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Sebek sighs as he straightens his dress uniform.
Malleus is having him, as the head of the guard, attend the function along in order to keep the Royal Family safe.
Sebek likes spending time with Malene and Malis – the twins are always lively and like spending time with Uncle Bek, no matter how much Sebek tells them they shouldn’t call him that when he’s on the job or during official meetings. They can get in trouble like no one’s business, but they’re also fast to get out of it, and just as powerful as their father, and twice as mischievous.
Sebek remembers crying the first time he got to hold one of the two – Malis first – how big, yellow-green eyes looked up at him in curiosity, from a bundle of blankets with tiny horns. Malleus had laughed at him for being a crybaby, like it was the old days, despite the father himself looking very emotional. However, Sebek was professional as ever with his Liege and did not call the new father out on it.
Sebek had never thought of having children himself.
Perhaps, he could have if… never mind that.
He wouldn’t make a good father. But he was sure to be a great uncle for the prince and princess of Briar Valley. Speaking of, I should pull myself together, Sebek thought to himself. After all, the head of the Royal Guard could not be late when the delegation was leaving in half an hour. Sebek checked over the brass buttons and straightened the lapels of his dark green uniform once more before turning around and heading for the Grand Hall.
He had to see that his men were ready for departure.
Sebek was watching the proceedings, but he didn’t twitch when a voice spoke beside his shoulder.
“I can never believe how long-winded royalty can be.”
Sebek’s mouth twitched.
“Your Highness, should not make a habit out of this.” He chuckled. “Alas, that human seems keen on presenting you all the benefits an alliance with their kingdom could bring in terms of agricultural trade. Should I maim him for belittling our textiles, or for presuming his son is worthy of Princess Malene’s hand, My King?”
Malleus grinned sharply. “No need. Elya is great at handling the talks. If he gets too insistent, I can also behead him for talking Briar Valley’s Queen’s ears off.”
Sebek raised an eyebrow. “You are lucky Queen Elysande loves you despite the fact that you left her alone to talk to those fools with only an illusion beside her, while you play hooky. No disrespect meant, My King.”
Malleus’ grin softened. “Yes, I’m very lucky to have such an understanding wife.” Then he turned back to Sebek with a playful one. “No need to be so hard on an overworked man for having his fun when he can, old friend. Besides, no one but you, me, and Elya can tell that I’m not standing next to My Queen.”
Sebek shook his head. “Think again, Your Highness. The little dragons seem to have noticed your absence and are keen on trying to figure out the spell you used to replicate it, most likely.”
“What?” Malleus’s eyes widened, just as the shouts reached them.
The servants who were supposed to be keeping the children safe were quite distressed by having several Malene and Malis running around them (and did not seem able to figure out which were the real princelings either). Sebek shook his head at the disgraceful display, as he ordered under his breath for Captain Hortensis to take his place by the wall, before heading straight to the mischievous twins.
He was going to have everyone run drills once they went back to the palace, until their response to unexpected events (whether they were caused by the prince and princess or not) got significantly better.
“Uncle Sebek!”
“Uncle Bek!”
Two voices call at the same time, small heads with horns that look too heavy for them, turning to him at the same time.
Sebek sighed.
“What did I tell you two?”
“Not to call you uncle, Uncle Bek.” Malis smiled impishly, while Malene stared back at Sebek intently.
“I didn’t call you Uncle Bek! I called you Uncle Se-bek!” Malene raises her nose imperiously up at him, in an image identical to her father’s whenever he decides to be stubborn.
“Yes, fine.” Despite himself, Sebek smiles a little, though he’ll make sure to chastise himself later. He can’t go on rewarding bad behaviour.
“Uncle Bek?”
“Does the Queen have a brother?”
“Surely we would have known if the High King of Briar Valley had one!”
Sebek ignored the reactions he had gotten used to by now and attempted instead to wrangle the wayward royal wards.
“Alright, children, I believe it’s time we retire for the night. It’s quite late, and the road here was long.”
“No way! I want to explore!” Malis cried out at the same time Malene mumbled, “Alright, Uncle.”
Sebek blinked in surprise. Usually, both twins were just as contrary when it came to bedtime. What was going on?
