Be on the Stars. 3/3
Back to Masterpost // Back to Part Two
--
The suns sinks lower, casting ribbons of color that fade the further they reach across the late afternoon sky. It's almost dark now, the trees in the backyard casting shadows across the grass. Brendon's own shadow mixes with them, growing longer the lower the sun sinks, and he's suddenly reminded of that show that he had watched with Dallon when they'd first arrived on earth. Something about a Doctor and a blue box and double shadows that had thoroughly creeped him the fuck out. It feels strange to him to be leaving earth. He feels older now, more mature and yet terrified like a small child who had a bad dream.
Brendon fumbles for his cell phone and checks the time, for missed calls and texts, but Spencer hasn't contacted him. There's still time, but not a lot. Dallon and Zack are standing by the entrance to the garage casting the occasional glance to the sky but mostly muttering to each other in low voices.
Brendon sits down, pressing his hands into the grass and closing his eyes. He can still hear the screams in his ears, the images the rebel projected into his head playing on a loop. He wants to throw up. Scream. Cry.
"Brendon. It's almost time." Dallon is standing next to him when he opens his eyes.
"Spencer's not here yet." Brendon clasps his hands together trying to hide the way they shake.
Dallon casts a glance to the sky. "You might need to consider the possibility that--"
"He'll be here." Brendon knows what Dallon is going to say. He's thinking the same, but he doesn't need to give Dallon another reason to dislike Spencer. "Ten more minutes okay?"
Brendon can tell Dallon wants to argue and is relieved when he just nods and walks back over to Zack. Brendon can feels their helplessness, their fear and wariness. It makes his stomach lurch. He squeeze his eyes shut tight and pushes away the wave of nausea that threatens to engulf him.
Ten minutes passes quickly, too quickly for Brendon’s liking. He has no choice but to pick himself up and make his way over to the garage.
Dallon rests a hand on Brendon's shoulder. "Ready?"
Brendon nods. He casts a glance back at the backyard. "Yeah. Lets go."
Zack opens the door of the ship and Brendon climbs aboard, checking his phone again. There's nothing from Spencer. Brendon wants to cry.
Dallon ducks his head into the cabin. "Hey, we're about to take off."
"Okay." He tugs his harness over his shoulders and then there's the sound of a commotion coming from outside the ship. Brendon hears his name being called as Dallon looks behind him. Dallon turns back to Brendon. "Looks like your boyfriend made it after all."
Spencer appears in the doorway with a dufflebag. "You weren’t going to leave without me were you?" His smile looks a little thin around the edges but it still makes Brendon’s stomach do a weird flippy thing. Brendon hops up and hugs him tight. "You're late dick."
Spencer's arms wrap around him. "I was making an entrance."
"Guys? Safety harnesses okay? We're waiting to take off."
Brendon tugs on Spencer's hand and helps him into his harness. "Is that okay?"
Spencer grins. "It's kinda kinky. I dig it."
"Can you not? Oh my god." Brendon wants to kiss the grin off Spencer's stupid face but he can practically feel Dallon's impatience flowing off him in waves. Brendon fits his harness on and then reaches over, sliding his hand into Spencer's. "I hate takeoff." He pauses. “And flying.”
"You’re an alien and you have a spaceship." Spencer is looking at him like he has three heads.
"Don’t judge me."
Spencer snorts, “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Why did I invite you along again?” The space ship starts to rattle and hum. Brendon totally doesn’t hold on tighter to Spencer’s hand at all.
“Hmm, because I’m hot, you think I’m awesome and I’m afraid that if I didn’t come with you, Dallon and Zack would have used you as a shield.” Spencer grins, smoothing his thumb across Brendon’s hand. Brendon appreciates it.
“Never. They love me.”
The ship rises off the ground and Spencer frowns. “Wait. How are we going to fly this thing out of here without being seen?”
“Deflector shields? I don’t know. There’s a button to press and then we can’t be seen.”
“A button to press. How technical.” Spencer laughs, craning his neck to look out the window.
Brendon shrugs, “You want technical, you’re with the wrong guy. You should be swapping spit with Zack.”
“Oh my god.” Spencer cracks up as the ship starts to shake and then surges forward sending Brendon’s stomach up into his throat. “Swapping spit? Really?”
“Oh my god shut the fuck up. I can’t talk to you right now. I’m trying not to hurl.” Brendon grips Spencer’s hand tighter. The ship surges forward again and then they’re thrown back into their seats as it hurtles towards the sky.
--
Spencer falls asleep at some point before they even get past Mars, but Brendon stays awake, his leg bouncing the whole time. He can’t blame Spencer for falling asleep; it’s late, and being asleep is better then throwing up everywhere when they hit warp speed. Not that he’d know anything about that. At all.
Brendon sighs and looks down at where Spencer’s sound asleep, his head pillowed on Brendon’s thigh. He wonders if Spencer knows what he’s getting himself into, coming with them. He wonders if Spencer’s really aware what it is that they’re walking into. Brendon knows that there is no way Spencer could know, and Brendon can admit for the first time that he’s scared. Not for himself or for what he has to do but for Spencer.
“Brendon?” Dallon sits down next to him. “You okay?”
Brendon frowns before resting his hand in Spencer’s hair. “I think--I think I may have made an error in judgement letting Spencer come with us.”
Dallon lets out a soft sigh. “I’m not so sure you had a choice, Bren.”
“I’m the prince. I always have a choice.” Brendon says quietly with his eyes trained on Spencer’s face.
“Not when it comes to this. Not when it comes to Spencer.” Dallon pauses. “You’re warm when you’re with him aren’t you?” He seems to already know the answer to the question.
“How do you know that?” Brendon wonders if Spencer had said something to Dallon before they had gotten on the space ship.
Dallon shrugs and looks out the small window in front of them. “I always forget that you were so young when we left home.”
“We both were.”
“No, I was fifteen. I was already of age. I had already been taught things that you never were.”
Brendon frowns. “I knew enough. I’d already been taught how to rule.”
“You never learnt about what would happen when you met your mate.” Dallon turns to look Brendon in the eye. “You were never taught about the deeper magic that is released when two souls that are meant to be meet.”
Brendon is speechless. What the fuck does Dallon mean deeper magic? He’s never heard of any deeper magic, and he spent four hours a fucking day learning about their fucking magic.
“He keeps you warm because when his energy meets yours, the deeper magic is released. It overrides your core. You thrive because he exists.”
“That--what?” Brendon shakes his head. “No way dude, you’re fucking with me right? You finally watched Harry Potter and now you’re going all one must die for the other to survive on me, only ass up backwards. Right?”
Dallon laughs a little. “No, I’m really not. It’s true. You just didn’t know about it because it was always thought that there would be more time. There’s so much about how we meet and fall in love and--”
“Oh hell no, you are not giving me a sex talk right now.” Brendon feels like hurling at the thought of Dallon awkwardly explaining the birds and the bees.
“Good lord no. That’s totally Zack’s job.”
“Ew. Ew.” Now Brendon is really going to puke.
Dallon rests a hand on Brendon’s knee and squeezes. His voice is soft and quiet. “You might not know if he’s who you want to be with forever, but your magic does.”
Brendon sighs. He looks down at Spencer where he’s sleeping and nods. He knows Dallon’s right. In fact he’s pretty sure he knew that Spencer was special the first time he laid eyes on him. Brendon can’t believe he was so blind that he never realised how hard he had fallen for him from the first time they met. He frowns and starts to run his fingers through Spencer’s hair. “You’ll keep him safe.”
It’s not a question and Dallon knows it. He nods. “I will, Brendon. I promise.”
“Thank you. I know--” Brendon pauses. “I know being my aide -- my friend -- isn’t the easiest job in the world so. Thank you.”
“Your Highness being your aide is nothing but a pain in my ass.” Dallon smiles and puts an arm around him, squeezing lightly. “But, Brendon? Being your friend is as easy as breathing.”
Brendon smiles. “Yeah well. I’m pretty awesome. I make it easy for you.”
“See there you go getting too big for your boots again.” Dallon tugs his hair. “For real though Bren. You’re a good guy, you just need to remember that you can’t carry this all on your shoulders okay? We’re here to help so you need to let us.”
“I know.” Brendon sighs. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“You’re doing what any great prince would do. You’re doing something amazingly brave and incredibly stupid to save your people.” Dallon grins. “Your parents will be so proud of you.”
“My parents will kill me.”
“Only a little.” Dallon grins. “More of a maiming.”
“Guys.” Zack’s voice comes over the intercom. “We’re approaching the rings.”
Dallon squeezes Brendon’s arm again and then stands. He leans over and presses the button on the speaker box. “On my way up.”
“I’ll wake Spence. He’ll get a kick out of this.” Brendon smiles and shakes Spencer’s shoulder lightly. “Spence.”
Spencer makes a soft noise and rolls over, pressing his face into Brendon’s stomach and Dallon snorts. “Good luck with that.”
Brendon watches Dallon leave and shakes Spencer again. “Spence. Spence, wake up.”
“Hmph.”
“Spence, hey. You want to see this.” Brendon shakes his arm again and Spencer groans, sitting up and slumping against the seat. His hair is sticking up in the air in truly spectacular fashion and Brendon can’t help but laugh.
“Dude, your hair.”
“Shuddup.” Spencer bats sleepily at his hair and lets his head fall against Brendon’s shoulder. “Why ‘m I awake?”
“Oh, right.” Brendon smiles. “Dude, look, it’s Saturn.”
That seems to perk Spencer up because he sits up straight and leans over Brendon to look out the window. “Holy shit, it’s fucking Saturn.”
Brendon laughs a little. “Yep. Awesome right?”
“So awesome. Is that ice?” Spencer’s got his hands pressed up against the glass, and Brendon feels a twinge of fondness.
“Mmhm yeah. Like, 99.9%? There are some impurities in there but yeah. Ice.”
“I always thought it was like. Solid mass? I didn’t realise it was all broken up like that.” Spencer turns. “Man if the science faculty could see this, they’d freak.”
“Dude, right?” Brendon smiles and moves next to Spencer. “There’s a story that my mom used to tell me, that once there was an outsider who fell in love with a princess. When her father found out about them he feared that it would be the destruction of his kingdom so he used his magic to turn the outsider into a moon, Lost Mēness. It means Lost Moon.”
Their breath has fogged up the window, and Brendon traces his finger through it. He remembers the way his mom would breathe against the window and draw planets and moons to illustrate the story.
“What happened then?”
“They say that he travelled through space, lonely and missing the princess, until one day he crashed into Saturn. They say that the moon was stripped of it’s ice layer on impact and that the ice became the rings.” Brendon smiles. “But that’s just a story you know? The records only go back so far so.”
“Hey.” Spencer presses two fingers to Brendon’s jaw and kisses him slow and soft. Brendon hums softly and kisses back.
“What was that for?”
Spencer shrugs. “You looked like you needed it, and you know, just in case your dad goes batshit and tries to turn me into a moon, I want to guarantee that you’ll come to my rescue.”
Brendon laughs. “Dude, trust me, if he didn’t turn my Uncle Max into a moon he’s not going to do it to you. But if on the very, very off chance that he does try it? I’ll totally come to your rescue.”
“Awesome.” Spencer grins and kisses Brendon again. Brendon hums and kisses back, resting a hand on Spencer’s cheek and shivering when Spencer curls his hand around the back of his neck, deepening the kiss. Spencer moves forward and presses Brendon up against the wall of the ship. He rests a hand on Brendon’s hip, and Brendon’s about to suggest that he take his shirt off when the sound of a throat being cleared interrupts them.
Brendon breaks away with a tiny whimper and sighs, looking over Spencer’s shoulder. Dallon grins back at him, and Brendon groans. “I am going to hang your head over my dinner table oh my god.”
“Uh huh, I’m sure. Zack wanted me to let you know that we’re going into silence mode so. Shut it and lights out.”
Brendon sighs. “Yeah, okay. But when all of this is over, I want at least half an hour uninterrupted make out time, got it?”
