—— everything happened so fast for aethelstan, who felt osferth slipping away at his fingertips.
eyebrows darkened before he blinked, a piece of his heart, growing stronger with time⸺separated from him, while the sight of the latter was one of indescribable tears he hadn't imagined seeing so soon.
𝕸𝐀𝐃 ，𝕭𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐃.
When Aethelstan inched away from Osferth, enough to look him in the eyes, Osferth took a cautious inhale. His heart was racing and he felt heat climbing up his neck to his cheeks. Then, tears burned his eyes.
Ashamed, he looked away.
︡ I am sorry, I—
Abruptly, he stood up. He needed to leave
→
—— the king gazed at osferth for a long time, no longer listening to him for a moment, to the point where he didn't know if he was in a trance. eyes slowly intensified, hesitating before extending his left hand and gently sliding his fingers along the curve of his arm.
︡ I am hardly the only one, I am sure.
Osferth did not add that he was, however, the only one that cared 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 deeply. He sighed. One day, he might have the courage to tell the king of his feelings for him.
︡ How is life treating you recently?
He asked instead.
silence followed, as if were trying in vain understand what could be going through the older man's mind. perhaps he wasn't looking hard enough, yet . . .
"𝗁𝗆, I see. thank you for your patience and generosity. at least I know there is someone like you to look after me. you must be the only one."