“But Male!” Malis protested. “We haven’t even seen the garden and the horses they kept talking about. I bet our horses were better with the Sternhale boy, but – ”
“We can see them tomorrow, Lis.” Malene sighed before Sebek could even begin to cut off her brother’s tirade. “Mother said the talks will last at least 3 days, and by the way that guy was going on, I would expect us to be here longer.”
“Fine, but we’re playing fire tag tomorrow.” Malis decided as he grabbed onto one of Sebek’s hands, used to being escorted by the head of the guards.
“I didn’t bring enough dresses for this.”
Is what Malene usually responded in good humor to her brother’s favorite game (to both their parents’ amusement, and the servants’ horror).
Instead, her mouth turned down as she said, “We shall see.”
Malis pulled on Sebek’s hand with a searching look, curious about what had upset his sister. Sebek did not know any better. But he was planning to find out.
He squeezed Malis’s hand back in reassurance as he led the twins back to their guest chambers.
After he’d said Goodnight to Malis, making a discreet gesture to pose guards around the prince’s room, he turned to Malene.
“Could I come in for a minute?” He asked, gesturing to her visitor’s parlor.
Malene nodded slowly. “Sure, Uncle Bek. But I’m afraid I’m not in the mood for any bedtime story.”
“Oh?”
Sebek watched as Malene bit her lower lip in concentration. Now she looked more like her mother than her father, though her coloring still favored Malleus. And someone had upset the princess of Briar Valley. Worse, someone had upset Sebek’s niece.
Whoever it was, they had better sleep with an eye open tonight. Either way, Sebek would not let anyone who had upset his favorite (and only) niece live, but if they were awake, he would make it hurt.
“In most bedtime stories, the princess and prince marry, and then they rule,” Malene said all of a sudden. “Even mama and papa, they married, and they rule together.”
“Yes…” Sebek agreed, unsure where the discussion was going.
Malene raised an eyebrow at her Uncle’s slowness. It was disconcerting, having a face so similar to Malleus give him a look that he hadn’t seen a while, but that the Queen had used to give him when they were younger, first acquainted, and he was, embarrassed to admit, somewhat slower on picking up on some social cues.
It was not a look Sebek had missed, as it made him feel particularly dense.
“Is there something wrong?” Sebek asked, a little helplessly.
“Is there something wrong?” Malene repeated incredulously. “Uncle Bek, I don’t want to marry Corin Duskbane!”
Sebek stared, just as surprised, back at the princess.
Seeing her uncle’s lack of a response, Malene started talking all at once, a habit she had not picked up from either of her parents, but rather, Sebek feared, from his own days when he sometimes got as long-winded and hyper-focused as when subjects like the might of Briar Valley or its King were cast into doubt.
Malleus thought his daughter picking up this habit of her Uncle’s was hilarious. Queen Elysande was less amused.
“Please, he is not ugly, but he’s not pretty either! And worse, he said he would burn books and ban school if he led! I’d kill him before I let him burn Grandmama’s library, Uncle! And his favorite animals are cats – like on their coat of arms! I can’t marry someone whose favorite animal is a feline!”
Seems Malene had inherited Malleus' dislike for a (particular) type of cats. Sebek shook his head.
“Calm down, little Dragon,” he said as he patted Malene’s shoulder to comfort his niece. “No one is making the only Princess of Briar Valley marry the son of a human baron.”
Malene shook her head as well, her green eyes glowing from her distress.
“I mean it, Uncle! I heard them, I heard what the Baron was saying to Mama, and Papa wasn’t even listening, so he didn’t say no.” Tears gathered in the young princess’s eyes, and Sebek’s heart broke for her.
“I mean it as well, Male.” He picked up the little dragon and hugged her tight. Even if Malleus and Elysande both would have agreed to the proposal, Sebek wouldn’t let them go through with anything that upset his niece so much. However, “Neither your Father, your Mother, nor I would ever let anyone force you or Malis into such an agreement. Baron Duskbane is an idiot if he thinks we ever would. We want you to be happy, Male.”
Malene sniffled into Sebek’s formal wear uniform. He didn’t mind; he thought these were rather stiffer and purposelessly frilly. He wouldn’t mind letting the princess use the jacket as a handkerchief if it gave him a reason to change back to his usual uniform later.
“Really?” Malene asked in a small voice.
“I promise that on my magic and my sword, My Princess.”
Malene puffed exasperatedly while rubbing her reddened eyes. “I told you not to call me that, Uncle.”
