Striped Carnations

striped carnations

~chapter one

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pairing: julius novachrono x male!oc

warnings: none

word count: 1390 words

summary: As the Grey Deer's Vice-Captain, Hector had a responsibility to help all of his squadmates in every aspect, be it homework or battling with insecurities.

"Oh? What are you doing here, brat?"

Yami sputtered and hastily tried to cover up the paper on the table. "N-None of your business, old man!"

It was rare to see Yami red in the face, which made Hector all the more curious. With a wider grin he approached the teen, attempting to crane his head over the muscular arm that covered the surface of the paper.

At this, Yami looked like he was very close to storming out of the library, so Hector tried a different approach.

"Aw, come on. As your Vice Captain, I'm obligated to help my adorable squadmates. Especially rookies like you."

Yami scowled. "I'm not a rookie."

However, his expression softened to become less defensive and he heaved a deep sigh. He pulled his arm back and Hector leaned over him slightly to see what it was.

It clicked as soon as he read the first few lines. "Is this the homework Julius-kun gave you?"

The Dark Magic user nodded and crossed his arms with a frustrated look on his face. "Sir Julius taught me this word before but I've forgotten what it was. And now I'm too embarrassed to ask him."

His voice fell to a mutter at that last part as he looked the other way stubbornly.

Hector let out a hum and drew up a chair next to the teenager. "Well, for starters, your essay isn't that bad, but there are improvements to be made."

"What the hell? I only asked if you knew the word I was looking for."

Hector raised an eyebrow, "Do you want my help or not, Sukehiro?"

"...fine. Whatever. But I'm not paying you."

It was adorable to see how Yami hated disappointing Julius in any way. That sentiment was probably shared by the rest of the Grey Deer, including Hector himself.

Thirty minutes had passed before Yami finally nodded in understanding, scratching his cheek while refusing to meet Hector's gaze.

"Thanks." He mumbled.

Hector chuckled and briefly ruffled Yami's hair, earning a murderous glare from him. "No problem. Let's keep this between us, I assume?"

"You bet. But one question: are you and Sir Julius dating?"

The question caught him so off-guard that his smile was dropped. Hector's heart raced, and it would be a long moment of speechless silence before he gave a response.

"What?"

While Yami would appear as thick-headed to anyone who didn't know him well, his sharp observation skills were terrifying. Realisation dawned on his face and he leaned away from Hector with a disgusted expression bordering on comical.

"So you're not?! That's disappointing, old man."

Hector pointed a finger at him threateningly, ignoring the way his heart was beating miles per minute.

"Hey, hey, don't make me send you to the Forsaken Realm. Julius-kun wouldn't like it-"

Yami pointed a finger back at him and exclaimed, "That's exactly my point!"

"What point?!"

"You are so obviously in love with Sir Julius, it's ridiculous. You keep mentioning his name and you don't smile at us the way you do to him-!"

At that point, Hector resolved to throw the teen out the window when a familiar voice froze them in their places.

"Hector! Yami!"

Upon seeing Julius approach them, Hector's heart did a happy little backflip. He grinned brightly at the blonde while tightening his grip on Yami's head to shut him up.

"Julius-kun! I thought you were in a meeting with the Wizard King."

"I was, but..." Julius trailed off, worry and sadness crossing his expression for a split second. He shook his head slightly and managed a smile, "What are you both doing?"

Upon seeing his expression, the bubbly feeling in Hector's chest dissipated into worry as well. Julius had informed him of the Wizard King's medical condition before. He guessed that the condition had took a turn for the worse.

"Nothing," Yami replied nonchalantly before the silence could stretch too long. "I was just telling him to go away."

Hector glared. "'Him' is standing right here."

"Still? Why?"

Before he could send Yami flying, Julius put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. He chided, "Come on, you two. There's no need to fight so much. Yami, we leave you to it."

They stepped out of the library and Hector pushed a hand through his hair in frustration. "Julius-kun, that kid's a piece of work."

Julius chuckled, a sound that cooled Hector down a little. "I know, but he has a good heart and cares a lot for others."

It was the truth and Hector knew it. He relented with a sigh and said no more as they walked through the Grey Deer Headquarters in companionable silence. The setting sun cast a brilliant, orange glow on the white walls and pillars, giving a sense of calm that washed over the both of them.

Once they reached Julius' office, Hector plopped himself onto the couch, spreading his arms on the backrest with an exhausted sigh. Julius draped his cape on the wooden stand first before joining his vice captain.

"So...how was he?"

Julius leaned back on Hector's arm, his violet gaze drawn to the ceiling. In a whisper, "He told me he only has a few years left to live."

His worry made Hector's heart ache. This man had enough space in his heart for all the citizens of Clover Kingdom. It was an aspect of Julius that Hector loved, one which Hector could never implement in himself no matter how much he tried.

His fingers brushed Julius' nape before curling gently inwards. In response, the blonde leaned into his touch and let out a small sigh. It was an intimate gesture exclusive only to the both of them - a sign of the ultimate trust they had in one another.

"And this worries you?" Hector asked softly while massaging the soft skin beneath his fingers.

Julius turned to face him, his beautiful violet eyes stealing his breath for a quick moment. "A little," He admitted. "People look to me to become the next Wizard King. That pressure...it's - it's a little frightening. What if I can't protect them?"

Hector so badly wanted to gather him in his arms and chase those insecurities away with a kiss. But it wasn't that simple. He vowed to do so someday when they were more...understanding of the relationship they shared.

"If you're fearful, that's good," Hector said reassuringly, pressing his thumb slightly into the side of Julius' neck. "It shows how serious you are about protecting Clover Kingdom. And once you're serious about something, you'll accomplish your goal. Don't argue - I've witnessed it first-hand."

He watched as Julius turned a bright shade of red at his words. In retaliation the blonde flicked at his ear, earning an exaggerated 'ow!'.

"You're always saying such things even when I told you to stop!" Julius exclaimed in a flustered tone. Then, he relaxed and gave Hector a warm, sincere smile. "But...thank you."

Even in the orange light of the setting sun streaming in through the window, it couldn't compare to the smile Julius was giving him now. It fanned the ever-burning flame in his gut and he crossed the distance between them in a blink of an eye, resting his hand on the armrest beside Julius.

Black eyes like pools of night met wide, violet ones. Their breaths mingled in the air and Julius grew an even brighter red.

"When you become Wizard King," Hector uttered, his words becoming a personal vow. "I'll stay by your side."

Julius breathed, "Forever?"

"If that's what you wish." And he meant it.

There was a sharp inhale at his words and Julius dropped his gaze, studying his hands that laid still in his lap. His lashes were fluttering, a telltale sign that he was nervous about the next words he was going to say. Hector waited with baited breath, his gaze fixated solely on the other.

"Hector, I...I have - I have something to tell you-"

"Captain Julius!" The sudden call made them both spring apart, the previous tension between them shattered. Judging by the frantic knocking, it was probably an urgent matter that could not be waved away.

Julius got to his feet while Hector remained where he was, silently cursing the situation.

"Come in!"

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notes: apologies if the formatting is a little weird! I'm new to posting on tumblr so I'm still getting used to it oops

anyway @simpingforthisonedeer sorry this took so long ;; i kept rewriting this chapter guh