Cain held Glitch for a long time, letting the smaller man cry until there was nothing left. Finally, the sobs subsided to hitched gasps and shudders and the blond was left rubbing small, soothing circles into his friend's back. "Come on." He said after a few minutes. "Let's get you inside, okay?"
Glitch nodded and sniffed, offering a weak smile as a sign of reassurance. Cain opened the door and gently ushered him inside, taking his hand and guiding him through the hallways and corridors back to the room he'd been staying in. The large oak doors pushed open easily and Glitch was swept inside and placed in a large chair beside an even larger bed.
"What are you doing?" The brunette asked in confusion, his eyes focused on every movement the Tin Man made.
"You're staying with me tonight." The answer was simple and straight to the point; but then again, that was Cain for you. "I don't think you should be alone right now."
"Cain, I'm not going to do anything stupid if that's what you're worried about." Glitch retorted a little indignantly.
"That's not it."
"Then why?"
Cain stopped and looked the smaller man directly in the eye, ignoring the way his face was heating up as he spoke. "Because if you're going to become Ambrose tomorrow, I want to have at least one more night with Glitch."
A happy yet sad smile graced the brunette's face and he looked down at his hands. "Thank you, Cain…"
The other returned the smile and gave a quick nod. "Now stay here. I'm going to go find DG and let her know you're alright." He shot his friend and wink and stepped out into the hall, softly closing the door behind him.
Glitch waited for a few minutes before he stood and began to walk around the room, looking at everything in a slow, deliberate manner as if forcing himself to remember even the slightest detail. Anything that would take his mind off the surgery and the possibility of losing Cain.
The bedroom itself was huge, much like his own, but with a few alterations. The bed was decorated in burgundy as opposed to amber and a large fireplace was tucked off in a corner. There was a sitting room with a small couch and matching chair placed in the center, a large ornate rug spread out beneath the furniture. Off to the side, a bathroom that was just as big, if not bigger, was hidden behind a half-closed door. Glitch walked over to a heavy wooden desk pushed up against the wall and stopped, his eyes coming to rest on the tiny silver star that Cain usually kept hidden away. He picked it up carefully, brushing his fingers lightly over the smooth, cold metal and feeling the strong presence radiating off of it.
A sudden knock at the door caused him to jump and almost drop the star. He cradled it to his chest and whipped around quickly. "Uh…c-come in…?"
The door swung open softly and Azkadellia stepped in, smiling warmly. "Hello Glitch."
Glitch let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and smiled at her. "Hello princess. How are you this evening?"
Azkadellia laughed sweetly and grinned to herself. "You don't have to use the formalities with me, Glitch. It's alright." She took a seat on the edge of the bed and motioned for him to come sit next to her. "I promise, I'm not here to hurt you." She assured, a small pang of guilt tugging at her heart as she saw him hesitate.
After a second though, Glitch nodded and walked forward, sitting next to the younger woman.
Azkadellia looked down a little and smiled softly before she spoke. "Glitch, I just wanted to apologize for everything I did to you when I was…well, when I wasn't myself."
"Oh, it's okay. I know you didn't mean-"
"No," she stopped him softly. "Let me finish." Once she was sure she had his full attention, she continued. "You risked your life to help my sister when I could not and for that I'm eternally grateful." Azkadellia smiled warmly at him, a genuine smile Glitch hadn't seen in 15 years. "I don't remember much about Ambrose," she went on, squeezing his hand lightly. "But I do know that he was nothing like you, and that's a good thing. If you wanted to stay the same, I'm sure no one would object."
Glitch smiled sadly and looked down. "I would love to stay the same it's just…with your mother and the kingdom getting back to the way it was-"
"I know, and I understand you predicament." The princess assured, watching Glitch carefully. "What I came here to tell you was that there is a way for you to remain who you are as well as having Ambrose as the adviser again." Upon the blank look she received, she continued. "DG and I spoke with the surgeon not too long ago and he thinks there may be a way to keep two similar yet distinctly different persons by using different halves of the same brain. You would keep your half and the other would become Ambrose; neither would have to become the other."
Realization came slowly, very slowly, and suddenly Glitch's eyes widened. "So I wouldn't have to be Ambrose?!" Laughing out loud in pure exhilaration, Glitch threw his arms around Azkadellia's neck and hugged her tightly. "This is so great!" he cried, laughing harder. "I don't have to be Ambrose again!"
Azkadellia smiled and gently took Glitch's face in her hands. "The only problem is that there may be some slight memory loss. The doctor said it shouldn't be anything irreversible but it is a possibility."
"That's okay! I deal with memory loss everyday!" The brunette exclaimed, grinning brightly. The two sat in happy, companionable silence for a few more seconds before Azkadellia squeezed his hand again and stood.
"I'd better go." She said, walking to the door and opening it softly. "Be sure to tell Cain the good news. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it as well." She giggled as he blushed and winked, stepping out and disappearing into the hall.
As if on cue, the Tin Man walked in, glancing over his shoulder as the doors closed behind him. "Hey, what were you and Az talking abou-?"
He never got a chance to finish as he was suddenly engulfed in a very tight, happy hug.
"Shesaidthere'sawayformeandAmbrosetostaydifferentyetthesamesonowIdon'thavetoworryaboutbecominghimagain!!" Glitch rambled, all of his words running together into an indecipherable mess.
"Uh, what…?"
"I don't have to be Ambrose again!" the man's counterpart exclaimed. "We can be different! I can stay Glitch!" He took a deep breath and slowly explained everything Azkadellia had told him, a bright, exuberant grin plastered across his face the entire time. Once he was finished, Cain was grinning as well and it was his turn to pull the brunette into a tight hug, holding him close as if he;d never let him go."
Glitch looked up, panting for breath. "That's okay isn't it? For me to stay Glitch?"
In response, Cain simply smiled and pressed his lips to the other man's. The kiss was shy and gentle but it held every reassurance that couldn't be said with simple words. Pulling away slowly, the Tin Man brushed his thumb across Glitch's cheekbone and smiled, kissing him on the nose. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Hehe, awww super cute :D I loves me some Cain/Glitch fluff. I makes me feel all special inside