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Tango stood on top of the Crastle walls, that were looking over the big flower fields the Spring royals had planted for generations. His eyes were firmly trained on the horizon. He looked down at the golden pocket watch, that was gifted to him by Bdubs, to check the time. Two minutes. He has two minutes before Bdubs appears in the clearing and another five before he arrives to the crastle. And then depending on his state, five to fifteen minutes o tell him what happened, before he passes out. Sometimes they even made it back to bed, but usually Bdubs died on the way there.
Tango gracefully descends the stairs, as he prepares himself for the following moment. Show him you're there. Calm him down, before you deliver the news. His steps echo in the empty walls, the servants know better than to interrupt the ritual. He rushes through the halls until he's at the gate. Just in time, as Bdubs is slowly walking towards him. He rushes out to greet him.
"Welcome home, dinner is ready." He says as he kisses his cheek.
Bdubs kisses back. "Good, is Cleo back?"
The blonde gives a strained small "I'm sure she'll be alright."
This does not seem to reassure the shorter man, as he quickly detaches from his friend. "She isn't? Then we need to find her!"
"Bdubs, calm down, she'll be fine."
"Calm down? Tango, it's nearly night and you know how many monsters we have in the forest. What if anything happens to her? Would you able to live with that?"
I already am. He has on the tip of the tongue, but stays silent. "I understand your worry, but that's why we have soldiers. Now come on, you need to eat." He attempts to gently push the brunette inside the walls, but the other man grabs his wrist.
"You know very well that if the roles were reversed, she would have went immediately." he stares.
"That she would. She would load her crossbows and went in guns blazing." Tango adds softly.
"So why do you insist on staying behind and let someone else handle it?" the brunette asks, but pauses when he sees the expression on his friends face.
"Because she's dead Bdubs." he says softly. "She'll wake up next Spring, remember?"
"What?" He lets out a disbelieving laugh "Cleo is dead? That's crazy! She's a zombie, they can't die!" he argues, but Tango does not budge.
"It's going to be alright." he lays a hand on his friends' shoulder and pulls him into a hug. "She'll come back to us."
"How- How can you be so calm? She's- she's dead and you-"
"I know. I know." The protector interrupts as he pats the brunette's back. "You'll understand it soon." he adds, glad that today seems to be an a good day, at least until he hears the next sentence.
"I killer her." Bdubs whispers into the hug and Tango freezes "I took my sword and- I- Tango, why did I kill her?" he asks through the tears and Tango hugs him tighter.
"I don't know." he lies "But we will figure it out, I promise." His main goal is to keep him as calm as possible. Just a few seconds, gibe him just a moment, so he can prepare himself for the annual heart-break. But today they aren't granted with mercy, so he lets Bdubs lay on him, as he leans on the wall. "Now rest, you will need your strength for tomorrow." He assures the slightly translucent body in his arms.
The king-protector is too tired to dispute it, so he closes his eyes and lets the magic take him to his queen. To their friend.
And just like every spring, Bdubs dissolves in Tango's arms.
***
The snow is thick and heavy, but they have to keep moving. They have to keep fighting against the blizzard, or they will both perish in the cold weather. They can see the light from the palace windows casting shadows and they stop, when they reach the clearing. The wind slows down, as if it was waiting.
"You were right, this was not a good idea." The king giggles.
"I told you it would snow, it always does on the last day." The protector looks towards the castle. "You should have at least taken the coat."
"But Grian, how else would I show off my muscles?" Scar jokes.
"You're terrible." He sighs fondly.
"Too bad you have to serve me." The king laughs again, as they watch the snowflakes fall down. "But that will soon change."
"My lord?" The brunette asks confused.
"I know why we're here Grian."
The protector stills, turning towards his lord. "I'm not su-"
"It's alright." he says slowly "You can kill me."
Grian freezes "I'd never-"
"Your debt has been repaid ages ago. In fact, I probably owe you my life for the trouble... So come on, take it." Scar says and steps in front of Grian, arms raised and opened as if he was going for a hug.
"Scar, you- you can't just ask me that out of nowhere." He splutters.
"So you don't want to kill me?" the darker brunette jokes and Grian flinches.
"I wasn't serious." he admits "I've made threats and jokes, but trust me when I say that I never wanted to kill you."
Scar looks down "Oh, I'm so sorry I've picked you as a protector. I- I had hoped it would make it easier."
Grian sighs "I know, but I can't take your life for free."
Scar grins "And what do you propose?"
"A duel. The winner can take a life."
"Sounds fun, when do we begin?"
"Now." Grian says as he draws a line in the sand and hands Scar his sword.
The king grabs it from his hands and prepares to attack. "May the best of win."
"I intent to." Grian grins back, a bit more feral, just like the old times.
He swings first, too used to Scar starting with an attack from the left. And just as predicted, the swords clash.
"You're learning." Scar comments "And now I have to try."
