A/N: Chapter 10, we're halfway through! Don't forget to review!
It was not unusual for Samuel to be unable to sleep. He spent many nights just lying in his place, thinking.
Tonight, his thoughts particularly involved the prince. Samuel reached out to touch Nicola's arm. He brushed his fingers along the goose bump-covered bicep and decided to pull the boy closer, so that their bodies were cupped together. Sam wrapped the blanket tightly around Nicola and draped his arm over the brunette, hugging him. He realized that earlier that morning, after he'd spent the night in the prince's room, he had woken up to find Nicola in his arms—just like now. He figured this must've been how it happened last night, or maybe he pulled him closer in his sleep. The blonde chuckled at that—even in his sleep he had a strong attraction for Nicola.
Samuel had already accepted the idea that he would abandon his plan of kidnapping for ransom, and instead try to see if Nicola could return his feelings. It was stupid; it was really the stupidest thing Samuel had ever planned; nonetheless, he was desperate.
Men of their time didn't live long: to age sixty at best. Samuel had nearly spent a third of his life already, and he hated the thought of it. What had he accomplished? He could list many dishonorable things. What he really wanted out of life was what every human being wants at some point in their lives. Love. For some it was in the form of friends; for some it was a family. For Samuel, it was a partner.
It seemed foolish and idealistic and impossible to find, but Samuel was aching for someone to make the remaining two-thirds of his life he had left worthwhile. He yearned, like any simple man, for someone to hold, and laugh with, and express his love to. A temporary supply of money was worthless compared to life-long contentment like the kind a lover provided.
He knew it sounded thoughtless to think that Nicola was that someone. I've only liked him since this morning, Samuel thought. However, maybe he had liked Nicola for a while. Maybe weeks ago, when he made the decision to keep visiting the prince even after the two weeks were up. And maybe before that, when he was dancing with Nicola at the ball and becoming lost in the man's smooth, deep voice. Now Samuel was starting to think he was a fool for not realizing it sooner that he liked Nicola in a more-than-friendly way.
But of course, now that Samuel understood he'd had a crush on Nicola for a while now, he knew why it had been so easy for him to fall for the prince. Nicola wasn't like the other men. Nicola was caring. Nicola was handsome. Nicola was genuine and true and had this minute innocence inside him that was surrounded by a knowledgeable and strong exterior. He had an honorable conscience and sense of duty. He was brilliant and had a broad sense of humor. He was romantic and, in a way, exotic. Even his hot-blooded side that showed when he was angry was attractive. There were so many aspects of this man that Samuel admired, and some that Samuel could even relate to.
Samuel knew he would never come across a man like Nicola—of whom he easily loved so many things about—ever again in his lifespan. No matter the risk, no matter the consequence, he was going to assure Nicola felt the same.
However, a problem, or a few, still existed:
Samuel was a wanted fugitive and would be arrested if found. He hadn't told Nicola he wasn't a prince, which was a lie he was sure Nicola would be furious about. He hadn't told Nicola that this whole thing is actually a kidnapping, which is obviously shocking for anyone to find out. Nicola is a prince, meaning it's probably against the law for him to be unmarried, with a man, or with someone of lower class (especially a criminal).
He figured those could all be dealt with in time, somehow, but for now a more urgent issue was at hand.
He still hadn't told Nicola how he felt, and he only had a day left to do it. He said he'd return the prince to the castle the next day. Samuel really didn't want to keep sneaking up to the prince's room every day. Indeed he'd done it for a month already, but it was getting tiresome and he'd only planned to do it for two weeks in the first place anyways. If he kept doing it, not only was he more likely to get caught sooner or later, but it also gave him permission to procrastinate in confessing his feelings.
Samuel didn't want to feel like he had a lifetime to tell Nicola how he felt, but there was no way he was ready to confess that by the next day. So, Sam's best option was to convince the prince to stay on the run with him for at least a few more days. He needed enough time to make small advances, not just childishly claim undying love for Nicola in the next hour. Then, to Samuel's hope, within the next week Nicola could love him too.
The fugitive sighed and ran his rough fingers through the sleeping royal's hair as gently as possible. Nicola inadvertently cuddled up to the younger man behind him, still heavily asleep. Sam couldn't stop the tired smile that spread across his cheeks. With a brief smidgeon of hesitation, he kissed the back of Nicola's head tenderly, catching a soft scent of cologne. Satisfied, Samuel yawned and was able to let sleep overcome him.
Nicola awoke to a kind of warmth that he'd never felt before. He wondered what magnificent being could have bestowed him such a great engulfment of comfort, when he turned his head around to see Samuel: dead-asleep and with his arm holding the prince tightly to his body. Nicola almost jumped at the unexpected sight, but his body decided to become hot with embarrassment instead. Surely Sam flirted with him a lot, but he had never done something that affectionate before. It wasn't long before Nicola let out a quiet sound of laughter. He felt so…complete in Samuel's arms. As if the purpose of his existence was to lay there, under their makeshift tent on the floor of a ramshackle little inn in a foreign town, and be held closely by him and recycle the warmth Sam's body gave him.
The feeling was short-lived, to Nicola's dismay. Sam yawned and Nicola shifted away from him out of nervousness before the blonde was fully awake.
The ruffian stretched and rubbed his sleep-deprived eyes.
"Oh God, I must've slept for about three hours…" Samuel groaned.
