lexironie-reads - Tumblr blog

lexironie-reads · 5 months ago

Text

Simp-ly Love At First Sight

A very crack-y idea where Alejandro basically falls head over heels for Noah right away. And I am such a big fan of pathetic when in love Alejandro, so there will be plenty.

Alejandro: "His biting wit and lack of fashion sense has captivated me."

It does have elements from the plot twist idea like Alejandro orchestrating eliminations for Noah/Noah's benefit. Noah's kind of oblivious about it all. He genuinely thinks Alejandro is just a naturally flirty person, and yeah, he is, but he is trying so hard to get Noah to notice he is really flirting with him. I mean, he literally always gives Noah a kiss on the hand as a greeting or when the opportunity strikes.

Noah: "My new friend is really flirty with me....it must be his thing like Izzy being crazy."

Alejandro drawing hearts in his plotting notebook: "And once we're dating, we'll be the best power couple and dominate this game."

Alejandro is still a scheming and manipulative dude, but he uses it for Noah and himself. He still doesn't like Owen for his general Owenness but also because he's super jealous of how close he and Noah are.

London never happened like it did in Canon because Alejandro doesn't flirt as obviously as he does in canon. Noah knows he's manipulative, but he's pretty apathetic about it. I mean, if it helps to benefit the team, he won't complain, but he will if it means throwing a challenge like in Germany. He confronted Alejandro in the cargo hold. Got up in his face and everything, even pointed his finger harshly into his chiseled chest.

Alejandro: "His face is close to mine, and he's touching me! Best day ever!"

After that, he no longer tries to lose challenges because that's what his love wants. Everyone knows how whipped he is for Noah, except Noah, and they think it's hilarious. (Unless they are one of the people that got eliminated because of Alejandro.)

Heather gets out earlier in this mainly because Noah made a comment about Alejandro having an obvious crush on her, and he absolutely cannot have his darling think his eyes would ever be swayed from him.

The first time Alejandro heard and saw Noah take charge and scheme, he nearly dropped to a knee and proposed right then. He did actually propose during the wedding challenge since Chris thought Alejandro being pathetic was ratings gold and made sure he and Noah were paired together for the challenge. Complete with Noah being in a weirdly fitting wedding dress that Chef definitely did not help pick out because he thought it would fit Noah and help make Alejandro more pathetic. That was actually when Noah realized Alejandro liked him, and well, maybe he had a small crush on him in return.

Them winning immunity was the cherry on top for Alejandro. It was basically a honeymoon since he confessed, and Noah confessed in return they had shared a kiss or two....or more. They ate their cake, and Alejandro even managed to feed Noah a bit, which had made him giddy. Much to Alejandro's delight, they do become a really good power couple. Dominating challenges, making alliances, and voting out those who stand in their way, and all the while being disgustingly cute the entire way.

Everyone is so done with them, but Chris and Chef are basically that one HTTYD meme of Hiccup giving Toothless a supportive thumbs up.

Not so surprisingly, it ends up with them as the final two, and everyone expected them to be all cute and hardly compete, but are surprised when they are vicious yet flirting. Noah likes being challenged, and when he's challenged, he's like a whole different person. He becomes determined and competitive, and Alejandro is swooning. Alejandro ends up losing, but that's okay because his darling won and was happy.

Though he was scared that his parents would be disappointed in him but surprise surprise, when José went to tease Alejandro about being so pathetic, their mother just hugged Alejandro and laughed. Apparently, their father had been the same way with their mother when they first met, and she thought it was positively adorable that Alejandro took after his father in this. It was the closest Alejandro had ever felt to his dad, and his dad had even laughed with him about how deep Burromuerto men fell for their loved ones. Somehow, meeting and dating Noah helped his father see past his shortcomings in comparison to José.

Alejandro proposed once more.

José was more than shocked when Noah basically became the favorite son, Carlos just laughed. Alejandro's parents absolutely adored his boyfriend. His mother loved how family oriented he was, and his father appreciated how smart Noah was. Plus, being a millionaire was a big plus, too.

77 notes · View notes

lexironie-reads · 5 months ago

Text

Bruce truly hates magic with every pump and beat of his heart.

What kinda curse is Slang, anyway?

“This is the best day of my life.”

