By the time Lucien and Zephyr returned to the Association, night had already fallen.
Dark clouds drifted across the starlit sky.
Zephyr, in good spirits, walked silently beside Lucien. He carried a walking cane that could extend and retract with a flick, keeping his steps in rhythm with Lucien's.
When Lucien had suddenly bought it for him along the way, he had felt a twinge of dejection; however, he offered no protest.
After all, aside from the bothersome cane that had robbed him of his excuse to hold Lucien's hand, everything about today had been wonderful. In fact, Zephyr felt it was one of the most satisfying days of his life.
They had shopped, enjoyed a good dinner, and now, after learning about his assigned room in the Association and receiving the key by showing his badge that confirmed his official status as someone working for the Association, they were heading there.
