Archive of Our Own ^beta

He loved his subjects, he did. He really, really did.

“Ellum!” There was a cry from not one but three voices and another cry from the man himself as he was chased outside the castle. More voices muttered about ammo and gear, scrap runs they’d have to make or blueprints to find. And even more were complaining in one way or another about the pain they were in after the last attack that’d only finished moments ago.

It was a busy day in the Rusty Bones kingdom.

For King Foolish, it was always a busy day.

“My liege,” June bowed before him, decked out in the finest armor available, a rare sight in their home, but expected of the man before him, “The Church is mobilizing, they were chanting about the Blood God, spoke of us.”

The King couldn’t help but flinch at the mention, remembering the fire and explosives that had rocked their home over and over again thanks to the mysterious god. Then he remembered how that same group had left him behind in the middle of a train yard after kidnapping him. The two extremes of competence one could say.

“I mean, there’s not much we can really do about that can we?” He asked, looking over at High General Trausi,  “After that last raid from Team Rocket…” He sighed into his hand, glancing outside of the throne room at the random people nearby, most of them covered in bandages, with medical syringes tossed around haphazardly. 

While the King was sitting on the throne now, that was a simple break for his feet after the last three hours of defense and fight back. Foolish prided himself in always being on the frontlines of their conflicts, giving out supplies and retrieving them too.

He was to put it plainly… exhausted.

He couldn’t believe it, but as their enemies left on a tugboat, he contemplated hopping on it like he had before, but that hadn’t exactly been a great experience either… For some reason, no one who ever kidnapped him really paid him any attention at all. It was such an opposite to how his life in the castle was.

“My King, we can’t just let those fanatics walk over us.” June said, standing tall and proud. He’d not been here during the last attack, off scouting as he tended to do, but the regret was written all over the man’s face. June was one of his best, the most faithful to the Kingdom and Foolish knew he meant well but…

“He’s right sir, but our chances…” Trausi muttered beside him, “It’s not looking good.”

“Right, right- I-” Foolish massaged his temple, feeling the oncoming headache.

“Not to mention the Fifth Kingdom threatened retaliation soon too.” June muttered under his breath. Trausi nodded sagely at this, and Foolish groaned at the reminder.

All over a misunderstanding- It had started off so well with them…

“We’re going to war!” Sykkuno cried, running into the throne room, others coming in with him, the usual suspects, Fuslie, Ellum, etc. Even Tina was there, a grin on her face that shattered upon glancing at him. There was that look of regret for a moment only to twist back into a smile as Sykkuno continued, “We can’t let them walk all over us!”

Foolish took a breath, then gestured around at them, “That’s fantastic, Sykkuno, but… tell me, what are we going to war with?” Some held rocks, others torches, one a slice of meat.

“I don’t know, but we need it!” He said and the others joined in cheering and hollering.

It was loud, so very, very loud- Suddenly, violently, he started to cough, hacking and spitting up as the raging illness he’d been suffering from struck him. It was the final nail in his mental coffin and he needed-

“Enough! Please- can we all just- for one moment- I need a second!” He cried, standing from his throne with another cough racking his body, “I need piano time.” He stood, walking over to the instrument as everyone gaped at him.

“But sir-” June exclaimed, following.

Foolish shook his head, “Piano time.” He gestured to the door, “I’ll be out soon.”

June’s eyes widened like saucers, but he hadn’t been here- so he paid him no mind as his brain rattled around in pain. Trausi had the grace to start escorting everyone out, closing the castle’s doors behind him so the King could wallow on his own.

However, there was one person left in the doorway. “Sir…” Boulder was there, like a comforting blanket wrapped around his shoulders, he spoke, “Are you well?”

“Only a moment, Boulder.” Foolish grinned, “Promise.”

Boulder’s brows furrowed but he nodded, “First thing in the morning, we go gambling.” it was the most wonderful thing he could have ever said.

“Ya, ya I think I’d like that.” The King said, and then the doors to the castle were closed.

