I want to feel my heart pounding in my chest

[tenebrarius]

They'd made it sound like a scholarship at first, an honor earned from his intelligence and hard work.

Adam had thought that this was the ticket he'd worked so hard to earn, his entry to the capitol's university. He couldn't imagine what else would summon him--him, Adam Parrish, by name--to the palace.

The reality was baffling and frustrating. He'd spent the past hours being interviewed and tested by an array of officials and tutors who claimed that he was being considered for a position as the prince's companion. It wasn't a position Adam wanted, but everyone so far had emphasized what an honor it was, and Adam's polite, non-confrontational attitude toward authority was deeply ingrained. But he had his pride and his temper, too. He'd refused to open his mouth to let them check his teeth like he was a horse for sale.

After the fifth minister left, evidently satisfied with Adam's intelligence and ambition, Adam paced the room.

This had to stop. Adam didn't want to be here, and he didn't want to play babysitter to the spoiled prince of the kingdom. He had ambitions. He had his place in the university all but guaranteed, as soon as he could save up enough money for his entry. They could take their 'great honor' and stuff it up the prince's ass.

Diatribe ready, Adam whirled on the next person to open the door, ready to tell them just what he thought of their nonsense interviews. He wasn't anticipating a teenage boy his own age. Startled, Adam drew up short, dropping his eyes to the floor. This had to be the prince. And while the kingdom had advanced past the days of public executions, Adam knew that any of the royal family could ruin his prospects permanently if he displeased them.

Comments

[tenebrarius]

"Aren't we supposed to be running away?" Adam teased him, smiling at the kiss. "Dream me that boat and throw in breakfast. I'll watch over you." He smooths a gentle hand over Ronan's head, comforting and protective.

[the_greywaren]

"That is so damn sexy." Someone to watch over him. Who wasn't afraid of him. Ronan grinned and kissed Adam hard. He laid back and closed his eyes.

[tenebrarius]

Adam made a little sound of contentment at the kiss, and then settled in beside him, curling his arm around Ronan's head and watching him as he slept, careful and attentive. Ronan was his now. Adam wouldn't let anything hurt him.

[the_greywaren]

He fell to sleep like he always did. Only this time it wasn't such a jolt. The ground didn't rush up to slap him in the face. Ronan fell into his dream place peacefully. The Orphan girl was there to greet him but she wasn't afraid. She brought him a flower and lead him by the hand to a body of water. It was so smooth it looked like glass. In the center a ship was floating and he could smell the eggs and bacon from the galley.

He waded through the water and climbed the rope ladder to the deck of the ship. Ronan stood on the deck and held the wheel of the ship in his palms. He thought of the grain of the wood and the smell of the water, heard the creaking in the body of the vessel.

When his eyes opened he was looking up at Adam from the deck of the ship.

[tenebrarius]

The world tipped around them, reality re-knitting itself to Ronan's whims, and then they're on a ship, new and shining, and Adam can smell food cooking.

His heart surges with awe and affection and he kisses Ronan again. His arms stay curled protectively around Ronan, knowing now that he needs to keep Ronan safe while he recovers from the dream.

"What a wonder you are," Adam murmurs, and then kisses him again, wanting to rejuvenate Ronan's energy and restore him as quickly as possible.

[the_greywaren]

This was a new way to wake up. He liked it a lot. Soft, warm kisses, Adam's gentle voice. Ronan slowly smiled and by that second kiss, he is kissing Adam back.

"I have my moments." He says softly, arms looping around Adam. "Think I might keep going to sleep if I get to wake up like this every time."

[tenebrarius]

"Every morning," Adam promises, kissing him again and brushing the tip of his nose against Ronan's. Once Ronan seems to be moving again, Adam carefully extricates himself.

"Which way to the food?" He wavers as he gets up, vision going totally black for a moment. Adam blinks to clear it, waiting for the dizziness to subside and trying not to give any sign of how weak he's feeling.

[the_greywaren]

"Maybe a few times during the day." He smiles up at Adam, completely enamored by this boy and the way he touches him. Soft, gentle, loving. Ronan never thought he would have this kind of affection.

Ronan watches him get up and the second he wavers he pops up behind him, hand on the small of his back. He didn't want to make Adam feel weak but he was concerned. Taking him by the hand he lead Adam to the small dining area just off the galley. There are already plates waiting for them.

[tenebrarius]

Adam's never liked being touched, and the small of his back is a vulnerable place to be touched, but with Ronan, he doesn't feel any of the usual skittishness to being touched. Ronan would never hurt him. Even though they've only known each other a day, Adam trusts that.

Winding their fingers together lightly when Ronan takes his hand, Adam smiles as they find food waiting on a table the perfect size for the two of them. He takes a seat, immediately putting a piece of bacon in his mouth and chewing. It's amazing, and Adam can't help the way his eyes close briefly in pleasure. It's the best food he's ever eaten. Adam licks his fingers, watching Ronan as he eats simply because he likes watching Ronan. Everything about Ronan is interesting to him.