Zero

Reflection and New faces

After returning to camp the boys settled down for the night, the blizzard that once desolated the area now dissipated to reveal the beautiful mountain scape below. The meadow covered in snow only slight Rolling hills of vibrant greens stretched out as far as the eye could see, bordered by cultivated lands and tiny villages on the left-hand side. Within the sea of green and white, islands of color called out to buzzing bees and all sorts of crawling creatures. Just above them birds swirled and danced in the sky while small groups of deer ate and rested amidst the tallest grasses. It was a beautiful sight, as Astral was cooking over the fire Jaylen stood at the entrance looking over the scenery around, the breeze gently blowing his hair in his face, pulling his hair out of his face as he looked out, eyes glimmering... the world was so beautiful.

Jaylen looked out as he smiled, closing his taking in the scents of the air, the smell of the stew behind him filling his senses, the rice meaty broth consuming his senses. Jaylen turned to face astral as he hopped over, chirruping he spoke, "Smells absolutely amazing."

"Thank you-" Astral softly spoke, stirring the stew, the ingredients marrying together to create this savory dish. Jaylen glanced back out at the scenery.

"It's so beautiful out there.." Jaylen hummed, rocking back on the back of his heels, folding his arms behind his back.

Astral sighed in response, lowering his head down to rest on his knees, taking a deep breath. Getting lost in his thoughts. Jaylen, noticing his body language, turned to face him gently putting a hand on his shoulder, "Hey Ast, Something bothering you?"

"Uhm. No, no not really-" Astral huffed turning his head to the side, he growled a soft snap to his tone, Jaylen stayed there staring at him a soft sigh escaping his lips, Every time he felt like he was getting closer to knowing about Astral it seems the walls just were built back up. Taking a deep breath he looked down, "..When you could see. What was your favorite color?" Jaylen inquired.

Astral stared at the ground a brief moment before looking at him processing the question, "Wait what-?" He blinked slightly, caught off guard.

Jaylen nodded, "Yea your favorite color!" he smiled tilting his head, "Mine was always purple-"

Astral stared at him once more glazing to the side, "Well. I always loved red," He looked towards the fire, "Though...I'm starting to forget what they look like...well I'm actually forgetting what most things look like..I don't even know what I look like.." he laughed softly his tail swaying as to try to distract himself from the thought.

"What..." Jaylen muttered under his breath, he looked back at the scene outside, sighing he looked back at Astral, "..." Standing Jay walked out of the cave, Astral looked back, "Jay?-" He questioned, "Where are you going-?"

Jaylen turned the corner with no response, he soon came back around the corner, "you can see outlines...like a fuzzy version. Due to your magic right?"

"Uhm yea?" Astral inquired tiling his head to the side. Jaylen crouched down and held up a tiny sheet of ice, it was reflective enough for Astral to see himself in the reflection, Widening his eyes he seen the outlines of his own face... The colors surrounding them was a dusty gray, not a color of importance. But a color that is almost unnoticeable. "Wha..."

"It's you..." Jaylen smiled crouching beside him, his head tilting as he lowered the sheet of ice, Astral was string tears rolling down his cheeks, Jaylen gasped dropping the sheet of ice and sitting on his knees in front of hm, "H-Hey wait why are you crying-?"

Astral fell forward hugging Jaylen burying his face in the crook of his neck, Jaylens eyes widened as he glanced to the side, "Wha..." A slight smile formed on the corner of his mouth as he hugged the elk boy tightly, closing his eyes and lowering his head.