Little Prince

The soft breeze scraped across the salty waters of the ocean, gathering a cool bite as it raked over the bow of the ship and lay an almost sensual caress to Albel's solid form, tussling his short wisps of hair like ebony grass in the wind. He crooned his lean body over the wooden railing of the cargo ship's bow, the warm rays of the sun casting down on his bare back, his thoughts swimming as the castle town in the distance obstructed his view of the beautiful blue horizon. The capital city, where, in a few short hours, he and the rest of the crew of their fair ship would be made the most wanted men in the entire country side. His unusual golden eyes wondered, from the town in the distance, to the swishing water below. For the first time in his nineteen years of life, Albel was actually nervous. But such anxiety only made the job more exciting.

From the inner deck, the door opened, a bubbly brunette bursting from the lower depths, running on little more than unfiltered sugar. "Hey, Alby! C'mon, meetings starting. Boss wants everyone in the meeting room!" The lanky boy decreed.

Taking in a cold breath the ocean air provided, Albel's lips parted in a sigh. "We've already been over it a hundred times, Kytes. I don't think hearing the Boss call everyone a 'damn fool' again is gonna make it more clear."

"I agree!" The brunette chimed. "But, you be the one to tell him that. The last time I gave him a message from you, I wound up with three knots on my head!"

"Fair enough." Albel snatched his patched tunic from the deck and pulled it over his lithe figure, following Kytes down to the inner deck, where the smell of old cheese and lighter fluid polluted the stagnant air. Down the claustrophobic hallway, that remained constantly damp from some small leak in the wall, the two entered the "meeting room" which was in all reality was just the mess room with the table actually clean for once.

Four pairs of eyes locked on to the two entering the room, the heavy set Boss of the group, Boris sat at the head, arms folded as thought he'd been kept waiting all day, salt and pepper hair, as always, perfectly combed back as to not obstruct his jet black eyes. The blond Rey sat next to him, the permanent smirk plastered on his face, and his polar opposite, the raven haired Kain, sitting across from him. Of the two remaining seats, Albel wanted to punch Kytes for taking the one by Kain. That left the only remaining seat the one by the most annoying member of the group: Sasha. The woman who didn't understand the concept of one night stand.

"Where've you been, fool!?" The boss howled with his usual gravely voice.

"Above deck, getting some sun, Boss. You should try it sometime, you've got shit complexion." Albel cast his gaze down to Sasha, who was stroking the seat next to her with seductive, or as Albel preferred to call; slutty, grace. He prompted to remain standing.

"Piss off, pretty boy. Now sit your ass down and let's get this meeting started."

"I'm cool just standing." She was still petting the damn chair.

"Nonsense honey..." Sasha purred in a tone that made Albel's skin crawl. Of all his drunken mistakes, she was undoubtedly his worst. "Right here's a really good spot, honey bear."

"Yeah, honey bear." Rey was already roaring with laughter.

"Shut up, Rey. Least I can get some!"

"That's right. Anytime my baby wants some sweet treats, he knows just where to turn."

"Oh god..." Albel tried to hide his face in his hands, as though to avoid her wandering eyes, raking over his limber figure.

"Excuse me, but can't anyone who wants any kind of sweets get something from you, Sasha? You're like a damn candy seller." The normally quiet Kain accused.

"Fuck off, Kain! Go read one of your books or something!" The blond retorted, a hideously high pitched growl in her voice.

"Hey!" The Boss punched the table with surprising force, regaining the attention of the bickering group. "If you buncha dickheads are done bickering like kids, we're gonna get this meeting underway! And you-!" He pointed an accusing finger at Albel. "Sit you skinny ass down before I break your fucking legs!"

"B-But..."

"Now!" If Albel wasn't absolutely sure the Boss would actually break his legs, he would've held out longer.

Begrudgingly, Albel took a seat next to Sasha, scooting closer to Kytes on his left to avoid Sasha's advances. It did very little, her hand having already "misplaced" itself on his inner thigh.