“Well I don’t know what Spencer’s going to think about that but I’m game.” Dallon grins at him and Brendon is going to have to slowly and painfully remove Dallon’s limbs. There’s no way out of it.
“I hate you.”
“Nah. Now sit down and be quiet okay?”
Brendon tugs Spencer over to the seat and nods. “Okay, okay. Our lips are sealed.”
“Good.” Dallon shuts the door behind him and Brendon sighs, resting against Spencer. He’s not sure he can do this.
--
The air is thick with tension as they fly closer to Aeternitatis, and it takes all of Brendon’s power to stay quiet. Spencer puts his hand on Brendon’s leg, stopping it from twitching, and Brendon closes his eyes, trying to focus on what he has to do and not on the fact that his stomach is tied up in knots from fear and nervousness and a thousand other emotions that he can’t identify.
They begin their descent, and Brendon rests his hand on Spencer’s, twining their fingers together and squeezing tight. His body is readjusting to being back on his home planet, and he’s suddenly aware of everything. Suddenly he’s being assaulted with fear and a sadistic glee; somewhere, barely on the outskirts of his mind he can feel hope. He closes his eyes and focuses on deep breathing, of bringing the feeling of hope into his body until it fills him with warmth. He doesn’t open his eyes until the ship shudders to a stop, signalling that they’ve landed.
Spencer’s hand is warm in his when Zack appears, motioning for them to follow him. Brendon leads the way, using his body shield Spencer from any danger that might pop up. They follow Zack down the steps of the space ship, and then it disappears behind them when Zack raises his hand. It’s difficult magic, and Brendon is suddenly so fucking happy that Zack is here and on his side.
Zack motions for them to stand next to Dallon, who has his eyes closed and arms stretched out to the side. Brendon keeps a tight hold on Spencer’s hand and pulls him along until he feels them enter a force field. Brendon pulls Spencer into a tight hug and clings. He’s thankful when Spencer doesn’t ask any questions just hugs him back.
“Okay, we’re in the clear.” Zack starts handing out packs of food. Brendon pulls away to take his and Spencer’s. He’s shamelessly clinging, but Brendon needs these last few moments to be a kid. He just needs to memorize Spencer’s touch and smell and everything else, just in case.
“Bren? Hey, you should eat something.” Spencer hands him a sandwich and pulls Brendon down into his lap.
Zack’s murmuring to Dallon, voices low enough that Brendon can’t hear them. He’s not trying very hard though, settling instead on eating and not thinking too much.
“Hey, are you okay?” Spencer’ voice is low, his breath tickling Brendon’s ear. Usually Brendon would say something flirty and initiate a make out session, but he can’t even focus on that.
“Yeah. Just--”
“Scared?”
Brendon shrugs and then nods. “Terrified.”
Spencer’s arm tightens around his waist. “You’re going to be great. I have faith in you.”
“You do?” Brendon turns his head so he can see Spencer’s face. “How do you know?”
“Because I trust you. Because I know that you’re a good person with a kind heart, and I know that if the people here are all as amazing as you, then you will fight for them with all that you have.” Spencer leans down to kiss him lightly. “Because I know that you’re going to be a great king one day.”
Brendon smiles and pushes away the urge to cry. “Yeah well. I am pretty awesome.”
Spencer snorts “Modest too. Now eat something. You’re going to need your strength.”
Brendon hesitates and worries at his bottom lip and says, "I want--there's some stuff. That I'll need to explain at some point. About me and us but I just." He slips his mother's chain and pendant over his head and presses it into Spencer's hand. "I want you to keep this okay? In case something--" Brendon can't finish that thought. He won't accept failure; it's not an option.
Spencer looks down at the pendant and nods. "I'll give it back to you when this is all over."
Brendon nods and goes up on his toes, brushing his lips against Spencer’s, light and quick. "We should eat."
Spencer nods, slipping the chain over his head and takes Brendon's hand. He twines their fingers together and squeezes. "We’ve got this okay?"
“Okay.” Brendon picks his sandwich up and starts to eat.
--
Zack and Dallon join them fifteen minutes later when the moon emerges from behind a cloud, illuminating the scenery. The moonlight hits the mountainside. The fractals of diamonds set in the rock sparkling, casting a spectrum of colour across the nearby river. Brendon realizes how much he’s missed his planet, with it’s waterfalls and fields and rivers and mountains. He can tell that Spencer is impressed by the look of awe currently present on his face.
“We’re going to enter the castle through the back passageway. Dallon’s looked into it and he can’t feel any presence. That means that they either don’t know it exists, or they’re assuming no one else knows it exists or aren’t brave enough to use it. We can use that to our advantage.” Zack draws a diagram in the dirt with a stick. “We need to go slow. There is no point running in there and kicking doors down when we don’t know how many we’re dealing with.”
“There is definitely thirty in the main Castle, roughly twenty or so in the grounds.” Brendon frowns. “I’m sure there are more, but that’s all I saw from the rebel.”
“Weapons?”
Brendon shakes his head. “None that I could see. It was mostly fire and axes -- things like that.”
“Okay that gives us an advantage.” Zack opes his satchel and pulls out four small ray guns. He hands one to each of them, even Spencer.
“Um, I don’t--” Spencer looks a little stricken, and Brendon takes the gun from him gently. “It’s easy, okay? This is the charge switch,” he points at a small red switch. “you’ll need to flick that just as we’re about to enter, then it’s just a matter of aiming and firing.”
Spencer nods and takes the gun when Brendon holds it out to him. “Am I shooting to kill or injure or?”
“Kill.” Zack says at the same time as Brendon says “Injure”
Dallon sighs. “Decisive lot aren’t you? Generally, we’re looking at aiming to kill. I know that you don’t agree, Brendon, but there are four of us and at least fifty of them. We can’t afford to not take them out.”
“Okay.” Brendon’s not going to argue about this, not when it’s important for them to come together and be on the same page.”Okay, fine.”
Zack nods and charges his gun. “We should move. I’ll lead, and Bren you’re behind me. Spencer, you’re behind Brendon, and Dallon will take the rear. If anything happens, do not break formation unless Dallon or I say. If we tell you to run, you run. Don’t argue, and you don’t play the hero. Just do as you’re told and get the fuck out of harms way, got it?”
“Got it.” Spencer nods and steps behind Brendon. Brendon nods and takes his place behind Zack. He turns to Dallon, “Remember your promise.”
Dallon nods. “I will.”
“What promise?” Spencer pokes Brendon in the back. “Hey, what promise?”
“Shh.” Zack holds a hand up. “No talking unless necessary.”
Brendon turns and kisses Spencer fast and deep and hot. “Stay safe, Spence.”
“I will. You too.”
Zack turns and gives them both a withering look, and Brendon makes a motion like he’s zipping his lip. Zack rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”
--
They walk for an hour in silence, keeping to the shadows and staying in formation until they make their way to the top of a hill, and the castle appears in front of them, nestled in a deep green valley, surrounded by a mountain on one side, a river on another and a dark, foreboding forests on the other.
Brendon sucks in a breath and resist the urge to cry at the sight of his home. A hand rests on Brendon’s shoulder. He turns to see Dallon looking down at him with an odd look on his face. “Welcome home, Your Highness.”
Brendon smiles and rests his hand on top of Dallon’s. “Let’s go save our planet.”
Zack starts to lead them down the hill, sticking to the shadow of the line of trees to their left. Brendon reaches behind him, searching for Spencer’s hand, and he relaxes slightly when he finds it. Spencer squeezes and Brendon squeezes back. Once again Brendon is so grateful for Spencer’s existence.
After ten minutes they reach the bottom of the hill. The castle looms over them, casting a shadow in the bright moonlight. Brendon can see torches burning in the windows, but the grounds are silent as they make their way around to the back of the castle. They press themselves against the castle wall and walk quickly, sticking close to each other. Brendon can sense everyone’s nervousness, the air between them thick with tension. He resists the urge to send a calming shot of energy to them. He knows that it will be a dead give away since his magic is stronger and more potent than that of a commoner.
They reach the entrance of the passageway, and Zack ducks his head around the corner. When the coast is clear, he motions for them to follow him. The passageway is dark and cold since they’ve lost the moonlight, but Brendon can make out Zack’s silhouette in front of him. He tightens his hold on Spencer’s hand. He struggles to keep his mind clear now. The emotions of his people threatening to overwhelm him, and he can’t afford that to happen. He needs to keep a clear mind and focus on the task at hand, so the enemy can’t use his emotions against him. Instead he focuses on the warmth radiating from Spencer’s skin, the rhythm of Spencer’s breathing, and the feel of Spencer’s hand in his.
The passageway curves and then starts to incline, becoming more narrow the further they walk. Brendon frowns. He doesn’t remember it being like this the last time he had explored this passageway, and apparently neither does Zack because suddenly he stops walking, putting a hand out to stop them from progressing any further. Zack motions with his hand and then leads them back down the tunnel the way they came until they reach the curve again. Zack stops and presses his hand to the stone and suddenly a door swings open. Zack steps through and then motions for them to follow him. Dallon closes the door behind them once they are through.
Suddenly the tunnel looks and feels familiar, and Brendon’s struck with the memory of the last time he had seen this passageway, thirteen years old and being carried through in the dead of night to safety. He can see it in his minds eye, the explosions that had illuminated the night, his mother’s tears and his father’s face creased with worry, the ships and Dallon, young yet tasked with a huge responsibility, and suddenly Brendon feels like shit for the way he acted towards him all those times when Dallon had just been trying to look after him. Brendon shakes his head and pushes the thoughts from his mind until it is clear again. He can revisit them later when all of this is over, but thinking about them now will only result in weakness that can be exploited by his enemies. Brendon promises himself that when all of this is over he’ll make it up to Dallon. He’ll reward him for his hard work and loyalty, Zack too, but now, he has a kingdom to save.
Eventually the tunnel reaches a familiar door. Zack stops walking, pressing his ear to it. Brendon turns quickly and hugs Spencer tight, putting everything he can into that hug so that Spencer knows how he feels about him. Brendon is acutely aware that this could very well be the last time he sees Spencer, no matter how determined he is for them to make it through this and have a first date. Spencer hugs him back. It feels like only a second and then Dallon pulls on Spencer’s elbow, and Zack’s wraps his hand around Brendon’s wrist. Brendon knows this is it, and he takes a deep breath and follows Zack into the castle.
--
It’s an ambush; there’s no other word for it really. When they walk in everything is so quiet, and then it isn’t anymore. Shots of color fly through the air, and Zack pushes Brendon down to the ground. Brendon tugs Spencer after him.
“Stay down, stay down.” Zack starts firing. Dallon moves in front of them, pressing his back to Zack’s and firing in the opposite direction. Brendon pulls Spencer in close. “We need to get out of here.”
A group of rebels surge forward, and Brendon doesn’t think. He just reacts, firing off shots and hitting them in the chest. He keeps Spencer pressed to the ground. A rebel falls near him, and Brendon fires off another shot, tugging the rebel in close to them. He presses his hands to the unconscious rebel’s temple and pushes into his mind. He searches for a moment until he finds what he’s looking for. He turns and then darts over to Zack. “Zack we need to get to the dungeons. They’ve got--they can help us.”
Zack nods. “Wait for the all clear.”
There’s an explosion to their left and then shots fire around them. Zack curses and then pushes at Brendon. “Grab Spencer and run. We’ve got you covered.”
Brendon doesn’t need to be told twice. He takes hold of Spencer’s hand and drags him, running towards the stairs that he knows will take them to the dungeons. Brendon pushes Spencer through the door and pulls it shut behind them. He can feel Spencer’s hand shaking in his, but he can’t stop to make sure he’s alright. They have to get down to the dungeons and free the prisoners if they’re going to win this.
Brendon leads Spencer down stairs, trying to stay in the shadows as much as possible. He can hear the quiet hum of voices, followed by a threatening voice demanding they shut up. Brendon takes a step forward. That’s his mistake, and he fucking knows it as soon as he does it because rough hands grab hold of him and drags him into the light.
“Look at what we have here.” The voice is rough, and Brendon struggles against his hold, trying his hardest to not think about Spencer still hiding in the shadows. “Seems to me like I’ve found myself a prince.”
