☬♛ PART TWENTY FIVE ♛☬

Sebastian wasn't sure why he was nervous.

It was just a simple question.

A reasonable one.

So why was his heart pounding like he was about to march into battle?

He cleared his throat, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe of Alex's small home. Alex was finishing up the last of his morning chores, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside Sebastian's head.

Finally, Sebastian spoke. "You should come back with me."

Alex paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Come back where?"

Sebastian exhaled, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "To the castle. Where else?"

Alex turned fully now, wiping his hands on a cloth. His expression was unreadable. "You want me to live in the palace?"

Sebastian shifted, suddenly feeling ridiculous. "Well, yes. It makes sense, doesn't it? You can't stay in this tiny house forever."

"I've been staying just fine."

"That's not the point."

Alex watched him for a long moment.

Sebastian hated how his stomach twisted under that gaze.

Then, finally-

"Alright."

Sebastian blinked. "Alright?"

"Yes." Alex shrugged, as if it was the simplest decision in the world. "I'll come with you."

Sebastian should have been relieved.

But something about the way Alex said it made him uneasy.

"Just like that?" Sebastian narrowed his eyes. "No protest? No hesitation?"

Alex sighed. "Do you want me to say no?"

"No-" Sebastian scowled. "I just thought-" He stopped himself.

Because, deep down, he had expected something more.

He had imagined Alex agreeing with a smile, maybe even a teasing remark about how he had been waiting for this moment.

Maybe-

Maybe a small part of him had even hoped Alex would say yes the way he would have before.

Back when they were them.

But instead-

Alex's voice was steady. Too steady.

"I'll come with you, Sebastian," Alex said. "But I think we both know things won't be the same."

Sebastian froze.

A strange, sharp feeling stabbed through his chest.

"What?"

Alex exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "You and I... we lost something, didn't we? We're not the same people we used to be."

Sebastian clenched his jaw. "So?"

"So," Alex said gently, "if we're going to do this-if I'm going to come back-we start new."

Sebastian stared at him, his hands tightening into fists at his sides.

"That's ridiculous," he muttered. "Why should we start over?"

Alex gave him a small, sad smile.

"Because we're not the same people who fell in love all those years ago."

Sebastian hated how much that hurt.

Because Alex was right.

They weren't the same reckless, teasing boy and his stubborn butler.

They were something else now-something damaged and uncertain.

And that infuriated Sebastian.

"Fine," he muttered. "We'll start new."

Alex's expression softened. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Sebastian scowled. "I hate you."

Alex laughed. "No, you don't."

Sebastian turned away with a dramatic huff. "Hurry up and pack your things before I change my mind."

But as Alex chuckled behind him, something in Sebastian's chest ached.

Because deep down, he didn't want to start over.

He wanted them back.

But if this was the only way to keep Alex by his side-

Then he would oblige.

Even if it killed him.