"So I'm an alchemist AND a healer. Was I any good at either profession?"

"One of the best at both. But you never got certified for either because you refused to play by the rules of society."

"I guess that sounds like something I would do."

Nightfall was peaceful when the ocean was peaceful. A calm wind pushed the ship along over the ocean's rhythmic waves. Syryn and Rowan were sitting at the bow of the ship. The former was leaning back to admire the stars that dotted the sky like diamonds.

Rowan had a glass of alcohol in his hand, provided by the ship's captain. He wasn't drinking much of it though because Syryn who had refused the alcohol was taking sips out of Rowan's cup. The anti mage had assumed that Syryn was being careful about what he excepted from strangers but he couldn't be more wrong about it. The mage just wanted to share a cup with Rowan.

"Tell me more about my brother."

Rowan smiled. What could he say about Lucien without alarming Syryn?

"Red hair, ruby eyes, fiery temper, and a mouth that spits out insults that hurt your soul. Lucien is quite the character. He's the only one who has the ability to bully you when you allow it."

Syryn was intrigued. "Why does he sound like a troublemaker?"

"Because he is. You adopted him after rescuing the kid from a slave caravan." Rowan took a tiny sip from the cup.

"I can't wait to meet him," Syryn replied. This little brother sounded like someone fun. The mage took the cup of alcohol from Rowan's hand and put it up to his mouth. He placed his lips right where Rowan had.

That was the third time that Syryn did it. His actions didn't go unnoticed by the antimage. After Syryn had a sip, Rowan took the cup and placed it to his side. The anti mage's fingertips skimmed the back of Syryn's neck and pulled in him for a kiss.

_____

Syryn fell asleep on the deck, leaning against Rowan. The anti mage carried the mage into the cabin he occupied. The bed wasn't very big but Rowan liked it that way. He could squeeze in with Syryn and hug the mage as they slept. The ship's side to side motions lulled even the anti mage into sleep despite the discomfort in his body. It wasn't easy to suppress the heat he was feeling since it had been a very long time that he'd held his lover that way.

____

The next day, Rowan told Syryn about Artemus and how he had ended up at Coop island. He spared the details about how Syryn and Artemus had a history. It wasn't important because everyone had already moved on from it. Syryn also learnt about Alka, Magnus, Salem, Riha, and the others he had befriended.

"I'm rich! I have a business, a partner, a mansion, and money," Syryn looked at the blond. "I can take care of you when we get married."

Rowan nodded. "I'll be under your care then."

After a good clean bath, the blond was even more stunning than the first time Syryn had seen him. He was in a clean white shirt and his hair had been brushed back. Rowan's gold hair was thick and smooth. Syryn resented how noble the man looked. His genetics practically made it effortless.

"You're rich aren't you?" Syryn accused. "You look like a rich boy."

"What are you talking about?" Rowan replied. No one had ever said that to him. Was Syryn implying that he appeared like a spoilt rich son?

"I don't know. I can't quite put my finger on it but something about you gives off a vibe of opulence and grandeur." The mage narrowed his eyes and eyed the simply dressed man.

"It's rude to stare, Ryn."

"I got it!" Syryn declared. "Your clothing is simple but look at the quality of it!" He ran his fingers over the cloth covering Rowan's abdomen. "It's luxurious. I've seen what the others were wearing and nothing comes close to the stuff you wear. Your clothing is simple but it's also expensive. Your hair is well-groomed, and your skin is-"

"You've proved your point," Rowan stated with a chuckle.

"So do you love me?" Syryn abruptly asked.

"I do."

Syryn nodded, smiling like a man that had won the World. "I'm going to wrestle the memories away from the sage so I remember you, Rowan. And then I can tell you that I love you too!"

The anti mage's heart skipped a beat. He had been longing to be told that Syryn too loved him just as much.

"Make it happen fast, Ryn."

_______

Halfway through the journey, Rowan decided to sleep on the couch. Sharing a bed with Syryn had been keeping him up for long hours.

The mage was upset about their change in sleeping arrangements. Syryn understood why Rowan had switched to the couch. The mage would be lying if he said that he was unaffected by Rowan's proximity to his body. Even so, taking the tentative relationship into the next step was difficult for him. Rowan was too special for Syryn to be treating him like a warm body he could use to satisfy his needs. Rowan deserved to be remembered and given the same amount of love that Syryn could see in the blond's every tender action towards him.

That first night of separation was a difficult one for Syryn because he had gotten used to being held by Rowan as they slept. The man's unique scent had a way of comforting Syryn. It made him nostalgic for something he couldn't remember. Was Rowan having an equally sleepless night? The mage looked at the man on the couch whose eyes were shut. A few slats of moonlight fell across his chest which rose and fell like a person in deep sleep.

Syryn sighed.

[Sage, please talk to me.]

About what?

[Anything. I can't sleep.]

You aren't even trying.