A/N: Goodmorning everyone! Or evening (if you're on the other side of the globe) ^^ I'm back from Germany and this is the last pre-written chapter I have. Updates are going to be slow from now on, because I'm not a fast writer. But I'll do my best and post as often as possible. I hope you like this chapter - please comment and like ❤️

Chapter 5.

Deon was lost in a feverish haze. He didn't know how many days had passed. One moment, he'd wake up soaked in sweat, hair plastered to his cheeks and breaths ragged - and the next he was freezing, teeth clattering in his skull.

He began to hallucinate. He saw Alen at six years old - tiny and huddling beside him, because there was a thunderstorm outside. And then his brother was older, skin luminous and dark eyes languid, telling Deon he didn't need him anymore.

"Seyin. Shhh. Hush now." His mother said, and held him tenderly against her breast. Her smell was different - medicinal and earthy - but she stroked his hair and crooned softly, until his sobs quieted and he slept.

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Deon woke when his bandages were changed and stared numbly at the oil lamps flickering behind the bed's sheer curtains. He'd never felt so drained. So empty.

The healer pressed a wet cloth to his lips and sponged his skin.

"He has visited each hour." She spoke in slow and stilted Telenien.

Deon turned his heavy head and looked up blearily. "Who has?"

"Your brother." Her dark hair was streaked with silver and, unlike the rest of the servants, her chest was covered - and strange patterns decorated her face and arms. "He sits outside for a long time."

Her appearance was disconcerting, but her milky gaze was warm and Deon's eyes blurred with tears.

He thanked her and she smiled, revealing several gold teeth, and gathered her supplies. The door shut behind her quietly and Deon slept easier after that.

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The next day he was able to sit up and drink a cup of bitter tea. He ate a few slices of fruit and a bowl of salty rice porridge.

Once he'd finished, a servant girl took the tray and encouraged him to lie back down. When she'd left, he waited a moment before pushing back the covers.

He stood on wobbly legs and leaned against the bedpost. His skin grew damp with exertion and he probably needed more bedrest - but he'd never liked staying indoors and the walls felt cramped.

He staggered to the door and peered out. Two guards conversed quietly at the end of the hall and light music drifted from another floor. The men spotted him and lapsed into silence.

A door carved with leaves opened and a bright head appeared. Deon had only seen Roi at the market back home. And, sometimes, he'd watched the light shine on the back of his curls during long sermons in the prayer house.

"Roi!" He called.

The blonde turned, blue eyes cooly blank. He stared hard a moment and then his expression smoothed with surprise. "Deon?"

"Do you have any...clothes?" The floor swayed and Deon had to grip the doorframe and close his eyes.

"No," Roi's bare feet patted over the stone, "we don't wear any."

Deon knew that. He'd known the answer before he asked, but he was recovering and being naked felt vulnerable.

He peered through his lashes at Roi's slim form. Delicate gold chains circled his narrow waist and thighs - and a pale green gem shone above his naval. They were around the same age, but the boy's soft features and rosy cheeks made him appear younger.

Deon forced himself to step out the door, bracing a trembling hand against the marble wall. He walked slowly, palm running over gilded runes, and Roi fell into step beside him.

"Are you hungry?" The blonde asked carefully.

"No. I'm going outside." Deon muttered.

He stumbled and in a flash Roi had pressed beneath his arm, taking some his weight. Deon accepted the help in tight-lipped silence.

The guards didn't make a move to stop them, but one followed them down the stairs.

They passed the pools that seemed to have a constant run of activity. A servant noticed them and exchanged a few words with the guard.

The boys moved out a large set of double-doors and the heat struck like a physical wall. Deon had to stop and take a steadying breath that tasted like humidity and vegetation.

"We'll sit here." Roi murmured and led him to a bench beneath a shelter of flowering branches. The guard stood by the trees. Silent and watchful.

Deon laid gratefully on his side and closed his eyes. The bench was padded with cushions and the heat was bearable in the shade.

He breathed steadily and felt Roi perch beside him. A gentle presence that Deon didn't mind.

He'd never have tolerated it back home. Never have initiated a friendship. But he was healing in foreign surroundings and, even if they didn't know each other, Roi was familiar and that was a small comfort.

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"Lin. Seyin."

Deon startled awake and quickly shut his eyes against the light. His heart was abruptly pounding and he wished for his bed. But this was the prince's palace and Deon couldn't hide forever.

"Look at me!"

Deon's neck was stiff with dread, but he managed to turn his head. The prince smiled with satisfaction and settled back against the luxurious fabrics and pillows the servants arranged around him and the boys he'd chosen that day.

Alen lounged in the arms of a gold skinned boy with sleek bronze hair. His dark eyes flit between his brother and Roi. To anyone else he appeared comfortable, but Deon recognized the uneasy set to his jaw.

"I'm weary." The prince ran a jeweled hand across his eyes. "I attended council all morning. Come here."

Deon's chest tightened. But he didn't want to be whipped again. He wasn't even sure he'd survive it. He sat up and started when Roi braced him.

Alen's eyes narrowed and Deon felt a moment of petty satisfaction. Finally, his brother might understand a fraction of his jealousy.

"Come here." The prince ordered.

They stood and Deon forgot everything as the world tilted. In the next instant he was lying on the blankets, panting while a hand stroked his cheek.

