Archive of Our Own ^beta

This was it. Tonight was the final one of the king’s masquerade balls for the summer. It would be the night that he finally dies, the throne taken over by the resistance. Everyone objected at first when Grian offered himself up to be the one to try and get close, seeing as he was the one in charge. But if Grian was anything, he was incredibly stubborn. Nobody could talk him out of it, and they all pulled together what materials and spare coins they had to construct a disguise for Grian. Thankfully, he’d been growing his hair out, and his short height and soft voice could allow him to be undercover in a feminine disguise. At the top of summer, the night of the solstice, it was quite clear this person joining into the ball was not of the same money as most others in attendance. All people within the city were invited, though very few with very little actually went. But one thing was for certain: this person captured the king’s attention right away. The king had approached them, asking for a name, to which Grian responded with Ariana. He would proceed to spend some time there, ending only when the king was pulled away to deal with some matters. But before Grian could leave, one of the king’s officials would pull him aside and hand her a pouch, saying how the king insisted for her to take it, charmed to have spent some time that night around someone who wasn’t so uptight.

The resistance used some of that money to get an improved outfit for Grian, though most was spent on supporting their needs and cause. At every ball since, Grian would attend, spend some time by the king’s side, be thanked for “her” time in increasing payments, and repeat. By the time the final ball came around, “Ariana” no longer stuck out like a sore thumb among the wealthier attendees. In she walked, introduced to the room by a man in a mossy coat as Ariana. A large mushroom cap made of velvet sat atop Grian’s head, his hair curled and braided. His mask still covered most of his face (especially the lower half), though for the first time, there were bits of it that were missing. It somewhat had a crescent shape to it, the outer border decorated in small, lacy, beaded mushrooms. His gown was velvet as well, the same shade of red as the mushroom cap, accented with white lacy patterns on the bodice and skirt. The many eyes on him should make him nervous, but he was far too focused on his mission to let anything such as that get to him.

As he approached the bottom of the stairs, King Scar was already there, a hand extended to her, which she takes as she walks down the final two steps. His golden mask covers most of his face as always, leaving only his eyes, mouth, and chin exposed. Tonight, his outfit was mostly consisted of a dark purple, with lilac accents and a golden trim. She curtsies as he lifts her hand, kissing her knuckles. “Ariana…lovely to see you again, as always. You have outdone yourself in every ball you’ve attended, and I am so delighted to see you continuing that into this final ball of the summer. I must say though, this far outweighs what I was expecting to see. Had I only been seeing you for the first time, and knew nothing of you, I’d be worried about being stuck in stuffy talk with you.”

Grian chuckles. “You are far too kind, my king. None of this would have been possible if not for you. All of this, all of what I’ve done, has been just for you, a show of my appreciation for you.” He grins below the mask, knowing while his mouth remains covered, the expression would still be reflected in other areas of his face, especially his eyes. His last sentence being a hidden truth about what was to come, the truth of Grian and the lie of Ariana. Plotting and planning, sneaking his way close to gain his trust, to show how utterly disappointed and angry he is at the king before him. But much as he’d love to handle things right now, make it a public display, knowing the resistance have all already entered in before him, there was something that didn’t feel right at that time.

“Ariana, your words are sweet as always, music to my ears. Come, I wish for you to accompany me the whole night. Where I go, you shall come along.” Scar smiles, offering out his arm to her. She bows, saying it would be an absolute honor before taking hold of it, walking beside him as he walks throughout the room.

Grian struggled to dance at the first ball, but through the course of the ones following it, as well as doing some practice with Impulse in their free time, he’d become rather decent at it by the time of the final ball. Yes, sure, he would still take some missteps, but they hardly mattered to him.The point of this night is to be the nail in the king’s coffin. They danced together, never taking a different partner, despite the sheer number of people wishing to have one dance with the king, and even a handful of people wanting to have a dance with Ariana. A couple asks were tactical from other resistance members, though unplanned ones, and Grian knows he really should have accepted those invitations, but he didn’t. Ren’s ask came off rather casual, it took Grian a moment to recognize his voice, but turned it down, thinking nothing of it. Impulse’s ask came not too long afterwards, his tone casual but with a hint of worry to it. He could see in Impulse’s eyes that there was something there. Something searching into his own eyes, but Grian does not know what Impulse could be looking for. Again Grian rejects the ask for a dance, feeling horrible as Impulse lingers before walking away. “I know I requested you at my side all night, but you’re free to do as you wish, you know.”

Grian looks back up at Scar, who is looking at her with a frown. Grian shakes his head “No, it’s alright. I’d prefer to stay by you. Besides, I don’t know how forgiving others may be of my missteps, and I’m so grateful for your patience with me.” He smiles, and Scar smiles back down to him.

“Come with me, I want to show you something.” Scar motions towards a door at the far end of the ballroom, and Grian nods, walking at his side. For a moment, they are briefly interrupted by Etho, a royal guardsman and a spy for the resistance, who informs Scar that there was a small disturbance at the gates, but otherwise all was clear. Scar thanks him, introducing him to Ariana.

“A pleasure to meet you, miss. I’ve heard much admiration for you from his majesty this summer.” Etho holds out his hand, and Grian takes it with his free hand, the two giving each other a brief bow.