“Let go of me.” Brendon struggles. “That’s an order.”
The rebel turns Brendon around and shoves him up against the wall. Brendon’s head slams back against it. His vision swims for a moment, and he struggles to stay conscious. The rebel wraps his hand around Brendon’s throat slowly cutting of his air supply. “I don’t recognise your authority.”
“Then perhaps you recognise this.” Spencer steps out of the shadows, pointing the ray gun at the rebel.
“Oh look, another little boy playing at hero.” The rebel snarls and lunges at Spencer and Spencer fires, shooting him clean in the chest. Brendon slumps against the wall, sucking in deep breaths. It takes a moment for him to pull himself to his feet, and then he steps over the rebels fallen body and stands next to Spencer.
Spencer’s eyes are trained on the body, and his hands are shaking violently. Brendon reaches out, resting a hand on his arm. “Spence?”
“I shot him. I just--I shot him.” Hysteria creeps into his voice, and then he lurches to the side and throws up.
Brendon rests a hand on his back and rubs it slow and soothing. “Hey, hey you did what you had to do Spence. It’s shitty but it had to be done, okay?.”
Spencer heaves again and sniffs. “He was choking you.”
“I know but I’m okay now. You saved me.” Brendon smiles softly and presses a kiss to the back of his neck. “You’re okay.”
Spencer sniffs and nods. “This better get me laid, Urie.”
Brendon laughs and tugs him around to hug him. “You’re totally going to get laid, Spencer Smith.”
--
Once Spencer recovers, Brendon gets him to help move the body into the shadows so it’s hidden from anyone who might come down to check on the prisoners, and they make their way slowly and quietly into the dungeon. Brendon holds Spencer’s hand tight and keeps him close, his eyes closed tight as he searches for danger. He can’t feel anything but fear and distress and an undertone of that same hope that he felt when they first landed only stronger now, building in his veins like a game of cold, warm, hot.
Brendon leads Spencer into the open. There are cells upon cells, more than were ever there when Brendon’s family lived in the castle, filled with people. Men, Women, Children, all packed together like sardines, and Brendon wants to cry. He pulls his hood over his head, covering his face until he finds who he is looking for. “Jon.”
Jon, the captain of the King’s guard looks up from where his head is bowed. “Who’s there? Show yourself.”
Brendon steps up to the bars and lowers his hood. “Hello, Jon.”
Jon drops to his knees immediately, and Brendon is assaulted with that same feeling of hope, strong and palpitating as the occupants of the room recognise him. “Your Highness. Your Highness how-- I--” Jon shakes his head. “I have failed your family’s name, Your Highness.”
“Nonsense. Please, rise. We don’t have much time.” Brendon wraps his hands around the bars and tugs. “Will your magic not bend the bars?”
“No, it’s not strong enough.” Jon shakes his head. “There is no way out.”
“There is always hope.” Brendon smiles and tightens his hands on the bars as he taps into his core, energy and power burning hot and bright in his veins. He keeps his eyes closed tight, focusing as hard as he can, and then the sounds locks clicking open fill the silence that’s fallen across the room.
Brendon shivers and opens his eyes. “Jon, quick. We need to get those who can’t fight out of here, and those who can need to come with me.”
Jon nods. “Ian!”
Another soldier steps forward. “Sir?”
“We need to get anyone who can’t fight out of here. Take a couple of men and lead them through the eastern tunnel and into the mountains. Set up a surrounding area and stay there until we send a message that it’s safe to return.”
“Yes sir.” Ian walks over to two other guys. They start organising people into groups, while Jon starts organising the remainder. Brendon turns to Spencer and pulls him into a corner. “Are you sure you still want to do this? I can--you can go with Ian and the others until this is over.”
Spencer rolls his eyes and surges forward, kissing Brendon more than a little desperately. “I’m not going anywhere that you aren’t going, okay?”
“Okay, I know.”
“Sire? We are ready.” Jon is standing with a group of twenty or thirty men behind him. “We have no weapons though.”
“We’ll make a run for the armory. It’s directly above us so it shouldn’t be too difficult to get to. Most of the fighting is down in the south end.” Brendon can sense the anger and emotion coming from that end of the castle. “Are you sure you are all okay to fight?”
“This is our kingdom and you are our prince. We will do as you wish.” Jon motions for Ian to lead the non fighters out. “We should move if we want to secure the castle before day break.”
Brendon nods and twins his fingers with Spencer’s. “We will lead the way.”
“Yes, Sire.”
Brendon checks his gun and then leads the group back to the staircase and up, keeping his head clear so he can be ready if they run into trouble. They reach the top of the staircase and Brendon moves to push the door open a crack, quickly scanning the hallway. It’s clear, and Brendon motions for the group to follow him. He opens the door the rest of the way to let them past and then leads them through the shadows of the corridor, stopping every now and then to check their surroundings. He can see flashes of colour coming from the guns through the windows that sit across the courtyard, and he struggles to keep his mind clear.
Brendon can see the door of the armory guarded by two rebels, and he raises his hand, sinking into an alcove and breathing a sigh of relief when the rest of the group follow suit. Brendon shifts the tiniest bit so he can get a better view. He crooks his arm and sets his ray gun on top of it, then with a deep breath he shoots, hitting one rebel and then the next.
“Go. Quick.”
They run down the corridor, Brendon tugging Spencer behind him. They make it to the armory, shutting the door behind them. Brendon sinks against the door, panting heavily. “Fuck. Okay. We need guns and armour.”
Jon orders the group to gather supplies and Brendon runs a hand over Spencer’s arm. “We can do this.”
“Hey, of course we can. We’ve got this.” Spencer smiles reassuringly, kissing Brendon’s temple. “Plus we totally have an army now, dude.”
Brendon laughs weakly. “No Dallon or Zack though.”
“Zack’s like a fucking commando or something dude, and Dallon’s kinda scary. They’ll be fine, and we can totally rock up guns a blazing and save the day.” Spencer grins. “Maybe we can get you a whole hour of free time.”
“Here’s hoping.” Brendon smiles. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“Of course.” Spencer kisses his temple again, just as Jon comes back carrying a handful of various pieces of body armour. He hands Brendon and Spencer a cuirass each.
“Here, you both need to put these on. They’ll protect you from most things but don’t take it as a license to go crazy out there.”
Brendon tugs it over his head and Jon helps him secure it in place. “Would I do that?”
“I don’t want to name names but someone out of us three failed his basic arms test six times.” Jon helps Spencer into his vest and grins.
Brendon rolls his eyes. “Hey the important thing is you passed right?”
Jon snorts and goes back over to the rest of the group, helping hand out guns and secure their armour. Spencer turns and grins. “Man, you look totally hot like that.”
“Oh yeah? You too.” Brendon presses close to him, pushing up on his toes to kiss Spencer’s jaw. “You are totally getting laid when this is over, did I mention?”
“Once or twice.” Spencer grins and kisses him proper, pressing Brendon against the wall and resting his hands on his hips. Jon clears his throat behind them. “No really. We’re at war you guys, can’t this wait?”
Brendon sighs. “We’re surrounded by assholes.”
Spencer laughs and tugs him away from the wall. “Soon okay? Soon.”
“Alright troops, keep your heads down and eyes peeled. Shoot to kill and have each other’s backs. We’re aiming for the throne room.” Jon claps his hands together and turns to Brendon and Spencer. “I’m taking point this time.”
Brendon nods and pulls Spencer close. “Okay. Zack and Dallon are out there somewhere as well.”
“We’ll find them.” Jon charges his gun and motions for them to get in position. Brendon squeezes Spencer’s hand and they move out.
--
They make it ten steps before the corridor explodes in a flash of colour and noise, rebels surging in from everywhere. There are shouts from their group, and Brendon loses his grip on Spencer’s hand when the soldiers push forward to meet the rebels halfway. Brendon fires shots. He can hear himself screaming Spencer’s name in his head but the sound is being eaten by the noise of the fighting. He can’t see anything but faces and falling bodies, and he can feel desperation and fear whirling up in his body.
Suddenly it feels like all of the air has been sucked out of the room, and Brendon can feel the blood pounding in his ears. Spencer is standing in the middle of the din, a thick arm around his neck holding him secure. Brendon knows that it’s the leader of the rebels that has him, just by looking at him. Brendon yells Spencer’s name, and their eyes lock. The fear Brendon feels reflected in Spencer’s eye. It makes Brendon want to scream and rip the guy’s throat out. He charges at them, and the rebel laughs, dragging Spencer away as Brendon gets swallowed up by the fighting.
Brendon forces himself through the crowd, and slowly it becomes easier because the rebels are falling back. They’re still fighting but they all seem to have received a silent message that is leading them back to the throne room. They retreat and confused silence falls over the soldiers when the throne room doors slam shut with a loud thud.
“What’s going on? What are they doing?” Dallon appears at Brendon’s side, a little scratched but no worse for wear.
Zack appears on his other side. “Bren? You okay?”
Brendon shakes his head. “They have Spencer.”
--
Brendon wants to blow the door to the throne room open and get Spencer back, but Zack assures him that it would be the worst possible idea. Brendon can still feel Spencer’s fear sitting heavy in his bones, and all he wants is to go in there and tear the place apart until Spencer is safe.
Time passes. Just when Brendon thinks he’s going to completely lose it, the throne room door opens. A lone rebel appears and lets the door shut behind him.
“I have a message from my king.”
Zack makes a noise next to Brendon, and Brendon raises his hand, silencing him. “I will hear your message.”
The rebel smirks at Brendon when he steps forward, and Brendon raises an eyebrow, even though he’d much rather punch him in the face.
“My king has your friend. He is willing to fight you for him and the kingdom.”
“Terms?”
“Your Highness,” Dallon hisses. “Surely you’re not--”
“Silence.” Brendon gives Dallon a silencing look and turns back to the rebel. “Terms?”
“Swords and to the death.”
Brendon nods. “Inform your leader that his terms have been met. Now hear mine. He is to give the order that when I defeat him, you and your kind are to leave and never return. You will have one hour. If you do not leave in that time, you will die.”
“Your terms will be met. I have the authority.”
“Then I suggest you tell your leader to make his peace. He dies at dawn.” Brendon turns and walks away, not stopping until he reaches his old bedroom. It’s still exactly how he remembers leaving it, and it strikes him as funny that it wasn’t ransacked by the rebels when they over ran the castle. The posters on his wall are faded now, torn slightly at the edges, and there’s a thick layer of dust on every surface. Brendon’s finger’s leave a track when he runs them over his desk.
Brendon sits down on his bed and closes his eyes, trying to gather his thoughts. He’s been trained in hand to hand combat and weaponry, but this is so much bigger than scenarios set up by Jon to test his skills. He will die if he doesn’t win. He will die, and so will Spencer, Zack, Dallon and the rest of his people. His kingdom will fall, and it will be his fault.
Fighting and standing up for himself has never been Brendon’s strong points, but it’s different this time. This time there are lives at stake. He has to do what he was born to do. He has to fight, kill or be killed, and to do that, he’ll need a sword.
There’s a secret panel that opens when Brendon presses against the backing board of his wardrobe. He still remembers when his father had shown him the hiding space, Brendon’s bedroom having belonged to him when he was a boy, and he remembers the way his father had passed on the secret with a look of pride. He wore the same pride when he had handed Brendon the sword, hand crafted and passed down from father to son for centuries, and now it belongs to Brendon. It sits in the top most crevice of the hidden space, wrapped in thick red velvet; when Brendon pulls it out and unwraps it he finds that it fits in his hand perfectly. His fingers wrap around the hilt. The blade shimmers in the moonlight that streams through his window, and Brendon takes a few practise swings. The sword as light as a feather and yet a steady presence in his hand. Brendon wraps his belt around his waist, buckling it tight and sheathes the sword in it’s spot, and with a final look around his bedroom he leaves and makes his way back to the throne room.
