Chapter Text
At fourteen, Crown Prince Theseus of Logstedshire had already seen more bloodshed than any boy his age should. The weight of his crown was not just the gold pressing against his brow—it was the weight of his kingdom, fractured and dying, teetering on the edge of ruin.
His kingdom, once a proud and prosperous realm, had become a grey and saturated land, as if it's very soul was gone. Corruption had seeped into every corner, from the castle halls to the battlefields where men fought not for honor, but for the power their king promised. His kingdom's corruption. The king, his father, blind with power (not that Theseus would admit) sits on the throne, uncaring.
Theseus stands on the balcony of his chamber, overlooking the city. There's a little part of him that urges him closer. To just fall on "accident" but he ignores it. Smoke billows up in the distant lands.
"Your Highness, the King awaits," a voice breaks his thoughts.
It's Wisp, his personal guard and one of the few he can trust. Theseus turns to him, his face hardened. The King—his father—summoned him again.
"Let him wait," Theseus mutters. "Tell him I'm.. dying or something."
"Your Highness," Wisp presses, "he is demanding your presence. The situation grows more dire with each passing day. The council is there too."
Theseus's fists clench. Every day feels like a countdown. The war rages on, allies become enemies, and his people suffer in silence. And all the while, the council whispers their plans, schemes that have nothing to do with saving the kingdom, but everything to do with their own ambition.
"What am I supposed to do, Wisp?" Theseus asks, his voice strained. "I don't have control over this kingdom. Not really. I'm a prince, not a king.."
"You are the crown prince, Theseus," Wisp says firmly. "You can do anything you put your mind to, trust me."
Theseus stares out at the horizon, his heart torn between duty and despair. But at this moment, something shifts within him. The weight of the crown feels different. Like a weight he can't hold.
"So be it," Theseus says, turning around, "Stay here, Wisp."
His breath comes in shallow bursts as he makes his way down the familiar, darkened halls toward his father’s chamber. The castle seemed to close in around him as the weight of his inevitable meeting pressed down. There are no servants here to stop him, no courtiers to bow. It's just him and the King—his father—the man who had built the kingdom through violence and fear, and who now keeps it on the edge of collapse with the same iron fist. His father isn't known as The Mad King for nothing.
He's not afraid of his father. No that'd be preposterous. Theseus loves his father, but he isn't sure if it's the same way around.
The door to the war room creaks open as Theseus steps inside. The dim light from the flickering torches cast long shadows over the stone walls. His father sits at the head of the table, the war plans scattered in front of him. The King looks every bit the tyrant he was and always has been—a towering figure, his dark eyes as cold and unforgiving as they were before. A scar runs down his cheek, the mark of a man who had fought and bled for power—and who now demands others do the same.
“Come in, boy,” The king's voice is a growl, dismissive, as always. He doesn’t even look up from the map before him. “I don’t have all day. What is it now?”
Theseus feels his heart clench, but he doesn’t flinch. His father’s cruelty has become as familiar as the cold stone beneath his feet. He takes a deep breath and steps forward, standing tall, despite the knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.
“We need to end this war, Father,” Theseus says, his voice steady but edged with the weight of truth. His father barely looks up, a glint in his eyes saying, 'You think I don't know that?' “The kingdom is on its knees. People are starving, the fields are burning, and we’re losing allies by the day. We can’t keep this up.”
The king's eyes flick up from the map, his gaze as sharp as a blade. “What do you know of war, boy? You’ve never stepped onto a battlefield in your life. You’re barely more than a child.”
Theseus clenches his jaw, biting back the retort that burns on his tongue. His father has no understanding of what it's like to be a prisoner in his own kingdom, to watch people starve whilst his father wages an endless war. But Theseus can’t say that. He has to tread carefully.
“I know enough to see that we’re on the verge of losing everything,” Theseus presses, trying to test the waters. “Our people are suffering, Father. You may not care about them, but I do. If you don’t change course, we’ll have nothing left to fight for.”
