Elias got woken up by something missing in the bed. He reached out for the warmth of Tivon, but he wasn't there. He forced his eye open and saw Tivon sitting on a windowsill, drawing something in his journal. The light from the full moon light up the left side of him, illuminating the scarred eye. He had changed in the past year. Being free, outside the castle walls have helped him. He wasn't as pale as before, he had a tan from living by the coast with Cornelis and his shoulders were broader. He looked healthier. He looked happier.
Despite all that he was still Tivon, same messy brown hair, his kind brown eyes, his slightly crooked back, and his lips. Tivon's soft, plump lips. Elias knew every corner of his lips, yet he never quite figured out the secret them. He didn't know if he liked them because they fitted so well with his own or because of the softness of their association with the words he spoke.
The only thing he was sure of, was that they were his.
Elias laid on his side and propped up on his elbow, hand supporting his head. "It's getting cold without you in here."
Tivon looked up from his drawings and smirked. "You take up all of the bed."
Elias sighed. The bed was already too small, and he did take up almost all of it. "Tivon?"
He didn't look up from the drawing. "Mhmm?"
"Please."
"Just let me finish the drawing."
Elias pressed his face into the sheets and grumbled. Then got out of bed, wrapped in the blanket, and walked towards Tivon. He wrapped him into the blanket and picked him up.
"Wait, the ink hasn't dried yet!" Screamed Tivon.
Elias didn't care. He carried him to the bed and laid him down, covering them both in the blanket. He leaned his head on to the hand. "Show me. You haven't shown me it in months."
Tivon smiled, leaned closer to Elias, and opened his journal filled with drawings. As he was showing them, telling the stories behind them, Elias stroked his fingers across his back scar.
With time he started noticing that he wasn't looking at the drawing anymore, but at Tivon.
"You're not looking at the drawings."
Elias brushed the strand of Tivon's hair from his forehead and followed his finger down Tivon's hair, going behind his ears. "It curls here."
Tivon looked at him. "I know."
"It's cute."
"Thanks, but now is not the time to look at me, but the drawings."
Elias gently kissed him and looked back at the journal. "Continue."
Tivon's cheeks blushed as he continued showing him the journal. They stumbled upon sketches of Rea.
Tivon frowned. "I haven't seen her in a long time."
"We can go visit her tomorrow."
Tivon smiled and nodded. "I would love that."
He stared down at the drawings. Elias knew that something was on his mind. "What's wrong?"
Tivon sighed. "I still feel bad for giving her two kingdoms to rule."
"She's managing. Well, both kingdoms are still standing and there is no war. I count that as a good sign."
"I know, but what if that guy was right."
"Don't think about them. They don't know any better."
Tivon nodded and opened the next page. Elias saw Tivon's face turn red before he could clearly see what was drawn on the pages. Every corner of the page was filled with drawings of Elias. Mostly naked. Elias grabbed the journal from Tivon before he could snatch it out from his hands.
"Uuuuu, what's this?"
Tivon reached for it, but Elias moved it away, studying them. "Give it back!"
"I look good."
"Of course, you look good. Now give it back!"
He reached for it again, but he only toppled on Elias' stomach. Elias wrapped his arms round Tivon and hugged him close. He brushed his lips against his ear and whispered. "I love you."
Tivon looked into his eyes, his annoyance quickly fading away. Elias could tell when Tivon got lost in them. His cheeks would colour a bright pink and he would start smiling. Just a little, barely visible smile.
"Do you love me just for my eyes?" Asked Elias.
"No." Smiled Tivon.
"Then what else?"
Tivon reached up to move a strand of Elias' hair off his face. "Your hair."
"Mhmm?"
He traced his fingers down his face. "Your skin." He stopped on the scar on his jawline. "Your scars. I love your voice. Especially your laugh." He tiptoed his fingers down his collar bone. "I love the way you straighten up and bring your shoulder down every time before you speak."
Elias could feel his body melt with every touch. "Uhu..."
Tivon stopped and looked at his lips. "And your lips."
Tivon kissed him gently. A familiar, soft heat went through Elias' body. He drew himself closer, kissing him back. He hugged his hands around Tivon's waist, one hand sliding up his back, up his neck, digging into Tivon's messy hair. As Tivon deepened the kiss and their tongues met, a sizzling sensation went through Elias. Under his kiss, he melted away. Under his kiss, he became undone.
