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Sebastian is getting used to life within Camelot. It's a lot different from his life in Maranello, but it's a good different. The city is more vibrant and colourful. There's more to see and do, and Sebastian is finding fulfillment in his new role as assistant to Maurizio the physician.
The only downside is that within a place as colourful as this, there are more dangers. Such as King Binotto’s ban on magic.
There was a reason Sebastian had been sent away from his childhood village of Maranello, and it wasn't just for bad behaviour. No. Heike had sent him to Camelot to keep him safe with Maurizo when his powers became too much for him to control. A place where magic was outlawed. Makes sense.
Besides that though, he was loving it. Maurizio was warm and welcoming and had even secreted a book of magic to him. Maurizo understood the grave danger Sebastian was in, but also could see the raw potential in the young man. It needed careful guidance and nurturing.
So now here he was, an apprentice in Camelot and so far things were going great. Just that morning he had met King Binotto’s ward Charles, who Sebastian felt quite taken with, and Carlos, Charles’ manservant.
He was currently walking through the Knights training grounds when he heard a mocking voice call out, “where's the target?”
Sebastian turns his head and his gaze catches on a rather attractive looking man, watching a manservant move to grab a target.
“Come on. Move. Faster than that. I need that target now!” The handsome man loses some beauty points with Sebastian over how he talked to his manservant. People who talked like that were not okay in Sebastian's book.
The manservant scrambles to get the target but Sebastian makes his way over, his eyes meeting the manservant's and stepping in to protect him.
“Okay that's enough, you've had your fun my friend.” Sebastian tells the handsome man who frowns and moves over.
“Do I know you?” He comments, his green eyes flicking over Sebastian.
“I'm Sebastian.” Sebastian holds out his hand to him with a smile.
“So I don't know you.” The man dismisses his handshake. “Why did you call me friend?”
“That's my mistake.” Sebastian says cheerfully, smirking. “I could never have a friend who was such an ass.”
The gandsome man's shock turns to laughter as he walks closer to Sebastian. “You're funny. Like a clown. But scrawnier. Tell me. Do you know any tricks? Like how to walk on your knees?”
Sebastian smirks, giving him a flirty look. “Maybe for the right man. But not an arrogant sod like you.”
The handsome man stops laughing, moving closer to him. “I could take you apart with one blow.”
Sebastian licks his lips. “I could take you apart with less.”
The green eyes grow cold. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“Should I? I don't make a habit of making friends with dickheads.” Sebastian responds, smiling.
The man suddenly lashes out and yanks Sebastian’s arm behind his back, almost forcing him to the ground.
“Not just any dickhead. I'm Kimi. King Binotto’s son.”
Ah. Fuck.
This little stunt lands Sebastian in the cells. But thankfully Maurizo gets him out. But he's furious.
“You're supposed to be keeping your head down. Not picking fights with the Prince of Camelot!” Maurizio thunders, smacking Sebastian upside the head. “Stupid boy. You've got to not draw attention to yourself. It's dangerous.”
“I can't sit by and let another be bullied!” Sebastian retorts. “Especially not by spoilt rotten Princes like Kimi.”
“Prince Kimi has a lot on his shoulders. He's not usually this blunt.” Maurizo shakes his head, looking worried. “I will need you to go to his chambers at once. I think his back is playing up. That's possibly why he's being so blunt.”
“It doesn't give him an excuse to mistreat his servants.” Sebastian says darkly. “Why can't you go and give him the mixture you've made?”
“Because my sister sent me her son and he's got to earn his keep.” Maurizo says simply.
Sebastian rolls his eyes, takes the vial from Maurizo and heads to leave the chamber.
“Oh before I forgot! Seb. Please take this sleeping draught to Lord Charles on your way there.” Mauzio calls out, moving forward to hand him another vial.
At least Sebastian would get to see Charles out of this.
Sebastian knocks on Charles door, entering when he's called inside.
He doesn't expect Charles to be shirtless when he gets there, it makes his brain go offline.
Charles startles when he sees Sebastian, giving a flustered smile. “Oh.sorry I thought you were Carlos.”
“It's okay, my Lord.” Sebastian bows and holds out the sleeping draught.
Charles gives a small smile and takes it from him, he looks exhausted. “Thank you, Sebastian. Here's hoping it works and I won't wake Carlos every night with my dreams.”
“Are they that bad, my Lord?” Sebastian enquires softly, amusing Charles that he refuses to look at his chest.
“Very. But Maurizio is good to me. I'm hoping this one finally lets me sleep.” Charles admits, looking at the draught in his hand.
“I hope so too.’ Sebastian says in reply, turning to leave the chambers and almost walking into the doorframe.
Charles watches him leave, amused and a little taken with Maurizio’s new apprentice.
Now it was time for the worst part of the day. Tending to Prince Kimi.
He knocks on the chamber door and enters when Kimi calls him.
Inside the room is cosy and warm and Kimi sits at his desk, frowning over some papers. He looks up when he sees Sebastian. “You're Maurizo's new apprentice?”
