The Atlantica Memorial Museum wasn't too crowded in the morning. The sea was also colder in December, which made the ticket line wasn't as long as usual. Azul took these as advantages. The only bad side was he was pretty noticeable in the small crowd of merfolks, but he preferred being in his human form rather than octopus form.

"Human's body isn't as strong as merfolks," his father said when he was about to go out, "Wouldn't be better to leave with your tail?"

"I drank potions," Azul said, "I want to test my durability in human form."

Azul's father is a lawyer. He knows when someone telling the truth or lie. Azul didn't want to tell him just yet of the horrible few seconds of freezing before drinking the resistant potion or how he had trouble breathing after he drank the mix of legs-transformation and underwater-breathing potions (he definitely didn't want to tell about the guilt and dreadful realization that Jonah also felt the same thing multiple time).

If his father knew that he was lying, he didn't say anything.

"Azul~!" Azul turned around to the twins swimming toward him. Floyd eyed him curiously, circling him with his tail tickling Azul's shoeless ones. "Why are you in your human form?"

"It's too risky if I want to put back the picture," Azul said, his hands brushed against his jacket pocket where the photo was hidden, "I wouldn't want to attract unpleasant attention."

"You don't have to be so worried." Jade swam behind him. "I'm pretty sure no one would even notice you're the merman in the photo."

Azul huffed, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Please leave me to my own devices."

Jade backed away, raising both hands but still smiling without any offends. "There's no need to be defensive."

Azul pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. The corner of his lips tugged up slightly. "Come on, you two. Tickets are on me."

None of the twins complain but Azul honestly didn't mind paying for them. It was the least he could do. Entering the museum, was the same as he could remember even after years of not going here. Few brave humans were visiting the place today, which made Azul didn't feel out of place too much. "Both of you cover me," Azul whispered to the twins. It was an easy job for them. As Azul swam toward the wall of pictures, Jade and Floyd caught some visitors who were about to get close in a conversation.

Azul quickly spotted an empty frame. It was a gamble whether it was the correct place or not. But considering there wasn't any picture theft news all these times, Azul considered it would be fine. He took out his picture. There were some wrinkles from him holding it too hard, but it was easy to smooth it up. Quickly and carefully, he took the empty frame, slid the picture in it, and placed it back before anyone noticed.

He swam back. The picture looked like it hadn't been stolen in the first place. He let out a relieved sigh. He did it. He returned the picture.

And he didn't even make a single edit at it.

"Good job, Azul." He felt Jade pat his shoulder, his eyes looking at the kindergarten picture. "Nobody would notice the difference."

"Yeah." Azul pushed his glasses again. "Well, our job is done here."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Floyd asked.

Azul didn't look at either of them. His eyes still aimed at the photo he just returned. He shrugged. "If you want to look around, go ahead. I'll catch up with you."

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Jade asked. The hand on his shoulder squeezed a bit.

Azul patted the hand, sliding it off his shoulder. "I'll be fine."

Jade hummed. "Come on, Floyd. " He pulled his twins away who looked at Azul with the equal worry as Jade. But they knew when to give Azul some time off and Azul was grateful for that.

His finger traced the glass of the frame, right where the younger him stood hidden. He sighed. He didn't know whether he should feel regret for not editing the picture or not. He had edited every other school picture that had him in it, like his graduation book even from the film studio. This picture was the only one left to edit.

And yet he didn't do.

Why though?

"Azul Ashengrotto?"

Azul's eyes widened. He knew that voice. Gulping, he slowly turned around. His guess was correct.

In front of him floated a merman. Even under that jellyfish cap-like hood and the horrendous coat, Azul could see recognized the blue eyes and puffy red hair. From the hips until below, he has a sea-green tail with seafoam-green fins on the back, lower sides, and end. He wore golden armbands on his upper arms, thick necklaces, a bangle with emeralds on his right wrist, and belts with leaf-like accessories around his hips, and a spiky crown on his head.

"Prince Rielle Triton." Azul found himself whispering before he could stop himself. The prince smiled at him, pressing a finger to his lips. Looking behind him, Azul couldn't see any guard or even a crowd forming. Why is the prince here? What is he doing here? How the heck did he recognize him in his human form?

"I didn't mean to startle you," the prince said and Azul wanted to retort that he wasn't, "I never thought I would see you again."

