Soon, the quiet of the room was filled with the steady, rhythmic sound of Benjamin's breathing. He had fallen into a deep sleep.

Charles lay on his side, his gaze fixed on the back of Benjamin's head. Charles prided himself on being an astute judge of character. With Benjamin, though they had not known each other long, Charles felt a profound sense of trust in him. Despite Benjamin's mysterious past, Charles was convinced that Benjamin was fundamentally decent to his core.

It's nice to be here with you, he thought. I wish we could have stayed here longer. Just you and me.

Charles turned away, staring out the window at the rugged silhouette of the peaks. He had never spoken so candidly about his life before. He hadn't become the Prince through labor or merit. It was simply the weight of his bloodline. While he truly wanted to be a great ruler, it wasn't as if he'd ever been offered a choice. This was his reality, and he had learned to accept it for the greater good of his people.

And those dreams Benjamin spoke of...I didn't even realize I was allowed to dream of anything beyond the throne. What do I actually enjoy doing when I'm not playing the part of a future king?

A small, pained groan broke the silence and Charles turned back instantly. Benjamin's peaceful expression had vanished, replaced by distress. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut, his teeth were grinding, and his fists were clenched tightly.

Charles felt worried. Moving closer until the space between them vanished, Charles reached out a hand to tenderly caress Benjamin's face. "Whatever it is you're going through," he whispered, "I'll help you. I'll do my best to protect you, however I can."

Acting on instinct, Charles began to slowly release his pheromones, pulling Benjamin into a protective embrace. After a few minutes, Benjamin's breathing slowed and evened, and once again, the sweet scent of strawberries began to fill the air. Charles watched as Benjamin's face smoothed into a calm expression. Only when he was certain the nightmare had ended, did he let out a long sigh of relief.

I wonder if I'll ever get to hold you like this again, Charles thought, his heart aching with a sudden, sharp longing. I'll just hold onto you for as long as I can right now.

"I wish I could keep you all to myself, but I know that wouldn't be fair," Charles whispered against Benjamin's ear, "So, I guess this will have to do for now."

He planted a soft, lingering kiss on Benjamin's forehead, finally closing his eyes and drifting into sleep.

** ** ** ** ** **

The morning sun spilled across the room, warming Benjamin's face until he finally blinked his eyes open. For the first time in years, he slept straight through until the sun rose. He felt a heavy comforting weight with a warmth that made him want to stay in bed for longer.

One of Charles's arms was firmly around his waist, pinning him to the bed. As Benjamin tried to carefully shift his own arm out from under the blankets, his hand brushed against something warm, long, hard and thick. He retracted his hand instantly, his skin tingling.

How did this happen? Benjamin felt flushed.  Well, I suppose I'm stuck here until he decides to wake up.

Moving cautiously, he slowly turned onto his left side. Charles was right there. At this distance, the Prince's features were even more striking. Benjamin studied the perfectly shaped arch of his eyebrows and the surprisingly long, light-brown lashes. His nose was straight and noble, and his lips were a soft, natural pink.

He's a decent human being , Benjamin thought, his heart pulling in a way that felt dangerous. He listened to me complain without a single word of judgment. He offered me comfort when I didn't even know I needed it. With all my rotten luck, how did I ever stumble across someone like him?

He watched the gentle rise and fall of the Prince's chest. He's going to be a great ruler someday. But... this can't last. Being this close to him, it's dangerous for me.

"Hmmm… are you up, Ben?" Charles mumbled sleepily. He didn't open his eyes and was entirely unaware that he was still embracing Benjamin.

"Yeah," Benjamin whispered.

"Let's stay in longer… Mmmm…" Charles groaned softly, pulling Benjamin closer.

"Okay," Benjamin replied, his voice barely audible. This is likely the last time I'll ever get to see you like this. I guess I'll have to just admire you all I want now.

** ** ** ** ** **

When Benjamin finally blinked his eyes open again, the space beside him was empty. He sat up and saw Charles already dressed, sitting at the desk, and looking out the window.

"Are you up?" Charles asked as he glanced back with a small, knowing smile.

Benjamin simply nodded, but the memory of waking up in the Prince's embrace made him jolt up. He moved quickly, almost mechanically, to get ready to leave.

I honestly don't know what's happening anymore, he thought. Whenever I'm around him, it's like… anything goes.

He felt a desperate need to redraw the firm line between them. He didn't want Charles to get the wrong idea, nor did he want to lead himself further into a fantasy that could never be. The way Charles had held him, with a terrifyingly natural familiarity, felt like it was crossing a dangerous line. 

Whatever happened on this trip stays here. Once we're back in Aster, we go back to the roles we play. He is the Prince, and I am just his doctor, he told himself.

Benjamin was ready to leave the mountains behind, but as he looked at Charles, he wondered if the secrets they had shared were going to follow them home.

** ** ** ** ** ** 

When Charles dropped off Benjamin at the clinic, Benjamin thanked him speaking in his practiced, polite neutrality. Charles felt disappointed that the effortless intimacy had vanished, only to be replaced by the cold, familiar wall of formalities.

The following day, a request arrived for Charles's course of herbal treatments. When the medicine was ready, one of the palace physicians, Dr. Land, arrived to collect it.

"We ran a few preliminary tests on your compounds," Dr. Land noted, sounding impressed. "They work wonders. We're grateful the Prince decided to work with you. Dr. Lee and I have cared for him since he was an infant, and he usually refuses treatment from anyone but us."

Benjamin offered a modest smile, but thought, Is that a blessing or a curse?

Throughout the week, Benjamin found his thoughts constantly drifting back to the mountains. Surprisingly, his nightmares had become less frequent. He tried to attribute it to the mineral-rich waters or the quiet scenery, but deep down, he wondered if it had something to do with Charles. On slow afternoons, Benjamin found himself daydreaming about Charles. During one such day, an unfamiliar man outside the clinic caught his eye.