“You thought you ate that.” Bruce physically feels a full body shiver, charged with nausea and cringe. “This is level 10 cringe. Can’t have shit in Gotham.”

Dick is his earth bound angel, but he laughs like a demon at him, holding onto Jason for support, pledging his eternal loyalty to Zatana and her pettiness.

—

“Hey, old bat, hook me up with an adrenaline shot.”

What he wants to say is Jay, do not try and fight with 6 bullets in your stomach.

What comes out instead, through Bruce’s grit teeth and intense, fierce glaring, “Not you trying to go back to your corpse era. See how I only took 2 shots? Very demure. Very mindful.”

Jason passes out from blood loss, but mostly laughter.

—

“Chat, is this real?”

Stephanie barely bites back a full belly cackle. “I think he just asked us if we copied.”

“I wish I was Jason, 15.”

—

“This is not a slay environment. Killing is flop behavior.” He keeps his eyes shut and buries his face in his hands. Trying to convince Damian not to stab someone doesn’t seem to work.

Damian gives him a pat like he’s a pitiful cat. “I’ll only stab the non lethal areas.”

“God, I wish that were me.”

29K notes · View notes

lexironie-reads · 6 months ago

Text

you have been bad friends to riz gukgak

6K notes · View notes

lexironie-reads · 7 months ago

Note

Leaving a mini offering for when you awaken - Thanks for chatting with me while work has been boring me to death :3

----------------------

Fae Wilds

Fabian flinched his hand away when Riz swatted at his fingers, the goblins hand connecting with his knuckles with a stinging crack since he wasn’t pulling his punches. Not anymore. The creature that had tried to hand Fabian a strange piece of fruit snarling at the goblin and earning a venomous hiss from the detective in response before it skuttled up the tree and out of sight into the canopy.

“Just because someone is handing you something doesn’t mean you have to take it.” Riz took a calming breath, rubbing at the bridge of his nose under his glasses before resettling them on his face properly. “In fact, put your hands in your pockets. Please.”

The goblin had needed to explain this to Fabian six times already but the Fae Wilds tended to make most people who weren’t native a little vague at the best of times. He wasn’t mad at his friend, not really, he was just kind of wishing he hadn’t let the half elf invite himself on this little mission in the name of ‘watching Riz’s back’ for him. Sure, adventuring with a partner was much more enjoyable than going solo like he usually did but gods was it stressful when he had to keep an eye on Fabian the entire time. If he’d known Fabians human heritage would cause this much of a handicap on his resistance to the confusing influence of this realm he wouldn’t have let him come at all.

This excursion wasn’t in relation to Fabians case anyway, the leads on that one having run dry a while ago, but Riz still had bills to pay and the half elf was fine with him taking other clients in the meantime. They were in the Fae Wilds searching for information, the detectives current client swearing that his daughter had run off with a member of some fairy court and wanting to know where they’d gone. When Riz had gone through his daughters things he’d had to agree, some of the items and letters she’d left behind faintly humming with traces of magic from this realm when he’d checked them over.

So here they were, just the two of them, trying to find someone they could get information out of without trading away something irreplaceable. Riz had gotten a few leads from some of the less dangerous creatures in the area and had been verifying some of it with another when he heard Fabian speaking with someone behind him. The goblin having to whirl around quickly to smack Fabian on the leg to stop him from saying his name to a beautiful, naked woman that looked like they were carved out of a still living tree. Riz narrowing his eyes and baring his teeth when they ran a flirty finger under Fabian’s chin before giggling and wandering away into the forest around them.

“Oh, sorry The Ball. You were trying to get my attention?” Fabian had stared wistfully after the retreating figure until they were impossible to spot among the foliage, the half elf making a choked noise when Riz reached up to grab him by the collar of his jacket and yank him down to the goblins eye level.

“Stop. Saying. Your. Name. and REALLY stop saying your FULL name. Even if they don’t want to steal it they can do some pretty horrible stuff to you if you’re not careful.”

“Ah. Right. Sorry. Force of habit.” Fabian grinned, happy to let the goblin manhandle him around if he wanted to even though it would be very easy to resist. It meant he got to look at his face up close, even if his brows were knitted together in a frown and his ears were pinned back in a way he knew meant he was upset or worried.

