Chapter Text
It had been a rough couple of months and Styx had to still pass on the information that his father had passed on to Kringle. The dragon let out a sigh, his body really wasn’t made to keep up with the current demands of his job and he had yet to go out to find a second due to the pain that had started to course through his body since Christmas. He was beyond exhausted physically and emotionally but the dragon found himself in front of Kringle’s office nonetheless.
It was with a heavy heart that he turned the handle and stepped into the warm office,
“Kringle? I got some bad news and I honestly don’t know who else to talk to.” He lifted his head upon hearing no immediate answer noticing that the office was lacking the distinct presence of Kringle; it wasn't long however before a familiar voice called out just from behind the bookcase.
“You know Styx you should really knock before entering the office.” an older gentleman stepped out from behind the bookcase with a smile on his face that was only accentuated by the graying mustache and goatee he wore. “It would do you some good so you weren’t spending more time out and about when you should be resting. But do forgive me for overstepping my bounds, you are the Krampus now.” The older man set down his clipboard and ran a hand through his hair, the snow white streaks more prominent as he came into the light of the fireplace just off to the side of the desk.
Styx found himself at a loss, he forgot there was the possibility that Silver would be there and would likely give him a good tongue lashing like he used to when he was younger. Silver looked up at Styx over his glasses his blue eyes practically staring through the dragon,
“It’s been months since it happened and I have to tell him, even if I do need rest.” Styx could feel the pit of his stomach drop as he spoke, “Dad’s gone Silver and if I’m being honest I don’t know what to do next.” Styx was looking down at the older man wringing his hands the anxiety and stress becoming increasingly obvious in his body language as Silver pulled up a chair by the fireplace for Styx and motioned to it, “Sit,” Without hesitation Styx moved into the chair as Silver stepped behind the desk and started making hot chocolate using the set up behind Kringle’s desk,
“Keep talking it is obvious you’ve been dealing with this alone and you need support, I only wish that I had been there for you sooner.” Silver turned his back as he worked, allowing the younger man to relax a little before speaking, “I just- It’s been a lot for me to deal with. Between the paperwork piling up and just having his box sitting on my desk…. His desk. I feel so alone all the time.” Silver thought for a moment and turned around as the water began to heat, sliding his black gloves off and tucking them into the pocket of his green long coat. “You are always more than welcome to come to my house though you may have Jack and Mc Flurry to keep you company aside from just me.”
Styx let out a small sigh though his hands shaking indicated he was still upset, “Have you ever dealt with this kind of loss? Feeling this lost? I wake up everyday regretting our last words, we fought, I know he only wanted what was best for me and regret everything I said and there's no way for me to say I’m sorry or even say goodbye.” tears began welling up in his eyes as he recalled that August day over the phone, his father had just kept insisting it was for the best despite Styx’s unwillingness to take over fully. The regret hit him as though a wave had crashed over him while out to sea and he began to sink into his feelings.
Silver had been watching Styx carefully as he listened, “Styx you’ve been through a lot, from the scar you bear as a result of Allo`w to even this. It is okay to not be okay and to lean on others.” He turned back and added a mixture to both the cups before then adding the water, “You need to stop pushing yourself so hard, if you continue you will only worsen your condition.” As he mixed Silver found himself chewing on his bottom lip slightly before stirring and lifting the cups, starting to make his way over to the younger man. “You’ll want to let this cool,” he continued as he stood leaning back against the desk by the chair, “I have felt loss many times in my life from different kinds of relationships. From lovers to friends. The important thing is to remember the time that we spent with them and what joy we shared together before they departed. I know it’s hard, it’ll never stop being hard but you can’t allow yourself to be lost in grief, if you keep sitting in it you’ll only hurt yourself and those around you.”