Azul looked to the side. "I didn't expect you to be here, Your Highness."

"There's no need for formal titles. Just Rielle is fine."

No, it's not fine. There was no way Azul could call him that. They weren't friends in elementary school. Azul attended a different middle school from Rielle. They never had a meaningful conversation. They were practically strangers. And the prince decided it was fine with a first name basis? Azul refused that.

"That picture." The merman swam closer but Azul swam aside. Rielle let out a nostalgic chuckle. "I remember that day," he said, "elementary school field trip. That was a long time ago. You remember that?"

Azul leaned against the wall, arms crossed in front of his chest. He could leave. He literary could leave if he wanted to. The twins were just a few bubbles away. He could join them now. Rielle was looking at him. What did he expect? A decent conversation? They never tried before, so why should they start now? But, he would amuse him, like he usually does. "Cody fell into Sea Witch's cauldron when he tried to look inside it." Rielle let out a gasp. Azul smirked. "Did I startle you, Your Highness?"

Rielle let out a sheepish chuckle. "I guess a bit. You weren't a fan of talking back then."

Azul held back from scoffing. "I'm surprised you actually recognize me, Your Highness."

"You're very noticeable." He knew Rielle has no ill intention but Azul couldn't help but feel a slight bitterness at the tip of his tongue. He didn't feel like smiling anymore. "It's kinda sad that we weren't good friends back then. You were quite shy."

This time Azul did roll his eyes. "Wonder why?"

His must've sounded harsher than he intended to because Rielle was frowning at him. Azul challenged him, swimming away from the wall to face Rielle with a glare and his arms crossed his front of him. As far as he knew, Rielle wouldn't hit him, but if he did, Azul could scream to gain attention. The last thing they want was to cause a ruckus in a public space.

"Azul-"

"Ashengrotto." He spat almost too quickly. Rielle took a sharp intake of surprise. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but we're not there yet."

Rielle bit his lips unsure. He glanced at the picture again before looking back at him. "...Ashengrotto.Do you hate me?"

"What brings you to that conclusion?"

Rielle waved his hands in a throwing motion with a face as if saying 'this shit you're doing right now'. When Azul raised an eyebrow at him. Rielle sighed, "Well, you aren't that close to our other classmate, so I thought maybe I've done something wrong to you."

Here's the thing though: Azul remembers everything that his bullies had done. All the notebooks they had ripped, all the scraps from being pushed. But Rielle's face wasn't among them. Rielle, for most of his time, was nonexistent. The popular kid who enjoys learning about the world above the sea, the direct descendant of the Mermaid Princess who coincidentally studied in the same private elementary school as Azul, the red-haired cutie who is beloved by every girl and boy.

But Rielle had never been the one who would laugh at Azul.

They lived in a completely different world; Rielle on the top and Azul on the bottom. They barely interact or Azul just purposely avoided him. For the longest time, he pushed Rielle out of his mind.

Ah, he might be being a bit petty right now.

"No," Azul sighed, "you didn't do anything."

Rielle blinked confusedly. "You sounded like you're holding a grudge against me though."

"I just do not want to relive the past, Your Highness." Azul pushed his glasses up his nose. "Once, yes, I thought that getting back on those who had harmed me was a great idea. But," he sighed, "when it backfired on me, I learned the hard way."

"Mark my word, Azul Ashengrotto." The captain was wheezing and vomiting water. "I will take back my crew if it's the last thing I do."

It hurt. He didn't turn around, just pulled his fedora lower to cover his stinging eyes. "Give it your all, Captain Jonah Argentum. I'm dying to see your comeback."

"It's a valuable lesson that even I can fall." Azul turned back to the picture. He could note every one of his bullies on it, remembered how they towered over him with their cruel laughs echoing for years. "But, there's no denying that those days still haunt me until now."

"Aha~ This takes me back." Azul watched Floyd's fingers trail toward the corner of the photo where a pair of young eels, one is hugging the others around the neck as they smiled at the camera. "See? That's me and Jade. And..." his fingers traced the picture, just slightly to the corner where a baby octopus could be seen, "that's you, Azul~"

The effect was almost in an instance. He remembered that day. Where he nearly got lost in the museum because he was pushed away from the ground and got swallowed by the crowds. The merchildren were laughing as he stumbled before leaving him for the redhead prince as if nothing had happened. He remembered crying, ink threatening to spill. It was only because of Jade and Floyd who found him and pulled him back to the group for the photo.

