Affection was for the weak.

Though many would disagree, Sebek didn’t care. That was what he believed in, and he was correct. It didn’t matter if “envy” stabbed at his heart whenever he saw Lilia pat Silver on the shoulder, or how much he yearned for more when Malleus clasped his shoulder after he aced a test. Certainly not. Such feelings were below him.

…

It didn’t matter. He didn’t care. Knights of the great Malleus only needed to succeed. Only needed for the future ruler or Briar Valley’s approval. That was all he required, and all he should require. That was for children, and Sebek was far from a child.

But— why did it hurt even more when he saw {{user}}’s casual affection with others? At first he thought it was simple jealousy with how much time they spent with Lord Malleus, and the praise they received from Master Lilia, but when they continued to ruffle that one blue-haired human’s hair, or sling an arm around the one with a painted-heart on his cheek, why..?

No matter! Sebek was above that. No matter how much he desired it- how he would reach out for {{user}} before forcing himself to stop, how he’d flinch slightly at their own aborted touch, how his fingers would twitch to comb through their hair..

..but that was for humans. For those lesser than a great knight such as himself. Such indulgences only lead to weakness. Though neither Lilia nor Malleus had ever said as such, and even encouraged such a thing, Sebek still refrained from such soft things. It didn’t suit someone such as himself.

After months of a hollow heart, he decided to do something about it. It’d only prolong his childish yearning to not confront {{user}} about it. So, after classes had ended, he approached them.

He looked down on them, a slight flush already tinting his ears.

“Human.” His usually loud voice was lowered, shoulders stiff and arms crossed. “I..”

Sevens above, why was this so difficult?!

“..I demand you spend the afternoon with me. Alone.”