The King stands abruptly, knocking his chair back with a sharp scrape that echoes through the room. The rage in his eyes is palpable, and Theseus' stomach twists. The King has always been quick to anger, and he rarely holds back when he feels disrespected.
“You think I don’t care about my kingdom?” The king's voice is low and dangerous, a simmering fury barely contained. “Everything I do, I do for us. For the throne. For this kingdom. My kingdom. And if you can’t see that, then you are no son of mine.” Theseus nods, having to not get his father any more angry, his hands trembling behind his back.
Theseus' heart thunders in his chest. He forces himself to meet his father’s gaze, despite the fear that clenches his insides.
Theseus' voice doesn't falter, even with the weight of his words. “If you don’t stop this war—there may be nothing left for you to rule.”
The silence that followed is suffocating. The king's expression shifts, his eyes narrowing in a way Theseus has seen millions of times before. It's a look that spoke of hatred, a hatred that has simmered for years, ever since Theseus has been old enough to spell words.
“You dare challenge me, boy?” He hisses, stepping forward, his massive form looming over Theseus. “You are nothing compared to me. You may wear the crown one day, but that day is far from now. Until then, you will do as I say.”
Theseus stands tall, even as chills run down his spine. His father is right. He's just a nobody. So what is this feeling in his chest?
“I'll rule one day,” Theseus says, his voice steady.
The king's eyes flash with fury, his face twisted into a grotesque mask of anger. “Stop talking back to me! You are nothing without me! You will never be fit to rule this kingdom. Never!”
Theseus takes a step back as the king gets in his face. "Your brother was a better fit than you'll ever be!" Theseus feels a pain in his chest, not like heartburn or anything. It's a feeling he's grown accustomed to.
Theseus and his brother used to be close. He used to show him places to explore. Places that were special to him. Clay. Clay was his father's perfect child. Theseus knew his brother like the back of his hand, or at least, he thought he did.
But one day, Theseus had fallen off a tree that he climbed while with Clay. He began crying, and Clay tried to calm him down, because Theseus, like an idiot wouldn't stop. It hurt, but he was being a baby. So Clay did something. Magic. Which is strictly forbidden. Clay made Theseus see a beautiful field of flowers. He made him see something that wasn't there. But it worked. Theseus calmed down, and his brother took him to the infirmary.
Theseus was six. He didn't know that powers were forbidden, and if you had them, you'd be seen as a witch. That's why their kingdom was separated from the rest. Isolated, because the other kingdoms had "freaks" with powers. As his father said.
Theseus like the young child he was, told his father about the amazing thing Clay did for him. His father went into a blind rage, and demanded Clay be executed. As was everyone with powers, but when execution day came, he couldn't do it. He was so cruel, but he couldn't do it. He couldn't kill his perfection.
Clay was thrown into a cell. Weeks passed. Clay never gave up, always trying to get out. It was unjust what they did to him. On a day where the sun was covered by clouds, a blonde head of hair popped into Clay's vision.
Young Theseus had been looking for him, asking everyone he could, searching the whole castle. Even that young, Theseus knew his brother was somewhere. He wasn't killed, he didn't leave.
"Theseus," Clay had whispered to him after a hug, "You have to find the keys for me, okay? To let me out," Theseus immediately nodded and ran off.
It wasn't for another 4 days until he finally got the keys. From a guard named Tristian. He stole it from right under his nose, and had to sneak back into the dungeon, being aware of the guards. Theseus was six when he had to break his brother out of a dungeon cell. He was also six when his brother left.
He held onto Clay for dear life, sobbing as his older brother was about to leave him, the woods a foot away, "Thes," Clay had held out a bracelet, green and beautiful, "Wear this okay? To remember me."
Theseus wiped the tears from his eyes, delicately taking the bracelet. It was too big. "I'm always with you," Theseus looked up to see his brother smiling at him. The bracelet looked like his eyes. The emerald shining in a way only his brother's could.
