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Ezran glanced at the ball of light in his lap, secured firmly into his brown bag. It hadn`t changed and while the young king maintained a defined faith in his brother, he couldn`t shake the pressing voice in his head telling him something was off. That voice never ceased to reveal a truth buried in places the monarch couldn`t see on his own, and in turn, had built a trust one can only really have with ones self.
Recognising the importance of this feeling, the king placed the bag down on the white fur that he was resting on, laying it next to one of the magnificent horns that protruded from the Queens head.
Gazing at his surroundings, Ezran made a note of all the happenings commencing, driven by his renewed family. For the most part, it was a calm night. Zubeia`s head was plenty wide enough to fit the group comfortably. Soren was at the top, having an in depth conversation of the importance of sleep and water with the ruler of the most dangerous creatures of the earth, ocean, storm, sun, and night, while Corvus questioned his reasons for existence (and his sexuality).
Trouble was, the gender-bent Sofia the First wasn`t looking for his guard, but rather a closer member of his circle.
That`s when he spotted him, or - more accurately - them.
His brother was, much predictably, settled next to his girlfriend, covered with the privacy with only one blanket and propped up by another one of the Queens horns, Rayla snuggled into his chest while he traced patterns up her arm.
"Just friends," Ezran murmured under his breath reciting what his brother had told him a mere two weeks ago as he crept towards them.
It was clear by the way Callum was looking at the girl next to him that she was asleep, so Ezran tried his best to tread carefully, he would`ve preferred to just leave them alone all together, but by the current situation, the honeymoon would need a quick rest so the brothers could work out the many problems going on at the moment.
"Callum?" Ezran whispered, poking the mages side.
Callum, on the brink of sleep himself, jerked his head in surprise, and after checking the elf was still asleep, presented his attention on his brother.
"What`s up, Ez?" He asked in a whisper.
"I think we need to talk." Callum nodded, moving in a way that shifted Rayla to the floor as gently as possible so he could free himself without waking her, brushing his lips across her temple as he got up.
They walked a little way away until they were back where Ezran was sitting earlier.
"I can assume you know what this is about."
"I have an idea," Callum said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Ezran nodded. "The morning after you stole the prison and ran off, I woke up after a nightmare. I went to find you, but your room was empty. Then I went to Rayla`s room but you weren`t there either. I ran around the castle looking for you, your study, the courtyard, everywhere!" He paused for breath, "Callum, I trust you more than anyone. Which is why I know you didn` t leave out of malice. I also know Rayla had equally good intentions, but I need you to know, it hurt. It hurt that you don`t trust me as much as I trust you."
Callum sighed, "I do trust you, Ez. I really do and I know you`re no longer a child, at least not mentally, but I do think you need to grow some more. Death might not seem fair, but Aaravos will not stop until he is dead. We needed to be prepared for that option, and I knew you wouldn`t accept that."
"He`s already trapped--"
"He is for now, Ezran!" Callum shouted, making the young king flinch. Seeing this, the mage embraced a softer tone, "I didn`t tell you this because I didn`t want you to worry, but now I think you should know. The day before we left, Rayla and I went down to see the prison, to see if it matched the descriptions of something I`d found in the library. The moment it was in sight, he got me. Aaravos possessed me again. Ezran, I don`t know what he- or I said but Rayla was crying and her cheek was all red and- ugh- it was was awful. I slapped her and he said things that she wont even let me hear. He has power over me and he could use me to hurt-- or worse those I love. You have to understand why I need to have this sword."
"I didn`t know," Ezran murmured.
"I didn`t want to scare you."
Ezran nodded, trying to remain "kingly" and keep his eyes dry. Even if this was his brother. The person who basically raised him while fighting grief of their mother and trying not to disturb their father. The one who stood up for him against bullies and helped whenever he got hurt. The one who drew him comics whenever he was down. The one who was ready to sacrifice himself and the one who--
Before the child knew what he was doing, he had done something he hadn`t been able to do since he rose to the thrown. He wrapped his arms around his brothers middle, squeezing him tight. Callum hugged him back, sobbing softly as he did so.
After a few minutes, they separated.
"I`m sorry for not telling you about going to get the Nova Blade," Callum said, with his hand on his shoulder, "and if you want me to do the Jerk Face Dance, then..."
"Maybe in the morning," Ezran grinned, "I`ll let you get back to your" - he motioned his fingers in a quote - "friend."
Callum flushed a deep red. "Goodnight, Ezran," he said with a smile.
"Goodnight Callum."Smiling, Callum crawled back under the blanket, quietly proud of how he did it without waking the girl who slept beside him. That was until she rolled over and resumed her position resting on his chest, drawing circles on his breastbone.
"What did Ez want?" She asked in a whisper.
"Nothing much, I`ll tell you tomorrow," he murmured, pulling her closer to him (if that was possible).
"Goodnight, Rayla," he said softly.
"G`night, Callum." She paused for a moment before adding, "I love you."
Oh, how he`d missed hearing those words, almost as much as he`d missed being able to add his own back.
"I love you too," he whispered, kissing her forehead.