Zack, Dallon and Jon are standing close together, their heads bent deep in conversation. They look up when those around them kneel on one knee and bow their heads as Brendon makes his way towards them. He feels different like this, taller and stronger, and he can feel the hope coming off his people in waves. Zack, Dallon and Jon all bow their heads, staying that way until Brendon tells them to rise.
“Your Highness.” Dallon falls into step next to him. “Are you sure about this?”
“They have Spencer. There is no other option.” Brendon stares straight ahead at the throne room doors. “You are in charge while I am in there. I trust you to do the right thing in my absence.”
“Me? You--” Dallon glances around and then drops his voice to barely a murmur. “Your Highness, me?”
“Yes, you.” Brendon turns to look at Dallon. “You--if I’m not back, if I die, it is up to you to take charge Dallon. You will need to do everything in your power to keep our people safe, okay?”
Dallon nods. “Remember to duck yeah?”
Brendon laughs softly. “Yeah. I’ll try my best. Go inform Jon and Zack of your promotion. It’s almost time.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Dallon turns to leave. “Oh and, Your Highness? Good Luck.”
“Thank you.” Brendon shifts his gaze back to the throne room doors and works on clearing his mind. More importantly, he tries not to think of what will happen if he loses.
--
The first beam of sunlight hits the castle, pouring through the window, and a hush falls over the soldiers.
“Your Highness?” Jon touches Brendon’s elbow. “It’s time.”
Brendon nods and adjusts his cuirass. “Okay.”
“Hey remember, duck and weave and whatever you do, keep moving.” Jon tightens the strap on his belt. “Good luck.”
Brendon nods and takes a deep breath and starts walking. He doesn’t look at Dallon and Zack as he walks into the throne room, instead staring straight ahead. The leader sits in Brendon’s father’s throne, the messenger in his mother’s and slumped in Brendon’s sits Spencer. Brendon’s eyes meet Spencer’s, one wide and fearful, the other swollen shut, and Brendon resists the urge to blow the room the fuck up right then and there. He pushes the rage away and stops in the middle of the room.
“You showed up. I’m impressed.” The leader stands, unbuckling his cloak and letting it fall onto the floor. He walks down the steps, his sword in hand and stops at the bottom of them. “Are you ready to die, little boy?”
Brendon pulls his sword out, twisting it in his hand. “Are you?”
“Always.”
The leader darts forward, swinging his sword at Brendon, and Brendon stand his ground until the very last second then ducks to the right, bringing his sword up to meet the leaders. The surrounding rebels whoop and holler, and the noise echoes off the stone walls of the throne room.
The leader grunts and swings again, but Brendon is faster and dodges the blow, spinning out of the way and then bringing his own sword down. It cuts through the leather of the leader’s sleeve leaving a cut on his arm, and the leader lets out a guttural noise, lunging at Brendon again.
“You’ll need to do better than that to defeat me, little boy.”
Brendon ducks and swing, slicing along the leaders side. He doesn’t reply. The first thing he was ever taught was not to distract himself with taunts and just fight. The leader laughs loud and vicious and swings his sword. Brendon cries out when it cuts across his arm. He hears Spencer yell his name, and Brendon pushes it away, the pain and the noise and focuses, swinging his sword again.
They trade blows for what feels like hours. There’s sweat pooling at Brendon’s hairline and his back, and the leader isn’t any better off. He’s bright red, puffing and favoring his left leg after Brendon lands a blow to his right. Suddenly, Brendon can see the leader’s next move in his head before he even makes it, and he knows he’s got this. The leader swings his sword, and Brendon ducks, only this time instead of shifting to the right he moves to the left. The leader, clumsy on his right leg attempts to swing, and Brendon takes the momentary loss of balance to sink his sword into the leader’s stomach to the hilt. The leader stares at him with wide, surprised eyes, as he drops his sword. The moment lingers for the longest time and then the leader lurches forward. Brendon stands his ground, sword in hand as the leader dies.
The room is swamped as Dallon orders the soldiers in to detain the remaining rebels. Brendon runs as fast as he can across the room, taking the steps that lead to the throne two at a time. He pulls Spencer into his arms, and clings as tight as he can.
Spencer clings back just as tight. They stay like that silent and holding each other until Zack appears at their sides. “Your Highness, you both need to see the healer, come on.”
Brendon lets Zack lead them through the throne room and back to his bedroom, not letting go of Spencer in the slightest. Zack pushes the door open and guides them gently inside. “Stay here and don’t move. I’ll be back with the healer.”
“You saved me.” Spencer voice is raw and broken. “Bren, you--you saved me. You were amazing.”
“I couldn’t let them hurt you and not do anything about it.” Brendon kisses his forehead, his swollen eye, his busted lip. Every kiss takes the place of the I love you that sits on the tip of his tongue. He knows it’s too much, too soon, they haven’t even had a first date yet, but Brendon feels like his whole life has been in preparation for meeting Spencer.
“You’re bleeding.” Spencer sniffs, putting the tiniest amount of space between them to look at Brendon’s arm. “Does it hurt?”
“Stings mostly.”
“You were so fucking brave, Bren.” Spencer kisses him hot and fierce. Brendon moans softly, pushing a hand into Spencer’s hair and kissing him back.
The door swings open and Zack groans. “Alright, break it up. Spencer, you’re going to come into the next room so Healer Clarens can look you over. Brendon, Healer Jones will see you here.”
Spencer nods and lets go of Brendon. “Don’t get any ideas about running off okay?”
Brendon sniffs and laughs softly. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Spencer ducks his head and kisses Brendon lightly, before following Zack into the next room. Brendon sighs and lays back against the pillows on his bed, finally letting himself acknowledge how exhausted he really is and falls asleep before the healer finishes checking him over.
--
Brendon squints at the bright sunlight shining through his window. His head’s pounding, and when he tries to roll onto his side away from the light a burning sensation shoots through his arm, along with the memories from the night before. He snuffles and then notices Spencer curled up next to him, his face smooth and calm in his sleep. Brendon reaches out and runs his hand over Spencer’s hair and then the sound of someone clearing their voice startles him. He turns his head and to see his parents sitting at his bedside. It’s all Brendon can do not to launch himself off his bed.
“Brendon, my darling.” His mom crosses the room and sits on the edge of the bed, putting her arm around him. “You are a sight for sore eyes.”
“Mom.” The word comes out like a sob and suddenly Brendon just can’t anymore. He starts to cry. It’s like the floodgates on three years of fear and pain and being away from him home and family have opened and he can’t stop it. It’s like he’s thirteen all over again, and he doesn’t even care that his father is sitting there watching him sob like a baby.
“Shh, my boy, my wonderful, brave boy.” his mom rocks him back and forth like she used to when she’d find him crying after school because the kids had been mean to him, and then there are another pair of arms around him, stronger than his mother’s. He knows it’s his father.
“We’re so proud of you, Brendon.” His dad’s voice is rough and raw. Brendon wants to look up but he doesn’t think he can handle seeing his dad cry.
Brendon presses his face into his mother’s neck and tries to get himself under control. He’s a prince for fucksake, not to mention that his maybe boyfriend is asleep next to him, and he really doesn’t want to get maybe boyfriend dumped because he’s a giant cry baby.
Brendon sniffs and pulls back to wipe at his eyes. “Sorry.”
“Shh you have nothing to be sorry for.”
“Nothing at all. We are so, so proud of you, Brendon. You saved the kingdom.” Brendon’s dad pats his shoulder. “If anyone should be sorry, it should be us.”
“You? Why should you be sorry?”
His parents exchange a look. “We made a mistake. We knew that the kingdom was in trouble, and we should have been honest about that fact.”
Brendon can’t believe he’s hearing this, that all of this could have been prevented, but he doesn’t have the energy to be angry. “You knew.”
“We’re so sorry, Brendon. We wanted to keep you safe. We wanted you to be a child for as long as possible.”
“But I could have been prepared, I could have--”
“You couldn’t have.” His mother smiles sadly. “We had a group assigned to trying to stop them from invading. We didn’t expect it to get so out of hand.”
“We were wrong for treating you like a child but expecting you to take on the responsibility of an adult.”
Brendon nods a little. “How did you know it was safe to come back?”
“A messenger was sent.” his mom smiles. “Dallon has grown into his role wonderfully.”
“I trained him up well.” Brendon smiles. “Only had to threaten to decapitate him every other day.”
Brendon’s parents laugh softly and hug him tight. Brendon hums softly and presses close to them, closing his eyes for a moment. “You haven’t asked me about Spencer.”
“We told you Dallon has grown into his role.” Brendon father kisses his temple. “Speaking of.” His parents exchange a look. “Dallon requested an audience with us which we granted. He raised several points with us, the main being your return to Earth.”
Brendon’s surprised to say the least. “My return to Earth? He--really?”
Brendon’s mother nods. “He was rather--vehement that you should return and finish your schooling and we have discussed it.”
“You have?” Brendon tries not to sound to eager or get his hopes up.
“We have, and we’re going to allow you to return to Earth. With rules of course.”
Brendon’s heart beats faster and it takes all of his energy not to throw his arms up in victory. He’s totally going to give Dallon a raise. “Of course. Anything.”
“Your happiness is our priority, Brendon. We have made mistakes in the past but we both feel that returning to Earth, spending time with your friend and finishing school there is what’s best and what will make you happiest. You will return over the summer breaks and visit us, that is not negotiable. You are more than welcome to bring your friend--”
“Spencer, his name is Spencer”
“Spencer. You’re more than welcome to bring Spencer with you to visit and both Dallon and Zack have agreed to return to Earth with you.”
“They have? Dallon hates Earth.”
Brendon’s father smiles. “He may hate Earth but he loves you. He volunteered.”
“He-- I -- thank you. Mother, Father, I really. Thank you.” Brendon looks down at Spencer, warmth and happiness bubbling inside him. He smiles and then yawns softly.
“It’s our pleasure, you’ve more than earned it, son.” His father stands and kisses his forehead and his mother follows suit. “Get some sleep. We have plenty of time to discuss the details.”
Brendon nods and lays back down, letting his mom tuck the blankets around him, and he doesn’t even bother trying to pretend that he’s not loving every second of it. They each kiss him on the forehead and then. Brendon falls asleep, his pounding headache forgotten. Finally everything feels right again.
--
Epilogue.
“I can’t believe you’ve voluntarily returned to school.” Spencer takes a bite of his sandwich and wrinkles his nose. “School, dude. Math and Sam Brown and homework.”
Brendon shrugs. “Eh, I killed a Rebel Leader, dude. I’m sure I can handle a bully. I can’t believe you got your ass grounded for two weeks.”
“I’m lucky it wasn’t for eternity. Thank god for Zack, not that I’ll ever understand how he convinced my parents to believe him.”
“Zack’s a little bit magic.” Brendon grins. “Anyway, enough about Zack. Tell me where we’re going on our date.”
“Nowhere, I’m grounded remember.” Spencer grins at him. “Guess you’re just going to have to imagine it and let me know how it goes.”
Brendon rolls his eyes. “Shut up, as if you don’t have an awesome date planned for when you’re allowed to leave the house.”
“Maybe. Maybet not.”
“You suck. You suck, and I’m not above threatening to decapitate you, Spencer Smith.”
“That’s not what your mom said last night.” Spencer smirks and steals a fry off Brendon’s plate.
“Funny I fucked your mom last night.” Brendon grins, and Spencer rolls his eyes, throwing his half eaten fry at Brendon’s head. “No prizes for second best.”
“I’ll second best you in a minute.”
Spencer snorts and leans across the table. “If you never talk about my mom again I’ll let you second best me all you want.”
“Is that a promise?”
Spencer winks, pressing his lips to Brendon’s for a fleeting of moment, just as the warning bell rings. “It’s a guarantee.”
“Awesome.” Brendon gathers his things and bumps his hip against Spencer’s. “Have I told you how glad I am that I got to come back here?”
“Have I mentioned how glad I am that you got to come back?” Spencer says, slipping his hand into Brendon’s.
Brendon grins and leans into his side. He might have to go to school every day and hide his magic and deal with homework and bullies, but as far as Brendon’s concerned, it’s totally worth it.
The freedom to be himself is worth it.
