Changed

Daniel and King Lazarus stared at each other, starstruck for a brief moment, but Lazarus scowled at him and looked away. Daniel could swear that he saw a flicker of love in Lazarus's eyes, but he ignored it and agreed with the hatred Lazarus was trying to develop towards him.

The atmosphere became lively once again, almost everyone was drunk, and the fact that the sun had set made the experience special.

Men and men, women and women, men and women, were kissing each other, dancing, and doing all sorts of horny stuff. Another name given to this kingdom was ‘Freetown’ and instead it was. Here, you're free to do whatever you like. No one queries you for being yourself, no one cares about who you fuck either. Everyone was busy doing their things to bother you.

“If you guys truly want to know the meaning of freedom, look over there,” Frank said to the Losers United squad, and their eyes followed him to see what he was pointing at.

“Oh my god! Is that two horny men eating each other up, like how Daniel eats his roasted steak?” Justin asked with a teasing voice, and they all burst into laughter.

“This palace is indeed a freetown, how about we use it to our advantage? Remember, once we get back to King Lazarus's kingdom, we are bound to obey his unbearable….. rules,” Frank said the last two words in a whisper.

“Must we go back to that boring kingdom?” Daniel asked with a gleam of sadness in his eyes. All he ever wanted was freedom. If it wasn't for the love he had for his brother, he wouldn't be in a kingdom with strict and upright rules.

“Oh buddy, we have to go back. King Lazarus's kingdom is the biggest, strongest, and most successful. He pays his workers the best, and we are broke dudes in need of urgent money,” Frank replied to him with a grin.

“Yeah, I couldn't agree more,” Justin chipped in, giggling like a baby.

Timber didn't comment or react to this. He had a secret he was hiding from his friends. Of course, he wasn't a broke dude he could easily afford the expensive lifestyle of a Lord, but he chose to keep quiet because he wasn't ready to lose the people he had come to regard as his home.

“How about you fuck one of them, Frank. Just looking at you, I can guess you're a bottom, so it will be easier to find you a muscular, handsome, and hot top,” Daniel suggested with a smirk on his lips.

“Thanks, but I will pass,” Frank replied almost immediately.

“But why? Do you think I am not good at selecting tops?” Daniel asked with raised eyebrows.

“No, that's not it. But the top might want us to have open sex, and I am not ready for that. Also, we have a higher chance of getting caught behind a camera. Lastly, King Lazarus's minions might inform him, and he would happily ask for his head to be cut away from his throat once we reach back home,” Frank replied politely.

“You know what, I am feeling hot, I need a cold shower,” Daniel suddenly said, tired of talking about top and bottom.

“Sure, I heard that the river is over there,” Frank informed him, pointing at a dark path.

“Thanks,” Daniel appreciated and left for the river.

“Do you feel miserable right now?" Xander whispered into Lazarus's ears. They were both seated on a broad tree trunk Lazarus had come to get some fresh air and to escape the lively party going on, but Xander being himself decided to follow him, to disturb him.

Lazarus didn't reply to his question, he kept quiet, ignoring his presence, but this didn't make Xander back down, he saw this as a privilege to tighten up his game, and he grinned happily.

“Why should he feel miserable? I think he is doing just fine," Israel said, coming to Lazarus's rescue. A glass of wine was in his hand, and he walked towards the tree trunk, hoping to find a decent place to sit.

“What is going on with you guys? Why are you leaving the celebration? Israel you should be on the dance floor, shaking the ladies’ hips and rubbing their huge backside,” Xander lamented when he saw Israel.

Israel arched his brows and rested on the tree comfortably. “I was wondering why you're not doing the same. Why must he always frustrate Lazarus, he deserves to be alone and alive sometimes," he groaned at Xander.

Xander burst into laughter. “Alive? You're so funny, Lazarus can never be alive, he is dead, inside out," he said amidst his laughter.

“Then that means you don't pay attention to details. Haven't you noticed that Lazarus has been protective lately? He is finally coming alive," Israel smiled broadly, his eyes fixed on Daniel who was happily talking to his friends.

Xander's eyes widened in surprise, as he looked at the person Israel was staring at. “Don't tell me he is the one," he said, referring to Daniel as Lazarus's curse breaker.

“I am not sure myself, I can only guess. Clear the air King Lazarus, is Daniel your chosen mate?” Israel asked Lazarus curiously.

Lazarus seemed taken aback, he hadn't paid attention to their conversation before, but since his name was mentioned, he had to read the questions from Israel’s mind, so that his friends wouldn't ask him what he was thinking about.

“He is a man and I am strictly straight,” Lazarus replied after successfully downloading the question.

Israel sighed in frustration, wondering when his friend would stop all this sexual intimidation and go back to his former self. "I knew the king when he was madly in love with a certain man," he said, hoping to bring back some of Lazarus's memories.

“Oh yes, we do. The king was so madly in love that he was willing to sell his immediate family for his lover,” Xander chipped in with a mischievous smirk.

“That king is dead. His name was Lazarus, and my name is Lazarus, so we are two different men,” King Lazarus replied with a melancholic tone.

"When will you stop this overbearing behavior and focus on what you truly need?” Lord Israel asked, his voice laced with concern.

Lazarus's eyes drifted away, his gaze lost in the darkness of the night. "You don't understand, Israel. I've been dead for so long, I've forgotten what it means to be alive."

Xander snorted. "You're not dead, Lazarus. You're just pretending to be."

Israel shot Xander with a warning glance. "Let him be, Xander. This is none of your business."

Lazarus's voice was barely audible. "I've made mistakes, Israel. Unforgivable mistakes. I've lost everyone I've ever loved."

Israel's expression softened. "That's not true, Lazarus. You still have us. And maybe...just maybe, you have Daniel."

Lazarus's head snapped towards Israel, his eyes flashing with warning. "Don't say that. Don't even think about it."

Xander leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "What's going on, guys? What's Daniel got to do with anything?"

Israel hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Nothing, Xander. Just drop it."

But Xander's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "No, no, I won't drop it. I think I'm starting to piece things together."

Lazarus's face twisted in a scowl. "You don't know what you're talking about, Xander."

Xander grinned mischievously. "Oh, but I think I do. I think Daniel might be the key to unlocking the real you, Lazarus."

Israel's eyes locked onto Lazarus's, searching for any sign of confirmation. But Lazarus's mask remained firmly in place.

The silence that followed was oppressive, heavy with unspoken secrets and emotions. The only sound was the distant music and laughter from the party.

Finally, Lazarus stood, his movements fluid and deliberate. "I think I've had enough fresh air. I will go and wash myself in the river"

Israel and Xander watched him walk away, their eyes exchanging a concerned glance.

"What's going on with him?" Xander whispered.

“I don't know, but I think it's better to leave him alone, for now.” Israel's voice was barely audible.