TOTCF content because my brain go brr

Request Fufilled - AlbeCale/CaleBeru

~~Not Platonic oo ee oo~~

"Are you sure you're okay? I've never been out for so long. Especially since this month is such a sensitive time for us." Tasha hesitated before the carriage waiting for her. Alberu smiled at her before reassuring her about his situation. He held her hand with a relaxed expression. His aunt worried far too much, and that was coming from him — chronic overthinker, future king — so he wished to soften her anxieties.

"Auntie, I'm 27, I think I'll be fine. Take your vacation, please do not worry." Tasha felt her eyes prickle. When did he grow into adult; was it not only a few months ago when she met the newborn, asleep in a soft white blanket, held by her younger sister. When did time decide to pass her by? She felt her emotions overcome her and she patted Alberu's shoulder. 

"Sorry. I know I'm not supposed to do that. I trust you'll be okay, but I'm still going to worry, okay? It's my job." She blinked rapidly to hide her tears, and quickly swiped at her eyes. She wanted to kiss his forehead before leaving, but she already risked his reputation enough. Alberu made a show of walking her to the carriage and gave her a longer hug once they were hidden in the carriage. "I'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too Auntie, but don't hurry back. Have fun, and a safe trip. I love you."

"I love you too, from the moon and back. Hurry inside though, you're still sensitive to the cold." Tasha said, holding his cheek. She kissed his forehead, knowing that embarrassed him to no end. Alberu smiled at her before stepping out of the carriage and cordially waving goodbye. He wanted to watch the carriage turn into a dot on the horizon but he knew doing so would kick up rumours.

"Tasha. Enjoy yourself." The respectful, but distant goodbye reaffirmed any passerby's opinion on them. A sentimental servant and a generous young master. Saying that left a bitter taste on his tongue, but this was their routine by this point.

So he made his way into the palace, the chill suddenly more aggressive now that his aunt had left.

—-

Alberu felt his head slowly dip down, his eyelids grow heavier, his grip on his quill fail. A thought made its way into his head. 'Maybe, I could take a quick nap. Only a few minutes...' He snapped his head back up and opened his eyes wide. He slammed his quill into his desk before he held his head up with his hand. 

"We need to stop." Alberu's eyebags wore his face down, and he scolded himself. "We have so much work to do, and so little time. No more distractions, no more sleep, just finish your work. Then you can finally rest. We cool for that?" Silence echoed hard in the empty room. Alberu looked out at the dark room, only being lit up from a single candle light. He sighed at his own loneliness before continuing his work.

As he finished his work almost completely, his eyes wandered to the cold teacups that sat down on the coffee table from across the room. He had made himself tea every time he noticed the cups, realizing it was too hot to drink, return to doing his work, then forgetting he had tea. He looked upon the army of tea cups that awaited drinking. His body was warm, his head especially so. He shouldn't waste all that tea, even if it had gone cold. 

He finished the rest of his work and cleaned up all the documents into organised piles, before walking to the table with the tea, quickly chugging down the tea. It tasted terrible cold, its aroma no longer strong or even there. Maybe he was far too used to hot tea, but the cold tea felt foreign on his tongue. He quickly finished his tea before leaving the cups on the metal food tray left against the office door. 

He missed his aunt, but if he had no time to miss her, then he would not miss her as much. That was definitely how it worked. He wasn't afraid of having emotions at all, this was just efficient. He nodded to himself before going to shower. A cold shower would be perfect for now, he needed to stay awake to finish his planning before he actually slept.