Ayen had expected it. Yet, there was a huge difference between speculating about something and when he finally knew who he was going to meet.

At the center of the flower garden were two well-decorated tombstones. Ayen stared at the tombstones and read the names engraved on them.

No, there was not really a name.

’Mama’ and ’Papa’

There were only these two terms engraved on both sides, and a simple RIP. There was not even an epitaph. Yet, somehow that simplicity was enough.

It was a world where having a tomb for normal civilians was a luxury.

The three of them stood before the tombstones, solemn but not sorrowful. Khal had long since moved on; he did not even remember their faces anymore.

Although, it was regretful not to have pictures of them. Khal knew his parents had not left any printed memories for him. Even their names, he was not sure.

"This is my parents’ tomb, but there’s no body inside," Khal started, his voice calm without the raging waves of his youth. "I returned to this place only after I awakened as an esper. There’s nothing left for me to retrieve for their remains."

He also went to their home, but the fire had engulfed everything, and he had not recovered a thing.

Khal’s blue pupils, inherited from his mother, flickered slightly.

"Even so, I felt the need to create this remembrance for them."

Khal squeezed Ayen’s hand; his palm was not as cold.

"I knew they’d like this place. I’ve long since forgotten what they were like. But I remember that one thing... before my parents’ hometown was ruined." Khal smiled at this memory. To the only one, he still could remember them.

"My mom had a small garden in her home, and my dad pursued her by giving her every flower he came across. But often, my mom said it was not preserved, and so she couldn’t plant them."

Ayen looked up and saw Khal’s gaze warm; not the first time he saw it, but it proved just how much Khal loved his parents.

"Her dream was to have another flower garden." He paused and turned to Ayen. "This was my gift to her."

Khal could not remember most of his memories with his parents, but he knew just how his parents fought for his survival. The world was cruel, and so Khal wished in the afterlife that they would have a paradise like this flower garden.

"I want you to meet them," Khal spoke. He lifted Ayen’s hand and kissed the back of it, his gaze not leaving him. "The people who brought me to who I am now."

There was no ceremony, but it was true. More than just giving birth to him, he was living and at the top of this world because his parents did everything for his survival.

At the cost of their life.

If one thought about it, this was to spare Aegi’s life. He felt for the sacrifice of his mother.

Ayen’s mouth parted slightly, still feeling the lingering touch of Khal’s lips in his hand. Those heated gazes made his heart throb, and not in a painful way.

"I heard about your conversation with Devion a few days ago."

Devion and Ayen’s eyes widened, startled. Devion even swallowed, remembering those words he revealed and vented to Ayen.

"Khal," Devion called nervously.

Khal shifted his gaze to him; the heat in those eyes remained unwavering. "I understand how you never brought it to me. It’s painful to hear, and I’m glad you held back all those years ago."

Devion revealing the reason he returned would make Khal’s overprotectiveness and insecurities heighten. They might not even know where they were now if he did that.

They managed to live peacefully because of it.

"But I feel regretful. I never noticed the signs. I was preoccupied with something else, and I blamed myself for that. No, you don’t need to deny it." Khal’s words, despite being filled with remorse, remained steady.

His heated gaze only increased; emotions filled his eyes.

"We’re both scared... and we all know why." Khal reached out and caressed Devion’s face. "I was so afraid... No, I’m still afraid to lose you."

So, he did not say anything.

Now. Khal sighed, releasing all his emotions at once.

It might be strange to have this conversation in front of the graves of his parents, but he could not think of a location more fitting than this place.

To the start of his everything.

He shifted his gaze to Ayen and tightened their interlocked fingers.

"You arrived at a perfect time, Ayen."

He did not believe in fate, but gradually, he needed to. Khal could hold onto anything to save Devion. This was a point where his mind was more open than ever.

"Both of us suffered; those times were not good memories. For you and for us. Yet, they mattered, right?"

Both Devion and Ayen nodded their heads.

The time leading up to their meeting was not smooth for either side. However, those experiences shaped them into who they are at this moment.

As though... preparing them for what was to come.

"I don’t commend those madmen for hiding you from us, but I want to thank you. Thank you for holding on until we’re finally ready to meet you, Ayen."

It was the truth. If Ayen arrived in the years when Khal was so crazy to even let Devion be alone, things would not work as easily as now.

Devion and Ayen’s eyes moistened. Specifically, Ayen, whose heart felt like bursting once more. Devion leaned closer to him and also tightened their interlocked fingers.

"I was skeptical that this would work. You felt it too."

Ayen nodded. The darkness on him surged at the mention, but they were contained. For some reason, Ayen did not feel the need to actually recognize them.

"For years I’ve been loving one person, and I thought you were... testing my loyalty."

Ayen sucked in a breath, and Devion stared at Khal. Whatever upheavals Khal had, he felt them too, but he was more open that time.

They needed Ayen more than what he could give them, but what he would be to them.

"You actually did. But I did not fail the test."

Ayen was both the test and the price.

Khal leaned and whispered, his face between the two as his other hand snaked around Devion’s.

"Let’s try it. Whatever the future leads us to... We’ll be together, the three of us."