Chapter 10: Heal

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A new era for all.

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The week they had together flew by.

They'd snuck out to the village twice after the initial time, skiving as many dates and meetings with Leila as possible. It was hard work and people began to get suspicious.

So, they upped their game. Clay requested permission to use their training grounds and challenged George to duel. This would be completing his task of finding out if he's a good match, and also get the rest of the castle off their trail. It was simple yet effective and they used their hours of 'training' to talk.

Haitie even joined in sometimes, switching between sides because she didn't want to pick between the boys.

They'd duel for no more than ten minutes before they all ended up in a heap on the floor, crying with laughter. It was their favourite time of day.

Of course, Leila would watch, observing her future husband and her brother fighting. Clay was fine with her watching but Leila wasn't. She knew Clay wasn't straight and she also saw how Clay looked at George. How he teased him, how he touched him. How he smiled and how he laughed with George was so different to how he laughed with her.

George should laugh with her like that.

She made her way down to the court and asked George to teach her how to fence. George agreed, of course, and kitted her out first, providing armour and her very own sword.

Clay watched as their bodies became pressed together, Leila's cheeks flushed. How his hands engulfed hers when holding the blade. The shared giggles and endless whispers George laughed at. The brunette readjusted his hands on top of hers and helped her swing the blade smartly and with precision. She picked it up relatively quickly and rewarded George with a kiss to the cheek.

Clay physically cringed.

Why did he have to watch this?

The session finished and Leila decided she was going to shower, leaving George, Haitie and Clay to their original trio.

"Thank God she's gone." Clay sighed.

"She's alright, you know?" George said, tone defensive.

"Righttt... I know her, George. She's not your type."

George knew why, but questioned it anyway.

"Why would that be?"

"Because she's a fucking woman, idiot."

"Language," Haitie shouted behind him. "Don't swear, Clayton."

"She's right. But true, very true." George laughed.

They both turned to each other and giggled, Haitie joining in behind them.

The sun began to set and to the trio, this meant dinner was soon. Reluctantly, they put their weapons away, disregarded their armour and made their way to the garden. Their communal place before being dragged into the large hall in which they'd feast. It was always a draining time for all of them, pretending that they didn't want to be anywhere but sat in their places.

Pretending not to be in love.

Their time together so far was fun-filled and rigourously planned and some may say that those two things don't fall well together, planning and endless fun, but Clay and George begged to disagree.

They didn't care where they went as long as they did it together. Promises have been made and Clay knows he has to try his hardest to keep George happy. To keep George loved.

Their freedom this past week has been no more than perfect.

However, they both knew it would come to an end but refused to acknowledge that until the very last day.

After hearing the daunting words of the evening, "Dinner is ready", George was now sat at their last painstakingly awkward meal. Leila by his side and Clay half way across the room.

They sat and remembered all that they'd done. It could be something as little as the sunset, they just wanted to watch it with each other. Not that they'd even observe the burning ball of fire in the sky. They'd take sneak peaks of each other, thinking the other doesn't see. Blushes are shared but no moves are made.

It was their last day together. The last day they'll live under the same roof for what seems like a long time. They shared sad glances across the table and passive conversations.

Haitie knew what was happening and their sadness made an impression on her fragile heart. How her brother would throw her reassuring smiles that reassured nothing at all. It was hard to watch.

She'd watch as Leila would attempt to laugh and joke with George, her brother reciprocating the energy out of the kindness of his heart.

As the night became more apparent and the food began to chill, goodbyes were said and the Prince was instructed to see Leila and Clay to their carriage. Leila went to the restroom before she left, it was a long way home.

Leaving Clay and George to their last moment alone.

Clay moved first, taking George's shaky fingers into his hand. His other hand reached for George's cheek and the brunette relaxed into it, nudging his head against Clay's palm.

"I'll miss you." The smaller boy said.

As George's lip began to tremble and Clay's eyes began to wet, the blonde finally made the move that he'd been wanting so desperately to do.

He pressed his lips to George's but George flinched and pulled away. What Clay didn't expect was a sudden slap to the face and an immediate sting to his right cheek.

"What the fuck are you doing?" George hissed.

Clay didn't have words. He retracted his hands a took a couple steps back. He couldn't form sentences. He was hurting. How'd he read it all so wrong? Why was George so angry?

The brunette currently had his back to Clay and didn't plan on turning round.

Clay stood, wiping his eyes in an attempt to stop his tears. But he couldn't. He also couldn't understand how things went so wrong so quickly. He thought George loved him.

He loves George.

Soon after Clay's tears stopped falling, Leila skipped down the hall taking in the scene and smiling at George. Surprisingly, she didn't question her brother's puffy eyes. She merely grabbed George's hand and they pushed in front of the blonde, making their own way to the carriage.

What hurt Clay the most was when George placed his hands on Leila's face, just like the blonde did ten minutes ago, and slowly brought their lips to meet.

He watched the man he loved kiss his sister.

It wasn't even short. It was long and loving and everything Clay thought George had wanted with him.

Unable to watch anymore, he got in the carriage, sitting down, facing away from the castle and also George.

This was going to be a long ride home.

However, on George's end, he was increasingly panicked.

How much did his father see?

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