“A pleasure to meet you as well.”

“Etho, keep stand at the door here, will you? I have some business with Ariana and I would rather we not be interrupted.”

“As you command, your majesty.” Scar looks ahead as they enter, Grian and Etho sharing a quick look before they part from the other’s sight.

They walk through a hallway together, Grian taking note of their surroundings and pathing as they continue along. Not too long away, Scar stops them at a door, letting go to push it open, gesturing to Ariana to go in first. She walks through, and steps out into a small garden. It cannot hold a candle to the much larger, more magnificent one she’d seen out front of the palace, but it looked just as much, if not more maintained. Scar leads her over to a bench, where they both take a seat. “How fitting we happened to match the flowers planted near this bench, hm? Almost as if we could have planned it.” Scar smiles, motioning to the poppies and lilacs growing close by. “This is my personal garden. All that is tended to in here is done by my own hand. Very few people are allowed to enter it. I come here for quiet and peace, and it makes it a great place to be alone.” Scar gently holds Ariana’s hands, and she can feel her body stiffen. Scar notices the slight shift in her shoulders as she tenses a bit, letting go and standing quickly. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to frighten you if I have. I…” he turns away, his back to her.

Grian stands quickly and quietly. This was the first time all night they’d been alone, and Scar’s back was to him. He slips the dagger out from its pocket in one of the layers of his skirt, practically staring a hole into where he intends to plunge it into Scar’s flesh. Perhaps staring too hard, as the thought of doing so forms a tightness in his heart he was unfamiliar with. A strange feeling that seemed near impossible for him to describe. So close does it feel to another thing, and yet it could never possibly be, as it is much too far away from the hate he has been directing Scar’s way for far too long. He poises to strike, but had to have hesitated for just a moment longer than he should, as Scar turns around, and Grian is caught off-guard, sending him suddenly flinging forwards. Scar catches Ariana before she can fall, somehow entirely oblivious to the fact she has a silver dagger in one hand. “Are you alright? Did you trip on something?”

“I’m fine…” Grian subtly slips the dagger away again, his heart pounding as he prays to whatever will listen that he wasn’t just caught.

“Okay, good. I wouldn’t want you to be hurt. Um…as I was going to say, I…I brought you here because I had a question for you that seemed more a private affair than a public one.”

“And what would that be?” Scar looks right into Ariana’s eyes, hesitant and nervous.

“...what is your real name? Unless you’re the first man I know of named Ariana.”

Grian widens his eyes, stepping back. “Wh-what are you talking about?” Crap, he so got caught, didn’t he. Scar motions them back to the bench, and Grian complies, not sure why he is.

“When we first met, it was rather clear you’re not a woman. You seemed…uncomfortable at first. Not in your personality or the way you stood out, but in how you were dressed and speaking. Constantly fussing with the lower neckline, speaking quieter whenever your voice dropped just a little too deep, and so on. It seemed unpracticed and awkward for you, as if acting as a woman was not something you were all too comfortable with, even if nobody knew the real you. I hadn’t yet had the chance or courage to ask you about it, and finally tonight, after seeing you having turned away so many others, I felt it was time. I…have to admit, in our time together, I have become utterly enamoured with you, you’re thoughtful yet speak your mind, the air of mystery around you has drawn me in, swallowing my thoughts and filling them with you. I beg, please, tell me your name, let me see the face that takes over my mind yet always evades me…” Scar had gone onto his knees before Grian, holding his hands and looking up at him with pleading eyes.

Both their hearts are pounding, but to the theme of different thoughts. Grian is utterly confused, unprepared for the situation he’s found himself in. Yes, the intention of dressing as a woman was to draw the king in, but Grian never expected two things would result from that. For one, he was so, so sure the king was straight, and that is why he specifically had to dress as a woman. Not that he’s entirely upset at that now, but Scar was completely correct in that back when the mission started, he was by far very uncomfortable dressing in feminine clothes. But secondly, he never expected to draw seemingly romantic attention from the king. To be rather honest, he assumed that with all of the very self-serving demands being made in his name, the king was a rather sleazy sort of person. The payments to Ariana for her company certainly did nothing to help against that mindset.

But…Scar actually had been paying some attention to him, had fallen for him and thought endlessly about him? The idea makes him feel warm somehow, and he hopes for all things good that the warmth is a simmering rage and not…well… “My king, I…” Grian clears his throat, letting the rest of his words come out in his normal voice. “I…cannot return your affections the same way. It would be a scandal, for us to be seen that way in my true face, even when we are entirely alone. I am so deeply sorry.”

“And what would be so scandalous with that?”

“Because I…” deep breath “I’ve been known to be publicly angry at you after I…lost my sister…as a result of one of your rulings.”

“...what?”

“Over a year ago, my family was struggling to get money for my sister’s medicine. We were finally getting close to affording even just a small amount of it, when it was announced in your name that nobody could purchase any health items without consultation with a doctor first. There was no way we could be able to afford both, much less even afford the doctor on their own. So we had no way to get the medicine my sister needed, and…” Grian chokes on his words, tears welling in his eyes. “And damn you, because of you we had to watch her suffer every day until death finally took pity on her and ended her agony. I swore against you, I thought many horrible things upon you. I…I hated you.”

