The Boy With Open Eyes.

Chapter 57

This arrangement worked out well. Both Lead and Sarid get along as friends, even if the marriage ordeal is still awkward for them. Sarid agreed to Lead's decision to have them sleep in a separate room from each other because having the title out in public is rather annoying for Lead. It isn't something he can get used to this. Sarid felt more laid back about it because Sarid doesn't think it's his choice when it comes to whom he marries. Cody reminded him that all through the years. The free will to choose someone to marry isn't a luxury that any Royal can enjoy. Sarid knew that while Lead refused to let that rule his life.

Lead kept looking into the oldest archives to find a way to end this condition of the treaty. The only joy he gets from this marriage is that he knows Ted has feelings for Sarid. He even made a point to find out if Sarid knew about it.

"How does it feel?" Lead asked, curious, "How does it feel to have your best friend in love with you?"

"I don't know. I never had that problem." Sarid stated, cooking the dinner for tonight, "Why do you ask?"

"Isn't it obvious? That wheelchair guy has a thing for you!" Lead wanted to say crippled but didn't want to waste time getting scolded by Sarid.

"No, you must have gotten the wrong idea. I know Ted well." Lead laughed internally at that.

"I fear that I'm right, as surprising as it is that someone can like you." Sarid laughed at Lead's statement.

He had been honest with Lead about his strained relationship with Cody while he saw it as healthy. Lead could disagree that what Cody does is what no parent dreams of doing to their kid.

"You're wrong. I'm not that much of anything." Sarid smiled, careful to add the right amount of salt to the food.

"I don't know all the details of what your father said to you, but parents can lie to you sometimes for their benefit." Lead stated as he took out a pack of cigarettes, finding this all too amusing.

"You always do know how to make me laugh. That's one of the things I enjoy about you." Sarid said, full of joy, "If I didn't know any better, I suppose that you're lying to me."

Lead scoffed, momentarily finding Sarid worthy of his trauma. He didn't think Sarid would tell him all those personal things on the first day they officially married. It had been awkward, more than usual, as Cody put up a big scene as they were getting ready to leave for the Spade Kingdom. He even went as far as ripping Sarid's sleeve off when Sarid tried stepping into the limousine. Cody screamed at Sarid to stay with him.

--Flashback--

Trigger warning mentioning sexual assault, you have been warned.

"Cody, let go of me!" Sarid begged, "You can't make me stay with you forever. I took it fine when I had to live with you, but please let me go."

"They'll only hate you! We both know that I'm the only one who can love you even with the disgusting flaws that others will judge you for!" Cody busted out, "If it weren't for me, you'd have no one and nothing. You leave me after all I've done for you?"

Sarid looked away, not wanting to face Cody.

"Don't you realize they all talk about you? They know you're dirty. Remember when I sold you for the night to those people?" He whispered in Sarid's ear, "What would your new partner say if he knew he had a recycled partner? No one likes recycled things."

Mercury hadn't heard what Cody had been whispering, but he could tell how uncomfortable it made Sarid by the way that Sarid looked devasted, even a hint of shame.