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The war between the two Kingdoms had been long, yet the victory had been quick. The Kingdom of Dark had won, and the Animal Kingdom was under their reign again.
The Prince of the Dark Kingdom, Prince Magnus, was a cold and ruthless warrior. It had been he who had led the army to the sweet victory. He was a natural strategist, studying his enemies’ Kingdoms well enough, planning without taking a break and having no sensitivity. Though victory was satisfying, guilt lingered in his cold heart.
“Your highness,” said some knights, breaking his thoughts, “The prince of the enemy is in your tent. We have taken his weapons, sir; he is at your mercy.”
Prince Magnus nodded, his expression stoic like usual. He thanked them and headed to the tent.
Outside was chaos. Ashes from the burned houses, families mourning their fallen one, while the winners sang and cheered to his name. Normally, the prince would feel satisfied or victorious from the result. He won, made his father proud, and killed the …enemy. He stopped in front of the tent. He stopped before the tent and took some breaths, preparing himself for what was inside.
“Your highness, I must confess, I had expected more resilience.”, Magnus commented after he stepped into the tent. His voice and face were cold, since he never showed his emotions to any of his enemies, without exception.
The prince of the fallen Kingdom turned around to look at him. Even though his face was bloody and scarred from the battle, he was as beautiful as Magnus remembered. The prince had warm caramel coloured skin with freckles all over it. He had grown his dirty blond hair, Magnus noticed from the longer locks that fell into his eyes. And, oh, those eyes. They were green, like Mother Nature, like the leaves that bloom in spring or a peaceful field. But they weren’t looking peaceful, no, they were angry, burning as fire burns the trees.
“It must bring you an absolute joy to destroy the houses of innocent people.” Said the prince as he stepped closer to Magnus.
Unlike the prince of the Animal Kingdom, Magnus had pale skin, like the moon when it was full. He had black hair and grey eyes, like the clouds when they cover the sky. Although he had been through battles and battles, he only had just one big scar on his neck.
Magnus' face hardened, the prince’s words hitting a nerve. “I would propose to you to pick your words carefully, Prince Alex. You are captive now,” the cold prince said, his tone harsh, like a dictator, “Your family is dead and your castle is burned, you have lost.”
Prince Alex’s eyes widened. He stayed still in his place and stared at Magnus with what could only be described as horror.
“You-”, he started, pain and shock in his tone, but he couldn’t continue. Magnus should feel joy. Joy that he had captured an enemy and killed the rest. But he doesn’t. He felt…ashamed. This unbearable shame in his body, which he had pushed down and down in Tartarus.
Prince Alex was hugging himself, clearly distressed about the news.
“Tell me, tell me you haven’t killed them too, Magnus!” He pleaded, grabbing Magnus from his hem, “Show me you haven’t become a monster like your father.”
Alex’s tone had calmed down at the latter, yet it still held a strong emotion: Desperation.
Magnus was taken aback by Alex’s words. He stared at the prince for a moment, remaining silent. His hands itched to cup Alex’s face, but he must not show emotions or empathy. “Magnus!” Alex shouted, demanding an answer. His hands were trembling, Magnus noticed.
“The Queen and King are dead. I killed them.” The Darkiakh Prince announced to him, as if it were nothing. Alex let out a breath. His grip had loosened up, yet he held on to Magnus’ hem.
“Just them?” He whispered, asking for clarity. Magnus nodded, his face had magically softened. Alex nodded back as he let his hands fall. He looked weirdly relieved about the news.
“Where are they?” He asked Magnus after he sat down on the bedding. Magnus continued to stand up, though he had turned his back on the prince. “Some other tent. They are fine, your highness, nobody would hurt them. I swear on your name.”, Magnus told him, his sharp eyes gazing at the tent. He had spent so many nights here, thinking, planning, strategizing and ordering around.
Alex sighed, all his worries fading, partially away. If his siblings were alright, then he had nothing else to fight for.