“...I never made a decision like that. I would never make a decision like that…who announced such a thing in my name?” Scar seems…genuinely surprised. That, or he was an incredible actor who had been preparing for consequences to his actions.

“I don’t know their name, but they had a council pin on their vest. As all who make the announcements do. All in your name.”

“What else have they been saying?” Scar sits back beside him on the bench.

“Well, for starters…” Grian begins to ramble on about some announcements and rulings that had been made over the past year, saying without any too specific details how they came to affect people around him. With every passing story, Grian watched what little of Scar’s face that was visible grow pale, eyes both saddened and enraged. As soon as Grian is done, Scar stands, walking a short distance away. His back is to him as he takes a moment to breathe and think to himself. Grian…stays seated. Even if he wanted to, he just…couldn’t try to attack again. He was far too emotional, eyes blurred with tears he couldn't wipe away.

“I had no idea of any of this…I never said those things, I’ve stated the exact opposite of it sometimes! I…I am so, incredibly, deeply sorry. I…can’t leave the castle, so my council go into the public for me. These masked parties are my only chance to interact with all of my people. I’d been told the kingdom is thriving, that all people were happy and well cared for.”

“Why…can’t you leave the castle? Didn’t the ruler traditionally go into public frequently?”

“Yes, they did. But…that night my father died, when his carriage was attacked, I was also inside. I sustained horrible scarring on my face, and was promptly told how it may scare my subjects. So I stay within the outer walls, donning a mask if ever anyone who does not work here comes inside. Everyone that works here is magically sworn to secrecy of my face, so they may not tell the lands of how terrifying their king is.”

“Why not go out with the mask?”

“If someone with bad intent managed to get too close, they could expose my face. That, and it can get incredibly hot wearing this while out in the sun. I’ve passed out a number of times within the grounds before.” Scar sighs, putting his face in his hands.

“And was it the council that told you you’d be so horrible?”

“...yes.”

“The ones who have been lying to you for who knows how long?”

“I see where you are headed with that, but this is something I am not willing to take a chance on…” He looks over to Grian. “If you hate me so much, why come here? Why spend your time being kind to a man you believe responsible for your sister’s death? I don’t understand.”

Grian doesn’t respond right away. He can’t say he was here to kill him, no matter how lovestruck the king may have been, attempted murder is attempted murder. “I wanted to understand. To…see how someone could have done all the things I thought you did. If I came angry, I’d never know. I’m sorry if you believe me to have fooled you.” He bites his lip, hidden, but his slight head movement gives way of his hesitation. “...there’s a resistance. I never joined, but my friend did. I overheard him talking with some others about a plan to overthrow you, but I have no idea exactly when. I’m sorry, I swear I am not part of that plan.” Anymore, at least. “All I know is…I saw my friend here, tonight. For a brief moment, his mask slipped off, I saw his face. I can’t be certain it means they’re attacking tonight, but…”

“I need to clear things up right away…join me, please? For courage, and for your friend to believe my words?” Scar stands, holding his hand to Grian. Grian takes it right away, standing quickly. They both run back to the ballroom.

They most certainly get some looks as they run out of the door together, slightly disheveled and with a small weight to their breathing. “Your majesty, is everything alright?” Etho asks, eyes wide as they dart between the two people.

“Yes, but I must make an announcement urgently. It could be a matter of my life or death.” Etho darts off without another word, and Grian has to desperately hope Etho acts as a guard instead of a resistance member on this one. Scar pulls the two of them along, rushing to a slightly raised platform at the center of the room. The crowd parts as the king runs along, closing back up behind him and definitely gathering all kinds of attention from the attendees. He pauses for a moment to catch his breath, still holding on to Grian. “My subjects, I have a most urgent announcement to make. Something extremely important has come to my attention.” Anyone who wasn’t looking before is certainly looking now.

Grian’s eyes scan over the crowd in front and to the sides of them, trying to locate any and all resistance members that he can, to be sure they’re too far to act.

“I say this to you all now, as this matter is incredibly serious, and needs to be corrected urgently.”

There’s one missing. Grian can’t spot one of them where is-

“There have be-”

Scar is cut off as a dagger is plunged into his back, and swiftly pulled out by Impulse. Grian manages to catch Scar as he falls forwards, panic ensuing through the room. He manages to get Scar to the ground safely, only to be immediately grabbed at the arm by Impulse, who pulls him up and starts to drag him away. “Wait, no, stop! Let me go!” Grian pulls against the grip, but there is no denying how much bigger and stronger Impulse was than him.

At the very least, he was dragged into the nearest hideaway spot, shoulders pinned against the wall, knocking the mushroom hat off of his head. He struggles and squirms, but Impulse does not budge. “Hey, calm down, you know it’s me, right? Relax, I’m not some other person you don’t know, you don’t have to keep up the act. I saved you and got you out of there.”

“Of course I know it’s you, now let go of me!”

“What? Then why are you fighting me? What happened? If you’ve been found out, we have to get you somewhere safe. This spot is only going to be good for so long.”

“I wasn’t found out, I’m not that careless! But I have to get back, I learned the truth, he was about-”

“-to what? G, if all goes right, there’s nobody to get back to. I don’t know what he’s tricked you into believing during these dances, but it’s clear he’s somehow manipulating you.”

