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Castle life had never been kind to either of them. Cedric had spent years being belittled and cast aside, being no more than a second hand sorcerer who could never get spells right.
Baileywick on the other hand, had always been beloved by the king and the palace staff, something that had always angered Cedric.
But while Baileywick may have been admired by all, he was overworked, his inability to say no fully taken advantage of by the king and queen.
Needless to say, the royal family was shocked to say the least when Cedric and Baileywick resigned from their positions in favor of settling down and focusing on their relationship.
King Roland kept Cedric's title, immortalized by a stained glass mural. Yet despite achieving what he had always wanted, no amount of titles, murals, or gold could fix the years of emotional abuse and trauma inflicted onto him.
Deep down, while Cedric had given Roland another chance, one he had always been denied growing up, could never forgive or forget how the king had treated him for so many years.
Even Baileywick, who had taken a more passive aggressive and silent role in Cedric's belittlement, had inflicted wounds that could never fully be mended.
The two had always been compared, with Baileywick often put up on a pedestal, only furthering the resentment Cedric had felt for so many years.
But they worked on things. They took the time to learn and adjust, giving themselves the chance to grow and heal.
…
Cedric lays in bed, listening to the sound of the ticking clock on Baileywick's nightstand. There were clocks all over the house, and over the months Cedric had become accustomed to their sounds.
He rolls onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. The room is dark, as dark as his heart had once been. Sometimes it was hard to live with the guilt of what he had done, and it often kept him up at night as he replayed those memories over and over.
“The worst thing you did…was say we weren't friends.”
Sofia was the only reason Cedric had been spared, instead of enduring whatever punishments Roland had in mind. A child had been the only one to see the good in him, and stand up on his behalf.
Gradually Cedric had earned the trust back from some people in the kingdom, but hadn't earned much forgiveness.
It was a constant uphill battle, as Sofia had said, and a hard path he had to take if he ever hoped to be fully redeemed.
Cedric looks over at Baileywick, who was sound asleep beside him, his breathing deep and easy.
One of the first people to give Cedric another chance was Baileywick, who had witnessed Cedric's capture, and heard the words he had held back for so long.
Perhaps understanding his role in everything was what prompted Baileywick to give Cedric a second chance, a baffling thing, even now.
Cedric often wondered what the former castle steward saw in him, with all his flaws and misdeeds. It was quite ironic to think about it, really. But it still left Cedric wondering.
Baileywick's job was to protect the monarchy, and Cedric had posed a threat to them. Yet despite that, here they were, sharing a bed, full trust in one another.
“I can feel you watching me.” Baileywick says suddenly, startling Cedric. He watches as Baileywick rolls onto his side to look at Cedric with a warm smile.
“Sorry.” Cedric mumbles, blushing profusely, tensing as Baileywick reaches out to place a hand on his face.
“No worries, my dear. Are you having sleeping troubles again?” Baileywick replies tenderly. “Perhaps I can make you a cup of tea.” He says.
Cedric sighs. “No, that's quite all right.” He replies softly. “There’s just a lot on my mind, that's all. You should just go back to sleep. You had a busy day, after all. I wouldn't want to keep you awake.” He says, doing his best to smile.
Without his glasses, Baileywick looked younger, but just as kind and patient as he always had been. Gods, Cedric didn't deserve someone like Baileywick.
“Talk to me, my Dear Cedric.” Baileywick says softly, his voice patient. “Let me ease your worries.” He says.
Something in Baileywick's voice always seemed to sway Cedric. He didn't know how the man did it. But he sighs, and places his hand over Baileywick's.
“Suppose I'm just thinking of my past actions again.” Cedric says softly. “All the harm I caused, yet I've miraculously been given another chance.” He continues.
Cedric shakes his head. “But what baffles me the most is how…easily you trusted me again. How could you have possibly found it in your heart to forgive me?” He asks, swallowing thickly.
Baileywick is silent for a moment, his gaze thoughtful. “I spent many years serving the king. My brother always told me that I was wasting my life, serving an undoubtedly flawed monarchy.” He replies at last, before going silent again, guilt creeping into his expression.
“It wasn’t until you stood up for yourself that I began to see the flaws.” Baileywick says, shaking his head. “All those times I turned a blind eye, or even participated in your belittling…it was easier than admitting I had chosen the wrong path.
“I may have been put on a pedestal, praised for everything, but that pedestal, that castle, became my prison. My endless duties bound me to it, and I continued to work my life away.”
There's tears in Baileywick's eyes now, and he seems a little surprised at his own show of emotions. “When we were still children, my father pulled me aside to tell me that you were a bad influence on me, and that your mistakes would make me irresponsible.
“It broke my heart to leave you behind, but I had been conditioned to believe that anything less than perfect was a detriment to my future.”
Baileywick brushes a strand of white hair away from Cedric's face. “I went gray in my mid twenties. The monarchy may have called me family, but they expected so much from me. I barely slept, and there were days I could barely keep up with their frivolous demands. Their praise was poison keeping me in line.”
There's venom in Baileywick's voice now, something so unfamiliar to Cedric. Baileywick had always spoken so highly about the royal family.
“It wasn't until you said something that I finally realized how much I wanted you, and how much I had hurt you over the years. How could I possibly hold something against you? I don't blame you one bit for lashing out.” Baileywick says, shaking his head.
Cedric opens his mouth to respond, but Baileywick silences him by gently pressing a finger against his lips.
“I see you, Cedric. Despite everything you've done, beneath that is just a man who only desired recognition and a love for his talents.” Baileywick says softly, a smile returning to his face.
Cedric rolls onto his side, putting them face to face. “You really do love me, don't you?” He whispers, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
Baileywick's smile grows. “Of course I do. You were my closest friend when we were children. Don't you remember how we used to hold hands whenever we walked to class together?” He asks.
Cedric grins a little at this. “Look at you, reminiscing about our schooldays like an old fool.” He teases, earning a laugh from Baileywick.
“Oh hush. I'm two years older than you.” Baileywick replies, flicking Cedric's forehead gently. “Don’t be a brat.” He says, still laughing softly.
“I don't know. I rather enjoy being a nuisance.” Cedric replies with a mock frown. Baileywick chuckles and pulls him close, and they cuddle up together beneath the soft blankets.
“Why don't we try to get some sleep?" Baileywick suggests. “Perhaps sleep will come easier to you now.” He says.
Cedric doesn’t respond, but shifts closer, holding onto Baileywick tightly. He recalls his own sleepless nights, worrying over what the king would say about him the following day.
He remembered lingering on his feelings of betrayal from Baileywick, feeling like he could never be enough for anyone.
“Baileywick?” Cedric says softly, his voice barely a whisper.
“Yes, my Dear Cedric?” Baileywick replies, his voice sleepy, but endlessly kind.
Cedric hesitated for a moment. “You'll stay with me, won't you?” He asks quietly.
Baileywick presses a gentle kiss against Cedric's bicolored hair. “I will, dear.” He murmurs gently.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”