“Fuck, okay. I know you’re having issues remembering all this because of-“ Riz let go of his collar with one hand to gesture vaguely around the pair of them, indicating the fae wild at large. “-but it’s going to cause problems if you keep doing that. So. Give me your name.”

“Hmm? Okay, It’s…” The half elf frowned, his own ears drooping slightly while his eye darted, unfocused, from side to side as he tried to think. “I don’t… why can’t I remember?”

“Oh, good. Excellent. I still remember it so that worked.” Riz let go of his collar, pressing their foreheads together in a brief nuzzle before stepping way from him. “You gave me your name. I’ll give it back once we go home but at least I can keep it safe for you until we do. For now you’ll just have to go by… I dunno. Maximum Legend until we leave.”

Now that a creature of this realm had control of the half-elfs name hopefully it would have the duel effect of helping to clear his mind somewhat. Maximum Legend, for his part, was doing an excellent impression of a stunned fish. Mouth hanging open slightly as he stayed crouched in the position Riz had left him in.

“That’s…. what the fuck The Ball? How in the Nine Hells did you even do that?”

“I am a creature of many talents.”

The half-elf scoffed in response but didn’t argue, standing back up to his full height and following along behind Riz as he started walking again.

It's always a delight to chat with you, and it's one of my favourite things to do! Thank you for this gift. Here's a little something in return, pulled from some of our recent chats.

---

Maximum Legend—ugh, he couldn’t believe Riz was throwing that one drunken night on Leviathan in his face—kept a hand on the hilt of his blade as he stood back to back with Riz as several masked goblins surrounded them. They’d been on their way through a forest of trees as tall as skyscrapers with thick and colourful underbrush. Following their only lead regarding the location of Riz’s client’s daughter, Sarah. Up until they’d been ambushed, of course.

He’d been ready for a fight, but he felt Riz hesitate at the same time he did, thanks to giving their attackers a second look over. Rusty pitchforks, worn sickles, and recently repaired spears. Masks made up of ripped fabric and threadbare work clothes covered with patchwork leather armour. If they were bandits, they had only just started out, but something told them that these people weren’t even that.

Riz glanced at Maximum Legend to make sure they were on the same page before he called out to one of the goblins in Gukliak. Maximum could only follow parts of the back and forth that occurred. He could surmise that Riz had asked the troupe if they’d seen a Halfling girl running around with a member of one of the nearby Courts.

For a moment, the goblins looked shifty about it, but Riz… insisted that her father only wanted to know that she was safe and bring her home if she wasn’t. A bit of conferring between the troupe and another quick exchange with Riz before they lowered their weapons. Giving them both a nod to follow.

The troupe of goblins kept them close as they led them through the forest toward a small village by a winding creek. Small farms on the outskirts of it with farmers tending to strange beasts and even stranger crops. Little houses and shops were built into the massive ivied tree trunks or carved out of giant moss-covered boulders. A village square with a tall pole wrapped in colourful ribbons and flowers that goblin villagers pass by and congregate at to stare at him and Riz as they’re led deeper into the settlement.

Eventually they are led to a hollowed out giant tree stump where the missing daughter, Sarah, a young ravenhaired Halfling woman sat in a garden of tall grass and wildflowers, playing a guitar for a hoard of young goblins. It was a sweet sight to watch for a moment or two. But sooner than later, one of the kits noticed their and their guides’ presences and a whirlwind of chaos erupted.

Sarah stopped strumming, sitting up alarmed as some of the kits raced towards a couple of the goblins who guided them here—their parents, obviously. While others, the ones on the older side stayed and began to swarm Sarah as if they could hide her with their bodies. And that is nothing to say of a matronly Goblin woman bursting out of the stump and rushing to put herself in front of Sarah and the kits as she hissed at the guides and the outsiders.

Maximum watched as Riz lowered his ears in submission to her obvious authority in this place as he began to speak to her slowly in Gukliak. At first, she wasn’t having it; not even some nudging from their guides was enough for her to let them come any closer. But luckily, Sarah was far more willing to humour them.

Slithering out of the pile of kits, she threw her guitar over her shoulder as she walked over to the Goblin matron to put a hand on her shoulder. Telling her that they most likely weren’t here on the Goblin King’s orders. She recognized their clothing; they were from her home plane. Here to rescue her. Sarah smiles at them and tells them that Drezza is just worried about her because she sees her stolen daughter in her, that’s all. She’s happy to talk to them and explain what happened to her.

