Capes and Crowns. (TomTord Royalty AU)

Chapter 8; Fantasies.

Needless to say, Tom didn't get a second of sleep that night.

His mind was running ruthlessly; thoughts of Tord filling his head so much it was like he forgot everything else.

He couldn't stop thinking about his smile, his laugh, the little accent he had that was somehow different than everyone else's- his quick remarks, his playful challenges and teases- the confidence, reassurance, and the genuinity he had-

The way he'd rather hide than confront the truth, but when it had to be revealed he showed up with as much honesty as he could. The way he didn't hesitate for a second to tell Tom he was good enough the way he was. The way he treated him the same, and considered him trustworthy enough to reveal so much to him.

All of the good traits were tucked into good memories with the prince, and the more Tom recalled- the more he remembered.

Images of how his skin looked through a soaking shirt, and then later revealed in the light. His flushed expression to be below Tom, the effortlessly charming way he danced and spun around him, the small gasps he made when Tom managed to take the upper hand in their duel-

Thinking about it all night... Well, it gave Tom a 'reaction.'

Surprisingly, Tom didn't pass out right after he took care of it, and was beginning to finally drift to sleep by the time Katya knocked on his door.

"Your highness? Breakfast is ready!"

Tom blinked his eyes. 'Already?!' he thought, eagerly sitting up from his bed and looking out his window. Yup. The sun was out and everything.

Tom felt a wave of shame and embarrassment. 'Oh my god, end it all.'

"Your highness?" Katya called again.

"Y-Yeah, I'm here! Breakfast upstairs or downstairs?"

"Downstairs. Shall I bring you a spare change of clothes?"

'WHAT. Does she know?!' Tom thought in immediate horror, his eyes going white.

"You missed the laundry check yesterday morning, so-" Katya quickly explained through the door. Tom sighed in relief.

"No, thank you, Katya. I'll be down in a minute," he replied as calmly as he could, stumbling out of his bed. He felt exhausted and sluggish, approaching his mirror on the other side of his room.

"I look like shit." He murmured to himself, massaging the dark bags under his eyes. Eh, it kinda matched.

He changed his clothes into a clean pair already in his closet, marveling at the feeling of luxurious fabric being on him again. He was too drunk to change last night, and he doubted Tord was in any better shape than he was in.

It was actually kind of a miracle Tom remembered what happened at all. A miracle, because well, he got Tord's answer.

Oh, wait- that's right.

Tom's gonna have to face Tord again.

Tom was anxious at the idea- even if Tord was the only person he wanted to see, it was still terrifying to think he'd have to be in the same room as him. Yes, he spent the last few days with him, but now that he knew what he really thought of Tord- Christ- there was no way he was going to be able to handle it.

He changed as slow as possible and took all the time in the world to brush his hair and teeth, and had to force himself to open the door. He cautiously looked right and left, not seeing a sign of the Larzinnian prince.