The Protectors: Matze's tale

Days Missing

Dark boots clicked likely on the hardwood floors of the long hall. Their owner was a tall dark haired knight dressed in a crimson red top and dirty brown slacks. He hadn't slept in weeks since his partner died from his illness some time ago. This unfortunate event left the poor knight in charge of a kingdom that largely blamed him for what had happened.

No that wasn't entirely true though most days it felt that way. The council made his life hell, making sure he had next to no free time between having to find the next to throne and proving he could manage it until then. They'd outright rejected the former kings wishes to give full control to the advisor apon the kings passing. Some were legitimately upset with the knight, something he found hard to say was unwarranted as he himself was at fault in his own mind. Others though just used it as an excuse. They wanted the throne. The greedy bastards only having stuck by their King out of fear of loosing the power they had.

Laine let out an audible sigh as he came to rest just outside the room he'd spent the last three years sleeping in. Now he can't bring himself to enter.  He takes his a deep breath, brushing his onyx black bangs from his face. He'd needed to trim them for some time but hadn't had the motivation to do so. Crimson eyes scan the door, the oh so familiar room that he no longer belonged to just on the other side. "Love..." He says, inaudible to anyone else

"Sir? Is everything alright?" Came a soft voice, mostly from the late hour. The younger knight, dressed in his silver and cyan plated armour was likely on his way to make a shift change with another knight guarding the castle. "You've been rather run down as of late."

"I'm fine Gidget." Laine says, letting out a sigh as he does. "Too much to be done. His majesty left quite the mess in his wake" Laine turns to face the knight, 20 years his Junior but wiser that most of those in the kingdom.

"You do know that you don't have to deal with this alone. There are others to lean onto. He wouldn't want you running yourself down this way." The golden eyes of the younger showed true concern for his well-past-tired elder and unknown to most his father.

"I know that. But not working isn't currently an option. Nor would it help the sleeplessness." Laine says, tired crimson eyes meeting Gidgets gold ones. The first time he's found it in himself to do so outside of court meetings. "Thank you for the concern" Genuine words of thanks to the boy not that it showed on his face. Laine had shut himself away for so long. The last three years being the only reason he wasn't locked away anymore. His love had been at fault for that. The man was a miracle worker in many ways. Able to open any heart he set his eyes on no matter what he'd find.

Gidget stares at him a long moment before shifting slightly, long blonde braid swaying with the movement, before letting out a long sigh. He hates this about the man before him. He was always this way when something came about. "Dad, please if not for yourself take a break for those still here that care? I won't ask you to sleep or even to mourn as I know you haven't truly done yet but please. a break" he says, blowing slightly, before continuing on his way down the hall.

Laine watches Gidget until he'd disappeared down the stairs at the end of the hall. "You make it sound so easy." he mumbles softly, turning back to the room before stepping inside. Inside was king sized vanity-style bed, a deep blue comforter trimmed in gold with a bright red rose printed in a few spots along the blanket.  "Fitting for that hopeless romantic" he mumbles, almost bitterly as he ran a hand along the railing at the foot of the bed. "Not for this broken fool" he mumbles bitterly, dropping the paperwork he'd been carrying onto the bed.and decided an nice bath was needed to settle him.