☬♛ PART TWENTY ♛☬

Sebastian had imagined this moment a thousand times.

He had thought of Alex every day, every night, as he carved his way to the throne.

He had imagined the reunion.

The moment Alex would see him again.

The relief. The warmth. The way Alex would whisper his name like it meant something.

But now-

Now Alex only stared.

Not with anger.

Not with love.

But with hesitation.

Sebastian took a step forward.

"Say something." His voice was low, almost pleading.

Alex exhaled softly.

"You're here."

Not I missed you.

Not I waited for you.

Just-

You're here.

Sebastian clenched his jaw. "Of course, I'm here."

Alex didn't move.

Didn't reach for him.

Didn't react the way Sebastian had wanted.

And it infuriated him.

"I burned a kingdom for you." Sebastian's voice was sharp now, edged with something dangerous. "And this is all you have to say?"

Alex's expression didn't change. "I never asked you to."

The words hit harder than any blade ever could.

Sebastian stilled.

Alex watched him carefully.

"You've changed, Sebastian."

Sebastian laughed-sharp, bitter. "Of course I have."

"You were once kind."

"And where did kindness get me, Alex?" His voice was cold now, sharp as steel. "It got me banished from you. It got you ripped away from me."

Alex exhaled, glancing away.

"I didn't want you to destroy yourself for me."

"I didn't destroy myself," Sebastian growled. "I became what I needed to be."

Alex finally looked at him again.

"And do you even know who you are anymore?"

Sebastian opened his mouth-

Then closed it.

Because no.

No, he didn't.

________________________________________

Sebastian had spent years becoming stronger.

Becoming ruthless.

Becoming everything his father feared.

But now, standing before Alex-

He felt small.

Because Alex-his Alex-was still the same.

Still steady. Still gentle.

Still everything Sebastian had lost.

And Sebastian realized something horrible.

Alex had healed.

But he had not.

Sebastian clenched his fists. "Come back with me."

Alex's expression softened-pain flickering across his face.

"Sebastian-"

"Come back." Sebastian's voice was desperate now, a crack in his armor. "I fought for you. I won for you. Don't-don't tell me it was for nothing."

Alex's eyes darkened. "It wasn't for nothing."

Sebastian took a sharp breath.

"Then come home."

A long silence.

Then-

"I don't know if your home is mine anymore."

And just like that-

Sebastian felt the world crumble.