You've Got To Be Kitten Me - Prinxiety + OC [COMPLETED]

Chapter Twenty-One

Namor led the way through the castle, chattering away nervously. "And just down the hall is a room full of magical artifacts I've made," he explained. "I have dreams sometimes of weapons and artifacts and stuff. I don't even have to think about them, they just form in the middle of the night and show up in that room! Sometimes I don't even remember making them!"

"That's cool," the anxious Side replied, offering a small smile. It was clear that he had habit of rambling when he got nervous. "I think Roman mentioned doing that too sometimes. It must be an Imagination thing."

The dark prince nodded, a look of disappointment on his face upon hearing the name of his lighter counterpart. "Yeah," he said meekly as they continued out into the garden. 

Virgil suddenly felt guilt rush through his veins, wishing he'd never mentioned the creative Side. He kept his mouth shut as they wondered through the gardens' pathways. He sighed but looked around, his breath catching in his throat. The life in the garden wasn't anything like what he was used to; the trees were practically leafless and black, and yet looked gorgeous. The bark seemed to shimmer, as if it was metallic, and the branches swirled into spirals. The flowers were all muted colors and black, like something out of Nightmare Before Christmas and he loved it. 

"Whoa..." he breathed.

"I know, it's not exactly pretty, but-"

"It's beautiful," Virgil interrupted, moving forward to run his fingers along the swirling engravings of the bark. He smiled a little, looking around with more excitement. This was the kind of place he imagined when he thought of his type of garden. Sure, there was beauty in life and bright colors that Patton and Roman appreciated, but he appreciated when things were more his style. He giggled a little, turning around to find Namor standing shyly holding a flower. "Huh?"

He flushed, the redness of his cheeks obvious against the paleness of his skin. "I thought you'd like this," he managed, offering the black and purple swirled rose that he'd plucked straight from the bush behind him. "They started growing a couple weeks ago..."

The anxious Side's own cheeks flushed at the gesture. He took the rose, noticing the dark prince's hand trembling slightly. He wanted to take in his own and tell him it was okay, but as soon as his fingers pinched the flower's stem Namor drew his hand back like he'd been burned. He suddenly remembered the way his hand fell away when he looked like he was going to lead him to his chair in the dining room last night. He remembered the way that his whole body had shut down and had one of the worst panic attacks of his life after his had brushed his forehead. He recalled the dark prince's words, how he wished people weren't inherently scared of him. 

He looked up at him, eyes wide and glossy. "Namor-"

"Well, there's a lot more to see around the garden if you'd like," he said quickly, starting to walk away. Virgil watched him for a moment, noticing him muttering to himself and shaking his head, as if he was frustrated with himself. The anxious Side sighed, feeling conflicted as he tucked the rose behind his ear and moved to follow him. "The garden is divided into different sections. They grow in accordance to what I'm feeling or thinking about sometimes... some plants are nocturnal, plants are used in potions and concoctions, plants look pretty, so on and so forth. These trees grow everywhere, but there's on big one at the end of the path that I call the moon willow. It looks like a typical willow tree but when the moon hits it, it practically glows. It's pretty cool, sometimes I'll sleep under it just because I lose track of time..."

He glanced at Virgil, who was watching him talk with wide, curious eyes. Namor's eyes traveled from his to the rose behind his ear before looking away quickly. He blushed again, clearing his throat like he realized he was rambling again. "Uh- sorry, we should probably focus on walking, we've got a lot to see and it's definitely going to rain."

The anxious Side nodded shyly as they continued, reaching up to brush the petals of the rose with his fingers. I think Namor likes me... in a non-platonic way, he thought to himself. His heart fluttered at the thought. But do I like him the same way?