Darling stood in front of the bedroom door, staring at it with uncertainty.

How often does the king ask you to share a bed with him to help nightmares?
Not often.

He spared a glance at the gold doorknob, feeling its smooth texture before twisting it and pushing the door open. It made a soft creak, causing the king to look up from his novel.

"Ah, you arrived." Cynric smiled, placing a bookmark between the pages and shutting the book. "Welcome."

Darling eyed the bed Cynric was sitting on. It was bigger than your average king-size, enough to fit three people. The surrendered to be made of the finest material and the blankets appeared to be soft. The pillows were laid neatly on the top of the bed, fluffy and inviting.

Darling didn't trust it. "Lord-"

Cynric held up a hand. "Please. You have been here for several months now and I believe we are on friendly-terms." he smiles. "Call me Cynric."

Darling hesitated before speaking. "Cynric-" he paused, the name feeling odd without a respective 'king' or 'lord' in front of it. "Why...?"

Cynric scooted off of the bed, beckoning Darling over. "Come. I'll have a bath prepared for you and some clothes before we rest."

Darling blinked. "What-"

"Well, you've been working outside and inside all day, haven't you? Protecting my palace from any foreign intruders." Cynric opened up his dresser, filled with night wear and other impressive outfits. "You deserve to relax."

Darling fumbled with his hands and raggy sleeves, unsure. He didn't know what to say. Personally, Darling never really considered needing to relax. After all, of you let down your guard, then you might...
He shook his head, watching Cynric pull out a cream-colored nightgown and walking over to him.

"Let's go, shall we?"

~~~

Darling sat down on a small chair next to the rather large bathing pool. He stuck a finger in it curiously only to retract it quickly to avoid getting burned.
It was warm.
He turned and saw Cynric kneeling before him, undoing his bandages while humming. "What are you-?"

"They're dirty." Is all the other said, peeling them off and tossing them in the trash. Cynric then ran his fingers gently over the scars, frowning. "Where did you get these...?"

Darling looked to the side, staring at the water. "I don't want to say."

The king frowned, running his hand over it a few more times before reaching up. "May I?"

Darling frowned,  but tilted his head forward, allowing Cynric to slip off his mask.

Cynric stared. "And these?" He asked quietly, brushing a thumb over Darling's mouth.

Darling looked down at the floor. "Somewhere."

Then, Cynric unwrapped the ones around Darling's head. The smaller counted the number of tiles lining the pool as Cynric stared.
When he was done, Cynric didn't ask any more questions.

He stood, gesturing to the clothing. "When you're done, please put those on and call for me. I'll put new bandages on after."

And then Cynric left.

~~~

Darling sat on chair, drying off with a towel. He quietly looked to his arms as he did, tracing the deep grooves of knife marks. Quietly, he got up and walked over to the mirror, wiping the condensation away with his towel.

A monster stared back at him.

He covered the right side of his face with a scarred hand, looking down in shame. He hated the way he looked.

It didn't take too long for him to finish and slip the night gown on, the cloth hanging down to his knees. Darling could have sworn that this was just a shirt from Cynric, but he could be wrong.

He went to leave the room, but his reflection caught his gaze and he simply called out for Cynric.

It only took a few minutes until there was a knock on the door. "Darling? Are you finished?"

Darling placed a hand on the door. "Yeah."

Carefully, Cynric opened the door and peeked through. "Hello."

Darling backed away from the door, allowing the other inside. Cynric held up a bundle of clean bandages in his hand, offering the other.
Darling placed his right arm in it, letting Cynric bandage it.

Soon enough, Cynric replaced all bandages. He took a step back to admire his work for a few seconds before he stepped closer again, rubbing a thumb over Darling's mouth. "Now... What to do with these..."

"Mask." Darling quietly mumbled.

"I don't want to cover your mouth completely! What if you smile and I don't get to see it?"

Darling couldn't help but flush a little. "I don't really smile."

"And that's why it's important!" Cynric took Darling by his face, forcing him to make direct eye-contact. "That's why I want to see them!"

He was yellow now. "Um."

"Tell you what." Cynric pulled away, smiling. "You can wear your mask anywhere you want," he held up a finger sternly. "BUT my bedroom and the bathing room."

Darling shifted. "...can I wear it everywhere...?"

Cynric crossed his arms. "Nope!"

Darling frowned. "Please...?"

Cynric shook his skull. "Nuh-uh."

He wasn't going to win. "... okay."

"Good. Now," Cynric took Darling by the hand. "Time for bed."

~~~

Cynric laid beside Darling, both quietly staring at the ceiling.
Darling snuggled deeper into the blankets, the soft and warm textures coaxing him to make a blanket burrito. He snuggled and snuggled in until he felt something resist his snuggling. He turned and paled when he saw Cynric only centimeters away.
Apparently the big bed seemed smaller than he had thought.
"Sorry."

Cynric turned, hearing Darling's voice. Quietly, he wrapped his arms around the other, bringing him closer. "About what?"

Darling nuzzled closer, attracted to the warmth. He mumbled something quietly before he shut his eye-socket, his breathing slowing.

Soon, Cynric's did too and they both drifted into peaceful sleep.

And Cynric never had another nightmare.