Prime

All Characters are owned by Konami. I own nothing absolutely NOTHING at all and I do not hope to gain any profit from this. Set in an Alternate Universe…Sort of. Sol's name from here onwards will be referred to as "Sol".

Thoughts

"Speech"

Chapter 10: The End of The Beginning II

More often than he wanted, Sol was in bed yet again. This time he was in a bed of another's. The light filled the room in a different way from his room back in the palace. Though his eyes were closed he was very much aware of his surroundings and how many people were in it, including some other unimportant information like how big the room was and the slight rose aroma that was found on the sheets that covered him till the neck. Only one more person was in the room and that person was seated on the bed right next to him, sinking away some of the sheets away from him. Almost at once he knew it was someone heavy and definitely male. The slight scent of sweat clashed with the sweet smell of the sheets. It wasn't as bad as Sol thought it would be rather it was almost to the point of being as sweet as the roses. As the lying prince slowly tried to open his eyes, what he desired at that moment was the one who sat beside him looking at him. Relieved at his presence, Sol gave a weak smile.

"You're awake, good."

"You're here."

If Georg had arrived to his rescue a minute too late, Sol wouldn't be in a comfy bed but in a coffin ready to leave the living realm. Georg was extremely skilled and saving him wouldn't be a huge problem. At that moment the prince suddenly remembered something that slipped his mind. He did not know Lyon was alive or dead back in the palace, whether Georg had taken the initiative to bring Lyon's limp body along with his own.

"How's Lyon? Where is she? Did you bring her with you?"

Starting to sound like the girl Sol calmed down a bit when he saw Georg's tiny grin across his relatively huge face. Apparently the older man did manage to notice Lyon lying on the floor beside the prince's bed and was only knocked unconscious by the enemy. Thinking of Lyon meant Sol had to relate to the incidents before when he was violated by a man he once thought was the perfect gentleman. Sol could still feel the bites and the open wounds made by Gizel though almost all of the wounds have been healed by recovery magic. For what seemed like eternal humiliation and torture was simply cast away by a simple chant of rune magic. Similarly, Sol didn't succumb to trauma that should have caused him to lose track of his sanity and any perseverance of his life. Instead he felt at peace now that, as Gizel puts it, his knight in shining armor was right by his side.

"One would expect her to come rushing here just to check if you were alright even in her condition. Your parents certainly chose a good bodyguard for you. Sadly…"

Georg's tiny grin pummeled into a worrying frown coupled with his tense brows. Being completely unaware up till that point, Sol wondered why his parents weren't the ones that were beside his bed waiting for him to wake up. He was so caught up with his own thoughts and the way he handled his problems he totally forgot to put his own parents in mind. He felt ashamed and guilty at the fact that his parents were no longer of this world and yet he was getting comfy with another man he so very adored. The immense amount of guilt and sadness filled his mind and heart so much that it ached with a throbbing rhythm. The physical pain didn't falter the boy but the emotional pain was the one that took the toll on him. Like clockwork, his tears welled up almost immediately and he sought refuge in the older man's arms. They arms were not as welcoming as he expected but soon that all changed. In one swift course of actions that embrace was reinforced by the older man who looked as though he wanted all the pain of the younger boy to channel to his own body.

It was the first time Sol had ever had so much body contact with Georg before but it was not on his mind. Rather the death of his parents blocked out all other sources of emotion, leaving him visibly torn and vulnerable. He had been through hell these past few weeks, ranging from conflict inner emotions to physical abuse. He knew of no other way to channel his sadness and frustration other than through crying in someone's arms. The two stayed in the embrace for what seemed like forever.

That blissful embrace had to end somehow. It came in a form of a knock on the door. It was followed by a shrill, panicky voice which one would normally associate with Lyon. Georg quickly let go of the prince and headed for the door, much to Sol's dismay. The scent of Georg intoxicated his senses to the point where it actually helped him overcome his grief. It was the first time they ever had so much body contact with each other and it felt like heaven on earth. But all good things must come to an end as Georg opened the door for Lyon.

"Prince! Are you alright? I came as soon as I was able to walk. Thank goodness for the both of us."

Lyon promptly bowed to the older man, symbolizing her gratitude for saving her and the prince. Georg shyly scratched his head as he gave Sol a sheepish look. The boy couldn't help but chuckle at the formality Lyon expressed.

"Then I shall leave the both of you to have a hearty talk."

As Georg walked out and closed the door behind him, Lyon's happy and relieved face quickly changed to a face of pity and remorse. Sol knew exactly what Lyon was going to say and he quickly responded to her preparation.