"Alright, buncha dumbasses..." The Boss rumbled. "This is how this is gonna go down. We only get one shot. Tonight, the Prince of Raflessia, the strapping little seventeen year old Prince Roan, is getting married to the fatass Princess Fiona of the neighboring kingdom, Aerstilla..."

"We already know this..." Albel spat, eager to get away from Sasha. Her hand was roaming, and was a little too close to his no fly zone.

"I swear to god, if you interrupt me again...I'll..."

"Yeah, I know, big vague threa---" Having to stop mid sentence to dodge the rather sharp dagger thrown at his head was something Albel had grown rather good at over the years.

"Go ahead, interrupt me, one more fucking time!"

"Dude, Albel, shut up!" Now Rey was shooting him accusing glares. Damn if he didn't hate his co-workers.

"Now! If there are no more interruptions..." The stocky Boss turned his glare to Albel. "Ya loud mouthed little prick. Anyways..." He resumed his stride. "Tommorow is the ceremony, so they're celebrating tonight. There will be dinner, followed by a dance in the castle garden. Our objective is the capture of Prince Roan. Our only opportunity to do so, will be between the dinner and the dance when---"

"When Prince Roan is alone in his room to change clothes. There will be no security, and then me and Kytes, disguised as soldiers, will approach his room under the guise of escorts and capture him. Kytes will trade clothes with him, run decoy until I can get the little prince out of the castle, and back to the boat. There, we done?" Albel reviewed in a dulcet tone. He was eager to finish, Sasha's hand having found his member and was desperately stroking it to try and get it hard. It was so pathetic, it almost wasn't annoying. Still annoying that every time he slapped her hand away, she just put it right back.

"You're gonna end up with an ax in your head one of these days..." The Boss muttered.

"Yeah, I actually believe you. That's what's so fuckin' scary."

"Fine! Since little Mr. Smartass over there wants to end the meeting early cause he doesn't like a girl playing with his dick, are there any questions?"

Who would have questions? They'd been rehearsing since they received the mission plans.

"Alright then, break. Kytes and Albel, go ahead and change into the armor we stole from some Rafflesia soldiers. You'll get off the ship and immediately infiltrate the castle."

"Sure, sure..." The meeting was over, Albel was rushing away from Sasha as fast as he could. He'd put on a damn jelly fish at this point, just for an excuse.

Sweet melodies played on the violin, candle light throughout the room added a glow to the expansive spread of food on the table, adorned with cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, almost anything that could be eaten was likely somewhere to be found on the table, adding a rather pleasant aroma to the air. Wine too, white and red, adding a sense of drunken comradarie to the table, the many nobles that lined either side flushed and laughing at their little "jokes." Jokes that made the butt the "peasants" who couldn't afford to pay their taxes. Roan had never felt so sick just listening to people talking, but hearing people from both kingdoms laugh at others misfortune turned the very acid in his stomach.

Then there was the disgusting boar next to him, tearing into her third plate of food and looking plenty ready for a forth; his fiance. The woman had a good ten years on him, and another good two hundred pounds, and a face that didn't exactly ease the blow of marriage. Not like it mattered. Just a few more hours, and it wouldn't matter at all.

Among the sound of laughing, and the drunken atmosphere, Roan felt someone approach him from behind. A soft hand brushed a soft tinsel of his blond hair away from his ear, so that the lady could whisper. "My Lord, please. Eat something. You can't afford to lose anymore weight, you'll wither away. Are you trying to make me envious?" She whispered. One of his few friends in the castle. The only female knight, Marianne, beautiful as she was deadly with a sword. Of course, her high rank and gender often brought her under persecution from the male soldiers, even people under her, and Roan did what he could to soften the blows, which was how the two had actually become friends.

"I know, Mary....but...I'm finding it hard to keep an appetite, besides...I mean...I have to marry someone so much older than me!" He was careful to keep his voice down. Roan didn't want to offend his fiance, after all.

