Chapter 3
The next day, Aphrodisios woke up to the touch of of someone's hand running through his emerald green hair. He saw Apollodoros sitting at the edge of the bed with Persian pants on and shirtless, smiling softly down at him. "You're awake. Breakfast is here." he told Aphrodisios. "Uh, o-okay." Aphrodisios sat up too quickly and pain shot up his backside. He winced and gasped. He attempted to stand, only to fall. Apollodoros caught him in one arm. Concern was written on his face. "Are you okay? You shouldn't move yet." He told the teenager, holding him to his chest. "I might've gone a little too rough on you yesterday." Aphrodisios jumped out of his arms, blushed, and waved his arms in front of himself. "N-n-n-no! It's fine!" He looked to the side. "It was my first time, after all. I never really had someone to love me like you do. Well, besides Aphrodite. She has her duties as a goddess, though." "I figured as much. I snagged myself a son of Aphrodite." Apollodoros smiled. "Though, anyone else would've thought you were a son of Hermes! But, to me, you are the most beautiful thing in my world. A pure and mischievous beauty." he stepped closer to the younger teen. He leaned down and gently kissed him on the lips. Then, he walked over to a bedpost and grabbed the green robe that was there. He walked back over to Aphrodisios and wrapped the robe around the boy's small, thin, naked body. "You should put this on."
"You should eat now. You must be hungry." He led the son of Aphrodite to an ornate mahogany desk with a matching comfy chair. Apollodoros brought the tray of food over and set it in front of Aphrodisios. Breakfast consisted of pastries, marmalade, fruit, and Greek coffee. Aphrodisios widened his eyes at the food. He'd never had this much food in his life! Well, besides at the banquet yesterday. Still, it was more than what he's used to. He wasn't used to eating marmalade. So, he picked up a pastry and didn't touch the marmalade. Before he could take a bite, Apollodoros caught the wrist with the pastry. Aphrodisios looked up, confused. "You should eat it with some marmalade." Apollodoros replied to the confused look. "What's marmalade?" Aphrodisios asked. Apollodoros looked a little shocked, then quickly composed himself. Never ate marmalade? Strange. He thought. He picked up the silver knife next to the jar of marmalade. "Here, you put it on like this and then take a bite." He instructed. Aphrodisios took a bit. It tasted delicious! "Tastes better, doesn't it?" Aphrodisios nodded, savoring the sweet taste of dates. He swallowed and Apollodoros leaned down to kiss him, tasting the dates on the younger's lips. "Mmm. You taste delicious." he said. Aphrodisios looked up and blushed. "Do I?" "Yes. And you need a shower." "So do you." "Already took one." He replied. Aphrodisios jumped up and grinned. "Hmmm. You'll have to chase me to put me in the bath!" He ran towards the door. He looked back and said, "Catch me, if you can!" With that, he ran. Catch him. It's not that hard, is it?
Apollodoros leaned against a wall, huffing and puffing. Damn! He's quick! I guess I was lucky in Archippos, I suppose. He thought. He put his hands in his hair, pulling at it. Argh! Shit! I'll never get him! Apllodoros ran past servants and maids, determined to get that maverick. The servants bowed as he ran past.
Aphrodisios laughed as he ran past the servants. The only thing they could see was a blur of green. Their prince came a while after, a little out of breath. The troublemaker kept running and laughing until he ran into someone. He stepped back to see what or who he ran into. A beautiful young looking woman with long blonde hair and green eyes stood in front of him. She had a Persian dress on and circlet on her head. No, not circlet, a crown! She looked down at him. Shit! I'm in sooo much trouble now! "And who might you be, dear?" She asked. Before he could answer, the prince came and wrapped his arms around Aphrodisios' waist. "Gotcha!" "Ah!" "Apollodoros. Who might this be?" The woman asked. Apollodoros looked up from his little lover and replied, "Why, my lover, Mother." "M-mother? Y-you mean this pretty lady is your mother?"Aphrodisios asked, shocked. "Ah, gomen, gomen! I could not introduce you to her yesterday because she was busy with other matters as the queen." Apollodoros replied. "Mother, this is my lover, Aphrodisios. Aphrodisios, this is my mother, Queen Fatima of the Desert." He said. Q-Queen of the Desert?! She's beautiful! "Welcome to the Kingdom of Doulikhion. More then that, welcome to our family, dear." the Queen said lovingly. She walked up to Aphrodisios and hugged him tightly. Not knowing what else to do, he hugged her back. "T-thank you, your majesty." he replied. "Oh honey, you don't have to be so formal. I will be happy to be your mother." she replied. "Uh, Mother, he needs a bath. I had to chase him down." her son said. He picked Aphrodisios up bridal style and carried him to the bath. Queen Fatima smiled. I'm happy he found a companion. And she walked away.
In the private bathroom, Apollodoros unrobed Aphrodisios while the maids heated the bath. Both he and the younger went in slowly, since it was still a little too hot. Apollodoros picked up a sponge and gently washed the younger's back. He put the sponge down and picked up a jar of solution. Apollodoros scooped a handful and massaged it into Aphrodisios' hair. It turned out to be lavender shampoo. The older teen washed himself and then they both rinsed off and got out. Aphrodisios dried off and looked about the bedroom, not knowing what to do. Apollodoros brought him a Greek males' tunic, similar to what Aphrodisios usually wore, except that this one had gold weaved into the hem, with a golden belt. He stared at it for a while because he's never had a beautiful tunic like that one before. "Well, I had my private tailor make this and others for you. The one you had just would not do!" Apollodoros said. "Thank you! I appreciate this! I really do!" Aphrodisios replied and put the tunic on. Now he looked like royalty. He was also given sandals(golden), something he never had. He and his lover walked out the room to the throne room to help the queen with anything she needed.