Luna Star

Smokes lollipop cigar

this is a little fic I wrote bc of an rp a friend and I did, its kinda lengthy and some characters might be ooc- rlly sorry about that 😓

i do also wanna state that this is set in a personal au where the player doesn't kill anyone, mainly bc I forgot that cruel king freaking DIES and was too lazy to rewrite everything (also I named Cruel King Simon bc I got tired of writing his title </3)

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It’s been ages since the last time me and him have met, I mean it’s been years since we’ve spoken to each other face to face! It was quite kind for Player to set this up for us! I had only mentioned his highness once in a passing conversation, and yet somehow they were able to figure out how close we used to be! They are quite the smart cookie I’ll give them that, I’m glad Brad has been able to get so close with them, they have definitely been a good influence on my son!

I was cleaning the dining table while Brad was outside waiting for Player and the Blackrock King-mainly just Player- I could hear him chatting with Kyoko who had decided she would stick around so she too could hang out, more than likely planning a whole day out with just the three of them.

“D4D! G3T 0V3R H3R3, 1 TH1Nk TH3Y’R3 H3R3!”

Brad called out, a pained hiss coming from him a second after as I heard the barely audible scolding of Kyoko following it. I let out a chuckle before grabbing my cane and slowly making my way to the front door. The cane felt colder than usual, but not in a bad way, a familiar cold that reminded me of him… I know I’ve been playing down just how excited I’ve been to see him again, to gaze upon him once again. I felt almost choked up just imagining it, imagining him in front of me again instead of just some formal letter written by him, but the real Simon standing in front of me, holding me…  I was drowning with each thought and step until I finally reached my destination, taking a deep breath before stepping outside into the mid afternoon sun, the familiar scene of the outside world along with my son and his best friend sitting out on the porch reminding me of a long gone past. 

Brad was quick to turn to me, immediately getting up to guide me down the steps. 

“Son, I'll be fine! I’ve walked down this porch hundreds of times by myself, I won’t fall all of a sudden just because you’re not here to coddle me child!”

I chuckled and shook my head, but didn’t push Brad away. He let out a playful scoff and rolled his eyes. 

“PL34S3 0LD M4N, WH0 KN0WS? Y0U C0ULD PR0B4BLY JUST CRUMBL3 T0 TH3 FL00R LIK3 A SK3L3T0N IF Y0U’R3 N0T C4R3FUL 3N0UGH!” 

Brad shot back, earning him a mean glare from Kyoko. As we all finally stepped onto the dirt driveway, I heard a familiar voice calling out to Brad and I, my smile growing wider as I looked up to see Player waving enthusiastically and sprinting over to Brad. They tackled Brad into a tight hug before grabbing Kyoko and squeezing her in, the two laughing at the embarrassed Brad. I couldn’t help but to laugh myself, shaking my head at how the three interacted so happily and intimate. It was sweet to see the three enjoy each other's company… 

The comfortable silence quickly ended as Player seemed to remember the entire reason they were here, quickly rushing up to me and asking about how I was doing and if I was ready to Cruel King again. I gave them a curt nod, standing straighter as I forced my nerves to settle. 

“More than ready!”

“TCH, Y34H NO K1DD1NG, Y0U’V3 B33N Y4PP1NG 4B0UT H1M F0R 4G3S D4D.”

Brad snickers, this time Player glaring at him before turning their attention back to me, pulling out a card with a familiar looking crown on it. With a strange flash of light, the early evening heat begins to cool around me as I feel a heavy, yet familiar presence in front of me in place of Player. When I finally snap out of my stupor I realize that Player wasn’t in fact in front of me, instead the one man I had wasted countless nights thinking about, nights I spent regretting and contemplating. My head snaps up and I see him, his face, Simon… My eyes go wide as I take in his full appearance, He was much taller than I remembered, and a lot more muscular than I remembered as well. 

“Simon…”

I muttered almost breathlessly, my eyes never looking away from him as he steps closer. He had a stern look on his face, a look that would scare off anyone, but not me. Never me. I remembered this look, it was the one he wore when I would convince him to sneak out of meetings just to walk and talk, it was the look he would give me when wanted to say something that he knew would ruin everything we had built…

“Thaniyel… You’ve changed, dear friend.”

His hardened face softened, a rare curve of his lips gracing my sight, a smile I had only ever seen on the most rare occasions of vulnerability between me and him. All those feelings from that time came rushing back, all those moments we shared, the little moments that still haunt me even to this day came back like a tidal wave. And it was all from a simple smile… He placed a hand over my hands that were resting on my cane in front of me, it now clicking just how close he was. The cold rolled off of him in small waves, even without the Ice Dagger in his possession, he still had that freezing aura about him. 

“I’ve barely spoken, your highness! How can you be so sure?”

I replied with my signature smirk, a snicker coming from the group of three in the back, which was shut down with two loud “Shh!”. 

“No, you haven’t, but your… stature is definitely one defining change.”

He teased as he leaned in closer, his own smirk growing. I leaned away slightly, but couldn’t help and laugh at the boldness of Simon, an unfamiliar heat rising to my cheeks like I was still an embarrassed teen. 

“Are you serious? The second thing you say to me is an insult to my height? How low you have come, your highness.”

I let out a dramatic and pained sigh earning a sharp and short snort from the towering man, my heart fluttering slightly from the sound. I shook my head as I once again heard the three in the back start whispering to each other, the need for privacy growing. As I was about to lead Simon inside, I realized I never introduced him to my son, the one who was constantly snickering. 

