oOo

Chapter 4 - Silver Lining

Finral pulled away after checking Langris' temperature.

"Your fever's gone."

It was a huge relief. Finral was beginning to worry. Healers knew how to close wounds, heal some burns, or any other physical injury, but they weren't miracle workers where every sickness or disease could be cured in an instant.

Anything remotely abnormal or short of a miracle was called Forbidden Magic.

Langris sighed, "This means I can get back to work."

"What?" Finral blinked. "You can't!"

"How so?"

"You're joking right?" Langris narrowed his expression. It was answer enough for Finral. "You just became fine. You may not have a fever now, but that doesn't mean you're better. It might come back if you're not careful at taking care of your body."

"You're being unreasonable."

"Me? Honestly, Langris." Finral crossed his arms, suddenly feeling overprotective. "I'm not going to let you work until you rest for at least a full day without me having to worry about you collapsing."

"Fine," Langris rolled his eyes. "It can wait until later."

Alright, that was good enough.

Finral shifted his feet from the awkward silence. Langris was used to Finral's uneasiness, but something was off with the way Finral held his usual expression. Langris' eyes narrowed and he raised his chin in question. Finral was still jumpy, possibly waiting for something to turn out wrong like it usually did in their lives.

"What is it?" Langris asked.

"Y-you're better now." Finral nervously said. "I know you can take care of yourself and the fever's gone, which means... I can go back to work. Unless… unless you want me to stay?"

Langris understood what was happening.

He knew Finral was worried about him, but he was also worried about imposing. When would his brother learn? Langris held back a smile. His brother was something else entirely. This was something Langris secretly admired about Finral, that he was a good person.

"I don't want to keep you from your duties."

Langris hoped feigning indifference would get the message through.

Thankfully it did, but Finral was startled.

Surprisingly, there was no malice or mockery in the way Langris said those words. It was subtle, but there were hints in the tone of his voice that he was truly acknowledging Finral's work as a Black Bull and somewhat temporary vice-captain. It made Finral's heart swell, but he was hesitant to agree about that.

Besides, his worry for Langris exceeded his duties as a Magic Knight.

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Positive."

"I mean," Finral mumbled. "I don't have much to do."

There he was again, belittling everything he did. Langris shook his head, because honestly, when would Finral grow out of that habit? It was odd that he was still like this despite living with a crowd of rowdy, confident Knights that were the Black Bulls.

Langris predicted him like a child.

Did Finral want to stay?

He didn't mind, but what else were they going to do for the rest of the day? There really wasn't more to talk about other than make things awkward between them. He suppressed the urge to roll his eyes and sighed when Finral waited for some form of answer from him.

Langris sighed, "You don't have to stay for my sake."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll rest like you asked me to."

"Oh," Finral pouted. "Are you sure?"

"My fever's gone." Langris insisted. "There's really nothing for you to do here. I'd rather you worry about your squad and their… questionable reputation."

"Questionable reputation?"

Langris scoffed, enjoying the shocked expression on Finral's face. "We both know they're an unruly bunch. If you continue to set an example, maybe there's a sliver of hope that they'd be less… them."

Finral chuckled and started laughing in full.

He remembered his brother's traumatic experience from the squad trade that happened a year ago. Even Yami didn't come out of it unscathed. Finral remembered the number of protests he heard from his friends.

While Langris found it somewhat insufferable, Finral found it quite educational.

Finral took a deep breath and tried to stop himself from laughing. It was impossible to change the Bulls' opinions once they set their mind and heart into something, but it was a funny thought. Langris held back a smile when Finral tried to stop himself from snorting.

"Anyways," Langris voiced. "You can go now."

"If it's fine with you," Finral mumbled. "I want to stay for a little bit."

Langris saw desperation in those eyes. If this was Finral's way to spend some time with him, Langris guessed that he could let him. Good brothers did that, right? Langris really wanted to see and feel the effort Finral was making, so he sighed and looked at Finral straight in the eyes.

"Do whatever you want."

Finral beamed, "I'll try not to impose."

"Alright," Langris huffed and moved out of the bed. "I'll just take a bath."

Finral nodded as he hesitated to offer his help. He knew Langris wouldn't like it. So when Langris got up to get some clothes and locked the bathroom door, Finral made himself busy and smoothened out the bed sheets and plumped the pillows.

Back then, what he was doing would've been called beneath him.

He scowled, because he wasn't living that life anymore.

In truth, nothing had really changed since he had become a Black Bull, not even after he had completely moved out of his parents' house a couple of days ago. The only thing that he had to get used to was the way he had to introduce himself.

"I'm Finral Va— Roulacase!"

Yeah, he had to get used to that now.

The things he learned under Yami's supervision— whether he was his ride, an errand boy, or a temporary vice-captain— had been the same. In truth, he had only become more humbled than anything else under Yami's squad.