"NO! No no no no no! I don't want to see it..." The picture was scrunched up into a ball and fell to the floor. Azul wanted to curl up in the smallest pot in the world to block the echoes of laughers in his head. "I'm different now...I'm not that octopus..."

"I'm..." Rielle looked at him with a frown on his face. Remorse? Pity? Azul didn't care. "I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories."

"I'll have to face it sooner or later, Your Highness," Azul sighed, pushing his glasses. "Although, I also learn one more thing."

Rielle perked up. "What is it if I may ask?"

The corner of Azul's lips was tugged up. "That even the vilest villains can change."

"What happened that you must curse him?"

His fingers curled up in frustration. "Pretty simple, really," he spat, "I told him not to come here that day, and he did. To make it worse, that boy was stupid enough to go back against our agreement."

"Just that?"

Is he being serious now? "Oh, please, dear Crimson Ruler. I don't want to hear that from you." He turned to Riddle who looked at him with a face of disbelieve. "Have you forgotten about your reign before?"

The confused eyes quickly turned into a glare, the redhead's fist trembled on his side. "I know what I did was tyrannical, but I want to be better."

"Because the captain told you too?"

There was a spark of determination in his eyes. It was the same spark when he declared war. The same protective fire, something that Azul never would've imagined found in the feared Crimson Ruler. "No. This is my choice to change."

"That second chances do exist. A happy ending seems possible, even for us."

The smile never left his face and Azul just couldn't believe it. How could he say all of this, without any hint of mockery? "Why are you doing this?" Azul whispered, eyes once again teared up. "Is it because of pity?"

Jonah shook his head. "No. Because I know you are more than this. This is just a hiccup in a way. You can fix this. Everyone deserves a second chance after all."

"How can you be sure that I won't repeat the same mistake?"

"Then I'll give you the third chance. If you still haven't changed, I'll give you the fourth. Over and over again."

Azul sighed. "That's ridiculous."

Jonah chuckled lightly. "Well, I'm not like other villains after all."

"And maybe." Azul turned away, a smile without any pain on his face. Looking up he saw Jade and Floyd were watching them from afar. "It's time for me to open a new page in life."

"And how can you still care about him?" It wasn't a hard thing to guess who was Jamil referring to. "Didn't he go against you?"

"He did." Azul glanced back at him. "But it's all in the past."

"Aren't you all about having revenge for the past?" His voice was barely above a whisper, filled with confusion.

Azul's chuckled lightly as his eyes softened and lips pulled into a small smile. "It's time to get a new hobby anyway." If Riddle could change. If Leona could soften. Maybe he could change too.

"So, to answer your question, Your Highness." Azul glanced back at Rielle. "No. I don't hate you. Even if I did, I'm over that."

Rielle let out a small awkward, "Huh." He rubbed behind his neck. "I...I wasn't expecting that, but I'm glad we're not in a bad term...I guess."

Azul let out a light chuckle. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but I'm also still figuring this out." He dug his jacket pocket and took out a business card and gave it to Rielle. "But if you want to start, Mostro Longue will open again in January."

Rielle smiled as he read the card. It has Azul's business phone number and the address of Mostro Lounge. "I'll call or visit you soon."

Azul nodded at him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness. May we see each other again soon."

Rielle took the hint and didn't follow him, waving at him as Azul swam toward the Leech Twins. Before the two of them could ask, Azul pulled them further from the prince.

"Is that who I think it is?" Floyd whispered.

Azul nodded. Jade looked at Azul from top to bottom. "He didn't hurt you, right? Physically and emotionally?"

The silvernette let out a chuckle. "Oh, you two~ It's sweet that you're worried about me." Nonetheless, it warmed his heart. "He didn't do anything. Our talk was quite pleasant." He spun so that he was swimming in front of him, both hands were holding onto Jade and Floyd. "How about I treat you some snacks?"

Floyd lit up. "I want some smeltsicle!"

Jade shook his head fondly. "Floyd. You don't just eat a popsicle during winter."

The other twin stuck out his tongue toward him. "I eat what I want, Jade."

Azul laughed. "I'll get you your smeltsicle, Floyd. Maybe some kelp chip and hush guppy to go."

