What felt like an eternity passed as Subaru held Baek Dae-won, who clung to him in silence, his arms wrapped tightly around the man who had once been his compass, his shield, his family. He buried his face against Subaru's shoulder, still and unmoving, as though afraid the moment would vanish if he let go too soon.
The snow leopard beastkin said nothing, but the way he held on—so still, so fierce—spoke louder than words. Years apart had not loosened the bond. If anything, they had only carved it deeper.
Ruin stood quietly nearby, her expression softening. Her gaze flicked to Raphael across her. He stood with quiet poise, his senses tuned not to sight, but to presence. Though unreadable, there was no denying he felt the moment. Like a still lake reading the tremble in the air.
Then Subaru exhaled, voice low and warm. "Baek Dae-won, my boy… how've you been?"
A long pause. Baek Dae-won didn't move right away. Then, almost shyly, his voice came, quiet and edged with something close to fragile.
"…Good. I've been… good, Granduncle."
He pulled back, just enough to meet Subaru's eyes. His gaze dropped a beat later, and his hands folded in front of him, one thumb brushing the other in a small, nervous loop. The composed, commanding officer returned by degrees, as if slipping back into a well-worn coat—but the gentleness lingered around the edges.
Subaru smiled. "Still soft-spoken. I like that." He gave the boy's shoulder a light pat. "You're taller than I remember. More serious too. Not sure how I feel about that."
Baek Dae-won's lips tugged faintly, almost—but not quite—a smile.
Subaru turned, glancing toward the orc nearby. "What's going on?"
Baek Dae-won followed his gaze. "Jong-Min was just giving in his reports." His voice shifted slightly—firmer, more professional—but the pause before he spoke gave him away. His mind hadn't quite left the reunion yet.
Subaru gave a satisfied hum. "All right. We'll read them later. First—there's someone I want you to meet." He turned to the Rapheal beside him. "Raphael. Don't be shy now."
Raphael remained quiet a moment, unreadable behind his usual calm. I wasn't being shy. Still, he stepped forward, offering a hand—not rushed, not hesitant. Just deliberate.
Baek Dae-won blinked at him. Slowly, he extended his own hand to meet it. The shake was brief, restrained.
"…It's… nice to meet you," Baek Dae-won said, barely above a murmur.
Raphael's head tilted slightly. "Same to you."
His voice was cool, but not distant—measured, with a trace of something curious beneath.
Ruin raised a brow. "Huh. That went smoother than I expected."
Subaru let out a laugh. "You should've seen Raphael last week. Said three words to a merchant, and two of them were 'no.'"
"I didn't want to buy anything," Raphael said plainly.
Baek Dae-won looked between them, his expression quietly thoughtful. Then his gaze settled on Subaru again. "...You've taken in another, I see."
Subaru nodded. "Family's never full, is it?"
Baek Dae-won gave a small nod in return, but said nothing. His fingers had returned to looping his thumb again.
"Now," Subaru said, his voice lifting with energy, "don't tell me Auren's off hiding in a pile of books again."
At that, Baek Dae-won actually gave a sound—barely a huff of amusement. "He's in the study. He… hasn't come out since morning. Maybe longer."
"Still the same," Subaru said, shaking his head fondly. "All right, Ruin. Lead the way."
"Yes, Grandpa!" Ruin beamed, stepping ahead with a light skip. Her skirt danced around her as she moved, her tail flicking with barely contained excitement.
They passed the orc, and Baek Dae-won slowed to a stop, his voice low but firm.
"That will be all. If anything arises... don't wait to inform me."
"Yes, Commander." The orc gave a nod and turned to leave, footsteps fading into the quiet corridor.
Ruin glanced over her shoulder, bouncing slightly as she walked backward. "Coming, Baek Dae-won?"
He hesitated for half a breath, gaze lingering on the hall behind them—then gave a small nod. "...Coming." His voice was barely above a murmur, but sincere. He stepped in behind them, quiet, the soft rhythm of his steps folding into the group.
They moved through the corridors, each turn unveiling the manor's quiet elegance.
Raphael tilted his head slightly, ears twitching. His steps slowed as his attention moved, subtle but unmistakable.
Subaru noticed and grinned. "Looks good, right?"
Raphael gave a noncommittal shrug. "Hmmm. Not bad."
Subaru put a hand to his chest. "Not bad? I should throw you out."
Raphael raised a brow. "Did you build it?"
Subaru gasped. "You doubt me?! The nerve!"
From up ahead, Ruin's sing-song voice chimed, "Grandpa didn't build it~."
Subaru groaned in mock betrayal. "Et tu, Ruin? Even you turn against me?"
A soft sound came from behind them—Baek Dae-won exhaled lightly. Not quite a laugh. But close. Quiet.
Subaru perked up. "Aha! Got you to smile. That counts as a win in my book."
Baek Dae-won looked down slightly, folding his hands behind his back. "...I wasn't smiling."
"You were," Ruin teased gently, "Just a little. It counts."
