It was getting colder. The time of Christmas is coming. Today when the father woke up, the first things he came contact with was the question, when they will start decorating. He sighed and told them today.

The kids have been excited the whole breakfast. And way more than normal. It was a Sunday, which means a day, where their dad spend all his time on them. In December it was the most common thing on a Sunday. Theodore worked here long enough to notice the pattern.

The kids had sparkles in their eyes. Even the older ones. Jo was the first who was into the Christmas season. Always annoying their siblings with Christmas songs.

Once done with breakfast the kids went up to their rooms. They had advents calendars to open. Their dad said to only open it after breakfast, and surprisingly they really only opened it after. Theo doesn't know how the hell the father teaches the most inpatient kids in the world to wait, but he did it.
Sometimes Theodore is jealous of these kids. Having such a chill, cool, nice and friendly father. But the jealousy never last long.

He and the father of four were headed to the room where they kept all the things to decorate. First they needed some pine branches. Then candles and lastly some minor details. Since it was the first advent the family needed a Christmas wreath.

The two of them carried everything over to the table they have just been eating on. It was now cleaned and ready to be full of glitter, pine branches and other stuff.
The father called his kids. His voice was heard  through the whole building. How can this gentle person have such a strong voice? Guess he has to for the job he has.

Soon everyone was back at the table. They discussed how to decorate it. Theo didn't speak. It wasn't his place to. He would have loved to help. The father invited him many times before and also now but he refused. This is family bonding.
Soon they began building, working and also painting it. The kids were having so much fun. All of them were laughing and smiling. Theo couldn't help but notice he also smiled at them.

The results looked fantastic as always, yet the dad wouldn't agree with Theodore's thoughts. He is never satisfied with his works, but still loves them. The father now snapped his fingers and then the first candle lit up, the flame first being a beautiful purple and then a beautiful orange.

"Dad, stop flexing with your magic!" Lian complained. Right, he doesn't teach them his magic. He always says it is too dangerous for them to learn and that they could lose their ways, hurt themself or others. But the main reason he doesn't teach it was, that it is very deadly.
The father laughed at Lian, trying to comfort them by patting their head. What made the kid even more furious. All of them were now laughing, even Theodore shared a laugh.

After they cleaned up their mess, they began decorating their house. The kids followed the adults into the storage room. They grabbed lights, winter decorations and so on. The family and Theo placed or hung up everything where they seemed fitting. The smaller kids were gluing some snowflakes onto the windows and doors. If anyone couldn't reach it, they called either the father or Laureen or Lian. They have wings after all, even if the two kids still struggles with flying.
Everyone did their part and when they were finished, with decorating the massive house, it was already evening. Of course they took breaks for lunch and some cake, but it was still a long time.

After dinner everyone headed back to their rooms. The children of the family were pretty exhausted but it was fun. But tomorrow was school, so they couldn't stay up too late.
The adults were also back in the father's bedroom. He was also tired, but that more from not having proper sleep the last day, instead of the decorating today.

"Your majesty-" "I told you to call me Sam" Theodore began speaking but was interrupted by Sam. It was weird calling the king by a nickname. But they known each other for quite a while now. It was Theodore's nearly 4th year being the royal guard and protector of the king.
"Well, Sam, you are a great father. I say it time and time again. Which just proves my point." The guard continued his sentence. The king smiled at his fellow guard. "I hope I am." he spoke in a quiet voice. The smile fading as the words exited his mouth.

"You are. Spending time with them, making them happy, treating them without favoring. I think that's what is import. Sure sometimes even you can't do it all right. But that normal. You are a father of four! And a King! That you manage it so good is amazing" Theo explained his words he exchanged. Sam smiled again. 'God his smile is beautiful' the thoughts of Theodore got the best of him. But it was true.

"Thanks. That means a lot" the king said after a bit. His face was still carrying that soft smile. "I am going to check on the kids. You can return home if you want or go to your room." the one speaking stood up and walked towards the door.
The guard nodded and left with the father the room. Outside their ways parted their ways.
Theo had no intention of going home, why should he? No one was waiting there for him plus if he stays here is job was much easier.

He was a room assigned to only him in the castle and it's not far from the king's bedroom. So if there is an emergency, he would get to him quickly. He doesn't know what this room was before, Sam never told him. He dodged the question and seemed more upset afterwards. So he stopped asking. The king had his reason not to talk. And he should respect that. He was just his royal guard nothing more.

When he was in his room, he put his armor off and changed his clothes into more comfortable ones. His room was big comparable to the king's bedroom. Theodore had the free will to decorate it to his liking. It was simple but nice enough. Not as fancy as the other rooms though.

It knocked softly. It was probably Sam. "Yes?" Theo spoke in a quiet voice, but loud enough to be heard outside. The door opened. It was indeed the king. "Is there something wrong your maje- Sam?" he corrected himself. The silent king went into the room and closed the door carefully.

"I wanted to talk to you about something. If that's alright." he began to speak. His mask was off. Theo noticed by his soft voice and gesture. The kids were sleeping then. The guard was not answering, letting the king continue.

"I noticed over the years you have been here, that you look oddly sad whenever I say that you should return to your home. Like on holidays specially. I don't think work is the first reason for that choice. You like staying here, am I right?"
Theodore took a deep breath in and out. The question shook him up a bit. Of course he does. Here he wasn't alone. Here was always someone. Here he was wanted.

Theo nodded at the question. Sam knew he would nod, but let out a sigh. He walked towards his loyal guard, who was sitting on his bed, and placed himself beside Theodore. They looked at each other.
The king's eyes were screaming that he was tired. The royal guard's eyes were looking kind of sad.

"Would you like to completely move here?" The king suggested with a slight smile on his face. Theo's eyes lightened up. That was not what he expected. He expected the question why, but he guessed wrong.
"You could then fully focus on your job..." he began slowly "But the main reason why I ask is something selfish." he confessed looking away and was laughing to himself. He sighed and continued: "I want you to stay with me, to join in when my kids and I are doing something, to celebrate stuff like Christmas. The kids.. We love that you are here and I think you do too."

Sam smiled softly at Theo. And he smiled back.
"I would love to completely move here, Sam. You and your kids are the life I always wanted. So yes, I would be more than happy to."

That was a relief for the king. He was scared he might have read Theodore wrong. Guess he really is good at reading humans.
Theodore first wanted, after he was done speaking, to throw himself in a hug with Sam. But he quickly got rid of the idea. Sam was still the king and should be respected as one even in this situation. He just was so grateful.

Sam stood up and moved to the door. "We'll talk about this tomorrow more in detail. Have a good sleep, Theodore" he said while opening the door. "You too, Sam." Theo spoke before the king closed the door again. He was excited being able to completely move here. He must admitted the royal family has a special place in his heart. He loved his past self for applying for this job. Best decision, ever.

———————————

1599 words.
So close damn it! well hope you enjoyed :3