reflection | scömìche

chapter twenty-one

yo yo yo it's me i'm here how much did you miss me

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They were quickly chained up and led into the throne room. Mitch was trembling in fear, whimpering pathetically, but the guard kicked him in the back to shut him up. He cried out and fell to the floor, and Scott growled angrily, forcing himself not to rip himself free and pound the guard to a pulp. Soon, he too was forced onto his knees before the emperor.

"I heard you were sleeping with this soldier, General," the emperor spoke quietly, completely ignoring Mitch. Scott rolled his eyes, fighting to be free from his bonds. "Yeah. So what? There's nothing wrong with that." He let out a cry of pain when electricity laced through his body, and Mitch sobbed loudly, trying to get to him. "Stop it. Don't hurt him," he whimpered, but the guard just kicked him again. Scott gritted his teeth and forced himself to remain silent, even though pain still jolted through his body.

"Sleeping with another man is illegal, General. You know what the punishment is."

"I don't give a shit what you do to me as long as you don't hurt Mitch."

"Please don't hurt him," Mitch whimpered, shaking his head frantically. "I'll do anything."

The emperor rolled his eyes, muttering a small, "Pathetic." Scott's eyes flashed and his muscles strained against his bonds. "Don't you dare talk badly about him," he snarled, earning himself another wave of pain. Mitch began to cry as he was forced to watch, wishing more than anything he was in his place. "Are you really going to get rid of your best general just because he was sleeping with another man?" Scott snapped, refusing to show how much pain he was in. The emperor looked up from his nails to regard him coldly. "You know the law, General."

"Without me, you'll never win the war. Do you want to lose just because your general is gay?"

"Being gay is a sin."

"And I don't give a flying fuck. Kill me if you want. Whatever. But if you lay a hand on Mitch, I swear to God I'll rip you to shreds," Scott snarled, his eyes dark with anger. The emperor hummed and stood. "You're right. I can't afford to lose you. But he is dispensable," he said, jerking his head in Mitch's direction. "So we'll kill him." Mitch's tears fell faster, but he was prepared to die. The only reason he wasn't completely miserable was Scott.

"No," Scott growled, fighting against his restraints. "You won't touch a hair on his head. He is mine. I will take him with me."

"There will be no need for that. I may be able to spare your life since your my best general, but I have to do something. Your toy must die."

"He's not just my toy. I love him."

Mitch's eyes widened and he looked over at Scott, his heart skipping a beat. No one had ever told them they loved him before. Scott was determinedly avoiding Mitch's eyes, keeping his gaze on the emperor. "If you kill him, I won't be your general again and you'll lose the war." The emperor sighed, getting annoyed. "Fine. We'll send him back home," he relented, tired of arguing. Mitch whimpered involuntarily, knowing he'd probably be murdered by his father for being such a disgrace. He really, really didn't want to go home, and Scott didn't want him to either, but he supposed it would be better than risking him getting hurt in the war. "Deal. Just... let me have a few days with him before he goes home. Please," he said as steadily as he could.

"Whatever. Unchain them," the emperor commanded, and the guards did so immediately. Scott sighed shakily in relief and rushed over to Mitch, pulling the boy in his arms. "Oh, thank God," he whispered, burying his face in Mitch's hair. Mitch whimpered and hugged him back desperately, terrified to let go. "S-Sir, he'll kill me if I go b-back."

"No, he won't, my love. I won't let him. And I promise I'll come and get you as soon as the war's over, okay?"

Mitch sniffled and nodded, holding onto Scott tightly as he stood up and nodded respectfully at the emperor before he went back out to the train. Mitch waited until they were alone and safely on the train car, curled up in Scott's lap in the corner before he spoke. "Do- Do you really love me?"

Scott glanced down at him and nodded. "Of course I do."

Mitch blushed and nuzzled against him. "I love you too, sir."