Chapter 453 - 454: Are You A Moron?

Chapter 453: Chapter 454: Are You A Moron?

​"I dunno, really," he admits, offering him a small shrug as he sends a fleeting glance his way, "I guess...it just kinda sucks seeing you all hung up like this." It’s a very weird thing to admit out loud.

Clearly it’s a very weird thing for Loac to hear from him too, because not only does he look a little grossed out, but for a second there he also looks kinda confused.

Momentarily caught off guard, the the ice in his gaze recedes, and in the briefest of moments before the walls snap back into place Montrel gets a fleeting glimpse of the little kid he used to chase all through the castle.

​It’s there and gone so soon, but Montrel knows that look --always hated that look --could never stand it when the castle brats looked at him like that.

​He looks sad .

​(Fuck, he never could handle when those kids cried. He was meant to keep them under control and out of mischief but whenever they got that look in their eyes like they were seconds from tears he’d find himself bending over backwards to make sure that wouldn’t happen.)

​It doesn’t make any sense. What’s the guy got to be sad about when it comes to Khobi? Things seem like they’re going good. Really good, even.

Last he saw them together they didn’t seem to be fighting. In fact, he’s almost certain it was the exact opposite.

Sure, Khobi’s not been around much, but he’s been snatched away from the training grounds before, and Loac’s never gotten twisted up like this before.

And maybe he’s just throwing a tantrum because Khobi’s paying attention to someone other than him –he’s certainly not above that sort of bratty behaviour –but he’d seemed really, honestly happy for the guy the other night.

​So, Montrel has to wonder, what’s with the mood? The guy looks fucking miserable; acting like Khobi’s up and dumped him or something.

Now there’s a crazy thought. So crazy in fact, that Montrel almost laughs out loud.

​But the laughter dies as abruptly as it had risen in his throat.

​...Or maybe not so crazy. Because the only thing that the Khobi Frost who had arrived here had ever wanted was to be reunited with his family and go home.

And now, thanks to Gurdet, he’s got that first part. As for the second...

​And just like that it clicks; what’s got Loac looking like that lost little kid sitting on the battlements in the waning days of summer, still waiting like he’d been waiting all summer for someone who never came.

​( He’s not coming, is he ?) 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

​"...You think he’s gonna leave."

​For a long moment there’s silence, and when Loac’s fingers clench around his mug Montrel’s convinced he’s about to break his record for most consecutive days without a broken nose.

But Loac doesn’t hit him. Doesn’t even look at him. Somehow that hurts even more.

Montrel would’ve rather taken the punch than see the guy’s face wrinkle like this. And while he doesn’t really need an answer to know he’s right; doesn’t really expect one because Loac doesn’t owe him one, but abruptly the guy’s shoulders sag in resignation --in defeat --like he doesn’t see any point in keeping the words to himself.

​"Course he’s gonna," he snaps, eyes narrowed and jaw clenching, "Everyone I..." he bites off his sentence with a huff, and there’s a downturn to his lips that still yanks on Montrel’s heartstrings.

Still not immune to kids’ tears, even after all this time. "...They always leave."

​"Hey, hey..." Montrel is a little alarmed to feel that weird lurch in his chest; the one that he hasn’t felt in the longest of times. (It’s weird to see on someone grown but he knows that face and knows it well.

Hasn’t seen it since they were kids, but he could never forget it. And he always hated seeing kids cry. Even Loac, the biggest pain in his ass. Maybe especially Loac.)

​"Come on Loac –" he mumbles gruffly, and while it’s kind of weird, reverting to a childhood nickname after all this time, the damn thing just slips out all on its own. "This is Khobi we’re talkin’ ’bout.

The guy’s obviously crazy about you. If it was gonna be that easy for him to just...up n’ leave he woulda done it already." He knocks their elbows together but Loac doesn’t even seem to feel it.

​In fact, he looks like Montrel’s just gone and slapped him. Which is more terrifying than Montrel thought it would be.

​"...What do you mean?" he asks, and despite the disbelief in his voice, his eyes are suddenly huge and glassy, and shimmering faintly.

Montrel knows that look, too. Not well, because he and little Loac didn’t often see eye to eye, but it’s the same goddamned look he’d given him back then when Montrel had ruffled his hair and told him that they’d go get some fresh, hot honeycakes for his sick cousin.

Bright, innocent, and full of hope.

​" What , don’t tell me you seriously hadn’t figured that out yet?" Montrel snorts with a roll of his eyes and an incredulous shake of his head. Honestly .

It’s so fucking obvious.

​So why the fuck is Loac looking at him like this is brand new information?

​"No way," Montrel whispers, lowering his mug in utter disbelief.

Because there’s just no way he didn’t already know that, right? No way. Not with the way they are with each other and only each other.

Surely he’s seen the way Khobi looks at him? They all have, so surely. "No. Absolutely not. You’re fucking joking, right?"

​"Tsk," Loac scoffs, scowling down into his drink, and Montrel’s jaw drops when he tries to pawn him off with a lame, "...It’s not like that."

Oh come on, the guy himself doesn’t even sound convinced.

​These kids are fucking unbelievable.

​"Not like --" Montrel’s having some serious trouble with controlling the volume and pitch of his voice.

No, this is too much. This is not what he signed up for. Suddenly, he wants to shake the guy; wants to smack him over the head and then shake him again because this is fucking insane.

He does none of that, because he values his life, but he does settle Loac with the most withering, soul-curdling look of disbelief as he asks, "Are you a moron?"