Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“How long until…” 

“He should…”

“…whenever possible.” 

At first, all Eiden hears is vague snippets of conversation.

“Once we can….then you…” 

His ears are working. So that’s good. 

He can’t feel his body. He can’t move a single muscle. Not even his eyelids. His brain is working at a glacial pace, so far removed from reality that he feels like he’s just learning how to understand human speech again. He doesn’t know where he is.

But the voices are familiar. He knows these people, deep in his heart. His bones, his soul. So he’s alright. 

“Everything’s alright, Eiden.” 

Yeah. It’ll be alright. 

______________

The amount of energy it takes to wake from sleep, even partially, wears out Eiden so much he can only maintain a semi-state of consciousness for a few minutes. His sense of touch has returned. He can feel himself laying down on something soft and comfortable. A bed—his bed! The sheets and the mattress underneath are familiar. 

He’s home. This is the palace. He’s in his bedroom. 

There are people around him. They talk amongst themselves, but it takes too much energy to listen. Sometimes, they lift Eiden’s body to wash him. That feels nice. The touch of those hands is even more familiar than the sheets. He would know these hands anywhere…

His husbands. Two, sometimes three sets of hands. Cleaning him, stroking his forehead, putting a cool washcloth on his face to mop his sweat. 

An avalanche of relief trembles and cascades inside him. Oh, god, his husbands are here! Thank goodness! Those hands must be Blade’s, and those Yakumo’s…and Olivine, too? 

Eiden remembers everything. The cave, the smoke, the surge of essence he needed to overcome the wild power of that gem—

The cracks. The way his rings broke. 

That’s right. His rings are gone. His own crystal, too. He can feel that his fingers are bare even though he can’t move his hands to check. 

“Eiden? Can you hear me?” 

“His face twitched!”

“He’s frowning… “

“Darling?”

Eiden wants to reach for them. He wants to tell them that he can hear them, that he knows where he is and what’s going on…but he can’t. He can’t gush his apologies for not being strong enough, for the way everything happened back there. For making them worry, for…whatever happens now. 

What can he even say?

Nothing. 

The only thing he can do is go back to sleep.

_____________

The next time Eiden wakes up, he is able to lift his eyelids. A small body with a nest of messy black hair is curled up next to him.

“G…Garu…”

Oh, man. Garu is so warm. That soothing, familiar warmth seeps into Eiden’s bones and brings a smile to his lips. 

“Master? Oh! Master is awake!” Instantly, Garu starts peppering kisses all over Eiden’s face. Eiden still can’t keep his eyes open for very long, so he closes them and lets Garu do whatever he wants.

Those kisses feel very nice, in truth.

“Edmond! Hey, Edmond! Come quick!”

“Hm?” 

A distinctive voice echoes from a different room.

“Eiden?” 

At that, Eiden opens eyes. He is instantly greeted with a stern face and crystal blue eyes. Frowning. As usual! 

When those eyes meet Eiden’s, the face dissolves into shock. “You…!” 

It looks like there are a hundred things Edmond wants to say. Eiden can relate. He feels the same way right now.

Edmond quickly regains control of himself. He sits next to Eiden’s bed. 

Wait, sits…? 

Edmond was walking? 

“Eiden. You’re awake.” Edmond lays his palm on Eiden’s forehead to take his temperature. “Good. Your fever has gone down. Your body must still be very weak, though.” He sighs. “After the stunt you pulled…” 

He looks pissed. Rightfully so. Eiden really fucked this one up! 

But that’s not the thing nagging at Eiden! “Ed…your….” Eiden’s tongue is so sluggish! He strains and stretches his jaw to get it working. “Where’s your…chair?” 

Edmond blinks. “My chair?” Surprise morphs into cold rage. “That’s the first thing you want to say to me? You’ve been unconscious for nearly four days, very nearly perished, and the first blasted thing you can think to ask is—”

“Sorry.” Eiden closes his eyes. He turns his face into Garu’s neck, resting in a comfortable place. 

He knows he needs to apologize for a lot of stuff. But he’s so tired. Tired and…well…

Not having the rings makes him feel…wrong. Off balance. A very key part of him is missing. The rest of his body is raw. Empty. And, very acutely, sad. 

Eiden is sad. He’ll cuddle with Garu a little longer. That’s what he needs.

Garu’s chest rumbles. A wolf pup’s croon. It’s comforting. “Just rest, Master,” he says. “You can sleep on me if you want.” 

Next to the bed, Edmond sighs. “Yes. He’s right. Please rest up, Eiden. You need to recuperate. You…” 

What’s the sniffing sound? Is Edmond crying? Eiden wants to look at his face to check but that would take way too much energy—

“Rest.” Edmond clears his throat. “We will be here.” 

Hearing those words, knowing that Edmond and Garu aren’t going anywhere…oh, it feels so good. Eiden wants to hold Edmond’s hand! He has Garu’s warm body, but he wants to feel Edmond too, he wants everyone—

As if reading his mind, Edmond laces their fingers together. He strokes Eiden’s bare hand. 

The lack of rings doesn’t seem to bother him. To Eiden, it feels like a deformity. He flinches, wincing into Garu’s neck. Ashamed. But Edmond doesn’t care. He pets the back of Eiden’s hand in a calm, soothing way. The same gentleness he showed those roses in the forest. Soft affection. Genuine and heartfelt. 

Tears brim along the bottom of Eiden’s eyes. 

Edmond is not mad at him for losing the rings. And if Edmond is not mad, then…the others probably aren’t, either. 

They won’t abandon him even though he fucked up.

Shit. Eiden suddenly feels very small. Like a little kid. He normally doesn’t cry, why is he like this? Why does he feel like that snot-nosed kid at the orphanage? The one who used to hold in all his tears until he couldn’t anymore. Then he would run to the basement and cry in a corner, hiding his face from the world. Eiden hated crying in front of other people because he thought it made him look weak. Childish. Like a baby. As he got older, he learned that emotions are nothing to be ashamed of. They’re just the real side of you coming out. He doesn’t feel ashamed of how he feels anymore, and because of that, he very rarely cries in general.

So why now, of all times, does he wish he could go to the basement so he could really let it all out…

Those shitty habits from childhood are so hard to break. 

Eiden tightens his grip on Edmond’s hand, as much as he can, and curls closer to Garu. He lets himself cry for now. It’s alright. 

Once he gets it all out he’ll feel much better.

_______________________

“I’m sorry, Edmond.” 

He needs to say this too. 

