"Take this medicine once a day and make sure to re-bandage the injury every morning and night." The doctor gave the medicine over to Aether's mother, avoiding eye contact as he did so. The doctor, slightly skittish Aether noted, wasted no time time in packing his bags and leaving.
Aether felt the bandage wrapped around his neck. A frown painted his face. He had woken about an hour ago to a doctor wrapping his neck and his mother sitting to the side, reading a book that was oddly familiar.
He vaguely remembered what had occurred. He knew Lucian had given him a book and that Nox seemed upset about such a gift, but after that there was only darkness.
His frown deepened.
"There is no point in trying to remember what happened." A book slamming shut echoed throughout the room. His mother stood up from her seat and made her way over to the side of the bed, "All you need to know is that the ones that hurt you were Prince Nox and Prince Lucian. Horrible creatures the damn lot." She mumbled the last part.
Aether frowned even more. "But-"
"No buts." His mother interrupted, "You knew from the start that the Princes were nothing but trouble and yet you decided to associate yourself with one of them." She let out a long sigh as she shook her head, "We had warned you and this," She gestured to his wrapped neck, "is the consequences."
Aether wanted to refute her words, to tell her that it was just a mistake, but the words were stuck in his throat. It was as if he subconsciously agreed with her. His hand lowered from his neck. With pursed his lips he clenched the blankets with his hands. Its not that he didn't know the consequences of associating with the Princes, but Nox? Nox had seemed different, was different. He lowered his head, letting his hair cover his face.
Was he wrong?
He knew that the people of this world, especially the Princes were rather twisted in away and that he should avoid them at all cost, but getting them was inventible. And out of all of them, Nox appeared different. Yes, he fought and even killed, but it was to protect him. Never had he used his abilities to show off or to harm him like the others so often did.
A part of him didn't want to believe that Nox could and had intentionally harmed him and yet, the evidence was all right here.
"Don't think too hard about it. Your Father is already discussing with the King about those monsters actions. Before the end of the day the two will be punished accordingly and if all goes according to your fathers and I will, then they will never bother you again. Here, take your medicine and get some rest. I will speak with you in the morning." His mother passed him a glass of water with a single pill in her other hand. Aether gratefully took it. Sighing in comfort as the radiating pain slowly receded to a dull throbbing pain.
"If you need anything, your maid Mina and butler Neal are in the other room. Such odd servants, are you sure you don't want new ones?"
"No." Aether shook his head, "They are good." He yawned.
"Fine. Get some rest." His mother gave him one last glance before leaving the room, locking the door behind her.
Aether rolled his eyes, but took her advice and squirmed under the blankets, making himself comfortable. Closing his eyes, he tried his best to welcome sleep.
[Can you hear me?
'What?' Aether blinked into the darkness. His eye lids were heavy and his limbs were even heavier. He tried to keep his eyes open, to search for the strange yet familiar voice.
"Who?" He tried to called out, but only a few low groans came out.
Can you hear me?
He nodded his head, "Yes." He whispered, his lips heavy and his tongue like a weight.
I hope that you can change it.
'Change? Change what?'
Aether tried to open his eyes once more, but was once again only met with darkness.
Listen carefully. You need to make sure you stay hidden. Don't let the others find you. If they do-
The voice abruptly stopped.
'What? What will they do?' He blinked groggily, fighting away the heavy feeling invading his limbs forcing him back into a deeper darkness he tried so desperately to escape from.
'Why? Why does your voice sound so familiar?']
Aether shivered. The sensation of someone watching him made him squirm. With slight fear that someone was potentially after his life, he slowly opened his eyes to take in the situation.
Familiar blue eyes greeted him.
"Nox?" Aether sat up, rubbing his eyes as he did so.
Nox stood by his bed side. His body casted in shadows, but the familiar icy blue eyes seemed to glow in the darkness.
"When…wait, how?" Aether was at a a lost for words. His thoughts still muddled from sleep, he tried to latch onto one coherent question, but the moment he goes to ask one the more questions jump into his head.
Why was he here?
When did he get here?
Did mother know he was here?
No, probably not.
Wait, how did he get in here? The door-
Aether's head looked to the side where the door was still closed, with the lock visibly showing it locked from the outside. He shook his head.