Outside he could hear the same old arguing, both from his two main advisors but also, Ray, Hutnik, Valair, Shacky, and a few others joining in, while Tricia, Boulder and Eagle recounted their supplies, but all of them mentioned one thing, “It’s the King’s decision.” 

Decisions, decisions, decisions, all day, everyday, for his land, his people, his kingdom.

But none for himself, or nowadays even ones made for him.

He loved his siblings but their help was… questionable at best.

The oldest, Miyoung, the retired Queen once he’d been old enough to inherit, sought a peaceful life as a simple farmer. Sometimes she’d insist on taking back some of the burdens of ruling from him only to turn around and somehow he’d still have to solve the problem. She tried though and he would never bother to want more than what she gave.

His other older sister passed up on taking the full crown when she matured, insisting she would never be ready for the responsibility. As Princess, Tina did manage their home well at times, only faltering when her desire to project perfection interfered with the good of the overall people. The latest of which being the collapse of their alliance with the Fifth Kingdom-

He sighed as his fingers danced across the familiar keys with the familiar melody.

And thus the youngest was where he was, sitting at a piano, playing his little tunes for the few minutes he was allowed before even Trausi was sick of it and he was back with the next task and issue and problem and- and- and- everything. He’d just wanted to be a musician, an artist, it’s why he’d let so many into the kingdom who were artists and playwrights, seeing himself in them. He would do anything to protect them, so they would have the freedom he was denied.

Foolish had thought he’d never wind up on the throne, never wear the heavy bone crown upon his head, and yet he was, and he wouldn’t give it up, no, never, but maybe a break… something so he could finally breathe for a few hours… another kidnapping where he was forgotten for a bit…

There was something cool pressed to his throat and Foolish froze, only for a strikingly familiar voice to mutter, “Keep playing.”

Pookie.

Foolish did as he was told because, well, he didn’t really have a reason not to.

“Don’t talk, the moment you do, I slit your throat.” Dakkin spat in his ear, “Don’t need your buddies hearing that annoying ass voice of your’s.”

Foolish nodded, feeling the blade a bit better in the process.

Was it so wrong he got a shiver of delight when he did?

The other two kidnappings, well, they certainly didn’t start off this good-

“We’re going out the back, and you’re going to be very quiet, understand?”

He nodded again, still playing the piano like nothing was wrong.

There was something wrong and it was the excitement fluttering in his chest.

“Good, now let’s fucking go.” Dakkin suddenly wrapped a cloth over his mouth, tying it tight on the back of his head, then grabbed his wrists and did the same behind his back. Then he was kicked up off the piano chair and shoved out towards the back of the castle. “I was looking for your sister, but honestly, this is better. This will hurt more.”

Foolish frowned, glaring at him.

“Hey, you’re the one I found, relax.” Dakkin smirked.

He shoved him and Foolish walked, amazed that he really was calmer at the man’s words.

“No one gets it, gets what you are to these people.” He sneered as they ducked out the back of the castle and headed towards the docks, “You’re their little idol, the little beacon of hope and joy and whimsy. Cut that out and you leave just a bunch of broken bones.”

Foolish’s eyes widened, impressed that the man who seemed to have such an utterly one track mind was able to string together such a sentence much less a threat.

He paused his little speech as someone passed them walking by the bushes they were hiding in. It was an opportunity to call for help, to escape- He did nothing.

Why was he doing nothing- why did he always do nothing-

“Now, I think I’m going to put you up as a little trophy of my own, it would certainly teach that sister of your’s a lesson.” Dakkin said, pulling his face in closer where they hid, “Would you like that?”

Foolish nearly nodded but he restrained himself. That would have been ridiculous-

Trophies just sat there, admired and not pestered- perhaps even playing a tune- He shook his head finally in response.

“Hmm, not really a choice, King.”

He was hauled back up to his feet roughly, so quickly he coughed, gagging into the cloth he was restrained by. Foolish couldn’t help it, his immune system a wreck nearly his whole Kingship because of his sheltered lifestyle compared to his sisters.

