the tranquility of their everlasting bond. As austere as reality is, Theodore ceases to let it reach those last bits of him; simply, he can not surrender. His heart is buried under the rain of snow as they reach the ground within steps outside, the only warmth inside was a flickering light.

Holding him eagerly in those warm arms, he has no intention of letting go. Even his forgotten warmth slowly spread its coldness, drowning Theodore in a piercing cold. The weak hands stubbornly embrace the fallen lover. Softly, he caresses the soft, night-dyed hair. Longingly, the familiar tone belonging to them escapes his dry throat. Such soothing notes have tied two hearts into one and, now, have become his illusionary hope. Even the devastation steals his clear voice, even if what’s heard is only hoarseness, farewell, or revive, it resounds. Everything happens for a simple reason.

There is no such thing as a world without him. It simply does not exist.

“Theodore…” Concern painted Reid’s voice. His hand shifted into a fist at the sorrowful scene. Like a drop into the ocean, his worries reach. “Please, everything has ended.” His gaze was covered in the veil of heartache. Reid’s aching hands can not stand still for any more seconds, already reaching forward. “Reid…” Light as a feather, her voice stops his act. Turning to her side, he meets the fragments of brokenness in those green pearls. What could be more hurtful than the pain of losing loved ones, their everything? Taking his hands into hers, the warmth of her fingertips brings comfort. “Give him some time.” She tried to break a light smile. Time, a privilege they couldn’t have. A belated goodbye they could only choose.

The soothing sound of snow lulled the tired eyelids. Leaning his head on Alderic’s shoulder, the whisper slowly vanishes. Trick himself into a dream. Even if nightmares greet him tonight, he will not be afraid. As long as there is him. As long as he stayed, even for a fraction of a second, then he is willing to be captured forever…

Passing through layers of air, with the gentle winds carrying like a leaf, slowly arrive at the body of water. His body no longer felt the menacing cold or the emptiness that once bloomed inside the shallow heart, for once, he felt… At ease.

Opening his eyes, he sees a white world welcomes. From the lines of the pine trees to these small hands, all were dyed in the color of the snow. Turning to the melancholy sky, he meets the dancing snowflakes. He used to envy them, envied their freedom. Yet now, he has finally realized. His hand crushed the cold snowflakes. How fortunate the chains have brought his presence back to the life he had forgotten. Turning behind, a dusty memory awakens. The same glass windows block him from the outside world, the same place that nurtured his talent. The same medical center where he finally sees the colors through the kaleidoscope. The beginning of everything.

Dazzlingly, remarkably, this moment nurtured the seed of a blooming camellia, of love.

Looking ahead, the navy eyes were widening in astonishment. How could he be mistaken? The same familiar back, the same ethereal lines of him, repeated endlessly in his mind. Black hair blowing in the cold wind stands out against the white bandage. Even with the heavy snowflakes teasing his sight, even though the figure ahead was a child, he knew it was him. The nostalgia bites at every corner of his heart.

“Alderic!” From the bottom of his heart, he calls for the dearest name. Cracking through the thick snow, he longed for those loving eyes, longed for his soothing tone. “Alderic, please…” Only silence replied to him. The boy ahead started to run away, narrowing the distance between them. Like a clock starting to tick, the snow is pouring down from the sky like a storm. Strenuously dragging the weak steps across the hard snow, he stubbornly chased after him. Coldness sliced deep under the skin. Throbbing, aching, and numb. Resilient, faster, he ran.

They have lost each other once. This time, he won’t allow that to happen.

This time, he will bring him back.

Crossing through the land of ice, the sight of Alderic headed to the border of dark woods. Embrace, envelope, filling his vision with utter surrealism. There’s no longer any snow lingering on the grass, nor is the menacing wind blowing back and forth. Only the calmness of the woods remains this time. Soft sunlight goldenized the figure ahead, who has become a grown man. The shade of the leaves rests on his broad shoulders, on his firm lines. “Alderic!” Even the gentle woods crushed his desperate call. Cutting through the branches, determined and stubborn, his steps go.