Sebek smiled. “Pot, meet kettle.”
Malene’s expression also cleared somewhat.
“… And you’re sure – Mama and Papa aren’t even considering it? No marriage?”
“Never,” Sebek promised, before thinking a little more. “If one day, you fall in love with someone, then there can be a marriage. Until then, there’s a lot of time, though. No marriages until you’re at least 10 thousand – I can promise you that. And don’t worry – me, your father – we will fight off any boys that annoy you or try to ask for your hand before then.”
Malene snorted. “That wouldn’t be much of a fight – more like a one-sided beatdown.”
Sebek grinned back at her. “Yeah, but we could let it go on a little longer, so that you can have an entertaining watch.”
“Okay.” Malene nodded. “Thank you, Uncle.”
“No need, little Dragon. I’m always here for you and Malis.” Sebek said before booping the princess’s nose. “However, we both know growing dragons need to rest well unless we want to have grumpy dragons in the morning. So you should get ready for bed.”
Malene nodded wisely before a wink of green magic turned her dress into her spell-drive pajamas.
Sebek decided against giving her the usual “wash your teeth as well by hand, as magic is always great, but growing children need to brush their teeth well” talk, as she had been upset enough before. He tucked her in before ruffling her dark hair.
“Goodnight, little Dragon.”
Just as he was turning to go away, thinking of how his subordinates might tease him for managing to get rid of another formal uniform jacket, Malene called him back.
“Uncle Sebek…”
“Yes, Dragonling?”
“I…” Malene looked away before staring at Sebek intently. “It’s kind of a weird question, but are you married?”
Sebek raised an eyebrow. “No. Where did this come from?”
“You said I can marry if I find love. And marriage is usually the happy ending in stories. But you’re not married, and you’re happy, right?”
“Yes, I’m happy, Male.” Sebek shook his head with a smile. “After all, I am serving the greatest King in the history of Briar Valley. There can be no greater honor.” Sebek’s smile then became less serious, more teasing. “And I also got the two greatest nephews I could ever have out of it.”
Malene grinned too. “And I have the greatest Uncle!”
Sebek’s heart warmed at the thought. He was always trying to do his best, for his King, for his nephews, so hearing those words made him very happy, though he was sure he had many ways he could be better, still, many things to learn.
“Any more questions, Dragonling? If not, you still have to rest if you want to play fire tag with your brother tomorrow.”
Malene genuinely paused to think about it. She seemed to think about it for a while. Just as Sebek had begun to think she was trying to stall bedtime, the princess opened her mouth.
“Did you ever fall in love, Uncle Sebek? How do you know whether you want to marry someone or not?”
Sebek felt somewhat floored once more.
Fall in love? Him?
“I…” He shook his head a little helplessly. “You’re asking a lot of tough questions tonight, aren’t you, Dragonling?”
Malene made a face. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, Uncle – I understand if you simply haven’t – if you did, you would’ve been married now, after all.”
Sebek did not hear that. He was considering Malene’s question and…
“I could have…”
Malene turned to stare at her Uncle.
“What?!” She then turned a sly expression on him, like the cat that got the cream. “Oh, you have to tell me about her, Uncle! Is she pretty? Do I know her? Oh, if I do, I can put a good word in for you! Surely she’d listen to the princess of Briar Valley! Oh, Malis will be so happy when we have a New Aunt!”
Sebek snorted. “Slow down, Male. I can’t answer your questions if you ask them that fast.”
“But Uncle!”
Sebek raised his hands. “I said I can’t if you’re not patient, not that I won’t!”
Then, if his smile became a little more forced, Male was too excited at the prospect of a New Aunt to tell.
“He is the prettiest. You don’t know him, but I think he would have loved to meet you. I think he would listen to a princess’s word – but he knows me way too well to listen to any exaggerated praise. And no, I don’t think you’ll be having a new Aunt anytime soon, so you shouldn’t get your brother excited about that, Malene.”
Malene’s hand raised to cover her mouth. “I’m sorry, Uncle, I didn’t mean to be rude.” Soon enough, another thought occurred to the young princess. “The prettiest? What does he look like? Prettiest – wait! Like prettier than mom?! No way!”
Sebek smiled. “Yes. To me, he will always be prettier than anyone else.”