Nicola swallowed his heartbeat; "Ah, didn't get much sleep?" was all he could think up.
"Nah, I never do."
"Perche? Why is that?" the prince was slightly curious.
"I don't really know, just the simple fact that I can't sleep. I'm always up all night thinking or some shit like that," Sam replied.
"I'm sorry you're so sleep deprived Samuel," Nicola said with his heart in his head, "What were you thinking of that kept you up for so long anyhow?"
"You," Samuel stated bluntly, smiling into Nicola's eyes.
The royal blushed slightly. He wanted to further question Samuel and ask why Sam was thinking of him, but he decided to let it be and not complicate things.
Sam sat up and stretched, "So Nic, whatcha wanna do today?"
Nicola appreciated the change of topic, "Well before we do anything, I need a bath. Would you mind doing me a favor and filling the tub for me?" he smiled.
Sam was lazy, but couldn't resist his pleading smile, "Okay fine. Then do me a favor and take down this tent while I'm gone will ya?"
"Si, that seems fair."
The fugitive dressed into his daily garb and left the room to go fill the tub, when he heard a snippet of a conversation in the front room that caught his attention. Nicola noticed Sam come back into the room rather soon as the blonde shut the door behind him silently.
"Why are—"
"Shh!" Samuel shushed, whispering, "There're fucking guards here!"
"C-Che cosa? Are they here for me?" the prince panicked.
"I'm not sure," Samuel lied. He knew far too well they were after him, not Nicola, "But we've gotta get out of here, fast."
"Right," Nicola, not having enough time to take down the tent, didn't hesitate and quickly changed into his day clothes, packing his pyjamas and any other items left out. He made sure the new dagger Samuel gave him was tucked securely in his belt. Samuel packed up what little items he'd taken out.
"Sam," Nicola started quietly with his bag in tow, "How do you expect us to be able to leave? The window is too small…."
"Fuck, I don't know," the criminal replied, stressed, "We'll just…have to make a run for it."
"Sei pazzo?!" Nicola sighed, "Oh Dio maybe I should just go with them. I shouldn't have left home."
"Seriously Nicola? You're going to be a pussy and forfeit?"
"Excuse me?" replied Nicola, "Who do you think you're talking to like that? Don't be an idiota Samuel. If we run we'll only get caught! It's not like we'll never see each other again if I go back to my palace; you can always visit me just like you have been!"
"But what if I can't? What if, because of this little incident, it gets worse than it already is? You're already not permitted to leave the palace, and maybe after this your daddy will get scared and make sure the guards keep a closer eye on you, hm? If you have someone constantly watching you, I can't keep sneaking up to your room. We don't have all fucking day to talk, this isn't a tea party. You better decide what you wanna do right now. Stay with me, or don't," said the blonde adjusting his luggage over his shoulder.
For a moment, Samuel glared at Nicola as if accusing him of blasphemy for wanting to give in. He then cracked open the door and Nicola leaned in as they saw a guard in the doorway of another patron's room across the hall asking "Have you seen this young man?" as he held up a poster.
"Go," Nicola whispered.
Samuel understood Nicola's decision and scurried down the hall with the prince close behind. The guard in the hallway was busy harassing a man for answers and the other two guards that tagged along were in the main hall having a quick beer. The runaways were so close, when suddenly they were discovered.
"'Ey!" one of the guards stood and shouted, "That's 'im!"
"Shit," Sam rolled his eyes and stopped, grabbing Nicola's arm and telling him, "Go and get the horse ready."
The prince nodded hastily and ran out the door.
Samuel readied his fists in front of him as both guards at the bar were standing now. Apparently the guard in the hallway didn't get the memo yet.
"Lookin' for me?" Sam asked.
"You're under arrest Samuel Williams!"
"Like hell I am!" the outlaw yelled and charged at one of the officers. He swung a fist and missed, immediately dodging an oncoming attack. This time he faked a swing and hit the guard right in the jaw with the opposite hand, causing the heavy man to stumble. The second guard took charge and rushed toward Samuel angrily. Sam waited until the last second and tumbled away right as the brute swung, ending up close to the bar. The annoyed guard turned around to face the entertained Samuel, and dashed to him with a clenched hand. The rebel teen grabbed a beer tankard from the counter, blocking the officer's punch and slamming the glass mug against his noggin. The man groaned in agony and staggered back, giving Samuel the opportunity of escape. Sam shoved the stumped guard into the other and ran for the door before the third guard realized there was ever a brawl. Once outside, Samuel saw Nicola struggling to keep Tanner restrained.
"Guess he heard the fighting, eh?" Samuel chuckled and went to Tanner's side, calming the horse with ease, "Let's get outta here, I only stalled them," he said as he climbed atop his honey-colored steed. "C'mon," he took the prince's hand and helped him up.
"You okay?" Nicola asked as he wrapped his arms around the younger teen's waist for support.
"Of course, that was no challenge," Samuel responded cockily and manned Tanner's reigns. They rode off as the last guard ran outside in time to see them go, cursing angrily to himself.
Samuel laughed jovially. He finished a satisfying fight without a scratch on him, he felt the cool breeze in his hair as he rode his loyal horse, and he appreciated the warm feeling he developed being held by the man behind him; Nicola, whose heart he would soon hope to steal. Sam had a plan, and he was feeling pretty good about it.
A/N: Sam goes from stealing gold to stealing hearts haha x) Please review! :)