Silver set his cup to the side and knelt down, setting a hand on Styx’s knee, “You need to allow yourself a moment away from the chaos and a moment to truly relax.” Styx took a moment before freeing one of his hands from holding the cup of hot cocoa and resting it on Silver’s hand before he spoke, “ Thank you, you have no idea how much you’ve helped.” He sounded hoarse, “I feel like I've been sitting with this alone for so long and I can’t just shake it.” Silver’s eyes looked to Styx's hand on his and gently turned his own over taking Styx’s in it before gently giving it a squeeze and returning his gaze to the younger man’s, “Styx if there is one I have learned of grief it is that it does not ever truly leave us, we simply learn to let it calm as we move about our day to day life. I still weep on occasion for those I’ve lost.”
Silence fell over the room while the two of them sat with their hands linked together for a moment before Silver broke the silence with a soft smile, “You should drink your cocoa before it cools too much. We wouldn’t want to waste a warm drink on a snowy day, would we?” he released Styx’s hand and got up retrieving his own cup from the desk. Styx was clearly in a bit of a haze as his eyes stung from the tears he had shed only moments before as he took a sip of the cocoa, his now free hand having returned to the cup seeking warmth. Something about Silver’s hand wrapped about his own was comforting and he admittedly longed for some kind of connection with someone, anyone. Styx had always looked up to him as Silver was able to be what Styx would have liked to be if not a musician, a dream that was cut short by his adoptive father.
As Styx drank his cocoa he finally began to relax a little in the chair feeling some of the weight off his shoulders having at least told one of the people he had needed to full well knowing that Father Time likely communicated with Mother nature. He was unsure if Cupid knew but given Valentine hadn’t reached out it’s likely news hadn’t reached her yet which meant Cupid was either unaware or simply hadn’t told her yet. He was deep in his own thoughts before Silver clearing his throat pulled him from the depths of his mind.
“If you would like Styx I can fill Kringle in so you can have some rest and take a break from burdening the emotional load, I’m assuming this happened before Christmas?” The older man tilted his head to the side before reaching into the pocket of his red and gold brocade vest producing a handkerchief, he leaned in and gently wiped some of the foam from Styx’s upper lip unprompted causing Styx to stutter slightly,
“Y-yes, I know I should have said something sooner but I didn’t want to put anything extra on anyone’s plates and I didn’t know how to deal with it because it was on my birthday and the night of Krampuslauf. I simply had too much to do and mourning wasn’t on the table and I-”
“Styx, breathe. I don’t need an explanation from you, it is okay.”
“But-”
“Breathe, I promise you it is fine. I have you, you are safe here.” Silver took a step towards the side of the chair, transferring his cocoa from his right to left hand and slid his right arm around Styx leaning slightly over him, eyes peering at the younger man over his glasses.
“I shan't leave this office until you are ready to return home, I will let Kringle know what he needs once you have made your way home.” Styx slightly turned his head to look at Silver, the realization setting in far too late that Silver’s face was mere inches from his own. A heat rose in Styx’s cheeks before he averted his eyes and cleared his throat,
“Actually I think I would like some company on the walk home if you're free, if I’m being honest I’m achy enough where having the extra person with me would help.” Upon hearing this Silver slightly nodded and pulled away. “As you wish, Krampus.” Styx hadn’t had people use his title much so this of course garnered a bit of a chuckle from him before he spoke “I think I could use that walk home now before I make myself more of a fool.”
Silver postured himself ever so slightly as he pulled the gloves from his pocket and slid them back on,
“Now whoever said you were making a fool of yourself? I think you are being a little hard on yourself. But let us not dally any longer, we should get you home.” Silver moved towards the door as the dragon lifted himself from the chair and set the mug down on the desk before making his own way to the door. Styx looked down to the man and smiled slightly,
“You are far too kind to me Silver.” The older man would let out a chuckle and shake his head before looking back up to Styx. “I am no such thing, I am merely an old soul that cares for the people around him.”
“Then care from an old soul is the life blood of the workshop.” Styx stepped outside of the office to begin the walk home with Silver, the older man sat a moment drinking in the young man’s words before whispering to himself “I never gave that any thought, perhaps there are still things I could learn.”
Not long after his utterance Silver joined Styx to ensure he made it home safe and warm before bidding him a good night, returning to clean up the cocoa and inform Kringle of the news.