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Salt of Solidarity was excited to visit the faerie kingdom again. Not only would he get to see Elder Faerie, but he was also getting to introduce one of his new and promising knights to the king.
The knight, Rose Quartz, was upbeat and cherry. When she had heard about how happy Salt of Solidarity got each time he was going to visit the faerie kingdom, she naturally got curious. So, she requested to tag along.
At first, Salt of Solidarity had been hesitant to approve the request. He had decided to wait until he had gotten Elder Faerie’s input on the matter, seeing as how it was his kingdom they were visiting.
Upon hearing of Rose Quartz’s request, Elder Faerie had agreed under the condition that she behaved well and was respectful to each of the faeries.
Rose Quartz had immediately agreed to the conditions when Salt of Solidarity had told her.
So now, two weeks later, Salt of Solidarity was mounted on Nox Black Salt and Rose Quartz on her own horse next to him, the two riding to the faerie kingdom.
He could tell by the wide grin on her face and the way she was practically vibrating in the saddle that she was excited.
Salt of Solidarity would be lying if he said he wasn’t excited as well, he just didn’t outwardly show it. While Elder Faerie had met a few of his knights before, that had been quite a few years ago. Not only that, but it was before the Kala Namak knights had become as well known as they were now, and they had many more members now than they did then.
And it had been quite a while since Elder Faerie had an interaction with anyone from the outside world other than him.
“Do you think he’ll like me?” Rose Quartz suddenly asked, looking over at Salt of Solidarity.
“Elder Faerie?” Salt of Solidarity asked, looking for confirmation that they were thinking of the same person.
“Yeah.” Rose Quartz responded. “You’re my lord commander and he’s clearly very important to you, and he makes you happy. So, that makes him important to me. I want him to like me or at least tolerate me.” Rose Quartz said, her voice dipping into nervousness.
Salt of Solidarity felt a soft smile pull on his lips under his helmet, the familiar affection he felt for all his knights bubbling up in his chest. “I’m sure he’ll like you.” Salt of Solidarity responded, keeping his voice gentle in hopes to sooth his knight’s worry.
“Really?” Rose Quartz asked, sounding hopeful.
“Really. Elder Faerie has a certain fondness for almost everyone. And just knowing that you are one of my knights has likely already put you in his good graces.” Salt of Solidarity replied. As far as Salt of Solidarity knew, the only people Elder Faerie disliked were people who had done cruel things, hurt one of his people, or had hurt Salt of Solidarity himself.
Rose Quartz smiled at that, seemingly relieved. “I’m glad. I really don’t want to mess this up.” She said, running her hand along the side of her horse’s neck for extra comfort. Her horse neighed softly, almost as if trying to provide its own form of comfort.
Salt of Solidarity nodded. “Besides, Elder Faerie requested that we stay a few days for the occasion of meeting someone new. Meaning that you will have some time to win him over.” He reassured. He highly doubted that it would be necessary, given how easy it was to win Elder Faerie’s trust. Salt of Solidarity truly hoped he was only like that because all of the outsiders that Salt of Solidarity had seen him meet were his knights. If not and it was truly that Elder Faerie simply trusted so easily, then he didn’t think he’d ever sleep peacefully again.
Though Elder Faerie could be quite intimidating when he wanted to be. Not to mention an excellent fighter. (Salt of Solidarity was rather ashamed and embarrassed to admit that the first time he’d had the honor of seeing Elder Faerie training while in his armor he couldn’t bring himself to look away from the faerie king. The way he moved was hypnotic and beautiful, almost like he was dancing in a way. And the armor he wore at the time showed off his figure perfectly.) And not to mention that Elder Faerie’s request for them to stay for a few days was more of ‘unless the Kala Namak knights will commit crimes or burn down or get into trouble without you there, you’re staying’.
Not that Salt of Solidarity minded, nor would he ever object to having more time to spend with Elder Faerie. He just disliked the idea of intruding on the faerie kingdom.