Bonus Features Art // Mixes
--
The suns sinks lower, casting ribbons of color that fade the further they reach across the late afternoon sky. It's almost dark now, the trees in the backyard casting shadows across the grass. Brendon's own shadow mixes with them, growing longer the lower the sun sinks, and he's suddenly reminded of that show that he had watched with Dallon when they'd first arrived on earth. Something about a Doctor and a blue box and double shadows that had thoroughly creeped him the fuck out. It feels strange to him to be leaving earth. He feels older now, more mature and yet terrified like a small child who had a bad dream.
Brendon fumbles for his cell phone and checks the time, for missed calls and texts, but Spencer hasn't contacted him. There's still time, but not a lot. Dallon and Zack are standing by the entrance to the garage casting the occasional glance to the sky but mostly muttering to each other in low voices.
Brendon sits down, pressing his hands into the grass and closing his eyes. He can still hear the screams in his ears, the images the rebel projected into his head playing on a loop. He wants to throw up. Scream. Cry.
"Brendon. It's almost time." Dallon is standing next to him when he opens his eyes.
"Spencer's not here yet." Brendon clasps his hands together trying to hide the way they shake.
Dallon casts a glance to the sky. "You might need to consider the possibility that--"
"He'll be here." Brendon knows what Dallon is going to say. He's thinking the same, but he doesn't need to give Dallon another reason to dislike Spencer. "Ten more minutes okay?"
Brendon can tell Dallon wants to argue and is relieved when he just nods and walks back over to Zack. Brendon can feels their helplessness, their fear and wariness. It makes his stomach lurch. He squeeze his eyes shut tight and pushes away the wave of nausea that threatens to engulf him.
Ten minutes passes quickly, too quickly for Brendon’s liking. He has no choice but to pick himself up and make his way over to the garage.
Dallon rests a hand on Brendon's shoulder. "Ready?"
Brendon nods. He casts a glance back at the backyard. "Yeah. Lets go."
Zack opens the door of the ship and Brendon climbs aboard, checking his phone again. There's nothing from Spencer. Brendon wants to cry.
Dallon ducks his head into the cabin. "Hey, we're about to take off."
"Okay." He tugs his harness over his shoulders and then there's the sound of a commotion coming from outside the ship. Brendon hears his name being called as Dallon looks behind him. Dallon turns back to Brendon. "Looks like your boyfriend made it after all."
Spencer appears in the doorway with a dufflebag. "You weren’t going to leave without me were you?" His smile looks a little thin around the edges but it still makes Brendon’s stomach do a weird flippy thing. Brendon hops up and hugs him tight. "You're late dick."
Spencer's arms wrap around him. "I was making an entrance."
"Guys? Safety harnesses okay? We're waiting to take off."
Brendon tugs on Spencer's hand and helps him into his harness. "Is that okay?"
Spencer grins. "It's kinda kinky. I dig it."
"Can you not? Oh my god." Brendon wants to kiss the grin off Spencer's stupid face but he can practically feel Dallon's impatience flowing off him in waves. Brendon fits his harness on and then reaches over, sliding his hand into Spencer's. "I hate takeoff." He pauses. “And flying.”
"You’re an alien and you have a spaceship." Spencer is looking at him like he has three heads.
"Don’t judge me."
Spencer snorts, “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Why did I invite you along again?” The space ship starts to rattle and hum. Brendon totally doesn’t hold on tighter to Spencer’s hand at all.
“Hmm, because I’m hot, you think I’m awesome and I’m afraid that if I didn’t come with you, Dallon and Zack would have used you as a shield.” Spencer grins, smoothing his thumb across Brendon’s hand. Brendon appreciates it.
“Never. They love me.”
The ship rises off the ground and Spencer frowns. “Wait. How are we going to fly this thing out of here without being seen?”
“Deflector shields? I don’t know. There’s a button to press and then we can’t be seen.”
“A button to press. How technical.” Spencer laughs, craning his neck to look out the window.
Brendon shrugs, “You want technical, you’re with the wrong guy. You should be swapping spit with Zack.”
“Oh my god.” Spencer cracks up as the ship starts to shake and then surges forward sending Brendon’s stomach up into his throat. “Swapping spit? Really?”
“Oh my god shut the fuck up. I can’t talk to you right now. I’m trying not to hurl.” Brendon grips Spencer’s hand tighter. The ship surges forward again and then they’re thrown back into their seats as it hurtles towards the sky.
--
Spencer falls asleep at some point before they even get past Mars, but Brendon stays awake, his leg bouncing the whole time. He can’t blame Spencer for falling asleep; it’s late, and being asleep is better then throwing up everywhere when they hit warp speed. Not that he’d know anything about that. At all.
Brendon sighs and looks down at where Spencer’s sound asleep, his head pillowed on Brendon’s thigh. He wonders if Spencer knows what he’s getting himself into, coming with them. He wonders if Spencer’s really aware what it is that they’re walking into. Brendon knows that there is no way Spencer could know, and Brendon can admit for the first time that he’s scared. Not for himself or for what he has to do but for Spencer.
“Brendon?” Dallon sits down next to him. “You okay?”
Brendon frowns before resting his hand in Spencer’s hair. “I think--I think I may have made an error in judgement letting Spencer come with us.”
Dallon lets out a soft sigh. “I’m not so sure you had a choice, Bren.”
“I’m the prince. I always have a choice.” Brendon says quietly with his eyes trained on Spencer’s face.
“Not when it comes to this. Not when it comes to Spencer.” Dallon pauses. “You’re warm when you’re with him aren’t you?” He seems to already know the answer to the question.
“How do you know that?” Brendon wonders if Spencer had said something to Dallon before they had gotten on the space ship.
Dallon shrugs and looks out the small window in front of them. “I always forget that you were so young when we left home.”
“We both were.”
“No, I was fifteen. I was already of age. I had already been taught things that you never were.”
Brendon frowns. “I knew enough. I’d already been taught how to rule.”
“You never learnt about what would happen when you met your mate.” Dallon turns to look Brendon in the eye. “You were never taught about the deeper magic that is released when two souls that are meant to be meet.”
Brendon is speechless. What the fuck does Dallon mean deeper magic? He’s never heard of any deeper magic, and he spent four hours a fucking day learning about their fucking magic.
“He keeps you warm because when his energy meets yours, the deeper magic is released. It overrides your core. You thrive because he exists.”
“That--what?” Brendon shakes his head. “No way dude, you’re fucking with me right? You finally watched Harry Potter and now you’re going all one must die for the other to survive on me, only ass up backwards. Right?”
Dallon laughs a little. “No, I’m really not. It’s true. You just didn’t know about it because it was always thought that there would be more time. There’s so much about how we meet and fall in love and--”
“Oh hell no, you are not giving me a sex talk right now.” Brendon feels like hurling at the thought of Dallon awkwardly explaining the birds and the bees.
“Good lord no. That’s totally Zack’s job.”
“Ew. Ew.” Now Brendon is really going to puke.
Dallon rests a hand on Brendon’s knee and squeezes. His voice is soft and quiet. “You might not know if he’s who you want to be with forever, but your magic does.”
Brendon sighs. He looks down at Spencer where he’s sleeping and nods. He knows Dallon’s right. In fact he’s pretty sure he knew that Spencer was special the first time he laid eyes on him. Brendon can’t believe he was so blind that he never realised how hard he had fallen for him from the first time they met. He frowns and starts to run his fingers through Spencer’s hair. “You’ll keep him safe.”
It’s not a question and Dallon knows it. He nods. “I will, Brendon. I promise.”
“Thank you. I know--” Brendon pauses. “I know being my aide -- my friend -- isn’t the easiest job in the world so. Thank you.”
“Your Highness being your aide is nothing but a pain in my ass.” Dallon smiles and puts an arm around him, squeezing lightly. “But, Brendon? Being your friend is as easy as breathing.”
Brendon smiles. “Yeah well. I’m pretty awesome. I make it easy for you.”
“See there you go getting too big for your boots again.” Dallon tugs his hair. “For real though Bren. You’re a good guy, you just need to remember that you can’t carry this all on your shoulders okay? We’re here to help so you need to let us.”
“I know.” Brendon sighs. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“You’re doing what any great prince would do. You’re doing something amazingly brave and incredibly stupid to save your people.” Dallon grins. “Your parents will be so proud of you.”
“My parents will kill me.”
“Only a little.” Dallon grins. “More of a maiming.”
“Guys.” Zack’s voice comes over the intercom. “We’re approaching the rings.”
Dallon squeezes Brendon’s arm again and then stands. He leans over and presses the button on the speaker box. “On my way up.”
“I’ll wake Spence. He’ll get a kick out of this.” Brendon smiles and shakes Spencer’s shoulder lightly. “Spence.”
Spencer makes a soft noise and rolls over, pressing his face into Brendon’s stomach and Dallon snorts. “Good luck with that.”
Brendon watches Dallon leave and shakes Spencer again. “Spence. Spence, wake up.”
“Hmph.”
“Spence, hey. You want to see this.” Brendon shakes his arm again and Spencer groans, sitting up and slumping against the seat. His hair is sticking up in the air in truly spectacular fashion and Brendon can’t help but laugh.
“Dude, your hair.”
“Shuddup.” Spencer bats sleepily at his hair and lets his head fall against Brendon’s shoulder. “Why ‘m I awake?”
“Oh, right.” Brendon smiles. “Dude, look, it’s Saturn.”
That seems to perk Spencer up because he sits up straight and leans over Brendon to look out the window. “Holy shit, it’s fucking Saturn.”
Brendon laughs a little. “Yep. Awesome right?”
“So awesome. Is that ice?” Spencer’s got his hands pressed up against the glass, and Brendon feels a twinge of fondness.
“Mmhm yeah. Like, 99.9%? There are some impurities in there but yeah. Ice.”
“I always thought it was like. Solid mass? I didn’t realise it was all broken up like that.” Spencer turns. “Man if the science faculty could see this, they’d freak.”
“Dude, right?” Brendon smiles and moves next to Spencer. “There’s a story that my mom used to tell me, that once there was an outsider who fell in love with a princess. When her father found out about them he feared that it would be the destruction of his kingdom so he used his magic to turn the outsider into a moon, Lost Mēness. It means Lost Moon.”
Their breath has fogged up the window, and Brendon traces his finger through it. He remembers the way his mom would breathe against the window and draw planets and moons to illustrate the story.
“What happened then?”
“They say that he travelled through space, lonely and missing the princess, until one day he crashed into Saturn. They say that the moon was stripped of it’s ice layer on impact and that the ice became the rings.” Brendon smiles. “But that’s just a story you know? The records only go back so far so.”
“Hey.” Spencer presses two fingers to Brendon’s jaw and kisses him slow and soft. Brendon hums softly and kisses back.
“What was that for?”
Spencer shrugs. “You looked like you needed it, and you know, just in case your dad goes batshit and tries to turn me into a moon, I want to guarantee that you’ll come to my rescue.”
Brendon laughs. “Dude, trust me, if he didn’t turn my Uncle Max into a moon he’s not going to do it to you. But if on the very, very off chance that he does try it? I’ll totally come to your rescue.”
“Awesome.” Spencer grins and kisses Brendon again. Brendon hums and kisses back, resting a hand on Spencer’s cheek and shivering when Spencer curls his hand around the back of his neck, deepening the kiss. Spencer moves forward and presses Brendon up against the wall of the ship. He rests a hand on Brendon’s hip, and Brendon’s about to suggest that he take his shirt off when the sound of a throat being cleared interrupts them.
Brendon breaks away with a tiny whimper and sighs, looking over Spencer’s shoulder. Dallon grins back at him, and Brendon groans. “I am going to hang your head over my dinner table oh my god.”
“Uh huh, I’m sure. Zack wanted me to let you know that we’re going into silence mode so. Shut it and lights out.”
Brendon sighs. “Yeah, okay. But when all of this is over, I want at least half an hour uninterrupted make out time, got it?”
“Well I don’t know what Spencer’s going to think about that but I’m game.” Dallon grins at him and Brendon is going to have to slowly and painfully remove Dallon’s limbs. There’s no way out of it.
