Regiphobia

The Penultimate

The plane had landed hours ago, but Goda wasn't any less terrified. Juan had helped him out of the plane and into Arial's palace, where Arial talked to José and started making plans. Goda stayed at Juan's side the entire time, trying hard not to think about what must be happening.

Arial was in the middle of talking to someone about where the brothers and Goda could live when Liam ran into the room, needing to lean against the wall to catch his breath. "Your Majesty- A call-"

She turned to face him, concern in her eyes. His gaze was intense as he held out a phone for her. She took it, glancing at the number she needed to call.

Monaco. Gabriel. The king.

She took a breath, then pointed to the door. Slowly but surely, everyone left the room. When the door shut behind them, Arial set the phone down and pressed the call button. Gabe's image was projected up almost immediately.

"Where is he?" the king practically growled, looking angrier than Arial had ever seen him. His hair was disheveled, his suit jacket entirely discarded and his sleeves haphazardly rolled up. When she didn't respond with sign or text, he slammed his hands down on whatever desk he was sitting behind and shouted, "Where is he?! Did you kidnap my husband?"

'He isn't your husband,' she signed to him, 'and I doubt he's even your fiancé at this point.'

"So you did take him! Send him on the first plane back here or you'll both have hell to pay," he shouted, glaring daggers at Arial. She remained composed, taking a few deep breaths to maintain professionalism.

'It's not kidnapping if he wanted to come, Crovetto.'

The hatred radiating from Gabe was almost palpable through the call. She didn't give him a chance to speak, instead continuing, 'He confided in myself and one of your ex-officers, Juan Cazado. He as well as his brother, José Cazado, came along with me as we got Goda away from you. As of now, Canada is no longer associated in any way with Monaco that's remotely positive.'

"The Cazado's are my guards, they still work for me-"

'Not anymore,' she signed before he could finish.

"So you're cutting off an alliance due to the lies of a delusional man?" he said.

'I'm cutting it off because of an abusive king who's still in power, and the fact that you dare call Goda Koetsu delusional when not five seconds ago you were calling him your husband, as well as trying to threaten me into sending him back to you. This alliance is over. Don't contact me again, I'll send you the paperwork.'

She hung up the phone, placing her head in her hands. She immediately got another phone call from him, but she knew she'd get mad if she took it. She declined. She opened the door, summoning people back in. However, she pulled Liam aside.

"What is it, Your Majesty?" he asked, worried out of his mind for her.

'Get someone to start working on severing the alliance with Monaco,' she signed.

He stared, somewhat in disbelief, "Arial, are you certain-" The look in her eyes made him stop, and when she nodded, he backed up and immediately left. She took a deep breath, then headed inside to continue the talk.

Meanwhile, Goda was staying in a guest room with Juan for the time being. He was curled up in the Spaniard's arms, trying to calm down. "...D-Do you think he called?"

"Even if he did, Arial would never let him get to you," Juan assured, running a hand through Goda's hair.

"He's really p-powerful, what if he comes and t-tries to take me back...?" he mumbled.

"Then he'll have to go through me, G-dog," he smiled, kissing his temple, "We're not gonna let that asshole hurt you."

Goda smiled back, resting his head against Juan's chest. He wrapped his arms around him, closing his eyes.

"You still tired?" Juan asked, looking down at him affectionately. Goda nodded, humming a little. This was the calmest Juan had ever seen them when they were together, even with his nerves high from the conflict. He held Goda tighter, planting a soft kiss on the top of his head. His smile made all this stress worth it. When he opened his eyes and looked up at him sleepily, the love obvious in his gaze, Juan knew that no matter what happened, no matter what pain they had to get through, he and Goda would get through it. He'd be there for him, and Goda would get better, and everything would eventually be alright.

"I love you," Juan mumbled. He never wanted to let Goda go, now that he had him for real. No hiding or faking this time.

"I love you t-too," Goda said softly, starting to fall asleep. Juan brushed his hand over Goda's cheek, then just held him tight so he could sleep better.

Across the castle, José was looking around the building. He was trying to work through everything that had happened, all the information that had been thrust on him in the past few days, and how he would respond to it all. He'd learned his brother had gotten caught in an affair, the king he worked under was an abuser and possibly worse, the Queen was setting up a home for himself, his brother, and his brother's boyfriend, and he'd been offered both a position and a home inside the castle.

After the plane had landed and the four got to the palace, Arial had beckoned José to follow her. She shut the door behind them, took a deep breath, then walked over and started signing to him.

'I have a question for you,' she started.

"Which is...?"

'Would you want to work here? I know you're incredible in crisis scenarios, and we pay well,' she said, 'Though... If you don't, you could also take a room in the castle as your own. It wouldn't be hard to arrange.'

He looked down at her, processing what she'd signed to him. Of course, once he thought about it, the first question he always had came to his mind.

"And my brother?"

'He and Goda can either stay here in the palace or I can find another home for them, whatever they decide,' she said.

José looked up, thinking about it for a moment before saying, "...I'll keep that in mind." He then gave a slight bow of his head before leaving the room, making sure his brother was fine then starting to look around.

That brought him here, questioning in silence. He looked at paintings and flowers, seeing no real beauty in them. He looked at decorations designed to cheer up the otherwise empty space, the walls painted soft colors, and the many doors leading to rooms he didn't look into. He walked and he thought, and he tried to ignore the hands that trailed over him every time he thought about accepting the queen's proposal and the thoughts of her death that invaded his mind.

He thought about his brother, who was curled up with Goda, seemingly happy. He disliked Goda, despite knowing him for such a short time. He was a burden on his brother and had changed their otherwise fine life so severely it was hard not to look at him with scorn. His brother deserved better. A better life, a better boyfriend, a better brother.

He thought about King Gabriel. A man who his brother now described as a monster, who had the power of a country behind him and who seemed determined to get Goda back. He simply had to hope that he wouldn't try to wage war over his ex-fiancé.

...He thought about Arial. However hard he tried to put her out of his mind for good, it would never work. He needed to talk to his brother about the offer he'd been given and find out if he was staying at the palace or elsewhere. They needed to decide how to move forward because they would.

They would move forward. And this would all be over.