Prince Of Stone - A Captive Prince Fanfiction

IX. What is Owed

"Laurent," Damen hissed, his voice a carrying whisper in the deserted hallway. Laurent spun on his heel several strides ahead. Despite his shorter stature, he walked so quickly Damen had to hurry to catch up. When he had reached him, Damen said, "Thank you. But why would you defend me?"

"Isn't that what friends do?" Laurent said, voice edged with biting sarcasm.

Damen regarded him. "I don't think you have friends," he said, evenly. Laurent's flinch was nearly imperceptible, but Damen was coming to know his tells.

"I owed you. I don't like being indebted to people. Consider it paid in full. There will be no inquiry as to whether you violated my person. You get to keep your scholarship. And my uncle receives half my inheritance."

"Laurent, I'm sorry." Damen said, meaning it. "But why would you agree to it?"

Laurent let out a tight breath. "I've been involved in a court case with him for some time."

"Over what?"

"My uncle is the enactor of my father's will. I'm supposed to have inherited some holdings from my father's businesses when he passed. Auguste took his portion and got out, not that I blame him." A sardonic laugh. "This family is toxic. Auguste would have stayed, probably. He would have stayed for me, if he hadn't had to go abroad for surgery on his arm."

For the injury Damen had dealt him. He felt a twinge at that.

"Why give your uncle the holdings that easily? He asked for them, and you didn't even push back. I've never known you as one who backs down from a fight."

Laurent drew his coat around himself. Grey wool, Damen noted. The days were growing colder. The sapphire earring was still noticeably absent from Laurent's ear.
Laurent paused. Said suddenly in a controlled voice, "What happened last night? Did I say anything?"

Damen's brows shot up. "Last night, you fought off several attackers when you could barely stand. I saw them, I . . ." he paused. Helped was not exactly the right word. Laurent was perfectly capable of defending himself, as he had proven the previous night. He didn't need Damen's protection. "I drove you home," he said, "And then you fell asleep on your couch. Nicaise was there. I think he thinks we're dating." He was unable to keep a note of amusement from his tone.

It was a mistake. Laurent's expression turned stony and he sped up his stride on the path that led out into the courtyard. "We aren't dating. We aren't even friends. If I had a choice, I wouldn't associate with you at all."

"So why do you? Continue to associate with me?" Damen stopped at the edge of the courtyard. Laurent, several steps ahead, paused and turned to Damen. The courtyard was open air, and snow fell all around Laurent like a scene from a film. Snow was caught on his golden eyelashes. Damen could count them from where he stood. He swallowed, hard.

Laurent gazed at him. He seemed to be making up his mind. When he spoke, his voice was changed. "You give me good advice," he said simply. Damen's chest felt warm and he looked away. Laurent took a step forward, towards him, then seemed to think better of it. "I need your advice on something else. One more favour, then there's nothing more I need from you."

Damen said, "Anything."

~

As they idled in Laurent's vintage car outside of the hotel Damen struggled to adjust his tie.

"Stop fussing. You're making it worse. That's as good as it's going to get. I could hardly find a suit to fit your proportions, giant animal." Laurent snapped. His temper was short that evening, Damen noted. As a general principle, he tried not to get on Laurent's bad side, but as for his good side--Damen didn't think it existed.

"Tell me again what I'm doing here," Damen said.

Laurent cut the engine. He flipped down the visor on the driver's side, checking his reflection in the mirror. He slid his gaze over to Damen. His hair, newly swept back, accentuated the planes of his face, his jaw. Damen's gaze came to rest on his mouth.

"You're going to pretend we're here on a date," Laurent said, then seeing Damen's surprise, continued, "don't give me that look. Plenty of sugar daddies take their prospects here. We won't look out of place if you play your cards right."

"Alright," Damen said, "And the point of this. . .?"

"This hotel is a favourite of my uncle's. He has a permanent room here. I just need to figure out a way to get into his room unnoticed. There's something in there I need."

"Laurent, what are you planning?"

"It doesn't concern you. Just go along with the pretense and let me worry about the rest." There was a glint of blue as Laurent brought out a single sapphire earring, sliding it into his lobe with ease. It caught the light of the setting November sun as Laurent said, "Let the game begin."