Rose Quartz beamed at the mention of them staying in the faerie kingdom for a few days. “That’s great! I can’t wait to tell him about the outside world, and the kala Namak knights, and hear about the faerie kingdom and their traditions obviously. Ooh! Do you think he’s ever tried bear jelly burgers? Or what about a fluffy castella?” Rose Quartz asked, descending into happy rambles and wonderings about Elder Faerie and the faeries.
Salt of Solidarity felt a fond smile tug on his lips at her happy ramblings. He was glad she was curious and excited. This was going to be a good trip.
~*-----------------------*~
Okay.
Salt of Solidarity was wrong. He’d admit that.
This was not a good trip.
While he was glad that Elder Faerie and Rose Quartz seemed to be getting along well, he thinks they’re getting along too well.
Salt of Solidarity had barely gotten an hour to spend alone with Elder Faerie in the last three days! Which left him to sight see the faerie kingdom alone, despite how much of it he had already seen.
Don’t get him wrong, he enjoyed being alone. But the entire point of his visits here were to spend time with Elder Faerie. And he was glad that Elder Faerie was making more friends. But Salt of Solidarity couldn’t help but be sad.
No.
Sad wasn’t the right word. He’d been sad before. This wasn’t like that.
More like a burning inside his chest and refusing to let go.
Jealousy.
Salt of Solidarity knew that he was jealous, jealous of Rose Quartz, of his own knight. He almost felt ashamed to admit it to himself, that of all things he was jealous of his knight. Someone who had devoted her life to him and his cause.
Salt of Solidarity shifted in his bed, hiding his face in the pillow and letting out a frustrated scream into it. He very rarely let his frustration show, but this was one of the few times he felt as if it was understandable.
He felt like he was losing Elder Faerie.
Despite how irrational he knew that was. Elder Faerie would never leave him, he was far too loyal to even think of doing so.
Even so, the jealousy refused to let go of him. Perhaps he should speak with Elder Faerie…
~*------------------------------*~
Salt of Solidarity made his way through the halls of the faerie palace, being careful to keep quiet. It was late at night and he didn’t want to disturb anyone’s sleep.
He was hesitant to go to Elder Faerie at this time of night, but he had remembered how the king had always told him to never hesitate to come to him, no matter the time. Salt of Solidarity also didn’t want to risk missing his chance to speak with Elder Faerie tomorrow if he ended up spending time with Rose Quartz.
Salt of Solidarity arrived at Elder Faerie’s bedroom door, raising his fist to knock when he heard soft giggling from the inside.
“How is your hair this soft?” Salt of Solidarity recognized Rose Quartz’s voice from inside.
Salt of Solidarity tuned out Elder Faerie’s response.
Why was Rose Quartz in Elder Faerie’s room? Why were they close enough for her to be touching his hair? Why were they even up at this hour? It was almost an hour past midnight for witches sake!
Without thinking, Salt of Solidarity opened the door. “Elder Faerie?” He asked, peering inside.
The two cookies inside startled at the noise, looking over at the door. Elder Faerie and Rose Quartz were both sitting on the former’s bed, Rose Quartz braiding flowers into his hair. Elder Faerie was dressed in his night gown, the clothing half off one of his shoulders, while Rose Quartz was wearing baggy clothing.
Salt of Solidarity couldn’t help the jealousy he felt swell in his chest at the sight.
“Oh! Salt, what are you doing here at this hour?” Elder Faerie asked, smiling over at his friend.
“May I speak with you?” Salt of Solidarity asked, shooting a glance towards Rose Quartz. “Alone?”
“Of course… Rose Quartz, do you mind?” Elder Faerie asked.
“Of course. Besides, I should probably be getting to bed anyway, it’s rather late.” Rose Quartz said.
She stood up, hugging Elder Faerie quickly before exiting the room, slipping the door closed behind her.
Salt of Solidarity watched the door until he heard her footsteps fade before he turned to look at Elder Faerie again. “What did you want to discuss, my friend?” Elder Faerie asked.
There was that word. ‘friend’. Salt of Solidarity was starting to hate it when Elder Faerie called him that.
“Do you like her more than me?” Salt of Solidarity asked bluntly. He was never usually one to beat around the bush.
Elder Faerie’s eyes widened, his pointed ears angling up in surprise. “What? Why ever would you think that?” Elder Faerie asked, his eyebrows furrowing in worry.