"Now, now...I'm sure she's lovely....In the right light." Marianne winked, before Roan and herself were subjected to a fit of giggles.

"That's not very nice, Mary." He said, among his own giggles.

"Forgive me, my Lord." Taking a more gentle look, she pet Roan's long blond locks soothingly, always amazed at how soft and flawless the boy's hair could be. So angelic too. Marianne never said aloud, but she always felt Roan could have benefited being born a girl. "Just...try to relax." Placing a chaste kiss on his cheek, she ruffled his hair as she would a small child. "You'll get to have harems, after all."

They laughed again. "You're bad..."

As the lone king of Raflessia, Roan's father, King Baigor stood from his chair, Marianne took her cue to step back to her post. The room fell silent, Baigor putting a piece of silverware to his wine glass to signal all festivities to stop.

"Attention, all royalty of my own beautiful kingdom Rafflesia, and the very welcome guests from our neighboring Kingdom Aerstilla. I'm very proud to announce tonight, the joining of our two kingdoms with the marriage of my handsome son, and the beautiful princess, Fiona."

All eyes cast to the couple, the slender built Roan, and the barrel built Fiona. Pleased by all her admirers, Fiona ducked in for a kiss on Roan's cheek, who only grit his teeth and put on the most real smile his face would allow. All the while, he scavenged his brain for a word that explained his feelings on the situation that was actually stronger than hate. His father continued:

"Tomorrow, will be the greatest day in the history of our fair kingdoms. So tonight, we celebrate! Please, excuse yourselves to the garden where there will be music, dancing, and of course, the finest wine to accentuate the festivities. I ask that all enjoy yourselves!"

More chattering, people scooping up the last bits of food off their plates, before the dining room disintegrated into chaos of people leaving through the doors to make their way for the garden. Among the crowd, Roan stay sitting as Fiona was already whisked away by her own family. He felt lips at his ear, the deep grumble of his father's voice: "Go get changed, and get to the garden. I want everyone to see you dancing with that cow."

"Yes, father." Like a mindless zombie, words he'd uttered so many times. If he said anything else, it would likely only beckon punishment.

"Oh my god, it stinks!" Albel rolled his eyes. He was listening to Kytes' complaints for what had to be the thirtieth time. Ever since he put on the armor, he'd done nothing but bitch and moan. "I mean, there is something sticky in the pockets, the gauntlets are all slimy, the breastplate's wet, and the helmet smells like someone pissed in it!"

"Yeah, I know. I'm in the same situation, dumbass." His golden eyes cast around the soldier's barracks, that smelled almost as bad as the armor. After slipping into the castle, rather than joining the formation of soldiers, Kytes and Albel took refuge in the soldier's dressing room, waiting for the sound of music as their cue to start the operation. Albel had the good sense to take his smelly helm off. He would've told Kytes to do the same, if it wasn't a little amusing to know the boy was suffering.

"Why do I have to run decoy? What happens if I get caught."

"Would you just chill?"

"What'll happen, Albel!?"

"I'unno..." Albel shrugged. "They'll probably hang you or something."

"Oh, okay...they'll just hang me...What!?" Panic settled into the pit of Kyte's stomach. "No, no, no, no, I don't wanna run decoy. You do it!"

"Can't."

"W-Why not?"

"Cause. Prince Roan is known to be petite. Kind of short, extremely skinny. I'm tall, and have muscle. They'll never buy it. Besides, his clothes wouldn't fit me."

"But the hair color doesn't match! Isn't he blond?" Now, Albel was getting annoyed. The boy was just trying to find an excuse to avoid his job. Kytes was a newcomer to their guild, Fox Claw, so this was his first operation. Though, an orphan that had been raised on the streets should be more accustomed to life or death situations.

"That won't matter either. You'll put your hair in a cap, and you'll never get close enough to anyone to matter. As soon as I'm a safe distance out of the castle, with the prince, I'll shoot a signal flare and that'll be your cue to get the hell out of there. If no one sees you, you'll be fine. Even when you leave the castle, if a guard sees your face, they'll just think you're a noble."

