Endearment

I Don't Dislike This Other Side Of You

[This chapter is inspired by chapter 40 of the webcomic, so you'll see some references from it!]

Athanasia pressed a palm to her bedroom window, admiring just how much of a beautiful day it was. It was such a shame that her father didn't allow her to go outside the castle grounds, if not for the rule, she'd have gone exploring the town square by now.

"I want to go outside," she lamented, falling down on the couch beside him.

The dark haired boy didn't even glance at her, merely flipping another page in the book he was reading. 

"So why don't you."

"Because I would like to go outside outside, and you know how daddy doesn't allow me to go past the castle grounds," Athanasia said, propping herself up with her elbows while resting her cheek on the palm of her hand. 

For the next few minutes, all the princess could do was sigh due to longing and discontentment, though she was suddenly interrupted by Lucas closing his book with a dull snap,"if I take you outside would you stop sighing, it's getting on my nerves."

"Really?!" her eyes lit up and sparkled so brightly he had to physically look away.

"Yeah, whatever." he was getting bored anyway, some fresh air might do him good. It wasn't like he wanted to make her happy or anything.

"But how are we going to do that?" her excitement dimmed a little as logic started to kick in,"it wouldn't be so easy for me to get out of the palace."

"You underestimate who you're going with," Lucas snapped his fingers and in a blink of an eye, the pair had appeared in the middle of a bustling market.

"Er…" what just happened?

"If you walk around looking like this then you're just asking to be recognised," he snapped his fingers again and her royal dress was transformed into a simpler get up that made it easier to blend in. He, too, had changed out of his magician's robes

"Lucas! Why didn't you ever tell me you could get us out like this? Don't you know how long I've been dying to get out?"

"You never asked, and come on you know full well I can teleport. Remember that time I threw you into Whitey's mansion?"

Oh yeah...he did do that.

"Our dear princess was so oblivious to such a simple solution, I think it's kinda funny," Lucas snorted before grabbing her wrists
and thrusting the both of them into the busy streets.

"You're such a jerk," she mumbled, but quickly got distracted by the hustle and bustle.

"And you're seriously dumb," he shot back, laughing a little at her awed expression as she took in her surroundings.

It was a new experience and she took it all in with wide eyes, pointing and exclaiming whenever she deemed something interesting, which was pretty much everything.

There were vendors selling almost everything imaginable and Athanasia was fascinated. Crowds of people streaming in every direction, she would've gotten lost if not for holding onto Lucas' shirt. 

A particular stall had her practically salivating. He saw her stop and stare, the desire apparent in her eyes. Lucas had no choice but to feed her until she was satisfied. 

He would never admit it out loud, but seeing her all excited and wide eyed like a little child just because he took her to the market made a warmth bloom in his chest. He wasn’t quite sure what that meant, warmth was a foreign feeling, all he knew was that Athy was doing this to him.