*****
sweet
*****
Walking through the pathway of tall oak trees, varieties of flowers were blooming in tiny and large spaces, taking up everything and giving off sweet aroma.
Ae had never been here and was astonished at the beautiful scenery. He glanced over at Pete, who was humming and seemed to be in his own world. Ae cleared his throat, grabbing Pete's attention," Erm, do you come here often?"
Pete smiled and shrugged his shoulders," Yeah, I guess I do. Mainly to just get away sometimes."
Ae nodded and everything was silent once more. Both of them did not have the courage to speak up and decided in mutual silence agreement to not talk.
They continued walking, and came upon a small house in the middle of a tiny field. It had a porch attached to it surrounded by frangipanis, a plant native to Thailand. Ae gaped at the discovery and looked at Pete in confusion. Pete just laughed and motioned him to come inside the house.
" So, why is there a tiny house in the palace's garden?"
Pete rolled his eyes, " It was a present to me when I turned 13."
Ae rolled his eyes back mockingly," For a 13 year old? How spoiled. And I thought we were going for a stroll, not be in this highly air-conditioned place that was given to a 13 year old boy."
Pete groaned in annoyance, " Oh stop it with the 13 year old boy stuff. I'm a prince, get used to it. And it's like 90˚ for god's sake."
Ae laughed in amusement and shook his head, nervously standing by the doorway watching Pete disappear into a room. Pete sensing Ae wasn't behind him glanced outside the room and saw him standing and raised one of his eyebrows," What are you doing? Come into the kitchen and help me prepare drinks."
And so, the two boys started to get fruits out of the refrigerator, preparing to make fruit smoothies. As Ae started cutting the banana and strawberries, Pete got the milk and other basic ingredients. Ae looked around as he finished up with the cutting and nudged Pete with his elbow," Where's the blender?"
Pete stopped measuring the cups of milk and put his hand on his chin, thinking about it for a second," I think its on the second shelf to your right."
Ae went over and looked inside, moving items left and right but he still could not find it," Pete, it's not there!"
Pete looked over his shoulders at Ae and sighed," Try the third shelf."
Ae groaned and went over looking at the third shelf. Then he looked at the fourth shelf. Then the fifth. After the sixth shelf, Ae got frustrated," Why the hell does this kitchen have so many shelves!?"
Pete laughed out loud and clutched his stomach in fear it would break apart from the intense laughter," Jesus, you're easy to fool. I expected you to be a whole lot smarter."
Ae rolled his eyes in annoyance," This is your place, not mine."
Pete waved his hand to dismiss the comment and pointed to the shelf in front of him," It's right in front of me. I'll get it out in a second."
Ae, being the stubborn person he is plus the fact that he was getting impatient, decided to get it on his own. He reached his hand over Pete's head and attempted to open the shelf. Pete, startled by a arm above his hand, glanced over his shoulders and came into contact with Ae's eyes.
They both stared at each other, surprised at the sudden contact. They could feel each other's breathe and it didn't help that Ae's body was close to Pete's. They stayed frozen for a second before Ae moved backwards, coughing a bit to relieve the tension. Pete looked back at his measuring cups and blushed lightly. He reached up and got the blender out, giving it to Ae without looking.
Ae, obviously embarrassed, tried to act as nonchalantly as possibly but his heart wouldn't slow down not matter how much he tried.
After a few minutes or so, they both finished with their strawberries and banana smoothies and went outside on the porch to sit and chat. But chatting was what they didn't do because both of the boys were nervous about what had happened earlier.
It was a continuous cycle of glancing at each other and coughing. Pete, wanting to not waste time on nothing was the first to speak," So tell me. How did you manage to work for Princess Chaaim?''
Ae, noticing the effort the prince put into the conversation smiled and replied," My family were never the richest, but we were okay. Okay before we were in debt from my father gambling of course. And so I met the princess accidentally, and risked my life to save her from this random dude and managed to win the Lord's and Lady's appreciation."
Pete soaked up the information and nodded in understanding. He grinned and reached over to pat Ae's back," It's okay now right? After all, you have Chaaim's help."
Ae laughed in agreement," She gave me triple my salary on my first month! I only needed half of my original salary but she insisted!"
Pete shook his head in unbelief and laughed along.
Both began to relax and forget about the earlier incident and all seemed to be well. Or maybe that was what they were trying to tell themselves that because their hearts kept beating faster as each minute passed by.
After a few more conversation here and there,Ae seemed to notice Pete more and his figure and habits. The way he covered his mouth when he was nervous and the way he laughed freely without worries. And the same went for Pete; he began to notice Ae's honestly and determination in everything he did and said. He saw how he would listen to Pete closely as if everything he said was important and that made him feel special.
Soon, it began to get dark. Silence engulfed them, but unlike the silence earlier, this type of silence was comforting and nice. Pete looked at the stars but Ae was distracted. He kept glancing at Pete because he was sure he began to like his prince. And without thinking, he reached over and tapped Pete' shoulder.
Upon turning around, Ae landed a kiss on Pete's lips.
Pete's eyes popped out of his sockets and he was stiff from head to toe from the shock.Ae bit his lips making him gasp in surprise, and so Ae took advantage and stuck his tongue in exploring Pete's cavern. Pete put his hands on Ae's chest, trying to steady himself and that action made Ae pull Pete to him, facing Pete to sit on Ae's lap.
" Your highness? Her majesty has requested you for the ball tonight!"
Ae pulled himself away from Pete upon hearing someone and suddenly realized what he did. He gasped in shock and hurriedly got up and dusted himself off. He bowed down at Pete," I am so sorry, Your highness. I don't know what took over me. Excuse me."
And with that, Pete watched as Ae ran out the door with his face flushed in red.
Pete was still on the chair and was very still. He didn't know how long he was there staring at the empty space in shock, but it was his mother's servant that brought him to reality.
" Prince? We must leave at once."
Pete nodded and followed the servant out the door. All he could think of while walking was how Ae lips were soft and why he ran away like that.
" He tasted sweet and of strawberries."
And with that Pete smiled, a red tint taking over his light fair skin cheeks.
*******
One more chapter. Maybe an extra. Don't know yet.