Their father had said there was something off about him, that he needed extra care compared to them. As a boy he didn’t argue so he would sit by a window and watch with bliss as his sisters played in the gardens putting flowers in each other’s hair… then touching his own vacant hair.

Suddenly he smelt sea water and Foolish realized they’d made it to the little boat Dakkin had brought. This was happening, he was being kidnapped… for real this time?

Any normal man would be trying to jump into the water as he was pressed into the seats, any normal man would be struggling and kicking and fighting his captors, any normal man wouldn’t be giddy inside as he imagined what this kidnapping would entail.

Foolish was anything but a normal man.

“Damn if I knew it would be this easy, I’d done it earlier.” Dakkin muttered, a laugh on his lips as he set the boat to drive, “What a pathetic King.”

He shrugged, not denying that in the slightest.

“With a pathetic Kingdom to boot.” A sick smirk and his brows furrowed.

Foolish scowled through the binding, insult him all he wanted, his people-

“Oh, struck a nerve?” The man cooed, “Well, I’m going to strike a lot more where we’re going. Teach her a lesson to not fuck with me.”

This wasn’t about him.

Of course.

The boat started moving and they went deep into the sea out of sight of their towers if anyone happened to be in them. This was definitely in the direction of the Fifth Kingdom, to the Frogs. Foolish sat still and silent, waiting as one does in such a situation.

He looked down at his wrists…

No one had ever tied him up before…

Was this the real deal at last?

After the boat passed Fuslie’s home and the restaurant along the shore, he parked the boat and roughly tugged on his shoulder, throwing him onto the beach. He tripped and fell over, smacking his head against a rock that split his lip through the gag. Foolish groaned, cringing at the feeling of blood soaking into the cloth.

Well, he’d consumed human flesh before, so it wasn’t gross, just… unexpected.

“Damn, made a mess didn’t you?” Dakkin scowled, grabbing onto him to sit him up on the beach, “You know, it didn’t have to be this way. I really tried to work with you guys.”

Foolish still gagged of course, could only shrug. While he wished things could have ended differently, it was too late to cry over spilled milk. Besides…

He disrespected his sister, lied about their relationship, and at the end of the day, that mattered more than a few more scars and burns on his body.

Dakkin didn’t say anything else as he pulled Foolish back to his feet, only adding the sharp feeling of a gun pressed to his back as they continued their trek. He really hoped he’d be able to talk eventually, even just a little. Although, the other times he was kidnapped he had been allowed to talk and then was quickly abandoned…

Was he the problem?

Before he could really contemplate that, they arrived at the castle of the Frogs.

“You did not.” Ledo’s familiar voice said above them as Foolish was escorted inside.

“It was so easy, they’ve got no security really.” Dakkin said, as they entered the castle. “If I wasn’t so pissed, I’d actually feel bad we’re picking on such weaklings.”

“I thought you said you were going out for a walk and you brought back the King?” Ledo climbs down the rope and followed them into the castle.

There was a chair in the center of the main room and Dakkin wasted no time shoving him in it and untying him only to tie him up with new rope against the chair. It was stiff and uncomfortable, but somehow felt like so much less pressure than the throne.

In front of him, Dakkin and Ledo talked, argued more like.

“We don’t even really hate the King, it’s everyone else…” Ledo said, frowning.

“Sure, but he’s their centerpiece.” Dakkin said, “I’ve been there so often, I’ve seen how they act around him, pure fanatics.” He gestured to Foolish, “They go to him for everything.”

Well not everything, surely…

He recalled the constant days of questions after questions and threw that previous thought away.

Ledo sighed, “Still, doesn’t this just make them want to come for us immediately?”

“You’re not scared of a couple of people in rags are you?” Dakkin rolled his eyes, glancing over at Foolish, “Look, if you’re not comfortable in how I want to conduct my revenge, you can go.”

