Door

ㅤ Every day was filled with events and battles: there was no time to think about anything but the goal. Nor was there time to consider how much time had passed. The sense of time was completely distorted. Even without time travel… 'A long time… A very long time…' he felt. His past life was beginning to feel somehow alien. Klarth had become so accustomed to the busy present that he was beginning to perceive it as ordinary. But even so, in moments of calm, his thoughts still returned to home. Where the only person who could tolerate his temper and support him through any setbacks awaited him. "She's just an assistant," he always distanced himself with his usual phrase. After all, he was a man crushed by life, whose aspirations were trampled upon time and again. But in the end, he managed to achieve his goal, to prove his theory in practice in the most magnificent way. Although heroism had no interest to him… He had simply found himself caught up in a whirlwind of events from which he could extract personal gain. "So stupid…" Klarth chided himself as he watched Milard with the Original's power. His heart fluttered, the cold of shame and the warmth from the sight of Milard mixed in his chest, spreading throughout his body. It was as if something clicked and creaked loudly in his soul. Klarth's will wavered… On a quiet night before a difficult battle, it wasn't the thought of how he'd wipe the floor with the stubborn old man at the academy upon his return that boosted his morale. He only thought about… "Welcome back," Milard said softly, smiling tenderly. Her eyes gleamed with concern and quiet joy. Before answering, Klarth pulled her close, hugging her tightly. He inhaled her scent, immersing himself in it. It took Milard a moment to realize she should hug him back, flustered: she hadn't expected such a sudden gesture. Klarth was passionate and open only when arguing or proving his theories. And he was never gentle, rough in both his words and his actions… "I'm home," Klarth finally said. Milard buried her face in his chest, hiding the tears that had welled up. She had waited patiently for him. Even longer than he could have imagined. Waiting for the door to his heart to open. For her. ㅤ