Kou took a deep breath, securing the bags to Aldeon as he waited for Vi to return. He had quickly finished the rest of his travel plans over the past few days, and all that was left was to go into town one last time to pick up his clothing. The cloth Vi had recovered from the farm had been enough for the tailor to make him about six new shirts, which Kou figured would be more than enough for travel. He had already packed all of the good clothing he had, but he had made sure to pack his needle and thread just in case. 

Otherwise, Aldeon was loaded with all the food Kou had saved and the glass he had cut down for trade. He still left the blood-red sheet whole, unable to bring himself to touch it but he still wanted to bring it in case. Vi had left to retrieve Kou’s bedroll from the camp with the demon insisting they could find it alone, and Kou had simply agreed. He wasn't eager to head that way again.

“Thank, Aldeon,” Kou gently rubbed the pony’s head, staring off into the trees as they waited for Vi’s return. “I bet you’re pretty restless huh? We’ll get moving soon.”

The pony merely snorted softly, tossing its head in a lazy arc before settling again, the leather straps creaking faintly under its shifting weight. Kou smiled wearily, pressing his forehead against the pony’s mane for a breath, letting the familiar earthy scent ground him. The sun was inching higher, the warm light slanting through the trees and catching in Aldeon’s coarse fur, painting everything in muted gold.

A soft, steady thump of boots against the earth reached Kou’s ears, and he turned toward the sound just as Vizisco stepped into view. They had the bedroll and blankets slung over their shoulder and Kou shook his head at the sight. 

“I told you I only needed the roll.”

“And I am aware you only packed one blanket. Winter is coming and humans are sensitive to cold.”

“Are demons not?” Kou took the bedroom and blankets as Vi held them out, adding them to one of the empty baskets. He already knew if he tried to hide them or leave them behind, the demon would insist on bringing it. Kou was starting to find it annoying how much more insistent Vi had become since the incident at the farm, but he couldn’t exactly argue against it. Not when he had almost gotten himself killed in front of a being that would literally die before letting him be injured. 

“We can feel cold, but humans can get ‘sick’, which I understand is a hazard to your well-being,” Vi answered and Kou nodded, releasing a heavy sigh. “Demons do not get sick.”

“Yeah, well,” Kou shrugged, waiting for Vi to offer their hand. As usual, Kou laced their fingers together, allowing himself a smile. “I figured I could get heavy blankets when we got closer to the mountains.”

“And before then?”

“You could’ve kept me warm,” Kou smirked, carefully leading both the pony and Vi toward town. The demon didn’t say anything at first as they walked, which Kou knew meant they were trying to understand his intention. Ever since returning, Kou had gotten more bold in what he was willing to say to Vi. Now that it was clear they were going to stay, Kou had no intention of holding back. 

“I am not comfortable to sleep on and I am too heavy to cover you.”

“You are no fun is what you are,” Kou chuckled, shaking his head as they continued. It was strange to think it would be a long time before he walked this path again and when they finally stepped out the trees, Kou paused, glancing back into the forest that had been his home for more than fifteen years. He knew he would be back; even if he hadn’t found his answer yet, he would have to come back to make more glass once it looked like he would run out. Still… it felt strange to be leaving it behind. 

“Is something wrong?”

“No, just saying goodbye,” Kou turned to continue walking, seeing Nrome’s little hut. He felt as Vizisco started to release his hand, but Kou held on tighter, refusing to let go. “No, you can come with me this time. I don’t plan to come back this way.”

“Alright,” Vi tightened their grip again, but Kou did paused in front of the angel’s home. Nrome turned to face the pair, a curious tilt to their head. 

“Hello Kou, Vizisco.”

“Hey, Nrome.” Kou smiled. He felt bad that he had never bothered to ask the angel’s name before Vizisco told him what it was, so it felt fitting to finally use it. Nrome was clearly surprised, humming quietly in response. “We won’t be back for a while.”

“Alright. Be careful, Kou.”

“Oh, I think Vizisco has that covered.”

“Vizisco is quite capable.” Nrome agreed and Kou couldn’t help his small laugh. 

“Hopefully I’ll get to experience it personally,” Kou waved with the reins as they continued walking, noticing how silent Vi had been during the whole exchange. “I’m guessing demons don’t do goodbyes.”

