FOR ALASDAIR, LIFE WAS A CONSTANT STREAM OF BATTLE. Asterius constantly at war with the neighboring planets and empires trying to conquer them and gain more territory, he was forced to front many of the attacks, either in the soldier pods in space or on enemy grounds, bloodshed was common and pain was a close friend. He had never known a moment of peace for Asterius, the looming threat of danger always peeking over the horizon, with him leading the whole way through.

That rendered him exhausted and in desperate need of comforting more often than not, aching to strip from his armor and wash away the grime and darkness of the battle from before. When he was younger, he might have also gone to the bar with the rest of his soldiers to celebrate their victory, but he had never been much for loud proclamations like the others and much preferred the comfort of one person and to keep to himself.

Making his way into the palace, he nodded at the guards who were sanctioned to keep the royal family safe, making his way across the polished flooring and up the carefully carved stairs, his feet practiced in their journey to the large room at the end of the hall, ornate double doors staring back at him like old friends, and he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face, the warm feeling in his chest blooming in comfort.

Knocking on the door, he paused for a moment before gripping the handles and pushing the door open. He never had to knock, but he always figured it common courtesy ever since he entered without knocking, stumbling upon a rather heated moment between its inhabitant and one of the young librarians many, many years ago.

He gave a small smile to Kaipo Etera who looked up from his books, taking in Alasdair's grimy form with a raised eyebrow and slightly disgusted expression. The heir to the throne of Asterius, he had chosen to Alasdair to be his bonded partner when he officially claimed the rightful title as heir, and while it had raised much controversy on account of Alasdair's heritage, neither man—then boys—had paid much attention, happy to be bonded through all of time, fighting alongside each other.

At least, when Kaipo chose to fight. After swearing off violence of any kind, Alasdair found himself fighting alone, now more of Kaipo's protector than brother in arms. But he didn't find it within himself to be upset, instead simply hoping that the other wouldn't grow to resent him on account of his duty as head of the guard.

"Hi," he said softly, making his way towards the bed, and Kaipo scoffed, motioning towards the bathroom with a grin, shaking his head.

At least he knew some things never truly changed.

Making his way into the ornate bathroom, he stripped off his armor, leaving it in a neat pile for the servants to collect and clean later on. He appreciated that, now, the servants received equal pay as that of any other worker, the royal family creating more and more jobs to make sure they all worked with dignity. He appreciated many things, such as being alive.

He groaned as he stepped into the smooth rock basin, the stream of water starting as soon as it registered his existence, drenching him in comfortably cold water which slowly turned warm as he continued along.

"How was the battle?" Kaipo asked, stepping into the bathroom, book in hand.

"Fine," Alasdair said, turning to look at him, feeling no shame in being utterly vulnerable to the other man, "We didn't lose anyone, and I don't believe they did either. Mostly land and property, then a stalemate."

"I will never understand why they wage war without proper resources or manpower, it's ridiculous," Kaipo commented, shaking his head as he jumped up onto the countertop, continuing to read.

"They're angry," Alasdair sighed, scrubbing off the dirt from his body, "And dying out. And suffering. They're more willing to have others kill them off than admit that they're slowly withering away."

"Pride is no excuse," Kaipo grumbled, but he nodded in understanding, looking up from his book, "How are you?"

Alasdair spread out his arms, motioning towards himself. "As you can see, I am whole and mostly unscathed."

"That's not what I meant," Kaipo sighed, and Alasdair sighed as well, moving to stand under the direct stream of water, his hair falling slightly into his eyes.

"I'm fine," he replied, rubbing at his eyes, "Nothing too...drastic occurred and everyone else seems to be in high spirits, they all went to the bar, as per usual, to drink and celebrate rather than drown their sorrows, so that's...good."

"You're tired," Kaipo said, and Alasdair made a face.

"Did you expect anything else?" he asked, turning away from him, but he knew instantly where he had gone wrong.