"Small victories," Subaru declared, marching with new energy. "And I'll have you know this manor stands because of my blood, sweat, and bruised ego."
"Your ego built most of the guest wing…or so I've heard," Ruin said innocently, reaching the end of the corridor. She stopped at a tall door inlaid with curling vine motifs and gentle silver runes. "Though I think Old Man Wǔ Zhìyuàn would disagree."
Subaru froze mid-step. "Ah. Right. He would chew me out."
Ruin knocked twice.
Silence.
The group stood in a light stillness. Raphael waited, posture relaxed but alert. Baek Dae-won remained a pace behind them all, still as glass, gaze lowered.
Ruin raised her hand to knock again—
A loud thud hit the door from inside.
Then a muffled voice: "Hold on! Who is it?!"
"It's me, Auren!" Ruin called.
Shuffling, followed by a panicked clatter of books. "Ah—right! One second! Nothing's wrong, is it? I'm not late for anything, am I?!"
Subaru muttered, "We'll grow old waiting," and pushed the door open.
Chaos spilled out.
The study was a map of madness: scrolls unrolled across furniture, inkpots left uncapped, stacks of books leaning like drunken towers. Maps were pinned half-finished to walls, and loose parchment fluttered like birds disturbed.
At the center of it all knelt a young man with tousled crimson hair and bright emerald eyes, frantically trying to gather a falling stack of pages. His cream tunic and green vest were marked by splotches of ink. He was muttering to himself—half apology, half frantic calculation.
"Ruin, I said wait—don't come in and start cleaning ag—"
The voice cut off. The young man blinked up—and froze.
Scrolls still in hand, ink on his fingers, Auren stood like a startled cat.
Subaru stepped forward, a soft laugh catching in his throat. "I didn't know you were that busy."
The file Auren was holding slipped from his hands with a papery flutter. His emerald eyes widened.
"Granduncle?!"
He rushed forward, stumbling slightly over a book, and crashed into Subaru with a forceful hug. His arms wrapped tight, burying his face against Subaru's shoulder.
"When did you get back? I thought you wouldn't—I mean, I wasn't sure my message would even reach you!" His words spilled out in a flurry.
Subaru chuckled, one hand resting gently atop the boy's head. "I'm here. Just for a little whi—"
"No."
Auren pulled back, eyes sharp and glinting. His voice was quiet but sudden—cutting through the room like glass. Subaru blinked at the intensity.
"I was joking," he said quickly, his tone shifting. "I'm staying. Relax."
Auren exhaled, the tension melting from his shoulders in an instant. "Oh thank the stars…" He looked around, as if suddenly aware of the state of his study. "Okay, okay—this is embarrassing—I should probably clean this."
"I'll help!" Ruin chirped before he could finish, already dropping to her knees beside a toppled stack.
Baek Dae-won stepped in without a word, crouching near the shelves. His motions were quiet, efficient. He didn't speak—just moved with practiced ease, stacking books with barely a sound.
Raphael paused at the door, his ears giving a faint twitch. After a brief moment, he stepped forward and began sorting the nearest pile by color—muted spines in precise rows. No one had asked. He just did it.
Subaru crossed his arms, watching all of them with raised brows. "Since when did I have a clean-up crew?"
He made to step back, but something latched onto his leg.
Auren was kneeling again, looking up at him, one hand wrapped around Subaru's ankle like a child catching a runaway parent.
"Granduncle," he said, voice calm but firm. "Why would the strongest man in the world let his grandchildren do the cleaning alone?"
Subaru narrowed his eyes. "I didn't make the mess."
"But this mess," Auren said, "is what keeps the dominion running."
That made Subaru pause. His gaze softened. "And I thank you for that."
He tried again to step away—only for Auren's grip to tighten.
"Help us."
Subaru sighed, long and dramatic. "You kids these days. No respect for your elders."
"You leave for how many years again and expect chores to vanish?" Auren replied, lifting a brow. "Your generation invented the problem."
"My generation invented indoor plumbing."
"You also invented three or more different treaties I have to keep track of."
"I gave you so much paperwork," Subaru said, clearly pleased with himself.
Auren deadpanned. "You gave me anxiety."
Subaru barked a laugh and finally bent down to help pick up scattered maps. "You'll live."
"Barely," Auren muttered, organizing pages with exaggerated gloom.
From behind a pile of scrolls, Ruin giggled softly. "It's like watching two storms argue about who's messier."
Baek Dae-won didn't look up. But his voice came, quiet and even. "They both are."
Raphael's tail flicked once. "Agreed."
Subaru turned toward him, feigning offense. "You're siding with them?"
Raphael shrugged. "You make it easy."
For a moment, the room was filled with soft rustling—papers being sorted, scrolls being re-rolled, books being stacked with careful care. Glowing petals drifted past the window, caught in a warm breeze. The light through the crystal panels painted the floor in quiet gold.
It was still a mess. But it was their mess.
And for now, no one seemed to mind.