"I'm aware ."Meta Naito replied nonchalantly as he fastened on his paldrons and adjusted his sheath belt. "
"I cremated his remains daddy."
Fallen carefully handed to Meta Naito a small jar. " Thank you Fallen.
Later that night Approximately 2 hours to sunrise
Marth was lying in his own bed, wide awake unable to sleep, his mind reeling over everything that had taken place, what was he to do now?
How would he defend his defender?
Did he even, deserve to be defended?
Or should he just be tossed in a cell, to rot for the murder of his father, that despite his abusive behaviour, still loved, and wanted to please more than anyone in the world.
Rolling over, and over, sleep just would not come. Just when he thought sleep would finally take him, on his back he would come face to face with his defender, who peered down at him .
Hovering over him, as he was not quite sure if he was really asleep ,or not.
Marth let out a soft gasp of surprise, and wiggled up into a seated position.
"Did I wake you?" Meta Naito inquired softly . "No."
Marth replied, "I can't get to sleep."
Reaching inside his ivory cape Meta Naito would pull out the small jar containing the remains of Cornelius. Marth had no words but , reached out to collect the jar from his defenders hand.
Marth sat quietly for a moment, before asking Meta Naito. "What will you do?"
"I must confess, accept the consequences what ever they may be, even death." Marth gently set aside his fathers ashes upon his mantle a shelf within arms reach, above his head.
" No no, you can't, I won't let you, he tried to kill you Meta san, you were stabbed, look at me, look what he did to me, I will testify against my own father, to ensure you remain free and unharmed."
Meta Naito felt his heart sink, to the tips of his toes. "I don't deserve that, I'm a selfish man, with selfish desires, it is the decision of the Royal Court. The Chancellor must decide, only you may be able to persuade ,or come to some sort of accord."
" To be sure I remain unharmed, because it is likely, I have a long sentence ahead of me, but I can deal." Marth would place a hand upon the side of his defenders mask before placing his other on the other side of Meta Naitos face.. "Your courage is inspiring Meta san."
The sound of tough leather straps being un buckled, caressed Meta Naitos inner ears, his movements were soft and gentle, for the moment he closed his eyes and exhaled a long depressed sigh. .
Meta Naitos mask fell forward ; onto Marths lap .
When Meta Naito forced his gaze upon Marth it was not what Marth expected. Usually serious , his eyes seemed to appear quite dull than earlier in the night, as if a part of him died with his father today.
If he felt so terrible about doing it why did he do it to begin with, was there not another alternative to stop him from trying to kill him?
For the first time, ever Meta Naitos expression suggested a lack of understanding and confliction , his eyes turning a flurry of hues orange, green and flashing white in between .
They appeared to be somewhat widened in what looked like uncertainty, fear confusion, and possibly regret . Marths hands fiddled with his defenders mask, his fingers tracing along the design, that made his defenders mask so iconic.
"Why are you really here Meta san?" Marth asked, sounding bothered, as well as tired .
"Because I made a grave mistake, in treating you the way I did prior this evening " "Perhaps this me, saying farewell."
After what I've done, my feelings for you only intensified " Meta Naito would dot his index finger upon the fair cheeks of his blue haired friend, to blot the stray tears, that had slid down his face.
Seeming to be truly disgusted yet touched, by his defenders words he wanted to hit him, yet hold him at the same time. Meta Naitos expression was beginning to match Marths, minus the tears .
Instead Marth grabbed Meta Naito by his paldron and pulled him close who squeezed him just as tightly in return, when they withdrew from hugging one another, Marth found his lips inches from his defenders.
Causing him to blush his heart pounded as Meta Naito said real soft, between tender pecks upon the lips.
"I'm here now, and that's all that matters for now. "
Their gazes would lock for the longest time, before Marth would reach out to caress the cheek of his defender with a delicate hand , that Meta Naito assisted with his own ,which he lovingly stroked his young friends arm with his finger tips, causing the blue haired young man to obtain goose bumps .
"I love you Meta sama"
The next morning, brought warm sunlight, with a fresh spring crisp cool damp breeze creeping through a crack in an open window. The window glistened with droplets of rain that must have fallen over night, isolated showers were not uncommon here.
Meta Naitos alarm, was one of the many merry singing songbirds native to Altea and the surrounding borders, he had no idea what time it was, but it was definitely past his usual time he would usually stir from sleep.
Rising to a seated position, he gave his face a good rub, before shifting his eyes behind him, to find Marth still sleeping soundly, still battered up from dealing with his father, now deceased.
A frantic knock on the door would rouse him, and cause Meta Naito to hide . As the door slowly opened. Malledus would walk inside, with out permission. His news was "Sire, it's your father, I'm afraid something terrible has happened."