"Usually, after battle, there's a buzzing. You're more energized than before, rest is the last thing on the mind, that's why there are revelries. Which you never participate in," Kaipo added lowly, and Alasdair threw water at his face, laughing when the brunette glowered at him, pushing his now wet hair behind him.

"I'm just...the battle was fine, but I'm not particularly enthused," he said, and it was his formality that really broke him, finally admitting, "A barn was burned and I could hear the animals screaming."

Kaipo softened, looking at him with barely concealed sadness and Alasdair scoffed, turning around so he wouldn't have to look at him, finishing up rinsing the cleanser off his body, now simply standing under the water.

There was a shuffling sound and he screwed his eyes shut as a pair of arms wrapped around him, hugging him tightly, and he felt himself start to cry, the sounds of the screaming now echoing in his ears.

That was something about their bond that Alasdair could never fully grasp. It was meant to connect them on all planes, to combine their strength and their faults, to unite them in a bond deeper than any other in existence. Yet, on occasion, they could both feel how the other felt, especially in distress, and that was something Alasdair could never fully understand.

"This is why you need to participate in the revelries," Kaipo said, his voice a deep rumble sinking into Alasdair's body, and he scoffed, pushing at him lightly.

That was something else, something between them that always made Alasdair fidget and turn bright red. Kaipo was never one to shy away from feelings of any kind, and after every battle he always found someone to warm his bed and satiate the post-battle thrum in his veins.

Alasdair, on the other hand, was always too focused on the next goal, on himself, to find someone. Always turning bright red at the prospect. He had toyed with the notion that, perhaps, he needed to form an emotional bond with the person before he pushed any further, but he quickly learned that it was simply not the case. It was a matter of himself, his focus, and his inability to keep from turning into a complete mess when faced with an attractive individual.

"You're a mess," Kaipo sighed, moving to massage his shoulders, and Alasdair groaned, tilting his head back.

"Aren't you getting soaked?" he asked, catching sight of the damp sleeve of Kaipo's shirt out of the corner of his eye.

"I can change," the brunette reasoned, and Kaipo laughed, tilting his head forward, letting the water spray about.

"I'll get out now," he said, pushing his friend away, Kaipo happy to comply, making his way out of the basin, stripping off his dripping clothes and walking to his closet for a new pair, Alasdair, shouting for him to find a set for him as well.

"Why don't you go to your own home before you come here?" Kaipo scoffed, tossing him a set of clothes as he dried off, "I barely even stay here."

That was true, Kaipo did only ever stay in the royal palace when his parents asked and when a battle was occurring, other than that, he lived adjacent from Alasdair in the complexes in the middle of the city. Alasdair would never admit to him that he felt lonely in his home.

A Kallrynion, his people had been enslaved by the Asterions long before he and Kaipo had been in existence, even before their own parents, and while sentiments had generally disappeared, the uproar against his bonding with Kaipo had been proof enough that habit never truly died. His parents, of course, hadn't taken to it well and, in the dead of night when he was still young, had left without a trace, save for a note explaining to their distraught son why they left him behind.

He was a lonely man, but he never dared to try and help himself, his stomach aching at the thought of people leaving. He held onto Kaipo and Kaipo only, and while his partner never minded, he knew he worried. Constantly. But that was something Alasdair would gladly fake ignorance towards.

Tugging on the too large clothes, he padded over to the large bed where Kaipo was lying, continuing to read his book. Silently, he climbed next to him, settling down and closing his eyes, feeding into the thrum of pain that bloomed from his chest and out towards his fingertips and toes, tightening his skin and closing off his throat, his head spinning.

Alasdair knew who he was. He was the head of the guard and bonded partner to the heir to the throne of Asterius. He was meant to protect and defend, proud to do so without complaint. But he was lonely and afraid. But then again, who would he be if he wasn't.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

( 07.21.18 )

Meet Alasdair! This wasn't really anything, but it introduced you to his character and what he does, you'll see more of actual action stuff happening next chapter, but our poor boy is just a lil sad. I hope this was okay, it'll get better soon.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed!