a gorgeous white by Heather_anare

263: Joining Veresyahs

Nightfall comes, and it is no longer a dreadful thing to Moulin.

With his ankle-length hair cut short, the silver braid rested just above his tailbone. Tomorrow, he would join the Veresyahs, and he would prepare himself to aid them, to contribute to his stay. The collars of his shirt fluttered as the nightly wind greeted him in the dark balcony. His hip was leaning against the fence, and his eyes lifted as though searching for the stars within the black sky.

But he didn't care if he could actually see one. He was simply gazing blankly-thoughts crammed in his head like clothes popping out of a tightly closed trunk. A faint sigh escaped his lips, and he lowered his gaze. At last, he settled his attention to the city beneath the tower. The lights were like stars. Like a river's reflection of the starry sky.

"Moulin..."

Moulin paused. He withdrew from the banister and silently turned to approach the open doors of the balcony. A man bearing a golden gaze stood patiently. His eyes welcomed Moulin as he walked towards him.

"Are you still troubled?" Hadrian smiled as he reached for the young man's cheek. Although he already knew of the answer, he still asked. As his palm touched Moulin, he continued. "You don't have to hide it."

"You know I cannot hide anything from you." Moulin met his gaze. His lips curled into a smile. "I am also tired."

"Then rest."

The pair headed to the bedroom. Moulin dropped himself on the bed, face down, not caring how his body bounced on the mattress.

At the corner of the room, laid on a large red cushion, a small snow-white fox slept sounding. The slumbering Opallian fox was surrounded by the familiar warmth of the massive black wolf. Kier wasn't entirely sleeping. His nights were filled with alertness, and only a pinch of it would he spend resting.

Moulin felt the bed dip. Another man's weight joined him on the bed. Moulin sighed as he felt fingers untie the lace of his hair, unwinding the locks of silver strands and letting it fall on the white sheets. Moulin didn't bother to turn and stop Hadrian from brushing his thick finger through the silkiness of his hair.

"Tomorrow, I will have Fhorg accompany you..." Hadrian spoke as he worked on kneading the base of the youth's neck.

"Why?"

"You aren't knowledgeable of the Tower's map. You will get lost... again."

Moulin frowned. "Fine."

A corner of the Lord's lips lifted. After soothing the youth, Hadrian and Moulin dwelled within each other's arms. The breaths synchronized. Steady and calm as the night whisked them away altogether.

.............

The following day, Moulin woke up at dawn. He immersed himself in Hadrian's care. Bathing, eating, and even dressing him. It seemed the man wasn't finished comforting him. When they reluctantly parted, Hadrian promised to visit him after he had finished his work. Honestly, Moulin was embarrassed to witness the doting side of Hadrian.

"Young Lord, this way," said Fhorg. He gestured his arm to the teleportation platform at the end of the hallway.

The two teleported, and when Moulin opened his eyes, he found himself welcomed by the fresh scent of nature.

And the open sky above their heads.

After a moment, Moulin lifted his gaze and turned his head. The sight of the three towers greeted his eyes.

'The Veresyah settlement is not inside the tower?' Moulin thought.

A vast open area, a training field, Moulin had recognized when he returned his gaze before him. The ground was hard and dusty as he and Fhorg stepped on it. Fresh green grass surrounded the training field littered with small sheds, wooden targets, and humanoid creatures with antlers varying in different sizes and shapes.