Nope. He didn't use the door. Then-
The window behind Nox was slightly cracked open, letting a gentle breeze enter the room. Aether welcomed the fresh air, but his body unconsciously shivered. He pulled the blanket up and gazed back at Nox.
"Why are you here?" He finally decided to ask.
Nox stayed silent, his gaze unwavering.
Aether frowned. Nox's eyes were colder than usual. Aether couldn't hold the others gaze, he dropped his head and unconsciously reached for his neck, but before he could touch his neck his hand was grasped by Nox.
Aether's head snapped up, his eyes peering at Nox.
Nox no longer looked as menacing as before. His eyes were downcast, a hint of concern lacing them. His head was slightly lowered and his shoulders caved in just enough to make it seem as if he were curling into himself. Eventually Nox sat down. Aether readjusted himself as the bed dipped where Nox now sat.
Aether took a deep breath and asked once more, "Why are you here?" He shivered as Nox began to gently rub his fingers over his hand.
"I'm sorry." He whispered.
Aether froze. His other hand clenched the sheet and he let his head fall forward, letting his hair hide his face. He knew full well what Nox was apologizing for, but a part of him wanted the other to deny it. To tell him that what everyone had told him was false. He truly wanted to belive that one person in this damn world was different.
"For what?" He mustered out. He wanted nothing more than to cover his ears so he wouldn't have to hear-to accept that one of the only people he trusted in this world, thought was different, was actually not.
Nox brought Aether's hand to his mouth and gave it a gentle kiss, "For hurting you."
Aether grit his teeth and pulled his hand away. "No." He glared daggers at Nox. "I don't accept your apology." Tears glistened his eyes, "I thought you were different from your brothers." He lowered his head, his voice soft as he spoke, "It seems I was wrong."
"No!" Nox grabbed Aether's hands, pulling them to his chest. "No, no, no, I'm not like them. I promise. I'm different. I promise. I'm different." Nox rambled.
Aether watched in slight horror as Nox's shadows danced around him in a crazy if not demented manor. He wanted to recoil. His mind reminding him that what had happened could happen again, but the look in the others eyes…it made him hesitant.
Aether had never seen such a look before. It was as if someone had taken nothing but fear and desperation and threw it into a single person to see how they would respond.
Something- something was wrong.
Aether readjusted his grip and held Nox's hands. "Hey, its okay, its okay." He spoke softly, his voice slightly louder than a whisper. Nox had froze, but the desperation and fear was still evident in his eyes.
Aether knew he was going to regret his next decision, but what else could he do. "I-I can't accept your apology," He watched as Nox's face fell, the darkness once again leaping from his shadows, "But maybe with time I can." He quickly added.
"With time?" Nox tilted his head to the side. His shadows no longer moving.
Aether let out a sigh of relief and nodded, "Yeah, over time. Perhaps if you show me that you are truly sorry for hurting me then I can forgive you, but you have to promise to never hurt me again. Okay?"
Nox's eyes light up and he quickly nodded.
"Then, can I start now?"
Aether tilted his head, "Start?"
"Start showing you that I'm truly sorry." Nox smiled sweetly, to the point where Aether had to glance away at the blinding sight.
Aether let out a small cough, "Not that I don't appreciate your enthusiasm to show that your sorry, but it is the middle of the night."
"So?" Nox didn't seem to care in the slightest for the time, be it day or night if he wanted to do something he would do it no matter what.
Aether frowned once more, "Nox. It's the middle of the night and I have to sleep."
"But-"
"No. No, buts. I am going back to sleep." Aether reaffirmed. He gently pried away Nox's hands and attempted to tuck himself back in. "We will discuss this tomorrow."
Aether closed his eyes. He smiled slightly when he felt the bed shift. Assuming Nox had taken his words to heart and was on his way out, he tugged at the blankets a bit more in an attempt to bring it up to his chin and snuggle in.
He frowned when instead his blanket was pulled up and a warm body pressed next to his. Aether didn't have time to register what had transpired before Nox wrapped the blankets around them, taking special care to make sure Aether was tucked in before lying his head down next to his.
"Good night."
Aether had trouble falling back to sleep.