Knock, knock.
The sound echoed sharply through the apartment.
Ash and Yuri exchanged a quick glance before rushing to the door.
They swung it open—and froze.
Before them stood Aerith, shivering slightly, hair and eyes wet yet shining
"Aerith…" Ash whispered, his voice catching.
Yuri's eyes softened, the anger draining away instantly. He stepped forward, his usual warmth mixed with worry.
"Are you okay?"
Aerith blinked, then gave a small, tired smile.
"I… I'm fine. Thanks to someone."
The tension lingered in the air—heavy with words no one knew how to say.
"Aww, man… I'm tired," Aerith pouted as he walked to the sofa.
He collapsed onto it and closed his eyes without another word.
Ash said nothing.
Yuri sighed, rubbing Aerith's head gently.
"You little kid…"
Soft laughter followed.
The room slowly warmed with quiet chatter.
But Ash remained silent—
watching them,
his gaze lingering longer than it should.
On the balcony, Aerith stood again, staring at the moon.
His hair was softly caressed by the night breeze, moonlight spilling over him like a quiet embrace.
A knock on the door.
"Come in," Aerith said softly.
Ash entered the room and closed the door behind him, locking it.
The sound echoed through the room.
Ash looked at him with unreadable eyes.
Their gazes locked.
"We need to talk, Aerith."
Aerith POV
Ash is serious. His eyes are empty.
Whenever his eyes go empty, he feels like an entirely different person.
Ash stepped forward, speaking without breaking eye contact.
His voice was calm—too calm.
"There's one thing I've hidden from you… and from Yuri."
"I can read souls."
"I can see people's pasts."
"Their thoughts."
"Their memories."
"Even their future."
The air grew heavier with every word.
"There is almost nothing these eyes can't see."
Ash's gaze sharpened.
"And that's why…"
He paused.
"Aerith."
Silence.
"I know what you did."
Aerith's eyes widened
He was too stunned, too shaken to speak
Slowly, his gaze dropped to the floor
Ash stepped closer
"Look at me, Aerith."
Aerith swallowed
"I'm sorry as-
The words broke off
Ash pulled him into a sudden embrace
Aerith froze at first, breath hitching—then his shoulders trembled as the weight of it all crashed down on him
Ash held him tighter, his voice low, almost gentle.
"I'm not here to judge you," he said softly.
"Or to scold you."
"I understand you."
Aerith's fingers clenched in Ash's shirt.
"Because I can read souls," Ash continued, his voice shaking slightly,
"I feel their pain the same way they do."
Ash's eyes filled with tears
It's just.....
"I never used my powers on you or Yuri… even though I could."
"Because I've suffered too much because of them."
"Feeling too many emotions… carrying too much pain."
He took a shaky breath
"But for the first time…"
"I regret not using them."
The room fell silent.
Ash whispered,
"I almost lost you, Aerith."
The silence remained.
But this time—
it wasn't heavy
Aerith's voice trembled.
"I'm sorry, Ash."
Ash shook his head immediately, tightening his hold.
"You didn't do anything wrong," he said firmly.
"You don't have to apologize."
"You went through so much."
His voice cracked.
"And you went through it all alone."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there."
"I'm sorry I wasn't enough."
He pulled back just enough to look at him.
"I don't want to lose you."
"Or Yuri."
"You're the only ones I have."
His hands trembled slightly.
"I don't want to lose anyone anymore."
"I don't want to go through something like that again."
Silence filled the room.
But this time—
it felt like understanding.
Behind the door, yuri's back leaning on the door
Tears falling down from his eyes
Yuri pov
I felt something was off
But didn't thought it was this serious
We almost lost you aerith
His knees gave in, and he slid down quietly, back against the door
He covered his mouth, forcing back any sound—
and cried