"I'll get you someday, I won't look the same, and my name won't be the same either, but I will find you," Clay said, his eyes tearing up, Theseus looked up at him, holding his hand.
"Promise?" Young Theseus asked, looking up at his brother with his hopeful ocean blue eyes. Clay smiled sadly, "I promise,"
And with that, Clay turned around and ran off into the woods. Theseus told himself he wouldn't cry. He'd be a "big man" but he fell to his knees and sobbed like a baby. His brother left him. It was his fault too.
The sky in the kingdom had never been sunny ever again. People made theories, and tried to pray to Prime and any other god. The sky was always gloomy though.
Theseus looks down at his feet that's not fair he thought to himself, but he pushed it down. Yes it is. His father lets out a scoff, harsh and cold. "You're the same as you'll ever be. Pathetic. Leave me."
Theseus does just that, turning on his heel and leaving.
The day his brother left, his father found out, and was furious. He didn't even know it was Theseus that did it, but he got a punishment. The next day, Theseus had bruises all over his arms, and a cut on his cheek.
And his brother never came back. He was a liar. Nobody will ever come back. He's not worth it.
-
Two teens are in the city of Logstedshire, wandering around the streets that look like they were painted with sadness. One with short brown hair and small horns poking out of his head, hidden by a hat. The other, tall and with black and blonde hair, split in the middle, lanky and awkward looking, fidgets with his hands, looking at the other "This is a lot of people.."
Tubbo, the shorter one with brown hair, glares at the city street as if it had done something to him, "Hopefully they all run away," He scowls, "This place is just as bad as we heard, Ran."
The people around them look tired and exhausted, mostly women. All the men got drafted off to war. Kids did too, all males older than 14 got drafted. Everyone knows that this place is a ticking time bomb. Even its people are protesting. The shouts around the two teens are about peace and corruption.
Ran, or Ranboo, nods. "Everything looks.." He gazes around the area, there are people in alleyways, mostly kids, dirty and spacing out, "..Terrible," He finishes. Tubbo scoffs, "If that's saying something."
Ranboo looks up, looking a lot more nervous, "It also looks very gloomy. Is it about to rain? Also my human form is hard to keep up. We'd better hurry." Tubbo's face softens, looking at the taller. "Let's get to the palace, I'll kill them if it rains. Just hold the human form until night."
Ranboo stares at Tubbo, his eyes narrowed playfully, "Why would you kill someone for rain? Isn't that the sky's fault?" Tubbo shakes his head, peering up at the sky. "Boss said that it's been gloomy ever since Dre- Clay, the first prince of, Logstedshire ran away," Ranboo looks at the sky too, realization dawning on his face, "Magic?"
Tubbo nods, "Has to be," He begins walking again, Ranboo follows, nervous because of the weather. "The question is, who? Because I'd be damned if a place like this," He gestures around, "Has anyone with powers,"
Ranboo nods, "They kill anyone with them," Tubbo observes the kids sitting on the sidewalks, talking to each other. "It's messed up. Just because they're born with something," Tubbo gets closer to Ran, making sure he's closer to him.
"Be careful, I heard guards roam the streets," Ranboo smirks, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "You sure you don't just want to hug me cause you're sad?" Tubbo gawks, immediately twisting his head to look up at Ranboo. "I'm not sad! What!?" Ranboo puts his arm over Tubbo, "You can be sad, doesn't make you weak," Ranboo sing songs.
Tubbo rolls his eyes playfully, looking around once more, "Just this place! It's so messed up!"
Ranboo stays next to Tubbo as support as they keep walking. "How can a king treat his people like this!" Ranboo hums thoughtfully, "Maybe the Crown Prince is different?"
Tubbo scowls, "Probably all the royalty around here suck up to the king. I wouldn't be surprised if the Crown Prince was an arrogant prick," Ranboo shakes his head, falling behind slightly, "He said that when he left, the Crown Prince was the sweetest boy ever."
Tubbo looks at Ranboo unconvinced. "People change. It's been what? 8 years?"