I tightened my hold on Simon’s wrist, ignoring the cold shiver and turning him around to the small group behind us, happily trotting over to Brad and grabbing his shoulder with my other hand.

“Simon, I want you to meet my pride and joy, Brad! My son!”

I chirped happily, letting go of him and standing next to my son, presenting him with a wide smile. Brad stuck his hand out almost awkwardly to the king, his usual smirk a bit wobbly.

“TH3 0LD M4N’S S41D AL0T AB0UT Y0U, H0P3 Y0U D0N’T DISS4P01NT1!”

Brad said as he puffed out his chest. There was a long pause, long enough that I looked over at Simon only to see this glazed over look in his eyes. He seemed almost hurt as he stared at Brad, it was like he was staring at a ghost… 

I'm guessing he saw me staring as he quickly shook Brad’s outstretched hand, a polite smile on his lips.

“It's an honor to meet the son of my dearest friend. I hope you've been treating him well in his rising age child.”

Simon answered in a solemn tone, giving Brad’s hand a firm shake and resting his hand on mine once more-which surprised me quite honestly since even back then he was never touchy or anything- . 

Player was quick to drag Brad and Kyoko away, saying they wanted to give us some alone time to catch up on the years we spent apart, departing without another word. I watched as the group left, all of them laughing and talking among each other. It almost reminded me of my days with Monty, the two of us exploring and adventuring exciting new places of the forests here in Turitopulis and the snowy plains of Blackrock. I gently led Simon to the house, he still seemed shaken from seeing Brad, it worried me how he looked. He seemed haunted, regretful almost. 

I had him sit at our dining table, quickly getting a kettle of water on the stove before taking a seat across from him.

“So, how have you been Simon? It seems the years have been kinder to you compared to me.”

I chuckled, resting my cane on the table side. Simon’s eyes glided over to my cane, then to the shawl around my shoulder. His eyes widened slightly, realizing what they were.

“You kept them? The gifts I sent you… you still have them..?”

He looked bewildered, and I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. It was cute to see him so happy over some simple gifts.

“Of course I did Simon! Why wouldn't I keep the things my precious prince sent me?”

I teased as I picked up my cane again, turning it around in my hand, watching as the light glinted off of it at just the right angle. He had sent me both the shawl and cane. The shawl had been a parting gift after one of our last adventures in Blackrock and the cane a gift after I had injured my leg enough to earn myself a limp for the rest of my life. He stared at me for a bit, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to come up with something to say, but can’t seem to find the right thing to say. I couldn’t help the sly pride that welled up in my chest, this reminded me of all the times in the past, the same scenes playing through my mind of that same look at this man’s face. It truly has been far too long…

Simon sat up straighter, clearing his throat as he tried to ignore the creeping flush on his pale face.

“Is that anyway to speak to a king, Mayor?”

He muttered, his smile growing wider. Before I could answer him, the high pitch whistle of the kettle rang through the kitchen, startling me a bit.

“Dear heavens! I almost forgot I had water boiling for us!”

I chuckled before standing and grabbing my cane, and hobbling over to the stove. I grabbed two cups from the cupboard and my own tea blend and hot chocolate mix from another. A calm silence fell over us as I made our cups. I could hear him drum his fingers on the table, but not out of impatience, just a tick he’s had for as long as I’ve known this man. As I juggled to try and hold two cups along with my cane, I hear Simon stand up from his seat and walk over to me,

“Please, your highness, stay seated! You’re a guest in my home and-”

“And I am your friend, am I not mayor? Now stop being stubborn and let me help dear.”

He cuts off my protest as he grabs both the cups from me, the feeling of frost slightly brushing against my hand making me shudder. He placed my cane back into hand and led me back to my seat, placing my cup down before pulling my seat out for me. He was far taller than I was, which made sense as I’ve seemed to shorten with my age, but he on the other hand has seemed to bloom into the regal and king he was destined to be… 

“When did you become so chivalrous? Treating me with such kindness!”

I joke, watching him walk around to his seat. 

“A king should always serve his people first shouldn’t he?”

He playfully shot back, earning another laugh from me. As I watch him take a seat, he also shrugs off his cloak, hanging it on the backing of his chair. I look him over, not just his surface, but every part of Simon he left out for the world to see. For me to see.

I can’t lie about the feelings that bubble with every joke and snarky remark, it all comes crashing down on me once more, just as they had when we were younger. The devastating blow of each word, each action has on me is something I cannot put into words, not even in my own mind. For years I’ve yearned for him, so much I thought it would actually kill me if I didn’t do something to quell such thoughts. He was the eldest prince of a noble family, whilst I was some ruffian from a small village out in the forest. It was simple luck that we met, in fact it was probably the only way we would have probably ever met. If not for being chosen as a guardian, I never would have had the blessing and curse of meeting this beauty in front of me. Even now I’ve managed to remember each unique tic of his, the way he doesn’t drink anything other than coffee or cocoa, the way he was so sweet but in his own way. Him being here with me again, it fostered those feelings I thought I had forgotten, that I swore to never feel again for as long as I lived, and yet. Here and now, this love, it's anything but the infatuation I swore it was back in the past. This is genuine, real love I can never bury or kill, no matter how many years I thought it was dead for. 

But I won’t act on them. Not ever. How could I? We’ve spent years apart, I don’t think I could spend eternity without him by my side because I was selfish enough to relieve myself of these woes. So I will do what I have for years, stay silent, lay low, suffer. Whatever I do now and for the rest of my time with him, it will be because I can’t live another year without him, I refuse to.

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