“Impulse, you don’t understand-”

“I understand perfectly fine, and I can’t risk losing you, alright? I will not lose you because the guy who has made our lives miserable has tricked you with fake special attention.”

“It’s not fake-”

“I can give you the world with no strings attached, he’d take anything from you to benefit himself.”

“Impulse, let me speak!” Grian shouts, louder than he knows Impulse would have liked, causing him to jump and loosen grip. Grian instantly pulls himself free, and dives back into the crowd.

Grian weaves his way through everyone running, eyes set to the clearing at the center. He ignores every call of someone saying ‘G’ or ‘Ariana’, shifting routes as he recognizes various resistance members. He knows Impulse is not far behind him, he can’t afford to make a wrong step.

Suddenly, he finds himself practically tumbling into the center clearing. There, a couple guards are standing around Scar, and point their weapons as Grian comes closer. “Come…please…” A strained voice calls, Grian and the guards looking down to see Scar staring through his mask, up at Grian. They lower their weapons, adjusting position to allow for Grian to approach and sit beside Scar.

“My king, I’m sorry, I didn’t see him coming, I didn’t look behind us, it’s my fault-”

“Shh, it's not…it’s…it’s mine…I should have…been more aware…of my people…”

“Don’t say it like that, we’re going to get you help. I can…I can use some of my dress to wrap you up for now, and-” Grian reaches for a layer of his skirt, stopping when Scar puts a hand over his.

“No…don’t, it…it’s too pretty…I can’t ruin…something else…for you.”

“My king…” Grian holds Scar’s hand between both of his. They’re alerted at the presence of more guards, who carefully begin to put a temporary wrap around Scar, then start to carry him away, escorting Grian behind.

The whole way, the pair tried to keep their eyes on one another. Grian, at feeling guilt for why Scar had been wrongly attacked, paired with the pain in his own chest as he worries about Scar’s survival. Scar, though he very much wants to live, at wanting to see the masked face of the man who overtook his thoughts as the last thing he sees. If he were to die. Scar is taken into a room, and Grian tries to follow, but is denied entry by guards, as they need as few extra people inside as possible, to allow doctors to work. He is instead guided to a guest room, the nearest being a several minute walk away, where he’s left alone with his thoughts and worries.

It feels like hours go by, he’d been brought some sleeping attire at some point, and though he grows more and more tired, he does not get changed. Never removes the dress or the mask. He paces around the room, walking through the halls with a guard to guide him around, whatever he can do to try to stay awake.

Finally, he is approached by a man with black hair and glasses, who informs him the king will be just fine, but is currently resting. “I know he’s sleeping, but is there any way I could come see him briefly?”

The man shakes his head “No, not yet. If he were to wake at all with you there, I doubt he’d get the rest that he should. Go, get some sleep. He wouldn’t want you to continue to lose rest worrying for his sake.” Grian sighs, nodding. At least he’s assured Scar will live. As he changes out of the dress and into the nightwear provided, he thinks over how in the span of hours, he’s gone from wanting the king dead to worrying for his health. He lays in the bed, and never has he rested in one so comfortable, thankful that it allows him to drift to sleep with no issue.

He wakes up with a knock at the door, a voice asking if he’s awake. He quickly puts the mask back on his face and confirms he is. The door opens, and a castle worker enters with a tray of food. She doesn’t seem at all phased by him wearing a mask, though given the king’s situation, it’s likely not all that strange to her. “Here’s your breakfast, his majesty is still resting, but he gave orders last night for you to be cared for if you stayed in the castle.”

Grian looks over the tray, stomach growling and mouth watering as he sees the variety before him, still steaming with warmth. “This…is far too much, I…I don’t think I could eat this all.”

“You don’t have to, we will take care of whatever is unfinished. Now, for attire, I doubt you’ll be all that comfortable in your ballgown. We can search for spare clothes, but wanted to check if you had any preference for what you wear?”

“Oh, um…it really, really doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but…something with pants, please? I’ve only worn dresses for the balls.”

“Certainly. I will return later with something for you.” She gives a very small bow before leaving. Grian tried to say something, but was not quick enough before the door shut. He removes the mask again, sighing as he begins to eat. And void, it is some of the best he’s had in a very, very long time. He was right in that he is unable to finish, but he certainly eats until his stomach hurts from how full he is. He takes some time while he waits for the clothes to wash his hands and face in a bowl of water left on the vanity, relieved for the cool water as a change from the sweat that builds below the mask.

When the clothes arrive, he is unsure about taking them at first, as once more he’d been handed something he could never hope to afford. But alas, it is insisted he takes them, and he changes into them very carefully. The ruffled collar and sleeves feel rather silly, he must admit, as does the slight bit of extra fabric on the bottom of the back of the vest. Each step he has to remind himself there’s nothing on the back of his thighs, it’s just the vest. But yet, it doesn’t feel too out of place on him, especially when compared to the dresses he’d had on.

He’s given a small tour of some of the castle, at his request, seeing as he’d otherwise have nothing to do but sit and wait for Scar. A way to get his mind off of things, and allow himself to be distracted. Of course, all of that is tossed out of the nearest window when the same man with glasses finds him to say Scar has woken up, and immediately requested his presence. He follows impatiently, finding the man’s pace entirely too slow and casual. When they finally reach the doors, a guard stood to either side, the man knocks, listening for acknowledgement before opening the doors and gesturing Grian inside.

