A smile came to the zeta's face as he approached the breezeway where he had made the decision to disappear from the prince's side. "Inso!" Syri greeted as he approached the bench beneath the breezeway. Estan turned his head to see the zeta walking up to him; a smile instantly made its way to his face.

"Syri!" The gamma returned in greeting as he stood to his feet and opened his arms. "Ohhh how I've missed you," Estan said as Syri walked into his arms. The gamma wrapped the zeta in his embrace and ruffled the top of Syri's head as he asked, "How have you been? How's the job? How about your co-workers? Do they treat you well? How's the living condition? Are you getting enough to eat?"

Syri laughed lightly at the gamma's mothering inquiries as he stepped out of Estan's embrace. "I'm fine, Inso," the zeta assured the fretting gamma as he led the blonde to the bench. "How are you?" Syri inquired of the gamma as the two sat down.

"I'm okay," Estan replied with a soft nod. "Now, tell me aaaaaall about it. Are you adjusting well?" The gamma's expression was tender as he inquired about the zeta's past few days as a worker.

Syri let out a breath before beginning, "Everyone is nice and has been helping me learn the ropes. They treat me well and make sure to help me whenever I make a mistake. My room is just how I like it; I can watch the sun rise and set from my window, and the closet is nice. I have plenty to eat as the royal researcher's apprentice brings us food every day." Estan remained silent as he listened intently to the zeta. "I get to talk to Ajax everyday. I haven't really talked to Tran because I am not his caretaker, but he seems nice. All in all, I enjoy working with everyone."

"I'm so glad you are enjoying it," Estan commented as the zeta concluded the summary of his most recent days. A moment of silence passed between the two as the gamma turned his head to look at the stars twinkling in the night sky. "Inso," the zeta's soft voice sounded after a moment, drawing the gamma's gaze. "Let's meet up here every night," Syri proposed with a small smile. He could tell the gamma was concerned for him, and he wanted to assure Estan he would be alright. So, Syri thought it best to meet with the gamma each night to ease Estan's worry.

Estan smiled at the zeta and nodded as he replied, "Let's do that." Syri returned the smile before leaning his head onto the gamma's shoulder. Estan released a coo in adoration of the cute zeta and wrapped an arm around the exhausted male. The two sat in silence beneath the stars as Estan affectionately patted the zeta's shoulder. Syri felt himself falling asleep on the gamma's shoulder, but there was one last thing he wanted to tell Estan, so he spoke before he completely passed out from the tiring day. "I saw Jae the other night," Syri said quietly.

The gamma's rhythm on the zeta's shoulder paused for a split second as the physician heard Syri's words before returning to its normal pace as Estan asked, "Did he see you?" Syri shook his head against Estan's shoulder as he replied, "No, but he nearly did. I was going back to my room from the stables when I smelled him. He smelled me, too, but I hid behind a tree."

"He must have thought he was smelling things," the gamma commented with a slight chuckle to lift the mood. A sad smile came to the zeta's lips as he responded, "Yeah...I guess so..."

"You miss him...don't you?" Estan inquired as he heard the sadness in Syri's voice. The zeta let out a sigh before answering, "...I do."

"He misses you, too," Estan revealed as he looked down at the male resting on his shoulder. Syri's lips parted slightly as his warm brown eyes gazed up at the gamma; they were glistening. "Did you give him the note?" Syri inquired. His voice was barely above a whisper. Estan nodded as he answered, "I did. The matter was settled once he read it." The gamma took a breath before adding, "At first, he wouldn't believe me. He insisted to find you, but after he read the note...he said nothing more about it."

The zeta became conflicted by the gamma's words. He was relieved the prince was not searching for him, but he regretted not telling the prince goodbye and, no matter how hard he tried, Syri knew he would never be able to remove the prince from his heart entirely. A tear trickled down the zeta's cheek as Syri closed his eyes. "How is he?" Syri knew he should not be inquiring about the prince; it would only make it harder to move on, but the zeta had wondered about the prince for nearly the entirety of the past few days.

Estan brought his hand to the zeta's head and began running his fingers through Syri's soft, pink hair as he answered, "He has been quiet, hardly speaking a word. He's buried himself in his work and remains alone most of the day. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but don't worry. I'm sure he'll come around eventually." Estan's voice was kind as he informed the zeta of the prince's condition.

"Punch him for me if he doesn't," Syri requested through silent tears as he gazed at the stars. A small smile came to the gamma's lip as he replied, "For sure."

"So, what's been on your mind?" Syri inquired after a moment. "Hm?" Estan sounded in response, lifting a brow as he turned toward the zeta.

