He gets an idea: a mirror.
He races over to where a nearby mirror is and picks it up off of the wall. Hiding behind the large mirror and hiding his voice, he calls a servant over and tells them that King Reynyx had requested this mirror. The servant nods and opens the door to the throne room, stepping inside.
“My King, the mirror you requested has arrived,” the servant says softly, their smile unwavering.
“Mirror? I do not recall requesting one, but I shall allow it. Where is it?” Reynyx says, turning his attention away from Chase, the latter man’s eyes a violent purple even as he smiles and dances about.
Jackie stays just outside the throne room, still holding it up to block himself from being seen. Thankfully, Reynyx wouldn’t be able to see him if he put the mirror down. Jackie politely calls over another servant and has them hold the mirror instead, telling them that King Reynyx would like the mirror in another room. The servant nods and walks away with the mirror, catching Reynyx’s eye.
Jackie sinks behind the wall, out of sight.
“Where are you going with my mirror, servant?” Reynyx says, narrowing his eyes. He stands up out of his throne and marches out of the throne room after the servant carrying the mirror.
Reynyx marches right past Jackie and the latter man slips inside the throne room, looking over his shoulder to ensure Reynyx isn’t there.
“Put the mirror down, servant,” Reynyx commands, watching as the servant places down the mirror in front of him, smiling all the while.
Upon sight of himself in the mirror, Reynyx’s attention becomes transfixed upon it. “I am gorgeous, aren’t I? Praise me.”
The servant kneels and bows their head, praising Reynyx like a god.
Jackie ignores all of that, using it as a distraction as he approaches Chase, who’s still dancing faster and faster, even as he’s bound tightly in chains.
“Chaser…?” Jackie asks, trying to get Chase to stop dancing, but nothing seems to work.
Chase’s empty eyes land on Jackie, but no recognition exists behind them. He keeps dancing, even as his body aches. He can’t remember the last time he was allowed scraps to eat.
Jackie cups Chase’s head in his hands and bonks his forehead against Chase’s. “It’s Leo… remember?”
Chase’s eyes land on Jackie’s again and recognition appears with mention of that name. He whispers: “L-l-l-l-L-Leo…?”
Jackie nods. “Leo. I’m gonna get you out of here, okay?”
Chase nods, shakily offering his wrists, which are bound in chains to the floor. Jackie breaks off the chains easily, the collar, and anything else keeping Chase here. He scoops up Chase in his arms and hurriedly runs away to the closest place he can: the garden.
He keeps Chase close, holding him protectively and lovingly and races as far into the garden as he can. That should give them a good hiding spot for now and a place where Chase can feel happy.
“L-l-l-l-Leo…” Chase repeats, his eyes turning from a violent purple to a soft pink. Little flowers start to bloom around them.
“I promised I’d come hold you again, Guiding Star,” Jackie says, smiling and nuzzling into Chase’s shoulder. “I’m here. I’m here.”
Chase holds him close, holds him tight. “M-m-m-missed y-y-y-y-you…”
“I missed you, too. They’re never gonna take us back, okay? We’re safe. We’re safe.”
Chase nods, mumbling “safe” repeatedly.
“Like I always said: everything I do will lead to you. Will always lead to you.”