It’s been a few hours since Eiden awoke. Karu wandered off in search of food a little while ago. No one else has come to the room yet. It’s just him and Edmond. 

“Why are you sorry?” 

Eiden lifts his hand. His and Edmond’s are still intertwined. Edmond, true to his word, has not moved a muscle. “Because of this. The rings, I…” 

Why does it hurt so much to say this. To explain to Edmond that he was never worthy of these rings in the first place. That he doesn’t deserve to be married to all of them, and this is the proof. The rings broke because Eiden wasn’t strong enough to stop it! And now…

“Edmond, don’t feel like…” Shit. This is the really crappy part! “Don’t feel like you have to stick around if you don’t want to.” 

It hurts too much to look at Edmond, but Eiden can feel the coldness in his voice when he says, “What do you mean? Explain yourself.” 

Really? They have to hash all this out—now?! 

Fine. Fuck it.

“I know you never wanted to be married to me,” Eiden says, plodding through the worst of it. “It was always forced on you. Even having sex with me…all of it was forced, I know. I’m sorry about that. I wanted it to be different, but, you know…” 

Excuses, excuses. Eiden knows what he did. What happened. Edmond does too. There’s no sense trying to explain the fact that all he ever wanted to do was help Edmond. To love and cherish him. Ever since the day they met, Eiden wanted to give Edmond everything. A piece of his world, a place in his life. He never wanted to make Edmond feel like he didn’t have a choice. But in the end, what choice could Edmond make when his essence was already bound to Eiden through the ring?

“Anyway. Since the rings are gone, you can just, you know. You can go, if you want. Back to the Light Kingdom or back to your family.” Eiden squeezes his eyes shut. “I’m sure you have a hundred places you’d rather be than here.” 

Edmond doesn’t answer for a few moments. Then he says, “Eiden, what are you talking about. Are you still delirious? You don’t have a fever…” 

What part of this isn’t Edmond understanding? Eiden whirls around to face him, starting to get angry. “Edmond, I’m saying—”

“No matter. Let me put your mind at ease.” 

He finds Edmond slowly taking off his gloves. One finger at a time. 

Eiden is totally stunned by what he sees! 

Edmond holds up his bare hand. His sapphire is still there! That beautiful, shiny gemstone! Noble, sexy, and perfect, just like the man himself! 

Eiden is so happy to see that ring, his face goes numb. 

“Eiden. Your rings may be gone, but…” He points to his sapphire. “I still have mine. We all do.” 

The numbness wears off and Eiden feels himself crying. His face is pulled into a tight grimace, overwhelmed.

“There is no way to break a gemstone connection. You taught me that. Don’t you remember your own sorcery?” Edmond pulls the blankets up to Eiden’s shoulders, fluffing his pillow and tucking him in. “Now, sleep. I’m concerned about your mental faculties. Those things you said just now…” 

Edmond glances to the side self-consciously. “Well. I think some rest would do you a world of good.”

Eiden clutches Edmond’s ring hand between both of his own. Holding onto it for dear life. He never wants to let go! He presses that ring to his cheek, using Edmond’s hand as a pillow. There is something inside of him that craves the energy from this thing, the essence held inside. The physical evidence of their bond. 

“Just gonna…lay here for a bit…” 

“Hmph. Fine. If you feel that’s necessary.”

“Yup…” Eiden is drifting off into a warm sleep. “So, so necessary…”

“Then, do it.” Edmond combs the fingers of his free hand through Eiden’s hair. “Take what you need.” 

Those words stick to the inside of Eiden’s chest like pins. They hurt, but Eiden wants to make sure they stay stuck to him forever.

_______________________

Eiden’s body is slow to recover. Stubborn. Very immobile. Even after a few days of being awake, he is only able to lift his head. He needs help from his husbands to get into a sitting position. And, obviously, with everything else! 

Blade and Yakumo can lift him easily. Their hands are swift, succinct, and careful.

They have had practice nursing a paralyzed body, after all. Speaking of which…

Out of everyone, Edmond stays at Eiden’s bedside the most. He is always within shouting distance. If Eiden is too weak to open his eyes, he can just call Edmond’s name loudly and know, without any doubt, that Edmond will be there in a minute. 

Edmond knows better than anyone what Eiden needs. Hand and leg massages. Where to put extra bedding so Eiden’s lower back doesn’t ache. He brings Eiden glasses of water, constantly reminding him to drink so that he stays hydrated. The last thing Eiden needs, Edmond says, is to get dehydrated. He sits at his bedside and calmly feeds him every meal. Yakumo knows how to pack the food with nutrients. Edmond knows how to hold the spoon so Eiden doesn’t make a mess. 

“Feels kind of like…” Eiden says with a smile one night during dinner, smiling while Edmond feeds him. “Like maybe you’ve done this before or something.”

Edmond catches his sly grin. He rolls his eyes. “Silence. Just eat.” After a moment, spooning cut up pieces of chicken into Eiden’s mouth, he adds, “You better not be pulling your fraudulent tricks on us all, making us wait on you hand and foot for no reason.” 

Eiden can’t help laughing a little. “And if I am?” 

What can Edmond say to that! He scowls. “Hmph. Charlatan.” Even so, he steadfastly continues the task of feeding Eiden. Not wavering for a second.

Edmond is really the best nurse. Because he’s a nurse that was a patient for a very long time. 

“Thank you, Edmond.” 

It’s hard for Eiden to put into words how grateful he is. Now he knows how Edmond must have felt all this time! Constantly wanting to say thank you! Because Edmond does so much without even blinking an eye—that level of care is not something Eiden has ever experienced before.

“Need I remind you that you did the same for me,” Edmond replies, gaze politely lowered.

“I know, but…” 

It’s one thing to do it, it’s another thing to receive it. 

Edmond understands. He nods. “I know.” 

These days, Edmond seems to get around using two canes, one in each hand. His physicality has improved by leaps and bounds since Eiden has been unconscious. His body seems to have reached an equilibrium point where it can rely on itself to get better. That’s incredible! Blade made a pair of walking sticks where Edmond can rest each elbow in a soft sling on top and prop himself upright holding the canes further down from a handle that sticks out. He leans most of his weight on the canes and his gait is stilted and unsteady at times, but he gets around. As such, the wheelchair is mostly reserved for Eiden now.

“Look at us,” Eiden says while Edmond is bathing him. He gestures to Edmond’s canes, which are resting on Eiden’s wheelchair. “You’ll have to teach me how to use those.” 