Ledo frowned, “Nah, I don’t care that much, just… well, it sucks it had to be him.” He crossed his arms, “I’ll give the others a heads up to be ready to defend the place.”

“Make sure they’re quiet. I don’t think Rusty Bones knows he’s gone, much less it’s us.” Dakkin said, “And… thanks.”

“Whatever, man. You have fun down here.” Ledo said, and the man was gone leaving only two.

Dakkin’s eyes darkened as he approached him, a sick smirk on his face, “You know… I would have preferred her here, I really would, but…” He reached for that knife he’d had at his throat earlier, “At least I don’t need to worry about killing you.”

Foolish’s eyes widened, and finally a bead of sweat rose up on his throat.

Dakkin stabbed his shoulder and he cried out pathetically through the gag, not expecting the sharp sudden pain. It was so quick, so brutal- but Dakkin wasn’t done, and the knife was pulled out so he could grab his face and pull it close, cutting down his jaw in a thin vicious line. Foolish whined, closing his eyes as the pain stung fiercely.

Dakkin stepped back at that, tilting his head, “You know, for being siblings, there’s barely any resemblance,” He reached over, tugging on Foolish’s hair as he laid the blade over his Adam's apple, “Both have a dainty neck though…”

He’s been on the frontlines of all their battles, cut and bruised and burned- all the blood and broken bones- but something about these wounds, the personal nature of them- it was a pain like no other and he didn’t even have a chance to speak- 

His only skill-

Foolish closed his eyes, praying to… he wasn’t sure, certainly not the Blood God- but… maybe to June or Trausi or hell Boulder or fuck it he wouldn’t mind Mendo swooping in-

He’d wanted a break from his duties, he did, but- this was- this was-

His heart rate was as erratic as a mouse and he felt as small as one too.

Dakkin dropped the knife, reared back his fist and punched him. It wasn’t once too, he did it again, over and over, muttering under his breath, “It could have been perfect, we would have been perfect- all she had to do was play along, but no, no, no-” He paused, letting Foolish’s head lull to one side as he blinked warily, “Instead she humiliated me after we had an agreement. If I don’t end up killing you, remember to thank your precious sister for this.”

Foolish wanted Dakkin’s head on a stake for speaking of Tina, he wanted his blood splattered, but it was Foolish’s instead, his split lip worsened by the rough housing. He was useless right now, helpless in every way…

“I know you’re very convincing, so…” Dakkin walked over to the doors, locking them, “But I’m not going to fall for that silver tongue. Just making sure no one else can hear it.” He returned to him, hands moving behind his head to finally ungag him. “I want to hear you beg me to spare you, to spare your kingdom, your sister-”

“Fuck you.”

A punch square in the jaw, but it was worth it.

“Not so diplomatic now, huh, King?” Dakkin grinned, “And to think somehow you’re still the one ruler on this island I respect the most. Funny how this worked out, huh?”

“Real funny.” Foolish croaked back with bloodied teeth. His head was spinning.

“Oh chin up, King Foolish… this is only entirely personal.” Dakkin joked as he loomed over him, “I learned you’re actually younger than her, that she gave up the full power of the throne and passed it to you. If I’d known that sooner, I would have realized how pointless it was to chase after such a spineless woman.”

Foolish spat at him, a big glob of saliva and blood that landed on his legs. Dakkin scowled, then slapped him before walking off to wipe it off.

He took the slap in stride, laughing a little under his breath as the delirium of his blood loss started to settle in, but he couldn’t help finally speaking like he wanted, “You know, acting like you two were ever actually a thing is pretty fucking sad.” He wasn’t even going to try and reason with him, there was no point.

Dakkin was back in seconds, jabbing a finger in his chest, deep and harshly, “I’ll cut put your fucking tongue, don’t say that. She’s the delusional one, not me-”

“You set her up, putting your name as Pookie? Please.” Foolish rolled his eyes.