He grimaced and sat down to wait for Langris.

Finral had plenty of time to worry later.

oOo

The two brothers had breakfast brought to Langris' room.

Finral was startled when someone came with a food trolley. It felt like he was back at home or at a dinner event when he saw soup, appetizers, a main course, salad, and dessert. It was shocking compared to last night's dinner when they mostly had soup and food for the sick.

Today, it looked like heaven made it.

Just looking at it made Finral's mouth water, but he figured it wasn't as tasty as Charmy's cooking. She had really mastered her craft. Finral noticed that although he and Langris ordered the same meal, on Langris' tray was an extra plate of cherry tarts.

Finral held back a laugh.

Apparently Langris still loved cherry tarts.

The two of them ate in silence, but Finral had a nagging itch in the back of his mind that he had to scratch. Langris had almost finished his meal and started chomping on the cherry tarts when he noticed Finral barely touch his food.

"What's wrong?" Langris wondered. ""If you don't like the food, you can always say so."

Finral blinked. "What?"

"The food, does it taste funny?"

"No." He shook his head. "It's delicious."

"Then what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, just…" Finral looked down and mumbled, "About the gathering…"

Langris rolled his eyes. "Go— don't go, doesn't matter." He huffed as he took a bite of a cherry tart. "I don't want to start this conversation again. We talked about it. I don't really care."

Finral knew that was a lie, because yesterday he heard Langris enough times when he asked if Finral would go. He remembered how Langris' soft voice betrayed his emotions. Finral would've blamed the fever, but it must've come from the heart.

I'm not doing it to spite you or embarrass you.

I just want you there next to me.

Bashfully, Finral mustered up the courage to stay "I'll go, Langris, to the gathering. If you still want me to."

Langris was halfway through another cherry tart when he paused. His brother said he would try, but he didn't think he would get an actual response let alone a confirmation. Langris tilted his head in confusion. He knew this took more than Finral's courage.

"Even if Father doesn't want you there?"

Finral frowned at the reminder. "He'll hardly stop me when you're there to call me your guest, right?" He looked away and mumbled. "But if things get complicated…"

Langris scowled.

There it was again, the excuses.

"Why are you so hesitant over a simple yes or no?" He wondered. "Will you go or not?"

"I'm sorry." Finral flushed. "I'll go. It's just… not easy."

Langris understood that it was painful for Finral to face their father's disappointment and that he was ashamed for reasons he couldn't help. If Langris had gone through the same things Finral had, he wouldn't be able to muster the courage to face anyone.

"Just know, Brother. I'm not forcing you."

"You're not." Finral smiled. "I do want to go."

"Alright, then go."

"Just," He sighed. "Just update me."

Things got quieter, but it wasn't as if they weren't used to each other's silence. Finral, who disliked it more than Langris, tried to make small talk as they finished the rest of their meal. They discussed simple things, mostly about work and the Diamond Kingdom's futile efforts to invade Clover. In all the years they've been together, this was a nice break from all the pressure they felt from family.

After their meal, Finral rechecked Langris' temperature.

Langris grimaced, "I told you, I'm fine."

"I'm just checking." Finral whined. "But it's good that you're not wrong."

"Since when were you a mother hen?" He wondered. "You were never this worried before. You know I've been through skirmishes before, life or death. Why are you so alarmed?"

"I worry when you're out working," He explained. "But I trust in your skills. You're a great mage and a wonderful Magic Knight. You're also vice-captain. You wouldn't have gotten into your position if you were incompetent. Don't think I don't worry, I just worry less."

Langris flushed red.

"Thanks," He grumbled and tried to sidetrack the conversation. "It still doesn't explain you being a mother hen."

"Well," Finral awkwardly grinned. "Reasons, really."

"Reasons how?"

"Let's just say it came with practice."

"With a squad like yours," Langris scoffed. "I'm sure it did."

There was a polite knock at the door.

Langris straightened up and pushed Finral's hand away. From extending his mana and the familiarity of the door knock, he called out "Please, come in." and the door opened. It was Captain Vangeance. He slipped into the room and closed the door.

"Greetings to you both." He smiled. "I'm glad to see everything is well."

"There was nothing to worry about, Captain." Langris declared as he nudged Finral to agree. "The fever would've broken anyway."

Vangeance hummed, but not in agreement.

With a polite excuse, he took a step forward and took Langris' temperature. Langris stilled and his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. Finral's eyes widened, because apparently, Vangeance (like Yami) really cared. Not many Captains would feel the same way about a squad member.

"Your fever is gone." Vangeance voiced. "But I'd like for you to take tomorrow off."

Langris blinked, "What?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Captain, what about the reports and the schedule…"

"The reports can wait." He said, looking at the pile on Langris' desks. "As for the schedule, it could always be changed. But you're acting as my vice-captain now. You won't be easy to replace. Your health is far more important."

