Chapter 21

Max sat by the window, the evening sunlight casting a soft glow on his desk as he scribbled words onto the parchment. His fingers moved almost absently, the ink bleeding into the paper, forming verses that carried the weight of his thoughts.

He paused for a moment, staring at the words, then dipped his quill again. The world outside felt distant, almost unreachable-a life he used to know but no longer lived.

The door creaked open behind him, and a familiar warmth brushed against his cheek. Alex kissed him softly, resting his chin on Max's shoulder.

"How's my lovely husband?" Alex asked, his voice light. He glanced down at the paper. "Writing another poem, are we? What's it about this time?"

Max smiled faintly, shifting to make room for Alex to sit beside him. "Just... something," he said.

Alex reached for the parchment, and Max let him take it. It had become a habit-whenever Max wrote or painted, Alex was always eager to see. He'd read the words aloud sometimes, or simply sit quietly, absorbing the emotions etched into the work.

This time, Alex read silently, his expression softening as his eyes moved over the verses:

---

"Caged Wings"

I once roamed where the winds were free,

Where the earth met the sky in harmony.

My steps were my own, my voice unbound,

But now I tread on hollowed ground.

The world outside still sings to me,

Its melody carried on the breeze.

But I sit and watch, a silent guest,

While the walls around me do their best.

The things I love call out my name,

But I've traded joy for quiet shame.

The laughter, the light, the touch of air-

All feel distant, almost unfair.

I force my hands to draw, to write,

To make my own a stolen night.

Yet every stroke and every rhyme,

Carries a weight, a loss in time.

Perhaps one day, these wings will mend,

And I'll find the courage to ascend.

But for now, I stay, I wait, I long,

A fleeting whisper in a forgotten song.

---

Alex lowered the parchment, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Max," he said softly, "why are you writing something like this?"

Max tensed slightly, brushing a hand through his hair. "Oh, it's nothing," he said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just something for fun. You know how I like to write."

Alex didn't look convinced, but he didn't press further. "If you say so," he murmured, folding the parchment and placing it back on the desk. "But, by the way, I wanted to tell you something."

Max tilted his head, grateful for the change of topic. "What is it?"

"There's a council meeting next week," Alex said, his tone carefully casual. "It's about the new crop taxes. I think it would be good if you attended. You know the people so well-it could really help."

Max's smile wavered, and he quickly looked down at his hands. "I... I think I'll pass this time," he said quietly. "I'm a bit tired. I don't think I can be part of it."

Alex studied him for a moment, his brow furrowing. There was something off, he could feel it, but he didn't want to push. "Alright," he said finally, a bittersweet smile tugging at his lips. "If you're sure."

Max forced a smile of his own. "Yeah, I'm sure."

Alex reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Well, then," he said with a soft chuckle, "I suppose we should eat something. Don't you think?"

Max nodded. "Yeah. Let's go."

As they left the room together, the unspoken tension lingered between them. Max's mind was heavy with thoughts he couldn't share, and Alex's heart ached with the knowledge that something was wrong-but neither of them spoke it aloud. For now, they simply walked side by side, searching for a fleeting moment of normalcy amidst the quiet storm.

Max and Alex were lying together on their bed, a thick velvet blanket draped over them as they shared the same book. Alex read aloud, his deep, soothing voice filling the quiet room while Max rested his head on Alex's shoulder, tracing idle patterns on his chest.

Out of nowhere, Max felt an overwhelming urge to kiss Alex. He tilted his head, catching Alex mid-sentence, and pressed his lips against his husband's.

Alex paused, surprised, but quickly melted into the kiss, his hand finding Max's cheek as he kissed him back with a soft intensity. When they finally pulled apart, they laughed quietly, their foreheads resting together.

But as the laughter faded, Max's smile didn't return. He suddenly felt heavy, the weight of his emotions sinking into his chest. Without a word, he abandoned the book they were reading and curled up against Alex, laying his head on his chest and closing his eyes.

Alex's fingers found their way into Max's hair, stroking gently. He noticed the shift in Max's mood immediately. "What's wrong, darling?" he asked softly.

Max's resolve broke. The pregnancy had made it harder to mask his feelings, and he couldn't hold back anymore. In a voice thick with emotion, he said, "I miss my life outside. I hate being here all the time. It's so boring. I feel like... like I'm losing myself. I just want this baby to come out already so I can be free again. Like I was before."

Alex's heart clenched. He held Max tighter, his other hand resting protectively on Max's back. "Max, no one's stopping you from going outside," he said, his tone gentle but laced with concern.

Max shook his head. "The Queen Mother told me I should stay in the palace more. She said it's safer for me and the baby."

Hearing this, Alex's jaw tightened, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior. He took a deep breath, determined not to let it show. Max was too vulnerable right now, and he didn't want his frustration to overwhelm him.

"Max," Alex began, cupping his husband's face to make him look up. "Listen to me. You don't have to listen to the Queen Mother or anyone, alright? It doesn't matter what anyone says-not her, not my father, not even the gods themselves if they came down from the heavens to tell you what to do. You only need to listen to yourself. To your heart."

Max's eyes welled up, and he opened his mouth to protest, but Alex cut him off. "You're not just Max. You're Maximilian Ashbourne Vireli. You're your own person. You're not just my husband, not just the royal family's son-in-law. You are you. You're the king of this nation, Max. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but in every way that matters, you are my equal. Your dreams, your life, your happiness-they're just as important as mine, as anyone's. Do you understand that?"

Max's lips trembled, and he nodded slowly. "But the Queen Mother-"

"No," Alex interrupted firmly, his tone soft but resolute. "No more about anyone else. This is about you. What do you feel? What do you want? That's all that matters."

Max stared at Alex, his chest tightening, not with sadness this time, but with a deep sense of gratitude. He nodded again, this time more confidently. "I understand," he whispered.

Leaning up, he kissed Alex again, slow and tender. When they pulled apart, Alex chuckled softly. "And what was that for?"

Max smiled through his tears. "Thank you for reminding me who I am. I love you, Alex."

Alex's smile widened, and he kissed Max's forehead. "I love you too, Max. More than anything."

The two stayed like that for a long while, holding each other close, finding solace in each other's warmth. For the first time in weeks, Max felt a spark of hope flicker within him. He wasn't just a passenger in his own life-he had the strength to take control again. And with Alex by his side, he knew he'd find his way back to himself.

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Okay, so I just watched the Sadistic music video, and wow, it’s amazing! The song and the visuals are on point. But here’s the thing—when I first heard about this song, and especially after watching the teaser, I was called out a little bit because, honestly, I have some sadistic tendencies in my personal life. When Pond appears shirtless with those red marks on his chest, and the lyrics say something like, ‘hurt me deeper, hit me harder ’ I don’t know, I just felt it. I know it sounds crazy, but I thought it was so hot. I’m just being real with you guys, and I thought I’d share that with you.