Title: Delay

Disclaimer: Original universe belongs to his creator : Masami Kurumada, and the protagonist of Lost Canvas are properties of Shiori Teshigori.

Other: Based on Saint Seiya, The Lost Canvas' work, Fear & Faith is collection of the various short stories with Degel and Kardia. From their childhood to their death, I let you discover these scattered pieces of their lives.

If some of you have any ideas for the next ones, you can always let them in the reviews section or by MP.

Also this is my first story in English (yeah, I'm a French girl), I apologize for grammar and/or conjugation mistakes.

Hope you'll have a good reading! See you soon.

Sitting on the column already destroyed long ago, Degel was quietly reading one of his favorite books, enjoying the last ray of sunlight. All apprentices had already left the training field, too glad to end another long day in the Sanctuary. And probably too much tired to keep fighting just for fun. Degel had watched them leave with their master, one by one. Sitting here since the beginning of the afternoon, he hadn't moved a centimeter. His reading was more than enough. And watch the training of all these children was kind of… fun. Although he had the same age, things were different for him. He didn't need that kind of training.

He was just waiting for him.

He looks up from his page to watch the brilliant sky above him. Mixed with shave of purplish and darkish colors, it was just incredibly beautiful. A small smile appears on his face as the first stars begin to shine. Lost in his contemplation, he didn't see the boy running toward him. When he literally jumps over him, Degel dropped his book under the impact and the two children rolled on the ground for several meters. Kardia joyful laughter resounded for a long time in the emptiness of the Coliseum.

Degel got up, dusting his clothes before getting back his book and verifying it wasn't damaged. Only then, he turns toward the little turbulent boy with a cold glare which badly hides the sparkling brightness of malice in his eyes. Sat on the ground legs crossed, Kardia's hands were rubbing his head with, trying to get the pain away. When he realized his friend was looking at him, he gave him a big smile shining with innocence and happiness. Without being able to hold longer, the little Aquarius just laugh with his friend before recovering, a bit shameful despite the sparkling smile stuck on his face.

"Hey, he simply declared by coming to sit down near Kardia.

- Hey! You're waiting for me?"

Without caring to give an answer, Degel laid a finger on the corner of the mouth of his friend, slippery slowly on a little wound where blood had been drying. Giving a closer look, several pieces of his face were merely bashed up. As well as his tunic were torn in more than one piece. The little Ice Saint gave him a grimly pout. His friend has been fighting with the Sanctuary guards again for nothing, he could bet his hand on it.

"Of course" he nevertheless answered.

Once again, the happy laughter of the little Scorpio resounded between the Coliseum columns, full with satisfaction and confidence. He was just happy that his friend had been waiting for him to come despite his many hours of delay for the appointment he had given to him. With a single jump, he stood on his feet and stretched with sensual delight.

"I would have been able not to come."

He held out a hang to Degel, staring him with a strange look on his face. For a long time, Degel observed this hands and this… disturbing glance in his eyes. As if something was hidden far away behind that visible enjoyment of his companion, somewhere in the darkest corner of his mesmerizing blue eyes. But he was just a child. He couldn't understand the real meaning of what was hiding in there.

He just grabbed his hand and Kardia helped him to get up.

"You always come." Murmured the little Ice Saint, keeping his friend's hand with his own.

The proud and sincere smile of Kardia took away that strange felling of his mind. But he didn't have time to add whatever he wanted than already, he was already brought out of the Coliseum at the wild rhythms of his unstoppable friend. But somehow, he knew.

No matter how much he should wait, he knew that Kardia would always come for him.