Committing To A Lover

“Then tell us what happened!” Xander demanded, and at that moment King Lazarus entered, he was the last person in their six best friends squad.

“This better be for a good reason,” Lazarus murmured as he entered, Xander had called him in for an emergency meeting.

“You brought Lazarus?” Israel looked surprised, and he arched his brows.

“If my presence is a problem I will happily excuse myself. I have a lot of things to do,” Lazarus said with a plain voice.

“Sit your ass down, buddy,” Aaron said lightly, and Lazarus took a seat beside him.

“Henry and I fought,” Israel confessed, he didn't want to talk about how he had kissed Henry and later called it a mistake. He didn't want to talk about how he had played with the heart of a man who had secretly loved him for years. He also felt something for Henry, but he was scared to explore his feelings.

“Fight over what?” Lord Aaron asked with a gentle voice.

Israel looked reluctant to talk and he turned to look at Xander. “Did Henry tell you?” He asked, trying to change the topic.

“No, he came over to my house, drinking himself to stupor. I knew at once that something was wrong because he had quit drinking. Now, continue the story,” Xander explained with a melancholic tone.

“We fought over…” Israel hesitated, and his friends stared at him with eager eyes. “We like each other. I mean I think he likes me, and I think I like him too,” he came out clean.

Lazarus blinked his eyes in surprise. “I was right after all, the great Henry has finally fallen in love,” he said with an unamused voice.

“You have to change the rules, Lazarus. I have told you to allow the citizens to fall in love with whoever they like,” Aaron said to the king.

“Change the rules?” Lazarus looked shocked, “No, I wouldn't. I am not against the both of them loving each other, but it is still illegal for two men to fall in love in my kingdom.”

“So what do you expect them to do? Love themselves in secret? Come on, just because a man broke your heart once doesn't mean it will happen to everyone else! Stop acting like a selfish jerk,” Xander said icily. His words seemed to have hurt Lazarus, and he stood up ready to fight.

“Guys, calm down! I didn't say Henry and I are planning to love each other, we are still sorting out our feelings. And I highly doubt anything would happen between us, especially after what I did,” Israel's eyes dropped, and he looked sad.

Lazarus twisted his face, he regretted coming to the discussion.

“I don't know what to say, but I am not going to ask for what you did either,” Liam informed Israel softly.

“He kissed Henry,’’ Lazarus blurted out, he read Israel's memory.

“Did you read my memory? Come on Lazarus, stay out of my stuff!” Israel growled, angry at the idea of someone privying to his privacy.

Lazarus's expression turned cold. "I can do whatever I want, Israel. You know that."

Aaron intervened, placing a calming hand on Lazarus's shoulder. "Let's focus on the issue at hand."

Xander nodded vigorously. "Yeah, we can't have our favorite couple hiding in the shadows."

Israel's face flushed, and he glared at Xander. "We're not a couple."

Liam leaned forward, his voice measured. "What do you plan to do, Israel? Henry's feelings are genuine. I have always known that he felt something for you. I mean it’s obvious. The minute he joined our team, you were the one he opened up to."

Israel sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know. I care for him too, it's just I am not sure if I am ready to commit myself to someone."

Lazarus's eyes narrowed. "Fine, fine, but you'll follow the law, Israel. If I allow you and Henry to have your happily ever after, the other citizens might start falling in love with their genders."

Aaron countered, "Or maybe it's time to reconsider the law. You don't have to be jealous of others. Also, I think it's a man who was destined to cure your curse."

Lazarus's gaze snapped to Aaron, his expression unreadable.

"The man has appeared, he is one of the guards, don't send him away,” Israel said softly.

“A guard?" Xander repeated, intrigued.

Lazarus's voice dropped to a whisper. "Nothing. Pay no attention to whatever Israel says."

But Liam pressed on. "You've ruled with an iron fist for years, Lazarus. Maybe it's time to let go of the past. A man might be able to give you the happiness a woman can't. Yes, a man has broken your heart once, but we both know that man never deserved you. Open your heart again, please."

Xander chimed in, "Yeah, and think about Henry and Israel's happiness."

Aaron nodded. "We're not asking for the moon, Your Majesty. Just reconsider the law. This is for the benefit of your subjects."

Israel's eyes locked onto Lazarus's, a silent plea. “It's not about me, I doubt I will have my happily ever after. It's about the LGBTQ citizens who are hiding in their closet. No one deserves to be ashamed of their sexuality.”

Israel's gaze met Lazarus's, a silent understanding passing between them.

Lazarus's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with conflict. "I'll think about it," he said finally, his voice tight.

The room exhaled collectively. Aaron's shoulders sagged in relief.

But as Lazarus stood, his expression turned cold. "Remember, Israel, the law remains. For now.” With that, he exited the room, leaving the group in contemplative silence.

"Well, this is a mess.” Xander broke the silence, his tone light.

Liam smiled wryly. "Welcome to our world. Now that the shadow monster is gone, let's talk,” he continued, playfully calling Lazarus a monster.

“Talk about what?” Israel asked with furrowed brows.

“What do you mean by you are not ready to commit yourself?” Liam asked with a mature tone, trying to show how important the conversation was.