~Bash~
When he thought back to the days he had spent with her, they felt so surreal to him. Like a dream. Their shared laughter, her open, child acceptance – it had been the thing that had changed him. That had gave him hope when he felt like he didn't have any at all.
So, could he be faulted for feeling a little bitter that she'd happily walked away with Francis, hand in hand and without even a second glance or spared word for him?
Bash sat in his mother's room, drinking a malt liquor that he acquired from one of the taverns in a nearby town. His mother rushed about, readying herself in a gold satin dress with matching earrings, clicking her tongue at him in disapproval.
"What really were you expecting, my son? For her to shamelessly associate with the bastard son of the king in front of the whole court? You aren't children anymore, Sebastian. You won't simply get slaps on the wrists anymore. Rumors will spread and reputations will be damaged. Being too familiar with the Scottish queen – though you are friends from childhood – could kill you. Besides that, would she even remember you? It's been many, many years. She's probably forgotten you Look at the way she and Francis looked at one another."
Bash sighed in dejection as he brought the flask to his lips, "You're right, mother. As always."
His mother frowned.
"Please quit sulking!" she asked of him, coming forward to gently ruffle his hair. "You told me you didn't love her."
"How could I possibly? It's been years."
"Yet you're so sour about this."
"I just…" Bash shook his head, sighing. "We were friends. That's all, mother. I promise."
"I don't want you to end up as I have, Bash. Don't fall for a royal. Don't fall for a ruler. You will only know bitterness. You will only know pain."
Bash looked up at his mother, and placed his hands over hers – they were trembling, stilled in his hair – "You won't lose your only child. And I won't fall in love with her. I do not want to claim her; she's meant for Francis. She loves him. I only yearn for the kinship we once shared. Nothing more than that. So please don't worry."
His mother gave a watery smile, "It will be better," she said, squeezing his hands before withdrawing her own, "if you stay far from that girl. Friends or otherwise, you shall be ruined by her all the same. Do tread carefully, my son. Elizabeth's wedding – don't forget to attend it."
He smiled lightly, but it faded as soon as his mother had left him alone inside the bedroom.
He replayed his words in his head, and twisted his face into a rueful expression, drinking silently in the dark.