Soren just stood there. Holding Cyrus protectively. Cyrus's eyes were closed. He looked at peace in Soren's arms.
"Big bro Soren?" Fallon said, dropping a pathetic little stick he was holding in his grip.
"Yes," Soren said approaching Fallon, "it really is me."
"You look different." Fallon said.
"Different?" Soren shifted Cyrus into a more comfortable position in his arms, "how?"
"Your irises are black, you look even taller and broader than before and your hair is longer."
Soren looked at Fallon like he was losing his mind, "is that so?" It could be known by his tone that he did not believe Fallon.
"Yes, yes," Fallon went up to Soren's side and ushered him inside the orphanage, "but first lie him down and I will give you a mirror."
Soren let him get ushered inside the orphanage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The moonlight shone through the window on Cyrus's eyes. He moved his fingers as his eyes fluttered open. He sat up and looked at himself.
He can move again!
Thank the lords he can move again!
But… where is Soren? No no no, was this all a dream. It felt real. It felt really real. No no no. Did Elias take him away again? No it can't be. Elias is dead. Soren blew a hole in his heart.
Or was that just a dream…
Did he dream of that because he used to be jealous of Soren and Elias hanging out together?
Soren…
Cyrus slid off of the bed. If that was just a dream then the Matron might still be alive. He looked at his bed.
Did he also dream about putting Maelis and Levi to bed?
He should go to the Matron. That would prove if it was just a dream or real. Just a glimpse of her would solve this issue. But as he was about to open the door to go to the matron. The knob turned and twisted and it opened.
What Cyrus saw made his breath get caught in his throat. He tried to tear his eyes away from the sight but it seemed to be difficult. He just stared. At least Soren's still here. With his changed appearance. So that proves everything Cyrus had experienced was real.
Soren's body was dripping with water, his new longer hair was drenched. His pupils were still that perfect blue though his irises have turned black. A towel was wrapped around his waist.
"Sunshine?" Relief filled his voice, "the paralysis finally wore off." Soren approached Cyrus, almost dropping his towel in the process. He crushed Cyrus to his chest in an embrace, "thank the lord you are alright now, does your head hurt. I asked Fallon to get you some medication later…."
Cyrus couldn't hear Soren's words. His face burned a shade of pink. He couldn't even say anything. He didn't even push him off. The water from Soren's body seeped into his clothes. He can feel them getting wet. And the fact that Soren is half naked isn't helping his flusteredness. He feels hot down there. He would combust if Soren doesn't let go. He feels so… uncomfortably aware, heat pooling low in him in a way he absolutely did not want to acknowledge.
"Soren…" Cyrus's voice came out in rasps, "wear clothes."
Soren finally let go of Cyrus and looked down at himself, "oh…" he awkwardly held up the towel on his waist. Both of them just stared at each other awkwardly, "I… will go put on clothes…"
After Soren was done putting on clothing. He sat down beside Cyrus. He inhaled a long deep breath in as he turned to him.
"Look, I didn't realize that I was practically naked… when I saw you. I was too relieved–"
"Soren," Cyrus cuts him off, "what happened after I passed out?"
Soren's eyes softened as he looked at Cyrus, "I don't know when you passed out… but after I woke up and saw you there. I expected the worst. Then I dragged Elias's body and buried it beside that same cave." He sighed.
"Then I carried you to the orphanage, and Fallon was standing there. He ushered me back to the orphanage. He asked me 'what happened?' I said that I would tell him in the morning."
"Is that so?" Cyrus tilted his head to the side.
"Yeah," Soren confirmed, "then I requested him to take a look at you. He did and told me that you were sleeping." He looked away from Cyrus, "then after laying you here. I took a bath… and now we are here."
"I see…" Cyrus also looked away from Soren.
"Anyway, Sunshine," Soren looked back at Cyrus, "you… you wanted to tell me something."
Cyrus looked at Soren, eyes filled with confusion, "what? When?"
"That day," Soren exhaled a breath out, "you were about to say something to me before Marryanne interrupted you by knocking on the door."
Cyrus's face heated up again, "that is nothing important." Cyrus doesn't think he has the power to say that to Soren again. His confidence was destroyed that night. He swallowed a lump in his throat. His adam's apple bobbed up and down.
"Are you sure?" Soren said, "but it seemed so important back then."
"I- It's really not important–" There was a defiant tone in Cyrus's voice.
Soren suddenly pulled Cyrus into a crushing embrace again. He could feel Soren's chest rise and fall. His heart fluttered. He could feel Soren's warm breeze of air coming from his nose on his hair.
"Soren…" Cyrus's voice gasped again.
"You know…" Soren's voice was quieter than a whisper, it sounded silkier like a calm river, "I really thought that I would never see you again…" Soren's perfect voice, his perfect tone… calming to the ear, "when I was trapped in that damn cave. I thought I was gonna lose my life sooner or later."
Cyrus put a gentle palm on Soren's arms. He listened- didn't talk, just listened.
"So, right now I do not want to have any regrets…" Soren kept around Cyrus's back and with the other one he firm–yet gently gripped Cyrus's chin as he lifted his head to meet his eyes.
Cyrus's face heated again as he tried to make his expression stay stoic. He failed miserably.
"Was it really not important, Cy?" Soren asked again. Unknown to the effect he was having on Cyrus.
"I- I…" Cyrus sighed. Finally calming his nerves, "I'm still tired."
Soren paused. Then a gentle smile bloomed on his face, "Alright then." He let go of Cyrus, "I'm going to sleep." Soren lay down on his own bed, "Goodnight, Sunshine." he turned the other way.
Cyrus sat there for some time. His face is still red. He gritted his teeth and lay down on his bed too. Stupid Soren. Who does he think he is? Touching him like that! Doesn't he know what that does to him? He is really too tired.
He will chew him out tomorrow.