Yeah. He'll figure it out. One day, he can finally heal and move on from the pain of the past.

-----

The only reason Leona went home was that he had some settle some scores with Farena.

But that didn't mean that Leona would do that immediately.

His bedroom room was locked most of the time, his curtain was pulled close, not even the servants could enter. He tried to make himself busy. Napping, reading books on his bed, laying on his bed while staring at his ceiling, watching the kingdom from his balcony. There would be times when he walked out of his room, making himself mostly invisible from the servant, shooting some arrows or slicing the dummies in the empty training ground, visiting the library or a nap or another book, stealing some extra dessert from the kitchen, ...

Not much to do really.

Farena would knock, but Leona would keep silent or snore loudly. Dinner was awkward and Leona would eat so fast that he left before dessert, purposely keeping his mouth full so he won't need to answer Farena's questions.

Yes, he was avoiding Farena. This day too.

He was, for once, cleaning his room, just rearranging his stuff. He had gotten rid of some while growing up, mostly toys, children's books, and baby clothes. But there were some that are still there, like the small mouse toy that Nanny Vanni sewed for him and the encyclopedia that he stole from Farena (it was his fault that he never read it). Many other things were hidden somewhere in every corner of his room.

Digging through his closet, his hand grazed on something wooden. Leona felt like he should know that feeling. Reaching further, he got a good grip on it before pulling it out.

Oh.

Now he knew why it was familiar.

"Where is my birthday grandson~?"

Leona turned to his opened bedroom room, having earlier tried not to run his hand down his neat silked hair. The frown on his face turned into a wide toothy smile. "Granddad!" he yelled, running to the old man, white hair and beard braided for the occasions and eyes no longer tired. The older man put a wrapped box on the bed before opening his arms, catching his grandson in a hug and letting out a booming laugh.

"Look at you," the old man pulled back, cupping the boy's cheeks. "such a handsome young man. How are you feeling?"

A tired whine erupted from Leona's throat as he rolled his head. "Granddad...do I have to?" Leona asked in an exaggerated whine. "I don't like parties, you know that."

The old man let out a chuckle. "But this is your special day." Leona pouted. He never really want this, but knowing that a prince's birthday is already a massive celebration in the kingdom, a big party was unavoidable. But that didn't mean Leona had to enjoy it.

"I'll tell you what," his granddad leaned closer to his ears, a hand behind his mouth as if he was whispering a personal secret, "I'll be there with you all the time. And then we can sneak out before bedtime."

Leona glanced at him, lips pulled into a grin. "Really?"

The old man chuckled again, running his hand down Leona's hair. The boy leaned against the touch, purring and tail swishing. "Of course, my baby lion. Now. How about an early birthday present?"

His granddad reached to the wrapped box and knelt in front of Leona, offering it. "Happy birthday, Leona."

Leona laughed, already snatching the box. He sat on the floor, ripping the warping paper of the box on his lap, a stupidly wide grin on his face. Acting like an eight years old child he was.

He let out a gasp when he reached what was behind the paper. "Granddad..." It was a wooden case, a picture of a lion head crafted on the top. Unlike his previous excitement, he opened the wooden box slowly, revealing the item in it.

A violin. The body was sunset orange with leaf patterns around the edge and the handle was crafted similar to a bark of a tree. The bow had a chain with a blue-and-white feather. Taking out the violin from the case like it was the most fragile thing in the world, Leona traced the wood carving. "Is this really for me?" he looked up to his granddad, trying his best not to cry even though he was already teary.

"Of course." His granddad smiled. "It's custom-made just for you."

Leona put back his violin with the utmost care before leaping into his granddad's arms, burying his face into the old man's chest. "Thank you, Granddad!"

He pressed a light kiss on Leona's head before pulling him into a tight hug. "Anything for my favorite grandson."

The violin inside the box still looked the same, albeit a bit wore out with extra scratches and strings that needed to be tuned. Leona traced the pattern, reminiscing his younger days. Leona wasn't the most musical person in the world, but he learned a couple of things throughout the years. Violin was one of them, surprisingly. Leona had always wanted a violin ever since granddad had played him a song when he was sad after he got his unique magic the first time. Granddad had taught him using his since Leona didn't have his own at that time, fixing his position, and playing simple nursery rhymes. It had become their bonding time other than chess and after tutoring tea.

