The Prince of Royalty (PREVIOUSLY ROYALTY HAS ITS PERKS; UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

18

"Dean!" I called quickly, my voice strained. Alex sighed.

"I figured he'd be here." I frowned at him, perplexed and concerned. Dean emerged from the kitchen seconds later, cradling his hand.

"That cake is fucking hot," he complained and I stared at him.

"It was 350 degrees. Did you not use an oven mit?" He frowned, his eyes still on his hand.

"I did, but I stuck a toothpick in the middle to see if it was ready and it..." He trailed off as his eyes trailed up, then darkened. "What the hell?" He took two long strides to get to me, and he attempted to get to Alex but I placed a firm hand on his chest.

"Okay, okay, okay. Stop." Alex huffed behind me and I turned to look up at him. "What?" He shook his head.

"Nothing," he mumbled.

"Does someone want to tell me what happened?" Dean glared at Alex.

"Go on. Tell him what happened." I glanced up at Dean warily before turning back to Alex and staring at him.

"Alex?" I tried, and he met my eyes. "Tell me." He shifted uncomfortably. "You know I only want you to tell me the truth." He sighed deeply.

"Dean and I were both at the park. I was with Eli and he was with JT." I crossed my arms, listening closely. "Eli went to say hi to JT, so I followed. He tried to say hi to Dean and Dean ignored him, so I told him he was being a dick. We... we started arguing and I... said some things that I shouldn't have, and we got into it. That's when he hit me." I frowned.

"Said some things?" I echoed, glancing up to see Dean's clenched jaw and darkened eyes.

"Yeah..." Alex trailed off.

"What things?" Alex sighed, meeting my eyes fully for the first time.

Oh, hell. He said something about Kyle again, didn't he? No wonder Alex looks so fucked up.

"I said that... that I took his boyfriend once and I could do it again. With you." It took me about five seconds to comprehend what he meant and when I did, I had no choice but to clench my fists so tightly I broke the skin.

"You said what?" My voice was never this calm. It was not a good sign. I could feels Dean's eyes on me but I ignored them, glaring up at Alex. My hands were shaking with anger and my heart was pounding.

"It wasn't okay, I know—"

"No, I don't think you do, Alex. I don't think you know just how not okay this is." He scanned my face warily.

"I do. I swear, I do."

"I—" I was speechless. I was actually speechless. I felt every inch of my body burning with anger, I wanted to scream. I wanted to do something before I exploded. A hand on the small of my back brought me out of my head, Dean's warm fingers grounding me. He ran his fingers over my skin softly and I let out a deep breath. "You... you used me as fuel for your argument to get under his skin, after I explicitly told you I didn't want to be in the middle of this." He watched me nervously.

"Johnny, I'm really—"

"Sorry?" He clamped his mouth shut. "God, I... I considered you someone I could go to if I really needed it. And you just... you ruined that." My voice was shaking with disappointment. Dean's hand wrapped around my waist completely now and he pulled me back into his chest.

"I am sorry, Johnny," he whispered. My chin wobbled with overwhelming frustration.

"I want to believe you. I want... so badly to believe that you really are sorry and you're never going to put me in the middle again." Alex stared at me with eyes so wary it hurt. "But I can't. You've done this more than once." He sighed shakily, shutting his eyes and nodding.

"I understand," he murmured.

Alex left. And when he did, I shut the door, unsure of what to do with myself.

"Are you okay?" I flinched at Dean's voice, looking up into his eyes.

"No." He pulled me closer and I rested my head on his chest, burying my face into his shirt.

"He's a dick."

After finishing up the cake to give myself some time to think, I only had one burning question on my mind.

"Why did you... do that to his face?" Dean paused. He looked at me before pulling me to the couch with him.

"You're with me." I stared at him, confused.

"What?" He sighed, eyes so sincere it made my stomach tighten.

"I can't... explain how you make me feel, but I know I want you with me. All the time. I want you around me every second of the day. I've never felt like this about anyone. I hate the idea of you with anyone that isn't me and I don't want anyone but you. So... be my boyfriend." My eyes widened, and he bit his lip. "Please," he added softly, and I scanned his face suspiciously for any sign that this was a joke. I found none.

"You're serious?" He nodded. "What about... Oliver and Yumi?" He scoffed.

"I don't care about them. I only want you." I pulled at my lip with my teeth. "I know it's only been a couple of months, and if you want to wait longer, I understand." I found myself shaking my head.

"No." His eyes stared into mine.

"No...?"

"No, I don't want to wait. Yes, I'll be your boyfriend." A grin took over the worried expression on his face and I couldn't help but reciprocate it.

"Yes?"

"Yes." Nothing else was said as he pressed his lips to mine, rough and needy, and I immersed myself in it. I needed that kiss to tell me that this was exactly what I wanted.

xXx

We were lying in my bed watching the sun go down through the window when Dean's voice filled the room.

"Johnny?"

"Hm?"

"I know you're... still confused about... how you're feeling and what that means for you." I was quiet. "I just want you know that I'll help you figure everything out, if you'll let me. And I won't pressure you to do anything you're not ready for or comfortable with." I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. I moved so that I was above him. He gazed up at me with dark eyes, so soft and pure and genuine, and I couldn't help but smile a little.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For caring. And for defending me. And for trying." He raised his hand to cup my cheek, running his thumb across my bottom lip and humming.

"I am trying." I smiled.

"I know you are." It was no secret that Dean struggled with trust. That was very clear. I knew a lot of that stemmed from Kyle, but I couldn't help but wonder if there was more behind it. I still had yet to hear Dean's side of the story about Kyle and Alex, but I wasn't going to push that. Things were good, and I wanted them to stay good. So I let myself lower onto Dean's chest and he wrapped his arms around my waist as I nuzzled my nose in his neck.

"Tired?" I hummed and nodded. "Okay. Want me to go?" I scoffed.

"You can try, but you won't make it past the bedroom door." He let out a breath that translated to a laugh and I cuddle into him some more, relishing in his warmth.

"Hey..." Dean started after a long silence.

"What?"

"What are we gonna tell our friends?" My eyes snapped open.

"Oh shit."