Ever since Soren escaped his master, the same man who had abused and harassed him, he started sharing his burden more openly with Elias.
Talking to him felt easier and natural, like he didn't have to choose his words carefully.
They were only a year apart, Soren being the younger one, and even though they weren't related by blood, Elias felt like a real brother to him.
Elias made it feel safe for Soren to lean on someone again.
Both of them were orphans, and for a long time, they'd been inseparable.
They depended on each other to get through things, but Elias was usually the stronger one, the one who stood first when things got hard. With Elias around, Soren could relax. He could be himself as quiet, honest, even weak at times because Elias had a way of bringing that side of him out without trying.
