How many years has it been since Fayt had seen his only other childhood friend? Too long. So of course, the closer they got, the bubblier and fuller of excitement Fayt felt. And only few made him feel like this. Only sometimes around family would he be so happy, however they coddled him too much and treated him like some precious gem rather than what he was; just a normal boy.

Fayt didn’t need Axel to direct him in the right direction. His legs carried him straight towards the home of the town’s potion maker, otherwise known as the town’s healer.

About ready to burst into the home without knocking, Fayt let out a confused squeak as he was suddenly grabbed by the collar of his shirt through his robe and lifted backward.

“What gives? We’re not strangers, why not let ourselves in?” The blond let out an unhappy huff and pushed away the arm of his companion.

“You know, for a prince you can be very unprincely.”

“So? I’m a prince! That gives me full authority to walk into whoever’s house I want!” Fayt crossed his arms and even turned himself away as his knight sighed and shook his head.

“You know-” At the sudden new voice, Fayt jumped back and behind Axel, immediately assuming it was one of the guards who might have noticed their exit and followed to drag them back. “-If it were anyone but me who heard your loud voices, you’d be in quite a predicament.”

Wait…that voice sounded familiar. Fayt peeked his head out from one of Axel’s sides and took in the figure in front of him.

Before them stood a rather tall male adorned in light clothes. His black hair, tied back and resting atop his shoulders, shimmered in the golden sun. Dark, glimmering eyes reminded Fayt of a starry night sky. And atop of all that, there was a warm smile, decorating his lips.

“Your Highness, you’re more than welcome inside my home whenever you wish.”

Fayt gasped and immediately reappeared from Axel’s back, taking in the person’s figure before immediately rushing into his chest, causing him to let out a soft ‘oof.’ He dropped the basket, full of herbs, to instead wrap his arms around the prince.

What Fayt didn’t notice, having his face burrowed into the man’s chest, breathing in the familiar scent of herbs and flowers, was his locking of eyes with Axel. A satisfied smirk formed, before he tightened the embrace.

“Kai!” Fayt jerked his head up and beamed towards the other. “I missed you! It’s been so long!” At that point, Fayt forgot why they even came here in the first place.

In response to his smile, the taller male chuckled and let go of the other. “As much as I’d love to share a longer embrace with you, I’m sure the both of you came here for something specific. Why don’t you both join me inside for a cup of tea and share with me your story.” Lifting up the basket he dropped, the raven-haired man urged the others to follow behind as he entered his home.

Still exploding with liveliness, Fayt ran up to Axel, jumping in place and trying to use up some of his excess energy. “Axel! You saw him, right?” Of course he did but that was beside the point. “He looks so grown up. I don’t see any of the frightened shy little boy he used to be before. He’s kind of...different? In a good way.”

And with that, as if to end the conversation right there, Fayt felt himself get dragged once again by the collar of his shirt and into the home.

Wow, what brought Axel’s mood down?

The prince tried to think of the reason as he was dragged but came up with nothing.

Oh well, it couldn’t be too important.