Edmond glances at him, trying to tell if he’s serious. Eventually he nods. “I will. When you’re strong enough.” 

At the rate Eiden is progressing, it’s hard to feel like his strength will ever return! His body is so ridiculously weak! But Aster and everyone else seems to think it’s only a matter of time.

What happened in the caves, Aster explained, is that Eiden completely depleted his supply of essence. Every last drop. Getting the untended gem under control took everything he had, literally! By the time it was done, his essence was at absolute zero. Close to negative, where pieces of his body itself could have started getting cannibalized by the gem. Luckily it didn’t get that far! Still, he emptied his essence to a point that no human is supposed to go. 

Being drained of your life force is a serious thing. The cells in your body start to wither. Eiden was lucky Dante stuck around! As soon as the smoke cleared, Dante rushed in and found Eiden unconscious. He carried him tirelessly across the desert until he could regroup with his compatriots. Then, they took Eiden back to the dark palace in a caravan so his husbands could tend to him.

The funny thing is that Dante never left. He’s still hanging around the palace, even though his fellow countrymen left a long time ago. 

“The Sun Lord of Solaria keeps his word,” Dante protests, sitting stubbornly at Eiden’s bedside. “I said I would guarantee your safety to and from the untended altars. So your safety is a matter of personal pride for me.” 

“Yes, yes, you’ve mentioned,” Edmond flashes him a tired look. “So if you’re going to stay, could you make yourself useful and bring me that stack of washcloths? It’s time for the Grand Sorcerer’s evening bath.” 

Dante’s face turns a lovely shade of scarlet. He rises to his feet. “I…” he begins. Cutting himself off, he throws the cloths at Edmond. “I think my work here is finished for now.” Then he stalks out of the room, awkward as hell.

Edmond smiles. “I believe the Sun Lord has a schoolboy crush,” he says. “Imagine that.” 

Eiden chuckles along with him. “Hard to believe, yeah.” 

So Edmond starts giving Eiden his bath alone. Halfway through, Olivine arrives to help. These days, Olivine is very busy smoothing over political matters alongside Aster and the others. When word of Eiden’s struggle with the altar got out, the continent went into a small uproar. They heard the Grand Sorcerer was incapacitated. A vacuum of power is a dangerous thing. It is taking all of Olivine’s political clout to uphold the face of the Dark Lord’s clan in the eyes of the world. Thank goodness he is so well-liked and trusted! Once people see that Olivine is in charge, their minds and hearts heave a collective sigh of relief. There’s just something calming about him!

“How was the Light king today?” Eiden asks as Olivine lifts his arm to wash his armpit. 

“In relatively better spirits,” Olivine answers. He is smiling softly, though he must be tired. “He asked for you again, Vice Captain.” 

Edmond tightens his lips and doubles down on massaging Eiden’s hands. He doesn’t say anything. This is not the first time the Light king has asked about Edmond. He’s been mentioning Edmond ever since the first time Olivine met with him in person. The king wanted to know if Edmond was alright. He’d heard his diplomats speak of a man in a wheelchair who held his head high and carried himself in a noble way. He wanted to know if that man was Edmond. When Olivine said it was, the Light king was intrigued. Now he asks to speak with Edmond during every meeting.

But Edmond has yet to agree.

He said he would eventually, though. Sometime in the future. When he’s ‘composed himself.’

Eiden doesn’t know what Edmond is waiting for. Doesn’t he want to throw it in the king’s face how well he’s doing? Walking on his own two legs, thriving as a companion to the Dark Lord himself? But it’s not about that, Eiden can tell. Edmond is waiting for something else. Maybe he’s worried he won’t be able to contain his anger, after what the king’s decree did to Edmond and his family. That’s more than fair! 

But if it’s a matter of anger…

“I’d like to meet the guy, too,” Eiden says (funnily enough, the Light king never asks to meet Eiden; the only reason he comes out of his palace now is because he knows Eiden won’t be there—the coward!). “I’d love to see the look on his face when he sees how strong and sexy you still are—”

Edmond splashes water into Eiden’s face to get him to stop talking. They drop the subject. 

Of course, there might be another reason Edmond is biding his time. If the king is so fascinated by him, there’s a good chance he’ll ask Edmond to take his old job back—especially if he thinks Eiden is out of the picture. It would be a good chance for the Light kingdom to make moves on the Dark Territory if they want another war, which it seems they always do. 

Would Edmond do that? Eiden wonders. Would Edmond leave if he had the chance to get his old life back? 

…He would! Obviously! Who wouldn’t! Eiden knows that! He’s not an idiot. He can understand a guy wanting to have the life he worked so hard to get, that was taken away from him so unfairly.

But…when Eiden offered him the chance to leave after the rings broke, Edmond still chose to stay. He thought Eiden was delirious, so that might have something to do with it. Even so…

Eiden stares at Edmond while he dresses him in night clothes. As always, he wishes he knew what Edmond was thinking.

________________________

“Let me see the picture one more time.” 

“It’s just a sketch, though it is quite lifelike.” 

Eiden holds the picture of Edmond’s nephew—born a little over a month ago—up to the light so he can get a better look. The bishop, the man who welcomed Edmond’s family, took responsibility for their overall well-being. He helped deliver the baby! 

He is also a hell of an artist. The baby is so cute! Those cheeks! 

The letter from Edmond’s sister says that they are all doing very well. They have adjusted to life in the Water Territory nicely. Edmond’s sister Delia takes her role as temple maiden seriously. The people in town see her as an honest, hard-working, and trustworthy person. Her presence, though not as salient as Olivine’s, has done a good job of keeping people engaged in church affairs. She writes a lot about the bishop, as well. 

“It seems they are good friends,” Edmond notes, rereading her letter several times.

Interesting.

Edmond’s mother was able to set up a business partnership with a local jeweler. She has an eye for what is valuable. So the jeweler hired her as an appraiser! This is wonderful, as it gives them another source of income. 

Edmond’s father is also settling in. He has made a few friends in the parish who respect him as a nobleman from the Light Territory. The story of their downfall is well-known in town (the bishops have loose tongues). But no one in the Water Territory cares about Light Territory politics. It’s exciting to have high-born people of noteworthy fame in their midst. That’s all they care about. So Edmond’s father is seen as a man of respectability again. This has helped him calm down a little. Delia writes that sometimes their father mentions Edmond by name at the dinner table—a thing which he himself forbade after the war. He’ll recall a fond memory or say a sentence with his name in it, though it has no direction. Like, ‘Edmond would have loved this meal. Candied cherries were his favorite as a boy.’ 

