Spindle Wood (COMPLETED)

Chapter 81

Logan's brow furrowed in worry. "About that?" He repeated. "Pat, is everything okay?"

Pat tried for a smile which was, again, not like Pat in the slightest. "Yeah, everything's great." He lied. "It's just..." He trailed off and shook his head.

"Pat, if you're having second thoughts about this-"

Pat shook his head quickly. "No! I'm not, not at all!"

"Alright." Logan nodded. "But, if you are, you don't have to leave with me. It's a big ask, I know it is, I never expected-"

"Lo..." One word and Logan was silent. Pat shook his head again and sat down. "Lo, I love you. So much." Pat said slowly. "But this running away thing... to Dover, I mean- Dover! It's so far away. And the closer it's got, the more I've thought about it and..." He shrugged, "Lo, I'm not sure anymore. To leave my family, my home... I don't think I could."

Logan nodded once, slowly, and sat down by Pat. Pat pushed his glasses up his nose. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to be." Logan said. Pat looked over at him but Logan didn't meet his gaze. "Just because I am unsatisfied with my home life, does not mean everyone is and I am sorry for assuming you would be alright to run away with me. Pat," now Logan did look at him, "I am so, sincerely sorry."

Pat gave a small shake of his head. "It's fine, you don't have to be." He assured quickly. Logan opened his mouth to say something. "But, this doesn't have to be the end!"

Logan blinked, confused. "Pardon?"

"This doesn't have to be the end." Pat said again. "You could come and live with me and Papa and Dad and Uncle Remus. My house is far enough away from Aristal that no one would ever suspect. You can still disappear but I don't have to!" Pat watched Logan hesitate. "Don't worry, Papa will love you. They all will. You're smart and polite and well-mannered and sweet and well-read and everything, they're going to adore you! I know it."

Logan laughed shyly. "It's a great idea, love-"

"Love?" Pat repeated. Logan stared at him in utter horror. Pat giggled. "No, it's cute, sorry, go on."

Logan laughed again. "Uhm, it's a great idea, Pat, but one problem." He shrugged. "I don't know where you live."

"Oh, well that can easily be fixed." Pat jumped up and held out a hand to Logan. As Logan pulled himself up, he said, "I'll show you my house and you can come tonight. Ten, maybe? Or later? I'll leave a candle in my bedroom window for you. If the candle's out, so am I."

They left, still talking, Pat leading the way. If either the prince or his lover had noticed the shadow flitting through the trees and listening in, they might not have talked so freely.

"- plus it'll be a much shorter walk for Sampson, which I'm sure he'll appreciate." Pat said, dodging through the trees. "Stop here and look."

Pat pointed and Logan followed his line of vision. He could make out a house, sat quite comfortably in a clearing, between the trees.

"That's where you live?" He asked, almost in awe. "If I lived there, I'd never want to leave either."

"Yeah, I guess it's pretty good." Pat admitted. "Quite a downsize from your castle."

Logan turned to him. "That," he took Pat's hand and pressed a kiss to it, "is a bonus."

Pat grinned. "Course we'll probably have to share a bed. Which," he gave Logan a nudge, "is another bonus."

"Hm, I'm sure." Logan tried not to let on how flustered he was at Pat's words.

"Knock three times when you get here tonight." Pat said. "I'll make sure to open the door for you." He raised Logan's hand to his lips. "To life together?"

Logan dared a smile. "To life together." He agreed and Pat kissed his hand. He let go of Pat's hand and pulled a small pocket knife out of his trouser pocket. With it, he marked a tree next to him with a shallow 'X'.

"I'll make a trail of these as we go back." He explained. "Like the pebbles in Hansel and Gretel. That way, I shan't be lost."

"Do we have to go back?" Pat asked. Logan reached into his pocket and brushed a finger against the silver ring he'd hidden.

"I'd quite like us to." Logan said. "I still haven't given you your birthday present, remember?"

Pat shrugged, like it didn't matter to him. "Okay, then." His tone betrayed how excited he was. He grinned. "Let's go then."

No, Logan is not proposing. They're young, give 'em time!
Bye,
Blaize