Tubbo turns towards him fully, walking backwards, the crowd moving to let them through, people throw scowls their way, Tubbo sticks his tongue out at them. "There's a reason there's a war. A good reason. Corruption needs to die," Ranboo nods, a smile creeping onto his face.
Tubbo grins wider, a mischievous look in his eyes, "Good thing that's what we're here for."
-
The cold stone walls of the castle seem to close in around Theseus as he walks back to his chambers. The weight of his father’s words, harsh and unforgiving, still pressing on his chest, and the silence in the halls only make the tension worse. His mind races, but he doesn't dare let his emotions show. Not here. Not in the castle where everything was built on power, and weakness was never tolerated.
Theseus will always be loyal to his father, The King. His entire life has been shaped by that loyalty. His father is a ruthless king, but he is the king. And in Theseus' world, that has always been enough. He has been taught to follow orders, to keep his head down, and to respect the crown, no matter the cost.
But tonight... tonight had shaken him more than he cared to admit. What his father said has been the worst yet. The King’s fury had been palpable, his voice booming in the war room, accusing Theseus of weakness, of questioning his judgment. But Theseus can't help it. He can't sit idly by as the kingdom bled out. This war has dragged on too long. The people are suffering. And yet, his father is so blinded by ambition and pride that he can't see it.
Theseus steps into his room and shuts the door behind him, his eyes falling on the royal insignia embroidered on the wall—the symbol of his family’s reign. The weight of it seems heavier than ever before.
For a moment, Theseus simply stands there, staring at the emblem. It's a symbol of power. Of duty. Of his lineage. He is the crown prince, destined to rule one day. But as he stands there, the crown doesn’t feel like a promise. It feels like a curse.
He's never wanted this. Not like his father has. He's never dreamed of conquest or domination. All Theseus has ever wanted is peace. For the people. For the kingdom. But how can he ask for peace when his father will never stop? How can he stand against the king, the very man who had raised him, who had trained him to rule? The thought of betraying his father gnaws at him like an open wound.
With a shaky breath, Theseus moves to his desk, staring down at the map of the kingdom laid out before him. His fingers trace the borders, the cities that were under siege, the allies who had turned away, and the enemies who pressed closer every day. The kingdom is unraveling, and his father is too entrenched in his own vision to notice. Theseus knew that if his father continues down this path, there will be nothing left to rule.
But loyalty to the throne is above all else. The King’s will was absolute, even if the kingdom is dying, it's his duty to follow the King’s lead.
The faint sound of footsteps outside his door broke Rian from his thoughts. A servant, perhaps, or one of the soldiers—he didn’t care. He rubbed his tired eyes and sank deeper into his chair, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him. He had to focus. He couldn’t afford to linger on these troubling thoughts. He was the crown prince. His duty was clear. He had to stand by his father’s side, no matter what.
The door creaks open, and Wisp steps inside, bowing his head respectfully. “Your Highness, because I am leaving the castle, you have been assigned a new personal guard and servant.”
Theseus looks up sharply. “You’re leaving?” His voice holds an edge of disbelief. Wisp’s departure is sudden, and Theseus has never imagined it would come to this. He shakes his head, trying to focus. “And who are these two?”
Wisp gives a small nod before opening the door just enough for two figures to step into the room. One is short with brown hair, and the other is remarkably tall, with hair that splits down the middle into black and blonde. Strange choices, but whatever. Theseus doesn’t have time to question them.
Wisp shuts the door behind them, leaving the three alone. The two newcomers immediately bow their heads.
“Your Highness,” the shorter one greets with an almost too-cheerful tone.
Theseus glances up, trying to maintain his calm composure. His fingers fiddle with the edge of his desk as he leans back, eyes scanning the pair. He needs to remain composed. “Hello,” he says, his voice even. “What are your names?”
The shorter one straightens up first, his grin almost infectious despite its forced quality. “My name is Tubbo Underscore!” he announces, voice bright.
The taller one follows suit, standing tall and awkward. “Ranboo Beloved..”
