Chapter Text
The sun was beginning its descent over Thulust Harbor, spilling golden light across the water. Fishing boats rocked gently at anchor, their sails furled, and the faint cries of gulls mingled with the lapping of the tide. It wasn’t a lot. Just the local fishermen and their families were still around, but the town was slowly coming back to life.
He’d like to come back and see it when it finally did.
He just needed to do it in a way that wouldn’t worry Josef, kind of like what he was doing now.
Alain had only meant to step away for a short walk, just far enough from Fort Mainteneaut to breathe without the weight of expectation pressing on his shoulders. The fort was crowded with men, supplies, and the constant chatter of voices. Every single bit of it was a constant reminder of all of the responsibility resting on his shoulders, and he needed a break.
Just for a bit.
Just a minute.
He only wanted a minute to himself, and then he’d go back to trying to live up to everyone’s expectations.
Right now, though, he just wanted to go for a walk to the harbor.
That was when he noticed someone else had the same idea as him, because Travis was sitting at the far end of the wooden bridge up ahead, his feet dangling freely over the side just above the water.
Alain slowed his stride a little, almost surprised to see his scout so relaxed, his sharp eyes not watching for shadows or any sort of enemy but instead fixed on a worn, leather-bound book balanced across his lap. No weapons in hand, no coded messages at his feet. Just a young man, reading at sunset.
“It’s a surprise to find you buried in a nice book,” Alain finally said, his voice breaking the hush of the afternoon.
Travis startled faintly but recovered with his usual ease, leaning back on one arm to peer at Alain over his shoulder. “Oh yeah? You sound shocked. I’ll have you know reading’s actually one of my favorite hobbies.” He shut the book carefully, marking his place with a folded page. “Though it’s harder to keep up with it these days.”
Alain walked closer, the planks groaning under his boots. “I thought you’d be with Bruno. The two of you must have had a lot to talk about after… everything.”
“We did.” For a moment, Travis’ smile wavered, shadows darkening in the corners of his expression before they vanished just as fast. “But Bruno needs space to mend, and if I hover, I’ll just make it worse since we bicker at each other all the time. Besides…” He tapped the cover of his book lightly. “I have better things to do than rile him up.”
Alain nodded, already knowing Travis would probably find Bruno later as he stepped closer pausing at his side. “What are you reading?”
Travis’ grin returned at his question, sharp and teasing. “Why the sudden curiosity, Your Highness? Feeling restless without a ledger or report to pore over?” He must have made a face at that last bit because Travis’ grin grew just a little. “I mean, I’m sure Chloe has a couple of things that need your immediate attention if you need something to do.”
“I hope not. It’s way too late to be doing any kind of paperwork.”
“Pity. Then I suppose you’re curious about my book.”
“Perhaps,” Alain admitted, walking a little closer. He leaned down slightly, craning his head to glimpse the title. It was barely even there. How old was that book? “Books have become a pretty rare commodity lately. Zenoira’s purges took care of that, so each one feels like a relic now.”
“Tell me about it.” Travis’ gaze softened as he slowly, carefully started bouncing his leg. “I used to have a library back home. Floor-to-ceiling shelves, crammed with everything I could get my hands on. History, epics, even cheap romance novels. I’d spend hours with my nose buried in them. But they’re all gone now. Reduced to ashes.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Alain said. The words came easily but sincerely.
Travis just shook his head. “Don’t be. You’ve lost just as much in this war. Maybe more. And we’re not alone either, half the continent’s been bled dry by Zenoira’s armies. That’s why this little army of yours matters.”
There was a conviction in his voice that struck Alain more sharply than he expected. He hadn’t known Travis long, but he’d seemed almost flippant about every little thing up until now.
Alain found himself silent for a beat too long, watching the fading light catch in Travis’ hair.
Finally, he asked, “Are you going to keep that book to yourself, or will you tell me what has you so engrossed about it?”
“Tell you?” Travis tilted his head at that, a smirk tugging at his mouth. “Or let you see for yourself?”
“You’d let me borrow it?” Alain asked, raising a brow.
“Why not?” Travis held the book out. “I know this one by heart, and I’d like to hear what you think. But there’s a catch.” And he pulled it back with that last sentence before Alain could take it.
“Of course.” Alain sighed with mock resignation. “Name your price.”
“You’ll owe me a favor,” Travis said smoothly, his eyes narrowing with a little mischief. “Just one.”
He held the book out again after laying out his condition.
‘What kind of favor could Travis even want from me? I suppose it doesn’t matter.’
Alain still accepted the book anyway, handling it carefully. “Fine. a favor. You can all on me whenever you wish.”
The smile Travis gave him then was different, less guarded, less of a mask of his role. Alain wanted to believe it was genuine. “Good. I’ll look forward to that.”
For a moment, the two of them simply lingered, the silence companionable. Alain found his gaze drifting to the book in his hands. The leather was worn smooth where Travis’ fingers had rested, the faint warmth of it still clinging to his palms. Somehow, it felt more personal than any weapon or strategy report Travis had ever placed in his grasp.
“Do you always sneak out in the afternoon?” Alain asked, softer this time.
Travis leaned back on his palms, eyes half-lidded against the glow of the setting sun. “When I can. The water’s calming, don’t you think?”
Alain followed his gaze out to the horizon, the ocean bathed in shades of red, orange, and gold. “…I can certainly see the appeal.”
“Careful, Prince,” Travis teased lightly. “Stay out here too long and you might start taking after me.”
“Would that be such a terrible thing?” Alain asked before he could stop himself.
Travis blinked, surprised by the candid reply, then laughed quietly, though his eyes searched Alain’s face for a moment longer than necessary before finally saying. “Maybe not. But the Liberation Army would miss their noble leader if he started sneaking off to waste away his sunsets with his scout.”
“I wouldn’t call this a waste,” Alain murmured. He’d enjoyed the brief moment they shared.
The words hung between them, heavy in a way Alain hadn’t meant. Travis tilted his head, his smirk softer now, tinged with something unspoken. Then he looked away, out over the darkening water.
“Read the book,” he said finally, his tone light again. “Then we’ll talk.”
Alain nodded, tucking it carefully under his arm. He should have turned back toward the fort then, but for a long moment he lingered.
When he finally did walk away, he felt Travis’ gaze on his back long after the sound of the tide had swallowed his footsteps.