Toy Soldier

Mason’s heart squeezed painfully at the comment and he immediately shook his head, no hesitation.  ”Don’t you think that for a minute,” Mason warned, blinking up at Will sadly and brushing fingertips up and down the back of his neck in what he hoped was a reassuring manner.  ”You’re the best person in the world, or in my world anyways.  I wouldn’t have risked absolutely everything for anyone except for you.” Mason smiled as Will settled over him, their foreheads touching.

Seth's eyes slid shut as fingers trailed down the back of his neck, sending a shiver down his spine. He pulled back slightly, heart aching at the words that he was hearing. "I love you." He whispered, lifting a hand to caress Mace's cheek. This stature people put on him, seeing him up high. He didn't understand it, he couldn't comprehend how they saw him that way but he would try his best to get there himself. 

Mason smiled brightly at that, feeling a little more awake and silently wishing that he could have recorded that statement to last him through the inevitable withdrawal.  ”Do you honestly think that there’s any way I wouldn’t want you when you get back?” he laughed softly to himself, forcing down the bile that threatened to rise up in his stomach at the thought of months without Will at his side, in his bed, kissing his skin.  He wanted to stay here forever, Mason decided.  He’d never leave this bed and neither would the boy he’d been able to love so thoroughly for such a short amount of time, it felt.

Seth closed his eyes, twitching as he chuckled. "There are a lot of better people in the world than I. I- I wouldn't blame you." He murmured, eyes slipping open. He feared that Mason could find a match that was there for him while he was away. Someone so much better than he was. They could hold him when he would be only able to talk to him every once in a while while be hundreds of thousands of miles away at times. Of course he would think that. His heart twisted painfully in his chest and he moved closer to his love, tightening his hold on Mace's hand and breathing him in. 

"I like it when you’re possessive," Mason mused, watching Will fondly and tilting his head a bit.  When Will’s hand brushed down to cup his cheek, Mason’s smile grew and he nuzzled into the palm of the other boy’s hand.  He hummed in acknowledgement raising an eyebrow.  "You should tell me just how much you more than adore me, babe.  It’s the last time you’ll be able to do so in person so feel to lavish me with your affection."  Mason smirked, clearly kidding.  He lifted his own fingertips to brush over the bruise-like marks under Will’s eyes.  They had lessened and he could tell but if Mason had his way, they’d be gone entirely.  "It’s a start," he said, as he said often.

Will scoffed but smiled at the brunette. "It's cause you're mine." He replied, soft as he looked on adoringly at the man in his arms. He leaned his head closer, eyes peering into Mason's and giving him a serious look. "I'll be back and when I am, if you still want me, I'll make up for all the nights I've been away." He promised, lips curling into a grin. His eyes slid closed ever so slightly as fingers brushed under his eyes. A soft hum vibrated his throat as he pressed, burrowing his face into his hands. "It is." He agreed, eyes flickering closed as he sighed peacefully.

Okay, okay. Well, I can’t make any promises. 

Fine but if you need me just send word and I'll come fucking storming, got it?

Don’t worry about me, Seth. You know I’m tough.

Dumbass, of course I'll worry. So stay safe and try not to do anything too stupid.

Well, it’s been lovely Brookfield, I hope we meet again…

Stay safe.

Mason chuckled softly to himself, nodding a little bit and closing his eyes again.  ”That’s very true; if it was anyone else you’d be promptly kicked out of the Hale estate, darling,” he mused, letting out a pleased sound as fingertips rubbed into his scalp, drawing him closer to that peaceful sleep once more.  ”Good morning, William,” Mason smiled, sliding into the space freed when Will moved Zoro out of the way.  He loved the cat to death but, right now, he needed to focus on the boy across from him, the one who would be leaving him today.

"Well good, I wouldn't want you to welcome anyone else to your bed." Seth grumbled, eyes closing as he soaked in the moment as they moved even closer together. He chuckled, eyes sliding half open to look at Mason as he replied. "Yeah, me too." He murmured, hand sliding out of the brunette's hair and down to cup his cheek. He peered at him, observing his face now that he was awake and close to him. A smile curled at his lips as Mason pressed both of their's together, chuckling as he pulled back. "Adore you? Baby, you know it's a much stronger feeling than adoration." He replied, nuzzling his nose into his cheek before sighing. "A bit, not much though." He confessed, dark circles, though better than previous months, still apparent under his eyes. 

Mason’s sleep was the strangest combination of restless and serene.  If he thought about it, sleeping next to Will always made him calm, usually, but tonight there was the nagging feeling that this was it.  There couldn’t be another night of cuddling to be had; it was now or nothing.  So his dreams ranged from their typical blissful happiness to utter terror.  The fluctuation kept him from waking, knowing that a patch of happiness would puncture the settling cloud of sad.  When he finally started to stir to consciousness, it was only due to the stream of the morning sunlight through his window and the gentle touch of fingers tousling through his hair.

Seth's eyes flickered between Mason and the cat, who had begun snoring softly. There was a softness in his eyes that rarely showed but it was easy to distinguish this morning, causing his eyes to shine. His attention shifted to Mason fully as he heard his groan, smirking as the brunette's consciousness slowly began to lift to the surface. "Well it'd be awkward if it wasn't me." He murmured, massaging the other male's scalp as he shifted over. He chuckled as Mason's face ended up in Zoro's fur. Lifting his head from his fist, Seth craned his neck down to kiss the brunette on his forehead. "Good morning, babe." He murmured, nuzzling his nose into his hair and breathing in. 

You’re gonna ditch all your loyal subjects?

Loyal subjects? The fuck you talking about Chesh? 

Oh. I- I’m so sorry I didn’t know I’m— I’m so sorry, oh my god.

Don't be. It's not like you were aware he was deceased.