Malene considered him. “Then what does he look like?! I doubt he could be. Papa always says Mom’s bloodred eyes and her blonde hair are the most beautiful.”
“No bloodred eyes – But the prettiest ones. I cannot describe them by a single color.”
Malene pouted. “If he’s so pretty, why not marry him? No Aunt? Fine! But we can have a Second New Uncle! I promise you’ll still be my favorite, Uncle Bek.” Male’s eyes narrowed. “Even if he is as pretty as you say.”
Sebek snorted. “I’m glad to know that. But no new Uncle either, I’m afraid. That ship has already sailed.”
Malene’s eyes widened. “What? Is he married? Uncle, even if he is – what if it’s not his happy ever after? What if he wants to marry you, too? You should tell him anyway!”
Sebek shook his head slowly. “It doesn’t work like that, Little Dragon.” He ruffled his niece’s hair once more before stepping away. “Now stop thinking about this stuff, Male. I said one more question, then sleep, but it’s been several.”
Malene sat down, but puffed her cheeks out in insubordination.
“But Uncle! I know you said you’re happy, but! But you could be even happier! So please, at least think about telling him!”
Sebek tilted his head. “Ah, but what if I tell you I’m the happiest I can be?”
Malene glared at him as if she were ready to breathe green fire.
Sebek grinned. “I really am the happiest besides your family.” He kissed her forehead before heading for the door. “Goodnight, little Dragon.”
As he closed the door, Sebek heard Malene mumble, “Our family… G’night Uncle Bek…”
He gripped the pommel of his sword tighter for support.
Yes, Sebek was doing his best, and he had grown a lot, but sometimes he felt he still had a lot to learn.
If only he had learned some of it earlier.
Sebek had already done his patrol and checked that every and each one of his guardsmen was in place. By the time he was heading to bed, it could be said to be very late at night or very early in the morning. Most nights, this side of his job did not bother him.
Guard the Draconias, guard and play with the prince and princess, his niece and nephew, serving joshing around with Malleus the King, training his men, managing the guard, the long hours, to fall asleep in his cold bed late at night, wake up early, and do it all again.
Usually, that was his normal.
But the princess’s question had opened a can of worms Sebek had always more or less avoided.
Did he ever fall in love?
“I could have…”
He sighed as he pulled off his sword mechanically.
The jewel on its pommel caught the light, and his breath stopped in his throat.
“To me, he will always be prettier than anyone else.”
The jewel sparkled in shades of blue, purple, and pink, seemingly enchanted in the weak candlelight.
Like his eyes.
Sebek set the sword down carefully.
It’s not like he ever forgot – it had been his sword before.
Most days, he just did not think much of it.
The sky is blue.
The planet is round and spins around the sun.
Malleus is the most powerful King and Mage.
Briar Valley is the most prosperous it has ever been under his Liege’s reign.
And Silver left Sebek his sword in his will.
All of them are things Sebek knows, that he doesn’t ever forget. But sometimes… he just doesn’t think about them.
Sebek turns away from the sword.
But it’s like he cannot forget this once – like the question Malene had innocently asked echoes in his head. Like ghosts lurk in the corner of his eyes, ready to remind him of the past – of their time in Night Raven College, in Diasomnia, then as an official guard, Malleus’s coronation, so many memories swirl in his mind – and Sebek knows he won’t find sleep easily tonight.
He changes, despite it all, and takes off the rest of his green uniform.
The thoughts never leave him, even as he blows out the candles, as he sits down in bed, as he lays his head on the pillow…
He dreams of Silver’s eyes.
It was soon after… Lilia was gone.
Even though he had left, even though they had known he was weak. They didn’t expect Lilia, of all people, to go off and simply die all alone.
Malleus had already been crowned, and he had thrown himself with a single-minded focus into reigning the best he could. Both Sebek and Silver had already been named official guards as well.
However, it had hit Silver hardest. He didn’t let it show during the day, but sometimes he seemed listless, the lightness he had before, even when he was snoozing… it was gone. Sebek had hated seeing Silver like that.
In that period, they became closer than ever before.
As time passed, Silver seemed to regain some of that lightness, though he was often more serious and, to a worrying detriment, had started making some of his father’s ‘healthy’ recipes. Sebek understood Silver was grieving in his own way, but he was worried skeptical of their so-called ‘healthiness’, and so he usually ended up eating everything Silver had cooked instead.