When granddad started to get weak, Leona would play his violin beside his bed. He hadn't touched his violin for a long time, not after his granddad's death. He didn't play it during his funeral, especially not in front of his family. Playing violin won't help a prince in leading a kingdom. Well, fuck them. He won't be even sitting on that throne in the end.

He plucked the strings and turned the peg until the strings sounded like what he remembered. He cleaned the body with a clean handkerchief and put some rosin on his bow. Leona put his chin on the resting spot before bringing his bow to play a single note. The sound wasn't best, including the other repairs. He should bright this to a professional luthier tomorrow.

"What is that?"

"Fu- Fudge!" Leona nearly dropped his violin. Turning to his side, the brat was sitting with innocent wide eyes. "Cheka! How did you get in here?!"

Cheka didn't look guilty. He pointed at his open balcony. "Through the window."

Leona stared at Cheka, not really knowing whether he should feel impressed or concerned. "You climbed all the way here?"

"Yep." Cheka nodded, hands on his hips and chest puffed out proudly. "And I didn't fall this time!"

"Did your father know about that?"

"Yeah. He's really worried." His smile slipped a bit. "He's worried about you too."

Leona's ears flicked. "Why would he?"

Cheka tilted his head to the side, brows slightly furrowed. Now, Leona isn't the type who would be intimidated by people staring at him. He would, in fact, challenge them. But something about Cheka staring at him, without any judgment, just mere curiosity, somehow managed to pin Leona on the spot. Cheka's question was innocent. "Uncle Leona, can I ask something?"

Leona didn't turn back that time, he wouldn't turn back now. "Fire away, kid."

Cheka's lips pulled up a bit, happy to get a confirmation. "Do you hate daddy?"

Straight to the point without any fear of consequences. Children... "Why would you ask that?"

"Well, Haibara and Tamar say that they hate each other after Haibara punched Tamar in the face. They never talk about each other again." Cheka frowned at his uncle, voice smaller, confused yet curious. "You never talk to daddy too. Do you hate daddy, Uncle Leona?"

Leona drummed his fingers on this violin. Does he hate Farena...? He scoffed in his mind. What is he saying? Of course, he does. Farena had been stealing the spotlight ever since they were children. "Your father and I...aren't in the best relationship for years now," Leona answered instead.

"Why?"

Leona couldn't pinpoint when the hatred started, he remembered always looking from Farena's back as father and mother showered him with praises. He couldn't just say it became worse when Cheka was born, securing his fate of never getting the crown. He remembered the last arguments with Farena before he left for NRC and vowed to never return. It seemed like they would never return to their neutral relationship.

But way when Leona stepped out of his carriage at the beginning of winter break, Cheka already running at him while Farena stared from the top of the palace stairs, eyes widened and almost tearful.

Leona ended up shrugging, trying to act nonchalant. "Just stuff."

"What kind?"

Leona stared at Cheka, a warning frown aimed at him. "It's not something you need to know, Cheka."

Cheka pouted, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Daddy said that too when I asked why you never come home. Why are you never home, Uncle Leona?"

"The school has dorms. We aren't allowed to leave school."

"Oh." Cheka looked less upset and went back to his cheerful tone. "But you got my letters, right?"

"Yeah. I got them." He couldn't tell him that he threw them away after reading it.

"But you never reply to them."

Fuck. This kid is more observant than he thought. "Homeworks."

"Oh..." Cheka nodded, understood but upset. "I don't like homework. It makes my head hurt."

Leona rolled his eyes. "It's called studying. If you don't study hard, you will never be king."

"Do I have to?" Cheka whined. Leona paused. Hold on. Why did he say that? Wouldn't it be better if Cheka becomes not fit to be king, so they have no choice to make Leona a king? Why is he encouraging him?

Damn, this kid is like the pirate brat. They're rubbing onto him too much.

"Yeah. Your dad would probably agree," Leona ended up saying.

Cheka's smile widened and his eyes shone with a new burning spirit. "Okay then!" The boy stood up almost too quickly. "I'm going to do my homework now!"

He ran toward the balcony but Leona quickly caught him and turned his small body toward the door. "No jumping off the balcony until you're older."

Cheka giggled. "Okay!" The kid ran to the door and turned the lock before opening it. He turned to Leona again. "Uncle Leona?"

