Five Degrees from Freezing - Larry Stylinson

Chapter xvii - Rosewood Pink

Humans believe that some things are just meant to stay in the shadows, but it's them same humans who can't tell darkness from light.

**

Louis pressed his body down on the branch of the thick pine tree.

He clawed his fingernails around it and crawled closer to the end, his lightweight body not making the slightest sound. Through the prickled pine leaves he could see endless Royal gardens with bright green grass cut down to an inch above the soil. Directly beneath him was the tall brick wall that separated the rich from the poor. Around the wall were guards holding rifles up to the sky, waiting for anyone who might want to break an entry.

Naturally, Louis wasn't breaking an entry, he was simply jumping over it. He had, out of all dignity, originally gone up to the front gates and requested to see the Prince, but had been driven away like the unwanted piece of shit he believed he was.

Earlier on that day:
"Back off, Zayn." Louis snapped, swatting his friend away from the motionless guard. "As for you, let me in."

The tall man in a red suit blushed slightly as Zayn tickled him in attempt to make him move, until he opened his mouth to speak. Without turning his head, he said, "I cannot let you in unless you are Royalty or have a relation with the Styles family. Looking at the both of you, I'm judging you have neither."

Louis balled his fists and bared his teeth. He lunged forward to the guard but Zayn caught him around the waist and pulled him back.

"If only you knew.." Zayn replied, letting out an intimidating laugh that made the man blush deeper. "Come on, have pity, he's only short."

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Sir."

The guard suddenly moved, making both Louis and Zayn jump in surprise. He pointed his rifle at them and put his finger on the trigger. "I bid you farewell, gentlemen." He said politely, insisting them to go home.

Louis growled again, trying his hardest to keep his fangs behind his human teeth; but Zayn picked him up, swinging him over his shoulder.
He flashed an unnaturally wide grin at the guard. "Wear less clothes. I can smell your sweat." He said, before walking off, dragging Louis with him.

And that was the reason why Louis was hiding at the top of a pine tree that very moment, watching his pride and dignity wash away down the drain. He let a drop of saliva fall down from the tip of his tongue and land on a guard's hat, before turning back to the Palace. He could see over the wall from the height he was at, and down onto the front gardens. The sun shone brightly as he let out a purring sound, clawing on the branch as he edged forward. He opened his mouth to say something to Zayn, but was cut off by a loud snapping noise followed by a hiss. He sat up, and spun around to where Zayn was following him. He was perched on the inner part of the long branch, holding a broken twig in his hand.

"Will you shut the hell up?" Louis hissed, hair twitching as it stood up at the ends.

Zayn coiled his legs around the tree and regained his balance as he sat on the branch. "I'm not a climber." He whispered back, flicking his forked-tongue through his hair.

"For a snake, that fucking surprises me. Why didn't you tell me before, you shitty brat?!" Louis semi-shouted back.

Zayn leant back against the trunk of the tree, legs still coiled around the branch as he flicked his tongue angrily. "How was I supposed to know you wanted to go this high up?"