They lay there, sweat soaked and smiling, letting the moment stretch. Not as fighters anymore.
Just… brothers.
"I can't remember the last time we did this," Carl said suddenly, his voice soft with nostalgia.
As he stared up at the night sky, a thousand memories flashed through his mind, laughter, reckless adventures, childhood promises whispered under trees. So much time had passed…
"We're all grown up now," he added. "More responsibilities. Less time."
"Yeah," Somto replied quietly. "Things haven't been the same for any of us."
There was a beat of silence.
Then Arthur spoke.
"Confusion."
The word came out low but clear, pulling the attention of the other two. Carl and Somto turned to look at him, eyebrows raised.
Arthur did not meet their eyes right away. He stared at the sky like it held all the answers, and all the questions.
"As time passed," he continued, "it didn't just bring responsibilities. It brought… confusion. About what we want. Who we're supposed to be."