"Poor Seyin. This weather is not what you're used to." The prince smiled down at him kindly, as if he hadn't caused Deon's suffering in the first place.

Sweat ran into his eyes and his body trembled with the effort it took to stay present. The man's pale eyes turned knowing and amused. "Lin. He is thirsty. Give him a drink."

Roi reached for a gold cup and sipped delicately. The blonde leaned down and, before Deon's cloudy mind caught up, cool lips were pushing against his mouth and sweet fruit water ran over his cheeks. He choked, swallowing some, and Roi lifted.

The boy's periwinkle eyes turned expectantly to the prince, rosy lips parted.

"Again." The prince said and Roi took another sip. He lowered and Deon tried to turn away, but the prince's fingers tangled in his hair and held him still.

"Drink, Seyin."

Deon steeled himself and Roi's soft lips pressed against him. Slowly, water trickled into his mouth and he swallowed.

Roi patiently passed him the entire contents of the cup, until Deon's neck and hair was damp with water. But his head felt a little clearer.

"Seya." The prince murmured and held his hand out to Alen.

Deon's eyes widened when he saw the erection protruding from the slit in the prince's white kilt. The brown shaft was thick and veined, tip pale pink and already wet with anticipation.

Alen slid from the golden boy's arms and lowered between the prince's legs. His dark hair fell against his pale cheeks, and his eyes briefly met Deon's, before he took the cock into his mouth.

Deon flinched and his hands fisted. He wanted to scream. Wanted to cry. But he couldn't even sit up.

"Gently now." The prince said quietly, face relaxed with pleasure, but his fingers were still hard in Deon's hair. "Lin. Calm him."

Roi moved down and Deon was distracted when a warm tongue brushed over his dick. He jerked and pain blazed through his spine.

"Gently." The prince repeated.

Roi's hands slid up Deon's thighs and he scrunched his eyes in humiliation. He could hear Alen making soft swallowing sounds and the combination, with Roi's kitten licks, made him hard.

Roi's mouth closed over his tip and suckled. Deon gasped and shuddered. He'd never felt a mouth on him before and nothing could prepare him for the wet heat and firm pressure.

Roi's hands kept petting him. Fingertips running lightly over his inner thighs and caressing his balls. The pleasure built and he was helpless to fight it.

The prince murmured encouragements and Deon wanted to snarl at him to shut up. But his voice was trapped in harsh pants.

He came with a choked sound and spilled into Roi's throat.

"Kiss him." The prince said and then Roi's flat chest was pressing against his front and their lips touched again.

A tongue ran over his lip, and slid sinuously into his mouth, and Deon received another shock at the sharp taste of himself.

He barely noticed when the hand in his hair gentled and began stroking. His heart was hammering out of control and he returned the kiss, hand closing spasmodically on Roi's back.

The prince called a halt and Roi lifted his head, breaths heavy and pupils dilated with arousal. The boy's hands were on Deon's hips, and a sticky cock was nudging his thigh.

The prince leaned down and kissed him. Deon stiffened, lips rigid and the fingers in his hair immediately fisted.

He gasped with pain and the man's tongue delved inside. Dominant and assertive.

Deon was starting to shiver and sickness pounded through his head. The prince eventually lifted and considered him through dark lashes.

"If I wanted a soldier," The man murmured, stroking Deon's hair again, "I'd bed one."

Deon read the warning in those cold eyes and shut his own in defeat. The prince spoke in Peraan and shadows fell over him and guards lifted him from the blankets.

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The healer fussed around him, face tight with disapproval, while she muttered in her own tongue.

She straightened his fresh sheets and slapped a cold cloth over his eyes. Deon was reminded of his own mother, when he'd misbehaved, and the similarity was reassuring.

That night he jerked awake when the sheets ripped from his skin and Alen climbed on top of him.

"Wake up." Alen hissed and mouthed Deon's throat, sucking firmly.

"Len..." Deon's cock was instantly hard and he hugged his twin close, feeling so relieved that he'd finally come back.

"Did he visit you at night?" Teeth scraped over his pulse and Alen pressed down, pushing Deon's spine into the mattress.

"Ah! That hurts!" Deon flinched away.

"I thought you'd like that." Alen mocked and squeezed Deon's cock punishingly hard.

He gasped and rolled. His head swam with dizziness, but he managed to secure Alen's wrists, and panted against his brother's shoulder.

"I don't...feel well, Len." He admitted, voice almost breaking.

Alen instantly softened beneath him and trembled. "I'm sorry, De."

Deon relaxed and carefully maneuvered onto his side. Their legs tangled and Alen's head tucked beneath his chin. He stroked his brother's slender spine, while Alen sniffled and clutched him tight.

"I missed you." He breathed into silky hair.

Alen's breath gushed out and he nuzzled Deon's skin.

"Missed you..." Alen whispered and tenderly kissed the bruises he'd made on Deon's throat, "love you. I'll always love you the most."

Deon's heart squeezed painfully. He didn't love his brother 'the most'. He didn't love anyone except Alen. But if he voiced that out loud they might fight again.

"...De?" Alen looked up and the pale glow from the window illuminated the tears in his eyes.

"Love you." He replied and Alen's smile shone like starlight.