💎A Collision of Fates💎 (Straight to Gay) (MxM) (18+)

101 - Breck (18+)

No matter what happened in Sesstria, the calamities that descended upon the great city, the fights that broke out at the fringes, The Palace's dining room would never change. It would always be a warm, inviting space, full of family and friends, surrounded by history, bursting with the savory and sweet smells of masterfully-cooked food.

Even in the middle of a siege, as The Golden Spire plotted to kill them all, they found the time to gather for breakfast inside of the wide space.

"It's ridiculous," Landel said, emboldened by the absence of his father, who was endlessly busy. "A dozen defenders constantly stationed at the drawbridge, there to mark our exits and entrances. If we're gone for more than two hours, they have orders to come and find us." He leaned back in his chair, shook his head. "We're prisoners."

Adam scooped up a forkful of eggs. He looked at them over the steaming food. "He's being dramatic." He swallowed the yellow mush. "Like the rest of us, he just wants to help."

"Is that so wrong?" Landel said. "I'm not a bad earth elel. And i've heard that Master Lyle is out there, leading them." His face darkened. "What I would give to wipe the smirk off of that traitor's face."

Nick blinked. "I thought you didn't want to fight, Landel. Remember? You were going to keep my son in check?"

"I've convinced him otherwise." Adam smiled through his food.

Landel cringed. "Master Lyle tried to kill me. I... I want to face him."

"Nothing wrong with wanting to fight," Breck said. "But you're the prince, Landel. You're the future of this country, and your father is right to keep you out of harm's way." He turned pointedly to Vinton. "Just like I am right to keep you out of the fighting, as well." He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not the future of this country." Vinton shot a roguish smile at Landel. "Last time I checked, at least."

"Do you want to be? I'm getting sick of the job." Landel took a big gulp of the pomhue juice in front of him, wiped his mouth. "Especially when it turns The Palace into a jail cell."

"Oh no." Vinton clasped his hands together in mock pity. "The Prince is forced to stay in his safe, lavish castle, while the rest of the city lives in constant fear. How terrible."

"You know what, Vinton." Landel pointed his fork at his friend, opened his mouth to say something, and then closed it. He slumped back in his chair. "Goddess, I hate when you're right. I'm being a prah, aren't I?"

Adam pulled the bigger man closer, held him by his shoulder. "Little bit, bud. Just a little bit. But it's ok, because I love you even when you're a prah."

Landel smiled at Adam, a genuine, warm grin. It seemed to light up the room, bounce off of the painted portraits above them.

Chris pursed his lips. "Seriously, if you want Vinton to be prince, Landel, I'm also up to the task."

Mark spat out a laugh. "Yeah, right."

"I thought dads were supposed to be supportive."

Mark shook his head. "Dads are supposed to stop their sons when they tell obvious lies. You, sir, would be the worst King."

Chris leaned back. "That is not very nice."

"You have a lot of wonderful qualities, Chris. You do." Mark forked a piece of sausage into his mouth. "But being king involves a lot of sitting, a lot of talking, a lot of planning ---"

"Hm." Chris nodded. "You may have a point there." He looked at Landel. "I take everything I just said back."

Laughter filled the dining room, echoing into the high ceiling. Breck was happy to talk about something other than the siege for once. The Golden Spire had begun their assault a few days ago, and it was all anyone could talk about. There was a good reason for that, obviously. The cult had surrounded the city and forced them to shut down, to halt their lives and come together to face a deadly threat. Still, it was nice to have breakfast, to pretend that the world wasn't falling apart around them.