Two different entities clashed into each other, one of the complete stark opposite of the other, neither willing to let go. Their heartbeats synchronizing, their bodies running on adrenaline and emotions alone. One wanted to hold on, while the other reluctantly tried to let go. They were like fire and ice. The former blazing with so much passion and love while the latter was just simply cold and foreboding.

They fought, neither willing to give in. They fought and fought and fought, until they had no breath left. It was clear who would emerge the winner, he was so sure of it.

And then, the promise came.

"I will definitely bring you back."

It was such a simple phrase, yet it jagged his resolve like a thousand of daggers together. The intent was clear - but the emotions were confusing. He never knew why the other cared so much for him - he had never done anything worthy of it. He was so close to accepting the other's invitation, but he could not.

He thought it was too late.

He had been playing the phrase over and over in his head, and had cried tears of blood that night, and he thinks that he would always cry every since then.

The other's mindset was different, though. All he saw were two hands connected, interlocking together. He never saw underneath the underneath, the angst and the situation his friend was in. Still, he knew, that no matter what, they were meant to be together.

Both so focused on their own goals that neither noticed that their hearts were both crying. Crying - for the loss of their sanity and fear, and for the loss of their friendship. Neither was willing to give in, neither was willing to let go either.

And so they clashed, like fire to ice. People said that after some time, fire would gradually melt away the ice and would win.

But there was no time.

And so the ice had managed to overwhelm the fire, and broke free of the barrier. However, it was almost impossible to see though, that the ice was never the same again. Deep within it's barriers and defenses, a small fire had bloomed.

It was to remember him of him.

It was to remember what was left of their friendship.

It was to remember the only family he ever got close to having.

It was to remember his sacrifice.

And so, he said the only thing he could think of.

"Thank you."

With that, he stood up, firm with his resolve - his heart still crying, though. He began walking towards the path of no return, the path of loneliness, and the path of his revenge. However, it was not to saw that he did not regret it - he regretted every single minute of it. But it was too late - even though they would try to help him, to pull him out of his abyss, it would never work. He figured he had already walked too far, and he figured he would never stray from his path, no matter who stood in the way.

And the other? He was lying on the ground, while the rain shed the tears that he could not shed anymore. From that very moment, he was sure of it. He would make a promise to himself, and his heart, and to everyone else - that he was going to bring him back, no matter what it took him. He believed that he could pull him out, even though the victim did not believe in it. He believed that he was the only one who could do it.

He was the only one who could understand him, and his loneliness.

And with that, he sealed away his heart and himself, and smiled.

In the past, they were arch-enemies. And slowly, their feelings towards each other grew. They knew that it was past the boundaries of 'just-friends' or 'brothers'. They knew that it had grew into something much, much more intricate and deep.

They became inseparable.