Her Highness Queen Liorit Arte Mios sat on the Bevij throne a full year and a half later. Valkom had actually made his wife regent and remained King in title only. And that was surprisingly well received by most of Bevij. Liorit was adored and had enacted many of the better changes in the state of the government. The public loved her.

Nero wondered what that love had cost her. 

He shook away the jitters and turned the corner at the end of the street he was on. The light chatter of a group of friends echoed down the mostly empty street. It was late in the evening, nearing the morning. 

The group was in the midst of exchanging their goodbyes, breaking off, each walking in a different direction. One of the men caught sight of Nero, and squinted as if he was unsure if he knew the young man. Nero confirmed his suspicions by waving shortly. 

The figure jogged over, the light of the street lamp falling onto his face. Azui greeted him like the day Nero first met him, with a bright grin. 

“How did you know I was here?” he asked, shoving his hands into his pockets and leaning against the lamp. He did not look a day older than the last time Nero had seen him, on the dock at the edge of Gaidos. Although his hair had recently been trimmed, judging from the cleaness of the neckline.

The finder was aching to be witty but the matter was serious and so was his answer. “I find things for a living.” He cleared his throat. “I actually followed you here from your show, but couldn’t talk myself into interrupting you and your friends so I walked around the block a couple of times.”

The answer delighted the musician, “Oh, you should’ve joined us. I’m quite glad to see you. Did you enjoy the show?”

He did. The show was wonderful, but-

“That’s not why I’m here, Zui.” He grimaced at the slip, it was becoming increasingly harder to keep his serious tone. “I need you to stop sending me payment. You’ve paid me more than enough for my service. Please.” 

Azui’s eyebrows shot up in amusement and Nero could tell he was fighting the urge to laugh at him, and for his sake. He wasn’t going to disrespect Nero. 

It started about a couple of days after his return to Gaidos. Azui sent Nero a note apologizing for his reaction at the docks and a check that Nero opted not to cash. 

Big mistake. 

What followed was a second check (also uncashed), and a plethora of gifts, gradually increasing in both luxury and value. From office clocks to furniture Nero refused to sign for.  

“Ah, you know, I thought  you would come see me sooner,”  Azui admitted. The glow on his cheeks indicated he had a couple of drinks. “Although, my sending money and gifts was my pathetic attempt for your attention. I’m surprised you let it go on this long.” 

Nero’s face faltered, and he sighed, “I sent you a receipt hoping it would drill it into your head that you had sent enough payment, but I should have known you wanted me to come see you.”

He turned away from Nero and pressed his back against the lamp post. “Is that so bad? To want your attention?” 

“No. But something tells me you want more than my attention.” 

Azui was quiet, and when Nero looked over, he had his eyes closed. 

“I’ll stop,” he said finally. 

Nero’s intentions were to thank the young man and leave, but his subconscious betrayed him. “It’s hard for me to see you.” 

“I understand.” He walked away from the light, “Have a good night, Nero.”

Technically, the interaction had gone well. The situation was situated, yet Nero felt horrible. 

Horrible to never sleep again, let alone that night. He walked around his block a number of times he could not count. Eventually, to avoid looking like a crazy person, he  walked into a nearby park and onto a hiking trail. He walked the length of it twice, only returning to his apartment because the sun made an appearance in the crevices of the mountain. 

Walking up the street, more people were around than expected. He wondered if it was normal and he hadn’t noticed because he was never outdoors in the early morning.  On his doorstep was the paper had already been delivered, 

The headline again screamed in all capitals, this time Nero’s heart did drop. Her Majesty Queen Liorit Rejects Justice Knowf’s Charges Against Same Sex Couple, Demands Reform.

Demands Reform.

Nero set down the paper on his table, processing the headline, denying himself the ounce of… hope. 

He shoved his keys back into his pocket and darted out the door. 

The air was ice on his face, and fire in his lungs as he ran. He probably looked ridiculous running, and he wasn’t all that positive Azui even lived in the same apartment as he did a year and a half ago. 

He was honestly leaving a lot to chance.

 He stopped at the end of the hall to catch his breath, if he were to arrive panting, sweating and sleep deprived Azui might think he was mad. Nero wondered if that was even preventable at this point.

At Azui’s door he knocked as considerably as possible, he did not wish to wake any of the neighbors. Perhaps it was too soft of  a knock because there was no response. He knocked again, slightly louder. 

No response. 

Nero’s reaction time slowed greatly, and it was for the best that he returned to his apartment. Another part of him wanted to wait here. His deliberation took too long, the door opened. 

“Nero?” asked Azui in a slow mumble. More asleep than awake. 

The visitor forgot all the rules of sentence structure. “She- she’s making her own reality.”

“I’m sorry what?” He held the door open for him to enter, “Er- I mean who?” 

Nero in the doorway, glanced behind him at the floor. Dropping to pick up the paper on the entrance mat, and eagerly handing it to Azui.

It took him a moment to take in the headline, his reaction time was as slow as Nero’s. He lowered the paper and stalled.

“She’s making her own…” He repeated, trailing off, his eyes refocusing on Nero. 

Both men stepped forward into  an embrace. Knowing that although they weren’t okay at this moment, there was a chance they very well could be and they might live to see that exact day.