"You promise?"

"Yes!" Damn, the kid could be annoying. Just as Kytes was calming down, then winding up for another series of complaints, the sound of drums, flutes, trumpets, a whole cavalcade of musical instruments playing in beautiful harmony filled every hallway of the castle, heard clearly even in the foul odored soldier barracks.

"That's music...the dance is starting..."

"Yeah, it's on you Kytes. Where's the prince's room?"

"U-Um yeah, third floor, follow me." Adjusting his helm as they left, Albel followed the short brunette to the main hall of the castle, where they took the stairway on the left of the hallway to the second floor, and a third flight to the highest floor of the castle. They walked down the long stretch of hall, Albel's eyes wandering to the many paintings on the wall, some beautiful, some realistic renditions of the past emperors of the relatively young kingdom. The hallway was adorned with shades of red, white, and some purple, all colors that were native of the flower for which the kingdom had been named: Raflessia.

Their stride took them to the end of the hallway, where one lone door sat with no sister mirroring it on the opposing wall. "This it?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Alright, get ready. We're not gonna have very long once we start. Ready?" A nod with a clumsy helm as his answer, Albel knocked on the door. "Prince Roan! I'm here with another escort to take you back to the party!"

"Thank you..." A soft voice from the other side of the door replied. Albel had no idea the prince had such a sweet voice. "But, I'm fine. I can go back by myself."

"Please sir, we must insist."

A silence from the door. "Very well. Just wait there."

"Yes, sir." Albel flashed a grin. "See, Kytes, this is gonna be---" The sound of a window opening from the other side of the door. "What the..?" Albel's hand went to the door, trying desperately to open the locked door. "Prince Roan!? Are you in there my lord?" Silence. "Prince Roan!?" Another question with no answer, Albel prompted to take the more barbaric route. "Fuck this!" With one hammer of his powerful arm, the knob of the door was helplessly broken. Albel never cared for the art of lock picking. He pushed into the room, rather expansive and elegantly furnished, but his eyes were on the dark shrouded boy in the window, a rope of purple sheets, knotted together in his hands.

"What the hell!?" Albel ran forward. The dark shrouded one looked back, green eyes alarmed to Albel's presence. Before Albel could reach him, he'd already jumped out of the window, using the rope to rapel down with the expertise of a master.

"Who was that!?" Kytes asked from the door.

"Dumbass, that was the Prince! Kytes, go downstairs to the main hall! I'll try to cut him off!" Picking up the sheet rope, Albel leaped over the window and rapelled down.

"What!?"

"Just go!" Reaching the first floor in his descent, Albel released the rope and fell to the ground, his knees buckling from the weight of the armor collapsing against his body. Shaking off the fatigue, Albel gave chase. The narrow alleyway of the castle and wall of the castle so close together didn't provide much room. If he could catch up to the Prince, he'd have no where to run. It was a slim, straight stretch all the way to the castle gate.

Rounding the first corner, the Prince just ahead of him, his dark cloak fluttering as though he were some kind of ghost. Albel found the armor added extra momentum to his run, instead of stopping to turn, when he stopped, he was lunged forward and crashed against the castle wall. Seeing stars, Albel did his best to continue his run, dizzying as it was. Another corner, Albel having the good sense to latch on to the side of the castle to avoid another crash, and used it to spin himself around, never losing a step. But now, things were getting close. The castle gate was now in sight, and if the Prince fled into the city, Albel would never catch him. His only chance was to lure the kid back into the castle and corner him.

Albel then remembered the heavy armor he was wearing, and the dark cloak the Prince had on.

"Stop, thief!!!" He yelled, his voice carrying to the ears of the guards at the gate. "Guards, close the gate! Don't allow this whelp to escape!" Seeing the black cloaked one being pursued by Albel in knight's armor, the guards began to close to gate, shutting the wooden barricade just as Roan arrived. The guards drew their weapons upon the boy, who turned and fled back inside of the castle.

