telling all the rich folks anything they want to hear (keefex royals au)

-chapter seven-

Keefe ran out into the gardens with Dex trailing close behind him. He turned around and flopped backward on a large moss clump. Dex laughed and followed Keefe down. He missed the moss clump and fell onto the hard ground.

"Owwww," he complained, rubbing his backside.

Keefe snickered and launched himself up. They both ran to the swing under the tree.

"Me first!" Dex started.

"No me!"

"It's my birthday!"

"Well I'm older," he said, sticking out his tongue.

Dex returned the favor and scrambled onto the swing before he could. Keefe sighed and resigned himself to pushing the swing. Dex made a joyful screeching noise.

Back and forth, back and forth the swing went when suddenly, Dex jumped off and landed on the ground before scrambling towards the creek.

"Wait for meeee!" Keefe screeched, chasing after him.

Stomping around, they sent large splashes of water at each other. They squealed whenever a splash of cold water hit them.

After playing in the garden for a while, Keefe noticed Kesler and a very pregnant Juline entering with something in their hands. Dex squealed and raced over to his parents while he held back silently. Kesler grinned and motioned for him to come while Juline slowly sat down next to the table. He walked forward hesitantly, not sure if their friendliness was genuine. He slipped into a chair next to Dex and watched as Kesler cut everyone some cake. Kesler was saying something, but all he could think about was how... kind they were? Were parents supposed to be like that?

His train of thought was interrupted by Dex tossing a piece of cake into his hair.

Of course the appropriate reaction was to shove an entire slice of cake back in his face.

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Hearing someone knock on the door, Keefe quickly hid the book he was reading and frantically looked around for something to make it look like he was doing something with his time. He settled for flopping on the bed.

"Whattt?" He said, attempting to sound casual.

"Were you asleep or something," he heard Dex ask.

"Maybe. What do you want, Dexy boy?"

He could almost hear Dex's eye roll through the door. Keefe got up to open the door but waited in front of the door for a little bit.

"Well your parents have appointed me your personal butler or something. I don't really understand why. Seeing as I'm younger than you, but essentially I'm at your beck and call."

Smirking, Keefe opened the door. "This should be fun."

"No," he countered, stepping in. "I intend to take this seriously."

"Blerk." He mimed gagging.

"I don't want to get in trouble," he said softly but firmly. "I'd love to help with shenanigans but..."

Keefe groaned and flopped on his bed.

"Nice romance book," Dex said, pointing at the cover that was just sticking out.

Keefe made a choking noise and pushed it further underneath the blanket. "Congratulations on making it to teenagedom," he countered, hoping to distract Dex by wishing him happy birthday.

Dex turned a light pink. "Thanks," he mumbled. "I gotta go," he motioned awkwardly at the door and attempted to leave instead he just banged into the door. Dex turned a deeper shade of pink and wrestled with the door a bit more before leaving.

Amused, Keefe smirked, and after Dex left, he dug out his book and settled down to read some more.

He would find a way to make Dex join him.

Somehow.

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Dex entered Keefe's room with a small stack of clothes. Keefe was nowhere to be found. He sighed, not sure if it was because he was relieved or disappointed. He started spreading the clothes out on the dresser. While organizing, Keefe strolled in, in a lackadaisical manner.

"Happy birthday to me," Keefe called out before casually leaning on the dresser.

"Happy birthday to you too," Dex replied, trying to keep down the red warmth spreading to his face. He cleared his throat. "These clothes are very fancy," he said, inspecting the embroidery. He was attempting to distract himself from the way Keefe's eyes seem to sparkle, but ultimately it backfired when Keefe moved right next to him to inspect the embroidery. Dex's breath hitched, and he felt the tug to turn his head and lean in.

"Gotta look my best," Keefe leaned in and whispered. Smirking, he pulled away and winked.

Dex's thoughts turned into a pile of mush filled with a ton of screaming about what Keefe could possibly be implying. He stood there for about a minute before inwardly pulling himself together. "Well you need to get ready for your party so I'm gonna go now," he mumbled while making his way out.

Once he left Keefe's room, he slumped against the wall. Why was Keefe like this? He loved him, but he couldn't tell if Keefe was just playing with him or if Keefe actually did like him. A stray comment here and there. Random looks that ranged from sweet to downright sultry. A hand brush here. A hair ruffle there. Dex groaned and massaged his forehead. Why did Keefe keep doing this to him? It felt so... intentional.

Like Keefe was truly just... using him as a plaything.