He will never mention the current state of things. Where Edmond is. What he’s doing. Not yet. 

But he’s coming around, Delia insists. Soon they’ll all be able to sit at the table together like they used to. 

Edmond closes his eyes and nods as he considers this. He clenches a hand in his lap, the only evidence of how much he wants that. He’s tempering his feelings. Calibrating. Not letting himself get his hopes up only to have them dashed.

“You should go meet your nephew,” Eiden pushes. At the very least that should be okay! “I’m sure he’s cuter in person!” 

Edmond sighs. He’s sitting in the chair next to Eiden’s bed, his usual perch. “I’m sure he is. But Delia has not invited me yet. There must be a reason. I believe my presence would…complicate things.” He stares at the floor. Seeing through it. 

The pain on his face is muted, but Eiden is hyper sensitive to it. This experience—being bed-ridden, having their roles reversed—has only made them closer. Eiden can feel Edmond’s pain in real time now.

“Edmond…” Eiden cups the side of his face. “Can we talk for a second?” 

Edmond glances at him. He’s not wary around him anymore. His walls have come down. He is also wise to Eiden’s lewd tricks. He’s annealed himself to those as well. 

“Yes,” he answers flatly. “Naturally.” 

Eiden can’t keep quiet about this any longer. He looks down at his bare hands. The tan lines around the spaces where his rings used to be…how embarrassing! He wore those things too much! Depended on them like he needed them to survive! Now he’s learning to live without them, and it’s hard as hell. He can’t call on his husbands’ essence to help him recover. 

But by now he’s even gotten used to that.

“Remember what I said before? About this?” Eiden holds up his bare hands. 

Edmond’s eyebrows twitch in confusion.

“I know you guys still have your rings. But mine are gone, so I’m not drawing from your essence anymore. That’s done.” Eiden should have done that a long time ago. “So, like. Yeah. You’re free. If you want to take your ring off and leave it behind, you can. There’s nothing stopping you. I know how hard everything is, and the king…” He sighs. “The king would probably take you back…” 

Edmond shakes his head and holds up both hands. “Enough. This again? What’s gotten into you?” 

“I mean it,” Eiden presses. “Edmond, you don’t have to live this life if you don’t want to! You didn’t have a choice before but now you do! You can drop your ring on the floor and walk out of here—”

Two long-fingered hands rest on Eiden’s shoulders. For once, Edmond looks completely calm. His blue eyes are stoic and sincere, but deeply earnest. Not a trace of subterfuge in them.

“Eiden. If I wanted to do that, don’t you think I would have done it by now?” 

A cold shock wriggles down Eiden’s chest.

Edmond leans closer, pressing their foreheads together. “You’re so fixated on these rings. I thought you already knew…” 

Needing contact, Eiden nuzzles Edmond’s face affectionately. “Knew what? I’m an idiot, so you have to explain it to me.” 

“Tch.” Edmond clicks his teeth and strokes the side of Eiden’s face. Returning the affection. “Fine. Since you need me to say it in plain words.” 

He takes a deep breath, composing himself. Even so, he has to lower his voice to speak. Too shy to say the words in a normal volume. He holds his ring hand in the space between their bodies. That stubborn sapphire gleams in the dim candlelight. 

“Our bond means more to me than just this,” Edmond whispers. “More than the ring, more than our essence and shared strength. With you, Eiden, with you, it’s…” He takes another shaky breath. “Our relationship goes deeper than that. For me, at least.” 

Angels are singing in Eiden’s ears. He can’t believe he’s hearing this! Did he die? Is this heaven? Is Edmond actually admitting how he feels—and he’s admitting warm feelings? 

Stumbling around his disbelief, Eiden clutches Edmond’s hand to his chest. “Me too,” he says. “It’s deeper than that for me too. I love you, Edmond. I’ve always loved you, ever since you came here. Not just because of the rings. I love you because of who you are and what we are together. I wanted to treat you right because that’s what you deserve! But it was hard and I fucked up—”

“How did you fuck up?” Edmond asks. His cheeks are flaming and his eyes are watery (it seems he longed to hear Eiden say those words as well—so much that he doesn’t even notice he just cursed rather uncouthly). “What could you have done, when in the end I’m right here at your side where I’ve always been?” 

Thoughts and words tumble to a halt. It’s true. Edmond is here. This entire recovery. He’s been right there with Eiden, every step of the way. Just like Eiden was for him. 

“If it is a matter of choice,” Edmond continues. “If I have a choice in the direction of my future from now on, then it’s simple. I choose you. I choose to stay here, with you and everyone else, and fulfill my end of our wedding vows. As your husband.”

 Edmond pecks Eiden on the cheek. A shy little kiss. “I love you too,” he says in a rush. “The life I have with you is…very nice.” 

Overcome with emotion, Eiden wraps Edmond in a hug. He never thought he’d live to see this day! The day where Edmond told him he loved him. But he is so, so happy! They got to this point! He squeezes Edmond and peppers his neck with kisses, telling him he loves him over and over. 

“I love you, I love you,” he says. “Whatever I did to deserve your love, Edmond, I want to keep doing it forever, for the rest of our lives—”

Edmond chuckles. He holds Eiden’s face in his hands. “You were kind,” he says softly. “When I was hurt, you cared for me. You were gentle and you didn’t push…even though you could have taken anything you wanted without much resistance at all.” He kisses his forehead. “You didn’t do that because you’re not that person. The truth is, Eiden, you’re the kindest person I’ve ever met and…” 

He presses his mouth to Eiden’s ear to whisper as softly as he can. “Being with you makes me very happy.” 

Eiden smiles into his neck. Overjoyed. “That’s all I ever wanted, babe. I just want you to be happy.” 

They hold each other close, lingering in the moment. They waited too long to tell each other these things. Hearing them said aloud now feels like voicing the obvious—they must have known about the deep feelings they shared! Even so, it gives them both such peace to have all of these things spoken. Now these feelings can exist in reality instead of in the shadowy gray area of implication. 

There is no need to wonder. No need to fear. They are both here because they want to be. 

That’s the way it will stay. 

Edmond takes Eiden’s ring-less hand and spreads his fingers wide apart. Inspecting the tan lines. “If…” He sighs. “If these rings are so important to you, then that’s a simple matter as well.” 

He clears his throat several times. Then he tosses his hair behind his shoulder and climbs into Eiden’s lap, joining him on the bed for the first time. He painstakingly hikes one leg over Eiden’s thighs, straddling him. It takes him a minute or so to accomplish this. He has Eiden’s full attention the entire time—Eiden’s eyes are glued to him. Waiting patiently. 

