Creak!

The noise made silver eyes narrow in suspicion but the youth didn't turn his head nor spoke a word about it. Between pinkish fingertips was the mana crystal that belonged to the messaging artifact he owned and used to communicate with his brothers. His figure looked gloomy yet elegant as he sat on the stone-shaped cylinder before the flat surface of the halved tree trunk that served as a wooden table.

Within the quiet house of the abode, he sat silently. Ignoring the noises around him as his thoughts began to unfold inside his mind. His eyes dimmed and his neck bent as he grasped the crystal between his hands. There was a stuttering exhale followed by the pressing of his lips.

As the white strands of his hair fell on his back and curtained his face, Moulin swallowed. A week had passed after Hadrian's departure. Moulin was anxious... He felt his here tightened as he thought of the numerous possibilities Hadrian might have encountered during his journey...

'Hurry... Hurry and come back... I don't know where you are...'

It felt painful.

An exhausted sigh escapes his lips and the form of his back made him appear weak. Troid had told him that they were going to set up the teleportation ring back to Thundralln and they would be leaving soon. Troid urged Moulin to return first, pitying the dreadfulness the youth had encountered during his very first mission. Moulin had remembered the concern and sympathy in the captain's blue eyes as they looked at Moulin. Moulin didn't like it. He didn't want to go first... he wanted to wait...

Once again, Moulin sighs...

Honestly...

Creak!

Moulin stopped. What the heck was making that noise?

Finally, he turned his head to see what was causing that sound. However, no matter how much he assessed the area, he could not determine what caused it. "..."

Creak!

His eyes abruptly eyed the bulge underneath the pile of woven fabric that the female weavers had brought for him to use. Something was underneath the pile of fabric. Something was wiggling beneath.

Moulin narrowed his eyes for a few seconds before he relaxed. Raising an eyebrow he stood up from his seat and walked towards the pile of clothing on the floor at the side of the wooden wall. The sound of his footsteps was evident and Moulin deliberately didn't try to soften it. With an annoyed yet slightly amused stare, he bent down and picked up the fabric from the ground.

"Keir, come out of there..." He said.

The brat was revealed and Moulin froze on the spot. Snow-white fur was revealed to his eyes and a pair of round silver eyes identical to his stared at him expectantly. The fluffy tail wagged and the fox yipped happily at the sight of his master.

"Ao!"

Moulin's eyes widened. "Snow?!"

He immediately crouched down and the fox instinctively jumped into his slender arms. Snow internally sighed. How he missed his master's warmth. Wuwu, it was so cold during his time with that evil man. Snow whimpered as if he was wronged. Carrying the little snow-white fox in his hands, Moulin slowly stands up from the ground.

He felt the creature in his arms snuggle comfortably.

"Snow? How are you here what about-"

Moulin abruptly stopped.

"Where is Hadrian?"

"Here."

The moment that familiar voice entered his ears, Moulin immediately turned his head. However, a hand rapidly caught his neck. He was unexpectedly turned around and heated lips pressed unto his own.

Moulin was surprised that he abruptly stiffened at the contact. However, the familiar warmth between their lips melted the freezing gloom and anxiety in the youth's heart. His shoulders relaxed and his eyes slowly closed as the man moved his lots against his. Lost in the depth of their kiss, Moulin was swept away by the passion and the gentleness of the fingers in his hair and the comforting pounding of his heart.

'He's finally back... '

Snow, who was stuck between the chest of the two people blinked, aggrieved.

The crushed Snow: help...

As the two lovers parted, a string of silver connected their lips. With a dashing and amused smile on his handsome face, Hadrian stared at Moulin's dazed look. "You missed me too much..."

Snap! Moulin blinked as his reasoning recovered. Redness crept into his cheeks and a frown shaped his longing countenance. "You... you're back..."

"Do you not want me to return?" The man teased.

Silver eyes narrowed, "What kind of question is that? Of course, I want you to return but you didn't tell me it would take so long! Did something happened? Are you hurt? What about the others?"

"There..." Hadrian glanced behind him where the curtains of the entrance of the hut were partially opened. Moulin turned his head and saw Ordan staring at the two of them in silence. He had seen the interactions between the two and could not even greet Moulin and Hadrian. With furrowed eyebrows, Ordan nodded at Moulin and Hadrian before he excused himself almost in a hurry.

"..."

