We Were Born To Lose

The King had gotten a bit better. Mom had been doing her damnedest to heal him and it worked. Alex spent a lot of his time in the King’s room talking about the kingdom since Alex had to step up as the temporary ruler. He didn’t really do anything drastic, he mostly discussed things with his father whilst I got to watch Cenrid’s knights and even Cenrid himself walk around like it was their castle however they would be gone before the end of the week so that’ll take some of the tension out of the air. I opened the King’s door to see him alone and sleeping. I hated to wake him, he needed all his rest, but I had to give him his medicine. I looked at my King with a mixture of emotions. He truly was a good man, you could tell by the way he treated those below him, but he’d have me tortured and killed if he found out I was gay. Nevertheless, he truly was an amazing father and King in all other aspects, even if he was a little close minded. I swallowed my fear and focused on not blurting out the fact that I was gay when I gently shook him awake.
“I’m sorry, Sire. But I have to make sure you get your medicine.” I said quietly.
“Quite alright.”
After he took his medicine, I took back the cup and was heading for the door when,
“What’s your name?.”
“Jack, Sire.” I replied
“Alright Jack, we all know I’m going to go soon. It may not be from this illness but I’m getting to be an old man and if not illness, then battle will take me.”
“But, Sire-“ I tried to interject but he continued.
“It’s just that when I go, Alex will be king and don’t get me wrong, I know he’ll be brilliant. Alex is smart, brave, strong, and he follows his heart.”
I almost laughed when he said this considering that’s exactly what he can’t do currently.
“Please promise me that you will guide him because while he’s smart, he lets anger blind him. He’s brave, but he is terrified to lose the ones who mean the most. He’s strong, but he can be too trusting. And he follows his heart, even though it may lead him to his own peril. Please just keep him safe and help him.”
“But Sire, I’m just his servant. Why would my words impact him?” I asked.
“You’re more than that. You’re his friend.”

Yeah, ‘Friend’

“He listens to you and I’ve seen how much he cares about you.”

Oh you have no idea.

“Thank you, Sire. I promise I will.” I said, the King smiled at me and I took my exit.
Once out I let out the breath I’d been holding.
Alex froze when he rounded the corner.
“What?” I asked. He looked iffy for a moment.
“Yeah there’s a village being attacked.” He spoke carefully.
“Which one?” I asked.
“Rivguard.” He said, looking at me with sympathyr. I hated his pity.
“Let’s go.” I said through gritted teeth, dropping the cup to the floor, knowing that another servant will get it.
“Are you sure? Jack, you’ll be protecting men who..” He trailed off as he jogged beside me.
“I know but I’ll also be protecting innocent women and children.” I replied, focusing on the fact that my former village wasn’t completely filled with monsters.
“Okay.” He said with a ‘fuck it’ attitude and we sped into a sprint, finding our horses ready in the courtyard after getting our armor. We galloped with the other knights to the village but the ride seemed a bit too short to me, it was probably because I was dreading facing the memories that lingered there.


It truly was a gruesome scene. Men lay dead in the streets and women and children were screaming at the bandits standing over them. I took after my master and galloped down the main road which lead right through town, slaying any enemies in my path. Then, I kept off and started battling with all my might. I was so full of rage but I didn’t know the source. It could’ve been my hatred of the place causing me to fight harder to get out of there quicker, it could’ve been all the pent up anger from just my life, it could’ve been the instinct to protect the cries of the terrified and/or dying women and children, but either way, I’d never fought harder. Before I knew it, I’d slain four men and out of the corner of my eye I noticed a man dragging a young girl, probably about fifteen or sixteen, into a house. I knew exactly what he was going to do to so I pursued. I didn’t see them on the first floor but then I heard a scream from upstairs so I bolted up them. I would not let anyone meet the same horror I was faced with everyday since I was thirteen. I slammed into a bedroom to see the man trying to get the girl’s dress off. Without a second thought, I pushed my sword through his back and watched him go limp. The girl was, naturally sobbing and shaking with fright. I pushed him off of her and she looked up at me with wide eyes.
“It’s okay I’m not going to hurt you. I’ve got to go back outside and fight so stay in here until I come back okay?” I said in the most soothing voice I could find at the moment. She nodded and I ran out to see the fight still going strong. It had been a very large group of bandits, probably about twenty to thirty and in this village which only had about forty completely untrained men, they didn’t stand a chance without us. Bodies littered the streets and then I saw him. I saw my old master being backed against a house by another bandit. I wanted to leave him to die, I wanted to so badly, but I moved to help him anyway but then a hand grabbed my arm.
“You don’t have to save everyone.” Alex spoke with a stern voice. I looked to my old master and watched as the man thrust his sword into him and left it there as he retreated. The bandit’s numbers had been greatly diminished so they retreated but not before I could get one more. I walked over to my former master to see, to my delight, he was still alive. I knelt by his side and looked him straight in the eye and watched his eyes go wide.
“Bet you never thought you’d see me again.” I smirked.
“Jack.”
“Don’t you say my name. Don’t you dare. You made my life hell ever since I was thirteen. You don’t deserve to look at me but I’ll allow you to just so that I can be the last person you ever see. I’ll allow it so that you can watch me tell you how amazing my life is now and how you will never ever hurt me again.” I was surprised at my harsh words and it looked like he was too. “So goodbye master. May you forever rot in hell.” Then I pulled the sword from his belly and watched him die.
“Jack?” Sounded Alex’s voice. I turned to face him slowly and watched his face soften then rush up to hug me. “Baby don’t cry.” He whispered. I hadn’t realized tears were flowing down my cheeks until he said this. I skewed my eyes shut and buried my face into his neck. “He’s gone. He’s gone forever and he’ll never hurt you again.” He spoke, I felt him placing subtle gentle kisses to my neck.
“I promise I’ll always protect you from people like that. I promise. You’re safe with me, Jack.” He whispered before crushing me to his chest harder and I felt his healing power flow through me.

Notes

Title cred: To Live And Let Go by All Time Low


SEE ALEX ISN'T ALL BAD