☬♛ PART TWENTY FOUR ♛☬

Sebastian was not nervous.

Kings did not get nervous.

Especially not over something as simple as sitting in a small, cozy home with the one person who could unravel them completely.

And yet-

As Alex leaned casually against the kitchen table, arms crossed, watching him with amusement, Sebastian felt absurdly out of place.

He had spent years teasing Alex, finding every little way to get a reaction out of him.

But now-

Now it was him who couldn't look Alex in the eye for more than a few seconds.

And, of course, Alex noticed.

"You're acting strange," Alex mused, resting his chin on his palm.

Sebastian scoffed, crossing his arms to regain some dignity. "I am not."

"No?" Alex tilted his head, lips twitching. "You've barely said a word all morning. Usually, you'd be making some ridiculous comment just to get under my skin."

Sebastian stiffened.

Because, well-

That was true.

Alex smirked. "What happened, Your Majesty? Suddenly shy?"

Sebastian scowled. "Shut up."

Alex hummed, his smirk widening. "Oh, this is interesting. You are shy."

Sebastian opened his mouth-then closed it.

Because damn it, what was he supposed to say? That he had spent the entire night falling in love with Alex all over again? That every little thing Alex did made his heart ache in a way that no war, no battle ever could?

No. Absolutely not.

So he did what any self-respecting, stubborn ex-rebel-turned-king would do.

He turned away, avoiding Alex's gaze entirely.

But Alex was relentless.

"Sebastian," he drawled, standing up and stepping closer. "Are you blushing?"

Sebastian whipped around. "I do not blush."

Alex's eyes lit up.

"Oh, you so are."

Sebastian's entire body tensed. "I swear, Alex, if you say another word-"

"What? You'll exile me again?" Alex teased, stepping even closer.

Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "Don't push me."

Alex grinned.

Then, without warning, he reached up and flicked Sebastian's forehead.

Sebastian stared at him, utterly offended.

"What was that?!"

"Oh, nothing," Alex said airily. "I just never thought I'd see the day when the mighty King Sebastian turned into an awkward mess just because of me."

Sebastian was going to die.

"I am not an awkward mess," he grumbled.

"Mmm, sure," Alex said, unconvinced.

Sebastian groaned, rubbing his temple. "I should have left you in exile."

"You wouldn't dare."

Sebastian absolutely would.

But as Alex grinned up at him, looking so infuriatingly pleased with himself-

Sebastian realized something.

For the first time in years, his chest didn't feel so heavy.

For the first time in years, someone wasn't looking at him with fear, or reverence, or expectation.

Just affection.

And as much as Alex's teasing infuriated him-

Sebastian couldn't help but let a small, almost shy smile slip through.

Alex noticed.

And that was his biggest mistake.

"Oh no," Alex gasped dramatically. "Did you just smile at me?!"

Sebastian groaned.

"I take it back. I'm exiling you."

But Alex just laughed, soft and genuine-

And Sebastian knew, without a doubt-

He was doomed.