The sun had barely risen when a silver hawk circled above the Naravit compound — its wings enchanted with shimmering runes only seen by the trained eye.
Phuwin and Pond sat on the edge of the inner courtyard, watching the morning light dance across the pond waters. The mood was calm, peaceful — the kind of silence they'd fought hard to earn.
The hawk descended gracefully, landing on the outstretched arm of **Gun**, who approached the two boys with measured steps.
"A message," Gun said, unrolling the sealed scroll tied to the hawk's leg.
Off soon joined them, brows raised in quiet interest.
Gun read aloud:
> **To the Honored Enigma of the Five Clans, Pond Naravit**,
>
> Following your awakening, the united clans of Naravit, TangsaKyuen, Archen, Thanaboon, and Tanapon formally request an audience to begin your training in elemental control, spiritual mastery, and the disciplines of balance and restraint.
>
> As the destined ruler of our ancient bloodlines, your power must be nurtured before it destabilizes. The land already trembles from your awakening.
>
> Your presence is required at the Grand Academy of Binding Flame in seven days.
>
> Signed,
> **off of Naravit**,
> **Bright of TangsaKyuen**,
> **Earth of Thanaboon**,
> **great of Archen**,
> **tay of Tanapon**
Pond's jaw tensed as he finished listening. His hands clenched in his lap, but his expression was unreadable.
Phuwin looked at him, concerned. "You don't have to go right now if you're not ready."
"I know," Pond said quietly, then stood up and looked to Off and Gun. "May I send a message back?"
Off smiled softly. "Of course. What would you like to say?"
Pond exhaled, thinking carefully.
"Tell them I'll come," he said, "but not today. Not yet."
He turned toward Phuwin and their circle of friends gathering nearby—Dunk laughing at something Joong said, Santa holding Boom's hands as they shared quiet stories, Fourth chasing Aou with a pillow, and Gemini smirking from the couch.
"I want one week," Pond said clearly. "One week to be just *me*. Not their ruler. Not a weapon. Just Pond."
Gun nodded solemnly. "We'll deliver the message."
**Later That Evening…**
The clans responded with a rare grace:
> *Granted. You have seven days to live as you wish. Then the world begins to shape itself around you, Enigma.*
Phuwin hugged Pond that night, whispering against his chest, "We'll make every moment count."
And they did — for what lay ahead was war, duty, and destiny. But for now… there was laughter, stolen kisses, sleepy mornings, and a boy finally allowed to just *live*.
The Naravit compound had never felt so alive
The wariness of politics, the weight of legacy, and even the whispers of power had all been temporarily silenced by laughter, clinking glasses, and the sounds of friends being young, loud, and happy.
By a crystal-clear lake deep within the Naravit lands, the group had set up blankets under the soft shade of blossom trees. Colorful cloths were spread across the grass, weighed down with snacks, drinks, and sweets.
Phuwin stood at the edge of the water, sleeves rolled up, laughing as Santa tried to convince Boom to dip his feet in.
"Boom, you *won't* dissolve," Santa said playfully.
"Easy for you to say, you have a built-in floatation device," Boom teased, gently patting Santa's belly.
Nearby, **Joong** had his arms folded, watching the chaos with that amused glint in his eyes. **Dunk** strutted past him wearing an oversized Archen robe that hung off one shoulder, clearly stolen.
Joong raised a brow. "Is that mine?"
Dunk looked over his shoulder with a smug smile. "You left it on my bed. Possession is nine-tenths of the law."
"Oh, so we're quoting laws now?" Joong stepped closer.
"Only when it suits me," Dunk said, flipping his hair.
"Keep provoking me, and you'll find yourself pinned down again."
Dunk flushed, but didn't back down. "Promises, promises."
Aou choked on his drink. "Someone separate those two before I pass out."
Fourth, curled against Gemini, just grinned. "Let them flirt, it's cheaper than entertainment."
Meanwhile, **Pond** sat on a soft blanket with Phuwin leaning back against his chest. His arms circled his omega's waist lazily, his chin resting on Phuwin's shoulder.
"You're warm," Phuwin murmured, fingers intertwining with Pond's. "You always run warm."
"You always smell like sweet tea," Pond whispered against his neck.
Phuwin giggled. "That doesn't even make sense."
"It does to me."
There was a pause, and then Phuwin turned slightly, lifting Pond's chin with two fingers.
"You're really soft when no one's looking," he said.
"I'm not soft," Pond murmured, eyes half-lidded. "I'm dangerous."
Phuwin kissed the corner of his mouth. "Dangerous people don't melt under forehead kisses."
"You're using omega tactics."
"They're working."
Pond smirked and pulled Phuwin closer, kissing him slowly, deeply, the kind of kiss that came from longing and safety combined. When they pulled apart, Phuwin's cheeks were red.
Pond whispered against his lips, "I want this. Forever. Even after the war. Even when I'm ruling. Even if the world forgets my name—I want you to be the one who always knows me."
"I already do," Phuwin whispered back.
From across the lake, Joong called out, "*Hey! No devouring each other in front of the innocent!*"
"I'm three months pregnant, I'm not innocent," Santa shot back.
"Speak for yourself!" Boom squeaked.
More laughter echoed through the air.
Later, as the sun dipped low, the friends all lay on the grass, tangled in blankets, hands touching, laughter softening into sighs and humming.
That night, in the privacy of their shared room, **Pond and Phuwin kissed like there's was no tomorrow ** quietly, gently — not as a ruler and omega, not as Enigma and destined bond — but as two boys who had chosen each other against all odds.
Pond pressed his forehead to Phuwin's as they lay together, still catching their breath.
"You're the only thing in this world that makes me forget I'm carrying it."
Phuwin smiled, brushing hair from his face. "Then I'll remind you again and again that you don't have to carry it alone."