The Sole Prince

Our Blissful Epilogue.

James opens his eyes slowly, sunshine gleaming through the windows onto his face. Like everyone does when they wake up, he briefly forgets where he is. But James remembers instantly, feeling Sage's chest underneath his head, in the same position they always sleep in. Why change something that's already perfect? The younger man breathes out a small sigh, a symbol for the start of a new day.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Sage says in his deep morning voice, filling James with warmth instantly. As usual, the older man was the first one up, but he had no intention of getting out of bed when the younger man was so content with his head rested upon his chest.

"Good morning," James replies with a smile, curling in closer to the man underneath him. He feels Sage adjust his arm to grip the smaller man tighter as well. "It looks like a beautiful day," the younger man continues after a few moments of blissful silence.

"It does, indeed," the older man replies, wearing the same smile. Life is good. Better than good, even. Life is perfect. "A year as the king, and each day is more beautiful than the last."

"You're telling me," James replies. "I can't believe it's already been a year."

"Time flies," Sage notes, leaning over to leave a light kiss on the top of the younger man's head. Despite the same thing happening every morning, it still sends flutters through James' heart.

The two men lay in silence, letting the morning trickle by like an hourglass slowly dropping sand. The moment, like all the moments they spend together, is perfect.

"I'm excited to see Eric and Scotty," Sage continues after a few minutes. "Hopefully they dock today, and everything is okay."

"Have faith," James says, trying to lighten the conversation. For the past few weeks, Sage has been stressed over the possibilities of what could have happened to Eric and Scotty, and the crew, and the ship. The sea's a wild place, unseen twists of victory and defeat. "You were able to lead the ship safely for ten years; Eric probably had no issue leading it for one," the younger man continues, leaving a light kiss on Sage's chest, the feeling soothing Sage's pulsing nerves.

"You're right," the older man says softly. "I just worry."

"Me too," the younger man replies. "It means you care."

"Right again," Sage laughs. "Why aren't you the king?"

"You make a much better one than I ever could have. Look at Roriark; it's thriving. It's the best I've seen it in all the years I've lived here."

"It reminds me of how it was back when I lived here."

"I think everyone is relieved to have it back like it was before. A return to the original Roriark led by the Morrows."

"I still find it hard to believe that everyone is still here from when I left. They recognized me. The prince that was exiled. It's almost as if they were waiting for me."

"I think they were. I would have waited for you to return if I were them."

"If you had been here at the time of my departure, I would never have left."

"But that's not how the cards played out."

"Not one bit," Sage laughs.

"Our story is perfect, just the way it happened."

"Right, once again." They both laugh lightly as the morning sun shines upon them. They have no idea what time it is, but that doesn't matter one bit. They could spend all day in bed if they pleased. The life of royalty seems to be working out nicely for them.

"I've been thinking about my stepfather," James adds after a few moments. He knows he can tell Sage anything, and it's better to talk about things than keep them bottled up. At this point, it's natural. It's nice.