knows what crazy shit i’ll do left to
my own devices
Wren’s there. And you have a whole palace full of staff.
COAL
you know what i mean
You’re sniffing Hex’s pillow right now, aren’t you?
COAL
need i remind you that I am your king
you dishonor me, i shall have you excommunicated
That’s the Pope, dumbass.
And dad’s still the King of Christmas, technically.
COAL
what the fuck do i mean then
exiled, that’s what i mean
i’ll have you exiled
I swipe to a new text thread as I make my way back out of the library.
HEX
Coal said you’re going to visit him tomorrow? How’s he been doing, really?
Hex is in a similar situation to mine—juggling school and his own Holiday duties, but at least his parents are actually doing their jobs and running Halloween. Like Iris, he’s been into the online school thing for a while, so he’s able to pop over to be with Coal more freely.
Which is… weird. Good. But weird. The prevailing theme that came out of Christmas:good but weird.
All these changes—Coal being in charge now, him having a stable relationship—are good.
It’s only the shit I caused that’s decidedlynotgood.
Nope. Not going to wallow.
HEX
I’m finishing up a few things to leave now, actually.
Now? Why? What happened?
HEX
Nothing happened. My schedule opened up. Really, he’s been doing quite well. Understandably stressed. A few of the negotiation topics with the other winter Holidays have hit sticking points, and you know how he hates anything overtly political.
But I’m proud of him. He’s happy.
Try not to worry.