"You should always try." Grian reminds him gently and attacks. The blade goes down gracefully, it always does, as Grian took his job his duty, seriously. He trained his entire life to be able to protect Scar, but today he'll be the cause of his death. He avoids another strike and steps to the left. The sword cuts his tunic and he cuts Scar's pants in retaliation. Their blades clash with a clank and Grian pretends to go for an eye. Scar takes the bait and raises his sword just enough for Grian to stab under it. He hits the chest and they both know it's over, he won.
And the nature feels it too. The king is dead, winter has ended and it's time for spring to take charge. As Grian pulls out his sword and sprays the snow with blood, the blizzard stills, as if it was connected to Scar himself. "Long live the king, may the season take charge in peace." Grian whispers to the uncaring snow and the sword falls out of his hands, into the red and white mess. He gently picks up the body and starts dragging it to the castle.
And just like every winter, only one fighter survives the duel.
***
"It's time." Ren says calmly, as he hands Martyn the ceremonial axe.
He takes it, admiring the enchantments. No matter how many times he has seen it, the work always impresses him. "Yes my liege. Should I take a pillow? The altar will be cold."
"There's no need to dirty a pillow just for me. Besides, you will make it quick, won't you?" the king turns to his right hand.
"Yes my liege." he bows and takes the palm to kiss it out of respect. "I accept the task."
They leave the chambers, waving at the red army soldiers they pass along the way. They all know what's happening tonight. What happens every night on this date. The duo walks into the garden, the leaves brushed aside, to reveal the blackstone altar in the middle. Martyn takes his place in the front and looks at the circular pattern scratched into the floor. The stars and moon shine enough, for them both to see where they are.
Ren steps into the circle and kneels down on the cold ground. "Ready when you are." The brown-haired man gestures and Martyn nods.
"Yes my liege." he clears his throat "We're changing the seasons, starting tonight. Red winter is coming, be ready to fight. With this mighty axe, let the magic release. Goodbye my liege, may you rest in peace." The blonde recites, as his king kneels on the altar. He raises the axe high, the purple tint glinting in the moonlight as it swishes down in one clean strike. Martyn closes his eyes as it happens, not being able to witness the death.
He only opens them when he hears the head hitting the ground. That's the one part he will never get used to, no matter how many times they've already did it. Seeing the evidence that he killed his be- his liege. "May a new season take charge in peace." the blonde whispers into the silence and slumps down, exhausted. He will have to get up soon and announce he fulfilled his duty, but for now, he soaks in the silence.
And just like every autumn, Ren's blood drips down on the altar.
***
They've been hunting for a while, the deer always escaping from their reach. The two hunters secretly haven't minded, quite enjoying their time spent together, with no interruptions. The court was always busy and it was nice to find a relief in horse riding. They just need to be careful to not fall. The protector pulls at the reins and his horse slows down, letting the king run first.
"Getting tired Scott?" the royal teases.
"With you? Never. Just wanted to see if you can lead for once." he shoots back.
"You're terrible. I'm your king." Jimmy smiles fondly and takes the lead.
They've lost the animal when it crossed the river, trying to escape their dog, but they were sure they're close. The smell of blood was getting closer and closer with each moment.
"Look, over there!" The blonde points at an opening in the trees and surely, they can see the stag's antlers peeking through.
"Should I shoot it?"
"No, I've got it." Scott says as he pulls the bow back, releasing the arrow, which hits it's intended target.
"S- Scott?" The king clutches his chest, looking at his lover, as he slumps down, falling from the royal steed. He hisses in pain, as he hits the ground.
"I'm sorry." is all the elf says about the betrayal, as he slowly gets off his horse to check on the blonde.
"I don't- Why?" Jimmy looks at the person he thought loved him back and blinks the tears away, as the sun shines right into his eyes, even with Scott blocking it, so that it forms a halo around his head. But instead of his sweet angel, this one only brings pain.
"It had to be done." Scott says calmly, as he crouches down next to his king.
Jimmy tries to get away and flinches, when the cyanette reaches out for him.
The protector grimaces, but continues in the motion, until he embraces his lover in an awkward half-hug. He sits down and shifts Jimmy, putting his head into his lap. "It will be over soon." he says as his hand brushes the golden locks.
The king reaches for the hand and the protector obliges, tangling their hands together.
"Close your eyes love, it will be over soon." He hums and a kiss is planted on Jimmy's forehead, as his breathing gets heavier.
"I thought you love me?" The blonde asks the elf, who gives him a sad smile for his question.
"And that's why I have to let you go." he answers mournfully, as he plants another kiss on his lover's mouth.
He doesn't understand, he never will, but
the wind picks up and it's hard to hear a single thought. The sun shines so bright, Jimmy thinks he'll be blind if he doesn't close his eyes soon. So he does. He lets the magic wash over him and leave, along with his life.
"I love you." Scott whispers to the body, as tears fall down onto his lover. "May a new season take charge in peace." he tells the uncaring land and closes his eyes too, pretending the body in his arms is not colder than the arrow he shot him with.
And just like every summer, the elf remains unheard, as he cries for his husband.