You see, Sarah Timbersage had been having a really tough time at college, at her dead-end job and at home and… she’d met a guy. Handsome, almost too good-looking for words. Elven, she’d guessed at first, but he’d been light on the details. They’d exchanged letters, back and forth; old fashioned, but she’d liked it. He’d said that she could come live with him, that he’d take care of her, and she’d want for nothing…

As the fifth daughter of eight children, it was an enticing offer. Believable, too, he’d given her a beautiful necklace as if it were nothing. She hadn’t even realized she’d been enthralled until she was deep in the Feywild, within the Castle of the Goblin King. Who, she’d quickly realized, was only going to add her to a collection of “brides” he kept as a testament to his power. Including Drezza’s daughter, Pollina, though Sarah hadn't known that then. Only by pure luck did she manage to escape the fortress and disappear into the forest surrounding it.

Sarah doesn’t know how long she wandered, but one morning, after spending the night hidden in a rotted log, she was found by some of Drezza’s children. The sweet things had realized that she was not only hungry and thirsty, but also the mortal woman the Goblin King had sent scouts to find.

Now, you have to understand. Within the Goblin Court, you’d be hard-pressed to find a soul that actually revered or even liked their King. Hell, they hadn’t particularly liked their last dozen Kings! Might makes Right in the Court of Goblins, so one of the most popular ways for anyone to gain power is to kill a more powerful being than themselves and assume their title.

The worst thing is? It's an arcane issue. It doesn't matter if the courtiers and subjects of the Court despise whoever holds the title of Goblin King, no matter how this so-called King drags their Court’s reputation through the mud unless one of them can defeat him? There's nothing they can do to strip the Court-given powers from him. As much as they hated to admit it, the current Goblin King was very powerful.

And if the smoke signal from the outermost of the village's farms was correct, he was on his way here.

61 notes · View notes

lexironie-reads · 8 months ago

Audio

“Call Me Maybe” with every other beat removed

361K notes · View notes

lexironie-reads · 8 months ago

Text

‘ I am your romänce partner , Baron. ‘

↢ B A R O N [ FANTASY HIGH ] ,,

↢ reblogs appreciated // requests open always !

51 notes · View notes

lexironie-reads · 8 months ago

Text

eughhhhh okay i'm caving i'm giving in this is it this is the qpr fabriz post i can no longer pretend that im normal abt them. This is just vaguely connected string of thoughts ft arospec headcanons. And very personal, I also often enjoy other people's more explicitly romantic interpretations of them but hey this is mine.

I've been fond of Fabriz ever since Riz offered to tear someone's eye out for Fabian because he was on a violent high and I jokingly said "woah that's romantic" but then it suddenly occurred to me that Fabian Aramais Seacaster, Son of Bill Seacaster the greatest pirate to have ever lived should actually think so too (even if he's like "what the fuck??" in the moment because Riz is ultimately, funnily enough, consistently more hardcore and violent than Fabian ((and honestly the rest of the party too 98% of the time))). There's something about "oh this guy took your eye? Want me to bite his out of his corpse for you?" that shows undeniable devotion and deep affection, be it because they're best friends or more.

After the second season it for me personally warped into more oh okay aroace king. (Oriented aroace. Because of Baron.) This isn't romantic it's just a deep emotional connection on a level that doesn't really fit into conventional terms but they're very important to each other and enjoy existing in the same space together but that's still Fabriz, just a different flavour, so y'know.

I think Fabian dates people and Riz stays at his side all the same. I think that if in the far future he and Mazey weren't together anymore because idk, Highschool romances don't often last forever, he would still be like hello potential romantic partner this is Riz The Ball Gukgak he is very important to me and my emotional support and also impulse control and whether you and I work out or not Riz will always occupy the space closest to me, it's about whether you're willing to share the space or not. He definitely is.

