Riven slept. Not just a nap, not a quick doze—he truly surrendered to the arms of sleep, curled up comfortably in Vaelorian's warm embrace. The afternoon slipped by like a gentle tide, washing over him in peaceful waves. It wasn't because he was exhausted from their lovemaking—no, it was something deeper. Riven slept because despite everything on going in his life—he felt safe. It's a rare moment of vulnerability, but he's letting himself sink into the comfort that Vaelorian offered.
Riven had his misgivings about this new life. The strange, creepy voice from the void that still haunted him. The words spoken have been a whisper in the back of his mind that still kept him on edge. Sometimes he wondered if he'd bitten off more than he could chew, agreeing to this life, to this shadowed existence. But then, moments like these—quiet, tender, unexpectedly warm have begun to bloom in his chest.
Things were starting to feel good. He'd been doing well in camp, making friends, learning about this world. Everything so far is beyond his own fears. And now, this... whatever this was with Vaelorian—this strange, undeniable connection—it felt really nice.
Riven doesn't want it to end. Not now, not ever.
When Riven finally opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Vaelorian's smiling face, inches away, eyes gleaming with affection and mischief. Riven rubbed the sleep from his eyes, stretching slowly.
"Your Highness," he mumbled with a sleepy grin, "you didn't watch me sleep the whole time, did you?"
Vaelorian's grin widened, smug and teasing. "I don't think there's a right way to answer that question, love."
Riven rolled his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "You're so weird," he said, but his voice was soft, carrying a warmth that wouldn't quite be hidden.
"Say whatever you want," Vaelorian chuckled, leaning in closer as he pulled Riven into his arms. "I'm just glad I get to see you like this."
Before Riven could protest or squirm, Vaelorian's lips found his face—kisses sprinkled over his cheeks, his forehead, his nose. Riven squirmed playfully, trying to push him away.
"Eww… stop! You're messing up my hair."
But Vaelorian only kept going, laughing quietly, the sound deep and genuine. It was a rare sound, a sound that made Riven's heart flutter unexpectedly. Who would have thought that the two of them—so different in so many ways—would end up sharing a bed, cuddling, stealing kisses after the kind of rough start they had?
Life, it seemed, was full of surprises, twists and turns that no one could truly predict.
"You missed dinner," Vaelorian murmured softly, nibbling lightly on Riven's ear, eliciting a little shiver.
"Huh? Seriously?" Riven blinked, surprised at how long he'd slept. Hunger pangs suddenly hit him and he winced.
Vaelorian hummed in response, a gentle affirmation. "Don't worry, I'll take you to eat," he said, still nibbling, a teasing smile in his voice.
"You'll take me to eat? Where?" Riven asked eagerly, a flicker of curiosity igniting in his eyes.
Vaelorian chuckled, a deep, warm sound. "You'll know when we get there."
Riven pouted, a playful glint in his gaze. "You're really not going to tell me?"
With a shrug and that smirk that always made Riven's stomach do flips, Vaelorian replied, "Get dressed, and we'll go, okay?"
"Okay!" Riven chirped, bouncing into action. As he looked around, a thought struck him. "You know," he said, tilting his head, "I've never seen you eating in the dining hall with the rest of us."
Vaelorian chuckled softly. "I can't believe it took you this long to realize," he said, amusement flickering in his eyes. "And to answer your question—no, I'm not allowed to dine with the others. It's protocol." His tone grew more serious at the end, a reminder of the responsibilities that weighed on him, even amidst moments of levity.
Riven nodded, absorbing the information. "You know, I keep forgetting you're like an actual prince, royalty and stuff." he mused, a mix of admiration and disbelief in his voice.
"Why? Am I not royal enough for you?" Vaelorian teased, a smirk playing on his lips.
"No, no," Riven grinned, cheeky and unapologetic. "You're just the right amount of royal—pompous, a pain in the ass, and all."
Vaelorian's laugh was genuine, warm. "Anything for you, love," he said softly, and Riven shook his head with a fond smile. It was astonishing—how someone who once irritated him so much could now be the person he trusted most.
As they finished dressing, Vaelorian gestured toward the door. "Ready to go?"
"I am," Riven replied, eager and a little nervous.
He expected Vaelorian to lead him on foot, to the dining hall or some other familiar place. But instead, the older boy wrapped his arms around him in a smooth, effortless movement, and suddenly, Riven found himself standing inside an unfamiliar room—walls lined with shelves of ancient, expensive-looking books.
"Don't worry," Vaelorian's voice was calm and reassuring, sensing his confusion. "We're still within the camp grounds."
