People could walk in the rain for a number of reasons. Sadness, anxiety, a form of self-punishment for past sins or mistakes, they just happened to enjoy being wet.

Alear, on the other hand, had forgotten to take an umbrella with him. He'd left Lythos castle to go for a walk after a long, boring meeting with some dignitaries from Elusia, and only after he was gone did Alcryst notice the clouds gathering, the sky darkening, and the red and blue umbrella hanging from its golden stand.

He caught up to his husband just in time for it to start pouring, and that was how he found him. Soaking wet, laughing sheepishly, trying to use his ornate cape as a shield.

"Sometimes I forget how unpredictable the weather can be," he said as Alcryst lifted the umbrella for him to step underneath. "It was always clear and dry on the Somniel."

The Somniel was far from abandoned, even if everyone had gone back home after the war or chosen to travel through Elyos before they settled somewhere. Alear and Alcryst still took frequent trips to check up on Sommie; they'd talked about bringing them back to Lythos, but the little spirit didn't feel comfortable outside their home base. The gardens were still there, the farmyards, the cafe - the Somniel was no longer their main hub, but they could go back any time.

"Sometimes I miss it," Alcryst said aloud as they walked along the damp path, surrounded on both sides by trees and flowers, the umbrella shielding them further from the rain. "N-not that I dislike Lythos, of course, I'd love living anywhere with you!"

"I know." Alear smiled. "I miss it too. I'm glad the war's over and we don't have to fight all the time anymore, but I loved having everyone close by all the time. I miss the orchards, the swimming pool, the plaza, trying everyone's cooking in the cafe, wondering who was going to wake me up every morning..." He closed his hand over Alcryst's on the handle of the umbrella. "But I always hoped it would be you."

"Alear..." It still felt so strange to call the Divine Dragon by his real name, even after they'd been married for two years and Alcryst was as well-known across Lythos as Alear himself. "I miss everything, too," he said, then paused. "I miss them." Alear's smile turned sad.

"I miss them, too."

It had been three years since the Emblems had said goodbye, even the Bracelet Emblems. Every now and then, they'd go into the vault and look at each one of those rings or bracelets, remembering the allies who'd once resided within them.

The twleve who'd given Alear his life back that day.

I still remember that moment in vivid detail. How broken my heart was, how at that moment the worst thing I could imagine was never seeing you again. And I'm so selfish, thinking as though my family and friends were less important...how the memory must haunt you, you're the one who died twice that day and I made it about myself, running to you in tears, watching you sleep even to this day to make sure-

Alear's fingers tightened around his, bringing him back to the present.

"It's okay, Alcryst."

"I'm sorry." Slowly, he was learning to stop apologizing for everything, but everything they said about old habits was true. "I know you're not going anywhere." Alear let go of his hand to wrap an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. Alcryst leaned into him, under the wet cloak, not caring that it was just getting them more soaked.

Alear was warm. The gem Alcryst had given him, made into a pendant shortly before they officially announced their engagement, shone on his chest. Like his eyes and hair.

"I love you," Alear said. Alcryst smiled, resting his head on his shoulder.

"I love you, too."

The rain didn't let up, but the umbrella protected them the rest of the way back to the castle.