This Is What It's Like To Be Lovers [ON HOLD]

20: Tell Me How Do You Sleep?

TW: There will be mentions of sexual assault and murder (no explicit description) in the historical narration that starts after the first dotted line divider; please know that you've been warned and you can skip if it's a trigger for you.

• Father of Mine by Everclear •

It took a whole night of consoling and recounting of events before Larimar calmed down. Peri's declaration of relationship rushed her through all the stages of grief in a matter of moments. While a curt "you're lying" was characteristic to the first three stages, the last two were accompanied by sobs and a hyperfixation on "I knew he was a monster."

Jade had arrived right in time to witness all the stages and she held Lari's hand through them. Occassionally, the redhead looked up at her childhood friend, throwing her a glare that could make anybody regret their actions immediately, but she had no effect on Peri. "Was this really necessary?" She finally asked, her lour unfaltering.

"Well, somebody had to tell her." Peri shrugged unapologetically, evoking a low, disappointed groan from Maw.

"And I would have told her when I got the chance," Jade stated. "You didn't have to take her by surprise like that."

"Wait." Lari picked her head up from the table, and looked solemnly at her beloved Jade. "You knew about this?" The young Queen looked away, unable to hold Lari's gaze, and quietly, nodded an affirmation.

It brought upon Lari another wave of woe, melting out of her eyes in desparation. "Does Mother know? Is this.. is this common knowledge that my father has a.." she hesitated. "A child.. out of.. wedlock?"

"A child?" Peri interrupted again. "You really don't know anything?" Her eyebrows were knotted on her forehead, nose scrunched with disbelief. A hand reached her shoulder, and squeezed it a little.

Deciding to intervene, Jasper said, "Peri, she has led a sheltered life, a different life from us. I'm sure you can practice some control over your ire, and be more considerate."

They watched Larimar take a deep breath and a dry gulp. She proceeded to move towards the alleged half sister and faced her. She looked Peri straight into her eyes and in the calmest voice Jade had ever heard from her, said, "I want to know everything, tell me everything."

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Being the middle child, Laz II always resented his family for never giving him enough. Enough affection, attention, credit. He resented his parents for not even bothering to come up with a new name for him.

But he proved himself above and beyond every time he was called to action. When it came to protecting their seaside realm from seaside terrors, it was always he who came forward with excellent innovative solutions, bettering these plans every summer. Perhaps it was only the urgency of being recognised and praised that drove him to such heights of excellence.

When he first proposed to his father about venturing out to take neighbouring realms under their control, the heirophant instantly shut him down. His siblings, Azu and Sillia, sided with their father too.

Then came the summer of their father's retirement, the summer of crowning a new governor for Primorska. As was custom, the eldest was decided to be enthroned.

And that was the last straw for the middle child. Laz II put on a mock smile for his family, but when he looked at his sibling, he couldn't see a crown on their head. Only a ligature around their neck.