“What is a ‘goodbye’?”

“What I just did with Nrome. Letting them know they wouldn’t be seeing us for a while,” Kou explained, his heart pounding as they got closer to town. He knew it was simply practical; he wanted to take the other route out of town, so it made more sense for VI to walk with him than to wait with Nrome, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t aware of how it looked to be walking hand in hand with a demon. “That’s called saying goodbye.”

“Are they not permanent?”

“They don’t have to be,” Kou picked his words carefully, eyes fixed on the uneven road ahead. “Goodbyes are just... acknowledgments. You’re aware it might be a long time before you see someone again, or maybe you won’t.”

“I see.” Vi’s voice was soon swallowed by the noise of the town, most of the people in the final preparations for the flower festival. Kou had originally planned to leave afterwards, but considering everything, he felt a need to leave as soon as possible. Some people still approached and tried to trade him for last minute glass, and Kou did accept a few offers, even trading for flowers with some of the girls. 

“Kou! Wondered when you were gonna come.” Kou nodded as he tied Aldeon to the stocks outside the shop, keeping his grip on Vi’s hand as they stepped inside. Kleia, the tailor’s assistant, leaned on the counter, her eyes dancing up and down Vi’s body. “Where did you find that tall glass of water?”

“In the forest,” Kou teased, leaning to smile at Kleia. “Landed in my front yard.”

“Well no one told me handsome young men grew out there,” Kleia chuckled, her smirk a slow, teasing thing that Kou didn’t bother answering. Instead, he squeezed Vi’s hand lightly, knowing the demon was likely confused by their flirting. “Lucky bastard.”

“Hopefully.”

“Haha, you were always a freak, Kou,” Kleia’s laughter filled the shop and Kou merely shrugged, glad Vi likely had no idea what they were talking about. “You better tell me all about it when you come back, ya hear? Gotta know if they’re bigger than me.”

“No promises. A man is entitled to his secrets, ain’t he?” Kou winked as Kleia finally stepped away, waving him off as she went to retrieve his order. In the silence, Kou chanced a glance up at the demon to notice Vi was facing the open doorway. “Is it too noisy?”

“Hm?”

“I would imagine towns would be a bit too noisy, since you depend on sound and touch,” Kou explained, watching as Vi hummed with thought. 

“It is… constant, but it’s not ‘too noisy’ as you put it. It allows me to ‘see’ better,” Vi explained and Kou nodded, although he wasn’t sure he actually understood. “I can better tell what is happening around me.”

“Huh, maybe being blind would be better then. I get worn out from being around so many people.”

“I would not wish this on anyone.” Vi answered and Kou quickly looked up at the demon again. Vi had never said anything so… personal before. “My world is dark, and I rely on others to live. You would not like that life.”

“Yeah… I guess you're right,” Kou turned back to the counter as Kleia reappeared, carrying the shirts.

“Alright, two long-sleeves, three short sleeves and one… mid-sleeve? I swear that old hag just makes stuff up,” the girl huffed, handing the bundle to Kou as he finally released Vi’s hand. “You need me to fix anything, you know where to find me. Or if you feel like sharing all that.”

“I can promise I will not be sharing, but thanks Kleia.” Kou grinned, adjusting the shirts in his arms. “Be safe okay?”

“You too, Kou,” Kleia blew a kiss that Kou caught with his free hand, stepping back outside to add them to the bag with his clothing. The pony whined slightly with the extra weight, but Kou soothed Aldeon with one of the apples he had gotten just for the pony, watching as Vi moved next to them, holding something else in their arms. 

“What’s that?”

“The girl gave it to me. Said I would ‘need it to handle you’,” Vi explained and Kou quickly snatched the article as he heard what the demon said. Of course she did. “Should I–”

“Nope. You don’t need to do anything with it,” Kou insisted, stuffing it in the basket as he leaned back to see Kleia offering a devilish smile. He glared at her, fighting to hide his smile. “Well, at least not anytime soon.”

“Alright,” Vi held up their hand that Kou eagerly retook, silently cursing Kleia in his mind. There would be time for all of that once they were far away from here.