POSSESSIVE (MXM)

Thirty-seven

Each day Nolan made an effort to create a healthy relationship with Ethane. It's been a week now but he would head over to the Armstrong household at times alone because Elijah would be busy assisting the queen or the council. They figured it would be best for Ethane to stay with Elijah's parents until Nolan was completely ready. And he was trying. Some days were easier yet some were excruciatingly hard. At times all it took was the thought that Elijah could not wait for him and just dated whomever he wanted. Like, how could it have been easier for him to just push everything aside and date. Those days Nolan would either stall to visit Ethane or he would not visit at all. Sometimes all it took was to hear Ethane's giggles or him grabbing Nolan's finger to show him something he found interesting for the prince to just melt into a puddle of love and warmth.

Nolan was startled by the arms that wrapped around his waist and lips pressed to his neck. But as soon as the scent of seaweed hit him, he relaxed into the embrace. They stayed like that in Elijah's kitchen for a while until the Shillian man pulled away and slipped something around Nolan's neck. Obviously the prince was startled, his hand flying to his neck and grabbing the newly found accessory, leaving him with the sight of a beautiful pearl caught between his fingers.

"When the sailors got back, they gave this pearl, because the stubborn prince of Larmont threatened to toss it into the ocean," he said, his voice laced with a bit of humour.

"They gave it to you instead of keeping it?" Nolan asked perplexed because who would give away such wealth when they probably needed it.

"In Shillian it is bad luck to receive a gift gifted to another," said Elijah as if he knew Nolan's question.

Nolan hummed still staring at the pearl and then released it, allowing it to settle against his chest.

"You didn't have to," he said softly.

Elijah smiled, turning the prince around in his arms so he could face him.

"I know. I wanted to," he said, gripping the prince hips and making him settle on the small wooden counter, tucking a few strands behind his ear. "I know that you probably have not thought about it or even ready but..." he sighed looking into Nolan's eyes through the thick frame of his glasses. "...the queen inquired about the wedding. If there will be a wedding," he said, almost timidly which was unlike Elijah.

Nolan sighed, carding his fingers through Elijah's hair. His heart pounding against his ribcage. A lot has been going on that he did not entertain the idea of marriage.

"Ethane and I are getting along very well," he said wrapping his legs around Elijah's waist and leaning back pressing his palms on the counter. "But I am not sure if he is ready for the next step. Or if I am ready. He is still not living with us Eli. I don't want to go head over hills only to regret it a few weeks in our marriage," he said.

A flash of pain was visible in Elijah's eyes. However, he still nodded pulling away from the prince, but Nolan's legs wrapped tightly around him. Elijah blinked up at him confused and Nolan only chuckled.

"I was thinking, maybe he should come and live with us full time now. See how things go. If he...we adjust to the change of dynamics," he said.

Elijah had only blinked at him before a smile slowly blossomed. His fingers tenderly tickled Nolan's jawline as he cupped his face.

"Are you sure?" He inquired.

Nolan smiled and nodded his head. That was enough to make Elijah to press a kiss on his lips and asked,

"How did I get so lucky?"

Perhaps Elijah was right, maybe it was better this way. How things worked out no matter how difficult and painful it felt. But the thought of being married and then the burden of expanding the Armstrong bloodline was installed on them would probably have broke them. At least now there is room for amendments to be made.