D.O.L.L. (BoyXBoy)

Chapter Five

Written and published December 27, 2014

Rewritten and edited on May 18, 2016

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I stare at a picture of Sebastian, Alicia, Silvia, and I that was framed on my desk.

We all look so happy.

So alive.

I put on my hat, pulling it down on my face. If I have to see anyone right now, it would be definitely those two.

~~~

I steer my horse into the public stables where Stephen, a common stable boy, takes my horse. I toss him some silver and bronze change. "Thanks as always," I say. Then I head off to Silvia and Alicia.

I open the door, even though the sign said that they were closed and walk in. Alicia is talking to someone else.

The Warrior-Princess, Lady Sigrid of the Guard.

"Sigrid!" I call. "Ali!"

They both look towards me at the sound of my voice, and Ali rushes towards me. "Rowan!" she wraps me in a hug. "Oh Rowan..."

Sigrid walks over. "Sir Rowan," she says, curtsying. Her armor clanks as she does. "We meet again. I am sorry for your loss."

I nod at her as I hug Ali back. "What are you doing in these parts?" I ask.

"Oh, just some business that he Church wanted," she answers.

"The Church? The Church is involved?" I ask. Asking these questions will get my mind off of Sebastian.

Sigrid mutters something as Alicia pulls away. "Apparently it's a robbery," Ali says. She walks to the bar door and we follow.

"Some robbers decided to try their luck with one of the Church's priceless artifacts," Sigrid explains, sitting in a chair. "And they apparently fled here so I'm just supposed to find them."

I nod. "I see."

Ali pours me a cup of ale and I down it quickly.

"Good luck with your search," I say. "I'll be leaving now."

"No, you won't," she suddenly says, standing up. "I know you came to talk to the robot maker. Go on. It's about time I went back to work anyway." She smiles softly. "Hope you feel better, Sir Rowan."

Sigrid walks out of the bar, her armor clanking against her sword.

Ali comes up behind me and gives me another hug. "Oh, Rowan..."

I hug her back. "I'm all right, Ali. I just wanted to see you and Sil. But Silvia's in the next town over, right?"

"Yeah, apparently she has to kill the mayor. He's a hoarde of sorts." Alicia looks at me in the eye. "So, are you sure you're all right?"

I nod again.

She sighs. "Because Sil and I went to his funeral but we didn't see you there. We asked your father too, and he said that you've been holed up in your room."

I reach for another cup of ale and Ali pours me some more. "Dad was at Sebastian's funeral?" I ask, surprised.

Ali gives me a small smile. "Row, I know you and Sebastian's relationship with that man, but his wife just died too. He was is in grieving too."

I sigh softly. To think that... then again, he did beg forgiveness.

I stand. "I'm going back home," I announce.

Alicia frowns. "Is something wrong?"

"I'm going home. Thanks, Ali," I say as I give her a hug. She hugs back, a little confused, but then I head back.

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Song: Free!! Iwatobi Swim Club - Splash Free