Work Text:
Javier has noticed that he has a bit of an issue.
Ever since Lloyd’s heart stopped beating in Cremo, Javier cannot stop scanning for his whereabouts and heartbeat, nor can he take his eyes off the young master. When they are too far apart, it feels as though the world itself is off balance. He has resolved this by staying at his side at all times.
But there is another issue that is more embarrassing than the last.
He had already been surprised when Lloyd turned over a new leaf, paying off his family's debt and creating fantastic constructions that barely matched the man he once knew. It should have been impossible. And yet, with each new display of brilliance, Javier could feel his ‘feelings’ shifting in ways that troubled him. They were no longer the simple admiration he had once known, nor even pure affection.
—---
Currently, Lloyd and Javier were in the throne room, attending what they assumed would be the last audience for this project.
After Lloyd’s team finished construction on the LoyJavi Bridge, Alicia was quite impressed. She looked down at Lloyd, his stupid ass in the air. He really had no decorum.
“... Lloyd Frontera. Become my prince consort.”
The room froze. The words landed slowly.
Alicia noted, out of the corner of her eye, that Javier was holding himself perfectly still, barely containing his mana. She gave him a small, teasing glance.
“Your Majesty, this servant is most honored at such a prestigious offer. If I were not already courting someone else, I would gladly accept.”
The silence deepened.
Javier’s mana flared.
“You are already courting someone?” Alicia asked, raising a brow.
“Yes, Your Excellent Majesty.”
“May I know their name?”
Alicia watched him carefully now. It was obvious he was lying. The only thing preventing her from punishing him for it was the murderous pressure radiating from the knight beside him—and the fact she was now curious how far he would take it.
“Him.”
That one word broke the room again.
Lloyd, still kneeling with his absurd posture, pointed casually at the knight beside him.
Javier’s mana vanished instantly.
Even Alicia struggled not to react.
“You are aware that deceiving the crown is grounds for treason,” she said flatly.
“I would not dare, Your Majesty. I love him dearly.”
“...You may keep him as your lover.”
“That would be a betrayal of my lover, would it not?”
Alicia exhaled slowly.
“We can revisit this. You are dismissed.”
“Thank you, my queen.”
She waved him off before this became worse.
—---
On the way out, Javier looked distinctly displeased.
“If your goal is to eliminate your future workload, you could endeavor for a method which does not endanger everyone connected to you.”
“I don’t want to be forced into a marriage that only exists while I’m useful to them.”
“So I am the one dealing with just that.”
“…Sorry.”
—---
Alicia requested to spar with Javier not long after.
“No mana. We would rather not destroy half the city.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty.”
They moved to the training grounds without further ceremony.
Even without mana, the arena shook under their blows. Steel rang like thunder. Neither held back their hostility.
“Are you willing to commit treason just to maintain this?”
“I will do anything necessary to protect the most important person to me.”
“Even if you’re nothing more to him than something to use?”
“At least I have chosen that burden.”
She glanced at Javier’s challenging expression and felt a flicker of irritation.
Why was he reacting as if this were something improper? He was basically accusing her of forcing herself on Lloyd. It was a practical arrangement, beneficial to all involved. She simply wished to convince the man himself of that.
He understood the situation incorrectly, but he was strong enough that his perspective could not be left unheeded. If he decided she was a threat to Lloyd, this would become… inconvenient.
Still, that also meant he had to be convinced before Lloyd ever would be.
Opposite one of the kingdom’s strongest knights, honesty seemed appropriate—though teasing him was hard to resist.
“I will admit… I do find him somewhat interesting. Clever, even. Despite how pathetic he seems at times. It’s almost amusing.”
Javier crossed the distance between them instantly.
The force of his downward strike cracked the ground beneath her feet.
She recovered just in time to feel his presence shift. He was no longer focused on her, focus snapping westward, toward the academy.
Without a word, Javier’s wings erupted, and he was gone.
He had just abandoned an audience with the queen.
Alicia narrowed her eyes. That disrespect would not go unanswered.
—---
Lloyd was currently being tied up by a tentacle monster.
He had been watching his brother and sister-in-law being disgustingly affectionate, too revolted to reveal himself. It wasn’t jealousy. Definitely not.
Then something hit him from behind.
Before he could react, Javier landed nearby in a stupid heroic pose, wings still trailing, and cleanly severed the tentacles without harming him.
“Oh. You’re here.”
“It is my duty to protect you.”
“How did you know where I was?”
“I am a sword master.”
“…?”
Alicia arrived shortly after.
“Are you injured?”
Lloyd startled. “Your Majesty? Why are you—”
“I was sparring with your knight when he abruptly departed.”
Both of them looked at Javier. He shrugged, looking away.
Lloyd stared at him, horrified. Was he acting like a brat in front of the queen?
Javier pulled Lloyd to his side, earning an immediate, furious blush. Lloyd began searching for a way to extricate himself from his ‘lover’ in front of the queen.
“Julien!”
He shuffled to pick up the package he was meant to deliver. Before he could greet the couple, he stopped cold.
Javier and Alicia looked past him. Not only had the couple failed to notice the commotion, but someone of their level should have noticed the two swordmasters approaching. Instead, they were openly flirting in the middle of the street, completely absorbed in each other.
The two swordmasters paused. Their attention shifted to Lloyd, then to one another.
Neither could fully suppress their amusement at his expression.
“Bah. Whatever. Let’s go.” Lloyd muttered, turning away.
“Master Lloyd.”
He stopped. “Eh?”
Javier gently caught his hand.
“You… are adorable. I love love love you.” Javier attempted with a wink, but it looked more like a grimace. Lloyd froze on the spot.
Alicia immediately followed.
“Lloyd Frontera, I believe you are the most precious person in this kingdom. Even your rather stupid face has its charm. I would protect you with everything I have. If you would just marry me, I will even share my personal assets.”
Same expression. Same intent. Different disaster.
“I will protect you.”
“I will give you anything.”
“I will stay by your side.”
“I will feed you.”
“I will-”
Lloyd burst out laughing.
Both froze.
That reaction wasn’t what they expected.
It was lighter. Honest. And somehow… worse for their hearts.
Lloyd wiped a tear from his eye. Javier is really trying his best to convince Alicia we’re together. And Alicia is seriously competing with him. Do they think I’m that valuable?
He looked up.
They were still staring.
His confidence immediately collapsed.
“Ah- sorry, Your Majesty, I didn’t mean-”
He flailed, red in the face.
Javier and Alicia exchanged a look.
A silent agreement passed between them.
“I’m done waiting,” Alicia said calmly.
“We’ll share.” Javier nodded once.
There was simply no choice.
He will be in their bed tonight.