☬♛ PART TWENTY SIX ♛☬

Sebastian had won wars. He had taken down a king. He had rebuilt a kingdom from the ashes.

And yet-

Nothing had ever made him as nervous as walking through the palace gates with Alex at his side.

The castle loomed over them, its grand stone walls and towering spires untouched by time. The servants and guards bowed as they passed, their eyes flickering with curiosity.

Sebastian barely noticed.

His mind was elsewhere.

Because Alex was here.

With him.

Again.

And Sebastian didn't know what to do with that.

Familiar, Yet Different

"Your Majesty, your chambers have been prepared," one of the attendants said, bowing deeply.

Sebastian nodded absentmindedly. "Good. And Alex's?"

"A room has been arranged near yours, as requested."

Sebastian exhaled. "Fine. Dismissed."

The attendant bowed again and left.

Sebastian turned to Alex, who was gazing around the grand hall with a quiet, unreadable expression.

"Feels strange to be back?" Sebastian asked, trying to sound casual.

Alex hummed. "A little. It's... familiar, but different."

Sebastian clenched his fists.

That was exactly how he felt, too.

Alex was here. He was back.

But things weren't the same.

And that thought made his chest tighten.

_______________________________________

As they walked through the halls, Sebastian kept stealing glances at Alex.

It was ridiculous.

But he couldn't stop himself.

The way Alex moved, the way his fingers brushed along the banister as they climbed the stairs, the way his eyes flickered with memories as he passed old corridors-

Sebastian memorized everything.

Because part of him still couldn't believe this was real.

That after years of grief and war and regret-

Alex was here.

And Gods, Sebastian loved him.

It wasn't just a passing feeling. It wasn't just fondness or admiration.

It was deep, aching, all-consuming.

And it scared him.

Because he had spent so long convincing himself that love was a weakness. That it was something he had to bury beneath rage and duty.

But now-

Now, it was back in front of him, walking beside him, reminding him of everything he had once wanted.

And he didn't know what to do with that.

______________________________________

By the time they reached their chambers, Sebastian could barely stand the tension inside his own head.

Alex turned to him, tilting his head. "You alright?"

Sebastian froze.

He was many things-ruthless, stubborn, impossible to break.

But under Alex's gaze, with his sharp eyes and quiet understanding-

Sebastian felt bare.

"Of course," he said, forcing a smirk. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Alex narrowed his eyes slightly. "You're staring again."

Sebastian immediately looked away. "Don't flatter yourself."

Alex chuckled. "Whatever you say, Your Majesty."

Sebastian groaned. "Are you going to keep calling me that now?"

"It suits you," Alex teased.

Sebastian rolled his eyes, but his heart was pounding.

Because Alex was teasing him again.

Because Alex was here.

And because no matter how much he tried to hide it-

He loved him.

Deeply. Desperately.

And the worst part?

He had no idea what to do about it.