Balancing on his knees—an amazing feat—Edmond trails one hand down Eiden’s chest. His cheeks are bright red. He does this same motion a few times, each time letting his hand get a little lower. When his hand brushes the waistband of Eiden’s pajama pants, Edmond gasps and yanks his hand away.

Oh wow. 

“Are you trying to seduce me?” Eiden purrs. He puts Edmond’s hand back where it was, on the waistband of his pants. 

Edmond clicks his teeth. “You—! This is the only way…!” 

Eiden can’t keep the grin off his face. But he doesn’t really get what’s happening! Why is Edmond suddenly taking the lead? Is it possible he’s been so pent up, so thirsty for sex in the few weeks the Eiden’s spent recovering, that he’s ready to take matters into his own hands? That doesn’t sound like Edmond! 

But it’s sexy to think about.

“Tell me, baby,” Eiden says, rubbing his crotch against Edmond’s wrist. “Have you been aching for it? Has your ass been lonely without me?” 

Edmond sputters and tries to pull his hand away, but Eiden keeps it there. 

“I bet it has,” he continues. “How many times a day do you fantasize about me putting it in you? On average? Be honest!” 

Edmond shakes his head. “I’ve done no such thing!” he exclaims. 

The harsh blush on both of his cute ears tells a different story.

Eiden giggles. “Relax. We’re just talking here, so no need to be embarrassed.” His cock is starting to get hard, imagining Edmond secretly wanting him this entire time. Oh, there’s so many opportunities for a good roleplay in there! 

“You’re such a naughty nurse,” Eiden teases, lowering Edmond’s hand to palm his thickening cock. “Fantasizing about your own patients. Were you touching yourself while I was asleep? Imagining your fingers were my dick, slipping them into yourself and whining, so cute and desperate…” 

Edmond’s hand trembles. His hips shift. His eyes are closed and he keeps shaking his head, but a tiny moan sneaks out. Evidence that perhaps there is some truth to this fantasy.

That’s fucking awesome.

“Well,” Eiden says, laying back in the bed. “It’s all yours tonight, babe. If you want it. Can’t say I’ll be able to plow you like I usually do, but if you want to go for a ride…” He grins. “Get on, cowboy.” 

Edmond mutters a slew of indignant curses. “D-don’t talk nonsense! Just…be quiet and let me concentrate!” 

For once, Eiden does as he’s told. He snaps his mouth shut and lays back, letting Edmond do whatever he needs. Concentrate? What on earth does Edmond need to concentrate on…? 

Biting his bottom lip, Edmond reaches into Eiden’s pants. When his hand finds Eiden’s cock, they both moan. For all the energy Eiden lost during that fight with the gem, his dick hasn’t missed a beat! It’s ready to go! It twitches upwards to meet Edmond’s soft, shy hand. Those teasing fingers, too embarrassed to really stroke him properly…oh, Eiden has missed these fingers so much—! 

Wait, has Edmond ever touched him before?

No, actually. This is the first time! Normally, Eiden is the one doing all the work. Edmond has never taken an active role—not touching, licking, or fucking. Nothing. This is the first time Eiden’s cock has ever made friends with these beautiful hands, and oh shit, it feels so damn good! 

“You like it?” Eiden rumbles, so turned on his brain is lapsing into pure horniness. “How’s it feel?”

Edmond’s eyes are fixed on his hand. He slides it down, exposing Eiden’s cock, exposing his own hand touching it. He gasps at the sight—overwhelmed, and quite clearly aroused. His blue eyes are shiny and round.

“So hot…” Edmond says absentmindedly. “Your skin is so hot here…” He’s getting lost to the spell of this moment. His fingers curl around Eiden’s thick length, still just exploring. Bolder now. 

“Yup.” Eiden arches his hips so his dick presses into Edmond’s hand. “It’s hot like that because of you, babe. Your magic fingers did the trick.” 

“Hmph…” Edmond seems to disagree, but he doesn’t stop touching. The smooth slide of his fingertips is really starting to drive Eiden insane! He hasn’t had sex at all since he went to the Fire Territory—he’s surprising himself how hard up for it he is! 

“Can you do more, sweetheart?” Eiden asks. “Can you jerk it a little? For me?” He’s asking nicely! 

“I don’t know what you mean…” Obviously, Edmond doesn’t have any experience with requests like this. 

Eiden smiles. “Make a fist. That’s it. Now go up and down…there you go…ah, shit yeah, like you do with yourself, that’s it…mm!” 

Finally, Edmond figures out how to get his hand around Eiden’s cock and properly stroke him. He’s a clever guy. And he’s not holding back tonight, not too embarrassed to give it his best shot. For once! So he swiftly learns how to use both hands, pulling towards himself in an obscene way. 

Eiden wishes he could immortalize this moment. He might really be dead! How is this reality and why has Edmond suddenly decided to do this for him?

Who cares, it feels so good Eiden’s eyes roll back in his head. Edmond’s thumb swipes the head of his cock, maybe by accident, but it sends an electric shock of sensation through Eiden that makes him melt into a puddle. He sprawls underneath Edmond, letting the guy tug his dick for all he’s worth. That sword arm is going to wring a hell of an orgasm out of him in no time! 

“You’re…nnh…” Eiden’s teeth are clenching on their own. “You’re s-so guh-good….nnnh-ah...!” Eiden really might cum any second! 

He feels a tickling sensation on his clavicle. The tips of Edmond’s hair. He opens his eyes to find Edmond leaning forward. When did he pull his pants down to his thighs? Edmond’s cute cock and bare ass are hanging out, waiting for Eiden to enjoy! Not only that, Edmond reaches around behind himself with one hand. Is he going to—

“Ah, mmm…” 

Shit, he did! Edmond is fingering himself! 

Eiden stares, slack-jawed and captivated, as Edmond works himself open. He’s using Eiden’s pre-cum as lube, and he’s the kind of guy that can use essence to make himself wet once he gets something in there. It happens naturally for him, since his ass is such a sensitive place. Sure enough, a line of slick slides from Edmond’s peachy ass. It makes a wet puddle on the bed. A lewd imprint.

Hot. Eiden’s cock jumps in Edmond’s loose grip. It’s hard for Edmond to focus on jerking him while he’s fingering himself. That’s fair.

“Great job,” Eiden hums close to Edmond’s ear. “You got yourself ready. I’m impressed!” 

