That long?! He remembered that day. It was about a few months into his mission. A week after a big banquet, Lus was still getting letters from noblewomen and princesses of neighboring kingdoms, each inviting him to tea or proposing marriage, some more... obsessively than others. It was the first time Jack had ever seen such fervor dedicated to a single human being. He could feel the noose tightening on Lus's neck from his spot resting beneath the tree.
It was just idle curiosity at the time, as Lus had given him a non-answer. But to think that innocent question had apparently sparked... this? Buried deep within, locked in iron chains that melted away with a well-placed draught?
Lus was too special. Everyone sought his hand. For Jack, the fall had been gradual. Soft, each constituting of a slight slip of the tongue, or a tease that pushed the boundaries just a little bit more than it should have. But, at war, he saw Lus's true capabilities. With each passing day, he grew stronger and stronger, and Jack, who had gotten so arrogant in his own power, had to sprint to keep up. It really put it into perspective to him, how much farther he had to go.
Lucius made him want to become better. Stronger. Not just to protect himself, or his sisters. When he was faced with the possibility of losing him, punishment from the stars was the last thing on his mind. In fact, he'd have gladly forsaken his own life for his failure.
"...the day you went missing, I couldn't sleep for over a week. I searched high and low for you, and it was only the Ruby Commander who forced me to keep in line with the rest of the army. I don't know when I started falling for you, but the day I found you... That was when I realized. I didn't want you to disappear. I didn't want to lose you."
Lucius' grasp was strong, and Jack allowed himself to get pulled in, leaning over his body with one arm at his side, the other resting on the headboard to keep him steady. His heart pounded, hands trembling, but he couldn't pull away this time. He didn't want to. There was no safer place for him right now than here, bathed in golden light. Lucius may as well have been a star himself, on par with Major Leo in radiance and splendor. For once, his prince had a wish for himself. He had a selfish wish. To Jack, this was monumental. There was no greater freedom than the freedom to be selfish.
"...I want nothing more than to remain by your side to the end of my days. If you're a craven beast, then I am a gluttonous thief, who would take you from the rest of your own world and never share again. But, Lus, you should know that--... I'm also a coward. I'm afraid, and I've been afraid to love you for such a long time. All my jokes, all my jabs, my banter... I-- I wanted something bigger than myself, and I knew that. So I lied, both to you and myself, and hoped I could leave. But, as I thought..."
"...Lus. I've been considering this for several weeks, but... I'm considering enacting Celestial Judgment upon myself, for even daring to dream of remaining here by your side for the rest of my days."