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In the desert, the stars twinkled with a fervor Alcryst had never seen in Brodia—even with the soft crackling of the campfire contrasting their pallid shine, their radiance blinded his vision in spots. It was much reminiscent of the smile that once blinded him during the war, thrown alongside playful glances during archery practice, during shared meals, during military preparations; in his broken spirit, mending over time, Alcryst kept that smile close to his heart to this day as a reminder of the darker times in his life and the comfort he had nonetheless discovered therein. And to think he has been and will continue spending his free nights visiting Solm underneath these great skies, surrounded and embraced with the warmth of that very same smile…
From within the tent recently assembled to his right, Fogado emerged, perking up when he met Alcryst's gaze. "I think it's all set up now; how's the campfire? You've got everything done, too, right?"
"I-it's fine," he stuttered—almost mechanically, really, a force of habit despite all—and redirectsed his gaze from the sparkling constellations to the jolly twinkle in Fogado's eyes. There's that smile again, he thought; there's that smile he had found comfort in, the smile he had yearned for. Truly, it seemed quite silly to him—the way that, despite spending time with Fogado having become second nature to him since peace set upon Elyos, Alcryst still found himself as smitten and coy in the presence of the prince of Solm. "I'm glad the sun's down, but I'm still not used to how quickly the weather changes at night here…"
Fogado smiled at him—a softer, gentler smile than the outward charms he normally donned and that of the dashing persona he paraded around with—as his gaze descended to stare at the flames painting their tent and their faces with its colorful light. "Ah, that's a nice fire… Should keep us warm for a bit. Besides, you'll get used to the temperature changes; I'd still like to go camping with you more often, just as promised."
His eyes, previously gazing into the fire with a sort of warmth therein, found Alcryst's gaze; there was a slight tug at the corners of Fogado's lips as his smile widened, staring right through the Brodian prince, and he felt a little pang of warmth stabbing at his chest with a force to rival that of foes' javelins; he felt all of his affections toward his friend come rising up to his face, hoping the slight flush blooming across his cheeks was unnoticeable.
"I know I've said this before you invited me, too, but it's quite the honor to spend time with you like this, Prince Fogado." Alcryst shied away from the eyes drilling holes into his heart, for even with the newfound fortitude he had been mustering up, he was, at his core, yet cowardly in relation to his feelings. "W-what with all the duties we now have to attend to, it's been difficult to find spare time for the both of us, so I'm very thankful you have dedicated your time to me…"
"Hey, I like you! Of course I would always do my best to spend time with you."
Fogado finally allowed his shoulders to slump forward, and Alcryst observed the relief wash over him. He had been standing tall moments before, with the poise of a polished and charming, ever diplomatic prince, seeming a heavy burden upon him, even if he never spoke of it.
Along with the incessant spring of I like you s coming from his mouth that spun constantly within his head, Alcryst had always thought Fogado a man far stronger than he, someone to admire, even, with the way Solm had relied on him—but seeing the relaxed expression he wore now, it occurred to him in an epiphany that he wants to be someone Fogado can rely on, too, outside of battle and strategy meetings. He didn't know if he could, if he would overstep any boundaries, but if he wouldn't tell Fogado now…
He mustered up the courage to say it back—tentative, hesitant, but nonetheless full of feeling. “I like you, too, Prince Fogado.” Alcryst clutched his shirt as it rested upon his legs, his gaze still averted—still unready to meet that of the other prince. "Ever since the war ended, ever since we could begin to spend time together in peace… I've wanted to tell you that. I'd like to spend more time with you, Prince Fogado, and get to know you better! But I'm not sure if I'm good enough as I am now. I… I don't know if I can become someone you can rely on for companionship."
Fogado reached out towards him, gently covering Alcryst's clammy hand clutching his shirt with his palm; finally looking back up, he sees the smile on the other prince's face once more—there was an innate softness to his expression, and within his eyes there was a mischievous glint of kindness that sparkles brighter than any planets up in the sky.
"I already rely on you as you are—I wouldn't have kept inviting you to stay with me here in Solm so many times otherwise, right?"
Alcryst felt a blush dust his cheeks further, more intensely, much to his chagrin. "I… thought that was for the sake of diplomacy…?"
"Partially, yes," the corners of Fogado's eyes scrunched up a tad with the width of his smile, "but I also wanted to find an excuse for us to spend more time together. Worked like a charm, didn't it?"
"I-It sure did…"
Fogado held one of Alcryst's hands, clasping it between his own two palms; the campfire illuminated the flush in his cheeks, and, with the warmth emanating from Fogado's skin, he felt himself melt. Alcryst covered his hands with his free one, as if acknowledging the mutual affection hanging between them—and in Fogado's eyes reflecting the night sky, the stars shone brighter than ever before.
"Let's get to know one another better, then, shall we?"