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Through the leaves, a familiar sight greets. Sunlight covered the old mansion in a gentle glow. Layers of ivy run through the brown bricks, through the glass windows. Home. The hustling sounds of the mansion reach him. The laughter of the children, the far-away yet fond voice of Luke talking to Cecil with her glasses in his hand. The angelic singing of Lily and Sheritre harmonizes with the wind. As if they were still there, waiting for them to return home. Then a deep voice stands out from those sounds. I want to make a contract with you. Longing and pain strangled his heart. A contract, a lie, starts their story. How mischievously he stepped into his life. How easily the dreary canvas has been painted with his color. Trying to catch up with the man ahead, quickly all the bustling sounds had disappeared behind his back.

Gently, in the embrace of the warm sun, the camellia starts to grow.

As if the clock is warping forward, they come across a bustling festival. The sound of lively music, and the dresses of the dancers bloom like colorful flowers. Putting his hand on the chest, he felt the emerald necklace lying safely. The necklace somehow still carried the warmth of his fingertips. The night sky was colored by hundreds of lanterns. Filled with wishes, they shine in the dark with their glow. For a moment, two lanterns catch his attention. Leaning on the wind, they dance in the night sky. As if there were an invincible tie, never could be separated. One with the dove carries the will of revenge, seeking the light of justice. The other was a simple oak tree. He was once curious about the pattern, only to realize its meaning. All he wanted was to become his safe haven. For whatever he may encounter, the firm oak tree shall await and protected for eternity.

Immersed in the nectar of love, crimson petals bloom into a graceful camellia.

Alderic’s figure ahead seems to be one with the dim light, shining ethereally. Keeping up with his steps, countless questions exploded in Theodore’s mind. What is he trying to show?

Like each chapter, it slowly unfolds. For joy and sorrow, a matching pair. The piercing wind of the north cruelly cut his skin. The land of the crimson dragon drowns in a dreary tone. From afar, he sees the Sylvester’s mansion. Bitterness stuck at his throat. Alderic’s back was shadowed by a distant feeling. Coldly, the dragon on his fur coat shines the color of blood and lies. Cruelly, the truth cut his heart to pieces. The faint sound of a familiar yet sharp like a thousand blades echoed. Alderic Livius Sylvester, Commander of the First Army, Lord North.

Like tears, rain pours down the camellia. With melancholy, each drop tore the petals.

Alderic quickens his pace, keeping the distance between them longer. Just like what he used to do. Pushing away only to protect him. “Alderic, wait!” Theodore weakly cracks a desperate call. Pain chained his legs, forcing him to stumble. Wounds were cruelly carved, spreading waves of agony to every inch of his body. Biting his lips, Theodore dragged his feet stubbornly. Fueling each of the cells with determination, he stubbornly chased after him. Even the warm blood leaking from the wounds, even the piercing cold that tore the pain, none of this matched the aching pain in his bleeding heart. Behind the veil of betrayal, he chooses to forgive.

Cracking through the winds of the North, the last encore. The coziness of the cottage lies deep in the woods, welcoming the tired soul. The balcony door opened, sending the white curtain flying in the soft wind. Inside, there used to be a man drowning in the shade of guilt. A man ready to vanish for the sake of his love. He can hear the faint sound of his heartfelt words, the affection in his confession. He can even hear his noisy heartbeat, can feel the feeling of love slowly caressing his tired heart. How could he forget? The warmth lingered on the tip of his lips. How just a simple kiss can bring an ocean of emotions. Through pain and wounds, they finally found each other again.

They keep running and running. Through each familiar scene, each familiar chapter of their story, as if he is living in each of their moments again. His world has always been around him, Alderic.

Then finally, Alderic stopped. Still facing his back, in front of them is the sea. Glowing softly under the sun, the sea waves gently caress the shore, touching Alderic’s feet. In this sacred moment, there are only them and the sound of the waves. “Alderic?” Reaching his hands toward him, Theodore closed the distance. Yet, this time, he could finally meet those emerald eyes. The wind blew his simple white blouse and blew the night-like hair. In his hands, lies a graceful crimson camellia.

“Who am I?” He asked. A reluctant smile drew. As if the soothing song of the sea is one with his beating heart, Theodore replied with a gentle smile. An answer is always there and exists in his heart. “You are Alderic. My world, my ego, my meaning, and my everything.”

“Who are you?” He reaches out the camellia to him. “I am Theodore.” The pair of hands gently caressed. A smile as dazzling as the March sun curled.

“I’m yours. Always yours.”

Two tears fall into one, resting on the camellia’s petal.