Xion fiddled with his fingers. His back was slouched as he sat on the edge of his bed. Ah, correction. It was Rael’s bed.
The difference between his assigned room and this luxurious one was the size. Bigger space, bigger lights, bigger bed, and bigger everything. Except for the ephemeral lodger of the room.
Rael was sitting on the chair in front of Xion. Their knees brushed slightly whenever Xion so much as shifted. Hence, he sat there stiffly, waiting for Rael to speak.
For the first time, Xion felt like a child who had done something wrong, while Rael was the adult about to scold him for his mischievousness.
Xion kept looking at his fingers. They were long, marred with a few scratches he had gotten from earlier tussle. The bloody gash on the whiteness looked more serious than they actually were.
A sigh brushed against his ears. Xion lifted his eyes slightly, catching sight of Rael’s stern face before his raven-black lashes fluttered downward once more.
Rael still did not speak. They had been sitting there for the past ten minutes!
Rael was glaring at Xion, well more like scowling at the wounds on his face, and Xion, being the scaredy-cat he was, chose to remain silent.
Even though Xion would disregard most of the things related to aristocracy, there was one thing he never forgot: never openly disrespect the noble hierarchy.
So, now he patiently waited for Rael’s anger to lash at him.
"His grace is angry that yah all." Berry had warned them earlier.
Actually, Xion had not taken it seriously until he saw the fuming Rael.
That was all the boy said, and now Xion found himself fumbling for words. His little toes curled over one another, as if silently reassuring themselves that they were not alone.
There was no baby Noxian, no brother Allen. No one to share the sudden oppressive weight pressing down on him.
Rael only asked Xion to come over and let the other two leave.
The injustice of it all!
Xion only thought so but dared not say it out loud.
A tiny finger lifted his chin up. Even if Xion wanted to he could not avert his gaze now. Not when Rael’s pale green eyes locked onto him.
For a brief second, Xion had the absurd thought that Rael was looking straight into his soul.
"Who gave you permission to hurt yourself?"
Xion snapped his mouth shut. What was he supposed to say? I did?Who are you to ask?I’m my own lord?
Yeah. Any of those would bring him closer to death. Best to stay silent.
"You are mine now." Rael’s voice was low, tight with barely restrained anger. "My healer. My person."
Each word came out sharper, heavier, as if branding itself onto Xion’s very existence.
Xion gulped. "G-got it. I won’t get hurt next time. Promise," he tried to smile albeit the cold sweat slid down his back. Angry Rael was scary, and his eyes, even more so.
Darius did not reply. He studied the wound just under Xion’s right eye. It travelled down to his pale cheek. The few tiny beads of blood glistened on his milky skin like scattered rubies.
The Archduke had noticed it all. Not just the wound.
He saw the way Xion’s hands were shaking, the way the healer looked white from fear, and yet, he still tried to smile.
Xion had no idea that his smile only made him look weaker, more fragile than he would like to.
Darius opened the lid of the small circular box. "Stay still," he warned when Xion instinctively flinched.
Then, perhaps catching the pale face, and especially those watery eyes, Darius subconsciously softened his tone, "It will make it better."
Xion hummed lightly in response.
A cold touch fell on his cheek. He winced when the slight burning tingle danced on his sensitive skin.
Though he could have used his own medicines, and perhaps had better solutions, the rich herbal scent that filled the air was enough to tell him that whatever Rael applied to him was likely very expensive.
So, he let Rael paint his face with it before the focus shifted to his fingers.
Rael is such an angel,
Xion carefully observed until the frown on Rael’s forehead eased.
"Your Grace?" Xion tested the waters.
Rael hummed lightly and Xion relaxed. "I think I hurt my knee too."
With a sheepish grin, he pulled his trousers up, and sure enough, a deep blue blemish was decorating his knee.
Darius looked at the wound and then at the healer who was silently ordering him to apply the balm on it. Everything aside, shouldn’t Xion be a bit afraid of him?
As the creamy balm slid over the deep blue mark, Darius found himself contemplating the oddity of the situation. Was his usual intimidating presence really losing its power?
But no, that could not be it. Xion, despite everything, had never been afraid of him. Not truly. He had feared the imposing archduke, yes, but not Rael himself. A part of Darius found that strangely amusing.
Darius thought of the not-so-distant future where he would have to deal with royals and also with Xion. A small smirk crept onto his lips. At least, this time my journey would not be so bland.
Xion, unaware of his sweet Rael’s plans, poked the archduke’s cheek.
"It’s really squishy," Xion chuckled... Until his laughter turned into fake coughs when sharp green eyes glared at him.
"S-sorry. Couldn’t resist the temptation," Xion mumbled.
Rael’s hand lifted in anger, and Xion’s heart dropped.
Xion hastily closed his eyes. Damn it! I went too far! He cursed himself.
If Rael wanted to hit him, he would take the hit. After all, it was his fault.
Then, Xion felt it. Two fingers pinching his cheek.
When Xion opened his eyes, befuddled. He was startled by the tiny smile on Rael’s face.
"You’re lucky you are cute."
Xion froze for a moment. His pale face flushed at the unexpected words. He opened his mouth to say something, but his mind was blank.