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“No,” The guard muttered, peering over the top of his glasses. Evbo stared back at him in confusion, brow furrowed. He frowned, raising his voice ever so slightly, “I’m not letting you risk everything just for them.”
The other stared back at him for a moment, before shaking his head in protest. “I’m the only one who can do this. Nobody else has the ability to respawn like I do. We know I can respawn, it’s not like I’ll be risking anything! And even then, we don’t know if others can use the armour stand - and I’m not willing to find that out.”
Pausing, head dipping slightly to stare at the floor, he sighed. Because he was right. They did know Evbo could come back to life, we’re certain of the fact. But that didn’t stop the worry that constantly settled within him until he caught sight of the other again. That didn’t stop the worry that one day it wouldn’t work, that he’d never come back. What would he do if that happened?
He didn’t want to lose him. It was a strange feeling. He’d never grown so attached, especially not to a sword. That wasn’t how things worked. Not here.
“Raymond?” Evbo’s voice cut in, halting his thoughts. The other stayed silent. Who was he to try and stop him? Some guard who had begun helping him? Even he hadn’t been particularly nice. He was like all of them, benefiting off of him, using him, and Evbo? He was better than them all. “Raymond, talk to me.”
He clenched his fists, letting out a breath slowly. He couldn’t help how worried he’d become, even if he was no better than the others. He glanced back up, a tumbling storm of conflict in his chest. “Do they even deserve your help? Do we? You were farmed for your swords, you weren’t even given a chance to fight back. You were turned into a tool. They don’t see you as a person, they don’t care if you die.”
Evbo moved to cut in, mouth opening to argue, but he didn’t let him. He needed him to see. He needed him to understand how they didn’t deserve the worry, the concern, the care from someone like him. Someone so- special.
He needed him to see that he cared. That he wasn’t sure he could go on without him. Not anymore - he couldn’t go back to the dull routine he had once grown used to. And it was because of Evbo.
“You don’t often trust in a life like this. You learn not to grow attached. You learn not to grow fond, because everyone eventually dies. But you, you haven’t done that. You’ve defied everything I know. And still, you’ve managed to last this long, and even if you can come back, I’m scared. Scared you won’t respawn. Scared I’ll lose you, because-.”
He paused in his words, voice caught in his throat as he blinked, taking in a shaky breath. The other took a step forward, and he flinched, shield drawn up to his face. Tensed, poised to take an attack. He knew the other would never hurt him, but what if he hated him? He didn’t need such unnecessary worry, it was only an inconvenience. Fuck.
His arm quivered from where it held his shield. He couldn’t bring himself to pull it down, to move it out of the way. He had always fallen back on it, hadn’t he? Resorted to hiding. Shields weren’t taught to fight. That wasn’t what they were for.
He blinked as a hand, scarred and shaky, lightly pushed his shield down and out of the way of his face. Green eyes stared back at him, soft, a slight shine to them - he ignored the urge to bring the other close, to wipe the tears from his eyes.
Evbo tilted his head, movements slow and careful, wary of scaring him again. He cursed himself - because he never should be wary of what he does around him. He should never have to be so careful. Yet he was gentle, kind, despite everything .
“Because what, Ray?” The other muttered, and god, he was beautiful. Strands of blond hair hung over his eyes, escaping the band around his head. His lips, glossy despite the cracks from where he had chewed at them. He could feel each exhale, warm as it blew across his skin and- when had he gotten so close?
He couldn’t stay quiet any longer, could he? Couldn’t hide what he’d so vehemently denied at first.
Sighing, resigned - for he could only imagine the ways this could go wrong, he could not foresee a way this could go right - he spoke.
“Because I love you, Evbo. I’ve grown so used to having you close, worrying about you every time you die. I don’t want to lose you because I can’t imagine a life without you. Okay? That’s what.”
He blinked as the other’s eyes widened slightly, a pit of dread settling in his stomach. He should have just shut up. Bottled it up, let the other go. He would’ve been fine. He could’ve dealt with it. Put up his facade once again.
“Raymond, look at me,” Evbo demanded, and his eyes shot to the other’s. They were soft, reassuring, but that couldn’t be right. He should’ve just shut up. He should leave, before things got worse. Apologise.
“Can I kiss you?”
Oh.
He let out a breath, shaky and nervous, as he stared at the other. Evbo never has been subtle, has he? He didn’t even know if he knew of the word. Though, he wasn’t going to complain. Not now.
“Yes,” He murmured, and he felt the weight of Evbo’s hand leave his shield, moving to cradle his face. The tool stayed hanging by his side. It was strange, not to have a barrier between someone so close, yet he found himself leaning closer.
“You do know this isn’t going to stop me, right?” He muttered, and Raymond shook his head fondly. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to stop him, and wouldn't be able to change his mind. It was Evbo, he wasn’t going to be able to stop him from helping others.
“Just kiss me.”
Evbo grinned.