crossed over (alver x og cale)

Part 3

When Cale had finally managed to find that mystical state of existence known as calm, a lot of things had changed. For starters, at some point during his wretched state, Alberu had transferred them both to the couch and he was now quite neatly being held in Alberu's lap. He also took note that the state of the situation outside had changed.

Light streamed in through windows that Cale realized had been dark earlier. He wondered how late at night it had been when this all started or how many hours it had been. What day was it? How much time had he lost in... whatever was happening?

...was his family worried...? He didn't want to worry them...

Alberu adjusted his grip, the hand that had been rubbing soothing circles on Cale's back slowing to a halt. He seemed to have an innate sense for when Cale calmed down.

And beyond that–Cale couldn't think of a single person in his life, not even Ron, who had ever been able to calm him down so effectively. Kidnapper or not, Alberu seemed to know the key to disarming Cale's panic like he'd dealt with it countless times before.

"Cale." Alberu said, his voice still just as soft and calm. "I'm sorry, but we do need to finish that talk."

Cale tensed. He didn't like it at all and that fear compounded with more fear and left him raw enough to want to cry again.

He'd been starting to develop a few different suspicions about his current circumstances that didn't involve Alberu being a psychotic delusional kidnapper. None of them were good.

"...why do you need to know what I remember?" Cale grumbled. He was sure that his memory was unburdened with gaps. Aside from how perfect his memory was, he'd already realized in the bathroom earlier that absolutely no time had passed between the moment he closed his eyes in the alley and the moment he'd opened them to see Alberu.

His bruises were just as fresh. He was still damp. And he hadn't had any reason for a memory gap.

Alberu seemed to think he'd lost some memories though and that irked him. He knew it was untrue but also...

Alberu sighed, petting his head gently to soothe him. It frustrated Cale that it worked too. "I just want to figure out what happened to you."

It was so sincere that it made his heart ache.

Cale snorted, deflecting from the feeling. "Nothing, just the usual bullshit. Picked some fights at the tavern, got fucked up, woke up here."

There was a thoughtful pause in Alberu's motions.

"...why were you mentioning a crown prince earlier?" He asked slowly.

Cale shifted in his arms, tempted to pull away but also too comfortable and weak to do so. "Like you don't know. You stole his damn name."

Alberu sighed. "Pretend for a moment that I coincidentally have the same name and I have no idea about this prince. Walk me through it."

Cale was tempted to throw another fit instead but that was exhausting and damn Alberu really was good at soothing him. "...Crown Prince Alberu Crossman of the Roan Kingdom. King Zed's first son? Blond guy with a big smile? I don't know much else about the bastard, I've only ever seen him during speeches or events and shit. And I have no reason to talk to royalty. Way too much fucking trouble."

There was another thoughtful pause.

"Cale. The questions I'm going to ask may seem a bit strange but please humor me."

"...I promise absolutely fucking nothing to you. I still don't trust you."

Strangely Alberu chuckled in response. "Yeah, I gathered that already. Can you tell me about the Roan Kingdom?"