“She didn’t hate it, in fact she said it so enthusiastically.” Dakkin teased and he sat up, growling a bit as Dakkin laughed, “Oh struck another nerve…”

“I can’t wait for Rusty Bones to tear you limb from limb.” They were a kingdom in shambles right now- he was praying someone even noticed he was missing right now and not rushing into another war they were in no way equipped for.

“I think we both know the one who benefited the most from our alliance was you.” 

Foolish’s eyes narrowed, “I’ll admit that, fine, but you’re the ones to break it over a personal fight.”

“She embarrassed me-”

“My people are dead over embarrassment?”

Dakkin’s eye twitched, “You came in last second- you didn’t see the scope-”

“I’m currently strapped up in a chair, beaten half to death over something that had nothing to do with me.” Foolish said plainly, and ya sure, he did this to himself, not fighting back at all, but- look- this was- well-

His other kidnapping experiences hadn’t prepared him at all for this one.

“One royal reflects on the others. Maybe you should have restrained her better.” And he didn’t let him respond, taking his knife and running it back through the same shoulder he’d hit before but this time he twisted it and Foolish screamed. 

He didn’t want this, he didn’t want this- he’d just wanted a break-

Foolish was still bruised and cut up from the last conflict, he hadn’t had a chance to heal. 

Dakkin grit his teeth, baring them in a clear threat, “We could have worked together, King, remember all our talks? It was so nice, but your damned sister had to ruin that for both of us.” He left the knife in his shoulder and grabbed his jaw speaking close to his ear, “The other day when that fuck picked up the phone instead of her, I saw red. I started the Fifth Kingdom for her, built it near your people so we could be allies. And the thanks I get was that display at the prison?”

His jaw was being squeezed so hard he couldn’t really talk, the chair tipping over as Dakkin pushed him back. Foolish’s breathing turned erratic, frightened.

“I wonder how much easier it will be to defeat the Rusty Bones without you.” Dakkin mused, tilting his head as he pondered, then harshly he was pushed, the chair flailing and Foolish’s head smacking hard against the floor- the world went dark immediately.

He thought he’d died.

There was a sweet melody in his mind, beckoning him and he followed, knowing the tune their mother used to sing. He ran to it, clung to it desperately, reaching for her voice in the distance, the sweet song he turned into a piano piece, only for his limbs to fail him just as he saw a glimpse of her face- and Foolish was falling.

When he woke, he was in a small cold room, a bucket in the corner and his wrists tied together again. There was no gag at least, a small blessing. He sat up and was greeted to the feeling of his skull being split open from the no doubt massive bump on the back of his head. Thankfully his wounds had been patched up a bit, the knife removed from his shoulder. He groaned, laying back down against the wall. 

He wasn’t proud of it, but his eyes did water up as the reality of his situation finally truly hit him. How ironic that he’d been so complicit in his own kidnapping because of the delusions of the others… He deserved all of this for his idiocy.

He wished he’d hear his subjects make one last joke about being a Foolish King…

Foolish sighed, rubbing his face numbly with his restrained hands. He didn’t know what to do now, having been forgotten all the other kidnappings he’d simply wandered off or been chased off by Myth that one time. Now? Well, he’d never made it to a cell before.

Foolish scooted over to the bars, raising a finger only to curse at the electric shock.

“Like it?” Dakkin was back, his moment of peace gone, “Got the idea from your pathetic people.”

“Mammoth isn’t pathetic.” Foolish said, blood boiling. “None of my people are.” From the artists, the farmers and the warriors, he was proud of his people regardless of their chaotic ways.

“You’re right… Even the Princess stands up for herself.” Dakkin walked up to the bars, looking down on him, “The King though… I hear he never catches a moment of peace, I’ve even seen it first hand… Retreats to a piano to relax while enjoying the fruits of his people’s labor like a spoilt brat the next. That’s the real pathetic one.”

Foolish’s brows furrowed, “What the point of the mockery?” It stung, it stung, he deserved this, he let this happen- “Why haven’t you just killed me yet for your petty revenge?”