He practically stumbles in, moving quickly into the doorway just to suddenly stop and pause to look around. The king is in his bed, gently propped up into a partially sat-up, partially laying back position against many pillows. There are bandages wrapped around his torso and part of his…prominent chest. Grian catches himself staring a little longer than he probably should, clearing his throat and looking down. “Please, come over.” Grian looks back up to see Scar smiling to him, a hand extended his way.

He heads over, slipping his hand into Scar’s as soon as he can reach it, stopping as he stands beside him. Scar lifts Grian’s hand, kissing his knuckles softly. “I’m so glad you stayed here…I don’t know how I would have found you if you left. You never actually shared your name with me last night.”

“I um…I’m aware.” Grian gives Scar’s hand a small squeeze, and watches the frown form on his face. “I shouldn’t. I told you, I…I couldn’t. I’ve damaged my reputation too much, I caused harm on you by not telling you about the resistance my friend is in sooner, he…he hurt you…”

“I don’t care about any of that. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I very much do mind that there was an attempt on my life. But I don’t care what you’ve done.” Scar uses his free hand to pat beside him on the bed, and Grian very hesitantly sits down.

“I’ll do it first…”

“Do what first?” Grian raises an eyebrow, staring right at him.

“Remove my mask.”

“Wait, what? My king, you really don’t-”

“I will. I want to. I will look the very part you and others have perceived me as. Look away right after you see me if you must, but please…look at me.” A hesitated nod is all Grian gives before Scar is removing the mask.

And void, whoever in the world managed to convince him he needed to hide his face, they should be placed behind bars for the crime they did. Two large, jagged scars stretch over his face, with a couple smaller ones in other spots. One runs over the bridge of his nose, crossing over with one that comes up from his jaw, over his eye, stopping just above his eyebrow. It made him incredibly-

“Gorgeous…” he pauses, catching a little too late he said that word out loud.

They both simply stare in silence for a moment, color growing on their cheeks. “I…I am? But…”

“Basically as I said last night, you really believe the same council that has been lying to you?” Grian watches different expressions glide over Scar’s face, as trains of thought come by and realization dawns upon him.

“I need a mirror…” Scar looks past Grian, towards the door. “Cub, bring me a mirror, please? Wherever you can find one to bring me in a practical way.”

“As you wish.”

Grian looks back to see the man turn and leave through the doors. He turns and spots Scar staring up at him, eyes warm and expectant. Grian holds his breath. Right…Scar did that hoping he would too…and now especially as he’s called him gorgeous, he’s probably even more hopeful. “My king, I…I can’t do it.”

“Why?”

“Because I…I’m not ready. I truly am sorry, I’m far more cowardly than you in this way. I was daring enough to dance with one I thought my enemy, but I am afraid to show you who I am. I’m still…adjusting to everything from last night. I hope you understand.” Scar does seem disappointed, but there is not even a single drop of anger in his features. He lifts Grian’s hand once again, kissing his knuckles.

“As you wish…but please, promise that someday, however far it may be, that I will get to see your face?”

“I promise. For now, can I be referred to as G? So you won’t have to call me Ariana or something to that degree.”

A big grin forms on Scar’s face, and he can’t help himself but to smile back. “Of course! Whatever you want, G. I’ll wait for you, whenever you’re ready.” In perfect timing, Cub walks in with a handheld mirror, followed behind by a man bringing in a breakfast tray. Grian starts to move, but a gentle tug and begging eyes from Scar is enough to make him stay. He smiles softly at the way Scar slowly studies his own features, tracing lines over his scars, seeing how everything shifts in different expressions. He stays at his side while Scar eats, insisting he’s not hungry any time Scar offers him anything from his tray, saying he’d look away so Grian could lift the mask.

By the end of it, he’s ended up having moved closer to Scar, head resting against his shoulder. The tray is now gone, and they are left in the quiet room together. Scar has resumed looking at himself in the mirror, although he’s not exactly sneaky whenever he shifts it slightly to get a look at Grian. He doesn’t really want to remove the mask quite yet, but damn was it tempting to do so just to stick his tongue out at Scar playfully.

Eventually, their peace is interrupted by a knock at the door. Scar sighs, but looks over at it anyways. “Who is it?”

“Your head of council, your majesty.”

Grian feels his heart drop, and glances upwards to see the clear switch to anger on Scar’s face. “Get in here now.” The tone is somewhat unnerving to Grian, for even though he expected that sort of personality beforehand, he’s never seen it, already accustomed to the kind personality that is more clearly displayed. He feels Scar’s hand squeeze around his as the door opens, and Grian squeezes back, taking it as a silent plea for him to stay. Not that he planned to leave the room, but he was thinking of moving to a chair. He’s content to just stay in place though, it was comfortable there and clearly would be able to reassure Scar.

The councilman comes in, confused and intimidated, though stopping in his tracks as he spots Grian beside Scar. “My apologies, your majesty, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I can return later if-”

“That would be unnecessary. The sooner I can get clarification, the better.”

“Clarification, your majesty? On what? I thought at our last meeting-”

“On why the council thinks themselves above me, going behind my back to tell my subjects new laws I never decreed, lying about the state of my people, telling me my own face was too horrible to be perceived.”

