The trip back was. . . A lot, for everyone, the two day trip stretched to feel like eons of Hester's life. They left as quickly as they could, leaving the ruins behind them in their escape. Hester would never go back—shouldn't have to begin with.

The first day was spent guzzling health potions, wrapping cuts, bruises and burns, then the rest was them tediously retracing their steps from the sprawling forest groves. They silently marched, the two boys sleeping soundly on the back of Odin in front of Alexander and Hester leading the way.

The storm not clearing as they become drenched, the rain sticking around them like a plague, or a curse.

The mornings were the worst, yet the afternoon and evenings were when the boys would wake up from their day-long slumber and grace the world with their presence—and run around the makeshift camp Hester and Alexander had made that night.

The two would watch the boys giggle and scream exploring this new world around them each time they opened their eyes. "What is the other one called?" Alexander asked, turning to Hester, it made sense, this was probably one of Hester's young cousins, however Hester never knew his family. "No clue mate, we just sort of. . . Took him." Hester shrugs. "I'll think of something, probably, he'll be staying with me—Wilbur needs a friend."

Hester knew Wilbur didn't just want a friend. He wanted a brother, and he needed someone to grow up with.

Hester knew something that—even Alexander could not understand. This boy, the one who seemingly mirrored his complexion: was not loved. No one was looking for him and no one cared to, it made Hester's heart hurt and guts twist. He did not know this boy, and yet, loved him as his own.

Hester leaned back, lifting a hand as the rain greedily splashed into the palm of his waiting hand, the rain becoming soothing, Alexander muttered something under his breath. However not to Hester, or Wilbur or Odin. No one Hester could see, but he knew they were still there.

There were things Hester could not understand, that Alexander would have to go through by himself. Somethings that Hester could not teach even after his lifetime's worth of experience, Alexander sighed tirely Hester trying not to eavesdrop but hearing Alexander say. "That is Hester's call to make, not ours."

Hester thinks for a moment debating if he even wants to know, then tries to ask calmly and not be suspicious at all. "What are the voices saying right now?" He regretted how his voice trembled and how eager he sounded, like the voices were some sort of talent, something Alexander could—or would even want to show.

Alexander stays silent, Hester worriedly turns to see him, already knowing it was foolish and stupid of him to ask—him seeing Alexander has his eyes closed, and brows furrowed deep in thought. "Leo." He rasped out eventually, the emotionless—almost bored voice calling the two syllables a word being plucked right out of a book.

"Sorry, mate?"

"They call him Leo."

Hester leans back looking at the two running boys, screaming and shouting and laughing. He didn't understand. Could they really know? Or was this a trick? Hester couldn't comprehend it yet still his heart swells at the sight. He rests his eyes again, Alexander shifts then comments dryly "We are going to need a bigger house." He said lightly almost as an afterthought

Hester's eyes open and his breath catches. He fumbles for the right words to say, torn between reminding Alexander of his impending departure or letting him delight a while longer. Luckily, Alexander moves on all on his own, his gaze glassy and relaxed as he watches the two boys attempt to climb a tree.

I'll miss this. Hester knows, like announcing it will stop the hurting in his chest. More than anything he thinks he’ll miss these nights the most—the laughter and the stories—the trust and stillness between them.

One favor.

A debt repaid.

So much had changed from that first day of talking—fighting one another. So certain they'd never see each other after the first night. Alexander giving little more than a few passing words of comfort.

'You can stay as long as you need.'

But he didn't need Alexander if anything he had been a leech on him for far too long, asking far too much and receiving it all, he has to leave Alexander, it's what Hester needs and Alexander wants.

But still, he can barely imagine the world without him. Without the calm quiet of the steadily cramped cottage on...