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"You do not have to do this."
The long desperate drink of mead burns down Will's throat as he swallows, tears filling his eyes as he sets down his goblet hard.
"I would be as selfish a king as my father was if I didn't."
Ser Jack bows his head. "I will send the missive."
Will nods as Jack goes, the loud bang as the door closes leaving him alone in the dim candlelight of the throne room.
He never wanted this.
Will had told his father so, the feud that followed nearly getting him banished, but his father's death changed everything.
He was the only one who could claim the throne by right and as they'd been not speaking upon his death he felt heartache in his father's passing.
The guilt ate at him, so much so that it caused something he did not expect.
An awakening.
His mother had always been a mystery, father's anger at her leaving no trace of her beyond his birth.
No one would speak of her.
And everyone she'd ever known and love had long since died.
Will did not know she was a witch.
He woke that morning to a canine in his bed, several more appearing then, and he set ablaze the curtains with a flick of his hand.
Witches were burned in the kingdom if found and had been since anyone knew.
He had to hide, bury the feeling in his fingers deep, and he did for nearly a half decade.
But the pain.
The pain summoned him.
The King of Hell.
He came to Will who refused him, saying he was a monster with his pale skin, silvery white hair, and red eyes.
Will turned away, even when The Hell King said he'd send an army.
"Why would you care for my attention so much?"
"Because you suffer so beautifully."
Will said, "BE GONE!" and he was, the anger rising making it hard to keep his power in check, and Will hid himself, a coward for nearly a year as his people died in vain.
He could not take this anymore.
The pain was too great and the guilt even greater.
So Will sent a missive to the King of Hell, saying he would see him, and he knew that this monster did not want him for talk.
He knew.
The sound of horses leaving made him drink more, a tear falling down his face, and the smell of smoke hit his nostrils fast.
"You needed permission then?"
"Yes, Majesty."
Will can't bring himself to turn, shaking, and whispers, "You want me.....for what then?"
A burning hot hand touches his shoulder, skeletal fingers grazing his neck, and he whimpers.
"Look at me, Will."
He does, more tears falling, and the pale monster with a face of unfamiliar angles and hunger now looks the monster he called him.
His skin is even more gaunt, the lines of the bones beneath showing, and yet he's more handsome than Will remembers.
"If I give myself to you, then what? You'll stop this?"
The King takes Will's hand and kisses it, looking up with longing in his red eyed gaze.
"I'll bring everything back," he whispers, "All of it. Your men and....your father."
Will's eyes widen. "My father?"
"All I want is you, My King. I've tasted your suffering from below and it's.....I know how much you hide. I...." he lifts Will's palm up, and a flame comes, "....want to see you thrive. The destruction and the pain we would make together....I promise you, I would make losing yourself the last thing you'd miss. I will worship every part of you."
Will can hardly see through his tears.
"Right down to my very marrow then?"
The King smiles. "Bones and all."
Will lets out a long breath. "Ihave to say it now? I....you will not give me even a reprieve? One night of no death?"
"I would have your answer now, Will, or no answer at all."
Will sniffles as The King entwines their fingers, the burning almost comforting. "Very well. I....will go."
The world does not miss him.
A half second later his father is in his place, looking for a wife to give himself a child late in life, and no one is the wiser.
Yet, down below, Will is spending his nights dancing and learning to love the taste of pain.
He has no regrets.
None at all.