Chapter Text
“I see,” King Carnelian said, eyes closed as he pondered after having listened to the report of the successful mission. The black dragon had been slain at last so the citizen of Heliodor could finally sleep peacefully. The party had sustained only minor injuries that the two healers took care of so, truly, all was well. The old man nodded. “Very well. I thank you all for your hard work and dedication for this cause. My people are safe now, thanks to you. Please, allow me to thank you properly.”
“We need no material reward,” the Luminary objected with fake humility. How disgusting. The boy smiled and said even more sickening words. “Knowing that everyone is safe is enough.”
Jasper had to fight back the urge to roll his eyes. He stood near the throne, his dedicated place even now that he was disgraced. Well, no one forbade him to stand there, so he just went. Hendrik was on the opposite side. They had not exchanged a single word since the fight. The tactician was disappointed to have received but a minor injury, so his action appeared as reckless and foolish instead of heroic. His plans seemed to but all fail ever since he laid eyes on that accursed Yggdrasil’s favourite leaf. If anything, he felt humiliated to have ridiculed himself so. There was a long way to go before getting his glory back… And before Hendrik’s gaze would stop burning him, too. Getting the silent treatment from him was upsetting – he rather the man all but ignored him, just like he used to.
He waited for the king and the Luminary to stop exchanging banalities and other useless small talks so they would all be dismissed. He was very much eager to go back to reading that book about ancient magic he had put aside for months. There was never an end to his studies. Knowledge was power whatever these mighty heroes thought.
“I thank you again for your help. Heliodor is proud to count you among its friends. I wish to invite you to my table tonight, if you allow me that much.”
“It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty.”
Jasper’s fists clenched unconsciously. Once upon a time he would have been eating at that very royal table right by the king’s side, but not only was the Princess back and had taken her seat back, but the Tactician had now lost his seat all together. He did not expect to be extended an invitation despite playing his part in this mission’s success.
He was dismissed and took that chance to try and retreat to his room. To his surprise, however, he was called back by his liege.
“Jasper, a moment of your time.”
The Luminary and his friends paused and gave them curious glances. With a wave of the king’s hand, they obediently left the throne room though not without observing them. Only Hendrik and Jade stayed where they stood, one with his jaw tight and his fists clenched, and the other holding her weapon fast. They would not risk the blond to hurt their King. Jasper had no intention to anyway, but his feelings mattered not. He was a traitor and would always be one in their eyes, a filthy, soulless, heartless, cruel man. He was fine with it.
Surprisingly, the old monarch seemed to pause as though he were looking for what he wanted to say. The man was never at a loss for words, always eloquent in the worst situations so this was not just a pretty unusual sight – it was unheard of. He clenched his fist then extended his fingers a few seconds later to grab his armband. His soft sigh echoed in the quiet emptied room.
“I… heard you were injured in the fight. Are you well?”
Thunder struck at Jasper. How could the king know? Who had told him? How much did he know? Why did he care?!
Jasper was mortified. He really had no dignity left no matter what. He could not go and leave this world as a hero and save what remained of his once brilliant reputation… He gulped down his annoyance and he bowed toward the fine.
“I am in excellent health, Your Majesty. I thank you for your concern.”
He not longer dared calling him his liege. He was not that shameless. Carnelian looked at him with an expression Jasper could not determine before dismissing him as well. Jasper bowed once more and left in an unhurried pace even though he felt like running away. As he pushed the heavy doors open, he felt a presence behind him. A large shadow overcast his in the shape of a very precise armoured person.
“Jasper. We need to have a talk.”
Jasper rolled his eyes. So the other man had tired from giving him the silent treatment and wished to talk? He believed none of it. Hendrik was up for a session of scolding, and Jasper was unwilling to indulge him. He was no child.
“We do not,” he replied, walking away. The more distance between them, the better. “I know your intentions very and I will not –”
“WE DO!” Hendrik barked. His loud echoing voice started the blond and those around them, making the guards stand stiffer and the staff stop their chattering to instead steal glances at the once two most powerful men of their kingdom. They had the reputation to argue every so often, their different personalities clashing more often than not, in the privacy of their rooms or in an open field for everyone around them to witness it. However they kept their argument away from their king’s ears whenever they could. Jasper had no reputation left to save yet he did not want to ridicule himself further. He wanted - no, he needed - to put some distance between them so he turned on his heels to get away from this situation just like he had wanted to.
It was without taking into consideration Hendrik’s stubbornness that far surpassed his.
A large hand closed around his arm and pulled him away, dragging through corridors and stairs despite Jasper’s protest. Hendrik’s hold was but of iron and would not let go despite the blond’s efforts at prying his fingers open. All he succeeded in was to feel stings at the tip of his fingers after scratching the black leather of his old comrade’s glove.
Focused as he was on setting himself free from Hendrik’s hold, he had yet to notice where the man had taken him. It was the sound of a slamming door that took him back to reality. In his fury he had not even paid attention to his surroundings - a grave and shameful mistake. His head snapped up and his eyes were wide open. The wind was chilling outside on the balcony which he had no cape to protect himself from. Jasper scowled. Just what exactly did Hendrik have in mind? To lead him here, to this very place that was almost their hideout as children, their secret place… For Hendrik to choose this very place was an insult to everything they once shared.