Dakkin scowled, “First off, not petty. Justified.”

“Sure.” He cut in as Dakkin continued.

“Second, well… I’m having fun watching the chaos over there and I think there’s still a deal I can work out.” He said, “Maybe even a political marriage.”

Foolish’s eyes widened, “You’re sick.” Mendo joked about the same to him, a much more light-hearted affair compared to the way this twisted his stomach and made him want to vomit.

“Oh you’re been asleep awhile, little King… the Princess is so distraught by your disappearance…” Dakkin tapped his chin, a smirk across his face, “She said she’d do anything to get you back…”

“She's smart enough to not fall for this.” She wouldn't, not even for him. Respect was what she valued above all else, and Tina no matter how much she loved him would never fall for such a plan. 

“Really?” Dakkin smirked, “Guess we’ll see, won’t we? I have a meeting to get to.” He started heading out, “Don’t starve, water’s in the bucket.” Then he was gone.

Foolish sighed, leaning back against the filthy wall as his stomach grumbled in complaint. Once the man mentioned it, he couldn’t forget that he hadn’t eaten at all, his last morning began with an attack, the next few hours dealing with his people than the kidnapping-

He didn’t even know how long he’d been out- but he knew one thing and that was the dryness of his throat, how parched his lips felt- and so he crawled over to the bucket. Foolish thought it’d been for him to shit in, and maybe it had been used for that, but he shoved those fears aside to drink.

He leaned over, lapping at it like a dog.

Now Foolish was aware he wasn’t a very well-informed King, sheltered in fact, and so learning about the world, he’d made many mistakes, embarrassed himself plenty- but this… this was… he stopped drinking, scooted back and leaned his not injured shoulder against the wall.

He’d held it back before, but now, now finally…

Foolish let himself sob. An ugly and messy thing, he wasn’t proud in the slightest, leaking water his body so desperately needed. Trausi would look at him so disappointed yet angry, June would vow to kill whoever cause his upset, Boulder would come with a comforting pat on his shoulder, Tricia would coo that he’d done what he could, Miyoung would mess with him, cheer him up-

Tina would blame herself and he’d die before he’d let her.

“I’m sorry.” He muttered to no one in the dingy cell, “I’m so sorry…” He did this, he allowed this, gods, he really was a Foolish King. “I deserve this.”

Foolish’s body was wrecked with another sob and he curled up, hiding away even as his body screamed in pain.

“No, you don’t.”

Now he was imagining things like June’s comforting voice.

“My King…?”

Suddenly there were shouts outside, screaming and gunfire, and that was what made him look up, right into June’s piercing eyes across the bars. Tears were still falling down his face and June’s eyes focused on those, a flash of anger-

“I’m sorry.” He uttered on instinct.

“Nonsense, we’re sorry we took so long, that we never got you back before.” June said, forcing a shaky smile, “Oh, My King… you look…” He stopped, approaching the bars with a cringe at the electric shock.

“I’ve never looked better.” Foolish joked, tilting his head, wiping away his tears the next.

There were more screams and yells outside and his stomach rolled. 

“They’re dying.” He spoke, eyes wide as he looked up at June.

“A distraction to get you. Princess Tina’s orders.” He said, “Now let’s get you out of here.” June, the expert he was, came prepared and he disabled the electric fence with one tool, lockpicked the gate with another and hopped in, offering the King a hand to stand.

It was so easy, too easy, but Foolish took the hand with shaky limbs-

“Actually, may I?” June did a gesture like he was lifting and he didn’t understand at first before suddenly he’d lost his balance, his blood loss still affecting him and June scooped him up in his arms, “Nevermind.” June smiled at him, “Found my King in this castle.”

Foolish blushed, “You did not make a Mario reference-”

June grinned, and he started running, clutching Foolish close as he backtracked through doors that had been lockpicked open the opposite side of the gunfight. Foolish clung to him, head burrowed into the crook of his neck as he was jostled, but it was obvious June was trying to be careful.

