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Alver had met a lot of people in his life.
Politicians. Corrupt politicians. Ass-kisser politicians. Haughty politicians.
And so on.
Nothing really seemed to surprise him anymore, and he honestly took pride in that.
Until he met Cale Henituse. The famous trash of the counts family that was rumoured to beat up people with only a wine bottle. Alver was very curious about such an individual, and even specifically asked for him at the upcoming banquet at the capital, hoping for a shit show.
Except that he got shit on.
It started off as normal, Cale entering the hall and receiving glares of disgusting, the said Cale scowling at those glares and sitting down with his friends that Alver was sure acted as body guards.
Alver was really itching for something fun, something exciting, what else could he do then create a mess?
He intentionally placed a nobleman that was notorious for talking shit about the trash, actively spreading rumors about him.
Just like he thought, the noble ran his mouth, provoking Cale, who raised his wine glass that spilled all over the man and then proceeded to punch him in the gut with it. It was truly a sight.
The party was cancelled short, of course.
But just as Cale was leaving, he shot a look of annoyance straight at Alver, flipping him off.
He was definitely pissed and knew who had set up such a mess, but it's not like Cale and him would meet again, right?
<>
How wrong he was.
It happened when Alver didn't have his disguise on and stopped at a tavern to spend his free time. Drinking. Yeah, nobody needed to know about his hobby.
And just like how the Sun God ‘luckily’ decided to not give him the right genes, Alver luckily saw the Trash.
And the said Trash was beating someone else, someone who had apparently made a lady uncomfortable.
If that wasn't a feminist then Alver had no idea. 'It must be because his mom died' he thought and softly giggled at the thought of what would've happened if his father died instead.
Alver decided to watch the man absolutely traumatize the misogynistic scumbag with a smile on his face, as one does on their free day.
Later when Alver drank more than needed but was still functional, Cale approached him.
"Why were you staring at me this whole time?" The trash accused.
"Why not?" Alver just respond lazily, brain foggy.
"I know this voice-" Cale made a thinking face "-your Highness!!!" He then proceeded to laugh, in his face. "I never *haha* knew that *wheeze* his highness the crown prince would-"
"Man why can't I just enjoy my time off?" The other grumbled.
"No reason... hehe"
Ok now the other was seriously planning something, Alver was getting the shivers.
The pair now sat in silence, a weird comfort filling them. Cale ordered another wine bottle from the bartender and poured some into Alvers' cup.
"I thought trash weren't supposed to be kind?" Alver jokingly inquired.
"Oh shut up and drink, you're wasting my time."
More silence accompanied and Alver got a bit awkward.
"So why did you lie to the public and made them believe you're such trash?"
"I am though" Cale denied, taking another swing of the alcohol.
"No trash would ever be so calm about meeting the crown prince, tell me." He continued pestering, hoping for a concrete answer.
"The same reason as to why you hide your true identity." Alver froze. How did Cale know about his secret?
"Don't worry, your hood is just barely holding on, I'm surprised as to why you even try." Sighing, Cale leaned backwards into the chair, prompting his feet onto the table.
Scrambling to pull his hood down, Alver stopped asking questions.
The two didn't talk after that but Alver did send a gift to Cale the next day, a communication orb. Nobody knew about it.
<>
Calling each other every morning and ranting about stupid stuff was a point in their relationship that neither expected, it was pleasant and Alver felt a bubble of happiness growing inside of him everytime Cale complained about something or just shared future plans.
<>
War was brewing, Alver knew it, he knew he had to stop those feelings from ever existing when the one he liked most could die.
But he couldn't, he couldn't contain them. When it was announced that all people over the age eighteen had to become soldiers, his heart sank.
<>
Fortunately, they still kept talking, Alver started visiting his favorite person every morning, giving him hugs and keeping up with each other.
He heard about the terrible ways the other soliders shunned or outright bullied Cale. They had a very long cuddle night, both not knowing how to comfort and express their feelings.
The following day, the said soliders who bullied Alvers most precious person, were never to be seen again.
Of course, Cale got very mad but it was worth it. Alver didn't want Cale to be hurt and he also knew that the man wasn't that mad about it.
<>
Alvers boyfriend was one of the last men to survive in the following battles with the White Star and Arm organization.
Things were getting tougher by the second, Alver busy with work and Cale training harder than ever in order to protect his loved ones.
They only had the nights to themselves, when both couldn't find the power to speak so they laid there in silence, the same understanding feelings their chests.
But Alver had a bad feeling, one that made his heart rip out of his soul.
<>
An unexpected attack happened months later, by the White Star himself. His arm minions killed everyone in the palace, including the emperor.
Cale and Alver were having a free day. They were painting and making jokes about their sad lives, somehow raising their moods with the others presence.
That bastard just had to ruin everything.
Alver remembered screams. Alver remembered the way his love shouted for him to leave. He remembered standing on the teleportation circle, Cale just a few meters away.
Alver didn't suspect a fire sword plunging deep into his beloveds chest. He saw the blood oozing out of the wound. Alver watched in horror as the gaze in his eyes turned lifeless and cold.
The teleportation circle lit up, bringing him and his loves body in a safe area.
Alvers knees gave out and the man weeped for the first time. Cries were poring out of him, not willing to stop. He hugged the body tightly as to not let Cale ever leave. But he knew the truth, his lover was dead.
"Cale... " his voice was raspy and tired from his endless cries but not once did he stop that night. Cale was the only one he ever loved more than the stars, and now he was taken from him by that dammed masked man.
...
He vowed revenge.