forum I couldn’t think of a good title (o/o)

Started October 03, 2020 by Deleted user

tune

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He guides the other through the halls and out of the castle, into the back gardens. It wasn't a long walk since there was a shortcut that Ezra knew by heart. The gardens were filled with calming noises, animals scurrying freely through the plants and trees. He hummed softly as they walked, a few plants turning their petals towards him. He made it to a small gazebo. He offers a gentle smile. "This has always been my safe space. Keeps me away from the castle and away from expectations. No one will bother us here." He didn't release the others hand just yet. Not until they were sitting did he remove his hand.

Aces sniffed a little, wiping tears from his eyes he hadn’t realized had formed. “Thank you, my king.” he smiled halfheartedly, looking around. The place was so beautiful, so calm, and he could rest here, he was allowed. This…. this was perfect, even if being here under those circumstances was more than a little embarrassing.

Ezra shook his head, his eyes turning sad. "There are often times where I wish I wasn't born into the crown. It is my job as a king to serve my people…" He inhaled softly. "But sometimes the pressure is unbearable and it makes it hard to breathe. So I come here." He chuckles quietly and leans back on the bench. "And please, call me Ezra." He chuckles quietly. "My king feels like a title I don't deserve right now."

“Alright then, Ezra. I just… we were taught to be respectful in the military, is all.” he shrugged, turning to face the man. “I guess it’s kind of funny. Two horribly broken men are expected to fix things, when they can’t even fix themselves.” he laughed bitterly.

He smiles a little and nods. "I understand that. I'm grateful for the respect. But…" He shrugged hopelessly. He shook his head. "Unfortunately I find no error in that statement." He shivered a little. In an eagerness to ease Aces he had left the castle without a shirt. He sighs softly and looks out to the garden, a small smile on his lips.

“Fix everything, really. Those Dark Kingdom bastards just can’t keep out of it, can they?” he asked, them seeing Ezra shirtless he blushed. “Do you want my cloak? It’s nothing like your finery, and might itch a little, but could keep you warm enough.”

He laughed a little bit and shook his head. "Very true." He laughs quietly. "It's my duty after all. Sadly my council is a bunch of power hungry idiots." He blinked slowly when the other offered his cloak before smiling. "No, it's alright. Please. Take care of yourself first." His smile was gentle, although a little sad. War had changed him from a man to be feared, to sad and tired. But waving a white flag to the enemy was to much dishonor for his heart to bear.

Aces knew about honor, so he didn’t say any more. How horrible must it be, to have to sit aside and do nothing while others died in your stead? Aces understood that too, even if doctors had called him simple. Doctors said a lot of things that weren’t true. Maybe it would be best to just sit here in silence, maybe that would be better than trying to console his king.

Ezra hated sitting on his throne as war waged all around him. It hurt him more than anything. But maybe now, they had a little more of a chance. Maybe now… Ezra turned to Aces and picked up his hand, resting his forehead against it. "Thank you… I cannot thank you enough for agreeing to come, and for agreeing to our deal." He mutters softly.

“It’s nothing. This is practically an upgrade, as long as I don’t have to sleep with you.” he laughed, not entirely serious but serious enough that the laughter was somewhat out of place in context.

He smiled a little bit and slowly pulled away. "We only have to hold the appearance of doing so." He shrugged and sighed softly, glancing back at the garden. He seemed peaceful now, gently braiding his hair mindlessly over his shoulder.

“That’s fair enough. Although if I had to, you’re not bad looking. If it helps.” he chuckled a little, like it was a sort of joke.

He snorts softly, a small laugh leaving his lips. "You're not so bad looking yourself~" he purrs lowly, licking his lips as he looked over the other. He laughs a little bit before relaxing and gazing at the other. "You're welcome to do as you please here. You're under my protection."

“Anything I please? So, say, if I burned down half the castle you’d wave it off?” he joked, wondering if he was going too far. So, he added “Not that I would, obviously. I’m no fool.”

He laughs as well, shaking his head. "I wouldn't recommend it since we kind of live in the palace." He seemed to be in a better mood with all the joking around. "You are no fool, I can tell that much." He smiled a little, "After all, that's why I brought you here."

“I think you’ll soon regret your choice. It’s been too long since I had to strategize, and I usually had my peers backing me up whenever I was forced to make a decision. However, I will try my best.” Aces sighed, looking just as tired as the king was.

He inhaled softly. "That is all we can hope for. I wish… I wish I had done more to help your peers. I had told my council to support all of my soldiers. But they only helped the 'heroes'… I am grateful to my soldiers. I wish I could look them in the eyes and thank them for their service. Know them by name… But my council has gone behind my back. They only gave help to the more heroic ones. I will never forgive them for that. I want a new council, but replacing a council in the middle of a war is unwise."

“They’re all dead now, either by wounds or by poverty, or both. There’s nothing you can do for them. So let it go.” he said, in an attempt to be comforting, but really he just came off as gruff and grumpy.

He nods slowly, "I cannot erase the past unfortunately. I can only look to the future." He sighed quietly, knowing that there wasn't much he could do in the past except use if for future reference. He knew that the other was trying to comfort him in some sort of odd way, but that was fine. He nods slowly, "Yes. But the war is slowly coming to a close, it just depends on how well we get our plans through."

“That’s fair,” he said. He looked around the garden, then moved to sit in a patch of small blue flowers. He picked them out one by one, beginning to weave them into a long string of sorts until eventually he closed the loops. He grabbed his crutch and sat back on the bench, placing the flower crown on the king’s head. “My husband always cheered up when I made one of those for him. Maybe it’ll bring you the same joy.”

He watched the other with curiosity, his head tilted ever so slightly in wonder. He made sure that the other would not fall, in fear of him getting injured. He glanced at the flowers on top of his head and then blinked a few times. "Your husband?" He asks gently. If Aces were to be his 'concubine' it would be unwise for Aces to be married, and if he was married, Ezra would need to allow Aces to leave. After all… its one thing to have a concubine, its another thing to have an affair. He gently touched the leaves of the flowers. "It's very beautiful. What is it?" He asks softly.

“Flower crown. They remind me of him, he always loved playing with me and my son in the fields. At least before he… I’m sorry, it’s unwise of me to gush like this but since his death… well, my son is the only family I have left and I don’t even have him around anymore, he left years ago.” Aces sniffed, tears stinging his eyes.

His eyes turn soft and listens quietly. He slowly moved forward and gently cupped his cheek, rubbing away his tears. "You have been through so much." He gently hugs Aces. He didn't know how to comfort the other, but he seemed to be in distress. He just wanted to help in some sort of way. He brushed away Aces tears. "Do you want to talk about it?"