Chapter Text
Mikleo was well adept at controlling water, but he couldn’t stop the tears streaming from his eyes. Sorey was gone. He’d left to follow that human girl—that Alisha Diphda—in the dead of night, and Mikleo could do nothing but watch as Sorey visibly prayed for forgiveness and understanding before stealing quietly away. Crossing his arms tighter across his chest, Mikleo recalled how his own plan to accompany Sorey had been thwarted. Of course Mikleo knew that Sorey would go. Of course Mikleo was ready to be by Sorey’s side every step. Of course Mikleo had been waiting and preparing for this day for years.
So had Gramps.
“Let Sorey walk the path he believes in,” Gramps had advised, holding Mikleo back by the shoulder. His strong grip was a reminder that despite his rather nonthreatening appearance, he wasn’t some frail old seraph. Quite the opposite, actually. “He will not go astray without you.”
Staring after Sorey’s retreating figure, Mikleo had choked out in a panic, “No, he needs me—”
“Sorey needs the opportunity to grow on his own,” Gramps had interrupted firmly. “He needs time and space to develop his human identity and figure out what he truly wants in life.” Softening his voice, he then added, “He will be influenced if you journey with him. These are personal answers he must discover by himself, for himself.”
It made sense. It made too much sense for Mikleo’s reasonable mind, but dammit—
“If you truly value Sorey as a person,” Gramps had said, sealing the deal, “then respect his needs and wait for him to come home to you. If he comes back, then his return is an answer unto itself.”
That was when Mikleo’s tears had sprung forth, and they hadn’t stopped until long after the last stars had blinked out in the vast Elysia sky. By then, Sorey was long gone, and Mikleo was stuck by a promise. He’d always do what was in Sorey’s best interests, even at his own expense. Their separation would be healthy overall, even if Mikleo felt his heart shatter in the moment. Sorey would be better for the experience in the long run. That was all Mikleo needed to know.
Rampant doubts still dragged Mikleo to his knees. What did Sorey think he was doing? Why hadn’t he just asked Mikleo to come with him? Maybe Mikleo cared more for Sorey than the other way around. Maybe this was Sorey’s way of subtly telling Mikleo that he wasn’t interested in pursuing their simmering feelings after all…
Mikleo had thought those had finally been going somewhere. Guess not. He jerked from despair as Gramps gently squeezed his shoulder, grounding him amidst a sea of uncertainty. For once, Elysia felt too big and empty.
With a look of understanding, Gramps lightly suggested, “Perhaps Sorey is not the only one who could use this time to grow into himself as an individual, to learn to operate outside of a defining relationship…”
Sighing, Mikleo took the hint and painstakingly staggered to his feet. “I know,” he agreed, his voice crumbling like the ruins he and Sorey had always explored together. “And even while I grow into a new side of myself, I’ll still wait for Sorey.”
“Walk the path you believe in,” Gramps said again, wisely withholding any outright opinion. “Do that, and you will not go astray.”
Firmly nodding, Mikleo took the first step—back towards Elysia, in the opposite direction from Sorey’s course down the mountains towards humanity. At the direction, Mikleo felt lightheaded, untethered. Only one thought bolstered his resolve. Somehow, despite their reverse routes, he’d yet make Sorey the endpoint of his path.
-+-
With a look of wonder, Sorey watched as the glorious sunrise detailed his destination in all its beauty. The world. Then, in particular, Ladylake. He turned excitedly to his left, gushing, “Mik—”
He was alone.
The realization hit him hard then, as if the rising sun was shedding light on the consequences of his impulsive foolhardiness. Doing anything without Mikleo was stupid; Sorey had always believed that. Yet here he was, going on the grandest adventure of his life—and he had no one to share it with. For a brief moment, Sorey weighed the option of going back for Mikleo. Then he remembered the hellion hunting Alisha, and Sorey knew he couldn’t afford to backtrack. This wasn’t a sightseeing trip; this was a time-sensitive mission to save a friend. After he warned Alisha, he could go back for Mikleo and maybe they could explore the world together like they explored ruins. Maybe it would be the opportunity he’d been waiting for, to finally take the next step concerning their evolving relationship...
Sorey shook himself out of it and continued onwards, feeling conflicting senses of urgency to hurry forward—to reach Alisha in time—versus to run home, to Mikleo. Choosing the right path was hard. Every magnificent discovery on his journey was tempered by Mikleo’s absence, every thrill turned lackluster. Quickening his pace, Sorey reminded himself of his priorities. Including safety—not only Alisha’s, but Mikleo’s as well. There was no way Sorey would ever drag his beloved friend—was it friend?—on a dangerous quest. No, it was better for Sorey’s peace of mind that Mikleo remain safe at home. It was just hard to remember that every time Sorey experienced something new and delightful that he wanted to share with Mikleo along the way.
Remembering how the hellion had attacked Mikleo yesterday, Sorey’s smile faltered. He swore he would never see Mikleo put in such a dangerous position again. Thus, their separation for this journey was just a blip in their happiness. Soon, Sorey could go back to Mikleo. He just had to find Alisha in Ladylake and deliver his message. It shouldn’t be too hard, shouldn’t take too long. Absolutely nothing could distract Sorey from his goal of swiftly reuniting with Mikleo on the homeward end of his journey.
At least, he’d full-heartedly believed so.
Until people’s lives were in danger.
Until he had a chance to fulfill his dream of a world where humans and seraphim could coexist.
Until he freed a sword from a stone, shackling him to a new destiny.