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"Stellan?"
The Ageless wandered through the Warden's tower, searching for him. But apart from the crackling of the torches on the walls and the clicking of the Champion's armoured boots on the brick floor, his surroundings were silent.
He wandered upstairs and to his surprise, Stellan's room was empty. Usually, this late at night, Stellan would be reading in his red armchair. The Ageless decided that while he was at the tower, he'd check the progress on the rift gate--the alchemist's most ambitious creation. Maybe Stellan was still awake, working on it tirelessly.
He was right. He found Stellan. Asleep, on the floor, in front of the rift gate. It was strange seeing him so vulnerable. Usually, Stellan was one to be on high alert at all times.
The Ageless, out of compassion, knelt down and tapped the man's shoulder. "Stellan?"
The alchemist woke up, visibly startled that he'd fallen asleep. He brushed his blonde hair out of his eyes and looked away from the man standing in front of him. "I deeply apologize, your majesty, I-"
"Stellan, it's okay. You're exhausted."
Stellan looked up at The Ageless, with a starry gaze that only he could deliver, and a single tear formed in his eye. "The gate needs to be finished though, does it not?" He said with a tremble in his voice.
At first, The Ageless gave a wordless reply, offering his hand to help Stellan up. "It can wait. I'm bringing you to the castle, and you can sleep in a real bed. You need to sleep, Stellan. That's an order."
The blond just looked to the side, knowing it'd be rude to refuse but not wanting to leave his work unattended. Before he could muster an excuse, the Ageless was carrying Stellan in his arms. Stellan was silently praying to the stars that this man wouldn't see how he was blushing so profusely. Although, he didn't have to worry about that for much longer; he fell asleep as he was carried to the castle.
Back in the castle, the Ageless laid the alchemist in his own bed. Sure, the Citadel had guest rooms, but the Ageless convinced himself that Stellan deserved the nicest bed he could provide; that being his bed. Quietly, he tucked Stellan into bed and left the room.
As the Champion went to make himself a cup of tea, he found himself thinking unlike he'd ever before. Somehow, all his usual thoughts of kingdom management and queries of the universe were gone. All that was left was Stellan. Stellan and his golden eyes. His perfect, silky hair.
He sipped the piping hot tea as he came to a conclusion. He was finally, after centuries of believing it'd never happen, in love. It all made sense now. The confusing feelings he'd had for Stellan all these years; that was love. But whether Stellan felt the same was unknown. And unlikely, the Ageless thought.
Still, he found himself writing a love letter.
Dearest Stellan, After a period of thinking, I have come to a conclusion on an important matter. It is from the deepest reaches of my heart that I state, I am in love with you.
For centuries I had believed that I could not feel such affection. It appears to me, however, I am not immune to such pure human feelings.
He put the pen down for a moment, pausing to second-guess himself. Was it really worth it? The sheer embarrassment the Champion would have to face if his alchemist rejected him was a terrifying thought. Things would be impossibly awkward, and-
Screw it, he thought. He continued writing.
Stellan, this is my most vulnerable form, opening my heart to you in a blind hope that you will love me the same way. I await your response with utmost patience, as not to rush you.
I would love to be yours, Stellan.
Yours truly, The Ageless Champion.
The Ageless folded the letter and carefully tied it closed with a string. He went to his room with a cup of tea for Stellan, placing both the tea and letter next to the sleeping alchemist. Meanwhile, he had to attend to other matters. Those "other matters" ended up being anxiously pacing through the hall for hours instead of doing something productive.
--
Stellan was confused as he woke up in the Ageless' bed, becoming slightly flustered when he realized where he was. He picked up the letter on the nightstand with trembling hands, hoping he wasn't being "fired"--which would, per Oathbound rules, mean he'd be killed--for falling asleep on the job.
His face was as red as a rose when he finished reading the letter. "Oh my stars," he exclaimed.
He had his chance now. Although, the haunting prescense of the Shapeless Man popped into his head briefly. It laughed at his thoughts, suggesting that this was all a joke. But Stellan, for the first time ever, pushed away the Shapeless Man to take control of his thoughts.
He got out of bed and started to walk down the hallway, only to realize the Ageless was right in front of him. "Oh, you're awake, hello Stellan. Did you read the letter? I'm sorry if it was too straightforward, or if it came off as-"
Stellan cut off his rambling with a kiss. It wasn't the most gracious of first kisses, but it was passionate. "I love you, my Champion."