𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈 𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄// 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟓𝟕// 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦

Will had never thought something as simple as a cane would become so vital.

He didn't have to lean against walls to maintain his balance anymore, didn't have to fear his legs would give out if he went too far. He was able to walk through the palace, even outside of it, with no worry. Something small like that felt like a herculean achievement to him now.

Some people would whisper, would openly stare and frown at his cane. He would meet their gaze and smile to himself when they immediately looked away. He was used to people staring and whispering ever since he got the scar on his face, but now he was tired of letting that kind of nonsense slide.

He needed to keep advocating and standing up for himself. It was crucial in order to survive the Council and their scrutiny. He wouldn't let them make him afraid. Let them think he was being dramatic, or was incompetent-it didn't matter. Their opinion didn't matter when it came to his health.

Using a cane was going to take some getting used to. But he would do it. He had no other choice.

☀️☀️☀️

When the idea came to Will, he asked Austin and Kayla to stay behind after another health assessment. They turned to him, curiosity in their eyes.

"Are you free later today?" he asked. "When do you get off your shifts?"

Their curiosity turned to surprise. Kayla answered that she would be off in a few hours, Austin as well. "Why do you ask?" she wondered.

"I was thinking about going to the orchestra later today," he said. "And I was hoping you could come with me."

A beat of silence. Then Austin said, "I would love that." Kayla nodded, smiling widely.

"Great. I'll see you then."

☀️☀️☀️

Austin and Kayla met him later outside his chambers. Kayla's livery had been replaced with a sapphire-blue dress, her red-green hair, which was usually tied back, falling to her shoulders in carefully permed curls. Austin was clad in a simple but elegant green tunic and dark pants.

"You look wonderful!" Will exclaimed, grinning.

Austin returned it. "What better excuse to be fancy than going to the orchestra with my friends?"

They quickly made their way to the stables, and were soon in a carriage. Will stared out the window as they passed the palace gates, watching the opulent walls morph into modest inns and shops.

"I haven't been outside the palace gates for a while," Will said, almost to himself.

"Neither have I," Kayla said, pressing against his side. "We're both busy, with work and all."

"I sometimes come out here, but only to heal people," Austin said.

"Are there a lot of people injured?" Will asked, something like anxiety curling in his chest.

"Not a lot, fortunately. Mostly people who don't know that the Healers' services are free."

They arrived a few minutes later. Will let the other two step out before following them. One of the servants attending to the carriage horses did a double take upon seeing Will, which he tried to ignore as he stepped up next to his friends.

"Your Majesty," someone at the door greeted. Their eyes widened as they took him in. "Oh. What happened?"

"What?" Will asked, taken aback.

"I knew about your scar, but I never heard about your cane-"

"It's none of your business," Austin said, making Will jump. "Can we go in now?"

"I-of course." They nearly stumbled in their haste to get the door. "Right this way, please."

"I haven't seen you snap at someone like that in a while," Will said as they walked through shadowy hallways. He could faintly hear people murmuring to his right.

"Patients deal with that a lot when they're visibly disabled," Austin said with a shrug. "You shouldn't have to give strangers private medical information."

Will frowned. "I'm disabled?"

Austin raised an eyebrow, equally surprised. "You use a mobility aid to function, so yes, you're visibly disabled. I would argue you were invisibly disabled before, due to your PTSD and depression, since you still were having trouble functioning."

Will chuckled. "Why didn't I realize that before?"

They were quickly escorted to their private box. Will stared down at the empty stage, smiling to himself.

"I've never been to the orchestra," Austin said, standing next to him. "I've always wanted to go, but I was usually too busy." He turned to Will with a soft smile. "Thank you for bringing me. I've always loved music. I mean, who doesn't?"

Will returned his smile. "I'm glad. We should make this a thing we do more often."

The curtains opened to thunderous applause. Will leaned back and let the music take him away.

☀️☀️☀️

Roughly halfway through the performance, Will stood up carefully and began to waltz with himself, humming under his breath. He had a vague memory of dancing with Nico to this song months ago.

Austin stood up with a playful smile, extending his hand. "Want a partner?" Will took his hand, and together they waltzed through the confined space, laughing under their breath as they tried to avoid bumping into the seats and walls.

"Want to join?" Will asked Kayla over his shoulder. "We can take turns."

Kayla shrugged, looking a bit shy. "I don't know how to dance."

Will nearly tripped over his own feet. "You never learned?"

"Why would they teach a servant how to dance?"

Will and Austin exchanged looks, before letting go of each other. Will offered his hand to her. "Do you want to learn?"

Surprise flitted over Kayla's features, before she grinned. She stood up and took his hand.

The three spent the last several hours of the concert teaching Kayla how to waltz, until she could dance with the same grace she held herself with while doing her duties. When it ended, Will felt tired but content. They left for the palace with large smiles.

☀️☀️☀️

When Will finally managed to get back to his chambers, he didn't expect to find a letter on his side table. He unfolded it and scanned it with tired eyes, which widened as he continued to read.

My dearest love,
My soul has been aching to see you again. The mere realization that you will be here soon brings me joy.
I can't wait to see your golden hair in the sunlight.
I can't wait to feel your strong arms around me.
I can't wait to drown in the blue of your eyes again.
With all my heart,
Nico

Will stared at the words for a moment, not knowing how to respond. Then he grinned. "I love you, you idiot," he whispered to the air. He tucked the note into his drawer, before grabbing paper from his desk. He frowned at it, before writing, I adore you, you know. You are so sweet. What have I ever done to deserve someone like you? He quickly teleported it away and crawled into bed before falling asleep.