“I hate you.”
“Nah. Now sit down and be quiet okay?”
Brendon tugs Spencer over to the seat and nods. “Okay, okay. Our lips are sealed.”
“Good.” Dallon shuts the door behind him and Brendon sighs, resting against Spencer. He’s not sure he can do this.
--
The air is thick with tension as they fly closer to Aeternitatis, and it takes all of Brendon’s power to stay quiet. Spencer puts his hand on Brendon’s leg, stopping it from twitching, and Brendon closes his eyes, trying to focus on what he has to do and not on the fact that his stomach is tied up in knots from fear and nervousness and a thousand other emotions that he can’t identify.
They begin their descent, and Brendon rests his hand on Spencer’s, twining their fingers together and squeezing tight. His body is readjusting to being back on his home planet, and he’s suddenly aware of everything. Suddenly he’s being assaulted with fear and a sadistic glee; somewhere, barely on the outskirts of his mind he can feel hope. He closes his eyes and focuses on deep breathing, of bringing the feeling of hope into his body until it fills him with warmth. He doesn’t open his eyes until the ship shudders to a stop, signalling that they’ve landed.
Spencer’s hand is warm in his when Zack appears, motioning for them to follow him. Brendon leads the way, using his body shield Spencer from any danger that might pop up. They follow Zack down the steps of the space ship, and then it disappears behind them when Zack raises his hand. It’s difficult magic, and Brendon is suddenly so fucking happy that Zack is here and on his side.
Zack motions for them to stand next to Dallon, who has his eyes closed and arms stretched out to the side. Brendon keeps a tight hold on Spencer’s hand and pulls him along until he feels them enter a force field. Brendon pulls Spencer into a tight hug and clings. He’s thankful when Spencer doesn’t ask any questions just hugs him back.
“Okay, we’re in the clear.” Zack starts handing out packs of food. Brendon pulls away to take his and Spencer’s. He’s shamelessly clinging, but Brendon needs these last few moments to be a kid. He just needs to memorize Spencer’s touch and smell and everything else, just in case.
“Bren? Hey, you should eat something.” Spencer hands him a sandwich and pulls Brendon down into his lap.
Zack’s murmuring to Dallon, voices low enough that Brendon can’t hear them. He’s not trying very hard though, settling instead on eating and not thinking too much.
“Hey, are you okay?” Spencer’ voice is low, his breath tickling Brendon’s ear. Usually Brendon would say something flirty and initiate a make out session, but he can’t even focus on that.
“Yeah. Just--”
“Scared?”
Brendon shrugs and then nods. “Terrified.”
Spencer’s arm tightens around his waist. “You’re going to be great. I have faith in you.”
“You do?” Brendon turns his head so he can see Spencer’s face. “How do you know?”
“Because I trust you. Because I know that you’re a good person with a kind heart, and I know that if the people here are all as amazing as you, then you will fight for them with all that you have.” Spencer leans down to kiss him lightly. “Because I know that you’re going to be a great king one day.”
Brendon smiles and pushes away the urge to cry. “Yeah well. I am pretty awesome.”
Spencer snorts “Modest too. Now eat something. You’re going to need your strength.”
Brendon hesitates and worries at his bottom lip and says, "I want--there's some stuff. That I'll need to explain at some point. About me and us but I just." He slips his mother's chain and pendant over his head and presses it into Spencer's hand. "I want you to keep this okay? In case something--" Brendon can't finish that thought. He won't accept failure; it's not an option.
Spencer looks down at the pendant and nods. "I'll give it back to you when this is all over."
Brendon nods and goes up on his toes, brushing his lips against Spencer’s, light and quick. "We should eat."
Spencer nods, slipping the chain over his head and takes Brendon's hand. He twines their fingers together and squeezes. "We’ve got this okay?"
“Okay.” Brendon picks his sandwich up and starts to eat.
--
Zack and Dallon join them fifteen minutes later when the moon emerges from behind a cloud, illuminating the scenery. The moonlight hits the mountainside. The fractals of diamonds set in the rock sparkling, casting a spectrum of colour across the nearby river. Brendon realizes how much he’s missed his planet, with it’s waterfalls and fields and rivers and mountains. He can tell that Spencer is impressed by the look of awe currently present on his face.
“We’re going to enter the castle through the back passageway. Dallon’s looked into it and he can’t feel any presence. That means that they either don’t know it exists, or they’re assuming no one else knows it exists or aren’t brave enough to use it. We can use that to our advantage.” Zack draws a diagram in the dirt with a stick. “We need to go slow. There is no point running in there and kicking doors down when we don’t know how many we’re dealing with.”
“There is definitely thirty in the main Castle, roughly twenty or so in the grounds.” Brendon frowns. “I’m sure there are more, but that’s all I saw from the rebel.”
“Weapons?”
Brendon shakes his head. “None that I could see. It was mostly fire and axes -- things like that.”
“Okay that gives us an advantage.” Zack opes his satchel and pulls out four small ray guns. He hands one to each of them, even Spencer.
“Um, I don’t--” Spencer looks a little stricken, and Brendon takes the gun from him gently. “It’s easy, okay? This is the charge switch,” he points at a small red switch. “you’ll need to flick that just as we’re about to enter, then it’s just a matter of aiming and firing.”
Spencer nods and takes the gun when Brendon holds it out to him. “Am I shooting to kill or injure or?”
“Kill.” Zack says at the same time as Brendon says “Injure”
Dallon sighs. “Decisive lot aren’t you? Generally, we’re looking at aiming to kill. I know that you don’t agree, Brendon, but there are four of us and at least fifty of them. We can’t afford to not take them out.”
“Okay.” Brendon’s not going to argue about this, not when it’s important for them to come together and be on the same page.”Okay, fine.”
Zack nods and charges his gun. “We should move. I’ll lead, and Bren you’re behind me. Spencer, you’re behind Brendon, and Dallon will take the rear. If anything happens, do not break formation unless Dallon or I say. If we tell you to run, you run. Don’t argue, and you don’t play the hero. Just do as you’re told and get the fuck out of harms way, got it?”
“Got it.” Spencer nods and steps behind Brendon. Brendon nods and takes his place behind Zack. He turns to Dallon, “Remember your promise.”
Dallon nods. “I will.”
“What promise?” Spencer pokes Brendon in the back. “Hey, what promise?”
“Shh.” Zack holds a hand up. “No talking unless necessary.”
Brendon turns and kisses Spencer fast and deep and hot. “Stay safe, Spence.”
“I will. You too.”
Zack turns and gives them both a withering look, and Brendon makes a motion like he’s zipping his lip. Zack rolls his eyes and takes a deep breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”
--
They walk for an hour in silence, keeping to the shadows and staying in formation until they make their way to the top of a hill, and the castle appears in front of them, nestled in a deep green valley, surrounded by a mountain on one side, a river on another and a dark, foreboding forests on the other.
Brendon sucks in a breath and resist the urge to cry at the sight of his home. A hand rests on Brendon’s shoulder. He turns to see Dallon looking down at him with an odd look on his face. “Welcome home, Your Highness.”
Brendon smiles and rests his hand on top of Dallon’s. “Let’s go save our planet.”
Zack starts to lead them down the hill, sticking to the shadow of the line of trees to their left. Brendon reaches behind him, searching for Spencer’s hand, and he relaxes slightly when he finds it. Spencer squeezes and Brendon squeezes back. Once again Brendon is so grateful for Spencer’s existence.
After ten minutes they reach the bottom of the hill. The castle looms over them, casting a shadow in the bright moonlight. Brendon can see torches burning in the windows, but the grounds are silent as they make their way around to the back of the castle. They press themselves against the castle wall and walk quickly, sticking close to each other. Brendon can sense everyone’s nervousness, the air between them thick with tension. He resists the urge to send a calming shot of energy to them. He knows that it will be a dead give away since his magic is stronger and more potent than that of a commoner.
They reach the entrance of the passageway, and Zack ducks his head around the corner. When the coast is clear, he motions for them to follow him. The passageway is dark and cold since they’ve lost the moonlight, but Brendon can make out Zack’s silhouette in front of him. He tightens his hold on Spencer’s hand. He struggles to keep his mind clear now. The emotions of his people threatening to overwhelm him, and he can’t afford that to happen. He needs to keep a clear mind and focus on the task at hand, so the enemy can’t use his emotions against him. Instead he focuses on the warmth radiating from Spencer’s skin, the rhythm of Spencer’s breathing, and the feel of Spencer’s hand in his.
The passageway curves and then starts to incline, becoming more narrow the further they walk. Brendon frowns. He doesn’t remember it being like this the last time he had explored this passageway, and apparently neither does Zack because suddenly he stops walking, putting a hand out to stop them from progressing any further. Zack motions with his hand and then leads them back down the tunnel the way they came until they reach the curve again. Zack stops and presses his hand to the stone and suddenly a door swings open. Zack steps through and then motions for them to follow him. Dallon closes the door behind them once they are through.
Suddenly the tunnel looks and feels familiar, and Brendon’s struck with the memory of the last time he had seen this passageway, thirteen years old and being carried through in the dead of night to safety. He can see it in his minds eye, the explosions that had illuminated the night, his mother’s tears and his father’s face creased with worry, the ships and Dallon, young yet tasked with a huge responsibility, and suddenly Brendon feels like shit for the way he acted towards him all those times when Dallon had just been trying to look after him. Brendon shakes his head and pushes the thoughts from his mind until it is clear again. He can revisit them later when all of this is over, but thinking about them now will only result in weakness that can be exploited by his enemies. Brendon promises himself that when all of this is over he’ll make it up to Dallon. He’ll reward him for his hard work and loyalty, Zack too, but now, he has a kingdom to save.
Eventually the tunnel reaches a familiar door. Zack stops walking, pressing his ear to it. Brendon turns quickly and hugs Spencer tight, putting everything he can into that hug so that Spencer knows how he feels about him. Brendon is acutely aware that this could very well be the last time he sees Spencer, no matter how determined he is for them to make it through this and have a first date. Spencer hugs him back. It feels like only a second and then Dallon pulls on Spencer’s elbow, and Zack’s wraps his hand around Brendon’s wrist. Brendon knows this is it, and he takes a deep breath and follows Zack into the castle.
--
It’s an ambush; there’s no other word for it really. When they walk in everything is so quiet, and then it isn’t anymore. Shots of color fly through the air, and Zack pushes Brendon down to the ground. Brendon tugs Spencer after him.
“Stay down, stay down.” Zack starts firing. Dallon moves in front of them, pressing his back to Zack’s and firing in the opposite direction. Brendon pulls Spencer in close. “We need to get out of here.”
A group of rebels surge forward, and Brendon doesn’t think. He just reacts, firing off shots and hitting them in the chest. He keeps Spencer pressed to the ground. A rebel falls near him, and Brendon fires off another shot, tugging the rebel in close to them. He presses his hands to the unconscious rebel’s temple and pushes into his mind. He searches for a moment until he finds what he’s looking for. He turns and then darts over to Zack. “Zack we need to get to the dungeons. They’ve got--they can help us.”
Zack nods. “Wait for the all clear.”
There’s an explosion to their left and then shots fire around them. Zack curses and then pushes at Brendon. “Grab Spencer and run. We’ve got you covered.”
Brendon doesn’t need to be told twice. He takes hold of Spencer’s hand and drags him, running towards the stairs that he knows will take them to the dungeons. Brendon pushes Spencer through the door and pulls it shut behind them. He can feel Spencer’s hand shaking in his, but he can’t stop to make sure he’s alright. They have to get down to the dungeons and free the prisoners if they’re going to win this.
Brendon leads Spencer down stairs, trying to stay in the shadows as much as possible. He can hear the quiet hum of voices, followed by a threatening voice demanding they shut up. Brendon takes a step forward. That’s his mistake, and he fucking knows it as soon as he does it because rough hands grab hold of him and drags him into the light.
“Look at what we have here.” The voice is rough, and Brendon struggles against his hold, trying his hardest to not think about Spencer still hiding in the shadows. “Seems to me like I’ve found myself a prince.”
