The two returned to the house, only to find Neptur already eating at the table.
Neptur glanced up. "Hm? There you two are. I was starting to wonder if you'd wandered off somewhere."
Elendil smiled brightly. "No! We just went to watch the sunset together while waiting for you."
Neptur chuckled. "Really? That's nice to hear, heh..."
Angel quietly looked away. "I'm... going to bed now."
Elendil blinked. "Hm? Okay. Goodnight!" he waved cheerfully.
"Night... I guess," Angel muttered as he headed upstairs with a sigh...
Angel opened the bedroom door and quietly closed it behind him. He let out a tired sigh and sat down on the edge of the bed. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small object—his flute-knife (If you may not remember, this is the tool that Angel was holding from the beginning) . It gleamed softly, golden-white in color, ancient and delicate in design.
He held it in his hand, staring at it in thought.
Angel: "You shouldn't open your eyes too much, Angel... or else... it'll get suspicious..." he whispered to himself. "I just want to live like a normal being... without being called a god—"
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Angel jumped slightly. "Huh? What are you doing here?"
Elendil leaned casually against the doorframe. "We sleep together, remember?" he chuckled, walking over and flopping onto the bed.
Angel blinked: "Huh? Oh... uh... I forgot," he mumbled, glancing back down at his flute.
Elendil tilted his head: "Hm? What's that?"
Angel's grip tightened slightly. "Huh? It's... none of your business," he muttered.
Elendil chuckled softly.
Elendil: "Heh... okay," he said, lying back and staring up at the ceiling.
Angel glanced at him from the corner of his eye. Elendil smiled faintly and reached for a small wooden airplane sitting on the nightstand.
Silence hung in the room for a moment.
Elendil broke it softly. "Y'know... my father made this airplane for me when I was seven," he said quietly, turning the little wooden toy in his hands.
Angel's eyes drifted to him, but he remained silent.
Elendil sighed, still staring at the ceiling—his voice dipping into something more fragile, a little sad. "I miss my parents... I... didn't even get to say goodbye to them..." he murmured.
Angel looked down, then up toward the window. The moon outside was bright tonight, casting a soft glow into the room...
Elendil hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
Elendil: "Uhm... well... since you told me from the beginning that you knew my story... and... you never told me yours, and I want to know more about y—"
Angel quickly cut him off. "It's getting late. You should go to sleep. Tomorrow's probably going to be a busy day."
Elendil's eyes widened. He glanced away, clearly disappointed.
Elendil: "O-okay... goodnight," he murmured, placing his little wooden airplane down on the nightstand before turning over and pulling the blanket over himself.
Angel let out a quiet sigh, watching Elendil as he started to softly snore.
Angel: "Why is it so hard for you to understand the truth... you don't have to know anything... if that makes sense," Angel whispered to himself, turning on his side with a tired look in his eyes.
But little did Angel know... Elendil wasn't really asleep. He lay there with his eyes closed, quietly thinking.
"Why... doesn't he want me to know more about him...?" Elendil wondered to himself.
He let out a small sigh, deciding not to push it further. Soon, sleep gently took over, and the room fell into a soft, peaceful quiet...
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THE NEXT DAY..
Elendil woke up, the morning light shining softly through the curtains. He let out a small sigh, stretching his arms. As he glanced at the bed, he noticed Sylwenna sitting on the couch, chatting with Neptur.
Neptur looked over. "Hm? Ah, Elendil. You're up — good."
Elendil rubbed his eyes. "Huh? Uhm... yes. Good morning," he replied, glancing at Sylwenna.
Neptur nodded. "As you can see... Sylwenna here is getting married. Tomorrow, actually."
Elendil's eyes widened. "Tomorrow??"
"Yes, tomorrow," Neptur confirmed with a small smile. "And you're going to be the ring bearer."
Elendil blinked in surprise. "A... ring bearer? Oh... uh... okay." Trying to act nonchalant, he turned away and walked into the kitchen.
Neptur watched him go with a sigh. "Huh... I wonder what's wrong with that little guy."
In the kitchen, Elendil found Angel making coffee.
Angel glanced at him coldly. "Hm? Good morning."
"Uh... good morning," Elendil answered quietly, grabbing a glass of water. He stole a glance at Angel, then spoke softly:
Elendil: About last night... what you said... about not wanting me to know the truth or... something else..."
Angel froze, his eyes going wide. "You... heard it?"
"I heard everything," Elendil admitted. "And... I want to know why. Why are you trying to stop me from knowing? Did we... meet before and I just don't remember?"
Angel quickly turned away. "Uhm... what are you talking about?"
"You know what I'm talking about, Angel. Don't play dumb with me," Elendil pressed. "Please... just tell me. I won't tell anyone."
But Angel only shook his head. "No. You don't have to know." He picked up the tray of coffee and tried to walk away.
Elendil grabbed his shoulder. "Why? Why don't I have to know? Is there some secret you're hiding from me?" His voice cracked slightly. "I just... want to know you better. Like friends... isn't that what friends do? Share everything?"
Silence hung between them.
"...Friends?" Angel finally spoke, turning to face him. "Elendil... I never said I was your friend."
Elendil's eyes widened. His hand slipped from Angel's shoulder, his heart sinking at the cold words. He clenched his fists.
Angel continued quietly. "... I only said from the beginning that I wanted to protect you. That's all. I... I never wanted to be friends or anything else."
Elendil's voice trembled. "What... what are you protecting me from? Why...? I... I don't understand you, Angel... I—"
Angel interrupted sharply. "You don't need to know. And stop overthinking the past between us, Elendil. Just forget about it. Forget this conversation ever happened, alright?" He turned and began walking away with the tray.
But then he stopped. Without looking back, he said softly:
Angel: "... I also don't want to hurt you. Or... anything else. Okay? Let's just... stay strangers."
Then he left.
Elendil stood there — hurt, angry, confused.
"Doesn't want to hurt me? Strangers... not friends... I don't get you..." he thought bitterly.
His throat tightened, and tears stung his eyes. He looked down, quietly sobbing from Angel's cold words.
Meanwhile, Angel could hear Elendil's soft cries from the kitchen. He sighed, pausing for a moment... and then made his way towards the living room..
(TO BE CONTINUED)