A couple of candles flickered, shining their light into the darkness of the night. The holy place was dimly lit; no one came to the church near midnight. There was a lone Shrine Knight standing by the door as the temple rules required, but the knight didn't pay much attention to anyone who went to pray at this hour. It was rare that anyone would do so this late, anyway, and even if someone did, they were always other knights. That was why the knight standing by the door paid no attention as a slender figure clad in gray robe entered the church, made his way to the altar, and knelt down.

"Holy Ajora, child of God, bless my soul for I am a sinner," Kletian mumbled, eyes closed as he prayed silently, every word clear and devoted. He wouldn't have cared if anyone had heard, not that anyone did. He just had no choice - not here. When he entered a room of God, he couldn't avoid confessing his sins aloud. That was why he chose to say his prayer at nighttime when no one else but the force he was speaking to was around.

His voice was quiet but determined as he continued. "To you I give my soul, to you I devote my skills, my spirit, my life..." He trailed off and raised his face, his eyes studying the altar before him.

The small church in the Murond Glabados Church Shrine Knight garrison was simply beautiful - that's what Kletian thought anyway. Simplistic yet everything in the room gave an aura of holiness. The mage admired the stained glass windows on the sides of the altar for a moment then caught himself and lowered his head again, ashamed of being so distracted.

He mumbled a common prayer for repentance before returning to his confession. "Holy Ajora, you who I pledge to follow as long as I live. To you I dedicate my life... with only one regret. Please forgive me, the sinner, for I can never be truly, completely yours..."

"Why can't you?" asked a calm, quiet voice all of a sudden. Kletian spun around, startled.

"I'm sorry, Kletian," the newcomer continued. "Didn't mean to scare you. And I surely didn't mean to interrupt your prayer."

"Too late for that since you did already, Rofel," the sorcerer mumbled as he turned back to the altar. The blue-robed knight knelt beside him, lowering his face for a prayer. Kletian noted that Rofel didn't have his hood on as was decent in the holy place. It made him smile a little anyway - Kletian knew from experience that the older man always had his hood on and never took it off unless in church or while in bed.

He blushed at the thought and closed his eyes, reciting a short prayer of apology to Saint Ajora. Such thoughts were inappropriate in a holy place.

"May God forgive me, then," Rofel said, his dark-blue eyes studying the younger man. "But... I'm still curious. Why would you say something like that, Kletian? You're one of the most religious people I know, and I have to admit that I envy your dedication sometimes. Why would you question yourself like that?"

The mage felt the older knight's gaze studying him, but he didn't open his eyes. "If you really must know," he answered silently. "You can listen to the rest of my prayer. I wasn't finished yet."

"Hmm?"

Kletian smiled and returned to his prayer although he was feeling rather nervous. Confessing something like this would have been easier with just God listening to him. "Holy Ajora, child of God, forgive me for my sins. To you, and only to you, I wish to give myself, but I cannot; for I have given my body to a mortal man, and to him it belongs. Deep is my regret for not being capable of being only yours; such is my sin, and I am repentant."

He continued by reciting a long prayer meant for atonement. When he was finally finished, he stood only to find Rofel standing by him, eyes closed but a gentle smile on his face.

"So I guess you'll have to pray for salvation then, Kletian" the older knight commented, gentleness in his voice. "Although I guess I will have to repent as well... Because I don't think I can fully give myself either."

"...Rofel?"

The Divine Knight turned to face Kletian and opened his eyes. "I have committed the same sin - given my body to a mortal man. And to him I belong."

Kletian lowered his face, embarrassed. "I... didn't ask you to... ...You're right, I must pray for forgiveness. I always pray... but you don't have to..."

"Why not?" Rofel asked as he raised his hand and touched Kletian's face. "You practically just confessed your love for me to the higher order. I can just as well do the same, for I am just as much of a sinner as you are. May God forgive his sinful children."

"...May God forgive us," the mage mumbled, his voice trembling. He felt warm tears forming in his eyes. "For I love you, Rofel Wodring."

"May God forgive us. I love you, Kletian Drowa," the older man answered, wrapping his arms around the slender mage. Kletian lifted his gaze a little to look at the knight's face and saw that Rofel was smiling.

No one came to the temple at this hour, and no one except God saw as the knight wearing a blue robe slipped his hand behind a gray-robed mage's neck, drawing him close for a passionate kiss.

Love is a flame that can't be tamed
And though we are its willing prey, my darling
We are not the ones to blame

Author's notes:

A cute little story because I had a random idea once, liked it, and finally got around writing it. Yep.

Lyrics in the end from "Pretending" by HIM.

- Lady Harken (May, 2004)