"As you were, men!" Albel announced upon arrival. "I'll handle him, don't leave your post!"

"Sir!" Albel just loved trained lapdogs.

Turning, Albel hurried back into the main castle. With any luck, Kytes managed to get his hands on the prince. Inside of the main hall, Kytes stood by himself, tapping his foot and whistling merrily.

"Kytes!?" Albel hurried to the younger boy, his movements wobbly and his words ragged from short breath. "Kytes, where's the Prince?"

"The Prince? Haven't seen him."

"What do you mean haven't seen him!? I saw him come in here!"

"Nope. The only person I saw was a guy in a black cloak run past me, but..."

"You fucking retard!!!!" Rage swelled in his chest, a deep heat that threatened to burn him, and the whole damn castle down. "That was him! Oh my god, you are so dumb! Where'd he go?"

"You don't have to be mean!!!"

"Kytes, where did he go!?"

"That way, geez!" Following Kytes' finger into an adjoining corridor, Albel followed the thankfully lone hallway down to a door that led him to a damp room with multiple barrels and crates stacked and scattered about. There was a wet, stagnant smell in the air, and the room was humid. But, it was also a one entrance room. Unless Kytes was mistaken, the Prince was in the room. Albel had him.

"Look, my Lord. I don't want to hurt you. Just...wanna talk." As he spoke, a dark shroud slipped out from behind a stack of crates, a smaller barrel tight in his hands. He was quiet, quiet to avoid alerting the man to his presence. Roan slipped forward, as Albel spoke again. "Look, I don't know why you're trying to get away from the castle bu----"

Roan's shoe scuffed the floor just behind Albel, the ebony haired thief turning to meet the source of the noise. As he spun around, Roan acted quickly, raising the barrel, and crashing it to wooden splinters over Albel's head.

"Ow!!!! What the fuck!?" Albel reeled back, throwing the helm that may have well saved his life, from his head and rubbing his now throbbing skull. "Dammit! That hurt you little fucker!"

"Sorry! But I cannot allow you to get in my way. Forgive me for this." From under his dark shroud, Roan brandished a small dagger. Moving forward with more grace than killing intent, he slashed the dagger in a motion that was parried, Albel drawing his sword underhanded, and blocking the strike.

"But, how did you---" The sword clicked back into it's sheath, Albel reached out, grasping Roan's dagger hand and twisting the blade from his weak grip. He immobilized the boy, pressing the arm to Roan's back with a cruel twist, making it clear the slightest motion could permanently end Roan's use of his right arm.

"That was kinda mean, don't you think. I mean, I take most people out to dinner first, before they decide they wanna kill me..." Albel cooed, his armored body pressed close to the young prince. A sweet smell entered his nose, a smell sweeter than that of any woman. "Damn, you smell really nice..." He pressed his nose to Roan's cloaked neck.

"You heathen! Release me at once!"

"But you're so soft..." He realized he was just teasing the boy now, but it was getting to be fun, his hand snaking under the dark cloak and pressing against the flat of the slender boy's belly.

"You wretched--" In his teasing, and actually liking, of the younger boy, he failed to realize the little Prince scoping his body to find the weak spot in the armor. Finding the portion of the belly that armor didn't cover, Roan pushed his elbow into it, knocking the breath from Albel's lungs, causing the raven haired thief to lurch over and gasp for air.

"Little...bastard..!"

His grip loosened, and Roan slipped away, running out of the room. Catching his breath, and now very annoyed, Albel shed the gauntlets, metal skirt, and the breastplate of the armor, letting them fall to the ground with heavy clunks. With only the tunic, and britches of the knights outfit left, he already felt lighter, and would easily catch the nimble blond.

