JEREMY was writhing in his bed, clutching at the bed sheets as the doctor worked, stitching up the wound in his side. There wasn't anything to numb the pain, he could feel every movement of the needle. The doctor had tried to sooth him, but nothing could be done.

"How much longer?" The King gritted out. He shut his eyes tight, exhaling deeply. 

"Only a little bit longer, sir. Just a few more stitches."

There was nothing that he could do to distract himself from the searing pain that he felt. All he could do was focus on the needle—until there was a soft knock on the door. The doctor was about to brush them off, send them away, but Jeremy dismissed him; anyone would be a welcome distraction.

Michael was the one who entered who entered through the door, holding himself and looking as distant as ever. Jeremy breathed a sigh of relief. He needed Michael.

The doctor halted his stitching, motioning for Michael to take a seat next to Jeremy on the bed. "Distract him," he stated, resuming his work.

The prince took his seat on the bed next to Jeremy. He grasped for the Kings hand an squeezed it. "How are you doing?" In hindsight it wasn't a smart question to ask. The answer was obvious, he was being stitched up from a stab wound to the side.

Jeremy let out a breathy laugh, "I am not going to lie to you, I am not doing too well."

Michael looked away, tears brimming on the edges of his eyes. He couldn't bare to look at Jeremys pained face. He couldn't help but feel that this was all his fault. "I am so sorry. So, so, sorry. I—"

"Please. Do not be."

The two sat in silence after their short interaction as the doctor finally finished up his work, wrapping the kinda torso in gauze, and cloth.

"There you go sir. I will be back tomorrow morning to change your bandages. Please refrain from moving as much as possibly, we cannot have the wound opening up again. I will let your advisor know that you are on strict bed rest for the next couple of days and that he is to relieve you is your duties until you are healed." The doctor stood, packing his supplies up. He gave two deep bows, first to the King and then to the Prince.

The King spoke up, "Thank you."

"You are welcome, your majesty." He took his leave after that, shutting the door softly.

Jeremy took action immediately after, pulling Michael closer. He placed his palm against the Princes cheek softly, rubbing his thumb against the skin. "You are here. You are really here, and you are safe and alive."

Michael leaned into his hand, smiling ever so slightly. "I am so grateful that you are okay. I do not know what I would have done if..." Michael found himself trailing off and looking away.

"You need not worry anymore. I am here, and I am not going anywhere any time soon."

Michael looked back at him once again, and took action, leaning down so his breath was fanning over the King's face. He connected their lips softly, and quickly, pulling back after just a few seconds. He brushed his free hand over the Kings cheek. "We must talk about what happened before I... departed."

Jeremys head fell softly against the pillow and he shut his eyes. "I know." He took and deep breath and turned his head so he was facing Michael. "I want to apologize. I know that I already apologized before this whole mess, but I feel the need to do so again. I hurt you so much, and I am so sorry. You deserve so much better than me. I really did fuck up, dear. And I will understand if you do not wish to be with me ever again, and if that kiss was just one last one to spare—"

Michael caught him off guard. He leaned forward from his position next to the King and pressed their lips together again, quickly.

"Shut up." Michael leaned back quickly after that. "I am sorry if I overstepped any boundaries with those kisses. I did not mean to."

Jeremy smiles weakly, as much as he could in his pained state. "It is okay. I am very grateful for that. You have no idea how much I have longed for that." The King brushed his thumb over Michales lips, "Can we try this again? Would you want anything to do with me?"

"Yes of course. As long as you want me as well."

"Yes. I do. I have learned a lot these past couple weeks. I have had a lot of time to think about you, about me. About us."

"And what of everyone else?"

Jeremy sighed. He had been dreading this part. "I think that we should wait. I am not saying never, but I have given them quiet a few shocks recently, do you not think? I feel that if I tell them of us, some of their hearts will finally give out."

Michael nodded, he understood, he wanted Jeremy to be comfortable as well.

"How about this," Jeremy squeezed Michaels hand and then continued. "We will tell everyone in a couple of weeks. I was supposed t announce my soon to be wife at another ball, but I can introduce my soon to be husband instead. Give everyone another shock."

"That sounds like a grand idea." Michael smiled.

"Thank you dear, for being so understanding."

Michael didn't say anything, only pulled their joined hands up to his lips, pressing a kiss there. "Thank you for still choosing me."

"Thank you for still wanting to have me."

——

THE two talked for a while longer, joking about anything they could. Jeremy let Michael know that his brother was doing better, and that he was set to recover from the poisoning in a few more weeks.

They were sitting doing nothing when the door slammed open. Michael jerked his hand away from Jeremys quickly, standing up from the bed quickly. They both turned their attention to who had barged in, it was the advisor with two guards on his tail. He looked furious, red in the face and breathing heavily.

"Your Majesty, there been a... there's been an incident."

Jeremy sat up as much as he could, furrowing his eyebrows, "What do you mean? What kind of incident?" His advisor didn't continue right away, and Jeremy ushered him on to continue.

"The Nameless Leader... he has escaped..."

Jeremys eyes shot open as far as they would, and he attempted to sit up further, but he couldn't. "How could you let this happen?! He could come after Michael! He could—"

Michael interrupted him. "Your Majesty, I am sure that I will be fine. We will all be fine. If he escaped he would most likely want to get as far away from here as he could. What purpose would he have to linger around?"

The Advisor eyed Michael suspiciously. "You seem to know quite a bit about the ruffians disappearance."

Before Michael even had the chance to retort, Jeremy was on top of it, shooting an icy glare at  his advisor. "How dare you accuse him! He went through so much worse than I did, and you dare accuse him of something like this?! I want you out. Right now."

"Sir—"

"Now!"

Michael flinched at the Kings outburst and pressed himself against the wall. The Squip nodded at the King, and shot a glare Michales way, and then he was gone the two guards and the slamming door behind him. When he was gone, Michael returned so he was next to the Kings bed.

"I am sorry," Michael said softly, eyes casting downward.

"What are you sorry for? Jeremy reaches for Michaels hand, but Michael pulled away quickly. "You did not help him escape. That is ludicrous. There is nothing that you should be sorry for."

"I did though."

"What?"

Michael looked towards the king, holding his breath. "I let him go, Jeremy. It is my fault that he is gone."