When the Universe Began [A Blackmadhi Fantasy AU]

Chapter Eleven

(POV: SIMON)

The moon was high in the sky, yet Simon still couldn't find sleep. He wandered out to the garden that he'd been fascinated by since the first night he'd slept in that room. The scent of the flowers often floated up to his room and it was even more fragrant down in the garden. It wasn't bad, but the smell itself reminded Simon of Nahyuta. Maybe they were flowers that he liked and that's why they'd been planted here. As Simon walked through the winding paths of the small garden, he saw a bright light from up ahead and ducked behind a tree to gauge if there was any danger. His Highness stood by a small pond, surrounded by glowing butterflies. He seemed deep in prayer, as if the whole world had disappeared around him. Nahyuta looked stunning in that light, his face painted pale pink by the butterflies fluttering around him. He was almost beautiful, that is, as long as he didn't say anything. If he had been like this the first time we met, then Simon might have fallen for him right then and there.

"You come here often, Your Highness?" Simon asked, sneaking up behind him and placing a hand on his shoulder. His eyes opened softly as he lifted his head from his prayer, almost looking halfway startled. As close they were now, Simon could see the colour of his eyes much clearer than he ever had before. He hadn't realized that they were so pretty.

"That was a nasty trick, Simon Blackquill." he said, laughing softly and punching him lightly in the arm. For a playful punch, it was quite hard and was probably going to bruise later.

"Oh, a thousand apologies Nahyuta." What was this? It almost sounded like a conversation between Nahyuta and his runt friend.

"What brings you out here on a fine evening such as this?" Nahyuta asked, nudging his shoulder gently in a prompt to get him to answer.

"This and that, but mostly my nightmares." Simon replied, shoving him back. They were like children, he and Simon. But children that were playfully pushing each other around, children that were friends.

"I see..." he seemed to lose himself in thought for a moment before he continued, "as for myself, I have come out here to see the spirit butterflies." He gestured to the glowing butterflies that surrounded him.

"Couldn't you have done that from the safety of your balcony?" Simon asked, turning to glance at his room.

"Yes, I suppose I could have, but I've always preferred to come out to this pond and let them gather around me." As he said this, he brushed a long strand of hair of his face, his long lashes blinking over those brilliant emerald green eyes. The butterflies still fluttered around him, almost as if they were accessories made to further enhance his beauty. Simon yawned, perhaps he was only thinking he was so attractive from a lack of sleep that had to be it.

"You should try to sleep some more, it would be very irresponsible of you if you fell asleep while guarding me." Nahyuta laughed, smiling directly at him. Was it possible to love someone so much and positively hate them at the same time?

"I'll consider it." Simon said, starting to the lead the way back into the palace. The prince followed after him, their hands so close to each other that they brushed. He truly was gorgeous.

~~~

Simon yawned, leaning against the wall to support his sleepy body. He'd almost fallen asleep at least five times now and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep fighting it. Luckily, his savior came in the form of an annoying lilac-haired brat.

"Simon, you look tired. Why don't you come in?" he said as he poked his head out into the hallway to ask me something. He opened the door further to beckon him in. Simon was very unsure of this offer, the last time he'd been in his room, he'd smacked him and ordered him out just because he saw his tattoo and tried to ask about it. What in the world was going to happen this time?

"You can sleep on my bed," he gestured to the large canopy bed in the centre of the room as he picked up some books from the floor, "seeing as there are no rules against you sleeping as long as I am within a range that you would be able to see if you were awake."

"I don't know..." This didn't seem like the greatest idea in the world. The whole reason Simon was here was so that he could protect him, he couldn't exactly do that if he was asleep.

"Just do as I say, it will be fine this once." Nahyuta said, forcing him to sit down on the bed. He wandered over to his desk, picking up the book that he had folded over on the chair. Simon sighed, laying his head down on the pillow. He wasn't going to relent if he didn't. He hadn't had this much trouble before with his lack of sleep, but then again, he also hadn't done anything besides sit for years. The sheets smelled the same as Nahyuta himself, the same scent as the incense that always filled the air. The scent of lavender and jasmine. Simon almost thought it was a nice smell. Almost. He hadn't even meant to notice how he smelled, it was just a very strong scent. Simon swore he hadn't meant to notice. That scent lulled him to sleep and it almost felt like Nahyuta was laying there right beside him, like Simon could just reach out and grab him.

~~~

When Simon woke again, the moon had risen into the sky. It was probably about ten o'clock, judging from how high the moon was. From the balcony he could hear Nahyuta praying, and not wanting to disturb him, he quietly snuck out and headed back to his own room. As Simon lay back in a bed that did not smell nearly as nice as Nahyuta's, he couldn't but wonder why he'd told him to sleep so firmly. Was it because he cared about Simon and his well being or was it just because he was his guard and he didn't want him falling asleep on the job? These thoughts weighed down his mind as he drifted off to sleep once again.