Unable to waist another second, Albel took off, feeling pleased at his quick pace. He made it back to the main hall, just as Roan was turning the corner and heading deeper into the palace. Kytes still stood oblivious as ever. Albel didn't have the time to scold him. He pursued, and quickly realized the same mistake that Roan was realizing. Roan tried to stop, but turning back and realizing Albel was hot on his heels, he found himself with no choice but to press forward.

With all the grace of a wild bull in a glass store with red painted walls, Roan burst into the crowded garden of inebriated dancing noblemen and cut through the thick mob of people. His hand held tight to the hood of the cloak, careful to not allow anyone to see his face. Albel slashed through after him, plowing people over, knocking wine glasses from people's hands, and generally pissing off anyone with enough power to sentence him to death, all the while careful not to trip over anyone and fall to the ground.

The run left both breathless in the middle of a crowd of confused, annoyed, and some amused nobles. Roan tugged his hood down tighter, all eyes now upon the two. Even the band had ceased its playing to watch on in confused awe of the two. The only bright side to the situation, was the fact that no one was asking questions yet, the confusion of the situation having not quite settled in.

Creeping forward, Albel put his hand on Roan's shoulder. "You wanna get out of the castle, right?"

"Y-Yes..." Roan kept his voice hushed.

"I'm not a knight, and I can help you get out of here. You trust me?"

"Not in the slightest. But, I don't have a lot of options, so I guess if you have a plan..."

"You're gonna have to play along. Make this convincing." After Roan nodded, Albel took Roan's hands and pinned them behind his back.

"Sorry, my lords! I caught this thief rummaging through the treasure room! I tried to catch him before he fled into the garden, however..."

"Damn you! I only took a few gold pieces!!!" Roan cried out.

"Hey, way to go." Albel whispered, impressed by Roan's acting prowess. "Anyways!" He announced. "I'll be taking this little thief to the dungeon. As you were, please! And, thank you."

Albel began to escort the cooperative prince from the garden, before anyone inquired as to the thief's identity. Even the King was merely watching in silence, a glare present in his eyes, but silent none the less. Their stride was cut short however, a powerful hand taking hold of Albel's arm, just as the crowd was parting to allow them through.

"One moment..." Albel's eyes were met with the beautiful hazel of the knight, Marianne.

"Oh, hey beautiful. Maybe we can get together later on." Roan pressed his foot to Albel's, stomping his toe and eliciting a short gasp from Albel.

"What division are you from?" She inquired, completely ignoring Albel's come on. "I don't recognize you. And you there, thief. Remove your hood at once. You've brought shame to our guests!"

"Mary..." Roan muttered, his breath hushed. Trust Marianne to be the only knight to actually do her duty.

"Ma'am, I've got this under control." Albel pulled his hand away. "So please, enjoy the party."

Her eyes narrowed. She wasn't convinced, and she may have been one of the few to suspect something else was going on, besides what it appeared to be on the surface.

"Albel, I've got him!!!" The voice shrieked through the crowd. In the moment, Kytes' limber form dashing through the crowd, armor bouncing up and down his lanky body, everything slowed down for Albel. The dumb, innocent little boy, was one step away from ruining everything. His body leaped, and moved too quickly for Albel to react.

Kytes tackled Roan, the blond slipping from Albel's grip. As the two fell to the ground, the black hood that shrouded Roan's identity slipped off, golden hair dancing in the moonlight cascading from the dark skies above. They collapsed.

More silence.

And finally, the king spoke, a loud, catastrophic boom that rang through the silence of the garden. "What're you ruffians doing with my son!? Arrest these men at once! I'll have their heads!"

"You heard the king." Marianne twisted Albel's arm in the same technique he'd employed on Roan earlier, but Albel countered. He snapped his arm around, yanking Marianne's slender form, and kicking her feet off the ground, sending the knight face first to the dirt.

"Sorry, babe. Gotta jet. I'll buy you a drink another time. Kytes!" He pulled the boy off of Roan, and hoisted the blond prince over his shoulders. "Get your ass up, and run!" After giving his fair warning to the brunette, Albel dashed out of the garden, cutting again through the crowd before the knights formed their wall of human bodies to block their path. The sounds of knights shouting to each other, giving orders, and trying desperately to bar their path's followed him all the way to the main hall.

