.

"Who's there?!" Sebastian called, stepping onto the balcony with them. He already knew, but it felt safer to have it confirmed.

"Oh, my prince!" Jylan chuckled, looking back. He tucked whatever he'd had in his hands into a pocket.

"What were you holding? And what are you doing out here?" Sebastian inquired. He stepped in place beside Jylan, resting an arm on the balcony railing. 

"Oh…" Jylan replied, but the answer was a murmur.

"What?" 

"It – It's a Valentine's gift, my prince…" 

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. His head seemed to hurt, trying to push in a memory. But the memory wouldn't come. "And. And what are you doing with a jiff?" 

"I don't remember," Jylan sighed, turning back toward the shining sky. He pulled out the doll again, stroking his fingers over its head. "I've just had it over the years, I suppose. It seems important."

"That's odd," Sebastian said. He pursed his lips, knowing that he shouldn't say anymore. Glancing at Jylan momentarily, though, Sebastian decided that it was fine to speak and pulled out an identical doll. "Because I have one, too." 

Jylan snickered. "So, the crown prince carries around a love doll to debutante balls?"

"I'll have Lei tell the guards to go off with your head," Sebastian snarled, angry yet trying to hold back a smile. 

"Then. If you're going to kill me either way, I'd rather have asked all my questions," Jylan said, a smile drifting onto his lips again. "Why are you up here?"

"I'd asked you the same." 

"Well…"

"I don't like crowds," both spoke at the same time. Jyaln smiled, and Sebastian grinned. 

"Then, want to walk?" both continued in unison. 

"Yes," they ended together. 

"I didn't mean the woods!" the prince complained. 

"Well, I did. Nature is simply… so… calming," the butler whispered, and even in the darkness he seemed in awe. 

The mood had quickly turned dull. For Sebastian, at least. While the prince felt angered and tired, Jylan was relaxed and smiling.