Riz doesn't have any romantic feelings but he's happy to be important enough to his dearest friend to be a priority even when relationships are involved. I think he's fine "sharing" affections because he's learned to feel secure in the fact he won't be abandoned. And he has his other friends who love him too (though not in the same way Fabian does, of course. And that's okay, he wouldn't want to occupy the role he occupies in Fabian's life in theirs. It's different) and he loves them and life is good, sometimes. He kind of just wants to be together forever without the implications or obligations a typical romantic relationship would bring? And there's a point where he's like "hey Fabian am I ruining dating people for you?" and he's. Worried. About that. But Fabian would assure him that it's fine, he's probably not all that compatible with people who are uncomfortable sharing anyway. I think a strictly monogamous partner wouldn't be all that happy with him, regardless of whether Riz is involved or not.

Fabian has a lot of love in his heart and feels it very strongly and it's kind of impossible to limit it to only one person? Polyamarous king. This is where I note that I do read Fabian as being aro-spec (allosexual though) but on a completely different level than Riz is. Fabian adores people so quickly and so strongly, and I think at some point he isn't able to differentiate whether that adoration is platonic or romantic or something in between? And that's a struggle at first, it'd be a struggle for any teenager, but I think as he'd get older he'd stop caring as much. No sense trying to label something that's so all over the place, he just goes with the flow? He calls it love and that's that, and he'll indulge in it.

Fabian says "I love you" a lot, Riz says it back. It doesn't necessarily mean the same thing, but it doesn't have to, that's fine. I think Fabian's love language is literally all of them (though giving gifts above all, maybe?) and Riz's is just quality time (acts of service is a close second), so a lot of their relationship is just hanging out like they would with other friends as well (and Fabian paying for as much stuff as he can get away with). I think Riz isn't opposed to physical affection but he's not a fan of pda, and while he likes sharing a blanket in the winter or sitting way too close in the back of the hangvan or pressing his face into Fabian's back when they're riding the hangman he'd probably not be that into hand holding. Its fine but it's probably more pleasant to maintain physical closeness in other ways with the height difference? And the claws, idk. There's also kissing. Riz would be cool with like, cheek or forehead kisses probably? (Unless he's having a day where he really doesn't want anyone to touch him period. Which I does think happens. Something something autism I don't think I can word this properly in detail) And Fabian would grab his face and smother him in those for fun. Or get dramatic and kiss his hand and act suave only to eat shit ten seconds later. I think being kissed on the mouth is a different story and kind of a fifty-fifty, depends on how touchy Riz is feeling that day. But in concept he's fine with it as long as it's just like, a peck on the lips, because he sees it as an expression of intimacy and affection and hey he doesn't have a problem with that that's cool. I definitely don't think he'd initiate them, though. It's more a "oh hey my partner likes this and I don't mind doing it for him" thing.

Oh speaking of the word partner that's the word they'd use, I think. Not boyfriends, just partners, and they're not dating but they're together. It's not, like, a thing they're particular about it's just the words I think they'd feel inclined to use. They probably don't talk about any of this stuff in that much depth, Fabian isn't that introspective anyway. It's kind of just a state of being. And what's a nicer state to exist in than close to your best friend?

Idk, I don't usually get involved with fandoms where a character seems so aromantic in a way I can relate to or a pairing feels so queerplatonic to me, but these two sure do and that's so delightful that I think about them all the time.

99 notes · View notes

lexironie-reads · 8 months ago

Note

not quite a headcanon but I keep thinking about a fabriz beauty and the beast potential au with Riz as belle and Fabian as the beast..... much to think about ...

hahahah

Fabian: I'm a monster, who could ever love me.

Riz: *an actual, literal monster* dude wtf.

35 notes · View notes

lexironie-reads · 8 months ago

Note

You keep writing me things so I will write you a thing :3

For your Brave and Loyal Knight Au

It was dark, unnaturally dark in the middle of the day as the storm clouds lay thick and heavy blotting out the sun. Fabians boots clicking against the stone floor the only noise other than the rain and thunder audible in his secluded corner of the palace. The king swiftly making his way from his more public study and back towards his chambers now that his work was mostly done. He should have learned by now that he shouldn’t be relaxing until he knew he was completely safe but he had let his guard down. Too busy perusing the last report of the day that he needed to memorise before he could finally stop and rest for a while in the privacy of his own rooms.

