Behind the Mask | Garroth x Reader

| Part Twenty Five | The Knight |

I'd like to take just a moment to thank each and every one of you for your support on this story. I honestly was just posting this to get back into writing and for the seasonal Aphmau obsession. Seeing everyone's reactions and knowing there are people who enjoy reading the story has kept me motivated and inspired to keep writing, a feat I have struggled with for years.

I don't think I truly can convey how much it means to me, but please know I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for 8k reads, and I hope to continue writing content worthy of your praise. I literally watched this go up by 6k in a span of 5 months. That's a bit insane to me, but I am thankful nonetheless.

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With everything that has been going on and the lingering stress that comes with having Zane around, seeing Laurence again wasn't something I expected. Lady Aphmau didn't go into the specifics of how he managed to leave the Nether without a portal, and she made sure to tell me not to press Laurence for an answer either.

As far as I know, the realm barrier is nearly impossible to breach without a portal or some item to help guide a person between dimensions. And yet here lays the man who crossed without either.

He was thinner than I once remembered him to be. His body was covered in old wounds, scratches and bruises. Whatever happened in the Nether wasn't pleasant. One thing that did catch my eye was the scar over his heart. I trace the edges with my fingers as I take a closer look. It was one of the oldest scars he had, but it was far from healed.

I did what I could to treat the fresh wounds so he wasn't going to be left with much scarring. Unlike Garroth, Laurance had far more scars on his figure that dated back even further than his capture in the Nether. Though these scars were small and faded it was barely noticeable compared to the others.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when he raised a hand to place it on mine without warning. His hold was firm, but his hand shook in the process.

"Please don't leave... I... don't want to be alone again..." My heart ached at the thought of him being alone. Sure he might be in Lady Aphmau's house, but just being in this room alone may have made him anxious.

I sit on the edge of his bed and lean in to get a better look at him. His orange hair had grown significantly, now reaching his waist. His roots, however, were a beautiful light brown. A color that far better compliments his complexion in my eyes. I turned my attention to his face only to see that he was looking up at me. His once emerald eyes were clouded over. In a panic, I raise a hand to cup his face while the other waves in front of him.

"I would give anything to see you right now." He would raise his hand up and hold the hand I had placed on his cheek.

"Laurence..." He has so much to protect. His work as a guard may very well be over. While he might still retain his skills, it means nothing if his opponent has a major advantage against him. It wouldn't be safe for him or whoever he was tasked to protect.

Laurence would tense a bit at the sound of my voice and guide my hand to his side instead of his face.

"I'm sorry, I thought you were Aphmau." I would give his hand a gentle squeeze.

"She really does mean a great deal to you, doesn't she?" There was a small smile that crept its way onto his face. It wasn't the flirtatious smile that was ingrained in my memory, but rather a pure and loving smile.