Sebek could take it. He was stronger, not a weak human.
Besides, it was not that terrible. His taste buds eventually got used to it, even if they were kind of wonky ever since, and he ended up making very spicy food whenever he cooked for himself.
Silver himself was baffled at first by this development, but eventually learned to accept it.
Did he think Sebek was grieving in the same way? Did he think Sebek liked his food?
Eventually, he began to.
And it was another Banquet night, except it was held in Briar Valley, and Sebek was too young to be made head of the Royal Guard at that time. Malleus had told them both to take the night off, as he was not the only one who worked around the clock. Somehow, hanging around with some of the other off-duty guards, they ended up drinking.
Sebek remembers even now the violin song that played as he danced around with Silver that night.
He remembers how Silver’s hair glowed, somehow with a golden shine to it in the light of the candelabra. How they spun around and around, and though it did not look particularly inelegant from the outside, it was the most graceless Sebek had ever felt.
And he hadn’t cared at all about how he presented himself, how he was representing his family or his Liege, when Silver had grinned up at him, flushed from the alcohol.
Later, he was leading Silver back to his dormitory – perhaps out of habit, from the days Silver used to fall asleep anywhere and anywhen. He had told Silver good night at the door, and he had gone to leave – only for his sleeve to be caught by Silver’s hand.
“Sebek – wait!” Silver stared at him, and he stared back.
The world was quiet, but for the dripping of wax from the candles and the crickets singing outside.
“… Stay?” Silver’s voice was always soft, but that night it was the softest Sebek had ever heard it.
“Useless. You can’t even sleep alone, can you?” Sebek jibed, except it lacked the bite it had when they were younger, when he felt the need to desperately prove himself. Perhaps he still had things to prove, but between him and Silver – what was there left to prove to each other?
And he went in.
Sebek doesn’t remember how long they talked for, or exactly what.
But he knows they must have gone on for hours. He knows Silver looked endearingly sleepy, except he refused to go to sleep. He remembers thinking people always peg Sebek as the stubborn one, but that even he couldn’t easily change Silver’s mind once his heart was truly set on something. He remembers ending up sitting next to each other, on the floor, backs leaning against Silver’s bedframe. He remembers how at peace he felt at that moment, how amused he felt when Silver rested his head on his shoulder.
“So you’re going to sleep after all.” He teased.
Silver had looked up at him from between his eyelashes, and though most people would not be able to tell, Sebek definitely knew the other guardsman was pouting. “I’m not going to sleep yet.”
Sebek chuckled. “Pray tell, what do you want to do then?”
Silver tilted his head, looking away. “The others… they were talking about a game.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Then he looked at Sebek once more. “The winner gets to give the loser a dare. If he fails to do it, then he must drink each time.”
Sebek snorted. “I know you. You can’t possibly have any alcohol hidden around here.”
Silver shrugged, then he said. “I have a slice of that lasagna I cooked yesterday. I think that could be enough incentive not to lose at the game or any dare.”
Sebek couldn't help but smile. He did not mind eating what Silver cooked, but he didn’t tell Silver that.
Instead, he said…
“Bring it on! Silver!”
They had played several rounds.
By then, the sun was sure to be climbing in the sky, though the tall trees of Briar Valley didn’t let any rays spear through their canopy. The world around was still silent.
A soft laugh could be heard behind one of the many doors lining the hallways of the guard’s barracks. “I win!”
Silver looked so pleased with himself that Sebek could not do anything but grin back. “Yeah, yeah…”
They had given each other countless silly dares – some even gross – and though the game felt somewhat inane, Sebek could not regret agreeing to play this.
“This will be the last round we play, alright?” Sebek decided, then he raised an eyebrow. “So what are you going to have me do now? I didn’t particularly care for smelling Thalion’s used socks – and stealing the front guard’s helmet was too easy. So you better make it count!”
“The last one?” Silver asked.
“Yes,” Sebek repeated, raising an eyebrow.
“…Then kiss me.”
“…”
“Forget it – ”
“Alright.” Sebek interrupted Silver.
Silver stared back.
“Okay.”
Sebek didn’t know who leaned in first.
He did know the kiss was short. He remembered it was just a simple press of lips. He had kissed someone before, a random girl he had gone on a blind date with (the less said about that, the better). She had been a sloppy, messy kisser.