As they cut into the main hall, Albel disregarding the prince hitting his back, and screaming "Put me down!" the sound of an alarm rang through the castle. As they closed in on the main door of the castle, still opened, Albel caught a glimpse of the recently reopened castle gate trying to close. He glanced back, Kytes was keeping a good pace behind him. Putting all of his energy into his legs, drawing a shaky breath, Albel made a mad dash for the gate, pushing through as it closed, again glancing back and seeing Kytes narrowly hopping through just as the gate closed, his foot coming close to getting caught in the closing gate.

The residents of the town, oblivious to what was going on, danced merrily in the streets, drunk off harder liquors than wine as they too celebrated the two kingdoms joining. Their severely drunken state made them easier to push through. An occasional one became pissed, but was too drunk to see straight so attempts at retaliation ended with a stumble and collapse to the ground. Maybe some vomiting, too.

"Hey, little prince!" Albel alerted the boy floundering on his back, pushing through another set of people.

"What!?"

"The harbor! When the alarm goes off, do they close it up!"

"Y-Yes!"

"Shit! Kytes! Go to the dock, tell the Boss we can't get him out by sea. Tell him I'll meet him at the port city of Medea up the coast!"

"Alright, be careful Alby!" Kytes cut away, making a beeline for the docks.

Then it was just Roan and Albel, Albel's hand holding tight to Roan's small rump to keep the boy pinned to his shoulder as he rushed through the main street. The town gate came to view, unguarded with all security relocated at the castle for the celebration. With one final burst of energy, running through the gate, they were free from the town. Albel scampered into the woods on the outskirts of town, not stopping until the city could no longer be seen, or heard. Figuring their distance was adequate, he dropped Roan with a thud and collapsed into a mess of panting and sweating, desperately trying to regain lost air.

"G-Got...away...N-Need...water.."

"There was no good reason for you to carry me. I can run on my own strength!"

"Clearly, had me chasing you all the way around the damn castle! Now, are you gonna be good or am I gonna have to tie us together?" Strength returning, Albel climbed to his feet. He needed to find some source of water, his breath only drawing in dry breath that scratched his throat.

"I suppose I'm in unfamiliar territory. I'll stay with you, so long as it shows to be of benefit."

"Good, now gimme that cloak!" Before any objections could be voiced, Albel snatched the black fabric from Roan's body, the green and white tunic underneath suiting the boy quite well, his blond hair spilling from it's nest in the hood, and dipping over his shoulders.

"H-Hey! What're you doing!"

"It'll be my towel. I'm hot, and sweaty!" Albel walked away, Roan tight on his heels.

"Where are you going?"

Their stride brought them to a small creek, just deep enough to sit in and get wet. Albel dipped his bare hands into the water, bring the cool elixir to his lips and drinking deeply, tiny beads escaping his hands and cooling his boiling throat.

"W-What are you doing!? That's filthy!"

"I'm fuckin' thirsty, your highness! You should get a drink too, you did alot of running yourself."

"No thanks. I've no interest in drinking something that an animal may have died in."

"Spoiled little prince. Suit yourself." Albel pulled the tight tunic off of his limber form, discarding the fabric to the ground, stripping his britches next, his bare ass displayed clearly for Roan's widened eyes. His tanned body, sculpted by gods themselves, brought heat to Roan's cheeks, who had never seen such beautiful structure. Roan spun around, desperately holding his cheeks to drain the warmth, his mouth watering with lust.

"W-Why a-are you getting naked?"

"What? I'm a guy, nothin' you ain't seen before. But then again, pretty thing like you. Maybe a girl in disguise? Maybe it is something you've never seen before. In which case, feel free to look."