Theseus nods slowly, his gaze lingers on Tubbo for a moment longer. The smile is too practiced, too polished. It doesn’t fit with the somber weight of this place. It seems forced, as if Tubbo has rehearsed it a thousand times. Theseus turns his attention back to the map on his desk, trying to push away the discomfort settling in his chest. “I’m not sure what you expect me to do here,” he says, his voice cool, though tinged with a hint of frustration. “I have no orders for you.”
Tubbo and Ranboo exchange a brief glance, then both turn their attention back to him. There's a quiet tension in the room, and Theseus feels it pressing against him like the thick walls of the castle. He doesn’t know what they are waiting for, but the silence stretches on too long for comfort. Theseus' fingers drum on the desk, the rhythm quick and impatient. He breaks the silence again, his tone more detached this time.
“You can just… sit somewhere, I suppose.”
Ranboo straightens slightly, his voice calm but firm. “Though we appreciate your kindness, Your Highness, we will remain standing.”
Tubbo, not missing a beat, moves silently behind the prince’s chair, positioning himself just slightly off to the side, his presence oddly still and composed. The smile never wavers, but it's not a smile that reaches his eyes. Theseus feels the weight of his gaze settle on him, though Tubbo said nothing more.
Theseus glances over his shoulder, his eyes narrowing just slightly as he assesses Tubbo's placement. There's an unsettling precision in the way they move, a practiced coordination that feels almost too rehearsed for mere servants or guards. It doesn't sit right. Theseus turns back to his map, feeling the urge to remain focused, but his mind keeps drifting back to the two figures standing so quietly in the room.
With a soft exhale, Theseus leans back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. “Fine,” he mutters. “You can stand, but don't expect me to entertain you," He misses the way Tubbo scowls for a moment.
The only sound in the room was the quiet hum of the castle, the distant murmurs from beyond the walls. The air seems to thicken as Theseus returned his attention to the map.
He sighed quietly, wishing for some semblance of normalcy in the chaos that surrounded him. The map in front of him held no answers, and neither did the two people standing behind him.
He's not just trusting anyone. Theseus doesn't trust anyone anymore. People who he trusted have lost it. Clay his brother. That he failed, and basically gave him a death sentence, left him. Theseus glances down at his bracelet. It's still emerald green. Theseus doesn't remember his brother's face anymore. Only a glimpse of it. His brows pitch and rain outside begins to fall.
Ranboo looks at the rain with a wince, Tubbo notices and shifts so he's closer to the endermen hybrid. In this kingdom, no one is allowed to have powers, or be a hybrid. Death is what you'll get if you're any of those.
Theseus slowly stands up. The two behind him, tense and watch him carefully. Tubbo plasters his smile back on his face. Ranboo watches Tubbo, who with practiced ease, asks the Crowned Prince what he's going. Ranboo heard enough about how much Tubbo hates everyone here. How this place used to be great. That the war is good for this place. It's impressive how he switches.
Theseus glances at the shorter male next to him. "How old are you?" He asks, and Tubbo looks slightly caught off guard. Good Theseus thinks. He doesn't like these two. It's like they know more than him. He wants to catch them off guard.
Tubbo grins slightly, Ranboo comes up next to him, Theseus looks between the two expectantly. Ranboo speaks up. "We are 18, your highness," The lie rolls straight off Ranboo's tongue. Tubbo nods along with it.
Theseus looks between them. They could be 18, but they look about his age. Theseus leans against his desk. "Apologise for the sudden question," Ranboo hears how he talks. It's not anything like he's heard the other kingdom speak. It's like the Crown Prince is in front of a crowd and has to watch his tongue.
"It's alright, Your Highness," Tubbo says, a smile playing on his lips. "Where are you heading, my Prince?"
Tubbo looks at the Crown Prince, he's been watching him since they first got here. He talks formally, he dresses formally, he looks formal, like a priss He looks as if he'd been dunked in royal bliss. Probably has gotten everything he wants from a young age. Born with a silver spoon.