“Let go of me.” Brendon struggles. “That’s an order.”
The rebel turns Brendon around and shoves him up against the wall. Brendon’s head slams back against it. His vision swims for a moment, and he struggles to stay conscious. The rebel wraps his hand around Brendon’s throat slowly cutting of his air supply. “I don’t recognise your authority.”
“Then perhaps you recognise this.” Spencer steps out of the shadows, pointing the ray gun at the rebel.
“Oh look, another little boy playing at hero.” The rebel snarls and lunges at Spencer and Spencer fires, shooting him clean in the chest. Brendon slumps against the wall, sucking in deep breaths. It takes a moment for him to pull himself to his feet, and then he steps over the rebels fallen body and stands next to Spencer.
Spencer’s eyes are trained on the body, and his hands are shaking violently. Brendon reaches out, resting a hand on his arm. “Spence?”
“I shot him. I just--I shot him.” Hysteria creeps into his voice, and then he lurches to the side and throws up.
Brendon rests a hand on his back and rubs it slow and soothing. “Hey, hey you did what you had to do Spence. It’s shitty but it had to be done, okay?.”
Spencer heaves again and sniffs. “He was choking you.”
“I know but I’m okay now. You saved me.” Brendon smiles softly and presses a kiss to the back of his neck. “You’re okay.”
Spencer sniffs and nods. “This better get me laid, Urie.”
Brendon laughs and tugs him around to hug him. “You’re totally going to get laid, Spencer Smith.”
--
Once Spencer recovers, Brendon gets him to help move the body into the shadows so it’s hidden from anyone who might come down to check on the prisoners, and they make their way slowly and quietly into the dungeon. Brendon holds Spencer’s hand tight and keeps him close, his eyes closed tight as he searches for danger. He can’t feel anything but fear and distress and an undertone of that same hope that he felt when they first landed only stronger now, building in his veins like a game of cold, warm, hot.
Brendon leads Spencer into the open. There are cells upon cells, more than were ever there when Brendon’s family lived in the castle, filled with people. Men, Women, Children, all packed together like sardines, and Brendon wants to cry. He pulls his hood over his head, covering his face until he finds who he is looking for. “Jon.”
Jon, the captain of the King’s guard looks up from where his head is bowed. “Who’s there? Show yourself.”
Brendon steps up to the bars and lowers his hood. “Hello, Jon.”
Jon drops to his knees immediately, and Brendon is assaulted with that same feeling of hope, strong and palpitating as the occupants of the room recognise him. “Your Highness. Your Highness how-- I--” Jon shakes his head. “I have failed your family’s name, Your Highness.”
“Nonsense. Please, rise. We don’t have much time.” Brendon wraps his hands around the bars and tugs. “Will your magic not bend the bars?”
“No, it’s not strong enough.” Jon shakes his head. “There is no way out.”
“There is always hope.” Brendon smiles and tightens his hands on the bars as he taps into his core, energy and power burning hot and bright in his veins. He keeps his eyes closed tight, focusing as hard as he can, and then the sounds locks clicking open fill the silence that’s fallen across the room.
Brendon shivers and opens his eyes. “Jon, quick. We need to get those who can’t fight out of here, and those who can need to come with me.”
Jon nods. “Ian!”
Another soldier steps forward. “Sir?”
“We need to get anyone who can’t fight out of here. Take a couple of men and lead them through the eastern tunnel and into the mountains. Set up a surrounding area and stay there until we send a message that it’s safe to return.”
“Yes sir.” Ian walks over to two other guys. They start organising people into groups, while Jon starts organising the remainder. Brendon turns to Spencer and pulls him into a corner. “Are you sure you still want to do this? I can--you can go with Ian and the others until this is over.”
Spencer rolls his eyes and surges forward, kissing Brendon more than a little desperately. “I’m not going anywhere that you aren’t going, okay?”
“Okay, I know.”
“Sire? We are ready.” Jon is standing with a group of twenty or thirty men behind him. “We have no weapons though.”
“We’ll make a run for the armory. It’s directly above us so it shouldn’t be too difficult to get to. Most of the fighting is down in the south end.” Brendon can sense the anger and emotion coming from that end of the castle. “Are you sure you are all okay to fight?”
“This is our kingdom and you are our prince. We will do as you wish.” Jon motions for Ian to lead the non fighters out. “We should move if we want to secure the castle before day break.”
Brendon nods and twins his fingers with Spencer’s. “We will lead the way.”
“Yes, Sire.”
Brendon checks his gun and then leads the group back to the staircase and up, keeping his head clear so he can be ready if they run into trouble. They reach the top of the staircase and Brendon moves to push the door open a crack, quickly scanning the hallway. It’s clear, and Brendon motions for the group to follow him. He opens the door the rest of the way to let them past and then leads them through the shadows of the corridor, stopping every now and then to check their surroundings. He can see flashes of colour coming from the guns through the windows that sit across the courtyard, and he struggles to keep his mind clear.
Brendon can see the door of the armory guarded by two rebels, and he raises his hand, sinking into an alcove and breathing a sigh of relief when the rest of the group follow suit. Brendon shifts the tiniest bit so he can get a better view. He crooks his arm and sets his ray gun on top of it, then with a deep breath he shoots, hitting one rebel and then the next.
“Go. Quick.”
They run down the corridor, Brendon tugging Spencer behind him. They make it to the armory, shutting the door behind them. Brendon sinks against the door, panting heavily. “Fuck. Okay. We need guns and armour.”
Jon orders the group to gather supplies and Brendon runs a hand over Spencer’s arm. “We can do this.”
“Hey, of course we can. We’ve got this.” Spencer smiles reassuringly, kissing Brendon’s temple. “Plus we totally have an army now, dude.”
Brendon laughs weakly. “No Dallon or Zack though.”
“Zack’s like a fucking commando or something dude, and Dallon’s kinda scary. They’ll be fine, and we can totally rock up guns a blazing and save the day.” Spencer grins. “Maybe we can get you a whole hour of free time.”
“Here’s hoping.” Brendon smiles. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“Of course.” Spencer kisses his temple again, just as Jon comes back carrying a handful of various pieces of body armour. He hands Brendon and Spencer a cuirass each.
“Here, you both need to put these on. They’ll protect you from most things but don’t take it as a license to go crazy out there.”
Brendon tugs it over his head and Jon helps him secure it in place. “Would I do that?”
“I don’t want to name names but someone out of us three failed his basic arms test six times.” Jon helps Spencer into his vest and grins.
Brendon rolls his eyes. “Hey the important thing is you passed right?”
Jon snorts and goes back over to the rest of the group, helping hand out guns and secure their armour. Spencer turns and grins. “Man, you look totally hot like that.”
“Oh yeah? You too.” Brendon presses close to him, pushing up on his toes to kiss Spencer’s jaw. “You are totally getting laid when this is over, did I mention?”
“Once or twice.” Spencer grins and kisses him proper, pressing Brendon against the wall and resting his hands on his hips. Jon clears his throat behind them. “No really. We’re at war you guys, can’t this wait?”
Brendon sighs. “We’re surrounded by assholes.”
Spencer laughs and tugs him away from the wall. “Soon okay? Soon.”
“Alright troops, keep your heads down and eyes peeled. Shoot to kill and have each other’s backs. We’re aiming for the throne room.” Jon claps his hands together and turns to Brendon and Spencer. “I’m taking point this time.”
Brendon nods and pulls Spencer close. “Okay. Zack and Dallon are out there somewhere as well.”
“We’ll find them.” Jon charges his gun and motions for them to get in position. Brendon squeezes Spencer’s hand and they move out.
--
They make it ten steps before the corridor explodes in a flash of colour and noise, rebels surging in from everywhere. There are shouts from their group, and Brendon loses his grip on Spencer’s hand when the soldiers push forward to meet the rebels halfway. Brendon fires shots. He can hear himself screaming Spencer’s name in his head but the sound is being eaten by the noise of the fighting. He can’t see anything but faces and falling bodies, and he can feel desperation and fear whirling up in his body.
Suddenly it feels like all of the air has been sucked out of the room, and Brendon can feel the blood pounding in his ears. Spencer is standing in the middle of the din, a thick arm around his neck holding him secure. Brendon knows that it’s the leader of the rebels that has him, just by looking at him. Brendon yells Spencer’s name, and their eyes lock. The fear Brendon feels reflected in Spencer’s eye. It makes Brendon want to scream and rip the guy’s throat out. He charges at them, and the rebel laughs, dragging Spencer away as Brendon gets swallowed up by the fighting.
Brendon forces himself through the crowd, and slowly it becomes easier because the rebels are falling back. They’re still fighting but they all seem to have received a silent message that is leading them back to the throne room. They retreat and confused silence falls over the soldiers when the throne room doors slam shut with a loud thud.
“What’s going on? What are they doing?” Dallon appears at Brendon’s side, a little scratched but no worse for wear.
Zack appears on his other side. “Bren? You okay?”
Brendon shakes his head. “They have Spencer.”
--
Brendon wants to blow the door to the throne room open and get Spencer back, but Zack assures him that it would be the worst possible idea. Brendon can still feel Spencer’s fear sitting heavy in his bones, and all he wants is to go in there and tear the place apart until Spencer is safe.
Time passes. Just when Brendon thinks he’s going to completely lose it, the throne room door opens. A lone rebel appears and lets the door shut behind him.
“I have a message from my king.”
Zack makes a noise next to Brendon, and Brendon raises his hand, silencing him. “I will hear your message.”
The rebel smirks at Brendon when he steps forward, and Brendon raises an eyebrow, even though he’d much rather punch him in the face.
“My king has your friend. He is willing to fight you for him and the kingdom.”
“Terms?”
“Your Highness,” Dallon hisses. “Surely you’re not--”
“Silence.” Brendon gives Dallon a silencing look and turns back to the rebel. “Terms?”
“Swords and to the death.”
Brendon nods. “Inform your leader that his terms have been met. Now hear mine. He is to give the order that when I defeat him, you and your kind are to leave and never return. You will have one hour. If you do not leave in that time, you will die.”
“Your terms will be met. I have the authority.”
“Then I suggest you tell your leader to make his peace. He dies at dawn.” Brendon turns and walks away, not stopping until he reaches his old bedroom. It’s still exactly how he remembers leaving it, and it strikes him as funny that it wasn’t ransacked by the rebels when they over ran the castle. The posters on his wall are faded now, torn slightly at the edges, and there’s a thick layer of dust on every surface. Brendon’s finger’s leave a track when he runs them over his desk.
Brendon sits down on his bed and closes his eyes, trying to gather his thoughts. He’s been trained in hand to hand combat and weaponry, but this is so much bigger than scenarios set up by Jon to test his skills. He will die if he doesn’t win. He will die, and so will Spencer, Zack, Dallon and the rest of his people. His kingdom will fall, and it will be his fault.
Fighting and standing up for himself has never been Brendon’s strong points, but it’s different this time. This time there are lives at stake. He has to do what he was born to do. He has to fight, kill or be killed, and to do that, he’ll need a sword.
There’s a secret panel that opens when Brendon presses against the backing board of his wardrobe. He still remembers when his father had shown him the hiding space, Brendon’s bedroom having belonged to him when he was a boy, and he remembers the way his father had passed on the secret with a look of pride. He wore the same pride when he had handed Brendon the sword, hand crafted and passed down from father to son for centuries, and now it belongs to Brendon. It sits in the top most crevice of the hidden space, wrapped in thick red velvet; when Brendon pulls it out and unwraps it he finds that it fits in his hand perfectly. His fingers wrap around the hilt. The blade shimmers in the moonlight that streams through his window, and Brendon takes a few practise swings. The sword as light as a feather and yet a steady presence in his hand. Brendon wraps his belt around his waist, buckling it tight and sheathes the sword in it’s spot, and with a final look around his bedroom he leaves and makes his way back to the throne room.
Zack, Dallon and Jon are standing close together, their heads bent deep in conversation. They look up when those around them kneel on one knee and bow their heads as Brendon makes his way towards them. He feels different like this, taller and stronger, and he can feel the hope coming off his people in waves. Zack, Dallon and Jon all bow their heads, staying that way until Brendon tells them to rise.