“And what is your plan now, Prince Magnus, destroy more kingdoms? Slaughter more innocents? Destroy more hearts?!” Alex asked him, his voice rising at every question. He had thrown his arm in the air, wanting Magnus' attention. Magnus stayed quiet, putting up a cold and strong front. However, internally, Alex’s words had hurt.
Alex stood up, still pretty much upset and angry. His usual comforting eyes had turned to rage-filled ones. He grabbed Magnus by his shoulders, tight and strong, and turned him around.
“Look at me, you fool. Tell me, what will you be doing now?!” The captive prince demanded. It was a risky move and quite honestly a suicidal one. Every royal or knight knew they should never do anything dangerous when they were being captured or unarmed. And right now, demanding the person who had taken you captive just with words was utterly dumb and risky.
“What do you think you are doing, Alex?” Magnus warned him, finally speaking again, “You know, I can cut your hands right now.” Although he tried to act scary and emotionless, his eyes betrayed the worry and care he felt.
Alex's face softened immediately when he noticed the prince's true emotions. With hesitation, his hands cupped Magnus’ sharp cheeks.
“You would never dare to hurt me.” He said, confident in his voice. He was being gentle and careful, exactly how he was years before. Magnus felt fragile, like he was something precious that needed care and love.
Magnus wanted to push him away. Beat him for daring to touch him, like he hadn’t committed all those crimes. To make Alex regret the day he met him. Yet, he didn’t do any of that. His body sought the familiar touch, and his soul too. He began breathing quicker, as if he was out of breath.
“And how can you be so sure, Alex? You have seen what I can do, how much I have destroyed.”, Magnus said, his voice sounding almost like he was pleading Alex to realise what a monster he was. But Alex just smiled softly, gazing at him with…love?
The moment broke when two little toddlers, a girl and a boy, entered the tent and ran towards Alex.
“Brother!” they yelled, hugging him. They buried their heads on the prince’s stomach. Both princes were taken by surprise. The girl, Beatrice, looked awfully like her brother. The only difference was her eyes, which were grey too. Her twin, Cedric, had only his eyes similar to Alex and skin colour. Other than that, his hair was a rich black, even darker than Magnus'.
Alex immediately comforted them by wrapping his arms around them securely and lifting them. The little ones wrapped their little arms around his shoulders and clung to him.
After a moment, Magnus took a step closer, a very slow and hesitant step, we might add.
They met in the middle, as Alex went closer to him, too. Magnus wrapped an arm around them, holding them with gentleness. He was afraid a wrong move would destroy this fragile moment. The toddlers had calmed down after their crying session. The little boy gripped Magnus’ shirt and gazed at him with wide, curious eyes. The little girl, however, stayed in her brother’s arms. Magnus looked up to find Alex staring at them with so much love. He doesn’t want Alex’s love, he doesn’t need it, he doesn’t deserve it.
They locked eyes for a moment, Magnus’ grey ones finding the green ones of Alex. It’s like opposites: Bitterness and Longing, Love and Hatred, Good and Bad. Together, they form balance and harmony.
Alex wrapped his arms around him, changing their positions since both toddlers were clinging to Magnus. Magnus felt undeserving of this, of the love given to him. He was a monster, his hands were dirtied with blood, and he killed innocent people because that was his father’s order. He had broken Alex’s trust and hurt his heart because he was a coward and a puppet. Alex should hate him, punch, and do ANYTHING other than look at him like he is the moon and stars that guide him home.
“Why are you embracing me? Why do your eyes make it seem like I'm still the boy I used to be, the boy you fell in love with?” He asked Alex, desperate to know. Alex cupped his cheek, continuing to smile lovingly, his green eyes soft and longing for Magnus’ love, just as Magnus longed for Alex’s love back.
“Because you still are the boy I fell in love with, cariño. ” The boy said, using Magnus' favourite endearment, an endearment that made Magnus melt every time he heard it. Alex took his siblings, placing them gently on the bedding and tucking them protectively. He then turned back to Magnus, who was standing in disbelief.