Kissing Silver was not like that at all.
It was brief, short, warm. Sebek also knew kissing did not feel like it was described in movies or cheesy romance books – except kissing Silver felt like that. Like fireworks, and thunder, and becoming breathless all at once. After the briefest brush of lips.
They did not kiss again. Instead, they stared at each other in the dark.
“That was…” Sebek whispered in the space between them.
“Yeah.” Silver agreed softly. His eyes were darker at night, but Sebek felt lost looking at them, even if they did not look as kaleidoscopic as they did during the day.
“Sebek, I lo– ”
“Silver – ”
Sebek cleared his throat. “You go first.”
Silver took a deep breath. “We’ve known each other for a long time. We’ve been together through thick and thin.”
Sebek listened intently, feeling his heart in his throat. He thought he could see where this was going, and his heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest.
“And lately… I think I’ve fallen in love with yo – ”
“Silver, I wanted to – I think – You should go to sleep.”
Silver stared at Sebek with round eyes, as he went on.
“You’re drunk. Besides, I’m not... I’m… I like girls.”
A flicker of hurt must have passed over Silver’s face – or maybe it was only a trick of the light. Maybe not. But it was gone before Sebek could see for sure.
“Ah. Okay. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Things were weird for a while between them after that.
They still talked, of course, but Sebek couldn’t forget that night, nor what Silver had said. They had to train together, they had to work together, they were supposed to be Malleus’s guards together. They could not fail now, after all this time.
If Malleus himself thought there was something strange about their interactions, he never mentioned it. However, he did sometimes stare at either Silver or Sebek, as if trying to see through them.
But Sebek hadn’t told a soul about that night. And it was likely Silver hadn’t either – otherwise wouldn’t the other guards be talking about it – about them?
So they still trained, they still talked, they still spent time together.
If there were longer pauses than before, if they avoided certain subjects, if they made sure to never touch outside of training, or fighting each other. Well, surely no one knew, no one but them.
Eventually, with time, they would talk more freely again, perhaps.
They would not avoid a nudging elbow or a hand to steady the other when they needed it after a grueling fight. They would no longer avoid each other’s gaze or try to find other guards or friends to talk to whenever the other was around. There would be no more secretive glances, wanting to know – to see how the other is doing, but to never be seen inquiring.
In a sense, time heals wounds that way.
But at lights out, Sebek couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.
Surely, he must have been wrong. Surely, it wasn’t the fact that he had kissed Silver – that wasn’t the reason why he’d felt fireworks that night. It wasn’t.
It’s just – yeah, Sebek probably just didn’t enjoy sloppy kisses. So if Silver had been a sloppy kisser – surely Sebek wouldn’t have liked –
Damn it, Sebek thought. What in the Seven am I doing? I should be asleep; there are two more hours until morning training!
He turned around, with his back to the wall, surrounded by his blankets.
Sleep did not come any easier.
In a sense, time heals one way or another.
After some time, Sebek and Silver could interact again – perhaps it was not the same as before, but no broken bone or cracked vase ever looks the same again, even after it is repaired.
Still, Sebek ate whatever food Silver cooked, to the others’ bewilderment. Still, they were the best guards that Malleus – that Briar Valley had. And they still fought better together. Still, they got to talk about silly memories, or good, or sad ones. They patrolled together, fought together, they understood each other better than anyone else – caught on to the other’s plans and ideas faster, too. They still joked around eventually.
They never did drink together again.
However, in the end, they were still Silver and Sebek. Changed, more weathered by time, but they were still the well-known and respected Dual Guards of Malleus Draconia, the King of Briar Valley. And eventually, Sebek could fall asleep most nights without thinking about that one night, though perhaps he would never entirely forget it; he would just not think of it.
Like how you do not think about how the sky is blue.
And eventually, there wasn’t any need for secretive glances anymore. After all, they were Silver and Sebek, and they had been friends first (after countless arguments and disagreements). They had only been friends.
(And if Sebek disliked the few girls or boys Silver had dated, surely there was no need to read too much into it.
They were just – annoying. Silver was just unlucky when he chose them.)
Sebek was not one to think about the passing of time. Most people in Briar Valley didn’t age – or at least, they did it very slowly. Silver had never been ‘most people’. No last name. Hair like spun silver. Falling asleep constantly, yet a great knight.
