You're the Only One Changing [Faust/Rien - onesided]

[shiromirai]

Title: You're the Only One Changing
Author:shiromirai
Fandom: Original
Characters/Pairing(s): Faust / Rien
Rating/Warnings: none
Wordcount: 592
Character Prompt #3
Summary: Stop or go, yes or no. The dangers of lusting after someone you can't get.

When Rien appeared at the top of the marble stairs, Faust found himself swallowing a lump the size of the moon as he stepped out from behind the marble pillar he was leaning against.

She was...she looked like the moon and winter all at once. The entire banquet hall went dead silent, no, went into reverent hush at her presence. Dressed in a gown that clung to her figure and yet flowed out like waves upon a soft beach , Rien looked as though she had wrapped the midnight blue sky around her, causing her skin to exclude a kind of glow.

Although, maybe it was just him, because he could swear that he was seeing and feeling things that he can't. Shouldn't. His chest suddenly felt constricted and a roaring silence echoed back and forth within his ears. His canines had already lengthened, his animalistic instincts crying out for blood - her blood, the blue blood of royals.

It took all his efforts to say no to his roaring urges as he strode towards the base of the stairs, reaching up, the image of the gallant gentleman, to take her hand. Her crimson eyes lit up and she cast him a look that was both grateful and relieved as she took his hand and followed his lead down the rest of the way and into the middle of the large floor. He could only offer a weak half smile back before tearing his gaze away from hers while he still could.

When had he become so aware of her? Of the lingering scent that was solely hers? Of the way the blood rushed under her skin, and note the ease with which she took his hand? Throughout the years he had forgotten (didn't want) to notice just how she'd changed, maturing into a fine Queen.

And now that he noticed, he had...

Had what? What had happened? What could happen? He'd been alive for more years than this country had existed. It was prepostrous to think he could possibly be so foolish as to fall in love now.  It defied all sense, was stupid as hell and it made him a pedophile of the highest degree. Not only was he hundreds of years older than she, but she was just growing out of being a minor!

Rath would kill him if he knew. Faust kind of wanted to kill himself too because at the very least, he would no longer have to feel that ache of longing. He would never see her, speak to her, or hear her again. He would never have to calm her during a nightmares or hold her. Ever again.

His duty to her, his promise to Rath, it ended tonight.

Because when he'd agreed to Protect her under the guise of an unofficial advisor, it had been Rath's promise that once she turned eighteen he would release Faust from this duty. She was an adult now - he would turn over the role of Protector to someone else. She no longer needed him.

He turned to face her and in a whirl of blue sky, she turned to face him and he took her hand, ready to guide her through the steps of the Queen's dance.

It hurt him more than he thought possible when, ten minutes later, he gently (always gently) released her hand let another lead her into another dance. For another to lead her into the rest of her life. Rath appeared behind him, looking pleased, and beamed at his friend. "You did well Faust. Thank you for looking after her all these years. You're free to go."

"It was no trouble." Faust quietly strained out, watching her.

Why did she have to grow up? If only she hadn't, he could have stayed by her side forever.

"It was no trouble at all."