“I know you think you are undeserving of my love and forgiveness. "Truthfully, I was mad and heartbroken after that night.” Alex began after he took Magnus’ hands in his. Magnus closed his eyes, wincing slightly at the reminder of their final night. The night he betrayed the man he ever loved. A part of him wanted to push Alex away, flee from his feelings and go back outside. Another part, though, wanted to fall on his knees to beg for Alex’s trust and mercy. “But, you know my love is bigger than all my anger and pain. Although some months later, I was aware of what was happening.”
Magnus opened his mouth to explain his self pitifully. Alex shut him, placing a finger on his lips.
“I know, love, I know,” Alex assured him quietly as he cupped his face again. Magnus fell to his knees, grabbing onto Alex’s pants. “I’m sorry, so sorry. Forgive me, my love.” Magnus begged him. He couldn’t handle it. The shame, the disgust, the pain. All because he was too blind to see his father’s mistake. Alex hugged him tightly, almost squeezing, but Magnus didn’t mind. He felt Alex kiss every inch of his face: forehead, eyes, cheeks, nose, the corners of his mouth, and chin. And, oh, didn’t that do things to Magnus.
“Do not dare to kneel to me, Magnus.” He told him, his voice and eyes serious, “You are one of the strongest people I have the privilege to know. You are so goddamn stubborn but at simultaneously so caring. You killed those fuckers for me.” He was talking about his parents, Magnus knew that well. Alex’s parents, the dead now King and Queen of the Animal Kingdom, were piece of shit and hypocrisy. They treated Alex and his little sibling like they were nothing. They almost sold Alex to a foreign kingdom for Zwar’s sake! [Zwar is the god of the Dark Kingdom.] In short words, Magnus had a strong, passionate hatred feeling to them.
Alex brought their heads together. He closed his emerald eyes and let out a breath.
“There is nothing to forgive, because I do not blame. There is only one thing I ask you to let me do, though.” Alex said calmly, opening his eyes, which had a determined look. Magnus sighed and nodded.
“Let me kill your dad.” He told Magnus, utterly seriously. Magnus choked on his breath when he heard him.
“Are you serious, Alex?! Do you hear yourself how suicidal that is?!” He hissed in response. He wanted his father dead, but he would rather slaughter a kingdom than let Alex get involved in this tragedy.
“Magnus, I am not weak, I have skills both of you would not comprehend!” Alex complained, pulling them up, "Let me end his crazy plans, set you free and my Kingdom!"
Magnus shook his head. He didn’t care if Alex was a goddamn god, he would let his lover get blood on his hand.
“Absolutely not, Alex. I would not allow you to get blood on your hands. Not for me.” Magnus answered. Then he pulled away from Alex, going to the two toddlers. He remembered their birth. Alex let him name them, like the love-sick fool he was, hence their own parents wouldn't even spare them a glance. He swore to do anything in his power to protect both of the kids. Alex sighed in frustration, but he followed shortly.
“Magnus, do you not see the hypocrisy here? Let me do this. For you, for us.” Alex pleaded, touching his shoulders from behind, “Please, cariño. ”
Magnus shivered from Alex’s breath on his neck, plus the endearment wasn’t helping either. He closed his eyes and leaned back. “Alright. But no blood. Poison him, strangle him, anything but stabbing him.” He said after a long sigh. Alex hummed approvingly and smashed their lips together. Finally. Their kiss meant reunion, a second chance and hope. Hope for the future. They pulled apart slowly, panting slightly. Magnus had wrapped his arms around Alex’s shoulder while Alex was holding his face gently.
“I love you so much, it hurts goddamn it.” Magnus grumbled. Alex laughed at him affectionately.
“And I love you so much too, mi vida.”
Maybe their traumas weren’t going to recover tonight, maybe it would take longer to make their plan come true, but with Alex’s love and Magnus’ stubbornness, it would happen.
As for tonight, the two princes will stay in each other's arms, making up for the lost time and keeping their kids safe.
