The Selection (1x1 with AnnaCat17)

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"We'll find out what's going on tomorrow." Abril laid down beside him once they were both ready for bed, gently rubbing his back. "Are you sick, Pav?" she asked softly.

"He won't," Eleanor assured him. "He loves you. And Abril wouldn't let him do that." She gently rubbed his back. She glanced over his shoulder at Romeo. "Do you want me to stay with you?" she asked Matteo softly, giving his cheek a kiss.

[AnnaCat17]

Pavel shook his head and pulled her close. "I think its just allergies. It should be fine soon. Don't worry." He kissed her forehead lovingly, hating that he was worrying her.

Matteo nodded sadly. "Yes please." He mumbled, his grip tightening on her.

Romeo gently rubbed Ellie's back. "Call me if you need me. I love you." He said before walking off with Atlas so eh could talk a bit before he left. "Ive never seen Pavel get like that. He should be calm again in the morning. I think we all just had too much to drink."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"Alright..." Abril didn't believe him. Allergies? Yeah, right. She hugged him tightly, rubbing his back. "Sweet dreams," she murmured. "I love you."

"I love you," Eleanor said to Romeo, kissing his cheek. She held on to Matteo, resting her cheek against his. "You know I love you, right? Whatever happens, I'm on your side."

Atlas nodded, hoping that Romeo was right. He clapped his shoulder. "Goodnight, Romeo. Get some rest."

[AnnaCat17]

Pavel kissed her softly before settling down. "I love you too. Goodnight." He knew she knew he was lieing. They had been married twelve years, he clearly didn't have allergies but he didn't ant her to worry when he kept telling himself it would pass soon.

"I love you too Ellie. Thank you for everything." he released a shaky breath before pulling away from her. "Lets just go watch movies in bed and eat popcorn. Im kind of over everything else today."

Romeo nodded. "You too. Good luck getting the twins to sleep after all the sugar they just had." He had one of the guards drive him home since he promised Ellie he wouldn't drive drunk, the entire way lost in thought as to how he could help Matteo.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Abril held him close, snuggling against him. She was too worried to fall asleep, so she just held him, reminding herself to ask the doctor about Pavel's condition tomorrow.

"No problem." Eleanor smiled at him, pushing past her hurt that he wouldn't marry her if he liked guys. She followed him, glad that at least he could find comfort in her. She would always be there for him, no matter what.

"Yep. That won't be easy." Atlas watched him go, then made his way to find Victory.

[AnnaCat17]

-next day-

Matteo walked out of the meeting room feeling numb. The entire council had been in there all morning, missing breakfast entirely, to discuss the current situation. He didn't yet know how to feel and was stunned at how cam Pavel had stayed the entire time. He clearly wasn't happy but he seemed open to trying the new format for the selection. He walked off into the gardens, stripping down into just his pants so he wouldn't keep feeling constricted by the suit, and walked barefoot to one of the ponds to try to think through everything.

Romeo left the meeting room and went in search of Ellie. Matteo had agreed to let him break the news to her. He didn't want her to have to pretend to be ok and would rather if she was going to lash out at anyone it be him for voting in favor of the change.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Eleanor was playing with Abril's and Pavel's younger kids, keeping them busy while their parents were in the meeting. She looked up quickly as Romeo approached them. "So? What did they say?" she asked quickly, unable to keep the hope from her face.

[AnnaCat17]

Romeo didn't say anything until he was sitting down with her. He rubbed his hands together as he tried to think of the best way to tell her. "The vote to change the selection to have males apply instead of females was almost unanimous. Even Pavel voted in favor of the change." He looked up and met her eyes sadly. "Im sorry, angel. I know you really had your heart set on this wasn't one of Matteo's pranks. He honestly is gay and we all need to be ok with that because there is nothing wrong with that. He will still always be your best friend. This just means that the perfect person for you is still out there."

Victory was helping do inventory in the hospital wing. She was proud of herself for being a nurse and was working even harder to become a doctor, even if the process was slowed down by being a mom as well.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

The kids ran off to play, leaving the two of them alone. Eleanor flinched, looking down quickly. She rested her hands on her knees, her gaze on the floor as she took in everything he said. She wouldn't get to be with him. Ever. She took a deep breath, trying to be okay with it right away, but she knew it would take some time. She really loved Matteo.

"Hey. Someone's working hard." Atlas smiled as he kissed her cheek, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"Need to cool off?" A man kneeling by the pond plucking weeds from between the stone path smirked friendly at Matteo. "I won't bother you, Your Highness. You can take a swim," he lightly teased, glancing from him to the pond.

[AnnaCat17]

Romeo gently reached out and rubbed her back. "Its going to be ok, Ellie. Im here for you and am here to support you through this. I know its hard for you and I dont blame you for being upset."

Victory smiled at him happily. "Not really." She said and went back to what she was doing. "Did Pavel ever say why he was coughing so much last night? im worried about him."

Matteo looked over at him before wading into the water, not bothering to roll up his pants legs as he enjoyed the cold water. "Thanks." He walked around in the water for a bit, watching the fish swirl around him as he thought through the insults that he advisers who were against this had thrown at him. "Hey, so you wont be punished for your answer, but do you think im a childish brat?" he knew the answer was yes but for some reason he wanted to hear someone who didnt seem to hate him deliver the blow.