Riven looked around, eyes wide. "Where is this place?"
"This is where I work," Vaelorian said simply, then took Riven's hand and guided him to a seat.
"You work here?" Riven echoed, eyes narrowing in surprise.
"I told you I have other responsibilities besides being the combat instructor and training you, remember?" Vaelorian reminded him gently. "I take them seriously."
Riven's brow furrowed. "Like when you left last time?"
Vaelorian nodded, a shadow crossing his face.
"Will you leave again?" the younger boy asked quietly.
"Yes, I'll need to leave again," Vaelorian replied softly, holding Riven's gaze a moment longer.
"Does it have to do with the bad guys we caught?" Riven asked carefully, sensing there was more than Vaelorian was telling him.
"I don't know yet," Vaelorian admitted, tone measured but edged with tension. "That's why I have to leave again."
Riven's mind raced. Where was he going? Could he come along? The questions felt heavy in his chest, but he hesitated to ask aloud—unsure if it was his place.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted—the surprise evident in her tone. "Your Highness? When did you get in?" A lady stepped into the room, pausing when she saw Riven. "And who is this?"
"We just arrived, Elera. And this is Riven," Vaelorian said calmly, as if such interruptions were commonplace.
Elera's smile was warm and respectful. "Nice to finally meet you in person, Lord Riven. I've heard so much about you."
Riven felt a little awkward but returned her smile. "It's good to meet you, too. You seem to know me, but I don't really know you."
She smiled kindly. "I figured you wouldn't. His Highness isn't one for small talk. I've been with him since he was born." Her tone was warm, genuine. Riven nodded, feeling an odd sense of connection.
Intrigued, Riven began asking her questions about Vaelorian's childhood, and she cheerfully told him tales of his mischief and troublemaking—stories Vaelorian tried to shush, but she paid him no mind.
The table was set, and the delicious aroma of the meals wafted through the room. Vaelorian had clearly ordered a feast for his lover—something special for their evening. But Riven's mind was elsewhere, more interested in the stories about Vaelorian's past than the food before him.
"Tell me more, I want to know everything," he begged Elera as she brought up the last girl Vaelorian had dated.
But before he could get more engrossed, Vaelorian interrupted, stuffing a spoonful of food into his mouth.
"Behave," he commanded softly and the younger boy pouted, "and you!" he addressed Elera, "Please stop encouraging him. He's a natural troublemaker." Elera chuckled, leaving them to their meals.
Riven chewed happily. "You're such a spoiled spot," he muttered, making Vaelorian roll his eyes.
"And you need to eat," Vaelorian retorted, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"I am eating!" Riven shot back, mimicking Vaelorian's tone. They shared a quiet laugh, the kind that warmed the heart.
Riven glanced around Vaelorian's private dining room, eyes roaming over expensive artifacts and personal touches.
"So this is where you always come when you're not in the room?"
Vaelorian leaned back casually into his seat with a smile.
"Didn't know you loved having me around that much."
"Just saying," Riven said, crossing his arms. "It'd be nice to know you had a place like this. Now I know where to look if I need you." Then he paused and tilted his head in curiosity. "Say...how do I get here anyway?"
Vaelorian smiled softly. "We'll walk back to the room so you know the way. I won't leave without telling you again."
Riven smiled, gratefully. That simple promise—a reassurance that Vaelorian wouldn't disappear on him again—meant everything.
Turning back to their earlier conversation, Riven hesitated before asking softly, "You've been questioning the bad guys we caught, right? Will you tell me what you found?"
Vaelorian's face flickered with hesitation. "It's not that I don't want to tell you," he said carefully. "I just haven't found anything worth sharing yet."
"Can I help?" Riven asked eagerly. "I could compel them to tell us what they know."
Vaelorian paused, weighing the offer. His gaze lingered on Riven, clearly torn. The younger boy still doesn't know how to use his gift properly. Is this really a good idea?
"I know what you're thinking. But I'll be fine. And you'll be with me the whole time." Riven pleaded his case.
Vaelorian grinned, sensing the trust behind the younger boy's words. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're reading my mind."
Riven smirked cheekily. "I guess I've just gotten used to you. I can almost predict what you're thinking."
With that, Vaelorian relented. "Alright, you win. I'll take you to them tomorrow."
Riven did a little victory dance, grinning triumphantly. Vaelorian shook his head, a fond smile softening his features as they finished their meal, knowing that even amidst chaos and uncertainty, they'd found something rare—something worth holding onto.