Tougher by Kin Ryu


It's tough being a father. Harder than I thought.

It's even worse when you're in love with your own son.

You know, I heard that you were born. I heard that Raine had died. I went back, back to Winhill to find you. But someone had already taken you and Elone away, to an orphanage I was told. I never found out where, I never found out what you looked like. But I always imagined you.

You had your mother's beautiful eyes. So soft edged and lovely. You had her hair too, but I thought, I thought you'd have my face. And I was right.

At first, I thought it was what was left of her in you that I loved. What little bits of Raine I could hold onto. Then, I realized on that airship, that I lied to myself. That I tried to fool myself.

I wasn't there to raise you, I wasn't there to be your father. But I can be here now, to be your lover. Hold you in my arms, the way I dreamed of. But the feeling is so different from the one I believed I'd have. No unconditional love of a parent, no. The love of someone dear to your heart, someone you're in love with.

Esthar is so advanced compared to quaint Winhill, even to Galbadia. There, homosexual couples are acknowledged equally. There, it doesn't matter. Still ... they don't condone this. Not incest. But I don't care.

Because I love you.