Tivon pulled away and leaned his chin on Elias' chest. Elias brushed Tivon's hair off his face and kissed him on the forehead.
"You should go back to sleep." Elias whispered. "You'll need a lot of energy if we want to visit Rea."
"You too." Tivon kissed his cheek and laid down on his shoulder. Elias hugged him tighter and closed his eyes.
Elias could see that Tivon was nervous to ask Cornelis if they could go visit Rea. He shifted anxiously in his seat as Cornelis place down three cups of some kind of funny smelling liquid.
"Cornelis?"
"Yes?"
"We've wanted to visit Rea-"
"You can go, I'll deal with the job." Said Cornelis calmly.
"How did you kno-"
Cornelis place down her cup. "You two are not the quiet type of people."
"Next time we'll be louder." Smirked Elias as he sat down beside Tivon.
"Elias!"
"Please don't." Cornelis genuinely looked so uncomfortable that it made Elias laugh. She sighed. "You can go. Maybe I'll catch up with you later."
"Horses? Really?"
The sun had just risen over the sea, sending sparks of light through the leaves of a tree, Elias and Tivon were standing under. Elias was uncomfortably staring at the big grey horse, with a dark brown mane.
Tivon stroked the horse's nose. "And how do you propose we get to Naydawin?"
"On foot?"
"You want to walk to there? It would take us two days on foot?"
Elias crossed his arms over his chest. "Did you forget I am the Captain of this delicate, charming black ship?"
Tivon eyed him over the shoulder. "Of course, I didn't. I just want to spend time with you." He turned back and smirked. "Alone."
"Fine, you win." He grabbed his chin and kissed him. "But you ride." He mounted the horse.
"Ay, ay Captain." Tivon joined him, took the reins in his hands, and rode the horse towards The Kingdom of Naydawin.
As half of the day had passed, they slowed down and moved the horse towards a river, allowing him to rest and drink. Elias slid his hands around Tivon's waist, digging his head into his shoulder.
"God, I hate horses."
"I know, I know. Just bear with it a little longer. We're almost there."
Elias muttered something into his shoulder. He reached in Tivon's pocket, feeling something familiar between his fingers. He pulled out a little wood carving of a bird ohil.
"You still got it?"
Tivon looked at him. "Of course, why would I get rid of it?"
Elias smiled. It was one of the first gifts to Tivon, beside his father's dagger. He knew that Tivon would never get rid of it, but it still warmed him that he had it with him, everywhere he went.
Tivon moved the horse back to the forest path.
"Any news from the sea?" He asked.
"Since we last saw each other I've managed to find another of Luana's house. They are safe."
"I'm glad to hear that."
When Elias killed Sabur, the former Captain of the Rose Sparrow, he had to bear the curse. He was obligated to look for the lost antes – the boys who had no home, no parents and the ones enslaved in The Green Woman's countless pleasure houses. It wasn't the easiest job because he hadn't had him. It was true that he saw Tivon almost every two weeks, sometimes even less, but never more than a month. If the sea called him, he had to go and parting with Tivon again and again... It wasn't easy.
Tivon suddenly stopped the horse.
"What's wrong?"
"Was it just me or was someone there."
Elias followed where Tivon was looking, but he saw no one. "Tivon, no one is there."
Tivon was silent for a moment and then he looked back. "Maybe it was just a bird."
He nudged the horse into a run.
When they came to the kingdom's village, they'd decided to go round it and enter the castle through secret passages, because they didn't want to attract too much attention. It wasn't for the fact that Elias and The Rose Sparrow were once enemies of the throne. Since Rea's ruling, they were on good terms and the village recognized them as allies. But Elias still didn't want to be in the centre of attention, and he preferred the old secret tunnels known only to Tivon and Rea. And now to Elias too.
"I thought you've already memorized them by now." Said Tivon as they've come full circle yet again.
"I haven't lived here for nineteen years like you." He was getting frustrated. "I've only gone through these tunnels about five times. One of those times I was half dead."
Tivon laughed and passed him by. "Follow me. If we go here, we'll get to the main hallway."
