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After Malleus' overblot, several students began to notice a certain absence of a silver haired student in classes. Sebek particularly took note of this, discovering Silver had not been in any of his usual napping spots.
As it turns out, after the long battle to bring Malleus back to his former self, Silver disappeared and had secluded himself to his dorm room.
Sitting in the darkness, left alone with nothing but his own thoughts and fears, the terrible memories from the event began to resurface in his mind, dragging him down into the cold, lonely hole of negativity blooming in his head.
"You almost killed Malleus."
"You were lucky it was only his horn that was severed."
"Had you not landed your blow correctly, you could've taken his head from where it sat."
His mind swirled with memories and sounds of what happened, the endless possibilities of the fictional scenarios his brain formulated to make him suffer.
Slowly, tears began to well in his eyes, slipping down his pale cheeks with a choked sob.
What if he HAD taken Malleus' life?
How would Sebek and Lilia react?
How could he live with himself?
Endless questions hammered his brain as if one would finally break free and be answered. He curls into himself on the bed, hoping the confines of sleep could relinquish him from his thoughts.
Unfortunately, his efforts were to no avail.
Where Silver would usually be asleep in an instant, this time he felt as if he would never sleep again. Which, in some instances, would be helpful. However, as of now, it very much isn't.
Unable to sleep, Silver feels more soft tears escape his eyes as he cries quietly to himself, praying something, ANYTHING, could help him forget even for a moment.
Suddenly, Silver hears a soft knock on the door.
"Silver. Are you in there?"
The voice on the other side of the door belonged to Malleus' other guard, Sebek.
"Silver, I know you're not asleep. I heard you shuffle earlier."
Silver sits up slowly. His hair is slightly disheveled from the pillow, and small damp streaks from his tears line his cheeks.
Quietly, he speaks, "Yes. what is it you need, Sebek?"
Silvers attempt at sounding normal and calm failed as his voice shook slightly. To a person who has only met Silver a few times, they would see no difference. However, Sebek has known Silver for years and can recognize even the smallest change in his demeanor.
With a quiet sigh, Sebek spoke softer-
"Silver, I can tell something is wrong. Please, let me in."
Hearing Sebek's unusually soft tone, Silver hesitated before walking to the door and unlocking it with a soft *click*
Stepping back slightly, Silver opens the door and looks at the half-fae before him.
Sebek looks calm, his sharp features an oddly stark contrast to the kinder expression he's currently wearing. It's a rare sight to see considering Sebek is usually very stern and angry looking, though Silver can't help but think this kinder expression does him and his looks well.
Silver steps aside to let Sebek in and closes the door behind him.
The half-fae turns towards Silver, noticing the obvious signs of crying left on his face, and his eyes widen slightly. Unsure of that to say, he decides words are not needed yet and holds his arms out. Silver stares at Sebek for a beat before realizing what he is offering.
Sebek, the harsh, loud, and rarely vulnerable soldier, was offering Silver the firmest form of grounding one could without requiring words. He was offering Silver a hug.
Taken slightly aback by Sebek's unusual offer, Silver hesitates before stepping closer and allowing the slightly taller man to envelop him in a firm and strong embrace. Silver's hands made their way to Sebek's back as he felt a familiar sting in his eyes again. After trying and failing to hold back his tears, Silver cried softly into the chest of the man in front of him, to which Sebek tightened his grip just slightly on the shaking form in his arms.
After a long moment, Silver's shoulders have reduced from shaking to a subtle tremble. Sebek looks down at him, Silver's usually clear and alluring eyes are now puffy and red from the force of his tears. Taking a half step back, Sebek tilts Silver's head up to look at him.
"What's troubling you, Silver?"
Sebek keeps his eyes locked on Silver's, refusing to let him shy away.
"A-after Malleus' overblot... I've had some awful dreams... thoughts of what could've happened if i-... took more than just his horn from him... if i took his.. his LIFE from him..."
Silver feels his eyes sting yet again at the reminder of what could've been, his eyes finding their way to the side, but before any tears could fall, Sebek tilted Silver's head towards him.
"Silver. What matters is it DIDN'T happen. That is because you are strong. Malleus is still here because YOU kept him here."
Silver shakes his head slightly.
"I know, but what if i missed?! Or - or what if i failed to bring him back! Or-..."
Noticing Silver's spiraling thoughts, Sebek frantically searched his mind to thing of SOMETHING to calm him down and reacted without thinking, angling Silver's head up by his chin and covering Silver's mouth with his own in a soft kiss.
Silver instantly went silent as Sebek pulled back, a small blush creeping up his neck and on the tips of his ears.
"Sebek-"
"IM SORRY IT'S ALL I COULD THINK OF."
Silver's eyebrows scrunched in confusion before he laughed slightly at the flustered guard in front of him.
"Sebek, it's fine. Thank you for... that"
A soft rose tinged his cheeks as well after recounting the thought.
"I.. I actually quite enjoyed it..."
Sebek's eyes widened a noticeable degree and Silver averted his gaze to the ground.
Sebek took a moment to register Silver's words before he took a step forward, angling Silver's head back at him and placing another kiss on his soft lips, this time closing his eyes.
Silver melted into the kiss, his arms making their way to the back of Sebek's neck as Sebek's hands landed around his waist.
After a long moment, Sebek's tongue grazed the line between Silver's lips, asking for permission to deepen their shared moment. Silver obliged him, opening his mouth slightly and Sebek's tongue slipped in, exploring his mouth like it was a new treat to discover.
They stayed in their positions for a long moment before both pulled away to catch their breath.
"I didn't know you were a good kisser, Sebek."
"I have read a few novels and might have learned a few things from them."
Silver's eyebrow curved upward, intrigue spreading across his face.
"I didn't know you read romance novels either, Sebek. What are you learning from those~?"
Silver teased Sebek softly, causing the taller male to flush a deep red.
"NOTHING INDECENT YOU DIRTY MINDED HUMAN. I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU WOULD INSINUATE ANYTHING OF THE SORT."
Silver laughed, all his earlier thoughts, memories, and fears a lost whisper in a loud crowd. That loudness drowning it out happened to be Sebek, the only person who could ever reach a volume greater than a spiraling mind.
Silver felt lighter than before and hoped that Sebek would be there, any time he had a bad moment, to kiss his worries away again.
Like the soldier he is, to bring him peace once more.