Masquerade - These Masks We Wear

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Ok!" Caden sat up, trying to shrug Riva off of him, "that's more than enough."

------

Fischer paused, getting a good look at the other man's face. "It is you," he said in a hushed voice. "Nicolae?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva scoffed. “Wait! I still have to crack your neck!”

————-

“stars above, I hasn’t seen you since…” Memories. “You’s wearing the Praetorium emblem. That mean you’re workin’ for the general?”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Nope!" Caden stood up, "you are not touching my neck for any reason."

----

Fischer looked down at his uniform, feeling a little flustered. "It- It's a long story." He then looked back up at Nico, "you're still working at the king's palace?"

Edited July 11, 2021 by The Ward's Guard

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She sighed. “Your loss, Caden. You must feel much better now though.” Riva batted her eyelashes. “It’s my wifely duty.”

————

“Well, ‘course. What else would I do? King pays me good, he does.” He bit his lip, shifting nervously. “I thought we’d never see each other again, Fischer.”

Edited July 11, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

He looked at her suspiciously, "if those are your 'wifely duties,' then what are mine?"

-----

"Nor did I," Fischer said with a shrug. Those long hours of considering what he would say if he came across Nico again seemed to flee his mind, now that he needed them. "So . . ."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Protecting me,” Riva said immediately. 

————

Nico just stared at him for a moment. It was very odd to see him. The last time they’d been together, things had…. Well, Nico wasn’t sure how to feel about Fischer anymore. A few years ago, he would have been more elated to see him but now… “when did you get to the palace?”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden scoffed, "any man can do that, why me specifically?"

------

"Only a week ago," Fischer answered quickly, glad to have something to talk about. "When the king was nearly killed by an assassin. The general was furious with the palace guard and their inability to do their job, so he's been moving more of his own guard into palace duty."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“because you’re my husband,” she said. She smiled and winked  

————

“Ah. Yeah, I was there when it ‘appened.” Nico bit his lip, unsure if he should mention their previous meeting. “Was scary it was.” He chuckled. “But look at you. You’s all buff now.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"What, the fools at the palace weren't good enough for you?"

----

Fischer chuckled, "what? That happens when you're in the military, ya know."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“They hate me. Everyone hates me, they’re just too scared to kill me. Otherwise they would. I know because people have tried. And now they’re dead.”

————

“Yeah, I guess so.” He blushed. “You…. You look nice.”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"So now you're trying to get me to kill anyone who tries to kill you?"

-----

"Uh," Fischer cleared his throat, "thanks. You look nice . . . too."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Well, how would you feel if I died? You said before I bring light and warmth to your life.” She paused  “I joked earlier. But I don’t want you dead. Not at all.”

————

Nicolae scratched his head. “H-how long has it been?”

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I don't want myself dead, either." Caden rolled his shoulders, "and I wouldn't have a problem if you died, then I could stop worrying about you jumping on my back again to make it crack and pop."

----

"Years, I know, but not how many." Fischer rubbed his arm, "but it has been a hot second, I was thinking that I'd never see you again."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

Riva went pale, her expression wilting. "Oh..." she said quietly. "So... I really mean nothing to you?"
------------
"Yeah..." Nico felt himself smile. "Uh... I'm servin' the queen now, I am. Iv'an entrusted me with 'er. What... what duties does you have?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"What am I supposed to say, 'you mean the world to me?'" Caden pointed at Riva, "you can't count on anyone to stay alive, so always be ready to move on."

-----

"Oh, I'm just patrolling and guarding areas around the castle." He chuckled, "I thought I was past all of the 'new-guy' treatment, but this is different."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

She rolled her eyes. "Caden, I am immortal. A century old. I've survived more assassination attempts than you have, certainly."
-----
"Well, it's crazy to see you like this, friend. And my Stars, you talk fancy too." Nicolae laughed nervously. 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"Still," Caden turned and started to inspect the bed, "I'd rather not become some emotional wreck at your death."

-----

"Yeah well, I'm guessin' tha' I've been around 'em noble folk too long," Fischer said with a cheeky smile. "I don't know how you've stuck with speaking the way you always have, you've been around noble guys your whole life."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"As if I would die before you do." She tossed her hair. "What an arrogant assumption."
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Nico shrugged, glad to hear his old companion speak more familiarly. "True enough, but I grew up speakin' this a-way an' I doesn't intend to be stoppin'. It's me. An'... by the Stars, it's you. I really never thought I'd see you again. When you left..." Well. They both knew what had happened when Fischer had left.

Edited July 12, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I was told to prepare for the worst, always." Caden swept his hands over the blankets, removing several nonexistent crumbs. "The best way to prepare for the worst, is to ensure it never happens." He glanced towards the journal's hiding spot once more, "you have anything else you want to bring up other than my or your death?"

-----

Fischer felt his face almost blush over the memory, he spoke quickly to change the subject. "By the Stars, you've gotten insanely tall. I can see you being brought into the militia just for that."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"We're... really not sharing tonight?" she asked.
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"Oh, I could never! I ain't no fighter like you. I'd be bowled right over, I would. May be tall, but I ain't got no muscle on me, not one bit. 'sides, Iv'an wants me with 'im. I'm still his manservant. An'... I enjoy it. Good, honest work. Stars, I think I'd lose it iffin' I took a life. Coulda live with myself." He paused. "B-but I-I has great respect for you. Keepin' us safe, you are, nuttin' wrong with that. You knows I doesn't have the stomach for it. Otherwise..." He paused and looked into Fischer's eyes. "You know I'd a-gone with ya."

Edited July 12, 2021 by Zephrun's Imperium

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"I thought I made it clear that if we are to share this bed, it won't be tonight." Caden stood and face Riva, hands on his hips.

----

Fischer nodded, "I know. That's wha' is special about you, Nico. An' I wouldn't have it changed for the world." He stopped suddenly, and cursed softly before chuckling. "Now you've got me talking like that."

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

"Yes, of course, I just..." Riva pouted. "Oh, never mind. It's fine, I wouldn't want to share a bed with a man who doesn't care if I live or die anyway..."
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Nico felt his face warm up with a deep blush. "Thank you." After so long being verbally put down, hearing a compliment like that was touching. Nico felt himself start crying, but quickly blinked, keeping the tears away. "Really, thank you. Needed to be hearin' that today. Mm. Does I get a hug?"

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

Caden nodded, the matter apparently settled. "I'll have a bed brought up if you're insistent on sleeping in the same room as me."

-----

"Uh . . ." Fischer shifted from one foot to the other, "when have I ever said no to a hug from you?"

[Zephrun’s Imperium they/he]

“Oh.” She looked away, still thoroughly annoyed that he wouldn’t care if she died. “Yes, that….. that could work.” After a short pause, she asked, “You…. You wouldn’t have me killed, would you?” 

————

Nicolae hugged the other man, picked him up and spun him around, setting him back down gently. It felt good. He didn’t have many people to hug. 

[The Ward's Guard he/him]

"That seems like more trouble than it's worth," he said as he went over to the nearby dresser to take inventory of the clothing in it. "You claim to have meant well, but if you drug me again, then I'll reconsider my stance on killing you."

----

Fischer grinned as he embraced Nico, having forgotten what hugging this man had felt like. Stars above, it had been too long since he'd been embraced like that at all. "It's good to see you again, Nico."