Don't Be Curious- A criminal who did the impossible

Chapter Nineteen

Zander was standing on the balcony, looking down at the town with teary eyes. Jaksa didn't understand why, but he felt it was his duty to comfort his prince. "Zan?" Jaksa's voice was raspy from having just woken up, so it made the prince jump slightly. 

He turned to face him. "Oh, it's you." he sighed.

"Yeah, me. What are you doing here?" he demanded, taking a step forward. He abruptly stopped when he saw how the prince stepped back, his back pressed against the rails. "I could ask you the same thing." he challenged. When Jaksa did not respond, Zander huffed and turned back to look down at the kingdom below once more. Jaksa walked forward to stand next to him. The two men stood in silence for a moment, debating what to say.

"Zander i-"

"Jaksa i-" the two spoke up at the same time.

"Oh, you first." Jaksa chuckled awkwardly. The prince smiled, then sighed deeply.

"The past few moons, I've been thinking," he began.

"Oh that's never good, you thinking." Jaksa joked, trying to ease the tension.

"Shut up and listen. I've been thinking about us." he blurted out, instantly regretting it.

"Us?" Jaksa repeated, his heart skipping a beat. He didn't understand what the prince meant, but he certainly had a hope for what he meant.

"Yeah, you and me." the royal continued, nervousness evident in his tone. "I know I don't always act like it, but you're special to me. If I told you... you know... that I cared about you, would you laugh at me?" He spoke carefully, like he was worried he may say the wrong thing. Jaksa stared at the prince's moon lit face for a moment and found himself lost for words. People aren't nice to him often, much less care for him. Sure, he and Zander had worked together for years, but he thought it was just that. Work.

"Uh.. no, i would be surprised i suppose, i'm not used to kindness." he admitted, finally dragging his eyes away from him. The prince huffed a laugh.

"Thought so, you being a criminal and all." Jaksa smiled, then thought of a way to respond.

"This isn't easy for me. I've never... not like this. You matter to me too. A lot." he sputtered, his voice sounding strained. Zander looked at him expectantly, shuffling closer so the two were shoulder to shoulder.

"You've never what..?" he whispered, his voice hopeful. Jaksa hesitated, knowing admitting it would risk everything. His job, his friendship, his life perhaps.

"Been in love." That was it. The words were out and there was no taking them back. Zander gasped quietly, his heart hammering. Jaksa scrunched his face up, expecting something. A punch. A slap. A shout. Nothing came. What he did not expect were the three words that were to come from the prince's mouth. "I love you too." the world around them seemed to slow to a stop. The noise of the town growing much more distant. The knight quickly turned to look at him, his eyes wide.

"You... you can't i..." Jaksa didn't know what to say nor how to react.

"Do you want me to prove it?" His words seemed more like a challenge as Zander held the knight's hands to stop him from fumbling with them. Jaksa chuckled nervously, staring down at him. "Uh..."

The prince stood on his tiptoes to reach Jaksas height, then began to lean forward slowly. Jaksa held his breath, relaxing slightly as the prince came closer. Zander then paused as he felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. "Do you want me to..?" Jaksa couldn't quite finish his sentence, the words getting caught in his throat. Zander nodded slowly, not moving away. Jaksa raised his hand and gently placed it under his chin. He leaned down, and fireworks seemed to explode in his chest as their lips met. The prince felt more alive than he ever had, reaching his hands up to grip Jaksas arms. The kiss only lasted a few seconds before they pulled apart. The two stood silent, processing what had happened. "Your father is going to kill me." Jaksa joked, although he knew his words held truth.

Zander huffed, nudging him lightly. "Who says he has to know?" he said in a snarky tone which Jaksa adored. Silence stretched over them once more as they smiled at each other.

"I should probably get some sleep for a little while.." Jaksa mumbled, but did not move.

"Hm?" Zander hummed, wondering why he was hesitating. To his surprise, another kiss was given before he began to hurry down the hall. Zander huffed. "Wrong way, love."

"I knew that!" he hurried down the other way towards the chambers. The prince smiled fondly as he leaned against the bannister. "He's an idiot," he chuckled, still red in the face. "But he kissed me. He likes me." his smile widens, then feels his confidence flop in a wave of dismay. His father would never allow them to be together. Would they have to keep this a secret? Sneak around the palace for the rest of their lives? He wasn't sure he could live like that.