He wasn’t most people in this either.
Sebek couldn’t stop staring at the wrinkles under Silver’s eyes.
He wasn’t any less beautiful; he looked different, but they gave Silver a mature air he hadn’t had before, with his longer hair too… but – but why had Sebek not noticed them until now?
“Sebek, why are you looking at me like that?” Silver narrowed his eyes at him. “Do I have something on my face?” Silver wiped his cheek with the back of his hand.
Sebek huffed. “Not there.” He followed the lines on Silver’s face with his thumb, only to have Silver’s hand stop his own in place.
“My wrinkles?” He blinked. “Do I look weird?”
“No!” Sebek yelled. “No – You look…”
Silver waited patiently.
“Beautiful.” Like Always. Sebek finished inside his head.
Silver sighed. “No need to lie to spare my feelings, Sebek. I’m not that vain.”
“It’s not that,” Sebek said. I’m not lying.
“Then what?”
“You’re aging, Silver.”
“Yes, that’s normal.”
But I’m not.
Sebek had thought…
He had never been sure he would age like a fae, with his father being a human. He hadn’t thought much about it.
Like one doesn’t think that the sky is blue.
That it will always be Silver and Sebek. Even faced with Silver aging, with his wrinkles, him being slower than before during their spars… He had never considered there would come a day when Silver and Sebek became only Sebek.
The sky is blue. The grass is green.
Perhaps Sebek is aging more slowly than full-blooded humans, but he’s still aging, isn’t he?
He isn’t.
He never thought about it, but consequences affect one anyway, whether they think about them or not.
He never thought he would envy full-blooded humans anything. Funny, how hindsight works.
Silver did not die in battle, a great hero.
Silver died of old age in his bed. He had been retired for a while, but Malleus had insisted he live with them inside the palace, even if he no longer worked there. Silver did not die alone, though. He died on a peaceful Thursday, a sunny day.
He died holding hands with Sebek.
The last conversation they had – Silver must have known the end was coming. Yet, he was still thinking of, worrying about Sebek.
“And you should eat healthy stuff, don’t think I don’t know how many jalapeno peppers you buy, Sebek.”
Sebek smiled a bit woodenly. “You know I like spice.”
Silver laughed, but it soon turned into a wet cough.
Still, that did not stop him from saying his piece.
“What I know is you totally fucked up your taste buds eating what I cook. But what I can’t understand…” He paused to give Sebek a suspicious look.
“You do know I’m perfectly aware my dishes taste like trash… right?”
Sebek squeezed Silver’s hand as he snorted. “Yeah, that’s why you don’t eat them – why you give them to me, Silver.”
“Of course.”
. . .
“I must be hideous to look at for you now. I remember the face you made when I got wrinkles.”
“You’re beautiful.”
“And you’re a liar, Sebek.”
“You’re not hideous, Silver.” You’re beautiful. Your hair is whiter than silver now, your face may be wrinkled, but your eyes are the same. Just as beautiful as the lights of the sky.
“And you’re still stubborn as ever, too.” Silver grinned. “You know, I think Malleus actually gave you time off because you’ve been nagging Our King too much. How appalling, his own Head of the Guards.”
Sebek knew Malleus had given him time off because he couldn’t concentrate at all. He didn’t say it.
He rolled his eyes. “Heads.” He stressed.
Silver pointed to himself. “Honorary now, remember?
… And not for much longer.”
. . .
“Sebek?”
“Yes, Silver?”
He rubbed Silver’s hands gently. They felt so cold and frail, and he did not want to hurt them.
“Can you promise me something?”
“Depends on what.”
There wasn’t much humor in Silver’s answering smile. “Please. I don’t ask you for stuff often.”
You never do. “… Alright.”
“Promise me you’ll be happy? When I’m gone?”
“Don’t. Silver, I can’t – ”
“No, listen to me. I’m asking you for one thing. Promise me you’ll be happy. And watch over Malleus, you know he feels things more deeply than he lets on. Don’t let him stew on his own. You shouldn’t do that either. And… definitely don’t let him try to put the world to sleep again, okay?”
“… Okay.”
“You’re crying.” Silver sighed and pulled a hand away to grab a tissue. “I don’t know why I’m surprised. I know you’re less tough than you pretend to let on as well.”
“’m not.”