The councilman’s eyes widen in fear, looking between both people. “Wh-your majesty, what-whatever do you mean? I’m not sure I understand what you are saying to me. You imply that members of your own council are not acting in your best interest? After all these years of working for you and your late father, void rest his soul.”

“I do not imply. I state. I had a very interesting conversation last night, where I was told the truth of the council’s actions. Actions, which caused the formation of a plot to kill me last night by a resistance. Thankfully, I was able to survive, but last night, before the attack, I was just about to make a public announcement of the betrayal you all have been doing to me. How I intend to dismiss every single one of you and form a council on my own. I already have a few people in mind.”

The air is tense as the room draws silent, the councilman making several silent attempts at starting some words, but struggling to make a sound. He slowly backs up closer to the door, only to suddenly whip it open and attempt to run. He’s stopped as guards take hold of him, tugging and trying to escape as he’s taken out of view.

Scar sighs, and Grian can feel his shoulders relax right away, having tensed up through the interaction. “Thank you, G…thank you…”

The rest of the day is spent at the castle, with Grian only being apart from Scar during mealtimes or while private affairs were being discussed. Not that he minded, he entirely understood that some random person they don’t even really know the true identity of wouldn’t be the most welcome to such discussions.

But as night draws in, and Grian watches as Scar is slowly drifting off to sleep, he carefully gets up, not wanting to cause Scar any alarm. “Where are you going?” Scar asks through a yawn, eyes lidded and struggling to stay open.

“I have to go, my king. Today has been wonderful, but…”

“But?”

“But my family and friends are probably worrying about me. Last they saw, I was preparing for the ball, or swept away into the chaos of it. I should go home…” Scar lazily grabs Grian’s hand, once more kissing his knuckles.

“I cannot deny you anything of the sort. You chose of your own will to stay, there was nothing to keep you here. Should you wish to return, as you are most welcome to, please, say to the guards the flowers I mentioned to you last night, so it can be sure that it is truly you returning, masked or not.”

“I will.”

Scar smiles, pressing one more kiss to his hand before slowly letting go. “I can have a carriage drawn for you, to take you home. Or call a guard to give an escort.”

“I only need a plain cloak and a guide to the gate. I will make my own way home from there.” Scar opens his mouth to argue, but Grian shakes his head, and so Scar sighs with a nod.

“Whatever you wish. Go gather anything you may want or need, a guard will meet with you at your room.”

“Thank you. Farewell, and good night, my king.”

“Farewell, and goodnight to you, G.” Grian goes to the door, pausing to look back and linger for a moment, smiling at Scar watching him from his bed.

He’d already memorized the path between his room and Scar’s, having made the walk a few times already, so he takes some time admiring the starry sky through the windows as he walks along. It’s while he’s stood at one when a hand suddenly rests on his shoulder, a face leaning down by his ear, whispering to him.

“Did that make you jump?”

Grian turns around quickly, face to face with Etho. “Void, yes, it actually did-what on earth are you doing here?”

“Uh, I work here? I should be asking that question to you. Impulse has been spending all day grumbling about last night, worried about whatever mess you’ve gotten into. Then I come in for work and hear the king’s dance partner, who is actually a man, has been willingly at his side nearly all day, the king has removed his mask for good, and he’s arrested the whole council? What happened?”

Grian looks around, then motions for Etho to follow him. Once safely inside his room, Grian looks back, pulling his mask off. “It’s a long story. But the short of it is that we’d targeted the wrong person. The king never made those laws. The council was corrupted and tricked everyone. I saw it in his eyes, heard it in his words that the king was being honest with me when he said he knew nothing of what’s been going on.They’d been tricking him since the start, getting into his head so they could take control over his title. I tried to tell Impulse, but he wouldn’t listen.”

“He almost got caught because of you, you know. Had I not been where I was, when I was, he’d have been in the dungeons, or worse.”

“I need to talk to him. I’m going back home tonight, I need to see how everyone is.”

“I know. I volunteered to help you. Any minute now, someone is going to come with the cloak, as well as a pouch of money and a basket of food. Then I’m going to walk you home.”

“Hold on, I only asked for a cloak and be taken to the gate. Where’s all the extra stuff coming from?”

Etho chuckles, sitting in a chair. “G my man, I was not kidding when I said I heard a lot about you from his majesty. You were on his mind all summer, he’s practically obsessed with you. He wanted to give more than you asked. The ‘walking you home’ thing is me, though. As a friend, I want you to be safe. And that means not letting you go through town alone while dressed in nice attire and carrying a large pouch of money. I’m sure that many people would be out for my head if something happened. The king, Impulse, your family, Cleo, other members, you know.”

Grian sighs. “Yeah, you’re right. Fine, you can walk me home.”

It was not a long wait before the supplies arrived, and Grian insisted on them keeping hold of his dress, as it was too much of a fuss to try and transport tonight. He heads out with Etho, removing his mask and going over the full story as they move along. In turn, Etho lets him know how everything else played out last night, so Grian is prepared for what he may have to face.

They are almost at Grian’s house when the door of his neighbor’s house flings open, and Impulse runs out, wrapping him up in a tight hug. “Grian, thank void you’re okay. You had me so worried, you know? You are okay, right? They didn’t hurt or starve you or anything?” Impulse pulls back enough to look right into Grian’s eyes.