There's only one thing off about him. He looks tired. Even he, with one bad eye, can see that the Prince has eyebags covered by a thin layer of concealer and how exhausted he seems.
Theseus answers Tubbo's question immediately, "To the council," He glances at the map, "They requested for me a while ago, I just am going now."
Ranboo raises an eyebrow, glancing at Tubbo whose brows are already quinched. "Isn't the king supposed to meet with the council? Not the prince?" Theseus nods slowly, his mind a raging storm. Why are they looking at him like that? This is normal. "Yes, but he has important matters to attend to."
Ranboo opens his mouth to say something, but Theseus walks out of his chambers. Tubbo glances at Ranboo then follows the prince. Ranboo sighs and hurriedly follows.
-
In the meeting room, a long table is placed in the middle. A map of the kingdoms is placed in the front. 6 council members sit there, impatiently. It's been an hour since they last called the Crown Prince in and he hasn't shown his face.
It's rather rude, some council members glance at their watches, as if they don't have a lot of time. Well, technically they don't, because war is upon them.
Just then, the door opens and Theseus comes in. "My sincerest apologies for my tardiness. I regret any inconvenience my delay may have caused," Tubbo and Ranboo follow in shortly after. Theseus sits down in the chair at the end of the table, and the two servants place themselves in the corners.
They watch the meeting with predator like eyes.
"As you see," Theseus points up at the map. Red marks are everywhere. "The red represents everywhere the Antarctic Empire has attacked," He looks back at the council members, Tubbo smirks slightly. He is doing a good job at cornering them.
Theseus gestures to the blue, "This is where Las Nevadas hands off resources to them," It's a warehouse about 80 miles east of the main battlefield. Theseus points to other marks, orange. "The Badlands, who betrayed us, lend them soldiers."
Theseus points to other parts on the map, almost everywhere on the map, is an ally that betrayed them, or enemy territory. "The only places that haven't turned against us are," He uses a hand to pull down the projector sheet. "Snowchester and the End," Ranboo doesn't hide his smirk and Tubbo holds back a laugh. Yeah right.
Theseus pulls up pictures of all the leaders. "Quackity of Las Nevadas, Badboyhalo of the badlands, GeorgeNotFound of Kinoko Kingdom, Schlatt of SnowChester and Nobody knows that happened to the prince of the End, so he is out of the picture."
"Adding onto this, all of said kingdoms are in alliance," Before he can continue, a council member, looking hot headed, raises his hand. Theseus allows him to speak. "Why haven't you done anything!?" Ranboo's smirk drops, these council members are jerks, even to the Crown Prince.
Tubbo watches with disdain, glaring at the man who said that. Another person speaks up, a woman looking like someone ran over her puppy, "Your a horrible Prince if you can't even keep alliances."
Theseus shakes his head, interrupting the protests of the other council members, "No no, these alliances were broken because the King," He pauses, "My father, decided.." He chooses his words wisely. Lying. "They were bad for us."
A council member gets up, a ginger two face, "I'll ask the king if this is true," He leaves the room. Theseus watches with defeat.
The rest of the members get up, leaving one by one. Tubbo and Ranboo watch all of this go down. It's.. unfair. Why are they blaming him? Ranboo glances at Tubbo, and both of them step towards the prince.
"My prince?" Tubbo speaks up.
Theseus jumps, flinching slightly, "Sorry, I was caught in my thoughts," He looks back at the door, "Might as well go to my father, no?" He fidgets with his fingers. "Let's be off."
The prince stalks off again, Ranboo follows first this time, Tubbo following. This kingdom is messed up, even to it's own prince.
-
The king storms out of the room just as Theseus gets to the war room. He's red faced and angry. Theseus feels his heart drop and a feeling of dread pile up. "F-Father," He doesn't mean to stutter. It just comes out.
