The day went as well as it could. Seiya kept some company to Kiki and Raki as they fixed the Sagittarius cloth. Well, mostly Kiki fixed it, while Raki and Seiya goofed around. During the afternoon, Seiya trained to keep his body fit. Even though his cosmos shined brighter than ever, his body stayed motionless for many years, so he had to get back on track.
Later, Kouga didn't show up to dinner. Saori saw him laying in the grass looking at the night sky. She thought of talking to him, but before she could do it, she felt Seiya touching her shoulder.
- I'll go talk to him. - He smiled and winked at her. She watched him walk towards Kouga, and then sit down next to him. Hopefully they would create a bond, now that the battle is over, and Kouga will get to really know Seiya.
-Beautiful nightsky, huh?! - Seiya sat next to Kouga. He didn't really know how to start this conversation, but he wanted to have it more than anything. He understood why Kouga kept his distance, but he knew they would become closer when given the opportunity. The truth is, Seiya has been praying for Kouga all these years, even though he was so distant. He wondered if Kouga could listen.
- Yeah, I guess... - Kouga answered without doing any eye contact. he was distracted, drowned in his own thoughts. If his friends were here, he would talk to them, but they were all far away. He realized he had Seiya now. But he wasn't sure how much of a friend he could be. - That's the good thing about the island. There's nothing to block the stars.
- Yeah, it's great. I like it here, it's peaceful. I think that's what you needed after the battle, right?
- Maybe... I'm glad that I'm getting to hang out with Saori-san, and now with you guys as well. I just miss my friends sometimes. - Kouga sat up and looked at Seiya, who looked back with a friendly smile - Seiya... Can I ask you something?
- Sure.
- You've been in many battles, right? How do you deal with... losing people? Have you ever lost someone who was really important to you?
Seiya looked up to the stars, and counted too many constellations of people who he lost.
- Unfortunately, yes. - He remembered his sister, his master Marin, all the saints lost during the Hades battle, and wondered about his other brothers, like if Ikki was alive or not - Well, I can't tell you it gets easier. I've lost more loved people than I could count. We have to deal with that when we are living as saints, it's a dangerous life. - Seiya was trying to find the right words to comfort Kouga. He understood the feeling of loss very well, specially now that Kouga just left his first great battle, in a very young age, just as he did.
- My friend Aria died because of Mars. And even though the battle is over, I can't get over the fact that she is gone. I wish I could have done more to protect her.
- I'm so sorry Kouga. Losing someone important is never easy, but you must understand that you did do everything you could to protect her and the planet she loved. It is not your fault.
- It doesn't matter now. She is never coming back. - Kouga looked up to the sky again. It was hard to believe.
- I know it's hard to accept that. But, you know, Kouga... When people we love die, they always leave some parts of them with us. In the beginning, it seems like there is only pain. But as time passes by, we realize that what we learned with that people stays with us, and their light lives on. They can't come back, but we can feel their energy around us, and somehow we feel closer, like they are protecting us. So the pain comes away, and in its place we get a feeling of gratitude for living even if it was a short while with them.
Kouga looked at Seiya, speechless, and felt better. He started to understand what an amazing person and friend Seiya was.
- Thank you Seiya, you helped me a lot. I'm glad you are here with us now. And I can see Saori-san is happy as well. I think she will recover a lot faster now that you are here.
- I'm glad we're together too - Seiya put one arm around Kouga, smiling - and I will do everything I can to help taking care of Saori-san.
- You know, Souma called today... And apparentely my friends are planning a trip right now, where we could hang out, camping or something like that. But I am not sure if I want to leave.
- Hey, you should go! Go have some fun with your friends. I know you travelled a lot during the last battle but you probably didn't have time to enjoy without worrying. Now you can see the beautiful world you are taking care of, the world your friend Aria loved so much.
- Yeah, it's true... but what if something happens and I am not here?
- No need to worry, nothing will happen. The world is at peace now, and I will be here to take care of everyone. - Kouga looked in Seiya's eyes, smiling.
- You're right, Seiya. I trust you. - They shook hands again. Seiya was smiling and trying not to show how happy he was to hear that - I will call Souma in the morning.
- Great. Good night, Kouga! - Seiya said while Kouga left for his room. He stayed outside for a few moments looking at the Pegasus constellation, feeling proud and happy.
It was late of night by then, and he walked through the dark house on the way to Saori's room. He found her laying on the bed with a red shirt that looked a lot like... Wait, was that his shirt?
- Hey baby - She said rubbing her eyes and smiling. Since they usually were more discreet while around other people, when they were in a room by themselves, Seiya and Saori were very vocal and called each other cute nicknames to enjoy. - How was the talk with Kouga?
- It was better than I expected. I feel like we really bonded this time - Seiya said while taking his jeans off and putting on comfortable sweatpants, and taking his shirt off. - Nice shirt, by the way.
- Thank you, I thought you would like it - Saori smiled and reached for Seiya's arm, pulling him to bed next to her - Come stay under the covers, it's cold - Her voice was sleepy and really cute. It really was cold. On the island, it was hot during the day when the sun was always shining, but when night time came, it was usually very cold
- You look beautiful - Seiya lied down and pulled Saori so she was laying on top of him, with her head resting on his chest
- I wanted to wait for you but Shun didn't let me take my medicine later, and it makes me so... - She let out a big yawn - sleepy! - Her eyes were fighting to stay open and Seiya could tell she was almost falling asleep. She was only waiting for him.
- It's okay baby, I am here now. And we have a lot of time to stay together now.
- But... I want to be with you... - Saori lifted her head and Seiya kissed her nose, then her lips.
- I'm not going anywhere. - He started caressing her hair as she fell asleep. - I'm never leaving again, my love. - He watched her sleep, so peacefully. He felt complete.