Grian nods, giving a small smile. “Yeah, I’m great actually. I was well-cared for and honestly a bit overfed. Even got sent home with a basket of food.” He lifts it up to display, watching an unsure expression grow on Impulse’s face, mouth opening to say something, but Grian speaks faster. “I need to talk to you before you can say anything. Let me go inside, see any of my family that might be awake, then I’ll come over, okay?” Impulse grumbles, but agrees to it, heading back to his home. “You can head back, Etho. I’ll be fine from here.”

“I guess. Goodnight!” Etho said sarcastically, waving before turning around to walk back to the castle. Grian slips inside, honestly a bit relieved nobody is awake.

He places the basket in the kitchen, sneaking upstairs to put away the money and change into his usual attire. Which is just a much less fancy version of what he just wore, but he’d rather it be safely tucked away sooner over later.

He sneaks back out and over to Impulse, who lets him inside without hesitation. They sit at his table, and Grian takes a deep breath. “Impulse, I am going to talk, and then let you know when I’m done. You’re not going to interrupt me, you’re going to listen to everything, understand? Or I’m leaving.” Impulse nods, and Grian thanks him before telling the story. As expected, Impulse was a lot more impatient and upset than Etho was. But the more the story goes on, he sees a bit more understanding start to get through to him. He’s still a bit upset, mind you, but Grian hopes the anger has been shifted over to its rightful position now. And that the sadness that comes mixed into it is guilt.

The moment he’s done, a silence hangs in the air between them. Impulse moves his chair closer to Grian’s, looking into his eyes, reaching to hold his hands. “Grian…I’m…I’m sorry, I’m so sorry I didn’t let you speak. Or let him speak either, I had no way to know. I feel awful now, and…void, it feels weird to say, I’m…glad, that he survived. But…there’s something else, I can feel it. There is something you’re not telling me.”

Grian looks down, heart pounding in his chest. He never said anything about how he stayed at the king’s side, words spoken or unspoken between the two of them in their time together, feelings he’s kept to himself, away from everyone. “Impulse, I…” he looks up into Impulse’s eyes, sad and pleading. “I don’t…know what to do. I spent so long feeling one way, and I never even noticed how I began to feel another, slowly until it all came bursting out at once. And I don’t want anyone to be hurt, but…”

“But it’s a case where there’s no win for everyone, is there?”

Grian shakes his head, lowering it again. The tears he was fighting back are let loose as Impulse leans forward, and he feels a soft kiss against his upper forehead. He leans into Impulse, crying against him as he’s held in his arms. All the while, he can feel in his breaths and hear in his voice how Impulse is resisting the urge to cry as well.

“Grian…if he makes you happy, that…that’s all I can ask for. Your happiness. Even if…I’m not the one making you feel that way. Don’t be sad for me, or worry about hurting me in the process. I want you to be happy and in love with someone, to see you have all the greatest things you can be given. I will always love you, friends or otherwise. If you love him, and he truly loves you…go love him. Don’t spend it in places you don’t want to be.”

A couple weeks go by, during which Grian has been spending time disassembling the resistance, with help from Impulse. There have been several announcements made from the castle by Cub, correcting as many easy-to-fix issues caused by the former council as possible. Grian has yet to return to the castle, but he sends Etho with letters to hand off each night. Short notes, signed off as ‘G’, just giving small updates on how things are in town. Of course, Etho comes back with letters from Scar, who gives his own updates of the castle and his health. He is still a long ways away from a full recovery, but the site is scabbing over nicely, new tissue slowly starting to form.

Then one day, while Grian was walking through the town square, he and others spot as a royal carriage makes its way down the road. Everyone gathers around, Grian finding himself wedged in on all sides, somewhere off to the side and middle-ish, having to go onto his tiptoes to look over the people in front of him. No way was he about to miss Scar’s entrance, for his very first public appearance since he was a young prince.

The carriage stops, and the door opens, a guard helping Scar out and onto the ground. He was wearing his mask again, and he walked up the small wooden stage in front of the fountain to look over the crowd. “My subjects, you likely have taken notice of everything that has been happening the past couple weeks, or at the very least heard word of it from one another. All changes announced by my new head councilor, Cub, are true. My old council took advantage of my young age when I first became king, and used it to form a wall over my eyes, so I could not see what they were truly doing. I swear to be a better king for you all, and do everything in my power to correct what has been wronged. Starting with something small, something that for the longest time, I did not have the courage to do.”

Scar reaches up, and slowly removes the mask from his face. The crowd cheers, and Grian smiles wide seeing the grin that appears on Scar’s face. He is well aware how worried people would perceive him, and he’s very proud of Scar for taking this step. Scar raises a hand, and people steadily fall silent, ready to wait for more.

“None of this would have been possible, had it not been for someone very special to me. G spent this summer attending my masquerade balls as Ariana, in an effort to try and get to understand how someone could be so cruel with the laws being made. We spent time together, getting to know about one another without them telling me too much about themselves. Of course, this led to us discovering the truth of the matter at the final night, where they shared with me how I was seen by the people, how those living in my kingdom were truly doing. I intended to publicly expose them that very night, but was attacked by a resistance member before I could share anything. Thanks to them, the very next day, I had the courage to show my face to someone outside of the castle for the very first time, as well as to immediately disband the old council. We spent the past two weeks exchanging notes through one of my guards, informing each other of how things were going on both of our ends. G, if you are here, please, come to the castle tonight for dinner. Mask or no mask, all I need is for it to be you.” With that, Scar steps back, and returns to the carriage.

