The wind was extraordinary tonight, and its promising strength didn't aid the Nightingale brothers in the slightest. Felix Morias, being the youngest brother of the two, took the lead in their escape on foot through the barren land.

His arm-length amber hair trailed behind him in the glistening moonlight and kept the distance the officers following him lacked. Being pursued wasn't a worry of his, for this journey was all a part of his plan.

His plan to disappear.

He and his brother's speed nearly sliced through the air and the tall grass they encountered. They were approaching their separating point at a rapid pace and now, they were close enough to split up for the time being.

Felix slowed his pace and didn't dare waste his final seconds attempting to catch his breath.

"Finnley, we'll be separate from here on out."

His brother's head lowered in agreement, "Do you remember what I told you?"

Felix nodded his understanding quickly.

"Don't provoke them, and don't take any unnecessary action." He repeated back to him.

His brother's brown eyes that could vaguely resemble his own, frowned in disagreement of their plan, but he didn't voice this emotion.

"Join me soon, Felix. We won't have much time." Finnely finally pushed out.

Felix locked his fingers in his brother's hair and brought their foreheads close, "Wait for me. I promise I'll be there in time."

The promise wasn't necessary because everything Felix said was absolute. He never went back on his word.

Finnely nodded reluctantly and quickly started on his way in the other direction, towards the gloomy forest.

"Look, the Prince, he's down there!" An officer called.

"What about the other one?" Another one asked.

He was quickly corrected by the Lieutenant of the squad, "Never mind him, Prince Felix is the one we were ordered to retrieve."

"Everyone, after him!"

Everything was going according to plan. While Felix distracted the dispatched officers, his brother would be occupied arranging their method of escape.

Being that he stood idle long enough, Felix began to pick up his pace again, but not before luring in his pursuers.

"Catch me if you can!" He taunted loudly.

The many footsteps feeding through the ground created uncomfortable vibrations through Felix's feet, but he had to ignore the inconvenience and keep forward. Once he reached his destination, he looked over the tall cliff and peeked at the roaring ocean underneath.

The waves seemed that they would grant him no mercy tonight.

"This will be difficult to survive." He murmured.

He looked back at the men that were now caught up with him, and he frowned to portray his role of being caught in a hard place. He needed to pretend that this wasn't the route he intended to take.

The officers, with their loaded handguns, heaved in heavy breaths of the cool air and recuperated in short time before taking any action. The muscular man at the forefront, however, seemed rather collected and unaffected by their long trek.

But even from the distance where Felix stood, he could see the beads of sweat across his creased forehead as they reflected the moon's shine. And his long beard was both dampened and tangled from the moisture as well.

He took a heavy step forward. "Lord Felix." He called grimly.

"Please," Felix mocked him and waved a dismissive hand. "There's no need to be so formal, Christopher. You may call me Felix."

His already stern expression hardened, giving clear indication that he didn't consider Felix's offer enticing nor amusing.

To be frank, Felix hadn't expected this foot chase to occur between him and the police at all. He expected that the military would be after his head. But it seemed the capital would rather send their expendable officers to deal with someone like himself.

"You're trying too hard to appear unaffected. Even from here…" The Lieutenant started and Felix swallowed to open his tightening throat.

"You're frightened, aren't you? That isn't a look of determination in your eyes, it's a call for help. A glimmer of fear." He emphasized with a taunting expression.

Felix's jaw hardened, being that he was terrified, but showcasing this emotion would only make him appear weak.

"Don't cause any more trouble for us, boy. Turn yourself in." He dropped all formalities by this point.

Felix raised a small but dominating smile. He had already predicted this conversation would unfold, though he wasn't sure who with.

"Do you deem my actions wrong, Lieutenant?" He inquired with genuine curiosity.

The officer took a daring step forward which resulted in Felix taking a defensive step back. He wasn't going to allow himself to fall victim to the Lieutenant's swift attacks.

"You liquidated a member of the capital, of course you were wrong!"

His words were the match that ignited the flame in Felix's chest.

"He was a dull man on the surface, one that wouldn't raise much suspicion. And with no reason to monitor him closely, you and the rest of the police were oblivious of his heinous crimes. All because the filthy man had a seat at the round table."

He found himself speaking more harshly than he intended, but he didn't regret his truthful words.

He took another step backward.