Silver smirked as he wiped Sebek’s tears away. “Of course, Mr. Fearsome Lightning Guard. I’m Oh-So-Scared by how fierce you are right now.”
“… I’m not cryin’.” He wasn’t. He just had something in his eye.
“Of course not.” Silver agreed. Seven forbid people of Twisted Wonderland ever saying anything they actually mean.
. . .
“Remember that time at Halloween when we visited the Noble Bell College?”
“…Of course.”
“I think that’s one of the first times we fought together – not for training, but to protect not only Malleus, but the entire Fleur city. Silver, it’s been an honor fighting alongside you all these years.”
“…As it has been for me,” Silver answered.
But Sebek felt he wanted to tell Silver more, a lot more.
“I know I’ve been reckless, and a loudmouth, and an idiot oftentimes. I don’t know how you put up with me for so long. But there’s no one else I would rather have ever fought alongside. I know I nagged you about anything and everything, from training to your sleeping habits. You don’t have to forgive me for that. I just wish we had more time. I wish I had told you how much you mean to me more often. I often wish I had not been a coward, nor so young and stupid that I did not dare to tell you that I love you back then. That I had said it sooner now. That we had more time, and that I could always eat your cooking, and that we’d get to see more places together. Or even old ones. That… doesn’t actually matter. I don’t think I’d need much of anything at all as long as you stay with me.”
“….”
“… Silver?”
“Silver!”
Silver looked as peaceful in death as he looked while he slept.
Sebek could not stop himself from sobbing.
He didn’t even know if Silver had heard what he had said. Perhaps it was selfish of him to say this now, but perhaps he had just wanted to make sure Silver knew he was loved before he left.
A black bird flew away from the window when it felt the weakened heart inside take the last few sputtering beats, and the anguished cry coming from inside the room. It flew off to bring the news to his master. If the sky darkened, turning a peaceful day to night, and a horrible snowstorm started, Sebek did not notice it until way later.
After all, Silver’s motionless hand in his was the coldest in the room.
Later, he would go to Malleus and try to honor Silver’s wish.
Later.
Later.
Now he was grieving all the past, all the happy and sad moments, all the easy laughs, the hard moments, the best and worst of them, and all that could have been.
Sebek woke up with tears encrusting his eyes.
He clumsily slid out of bed and wiped his face with a cloth that was lying on the nightstand. It wasn’t often he dreamed of himself and Silver, of their youth, of their school days; it wasn’t often. It wasn’t even often he dreamed about the night and choice that he had grown to regret for the rest of his, however long it shall be, life.
He mostly had meaningless dreams that he did not remember. But whenever he did, he woke up feeling like he had been hit directly by Malleus during their few spars. Or even worse, since, unlike physical pain, this was not something that could be solved by magic.
You can’t turn back the clock.
And Sebek wiped his face and started to dress up for the day.
…
After the spectacle of last night’s banquet, he’d rather not see what the servants would do while or if he was missing.
Sebek lives a happy life.
He has a family, both his mother and grandfather, and his niece and nephew, and their father and mother, to guard and serve. He has subordinates who respect him, and servants with whom he is on friendly terms. He might not have a lot of simple, peaceful days, but Sebek was never one to stand still for long, so somewhat chaotic days suit him just fine.
But some days are harder than others.
Some days, he cannot head to the training pitch, and he holds training in the woods instead. Some days, he keeps his sword sheathed, even if he has to fight a horde of miscreants. Some days, instead of his usual curry or hot pot, he craves to eat healthy trashy food, except the one he cooks never tastes quite right. Some days, the memories are too much.
He was grateful to Malleus for wrangling the royal children today, because today was not a day he could answer any more questions about Silver with a straight face. He’d seen the King shoot him a sympathetic look, but he pretended he did not catch it.
He only wondered what could have possibly tipped Malleus off.
.
.
.
“Papa! Papa!”
“Yes, Malene?”
“We need to make sure Uncle Bek marries his crush, and they live happily ever after, and we get a New Uncle too! I told Uncle to tell him how he feels, but I think he’s insecure about it! And Uncle’s great! But he needs help!”
Malleus almost spat out his breakfast. Crush? New Uncle? Sebek???
“… Did he tell you his… crush’s name?”
“No! But he said he has the prettiest eyes.”
Malleus sighed.
“Oh.”