Although Ordan had disappeared, Moulin kept his eyes at the entrance where the curtains fluttered gently. "He saw..." Moulin whispered silently.

With a finger on the youth's chin, Hadrian made Moulin face him. "Does it bother you? I thought you were already aware that he knows about our relationship..."

"I really am already aware that Ordan knows about our relationship... However, I do not think he will make light of this situation..." Moulin knitted his eyebrows in concern.

Gently, an arm wraps around Moulin's waist, pulling him closer to Hadrian's body.

"Ao!" Snow then struggled violently. His patience thinned tremendously.

"!!!"

Moulin flinched and quickly realizes that Snow was held between him and Hadrian. Taking a step back, Moulin apologizes to Snow and dotingly strokes the furry white hair of the little creature.

"I'm sorry. Are you hurt?" Moulin anxiously spoke.

Snow immediately lets out pitiful whimpers, taking advantage of the fact that he had obtained his master's full attention. However, his victory was short-lived when Hadrian leans down to plant a kiss on Moulin's forehead. A taunting smile secretly graced his lips as his golden eyes narrow at the scheming little fox within his master's arms.

Pulsing anger and fear made Snow tremble slightly. Scary!!

Moulin was too distracted by Hadrian's action that he didn't notice Snow's glaring eyes.

Not long after, Hadrian told Moulin that he had arrived a few hours ago and wanted to surprise him with his return. This made Moulin internally furious. What surprise?! He was dying out of worry and this man dares to keep his return a secret from him?!

"Don't ever do that again or I will really rip you into two!" Moulin snapped. His eyes gleamed with ferocity which only tickled Hadrian's chest.

"Do you not want to know about the good news?" Hadrian smirked as he whispered. His lips hovering above Moulin's lips sensually.

"What news?" The youth pulled his head back with a cocked eyebrow.

Hadrian raises his hands and vigorous energy surged from his palm. Golden electricity crackled. A gold layer glowed from the man's palm, filled with a powerful eruption of rich mana.

Moulin widened his eyes. The sparks were reflected from his surprised eyes.

"It's back... " He abruptly turned to look at Hadrian. "You removed the poison?"

Hadrian clenched his palm and nodded. "We found the cure..."

Hope and happiness swelled in Moulin's heart and he could not help but smile. Hadrian bathes at the delighted expression on Moulin's face and told Moulin that he would be intaking the concoction made by the naga healer with the herb, Nalan. Although Moulin was excited, his expression remained calm but the happiness in his expression did not fade away for a day.

He was worried about the loss of his abilities and the absence of his lover but everything turned out well in the end. Hadrian proceeded with Troid to thank the chief and informed him of their departure. Hearing that they would be departing soon, the chief commenced a grand farewell feast for them. Although Troid wanted to politely reject it, the chief shook his head and said it was only favorable for them. The sentinels' stay here in the tribe benefitted them greatly.

With a sigh, Troid conceded and the sentinels were even greatly anticipating the food they would be eating tonight.

"Moulin!"

Hearing his name, Moulin turned his head and saw Seryu approaching him. Ghana, who was with her friend, took a step back. Worry crossed her face as he tried to smile politely.

As the blushing clouds rolled and the sunset skies began to darken, Seryu greeted them with a smile.

"I heard you are leaving tomorrow..." The young naga hesitantly spoke.

"Yes. We will be returning at first light..."

"Oh... " Reluctance layered his serpentine eyes. He took a deep breath and exhaled. "Although I was expecting this, I am quite reluctant"

Moulin ignored Ghana who was standing still behind him and responded to Seryu with a faint smile. "Although we will be separating, I will not forget everything you taught me and the wonderful things you showed me. Thank you, Seryu"

"It should be me thanking you for saving my life..." Seryu bowed to him. His expression was sullen.

Unable to take the atmosphere between her friend and the naga, Ghana sighed and swallowed every bit of fear in her heart. The ambiance was getting gloomy. This was one of the reasons why Ghana hated farewells.

"Alright! You two will meet again in the future, so what's with your expressions?" She almost shouted with a grin. Seryu and Moulin blinked at her and she continued. "Come, the feast will be starting soon! Let's fill our stomachs and talk until the night wanes!"

Moulin and Seryu glanced at each other.

A smile then shapes their lips as they conceded to Ghana's idea and follows the female Maeruthan as she bravely leads them while endlessly spouting bold words from her mouth.