“Your Highness.” Dallon falls into step next to him. “Are you sure about this?”
“They have Spencer. There is no other option.” Brendon stares straight ahead at the throne room doors. “You are in charge while I am in there. I trust you to do the right thing in my absence.”
“Me? You--” Dallon glances around and then drops his voice to barely a murmur. “Your Highness, me?”
“Yes, you.” Brendon turns to look at Dallon. “You--if I’m not back, if I die, it is up to you to take charge Dallon. You will need to do everything in your power to keep our people safe, okay?”
Dallon nods. “Remember to duck yeah?”
Brendon laughs softly. “Yeah. I’ll try my best. Go inform Jon and Zack of your promotion. It’s almost time.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Dallon turns to leave. “Oh and, Your Highness? Good Luck.”
“Thank you.” Brendon shifts his gaze back to the throne room doors and works on clearing his mind. More importantly, he tries not to think of what will happen if he loses.
--
The first beam of sunlight hits the castle, pouring through the window, and a hush falls over the soldiers.
“Your Highness?” Jon touches Brendon’s elbow. “It’s time.”
Brendon nods and adjusts his cuirass. “Okay.”
“Hey remember, duck and weave and whatever you do, keep moving.” Jon tightens the strap on his belt. “Good luck.”
Brendon nods and takes a deep breath and starts walking. He doesn’t look at Dallon and Zack as he walks into the throne room, instead staring straight ahead. The leader sits in Brendon’s father’s throne, the messenger in his mother’s and slumped in Brendon’s sits Spencer. Brendon’s eyes meet Spencer’s, one wide and fearful, the other swollen shut, and Brendon resists the urge to blow the room the fuck up right then and there. He pushes the rage away and stops in the middle of the room.
“You showed up. I’m impressed.” The leader stands, unbuckling his cloak and letting it fall onto the floor. He walks down the steps, his sword in hand and stops at the bottom of them. “Are you ready to die, little boy?”
Brendon pulls his sword out, twisting it in his hand. “Are you?”
“Always.”
The leader darts forward, swinging his sword at Brendon, and Brendon stand his ground until the very last second then ducks to the right, bringing his sword up to meet the leaders. The surrounding rebels whoop and holler, and the noise echoes off the stone walls of the throne room.
The leader grunts and swings again, but Brendon is faster and dodges the blow, spinning out of the way and then bringing his own sword down. It cuts through the leather of the leader’s sleeve leaving a cut on his arm, and the leader lets out a guttural noise, lunging at Brendon again.
“You’ll need to do better than that to defeat me, little boy.”
Brendon ducks and swing, slicing along the leaders side. He doesn’t reply. The first thing he was ever taught was not to distract himself with taunts and just fight. The leader laughs loud and vicious and swings his sword. Brendon cries out when it cuts across his arm. He hears Spencer yell his name, and Brendon pushes it away, the pain and the noise and focuses, swinging his sword again.
They trade blows for what feels like hours. There’s sweat pooling at Brendon’s hairline and his back, and the leader isn’t any better off. He’s bright red, puffing and favoring his left leg after Brendon lands a blow to his right. Suddenly, Brendon can see the leader’s next move in his head before he even makes it, and he knows he’s got this. The leader swings his sword, and Brendon ducks, only this time instead of shifting to the right he moves to the left. The leader, clumsy on his right leg attempts to swing, and Brendon takes the momentary loss of balance to sink his sword into the leader’s stomach to the hilt. The leader stares at him with wide, surprised eyes, as he drops his sword. The moment lingers for the longest time and then the leader lurches forward. Brendon stands his ground, sword in hand as the leader dies.
The room is swamped as Dallon orders the soldiers in to detain the remaining rebels. Brendon runs as fast as he can across the room, taking the steps that lead to the throne two at a time. He pulls Spencer into his arms, and clings as tight as he can.
Spencer clings back just as tight. They stay like that silent and holding each other until Zack appears at their sides. “Your Highness, you both need to see the healer, come on.”
Brendon lets Zack lead them through the throne room and back to his bedroom, not letting go of Spencer in the slightest. Zack pushes the door open and guides them gently inside. “Stay here and don’t move. I’ll be back with the healer.”
“You saved me.” Spencer voice is raw and broken. “Bren, you--you saved me. You were amazing.”
“I couldn’t let them hurt you and not do anything about it.” Brendon kisses his forehead, his swollen eye, his busted lip. Every kiss takes the place of the I love you that sits on the tip of his tongue. He knows it’s too much, too soon, they haven’t even had a first date yet, but Brendon feels like his whole life has been in preparation for meeting Spencer.
“You’re bleeding.” Spencer sniffs, putting the tiniest amount of space between them to look at Brendon’s arm. “Does it hurt?”
“Stings mostly.”
“You were so fucking brave, Bren.” Spencer kisses him hot and fierce. Brendon moans softly, pushing a hand into Spencer’s hair and kissing him back.
The door swings open and Zack groans. “Alright, break it up. Spencer, you’re going to come into the next room so Healer Clarens can look you over. Brendon, Healer Jones will see you here.”
Spencer nods and lets go of Brendon. “Don’t get any ideas about running off okay?”
Brendon sniffs and laughs softly. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Spencer ducks his head and kisses Brendon lightly, before following Zack into the next room. Brendon sighs and lays back against the pillows on his bed, finally letting himself acknowledge how exhausted he really is and falls asleep before the healer finishes checking him over.
--
Brendon squints at the bright sunlight shining through his window. His head’s pounding, and when he tries to roll onto his side away from the light a burning sensation shoots through his arm, along with the memories from the night before. He snuffles and then notices Spencer curled up next to him, his face smooth and calm in his sleep. Brendon reaches out and runs his hand over Spencer’s hair and then the sound of someone clearing their voice startles him. He turns his head and to see his parents sitting at his bedside. It’s all Brendon can do not to launch himself off his bed.
“Brendon, my darling.” His mom crosses the room and sits on the edge of the bed, putting her arm around him. “You are a sight for sore eyes.”
“Mom.” The word comes out like a sob and suddenly Brendon just can’t anymore. He starts to cry. It’s like the floodgates on three years of fear and pain and being away from him home and family have opened and he can’t stop it. It’s like he’s thirteen all over again, and he doesn’t even care that his father is sitting there watching him sob like a baby.
“Shh, my boy, my wonderful, brave boy.” his mom rocks him back and forth like she used to when she’d find him crying after school because the kids had been mean to him, and then there are another pair of arms around him, stronger than his mother’s. He knows it’s his father.
“We’re so proud of you, Brendon.” His dad’s voice is rough and raw. Brendon wants to look up but he doesn’t think he can handle seeing his dad cry.
Brendon presses his face into his mother’s neck and tries to get himself under control. He’s a prince for fucksake, not to mention that his maybe boyfriend is asleep next to him, and he really doesn’t want to get maybe boyfriend dumped because he’s a giant cry baby.
Brendon sniffs and pulls back to wipe at his eyes. “Sorry.”
“Shh you have nothing to be sorry for.”
“Nothing at all. We are so, so proud of you, Brendon. You saved the kingdom.” Brendon’s dad pats his shoulder. “If anyone should be sorry, it should be us.”
“You? Why should you be sorry?”
His parents exchange a look. “We made a mistake. We knew that the kingdom was in trouble, and we should have been honest about that fact.”
Brendon can’t believe he’s hearing this, that all of this could have been prevented, but he doesn’t have the energy to be angry. “You knew.”
“We’re so sorry, Brendon. We wanted to keep you safe. We wanted you to be a child for as long as possible.”
“But I could have been prepared, I could have--”
“You couldn’t have.” His mother smiles sadly. “We had a group assigned to trying to stop them from invading. We didn’t expect it to get so out of hand.”
“We were wrong for treating you like a child but expecting you to take on the responsibility of an adult.”
Brendon nods a little. “How did you know it was safe to come back?”
“A messenger was sent.” his mom smiles. “Dallon has grown into his role wonderfully.”
“I trained him up well.” Brendon smiles. “Only had to threaten to decapitate him every other day.”
Brendon’s parents laugh softly and hug him tight. Brendon hums softly and presses close to them, closing his eyes for a moment. “You haven’t asked me about Spencer.”
“We told you Dallon has grown into his role.” Brendon father kisses his temple. “Speaking of.” His parents exchange a look. “Dallon requested an audience with us which we granted. He raised several points with us, the main being your return to Earth.”
Brendon’s surprised to say the least. “My return to Earth? He--really?”
Brendon’s mother nods. “He was rather--vehement that you should return and finish your schooling and we have discussed it.”
“You have?” Brendon tries not to sound to eager or get his hopes up.
“We have, and we’re going to allow you to return to Earth. With rules of course.”
Brendon’s heart beats faster and it takes all of his energy not to throw his arms up in victory. He’s totally going to give Dallon a raise. “Of course. Anything.”
“Your happiness is our priority, Brendon. We have made mistakes in the past but we both feel that returning to Earth, spending time with your friend and finishing school there is what’s best and what will make you happiest. You will return over the summer breaks and visit us, that is not negotiable. You are more than welcome to bring your friend--”
“Spencer, his name is Spencer”
“Spencer. You’re more than welcome to bring Spencer with you to visit and both Dallon and Zack have agreed to return to Earth with you.”
“They have? Dallon hates Earth.”
Brendon’s father smiles. “He may hate Earth but he loves you. He volunteered.”
“He-- I -- thank you. Mother, Father, I really. Thank you.” Brendon looks down at Spencer, warmth and happiness bubbling inside him. He smiles and then yawns softly.
“It’s our pleasure, you’ve more than earned it, son.” His father stands and kisses his forehead and his mother follows suit. “Get some sleep. We have plenty of time to discuss the details.”
Brendon nods and lays back down, letting his mom tuck the blankets around him, and he doesn’t even bother trying to pretend that he’s not loving every second of it. They each kiss him on the forehead and then. Brendon falls asleep, his pounding headache forgotten. Finally everything feels right again.
--
Epilogue.
“I can’t believe you’ve voluntarily returned to school.” Spencer takes a bite of his sandwich and wrinkles his nose. “School, dude. Math and Sam Brown and homework.”
Brendon shrugs. “Eh, I killed a Rebel Leader, dude. I’m sure I can handle a bully. I can’t believe you got your ass grounded for two weeks.”
“I’m lucky it wasn’t for eternity. Thank god for Zack, not that I’ll ever understand how he convinced my parents to believe him.”
“Zack’s a little bit magic.” Brendon grins. “Anyway, enough about Zack. Tell me where we’re going on our date.”
“Nowhere, I’m grounded remember.” Spencer grins at him. “Guess you’re just going to have to imagine it and let me know how it goes.”
Brendon rolls his eyes. “Shut up, as if you don’t have an awesome date planned for when you’re allowed to leave the house.”
“Maybe. Maybet not.”
“You suck. You suck, and I’m not above threatening to decapitate you, Spencer Smith.”
“That’s not what your mom said last night.” Spencer smirks and steals a fry off Brendon’s plate.
“Funny I fucked your mom last night.” Brendon grins, and Spencer rolls his eyes, throwing his half eaten fry at Brendon’s head. “No prizes for second best.”
“I’ll second best you in a minute.”
Spencer snorts and leans across the table. “If you never talk about my mom again I’ll let you second best me all you want.”
“Is that a promise?”
Spencer winks, pressing his lips to Brendon’s for a fleeting of moment, just as the warning bell rings. “It’s a guarantee.”
“Awesome.” Brendon gathers his things and bumps his hip against Spencer’s. “Have I told you how glad I am that I got to come back here?”
“Have I mentioned how glad I am that you got to come back?” Spencer says, slipping his hand into Brendon’s.
Brendon grins and leans into his side. He might have to go to school every day and hide his magic and deal with homework and bullies, but as far as Brendon’s concerned, it’s totally worth it.
The freedom to be himself is worth it.
Bonus Features Art // Mixes