Tubbo and Ranboo watch in shock as the king grabs Theseus' arm and drags him in. "I am so sorry. If I could take back the mistakes I’ve made, I would without hesitation. Please father, see that I truly regret my actions. Please, I am asking for your forgiveness, though I know I don’t deserve it. If there’s any way I can make it right, anything I can do, I will do it. Please, just don’t give up on me," The door closes on Tubbo and Ranboo with that rant.
Theseus has rehearsed this apology a thousand times for when his father gets angry. Why does it burn so much to say now? His father shoves him into the chair, yelling in his face. "Your not a king! You don't know how hard it is!" Theseus turns his head away from the king's face, fear bubbling in his chest.
"I'm sorry! I'll make things right!" He tries to get up but his father the king shoves him back in the chair. He grabs Theseus' face with a hand, getting in his face. "Know your place! You are a prince! Not a king! I'm a king!" Theseus nods, tears building in his eyes without his permission. This has happened billions of times before.
"You're pathetic!" The king throws Theseus off the chair, he falls to his knees, trying to take deep breaths. The king grabs him and drags him out of the room. Theseus barely is able to get on his feet before he is being pulled towards the king's office. Tubbo and Ranboo aren't here anymore, probably went back to the room.
This happens a lot. Most staff don't care either. Wisp did, but he left he left because of you and now Theseus is alone. He left today. He didn't even tell him. It hurts Theseus more than he'll admit.
The king slams open the door to his office. There's a closet in the back, and Theseus feels his heart stop. "No," He whispers. He begins fighting back, trying to get away. "No please! I'll be good! Don't leave me here!"
His father shoves him in the closet and shuts the door with a loud bang. The closet locks from the inside. Theseus slides down the wall, gripping his hair, sobbing. He's been in here so much. He's a baby for crying.
It's was a sunny day, when Clay and his brother were playing hide and seek. Clay was counting that time.
"1..!" Theseus' brother counted, yelling it as loud as he can, so you could hear it even in the castle. Theseus ran through the halls, giggling. He looked around for a room, smiling brightly. His hair, the sun and his eyes, the sky.
He notices his father's office and got a great idea. He sprinted in and softly closed the door.
"2....!" He heard faintly from his father's office. His brother was almost done counting. He wasn't going to find Theseus though. He looked around the room, with a smile on his lips. He ran around the room, trying to find a place to hide.
He saw the closet in the back and gasped, it was perfect! His brother was never going to find him!
"1! Ready or not, here I come!" His brother yelled, and he heard footsteps, getting fainter until he couldn't hear them. That's why playing in the castle was the most fun. The castle is big! So it took a while.
Theseus got into the closet. It was small, and there was nothing in it. For whatever reason.
A few minutes passed and Theseus felt excitement bubble in his chest, but also another feeling he couldn't place. His brother wasn't going to find him. He was so lucky that he found this great spot.
Another few minutes passed and he began to get impatient. He heard his brother distantly calling his name.
Theseus wasn't sure if it was him, but it was taking a long time for his brother to find him. He tried to open the closet, but it was stuck. He began shaking it with as much force he could muster. He couldn't get it open.
He began to yell for help, "Brother!" Tears fell out of his eyes. He didn't like the closet so much anymore.
An hour passed, and his voice was hoarse from yelling, screaming for his brother. He cries softly, curled into himself. He heard multiple other people shouting his name, but he couldn't yell anymore.
The sunny day turned into a thunderstorm, like the weather was weeping for Theseus. Maybe it was More hours passed until he heard footsteps even come near the office. Theseus risked one last plea. "Please.. help.." He sobbed, and he got it as the door to the office opened. Theseus kicked the closet, trying to make noise, and finally, the door to the closet opened.
Clay's blurry face filtered into Theseus' blurry vision, he looked crestfallen, his eyes red as if he'd been crying too. "Why're you crying..?" Theseus asked, and Clay answered with the most genuine reply he's ever heard.
"Because I love you."
Theseus grips his hair harder. "Why.." He whispers. Why'd he have to leave? He had to go? He couldn't pretend to be someone else here? Theseus knows it's selfish, but he's had to be someone his not for years. He has had to be a prince. He has had to live without love.
