One would think that being given a ‘come-to-Jesus’ about your feelings for your best friend by a literal demon would make someone run away screaming in terror. But Aerithen wasn’t scared at all. In fact, he was actually pretty relaxed. Which was weird, because he knew he should at least feel a tiny bit of something after that discussion, but he just didn’t. Maybe it was the relief of finally telling someone. It’s not like you can go around saying that you’re the Prince’s best friend and you’ve loved him for almost eight years without being mobbed by every girl in the capitol.

Not unless you have a death wish.

Which he doesn’t.

Aerithen honestly couldn’t remember walking all the way from the south field when he reached the kitchen door. It was all just a big blur of a warm fuzzy feeling in his limbs and head. He almost felt drunk. And that feeling increased when he walked through the door and saw Gram Tamma at the stove, stirring something in a pot that made the entire kitchen smell phenomenal.

“Mmm. I hope I can get some of that delicious smelling food before it all goes to waste on that pretty-boy prince.” And okay, what the hell was that?

Tamma turned from the stove and smiled, hopping down from her little stool and throwing her arms wide.

“Little Blue, it’s about time you got here! Get over here and give Ol’ Tamma a hug! Come on now!” And who was he to refuse his Gram a hug? He strode over and bent down into her arms, feeling her squeeze his shoulders, then pulling his face away only to bring it back and plant a large kiss on his cheek. The fuzzy feeling got even fuzzier. He’d really been touch starved for the last six months if this feeling was any indicator.

Tamma kept his face in her hands and peered into his eyes with a searching gaze, her black eyes unblinking. He was expecting this since she does it every time he comes back. Shadow Majik was just cool like that, seeing curses and evil spirits attached to a person. Tamma always makes sure he never drags anything with him from his travels after it happened once when he was younger and he didn’t realize it. He’s a naturally unbalanced person, so how was he supposed to know that the fact he was tripping over everything was a curse? She finally smiled and patted his cheek, then let go of his face.

“It’s good to have you back, Little Blue. Now go find ‘that pretty-boy prince’ and get ready for dinner. I believe Ada and Brandon got the guest room ready for you. Now shoo! Out of my kitchen, filthy beast!” Aerithen started laughing at that and couldn’t stop as he walked to the door…

And walked into a wall…

Of muscle…

Again.

“Okay, what is with you and walking into me today?” What came out of Aerithen’s mouth will forever haunt him to the end of the Earth.

“Maybe I’m just drawn to the finest man in the land.” Damien scoffed and looked off to the side, a slight blush coloring the apple of his cheeks.

“I would hardly call myself the finest. I think that title belongs to that damn prick of a Baron.” They both jumped when they heard Tamma yell from the kitchen.

“You better watch what you say, boy! You’re not too old to have your mouth washed out with soap!” Aeri laughed at the sight of the great and terrible Almunkari hunter looking like a deer in the headlights at the threat of a mouth-washing.

The other man hunched his shoulders and ducked his head before he grumbled a ‘Yes, Tamma’ over his shoulder. Damien looked at him again and jerked his head towards the stairs.

“Come on, the guest room is all made up for you. Oh, and I also have a present.” The man suddenly held up a medium sized burlap bag, and Aerithen already knew what had to be inside, which is why he launched himself at the best Human being in the entire city and wrapped him in a bone-crushing hug.

“Oh my gosh, thank you thank you thank you thank you!”

“Whoa, okay! You’re welcome, now get off me. You’re filthy!” Aerithen pulled his head back enough to look at his friend in the face.

“Oh please, you’ve never minded getting dirty. That’s why you’re my best friend.” And he went and started rubbing his cheek against Damien’s, the stubble scratching and burning at Aerithen’s skin. The taller man laughed and leaned away try to get his face out of reach.

“Gah! Stop! I’m going to need a bath, too, at the rate this is going. There’s one already drawn up for you, now go before I throw you in it!”

Aerithen hummed next to Damien’s ear from where his head sat on his shoulder. “Maybe you should join me, then? I know the tub is big enough for both of us.” That earned him another scoff.

“I don’t think so. You would dip a toe in the water and it would turn murky. I can just wipe this off before dinner. Now go!” Aerithen let go with a pout, but he reached out for the bag his friend held. Instead of actually getting it, though, it was taken farther away from him.

“Nah-uh. Bath and dinner first. I know how you are; you’ll eat the entire bag before you even get out of the water to dry off.” And with that his bag of treats went waltzing down the hallway to the sitting room, leaving Aerithen to do nothing but go upstairs and clean up.

Life wasn’t fair sometimes.

——————————

The bath and dinner were uneventful, besides being pestered with questions about how the trips south and back were, and how the caravan had fared for the winter in the Southern Territory. He knew the Queen and Princess only asked because they were worried about him, but he answered as if they were asking for the whole of the trading agreement the city and caravan had. Though, Damien had remained strangely quiet as everyone had eaten and talked around the table. Aerithen couldn’t help but notice his friend’s silence and the way he had a serious focus on a single point on the table.

As he lay awake in the large bed and pondered all of the events from the day, a soft knock sounded on his door and he smiled.

“Come in, Dames.” He sat up as the door opened, a small candle holder coming through the cracked entryway followed by the handsome prince. Who had that damn shy smile on his face as he quietly shut the door behind him.

It’s like he knew just what to do to kill Aerithen’s heart.

“Hey. You settled in okay?” They had to whisper since Alyssa’s room was right next door, and they didn’t want to risk waking her and having her eavesdrop. Aerithen shrugged.

“Yeah, I’m doing fine. It’s just weird being here a day early.” Aerithen watched as a dark look passed over his friends face in the soft candlelight.

“I wasn’t about to let you stay with those two assholes any longer than necessary, especially with how they were treating your friends. You know that shit doesn’t agree with me.” Now it was Aerithen’s turn to have a shy smile.

“Always my hero.” Damien scoffed at him for what felt like the twelfth time that day. What is with this man and scoffing at compliments?

“I’m not a hero, not even close. Anyway, do you want to go on a run with me in the morning? I managed to convince the Royal Ad-assers that I wouldn’t budge on my runs while Dad is gone.”

“Sure. And where is he, anyway? I meant to ask earlier before, you know…”

“It’s okay. He had an emergency summons to St. Louis, something about a family friend getting really sick. He wouldn’t tell me much before he left the other day.”

“Did you know the person?” Soft shadows were cast over the Prince’s face as he shook his head.

“Dad said I’d only met them a couple of times, but I was too young to really remember. Anyway, you probably need to sleep, so I’ll leave you alone. If you need anything, you know where to find me.” Damien was already up and leaving before Aerithen could say otherwise. But he stopped at the door and turned around, the candlelight flickering over his features.

“Goodnight, Aeri.”