Ever since that duel, he'd been having flashbacks of a time which he doesn't remember. It was filled with a cheering crowd, but all the wrong sort of cheers filled the stadium. It was scary, so very scary.
The scariest moment of all was when he lost to the one he once called his rival. Not that losing scared him, but it was the images he saw. The vivid figure of a once loved Gladiator of a great country kneeling on the ground, and next to him, an executioner, wielding a formidable axe.
And then there was the Prince who called out an incoherent name. Who's name was that? Who was the name of that person about to executed?
"Alioth! Alioth! Ali…oth…"
"Alit!"
His eyes fluttered opened, and he was greeted with the familiar sight of his friend and rival, Tsukumo Yuuma. That stupid grin was still on his face. "Finally, you're awake!" He threw his hands up in the air, clearly excited for reasons unknown to Alit.
"Ah, sorry sorry!" He smiled sheepishly, scratching his chin. "How long was I out for?"
"A couple of hours! You were pretty tired after our duel though!" He extended his hand out to the other. Alit smiled, and grabbed it.
"Ahhh, my bad! I guess I got too carried away again!" He laughed nervously, and noticed that their hands were still together. He wanted to pull away, but there was an odd sort of comfort from such a simple handshake. Yuuma remained confused. "Alit…?"
The next moment happened so fast. Alit moved forward and wrapped his arms around Yuuma's frame, holding him close. His grip was tight but not rough. There was a pleasant scent wafting from Yuuma—- it smelled of today's lunch they shared.
Yuuma wriggled a little, but didn't push away. "What's wrong? Alit? Did something happen?" He was confused, but he wanted to know if his friend alright! What if he was hurt or upset?
Alit nuzzled his face into the other's neck, sighing softly. "It's…" Should he tell him? Would it hurt to do so? Would Yuuma even believe or understand what he was talking about?
He supposed he just wanted to be comforted like this. He shook his head slightly, smiling again. "It's nothing. I'm just really glad you're here."
It wasn't until later that day when Alit realized just how familiar that embrace felt, and how he felt the safest in those arms.