My Knight in Red Armor(Chasistair)

3. Carnival

Chase

I woke up the next morning in a daze, memories of the prior night swirling around in my brain. Had Alistair really put his head on my shoulder? Was he....did he like....no. He didn't. Stop lying to yourself. Alistair doesn't like you back. Stop it Chase.

  "Are you going to the Pride Day thing today?" Cass asked at breakfast.

  "I might. You?" I asked.

  "Haven't decided yet..." He said, trailing off.

"We could go together. See what it's like and if it's worth it" I said.

"Fine I guess. But if Pearce is there-" he started.

"Then all the more reason for you to tell him" I said.

"Alright, fine." He grumbled. I couldn't help but grin.

~~~~~~~

"Welcome, welcome, students of Ever After High, to the first annual Pride Day!" Apple called from the stage. I scanned the crowd, spotting Alistair not far from me. He cheered as the rest of the crowd did. He was....coming out. Just like I was, only I wasn't wasn't. I had no bracelets adorning my wrists that signaled my sexuality, and Courtly was still standing right next to me. I gripped my arm, raking my fingers along it to rip my mind from daydreams. It. Wasn't. Happening. He had Bunny, and was totally in love.

  "Chase, Chase!" Courtly cried, waving her hand in front of my face.

  "You were zoning out again" she said.

"Sorry" I mumbled.

  "You really do love that boy don't you" she asked, shaking her head and causing her bells to jingle slightly.

  "I-I do" I said. "I'm so sorry I never told you I was gay"

"It's not a problem Chase, I'll still be here for you. After all, what kind of friend would I be if I didn't?" She asked.

"A pretty bad one" I admitted. She punched me in the arm. I laughed as the crowd began to disperse into the carnival Apple and her team had set up.

   "I'll see you later Courtly" I said, walking off. As I was walking, I aimed may eyes toward the ground. Someone bumped into me, and I felt a sharp pain in my side.

"Ouch!" I cried suddenly. My side stung for a moment, but then it faded to a dull throbbing. I waved the feeling off and kept walking, waving when I saw Alistair. He walked toward me, and I began to have a mini panic attack.

"Hey Chase!" He called to me. I looked at him and smiled slightly.

"Hi" I said.

"How's the carnival?" He asked.

"It's alright. I didn't know you were...you know" I said.

"Not a lot of people did. It wasn't my intent to tell" he said. "but this pride day convinced me I should try"

"Lot of people here" I commented.

"Most are just supporting the cause. Like you" he said.

"Yeah....supporting the cause" I said with a nervous laugh.

"Unless....are you-" he began.

"Yes! I'm sorry I should've said something. I came out to Courtly yesterday and we're still friends and I'm nervous because I like this guy and I'm afraid he doesn't like me back" I cried suddenly.

"Who is this guy?" He asked after a long moment of silence.

"You don't know him" I lied.

"If you say so. Anyone who had you is lucky Chase" he said. A wave of nausea washed over me, and I gripped Alistair's shoulder suddenly for support.

"That hurts..." I groaned.

Alistair

"Chase?" I asked in concern.

"I'll be fine" he said, hissing in pain as he clutched his side. Blood was seeping through his fingers.

  "We should get you home Chase, you're hurt" I coaxed.

  "I'll be fine" he snapped.

"Chase, please. Let me help you" I said.

"Alistair, I don't need your-mmph!" He was cut off by his lips touched against mine. My heart was screaming with joy right now. My spine crackled almost literally with electricity. His lips were soft and warm. He pulled an arm around my waist, and I could feel my tongue urge for more as it slipped across his bottom lip. He tightened his grip, but let me have my way. Eventually, we both had to break away for air.

"That just happened..." He whispered, terror entering his eyes.

  "It's okay, I won't tell anyone" I said, gripping his hand reassuringly.

  "I-w-won't either." He managed.

"Ahh..." He winced, clutching his side.

  "Let me help you" I said, pulling him to his feet and let him drape an arm over my shoulders for support. We slowly walked back to his room, where he gave me his key to unlock the door. Almost immediately he collapsed on the bed, still holding his side.

"Chase, let me help" I said.

"I got it" he said, trying to stand. He groaned from the pain and fell back over.

"Chase Mitchell Redford, you'll let me help you. You're seriously hurt and that worries me to death!" I insisted.

"Fine, help me" he said bitterly, but I could hear the undertones of hope. He wanted me to help him. I took away his hand, and he hissed in pain.

"That guy nicked you pretty good Chase. I'm going to need to inspect the damage" I said.

"I'm not taking my shirt off!" He insisted.

"Would you rather bleed out?" I asked.

  "Alright fine. Just...don't stare" he said. I nodded, but I couldn't make promises. He reached behind him and took off his shirt, allowing his Bander-tooth necklace to fall against his tan skin.

  How can I not stare?! I thought almost giddily. He was completely well built, his arms toned well and his stomach almost a four pack.

  Don't stare I reminded myself, forcing myself to pull the spare cloth bandages from my bag.

  "This'll sting a little" I said. "So I won't mind if you curse" I rubbed blue medicine onto a cloth and began to rub his wound.

  "Ow! Oh my ____! _____! _____! It ____ing hurts!" Chase cried. I won't tell you exactly what he said, but all while I cleaned it he shouted out a very creative string of cusses.

  "Now I just have to bandage it" I informed him. I gave him a moment to recover before I pulled the bandages tight over the wound.

  "Thanks Alistair, that feels better already" he said.  

  "You're welcome. Now change and try and get some sleep" I said, standing.

  "About the ki-" he began.

  "Not yet. Maybe tomorrow, but tonight you need to rest." I said.

  "Okay then...goodnight Alistair" he said.

  "Goodnight Chase" I said with a smile. I retreated from his room, mind still a buzz about the kiss.

  "So he does like me. Well, let's see where that can get us" I said to myself as I walked away.