After their meeting concluded, the emperor exited the secret room in the imperial Palace to attend to other royal duties. Alongside him, Sir Eryndor left with the still transformed Barron in his mouse form.
That left only two people in the room—Vaelorian and Riven—standing amidst the remnants of a tense conversation. The room felt smaller now, charged with unspoken words. Riven glanced at Vaelorian, sensing the prince's mood was not good. There was a heaviness in his posture, a tightness in his jaw that Riven knew all too well. He's pissed!
"So," Riven started, his voice tentative, breaking the silence. "about me going undercover…" He paused, watching Vaelorian carefully, searching his face for a sign that he's ready to talk.
Vaelorian's expression remained unreadable, his eyes blank and distant. "What about it?" he replied flatly, his tone cold, almost detached.
Riven grimaced inwardly. Oh, he's pissed alright! he thought, feeling the familiar sense of guilt crawling up his spine. Riven stepped forward, trying to bridge the distance.
"Don't you have anything to say?" he pressed, his voice softer now, almost pleading.
Vaelorian finally turned his head slightly, his gaze still unfocused.
"What else is there to say?" he asked, voice even but devoid of warmth. "Decisions have been made. Eryndor's getting everything you need for your mission as we speak. I guess I'll see you after your mission…safe travels." His words were cold, clinical, as if he was reciting a script. And yet, he continued to arrange items on a nearby table, his hands busy with things Riven knew he didn't need to worry about.
Riven's shoulders sagged. His heart thudded painfully. "I know you asked me not to do anything rash, but there was no time to discuss it first. I'm sorry," he admitted softly, voice trembling.
It was the truth. Riven hadn't had the luxury of time—he'd seen an opportunity to elevate his family's reputation, a chance to prove himself to the Duke, and he'd taken it without hesitation.
Vaelorian's lips pressed into a thin line. He paused, then spoke with calm voice. "It's fine. You did nothing wrong. I should have known you'd never listen to me."
Riven's stomach clenched. That hurt more than he expected. Feeling the weight of his mistake, he stepped closer, reaching out.
"Babe...Please," he whispered, voice thick with emotion. "can you stop arranging things in this already ridiculously spotless room and just look at me for a second? I'm sorry, okay? I don't really know how to do this—run things by someone first—but I can't stand you being upset with me."
Vaelorian hesitated, his gaze flickering with something Riven couldn't quite read. "And I said, it's fine," he repeated, trying to keep his tone steady.
Riven pulled his hair in frustration as he thought about what to do next. Vaelorian is shutting him out as punishment for disregarding his words. What do people usually do in times like this?
"Argh!" Riven exclaimed, voice strained, before reaching out and grabbing Vaelorian's shoulders, pulling him insistently closer. Vaelorian's eyes widened in surprise, lips parting as he gasped.
"What are you doing?" Vaelorian's voice was cautious, almost alarmed.
Before Vaelorian could pull away, Riven closed the distance and pressed his lips to the older boy's. The kiss was one-sided, but Riven held firm, his desperation fueling the movement. Vaelorian's eyes widened in shock, and he started to pull back, but Riven's grip tightened.
"I have things to do…"
"Leave it!" Riven cut him off, voice muffled against the older boy's lips, before deepening the kiss again. Vaelorian's resistance faded, and soon, their lips moved together in perfect harmony.
Riven gently guided Vaelorian to the couch, their tangled bodies crashing down together. Before Vaelorian could fully comprehend what was happening, Riven was on top of him, kissing him hungrily, and he found himself responding with equal hunger. With both boys lost in the moment, the kiss deepened, allowing them to express their unspoken feelings.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally pulled apart, both gasping for breath, their foreheads pressed together. Riven's cheeks were flushed, his eyes shining with raw hunger. Vaelorian's breathing was heavy, a mixture of surprise and something deeper—something more vulnerable.
"Are you ready to talk now, Your Highness?" Riven whispered, softly brushing a stray lock of hair from Vaelorian's forehead, searching the older boy's eyes, hoping for a hint of forgiveness.
Vaelorian bit his swollen lips as he looked into Riven's eyes.
"I… don't want you to go," he admitted, his voice low and husky, almost pleading.
Finally, he's saying what's on his mind. A smile crept across Riven's face, relief flooding through him. Riven reached out, cupping Vaelorian's face tenderly.
"I will only be gone for a while...hopefully. Can't you just think of this as sending me on an assignment?" Riven asked softly, tilting his head, his optimism shining through.
"An assignment?" Vaelorian echoed, confusion mingling with concern.
"Yes, my first assignment. Don't you want to know how I'd fare in my first real mission?" Riven's excitement bubbled over, and he couldn't help but grin at the prospect.
"Riven, listen to me, this is a dangerous mission…"
"I know it's dangerous, but I can do this!" Riven interrupted Vaelorian's speech. "Don't you get it? This is what you've been training me for—months of kicking my ass, making me stronger. I've learned from you. I've listened. You wanted me to be strong enough to withstand anything and I'm telling you, I can do this! Trust me, babe, please!"
Vaelorian's expression softened, a hint of admiration and pride shining through. He chuckled softly, running his fingers through Riven's hair.
"When did you get so good with words?"
Riven grinned mischievously. "Like I said, I've been listening to you talk for months. I'm a fast learner, Your Highness."
Vaelorian shook his head, a small smile curling on his lips. "I've created a beast," he said, voice full of affection. "I feel bad for whoever our enemies are. They won't know what hit them."
"Whoever they are," Riven said with a wicked grin, "they're going to curse the day they decided to mess with us."
"I agree!" Vaelorian replied with a smile that mirrored his.
They stayed quiet for a moment, their foreheads still pressed together, lost in each other's presence. Then Riven's voice broke the silence.
"Since we're on the same page now, what do you say we make the best of our remaining time together before I leave?"
He trailed a finger slowly down Vaelorian's chest, sending a shiver through the older boy's body. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Anything you want, my love." Vaelorian whispered huskily against Riven's lips, the tension between them dissipating as their lips met once more, but with more urgency this time as they tore each other's clothes off.