"Something has been weighing on you, Inso. You've been mulling over it for a while now," Syri said as he sat up and turned to face the gamma.

Estan let out a breath as he looked at the zeta. The gamma's body relaxed as a light smile came to his lips. "You're right; something has been on my mind," Estan revealed.

Syri remained silent as he could tell that Estan was not the keenest on revealing exactly what had been on his mind. The gamma refrained from disclosing the subject of his distress as he did not want to cause the zeta to unwillingly remember the events of that day at Gern.

"What are you going to do about it?" Syri inquired after a moment of silence had passed between the two.

"I'll have to do it," Estan answered.

"But, do you want to?" The zeta returned.

The gamma sucked in his breath as he nodded his head and answered, "Yeah, I do. He deserves to know." Estan's eyes glistened slightly as his gaze wandered over the endless shimmering celestial orbs filling the night sky.

A small smile came to Syri's lips as the gamma came to a decision. "Then you better go tell him, don't you think?" The zeta suggested as he turned his gaze to the gamma.

Estan nodded in agreement as he smiled at the zeta before standing to his feet. "You're right. I should go. He's probably waiting for me."

Syri followed the gamma in standing to his feet as he said, "I should probably go back to my room and get some sleep."

"Mm," Estan sounded in agreement. "You've had a long day. Get some good rest," the gamma bid as the two prepared to part ways.

"Thanks, Inso. Good luck with whatever was on your mind," the zeta returned sweetly.

"It will be resolved shortly," Estan replied with a slight smile as he reached an arm up and ruffled the zeta's pink hair. "Night, Little One."

"Night, Inso."

Estan released a breath as he watched the zeta walk away before linking his mate. Yej, where are you?

It was only a second before the alpha responded. I'm training the boys in the yard. Is everything okay? Concern filled the alpha's voice as he linked the gamma.

Everything is okay. Estan assured the alpha. Meet me in our room when you're done. There's something I need to tell you.

Silence filled Estan's mind for a moment as before Yejin's voice returned. The session just ended. I'm coming to you now.

>>>>>>

Tears filled the alpha's eyes as he gazed at his mate softly. Estan's cheeks were soaked as he said, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I just- I just-"

Yejin was quick to pull his mate into his embrace. "Hey, it's okay. It's okay," the alpha soothed as he held his love. "I should have been there for you. I'm so sorry."

Fresh tears streamed down Estan's face as he heard Yejin's words. "No, you had important matters to-"

"Nothing is more important than you. I should have made sure you and Syri made it to Alia safely."

"What is done is done," Estan concluded. "It is in the past, Yej. I am here with you, and that is what matters."

The alpha's eyes flashed red as he quickly stated, "I am not going to let those bastards get away with-"

"They're all dead, love," Estan informed the alpha. "The pann killed them."

"Ah, well, if anyone else dares hurt you, they will feel hell's fire," Yejin firmly declared.

A smile came to Estan's lips as he looked up at the man holding him. "I am so lucky to have you as my mate." Love filled the gamma's green eyes as he gazed up at the alpha. "I'm pretty sure I'm the lucky one," Yejin returned softly as he cupped the gamma's cheek and wiped away a fresh tear. Estan's lips curled into a smile as he draped his arms around the alpha's neck and brought his mate down to be a breath away.

The alpha and gamma locked eyes and shared a love-filled gaze as Yejin dropped his hands to Estan's waist and pulled the gamma into his body. Estan's green eyes fluttered as he reached up and pressed his lips to Yejin's. The two closed their eyes as they enjoyed a deep, tender kiss.

Tingles ran down Estan's spine as Yejin slipped his hand beneath the gamma's shirt and slid his long fingers up his mate's back. Estan kept his arms draped over Yejin's neck as the alpha walked the two to the bed and guided the gamma onto the covers. In one swift motion, Yejin lifted Estan's shirt over his head as the gamma lied down onto the soft bed.

Estan's eyes were glazed as he watched Yejin remove his shirt and come to lean over him. "I love you," the gamma said as the alpha intertwined the two's fingers. Yejin smiled down on his mate and pecked Estan on the forehead as he returned, "I love you, so so much." The alpha's eyes glistened as he promised, "I won't let anyone hurt you ever again."

Tears touched the gamma's eyes at the alpha's words. A tear from the alpha dripped onto Estan's cheek as the gamma pulled his mate down onto his body and pressed his lips to Yejin's in a deep kiss. Tears mixed with love as the two interlocked their lips and became enwrapped in the other's presence, becoming one beneath the moonlight.