Gravensnod (manxman)

Chapter Eight

Fyn 

The mood around the castle has been very grim since Louise's funeral. It would always be odd not seeing her walking through the halls anymore, or the friendly smiles she would always give me. It seemed that Alexei and Philo were actually starting to talk again, but now they're not. Alexei started going around the country a few days ago. I knew for a fact he was still watching over Philo and making sure he was okay. It must've annoyed the fuck out of Philo because when he opened his door and saw the prince outside, he slammed the door so hard the walls shook. After that Alexei started traveling around talking to people.

The shining light in this dark time was Ari. Just being around him calmed me down. While we had started to get closer, nothing really had happened which was mainly due to me. I was so afraid of messing something up again between us that now I didn't know what to do. He seemed fine with me retreating to the room next door every night, or at least I hoped he was okay with it.

My eyes wandered over to him sitting on his bed, biting his bottom lip while looking through his camera. Lately the dark circles under his eyes were finally starting to go away mainly because he was finally sleeping better. I'm not sure what the change was, but his insomnia didn't seem to be as bad as before. I felt my body relax into the couch as I allowed myself to admire him more.

He recently got a haircut, making those brown eyes stand out even more than before. I'd never forget the way he told me he liked my hair long before his fingers lightly touched my locks. Knowing he liked it long, I wasn't going to cut it. I'd still look presentable but short hair was out of the question now. He was wearing a sweatshirt from his school days in London, a few colorful paint drops on the white fabric. He was also wearing a pair of black sweats and red socks that had little hearts on them. If I was more confident I'd love to join him on the bed, especially because he looked so comfortable right now.

For so many years I wish I could go back in time and change how I used to be. My actions cost me someone I cared about and almost a second time. I was pretty shocked the night I found him on the docks, even more so when he said Mikael had gone back to London. I knew in that moment I couldn't ruin this again, he deserved so much better than how I treated him in the past. He made me want to be a better person, basically from the first moment I met him.

When those dark eyes looked up at me, a genuine smile spread across his face as he slid off the bed. He was then walking over and joining me on the couch. That smile was everything to me. It lit up a room and always made my palms sweaty and heart beat faster. I wish I hadn't of been so scared about these feelings growing up.

"I want to take Philo on the mainland today."

"It'd be good for him to get out of the castle."

He nodded while running a hand through his hair. "I want you to come and just be Fyn, not a guard. Let's pretend we're tourists for the day."

The way he was excitedly bouncing on the cushion made me smile while wrapping an arm around him. "I'd like that."

As my fingers slowly ran over his waist he leaned forward and kissed me, his hands resting on my cheeks. Immediate tingles were running throughout my body as his arms moved to wrap around my neck and pull me closer. He pulled me a little too hard, making him fall backwards onto the couch with me hovering over him. Our eyes immediately opened and looked at each other before he chuckled.

Once I leaned down to kiss him, I knew I was a goner. His fingers tangled up into my hair as one of his legs lazily wrapped around my lower half. My fingers were then slowly running over his thigh before switching my lips from his mouth to neck.