King of Mean

33

"Test scores..." Roman cringed as he looked over at Virgil who was twiddling his thumbs. He had gotten lucky. The teacher allowed for Roman, Virgil, and Deceit to take it since they were with Thomas. Dee was even allowed to do it at the castle so he didn't push himself. Thomas just had to watch him take it. "Everyone's score was automatically added to the final grade. The scores were then listed and ranked from highest to lowest and put on the board. Please check you're rank on the way out." 

The bell rang and everyone rushed to the board. Well, everyone except the VKs and Roman. Roman watched as Patton walked up and his eyes went wide. He turned and met with Roman's long enough to know there was something wrong. The smaller prince smiled over at Logan whose eyes went wide as he jumped up and ran over smiling. Oh no...

"Congrats, Logan!" Emile yelled as they all walked through the gardens. "Top of your class, that's amazing."

"Remus held that spot for so long. I'm impressed, Logan." Roman smiled although he could feel his nerves fraying. Remus studied for so long for that test and then... Virgil frowned as the bird tweeted at him. Prince yipped at Roman as both the boys looked over to find Deceit standing there with wide eyes.

"DECEIT!" Emile squealed with joy as Roman and Virgil both frowned. "You're out of bed?!"

"I'm not just out for a walk..." Deceit's eyes darkened as he glanced around at everyone. "What was that I heard about the test scores? They came out already?"

"Affirmative." Logan beamed as Deceit's frown grew. "Due to my hard work, I finally managed to get the highest overall grade in the class."

"Anyone know Remus's?" Deceit's eyes were stern as the little blue bird chirped. "Shit really?" Patton's eyes went wide as Deceit bit his lip in concern. "That low?" Prince yipped sadly making Deceit sigh. "Ok. I'll let him know."

"You can understand them?" Deceit smirked as Patton just stared in awe. 

"Of course I can. Just like Prince can understand Blue. We're all different animals but..." Deceit's eyes flashed and Roman frowned knowing exactly what he meant. "We're all the same." Deceit smiled as he hugged himself a bit. "I shouldn't probably be on my way. I totally want to push myself again after what happened last time."

"Do be careful, Dee." Roman called over with a smile making Deceit narrowed his eyes in confusion. "We're all family now. I don't want you getting sick."

"I'll be ok..." Deceit smiled as he started to turn away. "...but thanks, Roman."

Deceit walked all the way home hoping he'd get there in time but by the look on Remus's face when he turned to see him sitting there on the bed, he knew he didn't. Remus was just sitting there, blank expression, as tears started falling from his eyes. His hands would clench and then unclench until he finally looked up to find Deceit standing there.

"Caz?" Deceit smiled sadly as he sat down beside the crying prince.

"I see you heard the grades then?" Remus nodded slowly as Deceit pulled him in. "It's not going to ok, Remus. Test's scores are..." Deceit frowned as Remus started shaking. "They are NOT important." He forced the words through his teeth as Remus laughed sadly.

"You don't have to force yourself with me, babe. I'll understand you either way." Deceit smiled as he pushed Remus to look at him.

"You are going to be ok, Remus." Remus's eyes glittered with tears as Deceit hugged him tightly. "Grades don't define you. Plus Logan's a god damn intellectual prodigy. It was only a matter of time. Also, that's just one class... a stupid class the grades every single period as if it were a school round contest."

"Cassidy..."

"I know." Deceit pulled away as wiped the tears off Remus's cheek. "I know."

"I just... I pushed so hard for this. I try so hard at everything I do. Now... First, it was Roman getting his familiar... I still don't have mine." Deceit frowned as his grip tightened in anxiety. "Now this. It's like the world is just continuously trying to push me from being king. Am I really not made for it?"

"You can do ANYTHING you put your mind to Remus." Deceit brushed the prince's hair back as he smiled softly at him. "You're strong, brave, smart... creative... you name it. You are capable of so much. You have the drive and perseverance needed for so much. I know you have what it takes to be a good king." Remus smiled although it was hardly one. He leaned again Deceit chuckling at how Deceit shivered at his touch. "Don't worry, Remus. Everything will be ok."

"I hope so. I know... I know I keep saying I'll be ok with whoever he choses... and I will. I just... I don't want all this effort to be for nothing. Even if I'm not chosen as King, I want him to at least recognize my effort." Deceit smirked as he laid back with Remus in his arms. "I want to be seen as a good prince. As someone people can rely on... as someone people can trust."

"I... t-trust you." Deceit frowned at just how much effort it took to get that one honest phase-out. 

"I know you do, Cassidy." Deceit sighed in relief as Remus cuddled up to him. At least Remus knew that was true. Remus frowned as bit as he looked Deceit in the eyes. "Caz... You'd tell me if there was something wrong with me right?"

"Oh, there is definitely something wrong with you." Remus's eyes went wide as Deceit pulled him in again this time locking their lips as he smiled. As he pulled away Deceit laughed seeing how stunned the prince was. "And that's simply just the fact that you somehow make me very weak."

"Weak?" Deceit nodded as he just smiled lovingly at his royal. "Why weak?"

"Well, according to Virgil..." Deceit wrapped his arms around the prince as he threw himself over until he was on his lap. "Love is a weakness." Remus's eyes flashed as Deceit leaned in real close. "And I have fallen hard for you Remus... my royal."