Glad to be alive, glad to be awake
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General Audiences
Silver/Sebek, Silver & Diasomnia
Mostly written as gen, can be read either way, domestic, family fluff, Silver's birthday, Silver!La Bonbonniere, family tradition
Silver was dressed in the required outfit for his later interview at the town, and had started the day off after going back and speaking to his companions from Diasomnia.
"Extremely cute, cute cute! Gosh, it's not every day I see my son in such a fancy outfit," cooed Lilia, circling his son, smoothing his palms along Silver's broad shoulders. "And the chosen pieces match perfectly! Ahh, Silver, you should dress like this more often!"
"Father," Silver said, sheepish. "You know I don't know much of fashion."
"That means you should make a better effort!" Huffed Sebek, as he too examined Silver's attire. He fussed with Silver's lapels, straightened Silver's brooch, zipped up his jacket pockets, and neatened his black Satin tie. Silver did not mind—Sebek often complained of the sloppy way Silver was dressed. Then he would put his hands on Silver, as he had to 'right Silver's wrongs', and said Silver would do well to sort himself out next time. Silver would not say he was unkempt, but he certainly did not spend time on his appearance as Sebek did. And despite his grousing, Sebek still fixed up Silver's clothes every once in a while, when Silver hardly saw the need. He did not tell Sebek to stop.
"Imagine, when we are officially knights-! It would bring shame to our liege to look so rumpled and disorderly." Sebek shook his head, then turned, wet-eyed, to their prince.
Malleus was smiling. He did not lean over Silver, as Lilia and Sebek did, but there was a prideful air about him. Silver straightened reflexively, though he had not been slouching beforehand.
"We'll be wearing armor most of time, won't we?" Said Silver, crossing his arms. Sebek squawked, as if such action undid his handiwork.
"That is true," Malleus mused, finally speaking. "However, knights sometimes participate in courtly activities. And you two would be with me as my personal knights, you both should know how to dress well. We will be travelling to other kingdoms and governments for diplomacy and political relationships. Knighthood is not just strength, but wisdom, and proper etiquette.
Silver bowed his head, contemplative, and said, "Lord Malleus, of course. I will do better"
Malleus laughed, and it was a beautiful thing to Silver. His prince had rarely laughed with such gusto before his overblot. What had happened was so terrible, so painful, but Malleus seemed lighter. He smiled more. When rowdy students stopped them in the middle of their walk to throw a challenge at Malleus, a suppressed giggle would escape him, and that itself sometimes put the students off. Silver would do anything to preserve this.
He looked toward his father, who seemed similarly reinvigorated. How had Silver not seen it? The way Lilia did his homework in a less flashy manner, the way he had demonstrated spells less and less often when he noticed Silver struggling with some lesson. But, Lilia had always seemed indomitable. His father had taught him everything he knew, before school, before Malleus. Silver could not think of his father in any other way. Could not bear it. But what happened, happened, and Lilia had tried to hide himself away. Silver wanted to understand his father better, wanted to be able to speak with him more, in hopes that Lilia would understand that Silver still needed him.
Silver was glad to be alive. Glad to be awake.
"Let's get our yearly photo!" Lilia cheered as he herded his three pupils into their usual positions. This tradition, Silver also greatly cherished. He had at least 10 photos so far, the copies of which he had tucked into an envelope which he kept by his bed in a drawer. Last year's picture was framed, and sat on his bedside table.
Lilia's old camera floated in front of them. This one took instant photos, and could be set to print multiple copies. Lilia always set it to four.
"Say 'mushroom risotto!'" teased his father, and Silver's face was a little warm with good natured embarrassment. They all said "mushroom risotto," then, after a beat, "happy birthday, Silver!" and with a flick of his finger, Lilia took the picture.
In it, they all beamed. Lilia was floating above them, his hands clasping Silver's shoulders. Malleus was to his left, head tilted toward Silver. Sebek was to his right, sharp teeth showing proudly, with an arm thrown around Silver's side at the last minute. Silver himself looked a little flustered—his eyes were crinkled, shiny, and wet—he could not believe he was caught showing such a silly expression.
Silver bowed deeply, and thanked them for their well wishes. He turned away, to rub at the corner of his eye.
Lilia gave him a hug, then a tender pat on the head, and teleported away. Malleus nodded, and followed en suite. Sebek sighed.
"We have to train harder, Silver. We have to be able to teleport too!"
Silver let out a quiet snort.
"Silver!" He was indignant.
"Then catch up, Sebek. I had learned a little of teleportation in my classes. Though, I too still have long to go before our class can even attempt it.
Sebek grumbled, and they both started walking to class.
"But," said Silver, shifting his foot. "I think I can reach the school building before you."
"Wha-! You'll bite your words, Silver!"