“Seems like it.” Sebastian drawls, holding out the vial. “I came to give you this.”
“Do you have any idea how to apply it? Or do they not teach you that in clown school?” Kimi asks.
Sebastian snorts and glances at Kimi. “Pinch your nose and toss it down your throat?”
Kimi looks unamused. “Gee, Mauruzio isn't a great teacher is he?” He shakes his head. “You need to apply it to my back.”
“Oh great. So you get a good massage out of this?” Sebastian asks, raising an eyebrow.
“You're the one who said he'd get down on his knees for someone. Maybe you also like to give massages?” Kimi retorts, smirking.
“Like I said. Not to dickheads, Sire” Sebastian replies. “Maybe if you were nicer I would happily offer my services.”
“You're a brat. You know that right?” Kimi asks, his voice slightly tense. Sebastian has been getting better at reading people since being under Maurizio's tutelage and he can tell Kimi is hurting.
“Where am I applying this?” Sebastian asks and Kimi gets up from the desk and heads to his bed. He pulls the tunic from his body and gingerly lies on his front on the bed.
At once Sebastian can see the problem. A network of vicious scar tissue stretching over Kimi’s back. It makes him draw in a breath.
Kimi, hearing the gasp, just sighs deeply. “Me and my men were out in the woods. We came across a young boy being attacked by a sorcerer…I took the magic blow instead of the child.”
Sebastian blinks, stunned. “You took dark magic not knowing what it would do to you?”
“It was a child. I couldn't stand by and let that happen.” Kimi says quietly, shifting around and trying to pretend his back isn't bothering him. “Well? Are you going to do your job or not?”
Sebastian takes a deep breath and spreads the oil in his hands. At once his body thrums with the feeling of magic as it surges up to warm the liquid on his fingers.
It was dangerous, but maybe some of his magic could help Kimi's pain.
He slowly spreads the oil around Kimi’s scars, feeling the man relax under his touch. Maybe he could take some of that pain. He knows it's beyond dangerous to do this, but seeing Kimi in that much pain due to a selfless act pulls something within him.
“That feels good.” Kimi comments. “It's working faster than before. Has Maurizo changed the ingredients?”
“Maurizio is always wanting to make his patients feel better.” Sebastian replies as he works. “Guess he's found something that helps.”
Kimi hums in agreement, Sebastian noticing that he wants to say more. “Listen….I wasn't entirely fair to you earlier.”
“Oh the Prince does have a heart!” Sebastian snarks, but then he shakes his head. “I don't like bullies. That's all.”
Kimi nods quietly. “I shouldn't have yelled like that at the servant.”
“You shouldn't have. Being crown Prince means caring for your subjects, not ordering them around like playthings.”
“So I couldn't order you around?” Kimi asks.
“I'd like to see you try.” Sebastian snorts, moving to wipe the oil off of his fingers. “I'm done. How does that feel?”
“Much better.” Kimi hums, carefully moving his shoulders. “Give Maurizio my thanks?”
“Of course, Sire.” Sebastian replies.
“He's always been good to me. And Charles.” Kimi looks sad for a moment. “He almost seems to care more for Charles than my father does.”
“Maurizio is a good man.” Sebastian agrees. “He gave me a home.”
Kimi nods and looks at him. “Thank you, Sebastian.”
Sebastian nods, giving a quick bow before leaving the chambers. Once the door closes behind him, he let's out a breath he hadn't realised he was holding and leans his head back against the door.
He had willingly used magic to help heal the pain of the Prince of Camelot. He was so fucked.
Sebastian sits outside in the courtyard with Carlos, the two having struck up a friendship.
“Charles has told me something interesting.” Carlos grins, his eyes playful. “About a certain Prince requesting that Maurizio come to his chambers. I think you're going to be promoted.”
“What?” Sebastian raises an eyebrow. “Promoted to what? Court jester? That's all I am as far as that idiot is concerned.”
“You don't understand.” Carlos shakes his head. “His Manservant, Fernando, left. He's looking for a new one.”
“And what? Charles thinks it's me?” Sebastian snorts. “That can't be true.”
“It seems he's been caught by you.” Carlos grins.
“I don't believe it.” Sebastian replies, looking perplexed. “I know nothing about being a servant. Especially not to someone so pompous.”
Carlos merely grins. His court gossip from Charles is rarely wrong.
It turns out that Carlos is correct. That afternoon Sebastian and Maurizio are summoned by the King for Sebastian to be informed that he was now to be Kimi’s Manservant as well as continuing on as Maurizio's Apprentice.
Sebastian would like to say a few choice words on the matter. But he'd have rathered his head on his shoulders than say no to the King.
Sebastian meets Kimi’s gaze across the room and looks at him defiantly, lifting his chin. If Kimi thought he'd have someone to push around, he'd better think differently.
Kimi just smirks at him and gives him a nod. Challenge accepted.
Sebastian’s new life in Camelot just got a whole lot more interesting.