“Quiet, I said,” Edmond huffs. He straightens his back, resting his full weight on his knees—that frightens Eiden. His hands hover around Edmond’s body on both sides, just in case he loses strength and falls. 

But Edmond manages. He puts Eiden’s cock into position and slowly lowers himself down, leaning on Eiden’s shoulders for leverage.

He’s doing a fantastic job. 

“Fuck, Edmond, you’re so amazing,” Eiden groans, seeing stars from the pleasure of being inside Edmond’s tight hole. “God, you’re incredible, I missed this—”

“…me too…” 

Did Eiden hear that right? He must be imagining things because—

“Ah!” 

They both yell out when Edmond sits, shoving Eiden’s cock all the way inside. It’s not clear if he lost his balance and fell back or if he wanted to take the fast route, because being all the way in this early on was definitely sudden! Not that Eiden is complaining. This is the best place on earth! Buried deep inside Edmond. This hole makes Eiden want to cum instantly, it’s just too good! Squeezing him like a glove!

“It’s hard not to cum fast, babe,” Eiden moans, flopping uselessly underneath Edmond. “Your ass is hugging me like it doesn’t want to let go. I think I’m going to lose it—”

“Don’t! Don’t cum!” Edmond shakes his head. “Not yet! I have to…!” 

“What? What do you need? Tell me, cuz I can’t—”

“Silence!” 

To shut him up, Edmond starts bouncing up and down on his cock. It’s a smooth rocking motion, so most of the work comes from his trunk and his thighs (this way he doesn’t have to go up on his knees every time). It feels like heaven! Like being massaged to death! The perfect tightness, almost too tight! Eiden forgets he needs to breathe! 

While Edmond is rocking, Eiden feels a familiar warm sensation in the center of his chest. Like someone is brushing the confines of his soul. He’s felt this before, a few times, but it’s been a while since the last time…

Huh? Is this…? 

Eiden opens his eyes and sees Edmond reaching inside of him. His hand is passing through Eiden’s chest—it’s a spell. Edmond is using magic! For the first time! This is the spell that makes a ring—! 

Oh!

Oh, shit! 

Oh Eiden is so stupid! Why didn’t he remember that this was always an option!

“Edmond!” Tears spring to Eiden’s eyes as Edmond’s fingers tickle his insides. He’s fiddling with the recesses of Eiden’s soul, tapping pockets of essence here and there, searching for the right one…there. He finds it! The part of Eiden’s soul that belongs to Edmond. Where their connection originates. The tenuous vein of crystalline sapphire that runs through them both. It can be molded into a physical ring.

Like plucking a tasty mushroom out of the ground, Blade said. That’s what it feels like to pull a ring out of someone after it has already been created. Once the ring is formed, it can always be remade during sex, like how Kuya did to him when he came here! And Quincy, and Blade. They reached inside of Eiden and pulled out the rings that they knew were there.

Just like Edmond is doing now.

Once he finds the vein, Edmond tugs. He’s being very careful. He doesn’t want to drop it or lose the connection. He’s exercising so much control! The disciplined vice captain, here again! Slowly, Edmond extracts a bright, beautiful sapphire from Eiden’s chest. A perfect circle. Elegant and deeply familiar. 

Without needing to be told, Eiden lifts his hand. He wants Edmond to put the ring on him. 

Which, of course, Edmond does. He holds Eiden’s hand by the wrist and slides the ring onto his finger. The middle finger on the right hand, exactly where the old one was. This spot belongs to Edmond. Eiden has ten fingers, but this one is Edmond’s. He claimed it.

“Together,” Edmond pants, out of breath from all the exertion. “We’ll do everything together. As partners. Husbands…together.” 

These are his vows.

Eiden nods. “Yes. Together. I love you—!”

“Love you—!”

As soon as that ring slides into place, a surge of essence ripples back and forth between them. Eiden’s soul bursts and contracts, rounding itself out. It’s strange to wear a piece of your soul on the outside. Yet, it also feels right. This ring is a two-way connection! It is a string that grounds Eiden to the world, that makes him feel fully present. Wanted. Needed. Loved.

Needless to say, they both reach a shattering climax at that moment. Suffused with each other’s essence. Drowning in pleasure. In the warmth of a shared connection. 

This is the way a bond is supposed to be. As hard as it was to make this happen, Eiden wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Edmond collapses on top of him. Twitching in the aftermath of his orgasm, staring vaguely in the distance. Eiden wraps him in a hug and kisses the top of his head.

“You did it, babe. You’re so amazing.” Eiden buries his face into Edmond’s hair. He wants to be surrounded by Edmond’s smell. “I can’t believe how strong you’ve gotten. Now you’re as good of a sorcerer as I am!” 

“Tch….”

“Well, almost. Still have a few tricks I can teach you.” 

With that, he thrusts his hips upward, ramming his still-hard cock deeper inside Edmond. Edmond cries, tears springing to his eyes. 

“Let’s have another wedding night.” It’s a crazy suggestion, but Eiden is feeling a little crazy right now.

And strong. That burst of essence really boosted his strength! He might even be strong enough to push Edmond onto his knees and fuck him into the mattress, like he’s been dying to do.

Only one way to find out!

Thus, their second wedding night is filled with nothing but marital bliss. 

____________________________

So the mystery of what to do has been solved. It really wasn’t a mystery, to be fair. Eiden was just too caught up in his own guilt to see the truth. 

One by one, all the guys reform their rings by having sex with Eiden and pulling them out. Aster and Morvay go first, as is customary. Then Garu. Then Yakumo and Olivine. Then Blade. Quincy and Kuya have been hanging around the palace on and off since the incident with the gem altar, so they take their turns as well.

Kuya is downright pissed that he has to do it again. “I hope the young master doesn’t think I have the patience to make so many of these rings,” Kuya scolds, keeping Eiden on the edge of an orgasm, speared on his cock so deep Eiden can taste it in his throat. “Because that is certainly not the case.”

“K-kuya…!” Eiden feels Kuya toying with his soul! He’s flicking it mercilessly! Any more of this and Eiden’s mind might break! 

“Apologize for being careless with my ring.”

“Sorry! I-I’m sorry! So sorry, Master Kuya! I’ll be careful from now on, I promise!” 

“Hmmm.” 

At least, Kuya lets him off the hook this time. He doesn’t break Eiden’s sanity. He makes the amethyst ring. He slips it on after Eiden has already been turned inside out from orgasm after orgasm spent pierced on that glorious manhood. The ring is almost an afterthought at that point. Which is how Kuya likes it.

