Shartos Drabbles and Oneshots

Where Duties Lie

***WARNING: This chapter contains explicit content. Read at your own risk***

Spartos is tired. He's been on his feet all day, doing this and that. Mostly that. Talking to a hundred people, organizing several events and issues, and (his favorite) dealing with government affairs. Being king of a whole country was tiring, indeed. And a role Spartos never expected to take.

As he walks back to his room (flanked by two guards, as always) he finds himself wondering how the others were doing and what was going on. He knows Ja'far is still with Sinbad, but what about the others? He hasn't so much as a word when they were.. well, split up. He also knows some of them went to rule their own countries. A white-haired swordsman flashes through his mind, and Spartos chews on his thumbnail in nervous thought. Why, he doesn't know.

"Is everything alright, Knight King?" One of his attendants asks.

Spartos blinks slightly but nods, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm fine. Though I think I'll go to bed by myself tonight."

The two guards glance at each other before back at their king. "But.. Majesty-"

"I'm a grown man. I can handle myself." He flashes them a gentle, assuring smile. "I'll be alright. Please, go enjoy the evening with your families."

The two hesitate before listening to him, trudging down the hall. It's obvious to Spartos they aren't used to such leniency. His father wasn't exactly laid back. Or maybe Spartos is just too used to Sinbad.

Once again, his old friends and comrades invade his mind, flooding it with memories. Fond memories. Bad memories. He sighs as he starts shedding his heavy clothes. He's able to recall all those memories and smile, rather than mope. But he still can't deny that he.. misses that. Misses them. Even though he's surrounded by several people all day long, since he left Sindria, Spartos had never felt so lonely. They were his first real friends, besides his brother, after all. Some, a little more than that.

He shook that thought from his mind hastily. That was long gone, and didn't need to be brought back. He kneeled beside his bed to recite his evening prayers, willing those sinful thoughts away from his mind. Or trying to, at least. It's hard, what with him being his first (and only) lover and everything.

It was all thrilling, if Spartos is being honest. Having a lover before marriage. And another man, at that. A man that was probably one of the biggest sinners Spartos had ever known, besides Sinbad. A man that could so easily make the redheaded knight lose all his willpower and practically melt at his fingertips. It was electrifying, and addicting. And Spartos wanted so much more.

But then, well.. he wanted much more than just that as well. And he did, to an extent. If their duties to their countries hadn't gotten in the way, they'd be-

Well.. that's in the past now.

Spartos stands up again, falling into bed with a tired sigh. It seems he's been doing that a lot lately; sighing. To say he missed his old life would be a gross understatement. But he had a duty. A duty his older brother should be handling, he thinks bitterly before shaking his head. He's glad to help him home country. He's sure...

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Another day, much like the previous one. It's getting late in the afternoon, and all he's done today is more work dealing with the government affairs. Such as the king's duty though, he supposes.

He finishes up with some family's financial crises when a guard of his comes running to him.

"Knight King!" He exclaims, stopping to kneel before him, spear still held in hand. "Th-They're here!"