When's the last time he's gotten a hug?
What even is that. Theseus digs his nails into his skin, finally letting go of his hair. Multiple lines are already scratched onto his skin. It's a habit Theseus didn't mean to pick up. One he didn't mean to do.
Theseus fears he's about to fall, but no one is going to catch him. He's going to break, and no one will be his glue.
Theseus stares blankly into space. He does this every time he's in the closet. Why does it feel so empty now? He slowly lifts his head up, and as hard as he can, slams it back into the wall. Everything goes black.
-
Tubbo is pacing around Theseus' room with anger. "What type of father grabs his son like that!?" Ranboo watches Tubbo with concern, "Bo it's okay, at least we know he's not corrupt." Tubbo glares at Ranboo. "His father probably has corrupted his mind into thinking he's the good one!"
Ranboo thinks for a moment then nods, "That does actually seem like it could happen," Tubbo punches the wall. "I hate this place! I want it to burn in hell!"
Ranboo with a vroop, teleports right in front of Tubbo.
Tubbo gasps and looks around. "You know you can't do that in this place of all places!" Ranboo grabs Tubbo's shoulders. "Tubbo, it's okay. Just wait until 12 at least, okay? That's when we strike."
Tubbo sucks in a breath, nodding, he takes a couple more deep breaths. "You're right. I'll calm down," Ranboo smiles.
"You better."
-
Theseus is awoken by a maid opening the closet. He blinks his eyes, trying to unblur them.
She scowls at him. "Get out," He doesn't need to be told twice, his brain now comprehending that the closet is open. He scrambles out, breathing in the air, and is grateful. She watches with annoyance. "Get out?" She pretends to ask, with a sickly sweet voice, shoving him out of the room.
He closes his eyes, wiping the tear streaks that came down his face. It's storming outside, thunder rings out in the distance. He looks down, distantly remembering where he is.
Theseus' eye's used to be bright and blue. His eyes reflect the weather. He noticed. It's just a coincidence no it isn't he makes it to his room and opens the door, his ears are ringing and his body feels numb.
When he looks up, nobody is there. He glances at the clock. It's 23:59 it's almost midnight. He goes to his bed and sits on it. He rolls up his sleeves. The blood on his arms from accidentally piercing it with his nails is dried. He walks over to his bathroom. There's blades under the sink, and everything he needs to clean. He takes out bandages and disinfectants. Cleaning the wounds is always the best part. Because it burns.
When he's done scrubbing cleaning his arms. They're bleeding again. He puts on gauze and bandages, the blood begins to seep through, but it stops just short of breaking through to the bandages.
He rolls his sleeves back up and doesn't look again as he walks towards the balcony. He opens the window. The wind runs through his hair. He closes his eyes as he leans against the edge. He hears a noise from the palace grounds and looks to see enemy soldiers sneaking in. His eyes widen and he turns around, his neck is met with a knife.
He looks up to see Tubbo. He knew something was wrong with them. "Listen, Prince. Just listen to us, okay?" Theseus' eyebrows furrow. Us?
There's a vroop and behind him appears Ranboo. His eyes dilate. "No.. Your going to get yourselves killed! Powers in the kingdom!?" He looks over Tubbo, he has two horns sticking out of his head. He's a hybrid? His eyes find themselves stuck to Tubbo's hands.
They already have blood on them. His eyes fill with dread, and the rain from earlier begins to pick up, the wind beginning to swirl around them. He can distantly in the palace, hear fighting. The war is over, has his kingdom lost?
"What did you do," he whispers to Tubbo. Tubbo stares at him for a moment. "What did we do."
Theseus feels Ranboo's arms wrap around him. "You didn't," He practically sobs.
He feels his whole entire body tremble. Tubbo stares at him coldly, and he feels Ranboo's hold only tighten as his heart clenches and his body shakes.
"The king is dead."
Theseus' whole world finally breaks, and he does too.