Acquire (BoyxBoy)

Carnival

I smiled as Harold pulled me along the dance floor. People were no longer moving about, but staring our way. I was fortunate that the music was still loud and upbeat, it would have been too awkward otherwise.

"So you're the one one that got away". I smiled at the woman and leaned into Harold. How do I respond to that?

"Mama, leave him alone, yes?" Her green eyes looked mischievous against her pink pixie cut. She walked around me in a circle with her hands behind her back. Her silk dress dragged along the floor with each step. I wasn't sure what to do really. I rose a brow in mock amusement, but I could feel the tension locking my joints.

"Hmm a little scraggly aren't cha." I'm dressed to the nines, how does she know I'm scraggly? "Crazy tall." I'm only a little bit taller than her son. "You're quite rugged you know that, it's nice that you're not some pristine Nobel". I couldn't tell if all of these were compliments or insults, either way my broken confidence turned them into spiteful words.

A man about the height of Harold appeared behind her.  She didn't look at him but knowing that the man was beside her she lightly elbowed him in his side. "Just because you don't like me doesn't mean being royal is bad, you are after all the queen".

She sighed and threw her nose in the air. "Leave me be Leopold." He kissed her cheek and walked away. I wasn't sure what their dynamic was. I assume that man was Harolds dad, he must not be interested in me. "You know he's pissed right". She spoke through her posed smile while she waved at some women passing by. "Anyways have fun, don't worry about Leo". She winked and trotted over to the ladies she was waving at.

I was still tense, even more so than before. Why was his father upset? I know it was because of me, even if I don't want to believe it. Harold sensing my discomfort cradled both of my hands in his. Awkwardly I swayed my hips as he did the same. He laughed at me every now and again as I tiled my head towards a teen lady that continued to wave at me.

It was now time for dinner and socializing. Harold and I sat at a circular table with his parents and a few other guests I hadn't met before. My knee began to jiggle the cloth from the table. I'm sure no one could see, but Harold placed his hand above it lightly. This felt dangerous. All of these people wouldn't stop staring.

"So, how did you meet?" My eyes dashed to a woman with a large pointed nose. It turned up towards the ceiling making her look different than the standard beauty. I smiled softly and placed my hand over Harold's chest.

"Would you like to tell them?" He smiled down at me seeing the venom in my eyes, hopefully it would be mistaken for passion by our onlookers. This was not a question he prepared me for. His tapping on my knee was becoming obnoxious. I'm not allowed a nervous tendency but he is?

His lips brushed my forehead lightly before he looked towards the pointy woman. "I was visiting old friends over lunch when I saw him. I knew immediately who he was". Well that's technically not a lie. She didn't look too pleased by that answer.

"Oh darling! Where are your parents, I would love to meet them." The blonde female directly to her right spouted out the question. I feel as if I prepared myself for nothing.

"Unfortunately an ... event occurred as I neared adulthood. I don't speak much about it. Tugs at the heart." That seems vague enough. It shouldn't interfere with anything that Harold may have said to anyone here.

"Oh honey that's awful!". I allowed myself to think back to my parents on Earth to provoke realistic sorrow in my features. 

Oh back to witchy poo we go. "You know young Leopold, my daughter has been trying to contact you. I know you're very busy and all, especially with the new ... person, but if you have any free time I believe she would appreciate a response." I know that wasn't supposed to be funny, but I couldn't help the smile sneaking into my face. Some audacity this woman has. As I looked away from her I caught the stern face of Harold's father. He was eyeing me, it was calculated. I wonder how many wrong moves I've made so far. I didn't even hear Harold's response, I was too focused on his father.

I took a large bite of whatever odd food was on my plate. It tasted like unseasoned chicken in the left over water from vegetables. I can't complain, I've had far worse. I was just expecting more from royalty.