In the hut, Hari was done with everything for the day. Living alone had its advantages - he could do whatever he wanted and could build his own schedule -, but sometimes it was tiring as well. After all, he also had to cook and clean for himself.
At least dinner was ready.
It was getting late. Who could be at the door this time? Hari rarely - if ever - had visits. His uncle had left years ago, leaving him alone to take care of himself. He would’ve sent a letter if he were to visit…
It probably was just a hunter or child who got lost. Hari could offer some shelter for the night if that were the case; this happened before, so it wouldn’t be really a surprise. Besides, walking in the woods during the night could get dangerous.
He stood up from the kitchen chair, not really expecting much. It wasn’t like burglars would be in the forest at this time. Hari was surprisingly calm about the knocking. After all, it could be said that he really knew his way in the woods.
It wasn’t like he had another chance at life, anyway.
“What-” his voice died halfway, as soon as his eyes met the figure who stood in front of him, tired and bleeding.
They had the same face. The same hair. Hari remembered the stories his uncle told to him long ago, about his family and a bond that needed to be forgotten, about his walking reflection that got to live in the castle and was destined to rule over the kingdom.
His good eye traveled up to the figure standing in front of him. It widened. That hair, those eyes. Just like his memories held. His brother. His hands came up to cover his eye, almost ashamed of it. He averted his eyes, opting to look at the ground. He just wanted to be shot and killed. Maybe he should have let the city people kill him.
“I-I.....Please help me.”
He couldn’t stop the blood from flowing over his hands and down his arms. For now he was just going to put seeing his brother again on the back burner. Either he was going to bleed out or his eye was going to get infected if he didn’t do anything.
He couldn’t help a pathetic sniffle slip out. He just wanted to sit down and c r y. But he couldn’t. He had to seem strong. In reality he wasn’t. He was broken. A mess. Someone not worthy to live. Everything the city folk had done, wore away at his very being. Sanded it down to almost nothing.
He looked up at his brother again, pain very apparent in his eye. Emotional pain, mental pain, physical pain. Any and every type of pain. He knew the minute the damage was done to his eye that he would never be able to see out of it again. He wasn’t necessarily upset about that. He was more upset that he had to leave his father.
He didn’t know how Hari would react to anything Hiroo did. Including the tears that were starting to slide down his cheek. The salt from his tears hurt his left eye. He knew it wasn’t dignified for a prince to cry, but he wasn’t a prince anymore. By leaving, he gave up his title. He wanted nothing to do with that city anymore.
He bit down on his bottom lip, trying to stop it from quivering.