The Prince's Captain (Garroth X Laurance)

[Love Me Not]

"Hey. Follow me."

Vylad nudged Kacey after stealing another shot of liquor from the kitchen cabinet. He'd been taking swigs straight from the bottle all night. Not his brightest moment, but the place had run out of plastic cups very fast and there was no way he was lasting the night sober.

"Y-You shouldn't be drinking that." Kacey hesitantly suggested, not wanting to come across as boring for being against drinking underage.

"It's fine. I drink enough of my dad's alcohol at home." Vylad shrugged, not seeming to think much of it. "Anyways, follow me."

He lead the boy upstairs. Vylad knew Ivy would probably murder him for entering this far into her house, but rules were made to be broken. In one of the storage closets, Vylad pointed to a ladder which lead up to a trapdoor.

"Just up here. Come on."

They climbed up the creaky ladder that somehow seemed to hold their weight. Vylad struggled with the lock of the trapdoor for a bit, before finally breaking it open. He climbed out onto the roof and stood aside so Kacey could do the same.

"I feel like we shouldn't be here." Kacey mumbled as he climbed up. His words fell short on his tongue once he realised they were on the roof of the house.

A dark navy canvas stretched unendingly above them. Stars appeared as shimmering silver specks that scattered countlessly throughout the sky. Kacey's jaw fell slightly, his moral resolve weakening. As much as he wanted to argue they shouldn't be up here, he couldn't find it in himself to try.

"It's beautiful." Kacey uttered quietly, closing the trapdoor behind him. He sat cautiously next to Vylad, adjusting his position on the roof.

"It really is. Here, lie down with me." Vylad suggested, lying on his back and peering up at the stars. His hand made an impatient gesture, encouraging his friend to do the same. Kacey nodded. He lay next to Vylad and gazed into the sky above. It was dark, but the moon glowed just enough for them to see each other.

"I wish I brought my camera." Vylad confessed. Kacey was about to reassure him, but upon leering to his side could faintly observe a smile on his lips.

"You feeling alright? I've heard lying down while drunk doesn't end well." Kacey inquired curiously as he looked back up to the sky.

"That's only if you close your eyes." Vylad replied, a giggle escaping his mouth as he spoke, "and why would I do that? Just to miss out on this pulchritudinous view?"

"Pulchritudinous?"

"It means beautiful."

Kacey snickered, "you're so extra," he commented, nudging him in the side. Vylad let out a dramatic gasp, proving his point.

"You don't mind it though, do you?"

"Nah."

Their eyes followed the iridescent lights above as a comforting silence fell between them. The longer they remained there, the more their eyes adjusted to the darkness. Scintillating constellations scattered themselves throughout the night. Vylad's eyes widened as he noticed one.

"Look! Do you see the constellation?" He asked eagerly, pointing his hand out in front of the stars.

"I can't with your hand in the way like that!" Kacey chuckled, grabbing Vylad's hand and forcing it down. He held it along his torso as he looked closely at the sky.

A dark pink hue grew along Vylad's cheeks as Kacey held his hand along his chest. He found himself grateful for the darkness, and the fact they were lying in a position where they couldn't see each other's faces. He'd heard people speak of butterflies in their stomach before, but until now he'd never known how it truly felt.