After leaving Vaelorian's private study, Riven strode into the camp's courtyard, his shoulders squared and an almost defiant air about him, he was expecting his friends to be upset about his absence but he was met with a barrage of laughter and teasing that sent his heart racing. The afternoon sun was shining brightly overhead, illuminating the vibrant flowers blooming around the stone benches, a stark contrast to the teasing banter that echoed through the hot afternoon air.
"Hey guys, look who finally decided to show up! Did his Highness finally allow you to come check on us peasants?" Barron exclaimed, a wide grin plastered across his face.
"Very funny, Barron," Riven shot back, rolling his eyes, though a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "You know why I haven't been around and peasants, really Barron? Of all the words you would have used, you choose that? But I see you've been learning some fancy words, I'm impressed." he sassed and his friend gave him the middle finger while Willow smirked and Riven knew what was coming next.
"Sure, you told us why you haven't been around but is that really all?" Willow began with a smile. "It must have been nice cozying up to Prince Vaelorian, right?" She flicked her hair back, narrowing her eyes teasingly.
"His Highness does seem to have a soft spot for you." Barron chimed in again making Riven scoff.
"Not my fault Vaelorian has a habit of dragging me into his antics," Riven defended himself, trying to maintain his composure. 'And maybe I even enjoy it a little too much.' he thought.
"Oh, come on now! Did you really think we wouldn't notice he specifically asked for only you?" Anya chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She was always good at finding just the right angle to pounce.
Riven squared his jaw, his mind racing. Just how much does Anya really know about him and Vaelorian?
"Well, I mean, everyone needs to get a little taste of royal treatment every now and then, don't they?" he replied with a nonchalant shrug, attempting to mask the rush of anxiety creeping up his spine.
"And here I thought we were going to have a dramatic reunion! You know, a heartfelt embrace or maybe a tearful confession of how much you missed us but you're only showcasing how much fun you had without us and your undying loyalty to His Highness."
"Don't you start with me, young lady!" Riven quipped back with a mock seriousness in his tone. 'Why did I even come back?' he wondered inwardly. His friends are having too much fun at his expenses.
Willow leaned closer, flaring her nostrils dramatically. "You know, I thought you were going to do something dramatic and get kicked out."
"Yeah, you could've at least caused a scandal while you were away. His Highness's assistant gone rogue, maybe? Like, break something priceless or punch the prince." Barron said, throwing his head back in laughter.
"Everyone knows that's a one-way ticket to a banishment or death!" Mira Lune gasped with a horrified look making the others laugh.
"What if he took his Highness's clothes while he's in the shower since they share a room? Have you ever thought about doing something like that, Riven?"
"Okay, okay, enough! You're all making it sound like I'm his servant or something!" he finally relented, chuckling despite himself. Then, he lowered his voice conspiratorially, "But I can't deny I haven't done that last part, it was pretty funny until…" he paused remembering how that went down and his cheeks flamed up.
Anya, the ever-observant one, tilted her head slightly, curiosity piqued. "Funny how? You have to finish the story, you can't just leave us hanging like this. Did something happen that we're not allowed to know about or…?"
Riven hesitated. He thought about the intimate moments he'd shared with Vaelorian since then, the depths of their connections layered with both passion and camaraderie. 'Should I share that?' "Well, it's not quite what you think. I mean, yes, something did happen, but mostly, it was just…"
"Just too spicy to share?" Anya nudged playfully, eyes twinkling mischievously.
"Fine! If you all must know. Yes, I did help him with some errands and yes, I pranked him a couple of times too so there was a lot of…punishment." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. 'What am I even saying?!'
"What kind of punishment?" Barron leaned in closer, intent on hearing every word.
"You know, just random things. Like having me train for extra hours and also waiting on him while he did prince-y things, he knows I hate doing things like that." Riven murmured, fumbling his words. The truth of what he's sugarcoating as punishment brings warmth to his cheeks. 'How far are they willing to take this interrogation?'
"Sounds like the right punishment for you, it must have sucked." Willow snickered and Riven chuckled, thankful to have reflected the attention.
"You know how it is—the Prince just loves asserting his dominance." He glanced sideways at Anya, who wore a knowing look that sent his heart racing.
"Is that all it is?" She pressed, curiosity mingled with a deeper understanding hinted in her tone. "You just waited on him the whole time? Or did something else happen?"
"Seriously, Anya. What else could have happened?" Riven shot her a look, but there was no heat behind it; rather, a plea for her to back off just a bit. He valued how quick witted she is and also their friendship. He doesn't know what or how much he can reveal about him and Vaelorian right now, too much information might complicate everything.
"Hey! I'm just asking!" she shot back playfully, their friendship allowing for lighthearted banter without any real sting.
"Oh please, just admit it Riven," Mira chimed in, winking, "You enjoy waiting on Highness, just look at you! You're glowing."
Caught in this whirlwind of teasing, Riven knows for a fact that his friends are just playing because none of them actually knows how deep his relationship with Vaelorian is but they're also hitting too close to home. He let out a resigned sigh, his heart racing.
"I guess I've spent too much time with Vaelorian for my own good, huh?"
"Too much time? Or just enough?" Anya challenged, a knowing glint in her eye.
"Enough to make you guys tease me, that's for sure! I think I'm losing my body boy's reputation." Riven declared, trying to maintain the façade of nonchalance. But as he said it, something nagged in the back of his mind. 'Can he do without him?'
"Then we need to plan a 'Welcome Back, Bad Boy's Riven's party!" Barron proclaimed into the air, dramatically spreading his arms. "We can toast to the only kid you pranked the Prince and lived to tell the tales. Maybe invite Kealen and his minions to join—they'll spread the word of Riven's brave adventures!"
Riven laughed, the tension of his earlier thoughts dissipating, even if just a bit. The teasing continued, words flying back and forth like darts, yet a small part of him lingered in a world shared only with the prince. Before he and the older boy got intimate he could have jumped at the chance of having this welcome party because he knows for sure it'll piss him off but now? Could he do something like that knowing it will hurt Vaelorian?
As laughter echoed around him, Riven felt enveloped in the warm embrace of friendship, but he couldn't help but think about Vaelorian. What he was up to, did he miss him? Was he also thinking about Riven?