The smell of freshly baked bread and sweet nutty pastries filled the streets along with the gossips of people. It was a busier day than usual as carts lined the dirt paths throughout Mount Haven.
"Felix! Felix! Wait up I can't breathe!" Each word of his came out with a huffed breath.
"If you can't keep up, don't follow me." The man's response was cold as he continued walking through the crowded streets. He didn't pay much attention to the wheezing boy behind him; he was focused on one thing...the freshly baked strawberry cream buns.
"I don't get what's so great about cream buns. And why hurry? I doubt they'll be sold out." The arrogant boy mumbled a stream of curses and complaints.
Felix, "Cassius if you are the cause of me not getting one in time...I will have your head on a stick by nightfall." He gave a cold glance behind him. His dark blue eyes filling more and more with rage. Cassius didn't understand the seriousness behind the strawberry cream buns, much less the need to make a man kill for it. But that's always how Felix was since they were kids.
He had tasted them multiple times but never saw the appeal and never understood Felixs obsession with them. "Why do we have to come out here though? Can't you just have your servants make you some at the palace? Why trouble yourself with such a journey?"
These words made Felix come to a halt. It was true that with just a wave of a hand he could have them freshly made in front of him. But no matter how many times he tried them, they never compared to the ones made by the old woman named Gemma. Her pastries were the exact balance of heaven and bliss in one.
Felix, "You little shit..." He swung his body around, now directly looking at the dull-witted boy in front of him. Cassius could feel his stare burning into him, almost making him check to make sure he wasn't actually on fire.
Cassius, "I've spoken too openly. I apologize." He could only lower his head in silence, trying to avoid further near-death experiences.
A long sigh escaped Felix before he hastily turned back around and made his way towards the stall. "You lack an appetite. Instead of you I should've brought your sister. She wouldn't be bitching as much as you."
Cassius hurriedly caught up with him, dragging his aching feet behind him. He was by no means in-shape. He wasn't too bad when it came to fighting, but most would say his skills were ordinary. The only exercise people saw him do was when chasing rabbits and stray dogs. His lack in exercise didn't make him any less beautiful though. He had thick short brown hair with dazzling green eyes and a well-shaped figure. He wasn't fat nor was he seen as skinny.
Cassius, "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today..." He didn't dare say the words loudly, fearing he might be struck across the face. Even though Felix was his childhood friend, it didn't mean he was easy on him. He was a strict man who didn't tolerate the foolish actions of other.
"Fresh buns! Fresh buns!" An old lady with ragged grey hair stood on the side of her stall, trying to catch the attention of any passerby. Felix quickly rushed to her with a hopeful look in his eyes. One could say the only time they saw him smile this happily was when he got to enjoy the delectable strawberry cream buns.
Felix, "Mrs. Brooke." His once fierce blue eyes now stared upon the old woman with a sweet look. "Do you have any more of the strawberry cream buns left?" He could feel the hope stir in his chest. These pastries were really a rare delicacy as most of her selling's were usually seasonal and sold out pretty quickly.
The old lady's eyes lit up upon seeing the handsome young man in front of her. "Prince Felix. Of course I have some left." She fumbled around by her stall before pulling out a large bag of greasy buns. She gave a wink to the young man before speaking, "I saved them just for you, my lord."
He waved his hand before brushing it through his golden blonde hair that was now tinged with sweat from the beating sun and stuck to his face. "I told you not to call me that." His face flushed with a pink, "Just Felix is fine Mrs. Brooke."
Old woman, "Alright, alright. Well, I hope you enjoy them, Felix. I made them extra special for you." A large grin grew across her face. Her smile could make even the coldest man feel a smidge of warmth spread in his chest.
He took in the sight of the steaming strawberry buns, making his mouth water. The smell was even better than the morning dew that spread across the trees and mountains. He didn't hesitate a second longer before taking a large bite. A buttery creamy taste with a hinge of sweetness spread throughout his mouth, almost making his eyes roll in pure bliss. One could say this delicacy was even better than sex itself.
Cassius, "Can we go now. It's too hot for this shit." He was now aggravated. The mix of sweat and exhaustion made him itch all over. "If your father finds out you went out without the guards, he'll certainly have me chopped up and fed to the dogs." The scene played out in his head, making shivers travel down his spine.
Felix finished savoring the bite before stuffing it back into the grease filled bag. "Okay, we can go now." All the anger had now left his body. His eyes gleamed with a new look. A look of satisfaction. "And if my father found out I doubt he'd feed you to the dogs. You're not fatty enough...Maybe a chew toy?" He couldn't help but laugh a little at his own joke.
Cassius on the other hand found it far from funny as he huffed with anger, crossing his arms over one another. His posture made him look like a child throwing a tantrum.
"You find it funny, but what would you do without me huh?" He mumbled a few more words and picked up the pace of his walking, hoping to make Felix a little guilty about his comment. It truly did work as Felix caught up to him, swinging his arm around Cassius's shoulder.
Felix, "You're right I apologize. Without you this world would truly be dull." A sweet smile spread across his face, "I'm thankful for you friend."
Cassius did expect an apology, but not one so great. He was a little flustered by the sudden compliments and couldn't help but grin a little. "Now let's hurry back. I'm growing sick of these stares."
Although they tried their hardest to ignore the stares of others, there was too many to go unnoticed. Felix was after all the Prince of Mount Haven, and it was even rarer to see a prince strolling so carelessly throughout the kingdom. Some scoffed at his stupidity and some admired the youthful man.
Strawberry Bun Incident:
Cassius: Can I have a bite?
Felix: No you were bitching the whole way here.
Cassius: Pleaseeeee just one?
Felix: Fine, but only a small bite.
Cassius: *Eats whole thing*
Felix: That's it you're going to the dogs!