He took a turn into a narrow hall, barely wide enough for Elias. He still struggled to get through. "I knew we were close."
Tivon eyed him. "Did you?"
As soon as they popped out into the hallway a bunch of guards pointed sharp spears at them. Elias immediately drew out his swords.
"Stop!" Shouted someone behind the guards. "Stop! It's just them."
A man with smooth blond hair, tied into a neat low ponytail, wearing a purple uniform with orange embroidered lilies at its sleeve. Above his heart, where once laid a silver lily pin, was now attached a silver star and a half moon. He broke through the guards, his hazel eyes darting from Elias to Tivon.
Elias lowered his swords. "Is that how you greet Your Highness and his knight?"
"Well, we wouldn't if you'd just use the front entrance like normal people."
"Sounds boring." Elias smirked, putting a hand on the General's shoulder. "Good to see you, General."
Ivan smiled and looked towards Tivon. "Your Highn-" He cleared his throat. "Tivon."
Tivon wrapped his arms around him. "Good to see you again Ivan."
"Rea is in her office." He gestured them to follow him. He looked at Elias. "Any news from the sea?"
Elias stretched his hands forward. "Your trading routes are secured and watched over."
"That's good to hear. Any casualties?"
"There was a small ship that wanted to rob one of your ships. You could see they were new, most of them amateurs. As soon as they saw our ship approach, they stopped and surrendered."
They were almost at Rea's door when Ivan stopped. "When you're done talking with Rea, I need to ask you something."
"Sure."
Ivan opened the door. "Rea, you have visitors."
Rea was buried in piles and stacks of papers. She was wearing a red tight, long-sleeved dress. Her blond hair was put up in an elegant bun, embellished with tiny braids. Elias couldn't brush off the fact that she got thinner. Rea didn't take her green eyes off the papers. "Visiting hours are tomorrow."
"I think you'll make an exception with these two."
She sighed. "I swear if it's that gu-" She looked up and gasped. She stood up, knocking down her chair. "Tivon! Elias!"
She ran towards them, wrapping her arms tightly around Tivon, slightly picking him up from the ground. "It feels like I haven't seen you in ages!" She looked at Elias. "Well, I've seen you last week."
"So that means I don't get a hug?"
Rea smiled and hugged him too. She reached for Tivon's hand and pulled him into a group hug. "I've missed you." She stepped backwards and wrinkled her nose upwards. "Gosh, you two smell." She turned them around and pushed them towards the door. "Bath. Now."
"But we're starving." Said Elias.
"Dinner can wait. Hygiene can't."
She pushed them out and Ivan closed the doors behind them.
"This kingdom needs to learn some welcoming manners."
Tivon laughed and reached for Elias' hand. "Come on, a warm bath will be nice."
Elias was about to follow him until Ivan stopped him. "A quick word Elias."
"Oh, right." He looked at Tivon. "You go, I'll catch up in a minute."
Tivon nodded and headed down the hall. Elias turned to Ivan.
"I'll be quick, don't worry." His look turned serious, almost worried. "Have you heard about a ship?"
"You'll have to be more specific, Ivan."
"A ship with dark blue sails."
"Dark blue sails?" Elias had heard stories, but those were just tales. No one had seen a ship like that in decades. "Have you seen it?"
"Not with my own eyes. But this week, two of my ships went missing. We found one in ruins, and one just disappeared."
"Were there any survivors?"
"Just one, but he was heavily wounded and in a state of shock. He would only mention the ships blue sails, repeatedly. Unfortunately, he died due to his wounds. Do you know the ship?"
"I've only heard stories, but I have never seen it myself. When I'm back on the sea, I'll look for it."
Ivan was taken aback. "You don't have to look for it. I just wanted to know if you knew it. You pirates seem to know each other and I also just wanted to warn you about it."
"Thank you."
"But don't think about that now." He relaxed his posture. "You've come to visit Rea." He elbowed him on the side, pushing him towards the baths. "Now go, Tivon is waiting."
Elias nodded and hurried down the hall. Blue sails. It felt like he had seen them already. It was like a distant memory, almost like a vision. But he knew if he had seen them, that he wouldn't be here. He would be under the sea, trapped within the ship ruins.