Knights And The Color Blue

Icarus (Chapter 23)

I sit on the toilet seat as Charles takes a shower. I am only realizing now how grateful I am for the shower curtain separating the two of us, as if there was nothing, Charles would see me staring at him, admiring every part of his body.

"So...have you been to this library before." 

I look at the bathroom ceiling, counting the scratches and bumps "I have, but I was younger. I've only been to help the librarian after my father died. I guess I just never really had the time to sit and read, being a king and all."

"That makes sense I guess.." there's a silence for a bit, and I gaze over at the curtain. I can see the outline of his shadow through the curtain, and damn, even his shadow looks fit and muscular. "...can I ask a kind of personal question."

I raise a brow, even though he can't see me. I watch as his shadow runs his hands through his hair "Sure?"

"What would you dad say about you if he was still here?"

The question caught me off guard, not because it was personal, but just because I didn't expect Charles to ask a question like that, especially since he was taught from a young age to hate my father. I let out a chuckle, looking at the ceiling again "Aw, look at them-so young and willing to get themselves killed."

I hear Charles snicker from the other side of the curtain "Was your father the over protective type?"

I think for a moment "Kind of? He didn't really care what you did as long as there wasn't anyone around to see it I guess. I didn't bother to do anything stupid anyway, other than hide in my room."

"Have you always been like this?"

my eyebrows furrow now "What do you mean?"

"I don't know, you just seemed like you've always hated people."

I shrug. I can see where he is coming from "Well...I mean I used to enjoy company, but after mother and father passed away I kind of stopped trusting people and letting them get too close to me."

Charles laughs as I see his hand grab the bottle of conditioner on the floor. "I guess I kind of broke that now huh? Now you've got a boyfriend who cares way too much about you."

My heart beats quickly and I heat up when I hear Charles call me his boyfriend...or maybe it's just all the heat from the steam from the hot water. "Is that what we are?...boyfriends?"

Charles clears his throat, sounding a bit nervous "Well yeah, unless were just friends who make out and sleep in the same bed." 

I shake my head "No, sorry that came out wrong-" I chuckle at what Charles said as I try to think of the proper thing to say "You really trust me?"

"Well obviously, I don't think I would kiss a person I would hate."

"But...Your supposed to hate me." 

There was another awkward stillness as Charles washed the soap out of his hair.

"Bad people can become good, Icarus. Like you."

I can't help but smile. It felt weird to have someone actually trust me- but it also just felt right.

"Your really not used to having people close to you, are you?"

"What?" I realized I was defending myself a bit, before letting myself loosen up a bit (this is my boyfriend after all, and I do trust him) "I mean..yeah I guess I'm not."

"Sorry If I'm getting a little touchy." Charles voice cracks a bit

"No, no, your not it's fine. I guess just-" I let out a sigh, pushing my hand through my hair "I didn't like people getting up in my business. Whenever someone gets nosy I just...you know..Scare 'em."

"Scare 'em?"

"Politely"

Charles laughs, turning off the shower. 

"Alright,I'll let you get ready." I stand up and open the bathroom door, watching the steam leave into the bedroom.

"Oh, Icarus?" 

I look back at Charles, his head peaking around the shower curtain with a grin. "I love you."

I blush as Charles giggles. I rub my arm nervously, feeling my legs go shaky "I..I love you too Charles."

I really do love him.