"Yeah?"

"When I'm done with my homework, can we play magishift?"

He never promised that. But if he learned anything from the pirate brat insisting a magishift rematch, he could there was no way Cheka would leave him alone, or he would play on his own and break his neck, and he didn't want to face Farena's tiresome wrath. So, he sighed and said, "Fine."

"Yay!" Cheka jumped for joy. "I'll tell dad too! See you later, Uncle Leona! I'll study so much!"

With that, he took off running. Leona sighed, feeling a migraine hitting him again. Great. Now there was no way he could avoid his brother, Cheka would make sure of it. He looked at his violin again. It was kinda ironic how Cheka was annoying when he was once in the same shoes as him.

"Granddad, can I try?"

The old man lowered his bow and smiled at him. "Alright then."

Leona had grinned really wide when he was offered the instrument. His granddad stood behind him, fixing his fingers position and how he held his bow. When Leona played his first note, it was too high, too grating against his ears.

Granddad laughed and ruffled his hair. "It takes time, Leona."

Leona pouted. "I want to learn now."

"Yes, yes," the old man nodded, "but patience is also a key. You don't learn something in just one night. It takes me years to learn this, but I know you can learn this faster than me."

Leona's eyes widened. "You really think so."

Granddad smiled again. "I know you will."

It took him only three months to learn the hardest song his granddad offered.

Patience, huh? Leona sighed. He could learn how to play it again. He just needed to change some of the strings. Putting back the violin in the case and closing it. Leona left his room, bringing his violin case with him, and walked toward the other side of the palace where the art room was located. It wasn't the most creative name he had to admit, but he was a child and his creativity was limited. Plus, it was easy to remember.

His steps came to stop when his ears picked up on something familiar yet foreign at the same time.

Music.

A guitar.

Playing an old, familiar song.

The door to the art room was slightly ajar, but he could see the lion who was sitting by the window. It was his brother. Since when did he learn how to play the guitar? When he opened it wider, he could see him fully.

It was the first time he had seen Farena actually look tired. Shoulders slumped like the weight of the kingdom finally caught up with him. Fingers plunking the guitar strings, playing a familiar melancholic song. There was no trace of that charming smile or the confident glint in his eyes. Right now, he wasn't the mighty king of Afterglow Savanna. He was just a worn-out old man who is desperate to rekindle the fragile bond with his brother.

For once, Leona pitied him. Pitied them.

Farena didn't say anything when Leona placed his violin case and opened it. He picked up the instrument and its bow before looking at Farena who was glancing at him, questioning him but didn't stop playing. Leona didn't say anything but thought to himself whether he could do this or not. It wasn't the song that made it hard, but the mere thought of playing with Farena might actually terrify him for some reason. Playing with Farena means acceptance. Could he really do that?

Leona clenched his hand around Ruggie's. "I'm... Sorry..." he whispered hoarsely.

He felt something dripped to the back of his and. Even Ruggie was tearing up. "It's okay," the hyena said. "I forgive you. Always."

If Ruggie could do it, so could he, right?

Taking a deep breath, Leona rested his chin on the proper place on his violin and his bow on the strings. On the right tempo, he played.

It was mellow, a rather sad tone. It reminded Leona of the early days. Back when it was simpler. When he was filled with childhood hope. Of those days staring up the throne that he knew it wouldn't be his, but a young child could hope. When no one was looking, when the room was empty, Leona would sneak in there and sit on the throne. At that time it was bigger than him and Leona never felt so small...so afraid. It was like heaven was looking down at him, judging him whether he was worthy or not. But growing up, Leona always believes that he was worthy of the crown. But now he would never know. But not every day would be gloomy. Back when he and Farena could stare at each other without a trace of rivalries. The days when their room was still across from each other. Memories of Farena climbed his balcony, a stupid grin on his face just to say, "Leona! Do you want to spar?". The days when his big brother nearly shot him in the eye during an archery lesson. Nanny Vanni would make him honey tea and Farena was willing to do his homework for a week.