Quincy is much more forgiving. He mumbles something about making this one ‘stronger’ so it won’t break as easily. Oh, Quincy. Such a stand-up guy. 

But is it really a good idea to make these rings durable? If it gets any stronger, Eiden is going to feel like he’s giving birth making these…that’s too much!

After all nine rings have been remade, Eiden’s strength returns completely. He no longer needs the wheelchair. He can move around like he used to and do everything independently. Which is sad, in a way. He kind of liked having the world’s best nurse waiting on him (though Edmond’s watchful eye isn’t going anywhere; that man always keeps an eye out to make sure Eiden is steady on his feet, even when Edmond himself is the one using canes to get around). But it’s also good to be back to his old self!

It’s quite a relief to feel those rings again. To know that his husbands love him so much they would make them again. Now he knows that their love is more than just these rings. They will be there for him no matter what. 

That knowledge can get him through anything. The worst nightmares. Anything that comes his way.

Dante still spends a lot of time in the dark palace. He peruses the library, inundating himself with knowledge and literature from the south. He wants to ‘know his enemy’ by reading everything he can get his hands on. Though it’s clear that Eiden and his clan are not his enemies.

He is intrigued by Eiden’s rings. The two of them sit together in the library one afternoon, going over some letters from the Light kingdom. Dante can’t stop staring at Eiden’s hands.

This guy is really…

“Pretty, right?” Eiden waves his hand so the gems catch the light. “Don’t they look nice?”

Dante sputters and looks away. “Nonsense.” He shakes his head. “Gems do not exist for your fickle aesthetic pleasure…” 

“It’s not fickle,” Eiden argues. “I mean. You saw the way my clan helped me reform the rings one by one. I would say that’s anything but fickle.” 

After a long moment of silent thought, Dante nods. He has to agree to that. “Yes. True.” 

There is another long pause. Then Dante says, “Actually I am quite impressed with the bond you have with your clansmen. I know now that my previous assumption was incorrect. You don’t use your gem bonds for simple sexual pleasure and extravagance. You all seem to genuinely…care for one another. In good times and tough times.” 

Eiden nods. “Yeah. That’s exactly right.” He’s glad Dante can see that now! 

Finally, Dante is ready to make his move. “In that case, I have another business proposition for you.” 

Eiden can’t help smiling. “Oh yeah? Go on.” 

Dante takes a breath. “Well. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen bravery like yours. Going by yourself to face the gem altar, hoping to protect your clan even if it meant putting yourself in harm’s way and seriously injuring yourself…I never would have expected that from you.” He nods. “But I must give credit where it is due. So. It’s not easy to earn my respect, Grand Sorcerer. But you have it.”

For some reason, knowing that he has Dante’s respect makes Eiden glow inside. “And you have mine,” he says. “The way you look after your people. How hard you’re willing to fight for their safety, for the sake of the country you built. It’s really impressive, Dante. I’m happy to have made your acquaintance.”

Dante grins on one side of his face. The side with the eye patch. That grin tugs the scars around the patch, making his smile seem wider than it is. Part of Dante really loves getting praised, Eiden can see. That’s cute. All he really wants is a bond based on mutual respect. Isn’t that what everyone wants?

“Perhaps it would benefit us both if we…” Dante waits until Eiden looks him in the eye to continue. “…entered into a contract.”

Of course.

Eiden grins. “Want to bone, big guy? Sure. Let’s get married.”

Dante sputters, red around his pierced ears. “I will remind you, one time only, that this is a business partnership. I won’t tolerate any of your feeble-minded foolishness about weddings!” 

Eiden nods at Dante’s lap with his chin. There is a rather prominent bulge there. “Yeah,” Eiden says. “We’re all business. So what’s that? Your return on investment?”

In a flash, Dante has Eiden pinned face down on the table. “Shut the fuck up, would you. I’ll show you…”

Whoa. 

Dante needs to dominate. He holds Eiden’s arms by the wrists, locked tight against his back, and fucks him like that. It’s a hot position, to be sure! In the end, though, Dante is unable to make the rings on his own. 

“Give me a moment,” he grumbles through clenched teeth. “Let me try again.” 

“Have you ever done this before?” 

Dante is quiet. “The book said it’s like this…” 

Ah.

A first-timer. 

Just as Eiden thought. 

He wiggles his way out of Dante’s loosening hold and flips himself around. Laying with his back against the table, he wraps his legs around Dante’s waist and tugs him closer. He pulls Dante’s proud cock inside his ass, prompting the man to fuck him hard. It’s easier for Dante to fuck him deep if he’s not focusing on doing two things at once. 

Eiden takes care of making the rings. Two bright, youthful turquoise stones. Dante’s turquoise ring looks adorable on Eiden’s pinky finger! He loves it so much! 

Ten rings, ten husbands. Something feels…complete.

With his power at an apex like this, Eiden feels a tugging sensation in the back of his brain. Like someone tapping his shoulder to get his attention, but internally. He turns his head to listen, discovering…

“Oh. There you are.” 

He reaches inside himself and pulls out a rainbow crystal. Very similar to the old one, the one Aster used to summon him here. But this one is slightly different. It’s brighter, less opaque. Totally translucent in between swirls of vibrant color. 

It’s Eiden’s. This is his gem. He wastes no time fixing it to his necklace. He’ll be careful not to let this one get away from him. Because he made this one! 

It’s special. 

_________________________

As the months pass, it doesn’t escape anyone’s notice how strong Edmond has gotten. He can walk with only one cane now. His balance and strength are aligned and he can keep himself upright for most of the day (sometimes if there are a lot of physical tasks to do in a short period of time, he needs to use the wheelchair so he doesn’t overextend himself, but those instances are not so common). Because of this, he starts wearing his sword around his hips again. Like he did for most of his time as a knight. 

Eiden loves the way Edmond perky ass looks framed by a sword and buckle. It’s just so hot. He could stare at it for days…

“Eiden.” 

“Hm?” 

“I see you staring at my sword.”

Right. That’s what he was staring at. “Mm.” 

“You’re probably wondering about the loyalty of this sword. Considering the last time you saw it, I was holding it against your neck, ready to strike you down.” 

Eiden remembers. But actually, he’s not worried about that at all anymore. Not since he and Edmond confessed everything to each other. They’re past that now. 

But it seems like Edmond is going somewhere with this. 

“It’s a cool sword,” Eiden says, admiring the sapphire stones in the hilt. “Very sharp. I can say that for sure.” 