It had happened so fast Fabian wasn’t sure exactly what had happened. A sudden flash of lightening dazzling him for a second before the accompanying rumble of thunder obscured the sound of the assassin’s approach. He hadn’t noticed but Riz certainly had, his knight slamming into his back and knocking him forwards so that the dagger aimed for his neck sailed over the top of his head. The goblin using his momentum to engage with the attacker.

There was a muffled ‘thump’ from somewhere between the tussling pair, Riz hissing loudly as the assassin managed to grapple him to the ground. They’d managed to get hands around his neck for only a brief second before there was the loud crack of an arcubus firing, the sound echoing off the stone floors as the larger of the pair (human, Fabian noted absently, Riz having managed to partially yank their mask off in their scuffle) slumped dead to the floor. The goblin using his legs to push them to one side as they fell so they wouldn’t land on top of him before stumbling to his feet. Hand clutching at the armour where Fabians seal was emblazoned on his chest as he panted and darted his head around searching for more attackers.

Fabian didn’t even have chance to call for more guards before the fight was over but the noise of the scuffle had been enough to alert them of the danger. Fabain swiftly pushing himself to his feet so none would be witness to him in such an undignified position and dusting off his robes. The King frowning and glancing down the corridor, noting that it really shouldn’t be taking this long for backup to arrive.

“There should have been more guards stationed here.” He frowned, kicking the assassin onto their back so he could get a better look at their face. There wasn’t much to see, Riz had managed to get a decent swipe with his claws in and they’d been disfigured beyond recognition by this point. “Good work, nice to know you haven’t lost your touch.”

“The guards are probably dead… I smelled blood as we came around the corner.” Riz was still breathing heavily, claws digging into his armour and punching holes around the kings seal emblazoned there. His ears relaxed out of their high and alert position as reinforcements rounded the corner, large eyes flicking between faces as he took note of who each of them were and compared them to the database in his mind. These guards were trustworthy, he’d handpicked them himself. Fabian would be safe.

“Not so sure about the loosing my touch part though.” The goblins knees went weak once the adrenaline finally left, Riz only managing to half-collapse to the ground before Fabian caught him. The half elfs eyes going wide when he noticed the front of his dark armour was slick and wet with blood that was hard to see in the dim light.

Fabian had thought it strange that the assassin had tried to choke his knight to death but now that he was in this close he could see why. The sigil embroidered on his chest had been split cleanly in two, the snapped off blade of the dagger still embedded in the goblins chest probably the only thing keeping him from bleeding out faster but there was still a lot of blood.

“Get a healer. Now.” Fabian barked at the first guard who came close, the elf snapping into a salute before peeling away and heading for the healers quarters. Riz chuckling weakly and lowering his voice so that only Fabian could hear him when he talked.

“Composure, my King. Don’t let them see you so upset over something like this. It’s my job to throw myself on the enemy’s sword for you.”

Fabian clicked his tongue, carefully lifting Riz and handing him off to another of the guards when they stepped in close. Riz was right, letting anyone know how much he cared was a liability they could exploit.

“Take him. Get this mess cleaned up and fetch someone to revivify this one so we can find out where they came from. I will be in my quarters and I expect a report in two hours.” Fabian spun on his heels, waving two of the guards to follow him as he stalked away and down the corridor. Somehow managing to resist the urge to glance over his shoulder to watch the guard carrying Riz disappear in the opposite direction.

AHH! Thank you so much!! 💖💖

I, in turn, shall write even more!! Here's a bit of angst for you! But also some fluff at the end!

Three things of note occurred in the days following the attack on the new King of Fallinel’s life.

One, Sir Riz Gukgak, was forced into a brief (and highly unwanted) sabbatical from his duties to the throne to recover from the dagger that had only just missed his heart.

Two, the recently revivified Human assassin had been locked up and under twenty-four-hour supervision in the palace’s dungeons as they tried to pry information on his employer from him.

And three, the King, now without his nohecharei, had a wake-up call about what his Grandfather had warned him of before his coronation.

Fabian had been eager to hear whatever wisdom Telemaine had thought it most urgent to depart on him, seeing as he had come all the way from Kei Lomenuera to the Capital to give it to him. What he got instead was far grimmer than Fabian had thought possible.

As tall and willowy as a tree in a forest primeval, Telemaine had never felt so immense and ancient as when he’d warned that if he were to become King, his life would never be his own. At the moment, Fabian hadn’t the slightest clue as to the full weight and depth of his Grandfather’s words. Having let them flow off of and away from him with a nod and a smile.

