Dear Immortal Tyrant

What is a love that could send the world to its knees? The love between a human girl and an immortal man waiting for her. At least, that was what Sebastian once believed.

Sebastian heard his late predecessors all served His Majesty, Kaden the Second King of Ritan. A debt, Sebastian's late father had once told him. Eternal gratitude meant eternal servitude. Sebastian many many Jrs. always shortened his name to just "Sebastian," even though his father, grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather, and so on, were all called the same.

All along, for almost a millennium, Sebastians had stayed by Kaden's side. Sometimes, the Sebastian of the modern-day wondered why it was like this. What did Kaden offer to keep them all with him?

"I appreciate your help."

In all of Sebastian's years of devoting his time to Kaden, he had seldom heard these words. With parted lips and wide eyes, the files slipped from Sebastian's arms. He was paralyzed by four simple words that brought forth tears. Opening and closing his mouth, he lowered his gaze to the hospital floor.

Unable to express his own gratitude for such kind words, Sebastian could only nod his head. He felt a stab in his chest, before he rapidly bobbed his head again.

"I-I… no, it is no big dea… W-well, I appreciate you too Boss. Uhm—" Sebastian realized what a stuttering mess he was rendered into by something as simple as words. Yet it is words that cut deeper than a knife and heal better than medicine.

"Boss—" Sebastian paused. He cleared his throat and offered a pleased smile.

"Thank you very much," Sebastian finally decided as his answer. It was another simple four words.

That was enough to match the vibes right?

Kaden made no inclination he had heard it, except with the faintest of smiles. He rested his upper body against the headboard, Lina curled in a deep slumber, her face on his lap and her hands hugging his thighs.

Kaden leaned his head back against the board and closed his eyes. It was only for a brief moment, for he could let his guard down around Sebastian. Sebastian was one of the four people Kaden fully trusted.

"Are you… sleeping, Boss?" Sebastian whispered, stepping over the files.

Kaden gave a curt nod, his grip tightening on Lina's shoulders. The blankets were cocooned over her neck, just below her jawline.

"Yes, please do, Boss," Sebastian quickly agreed, nodding his head. He was too relieved for words upon realizing their Boss was finally closing his eyes for longer than a ten-minute power nap.

How long had it been since his Boss had enjoyed a full night of sleep? Sure he was a Pure-Blood. Sure, he was an immortal. But there was a limit to what the body could endure, Kaden had already reached beyond the boundaries. By now, it was miraculous he didn't drop.

Sebastian took a seat by the couch. He waited for five minutes, pondering over his Boss' surprising words. What was it that their Boss appreciated? Sebastian's loyalty? Their skewed friendship? Their families' servitude? For the life of him, Sebastian couldn't figure it out.

Pressing his lips together, Sebastian was kept in concentration. Seconds passed, minutes, until he debated every single possibility and decided on one of them—none of it mattered.

"The Boss will be cold."

Sebastian got to his feet and departed the room to ask for another pair of blankets. Once he hailed down a nurse who saw the VVIP room, she quickly returned with a packaged, well-folded, and softened comforter to the highest of quality. Sebastian took the item, went back to the room, and laid it on his sleeping Boss.

Even in his slumber, Kaden didn't release Lina. In fact, his grip only grew unrelenting. Sebastian gazed to the floor, where the documents he once viewed as the most important task, lay. There were footmarks all over the prioritized papers. He simply stared at it for a brief moment, before deciding to take the seat by the bed.

Sebastian, in return, would watch over the sleeping couple. He viewed it as his only significance of the day.

- - - - -

"Quacks, all of them."

Lina groaned at the irritated voice. She snuggled her face deeper into the hard pillow, and gave it a rough smack. Why was it so unbearable? She massaged the pillow in an attempt to make it soft and cuddly. In response, she felt the pillow tense and become even rougher. Letting out a complaint, she rolled to her other side, only to be met with flesh.

Kaden gripped her wrist, forcing her face back onto his lap.

"Your thighs are uncomfortable," Lina said to him the second she woke up and realized what it was.

"Need fewer muscles and more flesh." Lina patted the area. When she opened her eyes, her face grew heated. She was greeted by a large tent right in front of her.

Shooting upright, Lina shot him an aggravated glare. Was she the cause of it? Please don't tell her the truth!

"We're going home today, dove." Kaden pulled her closer, until she was seated directly upon his lap.

Kaden curved his arms around her and rested his face into her neck. Her scent was the strongest there, though masked by the stench of the hospital disinfectant. He nuzzled his lips upon the spot where her pulse jumped.

"Already?" Lina remarked in surprise. "Did the Doctors come in my sleep?"

"They tried." Kaden tightened his grip, softly kissing her skin. He always found it amusing how she'd jump at his abrupt touch.

"And why did they fail?"

"Because they cheated on their MCAT." Kaden brushed his mouth on the side of her throat. She responded by struggling in his hold, pushing at his arms.

"You sent them away," Lina corrected.

"They're quacks."

"They're doctors in what I am assuming is the best hospital of Ritan that only accepts residence from the top medical schools across the country," Lina stated.

"Call them what they are, but they're ducks." Kaden held onto her protesting hands. He only wanted to be closer to her. Call him needy, but he wished he could glue her to his side. How nice would that be?

"I can tell your love language is touch," Lina dryly commented, holding still for him.

"Three lifetimes and you've only realized that now?" Kaden pulled away to stare down at her. He paused, smiling at the realization. She was watching him the entire time.

Kaden's joy flattered when he saw her eyes. Her face grimaced with concern as she touched his face. He stilled. Lina cupped his cheeks, her bony thumbs rubbing underneath his dark circles and eye bags.

"When was the last time you slept?"

"I slept." Came his curt response.

"Not enough."

"I slept," he insisted.

"Not enough," she repeated.

"It is for me," he answered.

Kaden grabbed her hands and lowered them onto her lap. "Now come, dove. Let's get you dressed and ready to head back to our house. You've been in this hospital for more time than needed."

Lina was bewildered by how eager he was to get her out of here. Why didn't he let the doctors see her? Was there something he was hiding from her?

"How long was I out for?" Lina questioned. She decided to ask everything else in the car, for he had nowhere to run, and they were forced to be in proximity.

"Milo has missed you. He visits you daily."

"How long?" Lina persisted.

Kaden stared her dead in the eye and said words that made her heart drop.

"Three months."