"Now tell me, Lieutenant, am I wrong for killing a murderer? Or are you the villain for allowing him to roam free in the first place?"

"Or perhaps-" There was a third option.

"Perhaps you were incapable, too weak--too inferior, even in your position, to take any action against your 'boss'."

"Bastard!" He yelled through gritted teeth.

He was at a loss for words at Felix's wit and could only retort with angry conversation. The corner of Felix's mouth raised in satisfaction. He never once doubted his own morality, knowing that he wouldn't have killed the man, or any man if he didn't see it necessary.

But that rash decision was why he was in this situation now.

"What will you do now, Prince Felix? You have nowhere else to turn." An officer on the sideline spoke.

"But don't I?" Felix suggested.

Trembling rocks were heard as he placed his foot on the unstable edge, and only then did the men's eyes widen at his performance.

"Listen, now, Felix, you don't want to do that. If you come peacefully, I can almost guarantee the court will spare your life!"

Lies.

Trust, he didn't want to take this route either, but it was the only way. He couldn't keep his brother waiting much longer.

"I've made all of your jobs easier, coming to my end on my own." He mentioned seemingly arrogantly. "A thank you would be appreciated."

"Felix, don't you dare!"

He gave a poor salute and then fell back against the air. As quickly as the wind struck his back was just as quickly as he closed his eyes.

The salty scent looming in the air and the sound of the water's movement, though harsh, reminded him of a scene he experienced before. Of the saddened boy.

Jade green eyes flashed in his memory and the image of the crying boy from his past appeared to comfort him. Felix wasn't content with dying since there was still so much for him to accomplish.

But he thought maybe…just maybe if this was it for him, this end wouldn't be so bad. Dreaming of his dear friend in his final moments.

—

"Felix…"

It was cold.

"...Damn it, wake up."

And wet.

"Felix!"

The water that had been trapped in Felix's chest found its way up and against his will, it landed first on his brother who greeted him.

He coughed loudly to recover and as he sat up, he patted his soaked body in disbelief.

He was alive? He was alive!

Finnely repressed a sigh and inspected his stained garment, then looking at Felix expectantly. An apology was what he wanted, he figured.

Felix presented a smile that pleaded for forgiveness, though it wasn't exactly his fault he nearly drowned.

His brother's flat expression rose, and his lips curled proudly, "That's no matter. Your plan worked, just like we predicted."

"I'm surprised…actually. The ocean wasn't so kind to me tonight, and yet, here we are."

He looked around the cargo ship they were aboard and a relieved smile painted his lips.

"Well done, Finn, very well done."

Even though he knew his brother hated the gesture, Felix still gilded slender and playful fingers through the black strands that formed a groomed bowl cut around his head.

Finnely's head dipped suddenly, causing his glasses to slip on the high bridge of his nose. He firmly lifted them.

Being that the two were birthed by different parents, it only made sense that their identities didn't resemble one another. But even though that was the case, their appearances weren't what confirmed their brotherly bond. It was the love in their hearts that kept them close.

"We should try to rest for now, while we have the opportunity. We'll be on foot as soon as we reach the border."

Finnely nodded in agreement and searched through one of the bags he had prepared. He pulled out a medium-sized blanket.

His frown complained obviously, "I have some of my technical gear with me, so I could only pack one." He said while offering it forward.

Felix yawned and took his sleeping position on the hardwood. His brother would often put his needs before his own, and tonight especially, Felix didn't want to accept the kind gesture.

"It's rather warm tonight, I'll be fine as I am." He lied.

Truthfully, he was freezing in his soaked clothes, and the cool breeze raised goosebumps on his skin. He would just have to endure the discomfort for toni-

His thoughts were interrupted as he felt half of the blanket reach over him and his brother's solid back press against his own. Felix didn't need to turn around to see the smile his brother portrayed.

It had been years since they slept together like this, it reminded him of blissful memories.

"Just like old times." Finnely whispered tiredly.

Felix's cheeks were the warmest on his body, "Just like old times." He repeated.

"Good night, Felix."

It was uncomfortably cold, and the hardwood would probably splinter their skin as they slept, but Felix was content just knowing his brother was by his side—quite literally. This could have been the only peaceful night they received and so, they had to rest now for the long journey ahead of them.

"Sleep well, brother."