The Boy With Open Eyes.

Chapter 54

--Flashback--

Ted knew that this wouldn't be the first time he had to save Sarid from undeserving pain. He felt that none of this was over as the train continued all over the Kingdom. Ted felt like a failure nowadays. He failed Sarid in every way. Because now, Sarid was long dead, and Ted hadn't been there for Sarid's final moments on that horrible day.

He never got to confess hi- forget it. Ted was a coward. They went through so much together. Who was he now without him? Dull and barely remembered, Sarid made his life so exciting. Now his best friend was gone. He never got to say goodbye.

He fought so hard to keep Sarid by his side, but he still went with Lead for that stupid fucking peace treaty. Ted felt pain as he knew that Sarid was never going to come back. His childhood friend, crush, was gone. He spent so much time saving Sarid from Cody. It was a job he gave himself after he helped Sarid that day. Why can't he move on?

He still has things going on for him. It's fine! Ted tried moving on with his life and making a new start, but it wasn't as easy as he had hoped. Martin and Shane are the same, but they balance each other out as they are a couple. They even have children of their own.

They have their own home, stable jobs, and have a healthy relationship! He's just so used to spending a good quarter of his time by Sarid's side there weren't many times where they weren't at each other's beck and call. He regrets letting Sarid meet Lead and Mercury, the twins, one a Spade and the other twin a Four Leaf. Mercury is a sweet, polite man, but you can't say the same about Lead, the younger twin. He remembers the day he lost Sarid. He was going to confess his feelings that had been around for years of knowing each other.

The twins approached looking for a monarch that may want a peace treaty between both Kingdoms after many years of war. Ted remembers being close to confessing when the twins interrupted and offered their idea. Sarid told Ted, it'll only be a moment, then the moment grew to a while, then never. Ted felt his heart drop when he saw that they were entertaining the idea of marriage. He lost so quickly after being such a coward to share his true feelings.

Sarid was always the one to follow royal duties. This peace treaty is one he had to do. Ted knew it, Martin knew it, Shane knew it. They all felt bad that Sarid had to do this. Sarid just told them with a smile that all would be well.

Sarid's close friends didn't believe him. They felt like they should have done more now that they think about it with Sarid's demise having passed. He had been there for them all when they had no one, yet, they couldn't return the favor. Ted was defended by Sarid when people tried making fun of his condition that humans mainly had. It made him look weak and defenseless that Sarid made him known and respected.

Ted always appreciated that Sarid didn't treat him differently and even paid for some physical therapy as there was still hope for Ted to walk, thankfully. When he asked why that was so, Sarid told him with a smile,

"I want to help in any way that I can!" He thought that was it, but then, a rumor went around about a banished Sprite.

It was rare for Mumble to make Sprites of his own, like a low addition of Sprites. He made one, but it came out wrong to Cody's standard. With some begging from Mumble, Cody spared the unfortunate soul. The soul was spared on one condition, that it be banished and live in isolation. Mumble felt hurt but agreed.

They only recently discovered this poor kid who survived with scraps of trash and eating live fish from the ocean. Ted didn't care much while Sarid was dead set on finding this kid. Ted had no clue why. Ted did as told by Sarid, he went searching for the kid and found a little cave where there lay trash and leaves all over the floor, he had to stop some people from hurting the poor boy as they laughed and threw glass bottles at him as he tried hiding from them. Everyone knew he was an outcast, and they did as they pleased to the poor horrified boy as they laughed and said