But now?

He got it.

He got it because…

Because…

Fabian could hear Sir Durden's footsteps.

Steady, not-so-soft clanks, only a few steps behind him as he went about his day. Truthfully, they weren't all that obtrusive and yet…

It’s not like Sir Maxis Durden was a horrible guard. Oh, no, perish the thought. Sure, he had a devil-may-care attitude and, on occasion, was a tad bit familiar with His Majesty, but, all things considered, Sir Durden did his job and did it well. Never late. Always on the lookout for danger. The Captain had assured him of the Guards that Durden was an adept Blade Pact Warlock of Eilistraee and, despite his reedy figure, could take down his fair share of enemies. Hell, Fabian even knew that it was Sir Durden who took over Riz’s duties for four hours during the night! It shouldn’t be as big of an issue!

Except…

He could hear Sir Durden’s footsteps. He could feel Durden’s eyes on him at what felt like every waking moment. Whenever Fabian turned around, Durden was always there. Even in his private study. Even in his bedroom. The Court of Stars demanded that the King never be alone for his safety, but only now, in the absence of Sir Riz, did Fabian realize how maddening of a rule it indeed was. Telemaine was right. His life was not his own because as long as he knew Sir Durden was guarding him, he’d never be anything but the King of Fallinel. He had to be dignified and competent. Well-mannered and never whiny. Never a fuck-up or a failure. He couldn’t be a person.

Lest he slip up and have one of his most charming guards’ opinion of him sour. Loose lips sink ships. The last thing he needed was Maxis blabbing about how ungrateful or idiotic the new King was to his mates. Next thing Fabian knows, there's a military coup. No doubt led or co-opted by House Everpetal. Ugh, it doesn’t bear thinking about.

By the end of the week, Fabian felt more exhausted than he ever had in his twenty years of life. Finding it harder and harder to keep his chin up and feet from dragging. He’d gotten lightly chastised by one of his advisors for repeating himself several times during a briefing on possibly receiving some of the Drow Royalty. Lady Everpetal had even felt bold enough to “jokingly” question his sanity after the attempt on his life. Calling him a Mad King in waiting.

Worse yet, Fabian had to swallow down the things he wanted to say about her, knowing he wouldn’t even get to say them in private to the sound of Riz’s delightful laughter…

He hadn’t even gotten a chance to go see him in the infirmary.

Umberlee below, he missed his best friend.

Missed him so much it physically hurt.

A pain in his chest.

Twists of his stomach.

More headaches than he’s ever had.

Honestly, they were so bad that, when Sir Durden’s clanking footsteps stopped abruptly on their way to a court function, Fabian hadn’t cared in the slightest. Not even when his addled brain had noted that his own footfalls had been the only ones he’d heard for minutes now. In perhaps idiotic defiance, he relished the thought of accidentally leaving Sir Durden behind and truly being alone for a handful of moments.

Though, he was to hasty to think that he was alone.

For only after the length of another corridor, Fabian found himself stopping as the faint sound of a nail—no, a *claw—*tapping on the metal pommel of a blade. Listening closer; the swish of lithe tail idly swaying back and forth. Fabian’s heart picked up speed, though he didn’t dare turn around. In fear that he was wrong and reluctance to possibly lose the little game of trust he and Riz played.

Instead, Fabian, a smile slowly begin to play on his lips, said to the hallway, “Good to have you back on your feet, Sir Gukgak.”

There’d never been a sweeter sound than Sir Riz’s voice ringing out behind him, “Good to be back, my King.”

A week’s worth of tension instantly fled from Fabian’s body as a sudden lightness overtook him. Fabian wanted to hug him. To turn, drop to his knees, and scoop Riz up in a tight, tight hug and never let him go. But, as a maid rounded the corridor’s corner and bowed to him before scurrying past, Fabian pushed it down. Steeling himself to hold out until later. When they could be alone together in his study or his bedchambers.

Until then, Fabian continued on his way to one of his ballrooms, a pep in his step and a smile on his face. If any of his servants or courtiers noticed how the King practically glowed with joy after the reappearance of his Knight, all of them had good sense not to comment.

26 notes · View notes