As the tempo rose, the memories darkened. Leona remembered running down the hall, for the first time outrunning his big brother. He skidded to a stop at his granddad's room where the old man was sleeping in his bed. Not sleeping. He died. Leona remembered crying so loud, clutching his granddad's cold hand as if his life depended on it. He remembered Farena hugging him as he was taken to another room, telling him cried until he fell asleep exhausted. Blink and it once again changed. Leona remembered standing in the middle of the crowd, watching Farena swear an oath of protection before a crown was placed in his head. Leona was a teen back then, but even teenagers couldn't think rationally sometimes. Voices were whispering in his head, a chorus of "my crown, my throne, I deserved it". The chanting became louder when Farena announced to the world during one of his balls that his wife was pregnant and Leona remember stomping out of the ballroom and slamming his door shut. He remembered the arguments with Farena about him wanting to go to NRC. It was his right, NRC chose him first! Sure, he answered two years late, but the headmaster himself said the school would willing to accept him. It was a shouting fest in the middle of the night. Flashes came, years went on, the third year arrived. The plan of taking down Malleus Draconia. The overblot battle. Ruggie forgave him and swore to stand by his side. The magishift rematch against the pirate crew. "The only reason I'm going home now is that I have some unfinished business with Farena," he once said.

And here they were. Two brothers who hadn't said anything since the beginning of winter. It was like they never existed for each other. And yet, here they were, playing an old tone, the sun shining through the window, giving a nostalgic warmth. As they reached the end of the tune, with Farena plucking the last notes and Leona pulling the last string, they looked at each other straight in the eyes. Two brothers, tired and overwhelmed by all the tension.

Farena was the one who broke the silence. "You remember the song."

Leona nodded, lowering his violin. "Sunsprite's Eulogy. One of the earliest things I learned."

"With Grandfather Eavan?"

He nodded again. "Taught me everything he knew."

Farena chuckled. He went silent again before sighing, "Why are we like this, Leona?"

Leona looked out the window, to the garden filled with flowers. Vaguely he remembered both of them playing tag, laughing without a care in the world. When did that stop? He ended up sighing. "I don't know, brother. Sometimes things couldn't stay the same."

"Including us?"

"Especially us."

Farena sighed again. "Leona..." He stood up and Leona held his ground to not run away. No turning back now. A hand rested on his shoulders and then he was pulled into a hug. It was the first time Leona felt Farena trembling.

"I'm sorry," the older lion whispered, choking in his own tears, "I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for never noticing your suffering. I'm sorry I didn't say anything when everyone was talking behind his back. I'm sorry for not being there for you. I'm sorry for being a horrible brother."

Leona let out a shaky breath. "Farena..."

"I'll do anything, Leona," his older brother tightened his hug as if worried that Leona would disappear if he let go, "Please...can you give me another chance?"

"What if one day I hurt you again?" he asked, making Ruggie turn toward him. Light blue eyes clashing with the green ones. "What if one day I get angry and decide to get rid of you?"

Ruggie bit his lips. He let out a sigh as he sat up again, pulling his hand away and Leona cowardly admitted that he wanted the warmth back. "I have to admit, I was angry with you back then." Ruggie looked down to his lap. "I've worked hard and you just decided to give up. I know you're a lazy lion but that had gone too far."

He shook his head lightly then he lifted his head, giving Leona a sincere grin. "But, in the end, I can't be mad at you for a long time. I know what you can do. I know you're smart and strong, but if you just need a small push from the back, then I'll do it. I'll be there for you throughout the whole journey. I know you can do better and more. So, please... Don't give up so easily."

Leona didn't want to cry but something inside him just clenched up. "I can't make promises."

"I don't expect promises from you." Ruggie laughed lightly. "You're not that type who makes pinky promises." He shifted his position so he was kneeling, his arm on his knees and his head bowed, but the smile never left his face. "Just don't forget, where ever you go, I'll always follow you, Your Majesty."

Well, if Ruggie could say that, so could he, right?

Leona took a deep breath and let it out through his mouth. He stepped back, Farena didn't stop him, but he could hear a pathetic whine from his throat. Leona brought his hand behind Farena's head and pulled him close, resting his forehead against his.

"I can't make any promises that I would forgive you fully," Leona said, "but I'm willing to accept some changes."

Farena was speechless and Leona took pride in that. His older brother pulled a tearful grin, laughing as tears streamed down his face. Leona would be lying if this didn't tug his heartstring. This time, when Farena pulled him into a hug again, he returned it.

He didn't say anything if Cheka and Samar were peaking through the door, both of them smiling happily with both brothers. And Leona would cherish this moment forever.