"You are so vile. How long is this going to take? Guards will be scoping the forest soon." Roan tried to keep his shame from cracking his voice. But, he was quickly notcing that the man was so beautiful. His black hair, golden eyes, and sun kissed, lean body. Attraction to a man was wrong. Wasn't it?

Albel laughed, reminding Roan that the beautiful man was indeed just another barbarian. "Just gonna take a dip to cool off. We'll be gone in five minutes."

"I'll wait over here then, and don't ruin my cloak!" Roan sulked away, hands now over his groin, his erection having never before strained so hard. He collapsed against a tree, his body sinking down. The image of the body, playing over and over in his mind.

He wanted to see again.

He crept back to the creek, keeping cover under the bushes until he saw the golden body again. His body wet with sweat as he watched Albel sigh and splash himself with the crisp water that Roan had previously mocked. The water he now envied, as it got to travel down, and touch the firm muscles of the man's perfectly defined pectorals, his beautifully outlined abdomen muscles, the david lines that led down to the epitome of his manliness. Flacid, groomed, and very large. Roan blushed, realizing he himself was now very hard in his pants. He pushed his hand to his erection, and snuck away. Shallow breathes, thinking of his previous fiance, anything but the beautiful body that contrasted his own lanky form. His erection didn't subside, and he didn't have time to take care of it himself. Adjusting his clothing to hide his shame, he leaned against the hard oak of a nearby tree and awaited Albel's return.

A few minutes passed, and Albel returned from the creek, cloak shuffling in his short black locks to dry them, before passing the wet cloth back to Roan who discarded the cloak to the ground with a twist of his nose. "Let's go." Albel beckoned on.

Still flushed from before, Roan was finding himself hard pressed to control himself. "Where are we going anyway? And more importantly, what's your name?"

"Oh that's right...I haven't told you. My name is Albel, I'm a member of the guild, Fox Claw. I was given an assignment to kidnap you. Had no idea you'd try and run away. Pretty convenient, considering it made everything inconvenient."

"So I'm taking refuge in the hands of my kidnapper? Oh, the irony." Not to mention he was attracted to him.

"Yeah, but hey, it all worked out. There's a little village near here, off most maps so the knights shouldn't be able to find it. We'll rest there before heading to Medea to leave this country."

"That's fine, but I have another question. Who ordered me to be kidnapped?"

"Dunno. I'm just the muscle. Ain't high enough on the food chain for that information."

"I don't believe you."

"Well, that's entirely your call." Albel took hold of Roan's shoulders, looking the boy in his bright green eyes. "But right now, I'm all you got. So, you better learn to trust me, ya peeping Tom."

"P-Peeping...Tom..." Roan's face went flush. "W-Wait...y-you have it all wrong, I-I..." No words could explain his reason for watching Albel from the bushes.

"Don't worry. I don't hold it against people for wanting to look. I'm damn sexy after all." He gloated, patting Roan on the back. "But, maybe you should return the favor and get naked for me." His hand traveled down Roan's back, and grabbed the tiny ass that fit so perfectly in his hand. "Oh, it's so cute! And small, I bet a cock would fit in it perfectly."

"You're a dog!" Roan raised his hand, almost feeling bad when he slapped Albel across the face. It was such a beautiful face, a shame to damage it.

"O-Ow...my face! And after you looked at me naked! You little gay princess!"

"Insolent oaf!" Roan barked.

"Fairy prince!"

The arguement stopped, the two glaring daggers at one another, completely forgetting the urgency of their situation. "Should we really be doin' this?" Albel broke the silence. "I mean, we've got people hot on our tail, we should be moving."

"Very well. And please, just call me Roan."

"Alright, let's get out of here."

TBC

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The beginning of a long, and crazy journey begins with the first step. Hope you guys enjoyed this first chapter, and look forward to an update. Feedback is welcome, and all kinds are met with appreciation. I have a few ideas where I might've messed up, but this is a difficult art after all (not as easy as putting words on a page) I'm hoping as I go on, I might just find it comes a little bit more naturally and not have to think as much, but anyways! Till next time.