Langris nodded and made no further protests.

Slowly, he turned to his brother, who blinked in question. "I guess I'll see you around," He mumbled, then raised his voice. "I'm fine now, so you can go. I don't want to keep you further from your duties. I'm sure they'll need a Spatial mage soon."

Finral couldn't hesitate, not when Captain Vangeance was there.

He promised Langris that he would stay for just a little bit. "Are you sure you'll be fine?" He asked just to make sure that they were on the same page.

"Yes, Brother." He nodded. "You may go."

"If you're leaving," Vangeance spoke up. "Allow me to escort you."

"T-thank you, Captain." Finral said as he gave him an apologetic smile. "Umm… if it's alright with you, Captain Vangeance, could you give me and my brother some time to… say goodbye? It won't be long, I swear."

"Of course. I'll wait outside."

When Vangeance left, Langris raised an eyebrow. "That seemed to take a lot of your courage, judging by the way your knees are knocking together." He nearly laughed at the state his brother was in.

"Y-you can tell?"

"How long have I known you?"

"Good point."

Langris bit his lips, "What did you need time to talk for?"

"Just… this."

Finral took a step forward and embraced Langris. Immediately, he pulled away, not wanting to impose as he said he wouldn't. Langris gaped in confusion as his cheeks flushed at the unexpected gesture. They stared at each other, faces red. When it became unbearable, they turned away to awkwardly mumble to themselves.

"I should go now." Finral chuckled. "Please get some rest."

"I will." Langris nodded.

He walked Finral to the door and they said their silent goodbyes.

When the door shut, Langris rested his forehead on the door. He closed his eyes and tried to still his beating heart. He pushed himself off and looked at the reports. He wasn't allowed to work, but it wasn't considered work if he would just read it, right?

Langris made his way to the desk and noticed the reports were arranged in proper order.

He picked one up and was shocked to see several more papers neatly arranged inside. It was written in a neat handwriting, similar to his own, but recognizably different to those that knew their handwriting. His shoulders began to shake as small outbursts of laughter left him.

"You're a fool, Brother."

He trembled as he held the report close.

"You weren't wrong when you said we have almost the same type of work." He picked up another report and checked it. "It seems you've been working as a vice-captain way before I did."

His brother may not be vice-captain in name and title, but it never mattered to Finral so long as he was helping out. Langris checked the rest of the reports and saw that they were exactly what he would've done regardless if he knew who worked on what.

Although there were some things he was iffy about… his brother was too soft.

He had to look it over more thoroughly and revise some things if it didn't sit well with him, but so far, everything looked good. It was a shock, but at the same time, it was a relief to know that Finral was more than capable of handling a squad despite the numbers.

Too bad their father couldn't see that.

He placed the reports back and looked at the envelope next to it.

Langris grimaced, "This again."

If he had a choice, he wouldn't go at all, but it was a summons. He sighed and made his way to the window to look at the beautiful open plans. Whatever he thought didn't matter. It wouldn't be so bad, coming home for so long.

After all, Finral was going to attend.

It was good enough for him.

oOo

When the door shut, Finral apologized to Vangeance for making him wait, but Vangeance dismissed his apology with a smile. In one simple gesture to the end of the hallway, Finral followed Vangeance out. They walked through the bridge headed to the entrance of the gardens.

Vangeance started, "I want to thank you."

"Please," Finral flushed. "There's no need, Captain."

"It's well deserved, I assure you." He smiled. "I'm glad things worked out nicely for the both of you. If such a thing occurs again, which I hope not, I now know who to call. You have a better grasp of Langris' personality after all."

"Somewhat," He chuckled. "But I have to thank you for calling me."

"It wasn't an easy decision. Langris didn't want to go home when I told him to. Conflicting as it is, you were the one listed as his emergency contact."

Finral stopped. "What?"

"Is something wrong?"

"No," He shook his head. "N-nothing."

"Consider myself grateful that you came." Vangeance said as they reached the gates. "You may not see it, but your presence helped a lot. I think the pressure of his responsibilities was getting to your brother."

"Yes, I… noticed."

"Feel free to drop by, but let us know first."

Finral nodded as he opened a portal back to the Black Bulls base. With a small head bow, he made his exit. When he ended up at the door to the Bull's base, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He told himself he wouldn't cry.

It was difficult not to.

Maybe there was a silver lining to this after all.

To hear that Langris made him his emergency contact made Finral's heart swell. It meant much to him. His eyes teared up at the simple gesture of faith and trust. He chuckled and wiped a stray tear. He felt a little lighter than when he first came to the Golden Dawn, but the dread of the truth lingered.

He couldn't run from his problems forever.

Langris would find out, but Finral would savor what little good time he had before that happened. He trusted and hoped that Langris would forgive him, come what may.

He trusted in that silver lining.

oOo

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