☬♛ PART TWENTY ONE ♛☬

Sebastian had never been afraid of battle.

He had never feared bloodshed, never hesitated when it came to making the hard decisions.

But this-

This was different.

Because Alex wasn't a war he could win.

He wasn't an enemy to defeat.

He was the only thing Sebastian had ever fought for-and now, he was slipping away.

"You don't know if my home is yours?" Sebastian repeated, his voice unsteady. "Alex, I burned everything for you."

Alex's expression remained unreadable.

"I know."

"Then why?"

Alex sighed, looking away. "Because the man I loved was kind, Sebastian. He was reckless and stubborn and ridiculous, but he was kind."

Sebastian's chest ached.

"And you think I'm not?"

Alex didn't answer.

And that silence hurt more than any words could.

Sebastian clenched his fists.

"I did this for you." His voice was raw now, desperation creeping in. "I became this for you."

Alex's gaze softened. "But was it worth it?"

Sebastian's breath caught.

Because for the first time-

He didn't know.

He had spent years convincing himself that every drop of blood, every sleepless night, every sacrifice had been justified-because it was all for Alex.

But now, looking at him-

He felt lost.

Because Alex hadn't needed a king.

He had needed him.

And Sebastian didn't know if he could be that person anymore.

________________________________________

Sebastian exhaled sharply, turning away.

"It doesn't matter," he muttered. "You won't come back anyway."

Alex frowned. "Sebastian-"

"It's fine." His voice was sharp, but it wavered at the edges. "You don't have to stay. You don't have to forgive me. You don't have to love me."

His throat tightened.

"Just-just say you're happy. And I'll leave you alone."

A long silence.

Then-

"Sebastian."

A hand touched his.

Sebastian froze.

The warmth was unexpected-so much softer than anything he had felt in years.

Slowly, cautiously, Alex's fingers curled around his.

"I never stopped loving you."

Sebastian inhaled sharply.

"But I need to know if you can still love yourself."

Sebastian's entire body went rigid.

Because he didn't have an answer.

But for the first time in years-

He wanted to find one.

And as Alex pulled him close, arms wrapping around him in the gentlest embrace-

Sebastian let himself break.

Let himself grieve.

And when Alex whispered, "I'm still here,"-

Sebastian clung to him like he was the only thing keeping him alive.