It was dark and he wasn’t sure if that meant he’d been gone for only a matter of hours or over a day-

At his wary blink up at the sky, June frowned and muttered, “It took us too long to figure out who had you… There was no trace of you, no evidence of a struggle either so we thought Team Rocket-”

Foolish zoned out because of course he would think that, he’d been such a fool-

“I’m sorry.” Foolish muttered, and at the sounds of more screams he felt so much worse. His petty want for a break resulting in his people dying- what kind of a King was he?

What a pathetic King.

“Nonsense, sir. We shouldn’t have let someone sneak under our noses.” June said, and he paused in a bush, something so disturbingly similar to his initial kidnapping, but this time it was so June could send a message of retreat to his people. “But we got you and that’s all that matters now.” He looked over, smiling at him.

Smiling only because he didn’t know his thoughts.

Foolish didn’t know how he was supposed to face his people again after what he’d done.

June, perfect flawless June, didn’t falter in their trek back to the castle, sticking to the bushes and rocks, barely even panting in the effort of getting him back. Foolish’s head lulled a bit in the trek, his mind wondering when he’d next sleep because he wasn’t sure being knocked out for so long was healthy nor was going without eating-

“You’re… surprisingly light, My King.” June said, “I mean no offense!” He added quickly.

“I’m fine.” He croaked, and of course his body chose than to fall into a coughing fit. Thankfully they were already rather far from the Fifth Kingdom.

“You’ve been ill since these wars began…” June mumbled, “Ill and now frail after spending so much time on the frontlines.”

“I’m fine.” He emphasized. This was silly, as it didn’t matter how he felt, only that he could serve, could make up for everything he wasn’t.

Foolish wasn’t the smartest King, the strongest King, or even the kindest King really, he was just a…a… Foolish King. So maybe he did stay up late to help, stay in the frontlines passing supplies longer than he should, maybe he did squash every beef and speak with everyone at all times, constant twenty-four seven clock from bedrise to bedfall-

“My King…” June frowned, but they were at the first gate and-

Boulder opened the gate, eyes’ distraught.

Foolish wished he’d never come back, he couldn’t handle these looks- if they knew, if they knew- 

But than a comforting hand on his shoulder- like a warm blanket-

“We missed you.” Boulder said so simply and yet it was like Foolish could breathe again.

He nodded weakly, “Missed you too, Boulder.”

The man smiled and then they were headed back up the hill again.

“The King is returned! All hail King Foolish!” KGU cried atop the walls upon their approach, and Foolish loved how the rows of impaled skulls and skins felt so comforting too.

There was so much noise as the door opened, a massive crowd, his people injured of course, wrapped up in so many bandages, their gear in shatters- oh he had so much work to do-

“Clear out of the way!” June ordered, and Boulder assisted, shoving people back as they cheered. “Princess’s orders!”

Foolish watched as they were taken to his castle, his stomach falling as he imagined sitting back on that cold throne so soon- the guilt eating him inside-

But instead June was taking him to Miyoung’s house outside, Boulder shutting the door behind him. That’s when he heard hushed voices upstairs- and June climbed up letting him see the most shocking sight of all.

Trausi was there, geared up as usual, an amused little smirk on his face, blood splattered over his gear- but that was all expected, no…

It was Miyoung and Tina also geared up, blood over them that shocked him.

“Foolish!” Tina cried, rushing over to him, holding his hand delicately in her’s, “Oh brother of mine, I can’t- well no, I can believe it but- this… What- oh gods, what did he do to you?!” Tina was a mess, her makeup runny as she’d clearly been crying.

Miyoung walked up behind her, hand on her shoulder, “Let June put him down.” She rubbed her sister’s shoulder and the princess relented, backing up so June could put his down in his silly little shark room.

Foolish let out the biggest sigh of relief.

Then he was jumped again, Tina in his face, “I’ll kill him! Mark my words, I will kill Dakkin.”