With that question everything poured out. “You’ve spent almost this entire visit with her. I’ve barely gotten any time to spend with you at all. I’m glad that you’ve made a new friend that can tell you about the outside world and that you can spend time with, and likely bond over things that you enjoy that I don’t. But I-… I admit… I’m a bit jealous of how close you two have gotten so suddenly and how much time you’ve spent with her the last few days…” Salt of Solidarity explained, his voice getting quieter with shame towards the end, his own pointed ears angling down.
Elder Faerie’s eyes softened significantly at the question. “Come here, Salt.” Elder Faerie said, patting next to him on the bed.
Salt of Solidarity obeyed, walking over and sitting next to Elder Faerie. The two sat in silence for a moment before Elder Faerie spoke again. “I do not prefer her over you. I will admit that I clearly got carried away, I should have spent more time with you after you came all the way from the Kala Namak knight fortress.” Elder Faerie said gently. “I apologize for making you feel neglected.”
Salt of Solidarity blushed in embarrassment. “It’s alright…” He said quietly.
“No, it’s not. At the very least, I owe you an explanation.” Elder Faerie said.
Salt of Solidarity shot him a look of confusion, a silent request to continue. “I… Requested that she teach me how outsider cookies confess their feelings for someone they are romantically interested in…” Elder Faerie said, a blush creeping onto his face as well.
Salt of Solidarity felt his eyes widen in surprise. “You… Have feelings for someone?” Salt of Solidarity asked hesitantly, that familiar feeling of jealousy returning.
Elder Faerie nodded in response. “Who? If I may ask, that is…” Salt of Solidarity asked.
Elder Faerie smiled shyly. “You.”
Salt of Solidarity blinked in surprise, the word barely registering in his mind for a good moment before. “Me?” Salt of Solidarity repeated, surprised.
“Yes.” Elder Faerie said softly. “I wanted to be able to confess to you in a way that cookies of your culture do.”
“You… Like me?” Salt of Solidarity asked again, dumbfounded.
Why would someone as perfect as Elder Faerie like him?
Elder Faerie chuckled at the expression on Salt of Solidarity’s face. “Yes, I like you.” Elder Faerie said.
“Oh…” Salt of Solidarity said.
“Oh? That’s all you have to say?” Elder Faerie asked, sounding somewhere between anxious and amused.
“Ah, apologies, I suppose I’m just surprised.” Salt of Solidarity said.
“I understand. But… What is your response?” Elder Faerie asked, suddenly looking worried.
Rather than responding verbally, Salt of Solidarity didn’t trust his voice enough to not fail at the moment, he leaned in, connecting his lips with Elder Faerie’s. He felt Elder Faerie stiffen, before he gently kissed back.
When Salt of Solidarity pulled away slightly, Elder Faerie chased after him, connecting their lips again. Salt of Solidarity allowed it to happen, wrapping his arms around Elder Faerie’s waist to pull him closer.
After a moment, when the need for oxygen made itself apparent, the two pulled away from each other, but stayed close.
“Stay with me tonight.” Elder Faerie said. It wasn’t quite a request but wasn’t a demand either.
“Of course, my butterfly.” Salt of Solidarity replied, the faerie king in his arms blushing at the nickname.
Salt of Solidarity spent the rest of the night letting Elder Faerie braid red roses and red carnations into his hair. While they stood out against the colors he usually wore, apparently it was often how faeries showed emotions. Different flowers meant different things, and faeries would make flower crowns or directly weave the flowers into each other’s hair to show how they felt about that person.
The flowers that Rose Quartz had been braiding into Elder Faerie’s hair – irises and daffodils – meant respect. The red roses and red carnations that Elder Faerie had weaved into his hair meant strong romantic love.
At one point, Elder Faerie had taken the flowers Rose Quartz had braided out of his hair, and instructed Salt of Solidarity through the motions so he could braid red roses and carnations in his hair as well.
It was only then that the two finally went to sleep, Elder Faerie nestled safely in Salt of Solidarity’s arms.
Salt of Solidarity’s butterfly, his at last.