The scarred mage was no great man, he knew that better than any other. To have come this far he has kicked many down. He has hurt so many around him that he deserved to be hurt just as much.

And yet...yet...

When he sees the smile of the young tailor in front of him, dancing around with silks and satin, flourishing thread and ribbons like it was a magic of his own, the mage is desperate to believe he deserves to love as well.

He deserves, no, he yearns to hold the tailor in his arms. To feel the warmth of his lips on his skin, to let him kiss his pulse without the fear of being bitten. To listen to his own heartbeat echo in his ear, reminding him that he is still human.

It was his skilled control and firmness when casting that let him rise above the others. Especially his specialty in Elemental magic, which required extra precision and detail.

Elemental magic was a fragile and unstable magic that no other mage bothered to learn. Not at the expense of their own lives anyway.

Though he made it look easy.

He could make water flow like gentle streams and wind blow in refreshing breezes. He could make flowers grow and cast all sorts of intricate shapes with his fire. It was this delicate touch that made him a genius.

But it all falls apart in the presence of the tailor.

If desire was a flame, then he was a wildfire. If it was a waterdrop, than he was a tsunami. He could control any magic in the world, but he cannot control his love.

The tailor, amidst his work, looks over at him and smiles. It is a soft smile, a shy one, like he was pleased to be watched. The mage was aware that his intense gaze made others tense, but to be seen as a source of comfort was new. His wildfire-like desire expanded, covering him with a heat he was willing to be burned by.

He was willing to be burned in hell even if it meant that he could be with his beloved tailor.

Enduring, he walked over. The tailor stopped his work and turned around, looking expectant. The fire surged, wanting to break through, wanting to swallow the tailor as well.

The mage let it happen, reaching his arms out and embracing his lover.

For one more night, the mage and the tailor had the chance to love each other. If the universe deems them deserving, they will be lucky enough to continue their passion for many years to come.