"Miss me?" Rein said with his signature lopsided grin to the shocked Kai, his arms open wide.
Kai's hands flew to his mouth. He took a step into the room, then another and suddenly he was barreling into Rein's embrace, nearly knocking him over which was no easy feat as Rein was now much taller and more muscular than him.
Rein's rich laughter filled the room as he watched Kai's reactions. He hugged him back just as fiercely.
I've missed you so much each both thought as they hugged.
When Kai finally released him, he couldn't even speak properly.
"How- When did you- But I thought-" he stuttered, earning another laugh from Rein.
"Don't worry. I'll explain everything but let's get out of this stuffy castle first."
And that's how they ended up at their old "secret lair" which was really just an opening between some trees with thick foliage that had been planted in a circle but it provided the privacy of room and no else knew about it. It was their special place and it felt so right to catch up there.
Rein and Kai were childhood bestfriends, despite the fact that Kai was a royal and Rein was the cooks son, ever since they were 5.
Back then Kai had been a painfully shy child prone to crying at the slightest provocation whereas Rein was always bold and up to some mischief.
Both the cook and the queen were. Surprised (and relieved) when the boys became close friends. The queen hoped Rein's out going nature would bring Kai out of his shell and the cook hoped Kai's well mannered quiet ways would rub off on Rein, and for the most part that's what happened.
They had spent countless days together swimming, reading and occasionally going on adventures but everything seemed to change when they turned 14.
Girls had started noticing Rein who was quickly shaping up to be a handsome young man. He didn't really care for their attention but ever since it started happening, Kai seemed more distant.
Then at 16 Rein was shipped off to do his mandatory 4 year military service and Kai's magic training began in earnest.
Kai could still remember their goodbyes clearly.
It was certainly something he could never forget.
-flashback-
Rein had just hit a growth spurt and was a couple centimeters taller Kai. His red hair had cropped close to the scalp and he had looked strange without his usual messy red tresses that had been ear length. He had looked so much older and more serious like the soldier he was going to be in the coming years. Kai had been lanky back then with long limbs he had no idea what to with. His hair had been long, reaching his shoulders. He had nervously been tucking it behind his ear unsure what to say.
"Im-"
" I-"
They both started and laughed.
"You go first." Encouraged Rein.
"Ah okay," replied Kai suddenly shy.
"Im really sorry I've been acting so cold lately. I've been such a bad friend. If it wasn't for me, we could've had so much more fun before you left. I don't know what's wrong with me." Said Kai tears starting to run down his face, " and now your leaving."
He tore his gaze from the tear spattered ground to meet Rein's eyes. "I know this is going sound stupid, but i don't know what I'll do without you." He said his voice cracking with sadness.
Rein stood, watching his friend.
Silence.
"Arent you going to say anything?" Kai said suddenly angry, an emotion he did not often feel. "We might never see each other again and your just gonna stand-"
And suddenly Kai was pulled forward and felt foreign lips on his own.