Edmond smirks. “Yes. It is. So, I want you to know…” 

Without warning, Edmond unsheathes his sword. Just like that! Instead of holding it to Eiden’s neck, though, he turns the point towards himself, holding the hilt out to Eiden. 

“Take it,” he says.

Eyes wide, full of excitement, Eiden takes the sword. Damn, this thing is surprisingly heavy! He has to firm up his grip to hold it properly! 

“Hmph, your sword arm is weak,” Edmond comments. “As I expected.” 

“Well, yeah. I’m not a trained swordsman like you. But give me time and I’m sure I’ll—”

Then, Edmond catches Eiden by surprise again. He gets down on one knee, holding his right fist to his opposite shoulder. A knight’s salute. 

“If your sword arm is weak, then allow me to serve at your side. As your personal guardian. Your captain. Your knight.” Edmond lowers his head. “I’ll be your sword arm, Eiden. Grand Sorcerer.” He looks up at him. “Husband.” 

Eiden wants to laugh out loud. This sounds like a joke! Edmond doesn’t have to do all this if he wants to be with Eiden, haven’t they talked about this already? This makes it seem like such an official thing! 

“You want a title?” Eiden asks, covering a smile with the back of his hand. “I’ll give you a title—”

“Be serious,” Edmond warns. “Think about it. We’re presenting ourselves in front of the political forces of the continent. You already have advisors. You need someone that represents your willingness to take up arms for the greater good. To protect yourself.” He sighs. “You can’t always be surrounded by nameless beasts from the wild. Not if you want to be taken seriously as a rational ruler.” 

  That…makes sense, actually. Huey used to bring wolves to all his meetings with the other territories. Eiden once threatened Dante with centipedes. That’s probably fine; after all, Eiden’s true powerhouse of military strength will always be the monsters from the dead zone, but. Edmond has a point.

Having a personal guard at his side makes him seem like more of a person. A human being. A serious ruler.

Eiden likes that. He also really likes…

“So you’ll be my knight, then?” he asks, lifting the tip of Edmond’s sword to dub him.

“If you’ll have me, my lord.” 

That’s it. 

Eiden can get used to that title. His eyes sparkle as he touches the tip to Edmond’s shoulders and declares him captain of the Grand Sorcerer’s personal guard. 

“The Dark Lord’s knight captain,” Eiden reiterates as Edmond sheaths his sword. “Sexy.” 

Edmond makes eye contact then quickly looks away. “Yes,” he says. Then he adds, in a quiet, rushed tone. “…my lord.”

This is going to be so much fun.

________________________________

One afternoon, Olivine returns from yet another trip to the Water Territory with a satchel of gifts under his arm. He often comes back with various things for the clan. Special roots for Quincy, spices for Yakumo, odd trinkets for Blade. This time, he goes straight to Edmond to deliver a piece of mail. A letter with a pressed flower on the front.

“A wedding invitation!” Olivine is happy to announce.

Edmond doesn’t seem surprised as he opens the letter. He nods, reading it over three times as he usually does. “My sister is getting married again.” 

“Oh that’s great! To the bishop, right?” Even Eiden saw this one coming! 

“That’s right. She adores him. She speaks of his kindness again and again in her letters. I advised her that kindhearted people are not easy to come by in this world. So I’m happy this is her answer.” 

Edmond’s eyes stop on a few handwritten details at the bottom of the letter. “Hm?”

“What is it?”

“Honestly, I’m surprised to have gotten an invitation myself,” Edmond says. “But not only that, she’s asking for the Grand Sorcerer to be in attendance as well. There’s a note here…” 

Eiden looks over Edmond’s shoulder. “What does it say?” 

About time I met him, Eddy! 

Edmond shoves the invitation under the table, away from prying eyes, before anyone else can read his sister’s private message. Eiden’s heart is doing cartwheels in his chest. So Edmond’s sister has been asking about him! What kind of stuff do they talk about in their letters…? An interesting question for another day! 

“Ahem. Those matters aside, we have to decide if it’s practical for you to make an appearance,” Edmond points out. “Politically, I mean. Will the Light Territory feel slighted if you grace a simple wedding with your presence after declining the king’s invitation for a number of months?” 

“That’s a good point,” Olivine agrees. “I think before you go, you should schedule a visit with the Light king.” 

Eiden sighs. “I mean, it’s not personal.” It kind of is, though. “I’ve been busy. Finding all the untended gems in the Fire Territory is hard work! It wears on everyone!” 

That’s very true. They’ve been going together in shifts, usually four or five at a time, to address all the gem altars that Dante marked off on his map as having smoke. It is much, much easier to get them under control when everyone uses their essence together. But it’s still hard! Those trips are exhausting! 

Besides, Eiden couldn’t care less about the coward king from the Light kingdom that was so willing to throw away his citizens to save his own skin. Eiden couldn’t be bothered to meet with him!

However, Olivine and Edmond are correct in their thinking. Delia’s wedding should be a happy occasion! Not an excuse to start another war.

So Eiden will meet with the king. And he’ll make sure that Edmond stays at his side the entire time. Standing on his own. With a sword dangling at his waist that fights for whatever Edmond holds dear.

“Hey, I was thinking,” Garu asks, lifting his head from Edmond’s lap. “Once we get all the gem altars under control…what’s next? What are we going to do? As a clan?” 

It’s a good question. That calls back to the idea that Eiden might use the gem altars to ‘become a god’ or, as he had planned originally, go back to his world. 

At this point, Eiden has definitively decided that there are pastures greener than the world he came from. For example, this world is green enough! Wonderful, in fact. Ten sexy husbands are here proving that point.

So Eiden shrugs. “Haven’t thought that far ahead.”

Edmond frowns. “I see. Well, I hope you understand that you won’t be going anywhere without us. In this world or any other. As the captain of your guard, I simply cannot allow it.” 

This is something Edmond might say on any given day. But today, in this way, for some reason, the context of those words hits Eiden just right. Makes him think. 

A tight lump forms in his throat. 

These guys…these guys would follow him that far? Even if it meant risking everything to find his old world? They would follow him there just to keep him safe? 

Sometimes Eiden’s poor heart can’t take this much love.

He nods. “Uh, yup. Got it.” 

Edmond looks him over, concerned that he seems upset all of a sudden. But Eiden smiles and gives him a thumbs up. “All good, captain!” he says.

That satisfies Edmond. He goes back to his papers with a curt nod of his own.

“Alright, then. That’s settled.” 

~~THE END~~