The general in black armour finally let go of the blond’s arm, barely sparing him a glance as his eyes stared at the city before him. The tension was so thick, one could cut it with a knife. The door was behind Jasper and he had not heard it being locked, so he made the decision to just leave the scene quietly. He was not to catch a cold atop being berated by a man his age. Slowly, he turned on his heels to once more show his back to Hendrik, his arms wrapped around himself to save him from dying from cold. He wanted nothing more than to indulge in taking a bath, one of the few luxuries he had left along with his precious tea sets.
Sadly, as though the man had eyes on the back of his head, Hendrik yet again ruined his plan.
“Jasper.” A large hand rested on his shoulder, its hold loose enough as to not hurt but firm enough so the person captured in its grasp could not escape.
“Let go of me,” Jasper said, his voice icy and full of venom. “Are you going senile already? Do you no longer comprehend what I say to you or do you simply not care? I tire of you -”
“Why did you do this earlier?” Hendrik asked, his quiet voice masking the fury inside him. He squeezed Jasper’s arm, his inquiry turning into reprobation. “What were you thinking? Throwing yourself in harm’s way… I could have blocked this strike easily, and you know it! That was… That was the most idiotic move I ever witnessed!”
His anger exploded at the end of his little speech, his stern mask slipping to reveal the sea of emotions dancing in his eyes. Far from intimidating him, the blond laughed. The man had spent days, months, even years ignoring him and he was now solicitude personified. This painted a grotesque scene, with the two men facing each other, unwilling to concede.
Jasper too was angry. He was angry his life had taken such a terrible turn he felt obligated to sacrifice himself for a pinch of atonement, for a chance to not disappear from history because of his mistakes.
He realised how afraid he was to be forgotten.
He stared at his once friend’s appalled face and his thoughts wandered. If he explained his intentions, would Hendrik understand them?
He knew the answer already. It was far too late for them to understand each other. Their backgrounds and primal education were far too different. They walked on different paths.
The Eagle Twins were no more.
Why did Hendrik care about a traitor, though? Why did he look so upset? He could not pretend to care, not now, it was too late after what had happened! Was he given the mission to keep Jasper alive for him to repent for his actions until his natural death? Surely it could not be because he had some friendly affection for him anymore… He should be disappointed not to have gotten rid of the blond instead. This was truly a peculiar thing.
“I do not understand why you are so upset,” Jasper said, nonchalant. His golden eyes stared at Hendrik’s sharking emerald pupils. “I am not expecting you to thank me for saving your little hero but -”
“I hope so!” Hendrik barked. His hand tensed and his fingers dug in Jasper’s clothes, closing around it and almost pulling the man up. He started yelling in Jasper’s face.
“How could I ever be grateful for you to die protecting him, or anyone else?! Did you think I would be happy?! Did you think I would be overjoyed?!” This time his words were met with silence. He faltered as he stared at Jasper, and the man slipped out of his grasp. “You did…?” He choked.
Jasper pushed him. He took pleasure in seeing the hurt in his oldest comrade’s eyes, so much so his lips curled into a cruel smile. “Why should I not? I am the last threat to your dear royals’ safety, after all. I was Mordegon’s right arm for as long as your dear Luminary was alive. This cannot simply be easily forgotten, not even by me. Would it not be easier for you? Would you not simply sleep better at night? When in the arms of some lover of yours, would you not be able to better enjoy the moment?”
Hendrik’s face took a dark shade, the skin turning into an indiscernible colour. It was like he had stopped breathing, too, as though Jasper’s words had wrapped a rope around his neck to strangle him. His body seemingly froze, his hand stuck in midair and his eyes wide open. The strange view reminded Jasper of tragic paintings and statues, where the depicted character experienced such horror they simply could not move nor speak.
He blinked, and Hendrik suddenly stood right in front of him, so close that their chests were almost pressed together. The blond’s neck hurt from being lifted so high to see the man’s stormy expression.
“Jasper.” His voice was reduced to a furious growl. “For the Heliodorian tactician and the smartest man in this kingdom, you can be such an oblivious idiot.”
Jasper glared at him, his face distorted with anger. He was the one shouting now. “ I am the idiot?! You had me live! You asked to have me spared even though the world was almost destroyed because of me! You are the sentimental fool who keeps thinking I am a good man, when all I wanted was for you to die! You were given the chance to get rid of me and finally be peacefully with the one you love –”
“YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHOM I LOVE!” Hendrik yelled. Jasper closed his mouth instantly. Never before had the man shouted at such a high volume. He looked absolutely livid. “You do not know who I have been fancying for decades ! Do you really think I took pity on you?! Had I found you unworthy, I would have let you die! Yet you are worthy! You are no burden! And I would never be happy to lose you!” Hendrik took a deep breath. He then turned on his heels. “Never come with me again on the battlefield.”
He left the room and slammed the door.
Hendrik no longer talked to him. It was a young soldier who brought him daily reports and such. They would never cross each other in the corridors either the rare times Jasper ventured outside his room. It was almost like he was gone. Good. Jasper did not try to see him. The situation was finally as he expected it would be: his friend ignoring him for good and so, no more interactions needed between the two of them. Until some time ago, it would have filled him with rage and murderous intentions. However, there was no more demon on his shoulder to urge him to get rid of Hendrik. Only sadness remained. He would lock himself in his room, exiting it only to train when he knew nobody was around.
He did not want to see anyone.
He did not want to be saved.