Arabian Nights

Chapter 10

Remus glanced over at Dee. He was staring all around him, alternating from glancing at his feet to gazing at the stars. It's like he didn't know what to do with himself. And he definitely wasn't looking at Remus. Which gave Remus the perfect opportunity to stare.

Ooh, Roman would be so jealous! Guy pines after the stupid poncey prince he's never met with his stupid poncey life-style and then Remus is the one to meet him. Roman would flip when he found out!

"Why do you keep staring at me?" Dee asked, snapping Remus out of his thoughts.

"Wonderin' what it'd be like to be under you," Remus said with a dazzling grin. Dee wrinkled his nose in disgust.

"Yeah, keep wondering," he said, shaking his head. "You're never going to find out."

"Don't be so sure, sweetheart," Remus said confidently. "Still got that New Year's luck. We shook on it."

"One kiss doesn't lead to sex," Dee said. Remus shrugged.

"Does when I'm involved."

"I should've punched you when I had the chance, you know that?" Dee asked. He took too many steps forward too fast and nearly walked over the side of the roof. Remus jumped forward and grabbed his arm. He pulled Dee back and Dee lost his balance, falling against Remus.

"Careful, your Highness," Remus murmured in Dee's ear. "Don't want to waste such a pretty face."

"Oh, get off me!" Dee smacked his hand and pushed himself away from Remus. He pulled on the hem of his tunic and fixed his hair. He glared out at the gap between the rooftops, tapping his foot in annoyance. "You said we were going to find my friend. How do you expect us to get across here?"

"We could try jump," Remus suggested brazenly.

"I don't exactly want to die."

Remus shrugged and nodded. Fair. "Then, ya lucky you got me, your Highness." He grinned at the prince. Dee did not return his smile.

"I'm not the prince," he said flatly.

"Exactly what a prince would say," Remus sang. He grabbed two thin wooden poles from the roof and chucked one to Dee. He caught it in surprise.

"Watch and learn," Remus said. He took a few steps back and then ran at the gap between the two roofs. He dug the end of the pole into the wedge by the roof's ledge and vaulted over the gap. He landed on the other side, dropped the pole and dusted his hands off.

"Think ya can handle that, sweetheart?" He called, turning back to the other roof.

Dee wasn't there.

Remus' eyes widened as worry stabbed him in the chest. How could he lose someone he'd only just seen?

"Yeah, think I got it," a sarcastic voice said from behind him. Remus whirled around.

Dee was stood there. Behind Remus. On the same roof. Unharmed. Somehow.

"How-?"

"I'm a fast learner," Dee said and flashed Remus a fast, sarcastic smile. Remus was fairly certain he nearly fell off the roof. "Now, come on. We don't have all night. The fireworks are starting soon."

Remus shook his head. "Follow me, my darlin'!" He grinned and motioned to a roof beside them.

"I already told you not to call that."

"Pardon?" Remus cupped a hand to his ear. "Didn't catch that."

Dee sighed from behind him. "Forget it."

Virge's face was lit up by another round of fireworks. His wide eyes, excited smile, open expression, all lit up in gorgeous hues of purple, pink, yellow, green. Roman should be watching the fireworks. They only came once a year after all.

He could watch them next year. They came every year. Virge might not come again ever.

"It's incredible," Virge breathed. Roman smiled.

"Ya don't get views like this from the palace?" He asked. He pulled his knee up onto the roof and wrapped his arm around it.

"No. Well..." Virge shrugged. "We do but never this close."

Roman watched him watch the fireworks for a few more seconds. "What's palace life like?" He asked.

Virge's nose wrinkled slightly and his expression closed up again. "Oh, it's great," he said sarcastically. "Everyone always telling you how lucky you are and how wonderful it is. I love my father and I love my home but..." his face scrunched up a little, "I've never been outside. Not before tonight."

"Damn..." Roman looked back up at the fireworks. "Couldn't imagine that."

"I mean, I can't really complain," Virge contradicted. "I'm loved, clothed, well-fed, well-education, the palace is gorgeous but... Nevermind, it's silly."

"No, go on."

Virge hesitated and glanced over at Roman. Roman nodded encouragingly.

"It's like being a pet bird," Virge admitted sheepishly. "Looked after, fed, watered, babied your entire life, never allowed to leave and watched. All the time, always on display. I know I'm worth more than my duties but the Sultan just doesn't see it!"

Roman paused and then, slowly, put his hand over Virge's. He expected Virge to pull away, not to turn his hand around and interlock their fingers.

"I sound ungrateful, I know," Virge said. "I don't mean to."

"It's fine," Roman said with a shrug. "Different lives, right?"

Virge sighed. "Yeah..." He nodded and looked out at the fireworks. "Speaking of, what about yours?" He glanced over at Roman. "What's your backstory?"

They make me too happy
Bye,
Blaize