Chapter Text
The sound of Teddy’s boots against the marble floors was all he heard as he made his way across the palace, eager to return to his quarters after a grueling day but too exhausted to move with much vigor. His body felt heavy, his shoulders hung low, and he felt defeated even though no battle had been fought. Taking on the role of emperor was infinitely harder than he imagined, yet he had no other purpose and could hope for none as grand as this. When his friends gave up their efforts to protect Earth in pursuit of safer, more mundane lives, the Young Avengers disbanded, and he was left without a cause. His calling became clear as he came of age, summoned to the cosmos by leaders of two warring races to take his place as the sole heir of a unified throne. His kingdom was all he had, and a ruler all he was.
He removed the crown from his head while he reached for the door to his chambers with his free hand. All he looked forward to most days was this, the short moment of privacy awarded to him after long days of advice, surveillance, decisions, and pressure from all sides. He craved his bed and savored the minutes he lay awake to think about anything other than his dominion. Little did he know that such a reward did not await him tonight.
Walking into his chambers, he noticed a figure across the room. His back was towards Teddy, staring out the window at the stars beyond. Nobody ever came into Teddy’s chambers, at least not when he was there, and surely not without his request.
“Who are you?” Teddy demanded.
The figure looked back, allowing Teddy a better view of his garb and appearance. He did not don the colors of the alliance, red and blue dominating his uniform rather than the purple and green of Teddy’s people. He didn’t look Kree, his hair dark, skin tan, and stature smaller than the emperor. Teddy did not feel that he was a shifted Skrull, either. He usually had a way of knowing that. The man didn’t speak immediately, instead scanning Teddy up and down slowly, almost as if he were weighing his chances in combat. Teddy grew impatient.
“More importantly, what purpose do you serve here?” He stepped closer, hands clasped behind his back, and his shoulders broad. He feared that perhaps an enemy had made his way into the palace, that this was a threat at least, or an attempt on his life at worst.
“Calm yourself,” the man replied, fully turning around now. “I was appointed by your council. And my purpose is to provide comfort. Think of me as an advisor.”
“I already have enough of those. Why send another?” Teddy wanted him out, and soon.
“My role is more intimate than that. The council disapproves of your…loneliness; they want to ensure that their ruler has company. Someone to confide in, to keep you level-headed and…to please you.” His eyes drifted to the floor as he finished his statement, almost ashamedly.
Teddy was vexed by this. He had adjusted his beliefs to accommodate many odd Kree-Skrull cultural quirks and archaic traditions that had no part in his upbringing on Earth, but this took him aback. Was he being provided a concubine? A memory flashed through his mind, an intake appointment of sorts, back when he first took the throne. They had asked him about a sexual preference to which he responded begrudgingly, wondering what it mattered to them or, more importantly, his ability to rule over them. It all made sense now.
“Great, a government-appointed sex slave.” He scoffed, bitterness icing over a deeper yearning for solitude after all he’d endured that day.
The servant’s demeanor shifted, eyes growing cold as he clenched his fists. Teddy felt the skin of his neck begin to burn as his throat tightened from a phantom grip.
“If they wanted to send you a slave, they wouldn’t have chosen someone equipped to overpower your force.” He spat, releasing his magical hold on Teddy after his point was proved.
Teddy gasped at the air that filled his lungs as his throat became his own again.
“Jesus, and they send you here for comfort?” He glared at the man, bewildered by his cryptic power. It felt a bit dramatic, like a cat hissing at a stranger on the sidewalk. He hadn't even laid a hand on the man. “Are you a prisoner of some sort?” Behind his annoyance and confusion, Teddy held ethical concerns as well, and the defenses of the mage reeked of distrust and trauma. “Is this a punishment?”
“More of a refugee. I can leave whenever I please, if that’s your concern. I don’t have to do this, but I was chosen for it. And trust me, you are no punishment in a galaxy as vast as this.”
The servant stared back out the window. Perhaps he was staring back towards whatever he was seeking refuge from, Teddy thought.
“Well, what if I don’t want to be ‘pleased’?” Teddy asked with air quotes, slightly flustered at the thought. The man was beautiful, now that his anger had lifted enough to notice his delicate features. His council had chosen well; their choice was overshadowed by Teddy's insult at the implication of it all.
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, my liege. But I am to stay in your chambers, with you. There are no other quarters for me besides your own.” He spoke quietly now, staring at Teddy’s bed. The man looked like he wanted to rest, and Teddy wondered if his day had been just as long. Where had he come from?
Comprehending the presence of this strange man was enough, Teddy lacked the capacity for much else. All he wanted was sleep, and if he knew anything of tradition, he knew that he could not fight it for long. He could surely try, though. He walked towards the large bed, using his arms to scoop up as many pillows as he could. Abundant as they were, his new companion would not be lacking comfort in his doing so. He would not share his bed with this intruder, not after the day he’d had. Walking towards his bathroom, he turned to look back at the man.
“What’s your name?” Teddy asked, arms full of silk-covered cushions.
“Billy,” The advisor replied, maintaining a strange look in the emperor’s direction.
The name was human, perplexing Teddy even further. Was he from Earth, too?
“Well, Billy, enjoy my bed. I’ll be in the tub if you need me.”
Billy watched the cape drag across the floor behind Teddy, who kicked the bathroom door shut, the lock clicking moments after. The emperor would get his rest one way or another, even if it meant using his cape as a blanket and sleeping in uniform. What difference did it make? He’d spend tomorrow in the same clothes, resting upon the same throne.