“I know you will.” He offered weakly.

Tina’s eyes widened. “Have you been crying? You never cry- Oh Foolish…” She rubbed the back of his hand where she kneeled beside his bed.

It was a tender moment, one that had four spectators.

“You’re dismissed.” Foolish said, looking over at Trausi, Boulder and June, “Thank you.”

“Hard to keep you alive.” Trausi joked, a little shake of his head, “But I wouldn’t want to follow anyone else.”

Foolish smiled at the old general, “And you stayed up to help.”

Trausi rolled his eyes, but smiled before he left.

“Whenever you need me, you know to call.” Boulder said, “I’ll be here.”

“Reliable as a rock, Boulder.” Foolish said, and he grinned a bit at his joke.

“Boulder.” The man agreed and headed down with Trausi.

“For you, my King, the world.” June said, bowing to him.

“June…” His stomach knotted up again, but he pushed that aside, “I can’t thank you enough for… for… everything.”

“I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.” June said, and the smile he gave was one Foolish wish would stay on his face instead of the constant stress the man seemed to always be under. Unfortunately for him, this was when the man left too.

So he was alone with his sisters as he heard his closest allies start to clear out the chaotic crowd below him, his people, the ones who’s risked their lives over his own mistake. He would have to address them, Foolish sat up-

“Where do you think you’re going?” Miyoung asked, standing by Tina and shoved him back down on the bed, “You’re resting, Queen’s orders.”

Foolish pouted up at this big sister, “But you’re not even Queen anymore.”

“I’m Queen of this house and when I say rest, you rest.” She crossed her arms, “Isn’t that right, Tina?”

“Completely right, Queen Miyoung.” Tina raised her nose, “As Princess of the house, I too order you rest.”

“So what am I in this house then, huh?” Foolish was incredulous, insubordination of his own siblings.

“Our baby brother of course.” Tina squealed, patting his cheek, “Don’t worry about the people. I’ll handle everything. Miyoung is going to help you rest up and in a few days it’ll all be back to normal.” Tina said, pursing his lips together, “We’re going to raze the Fifth Kingdom to the ground when you’re back.”

Foolish’s brows rose, “Wait, a few days- I’m not even that injured-”

“Oh it’s not about the injuries.” Miyoung said, “You’re being put on a break.”

A break?

What the fuck was that?

Tina nodded, “Recharge, recoup, and come back stronger than ever.” Her brows furrowed, “I’ve noticed how thin you’re getting, the bags under your eyes, Foolish, you’re falling apart.”

“I’m fine-”

“Don’t lie to your sisters.” Miyoung cut in.

Foolish was speechless so he didn’t say anything at all, only leaned back in his bed with a little huff, looking out the window to his responsibilities . They said he needed a break, that’s silly-

Tina’s hand squeezed his and he looked back at her.

“Foolish… I noticed you keep getting kidnapped… and… I’m worried they’re less kidnapping and more…” She trailed off but it didn’t want to be said, his worst fears had already been realized.

“I deserved it.” He muttered, “Every punch and cut and bruise- I deserved it this time- Tina- I let him take me-”

Tina teared up now, nodding her head furiously as he matched her, his own eyes welling up and she pulled him into a tight hug, “I know, I know, I know!” She clung on so hard, like he would crumble if she let go and right now, maybe he would, “That’s why you’re going on a break, getting that head of your’s back in order… Foolish, this was the scariest one yet.”

“I know.” He mumbled, “I am so sorry-”

“No, no, please don’t say that anymore.” Tina cried, “We failed you as family.”

Another presence joined them, Miyoung hugging too, “We’re fixing it now.”

“I don’t deserve you two.” He muttered helplessly, the gratefulness in his tone palpable.

“No, Foolish.” Tina said, pulling back to look him in the eyes, “Rusty Bones doesn’t deserve you, but we’re so happy to have a King as great as you.”

Foolish’s lip quivered and he nodded.

One day he’d believe that.