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“Goodbye, hero of Levin.”
That was the last words Yurius had said to Albert before fleeing Levin, and taking off to a remote island. He didn’t know exactly where he was, for the tears he shed clouded his vision most for most of the trip.
He landed, turned back into a human, then slumped near on tree in a forest, hanging his head, breathing heavily, exhausted. Then he began recounting the events that just took place. He thought of the people’s jeers, crying for his death for the murder of the late king. A life for a life.
I always thought I might be bad
Now I'm sure that it's true
The way the people cheered when Albert rose up to fight and defeat Yurius. He also remembers when he was attacked at the mountains near the vineyard where he and Albert went to visit. He thinks about monsters under Lord Gaila's conspiracy nearly killed him, thinking his life was going to end, when Albert charged in heroically, and watched weakly as he slew monster after monster, saving his life. How much of a hero he looked like.
'Cause I think you're so good
And I'm nothing like you
The way he deftly dodged his attacks and saved the people of Levin from his rampage.
Look at you go
I just adore you
Why had Albert placed so much trust in him? He was nothing but a monster. A murderer. He made Yurius the head of the reconstruction effort, he put so much faith in him. All for it to fall apart because of what he did.
I wish that I knew
What makes you think I'm so special
Even with that guilt hanging over him, he still did his best. He went nights staying up until the crack of dawn, thinking up plans and preparations to assist the kingdom of Levin and its recovery. Day and night, never giving up and exploring every possible avenue and idea. Not only for his kingdom, but to see that smile on Albert’s face. The one that always made his heartbeat quicken.
If I could begin to do
Something that does right by you
Everyone was on board with Yurius’s plans to restore Levin, Albert especially. They all praised him, calling him a genius and a savior, but all he cared for was Albert’s opinion.
The sound of rain and the feeling of his wet clothes caused him to snap out of his thoughts and look up at the dark sky, which had begun to rain. He heard the distant sound of thunder.
If there was thunder, there was lightning. He needed to find shelter.
Squinting, he begins searching around in the dark of the night, and he quickly spots a cave. He rushes over to it, his clothes becoming soaked in water. Once he reaches the inside, he breathes a sigh of relief and looks onto the night sky, getting lost in his thoughts again. The stars and moon were obscured by the storm clouds, and he looked at it with awe, thinking of Albert, Thunderswift Lord. His heartbeat quickened as he thought of all the memories he had with him, of life with the knights. Out of everyone, Albert accepted his quirks and his odd ticks, no matter what, even if he chided Yurius when he'd go nights researching, he knew Albert only did it because he cared. He’d call Albert in to show him his research progress and results, and Albert always smiled, not always understanding, but praising Yurius as a genius and an asset to the knights and Levin as a whole.
If I could begin to be
Half of what you think of me
He worked so hard with the goal of Levin’s restoration and prosperity on his mind. Why had it gone so wrong? Everything he ever did was for Levin.
And Albert.
As that thought creeps into his mind, the realization hits him like the lightning that flashes before his eyes, illuminating the light sky.
He loved him.
He was in love with Albert.
How long had he felt this way? How long had he not noticed how his mood brightened when seeing him, even after an argument with his father? How whenever Albert told him to lay off his teasing, pouting, Yurius smiled, and felt a peace he never knew anywhere else? How the only place he felt at ease anywhere in Levin was not in his lab, but by Albert’s side?
How long had he loved Albert, Thunderswift Lord?
The realization doesn’t delight him, it pains him. He’s made himself a public enemy in Levin. He can’t go back. Not to his home, not to his lab, and not to Albert’s side. If he were to return, they’d kill him, surely, and not even Albert could stop it.
He would never be able to tell Albert how he felt. Not before being taken to his death.
When I see the way you look
Shaken by how long it took
The thought broke his heart, and his eyes began to well up, but he quickly blinked them away. He did what he had to, to protect him. He did what he did to save his life. Albert had to live for Levin. He still had so much to do, so much to accomplish.
He was the hero, he was the savior. Not Yurius.
He had grown up under the care of a cruel and unloving duke, and was the illegitimate child of a king. He had never known or felt love for another human being. But at the least, he could hold this feeling close to his heart. He could hold the knowledge that Albert was the person who made him experience love for another person close to his heart.
I could even learn how to love like you.
And that was enough for him.