Keeping A Secret
***
The closer Pit got, the more the brave face diminished. The cherub was never able to hide his feelings from the mercenary. Once he was within ten feet of the mercenary, he had jumped into his arms and cried.
"Pit?!" Ike asked, alarmed by the boy's sadness.
"Ike!... I-I... I'm leaving."
"What?!" the mercenary cried out, hugging the brunette closer. "No! It can't be! What's wrong, My Angel? Did I-"
"NO!" The cherub yelled abruptly, looking into the depths of his lover's eyes. "You did nothing wrong, Ikus... It' my home... Demons are attacking again, and my army needs its captain."
"Will you be coming back?" the blunette questioned with seriousness, holding the boy in his arms.
Pit hung his head, and the bluenette's chest tightened. "... I don't know... It all depends on whether or not I survive... but if I do, I promise that I will find a way back to you, okay?" he kissed the older man's lips.
The mercenary nodded gravely. "What will I do, if you don't?...I mean, I love you Pit, nothing will ever change that. It pains me to think of your death." The blunette's eyes began to fill tears. "Why now? You? Everything is going good...." Ike hugged the boy closer, encompassing the youth in a protective shell. "Please promise to return to me, my Angel. For us..."
Pit's lips were pressed fervently into the mercenary's warmer ones.
The two stood embracing one another, thoughts of turmoil, fear, and love clouding their minds.
***
Ike was ashamed now to think that he couldn't wait for his lover's return. He had lost hope in the boy, and although he had gone through a terrible depression at the time, he had managed to move past it, and marry the Queen of Crimea.
Pit snuggled deeper into the king's embrace, fitting perfectly into the crook of the bluenette's arms, almost as if they had been made for each other.
Ike smiled, his mood greatly brightened by the Angel's return. He then looked over to his most trusted adviser. "Thank you, Soren. I am truly grateful to you… for everything you've done for me over the years."
Soren blushed slightly. "You happiness is my goal, Sir. I'm sorry to say you've looked like an overused mule, shitty, and depressed… and you've been a pain in the ass at times."
The king rolled with laughter, but hushed himself quickly not to disturb Pit. "We'll I value your honesty. I know I wasn't fun to be around, I was miserable." Ike looked up to meet his adviser's crimson eyes. "Can I ask one more favor of you, my friend? To hold the identity, presence, and all meetings with him of Pit in secret? I will play my part accordingly, not proudly or with ease, but I will, to keep my angel safe. Things will not change; Elencia must NOT know."
"I expected and planned for as much. Pit will stay here until he is recovered, and then I will move him myself at night to a new room. I will give you the new location after I have moved him... Nothing will befall him so long as I'm around," he assured and patted the king on the shoulder to further reassure him.
"It's... good to see you smiling again... Ike."
"Thanks," Ike replied, grinning. "I trust you, and I know Pit will be in very good hands. Let me know right away."
A knock came at the door.
"Will you get that?" the blunette asked of Soren.
The adviser nodded and got up, opening the door a sliver.
A servant stood in the hall. "Queen Elencia is asking the King to join her for dinner," the servant girl said.
"I will alert the King," Soren said coldly, and shut the door. "Queen Elencia is summoning you," the adviser informed, put out.
Soren had never been fond of the Queen since the day they met her in the woods during the War. He knew the girl would only strain the company, and more than likely establish them as a target for Daein. Now the Queen was taking Ike away from who he truly was, and allowing him to diminish right before her eyes. Soren felt no sympathy for the women, and most likely never would.
"Argh," came the King's reply. "I was hoping to avoid her for one night."
"You're still the King remember, Ike? You have obligations, and she – unfortunately – is one of them."
"I know," the blunette said, tiredly. The king leaned down and kissed the angel on the forehead, and softly whispered reassurances to him.
"I will be back tonight, late. Once Elencia is asleep," the King said, untangling his hand from the Angel's. "I know you will take good care of him." With that Ike slipped through the door, and made his way down the hall to the dining area of the castle, much to his distaste.
Pit looked up to his remaining care-taker and smiled. "Thank you, Soren," he said, burrowing into his pillow, missing Ike already.
"It's not a problem, Pit. Having you here has brought some life back to Ike, so I'm happy to help you," the archsage replied.
The Angel smiled. "Will you... sit on the bed?... I get cold when I'm all alone," the boy whimpered.
Soren nodded and took the king's place on the bed, only to become the Dark Angel's new pillow. The youth hummed into his side.
(End Chapter)