The murmurs from earlier should have tipped him off, but they didn’t. Of course Grian heads to the castle that evening, wearing the nice outfit he got while staying there (mask included), only to find many people have shown up, claiming to be G. He looks around, trying to find any way to get closer, given there was no line, and just a crowd. He spots the several guards up at the gates, keeping people from getting too close to it. Behind the gate stood another guard, though she was dressed in fancier armor, her helmet tucked below her arm. She motioned individuals forward one by one, asked them a question, and sent them away.

He worms and weaves his way closer, until he’s pushed his way to the front of the crowd. There, he waits before the guard finally calls him up. “What is G short for?” She asks him, looking over what she could see of his face.

Grian chuckles, realizing what Scar has done here. “Poppies and lilacs.”

Her eyes widen, and she looks past him. “Send away the others, I’m letting him in.” The guards instantly form a barricade, while the gate opens enough to let Grian come in. He’s guided up into the castle, along the way to the king’s private dining room.

Grian carefully pushes the door open, breath catching in his throat as he takes in the sight of Scar waiting for him beside the table. He practically runs to him, the pair wrapping their arms around one another and holding each other so, so close.

“I missed you so much.”

“I missed you a lot.”

They stay for a while there, wrapped in the other’s warmth, soaking it all in. They would have stood longer, had Grian’s stomach not growled. Scar jumps pulling back a bit. “Void, sorry, I didn’t realize you were going to be that hungry when you showed up. Here, take a seat, I’ll call the food in. Oh! And if you’re still not ready to show or tell me anything, I um, well, we found your mushroom hat and made another version of it, but with a cloth that hangs down in front so you can see out, but I can’t see in. Assuming you showed up with a mask that covered your mouth, that is.”

Scar walks over to a side table, on which the aforementioned hat was placed. He brings it over, holding it to Grian, who takes it right away. “That’s very thoughtful of you, my king…thank you.” He smiles, turning around to remove the mask and adjust the hat so everything sat correctly. Once all was settled, Scar helps Grian into his seat, calling dinner in, then sitting in his own chair.

Dinner was fantastic. So much great food, taking suggestions from Scar of what to try. He eats himself full, and waits for Scar to come over to get up from his seat. He switches back to the mask, because as helpful as it was for eating, Grian would rather not be wearing it all evening.

They take a stroll together down to the private garden, hands held, Grian’s head resting against Scar’s upper arm/shoulder. Lanterns hang from various posts dotted around, illuminating the area. They sit at the bench, resting there together with their eyes closed, taking in the quiet moment together.

Grian is the first to break it, not moving from his position. “By the way, that was a clever move at the gate. Asking people a question that has nothing to do with what you said to use as my way to come in.”

Scar chuckles, putting his arm around Grian. “Thank you, I thought about how people might try to pretend it was you, so I had False ask all kinds of random questions to people to see how they would respond. That way nobody could know how to get in.”

“It certainly worked.” He pauses, then sits up and shifts to face Scar a bit better. “My king-”

“G, you can call me Scar, you know.”

“Scar…you really mean what you said in your last note?”

“Of course I do, G. I would never lie to you about that.” Scar’s other hand comes up to gently hold Grian’s cheek, to which he leans in to the touch. “I completely, and wholly forgive you for what you’ve done. I understand the heartbreak and anger that comes from losing a loved one, how it can drive you to a state you’d never felt so intensely before. Had I been older when my father was killed, no doubt I’d have made a plan for revenge right away. It would have been both an honor and great betrayal to die by your hands, but I’m very glad it didn’t happen in such a way.”

“Me too…void, it was so painful for me to have even tried that night. If I succeeded…well, we’d have undone many things, but I would have gone forever with a sadness and guilt in my chest that I’d try my best to never acknowledge. But now…”

“Now?”

Grian puts a hand up to the one Scar has on his cheek, guiding his fingers to curl around the edge of the mask. “Now…I can spend forever loving you.”

He gives Scar’s hand a small nudge, and slowly, Scar lifts the mask off of his face. He smiles up at Scar, giving him some time while he watches Scar’s eyes travel all over every detail of his face. The mask had to have been set down, as the hand returns to his cheek, and Grian can feel how truly warm it is against his face, turning towards it enough to kiss part of his palm. Scar’s other hand travels up to Grian’s other cheek, and he faces back to Scar with a soft smile. He’s brought in close, their foreheads resting together.

“You’re as beautiful as the sun itself…”

“Ha, funny you say that.”

“How so?”

“My name means sun.”

“What is your name?”

“Grian.”

“Grian…I can’t wait to say that for the rest of forever.”

Their first kiss is soft and sweet, seen only by the plants surrounding them and the stars up above. In the same spot where two weeks prior, one life tried to end another, the two declared in private a promise to come together as one. Of course, for the public, that would be a big event that came much, much later. But for now, when the world was only them, it was enough.