First, I said that I'll stick to present tense in last chapter, but my beta is a bit confused, so in the end I used past tense. Sorry! ;;w;;;

Second, SPOILER ALERT! Don't read this if you don't know Zestiria's ending.

Third, fem!Mikleo this time.

Tales of Zestiria is not mine. Thanks for my beta, psycheros!


III

Hair


Once, Mikleo had a long hair. Silky pale tresses with splash of blue, flowing past her waist in wavy curls. Her hair smelled like Sorey's favorite flower and the sun. She used to braid it, sometimes tied it in high ponytail if she was in hurry.

Sorey liked Mikleo's hair very much. He lost his privilege to cut it after that poor attempt to style her hair when they were ten, but fortunately Mikleo still let him touch it. Good for him, because he loved the sensation when he brushed it then ran his fingers between her locks. He loved to play with her hair so much that Mikleo always let Sorey braided her hair no matter how sloppy it turned out.

But then Mikleo cut her hair.

Sorey didn't know when it happened. When he saw Mikleo again on Galahad ruin—staff raised, face set in determination, carrying that particular bow—her hair, her beloved hair, no longer bellowed in the air. It was cut short, and later when she trimmed the uneven tips it ended up so short that Sorey was sure people would mistake her for a boy from behind.

Mikleo gave no answer every time Sorey asked why she did it. Sorey privately tought she did it to spite him, but Lailah smiled, Edna smirked, Zaveid roared with laughter, Rose grinned, and Dezel huffed in an exasperated fashion when they heard it.

Sorey still felt like it was his fault. He knew how Mikleo really wanted to grow her hair again. He could see her longing gaze to Lailah's hair and he was sure she could feel HIS longing to just braid and play with her hair again—because while he loved her hair no matter what, a short hair couldn't be played as much as a long hair.

So Sorey decided to grow his hair, in behalf of Mikleo, although of course mere months couldn't be compared with eighteen years Mikleo had. Up until this time—a peaceful night in Lastonbell, just after the talk about peace agreement ended—Sorey's hair only reached his shoulders. His locks flied wildly whenever the wind blows, tickling his neck, his cheeks, and his eara. More often than not, a stray lock would end up in his mouth.

Mikleo smilea softly when she brushed his hair aside with her fingers. Her eyes looked sad, not that Sorey blamed her. He just told her that he would become Maotelus' vessel and slept for many years to help purify the continent, practically leaving her alone the entire time, a moment ago.

"I can't believe you will face Heldalf with this hair," she laughed, and then muttered softly. "...I will miss you."

Sorey couldn't help but laughed too. "What's so bad about it? And yeah, I'll miss you too. But you'll wait for me, right?"

The beautiful seraph (His beautiful seraph) grunted. "Of course. I will mark every single ruins I see and make a map for both of us when you wake up. You'd better appreciate it."

"I will."

No one said anything for a moment. Sorey stared at Mikleo and brought his hand to brush her bangs aside then stroke her cheek. Mikleo closed her eyes, nuzzled Sorey's hand a little like a feline before opening them slowly.

"Sorey?" her whispers barely heard, he almost missed it if he wasn't watching as her lips moved.

"...will you promise me one thing?"

"Depends. What is it?"

"I don't know the reason why you cut your hair—and I don't think you'll tell me," Sorey smiled sheepishly. "...but will you grow your hair again? For me?"

Violet eyes widened in surprise, Mikleo opened her mouth to answer but Sorey beat her. "Not that I don't like you hair now, but come on, we both know you miss your long hair."

"...W-well, I do.. But.." she bit her lip

. "...I might not survive.."

Sorey frowned. "Now, don't say that, You will. We will. Trust me on this," he smiled. "So, what's your answer?"

"You—" Mikleo sighs. "—you insufferable dork.. Fine, I promise I will grow my hair for us. But!"

"But?"

Mikleo held his hand with her own, her voice trembled. "...promise me too that you will definitely come back to me. I don't mind waiting for centuries, just—" Her tears fell, leaving thin trails on her cheeks. "..Just come back to me and braid my hair again."

This time, it was Sorey's turn to sigh. He took one step closer and hugged her, her body trembled as she squeezed his cloak. He bent down to kiss her forehead and whispered in her ears while rubbing her back.

"I promise."


.

.

.


He's back.

He had different aura now, almost like that of Zenrus'. His hair no longer brown but pale blond with light yellow color on the tips (also like Zenrus') and long enough to trail on stone floor behind him. His face and body matured, but those high cheek bones, thin lips, and green eyes brought a nostalgic feeling to her. She stared at him like she saw a ghost; her left hand's fingers still intertwined with Sorey's.

"Hey," Sorey the seraph finally said. "I'm back, Mikleo. And I see you keep your promise."

Mikleo choked on her words, eyes brimming with tears. "Y-you—of course! And I see you do, too."

"Yeah, no way I'd miss the chance to see you with that long hair again," Sorey smiled sweetly. "Now who's ready to get their hair braided?"

This time her tears finally fell. But she laughed, her heart bubbled with happiness because of this dork in front of her. Still laughing, Mikleo pulled Sorey's collar to bring him closer.

"Kiss me first, you dork."

Sorey still smiled like an idiot as he bent down. Just before their lips collided, she whispered quietly.

"Welcome home, Sorey."