"You don't have to feel sorry for me. What happened already happened. We can't change the past though I would very much like to. Father brought you up too so you share the pain with me. He wouldn't want us to feel this way."

"I guess you read my mind. You have really grown, prince. You used to hide behind the spotlight all the time and refused to accept any change. But ever since Georg appeared in our lives, I feel that all of us are headed in a better direction."

"You…like him don't you?"

That slight reference to Georg by Lyon stung his heart with jealousy. Sol recalled how Lyon was so deep in admiration for Georg he couldn't help but hate her at one point of time. Of course, he eventually got over it as time passed but he couldn't forget how Lyon, a girl, was much better suited for Georg for them to be together.

"I do…I really do. But I know someone who loves him much more the way I feel about him."

She knows?

Sol was shocked but he contained it well behind a nonchalant face.

"You love Georg, don't you prince? I've seen the way you look at him. I've seen the way your face lights up when he enters the room. I even noticed how you imitated his battle stance every once in a while. Well, even your Aunt knows that but that's beside the point."

"When did you first knew?"

"I realized only very recently when you called out to him in the coliseum. He didn't respond and I saw how your heart ached."

That's when he remembered how Georg abandoned him. Sol was confused. He didn't know how to react to his recollection. He was filled with hatred and disappointment at that time, which ultimately led him subconsciously letting Gizel ravage him at the coliseum. But right now, he was confused whether or not to be angry with Georg for leaving him at such a crucial moment. He knew one thing though and that was to ask Georg himself.

"Is that alright with you? Is it alright that I love him?"

"Prince, haven't I always given you the best? You mean so much to me and for you to ask me whether is it alright to love the person I admire so deeply is redundant. I never really liked him the way you do. Rather, I admired him deeply for his courage and skill in fighting. It is you who truly loved him."

"I feel like I'm forcing Georg away from you."

"You are only feeling what your heart feels. Remember one thing, prince. Love him with all your heart and never, ever doubt him. I'm sure deep down inside there is some part of him that loves you too. It's your choice whether or not to open it. I will support you all way, rest assured!"

Another part of Sol's cold and hardened heart melted away as he hugged Lyon as tightly as he hugged Georg. He loved Lyon for as long as he could remember. She was always there for him, even though at times he was demanding and selfish, taking away her possessions. Lyon always gave in to him no matter what.

Thank you Lyon.

It was early afternoon and lunch was about to be served in the Barrow's mansion. Sol had already changed into his casual wear and was about to leave his temporary room in the mansion. After the siege at the palace, Georg apparently carried both of the teenagers to safety out of the palace with the help of Sialeeds and Zegai, the gladiator. Since Zegai previously was disqualified and disgraced the Barrows, the group agreed that he should stay in hiding for awhile. It was probably the master plan of the Godwins from the start but they couldn't find evidence against him. It was frustrating to see so many people affected in many ways under his underhand scheming. The group ended up in the hospitality of Salum Barrows and his two children, Euram and Luserina Barrows. They were nursed back to health by Luserina which happened across the span of only just a few days, a process which could have taken weeks under the supervision of an ordinary doctor.

As he walked down the stairs to the dining room, Sol could already see a middle-aged man grinning from ear-to-ear, ready to receive the prince at the bottom. At once he assumed it was the man of the house, Salum Barrows, from the way he dressed and tugged his shirt up with confidence. To Sol, he looked every bit as scheming as the Godwins. He had no plan whatsoever to put his trust into them, learning from past experiences.

"Ahh…I see the Prince of Falena is already awake! Come join us for lunch, won't you? You beautiful Aunt and those underlings of yours are already waiting for you at the table."

"I'm sure they are."

As he seated in his chair, he realized the Barrows had a strange custom to split the males and females even during lunch. At one side were himself with Georg, Euram and finally Salum in that particular order. At the other side were Luserina, Sialeeds and Lyon, leaving an empty seat with Salum at the other side.

"My wife won't be joining us today, unfortunately. However, I am truly fortunate to have the Prince eating at my humble abode. Hohoho! It sure is an honour!"

"Thank you for your hospitality."

"Oh dispense with ceremonies, it is I who should be thankful I could lay my eyes on royalty. Though, I do not comprehend your choice in companions."

Salum gave a cautious glare at Georg, who seemed to be nonchalant about his taunting. The rest watched closely at the older man as they anticipated his comeback from this minor humiliation. He did something unexpected by rising from his chair not angrily, but more of in a hurry.

"Excuse me, but the 'companion' must be excuse as it must hurry elsewhere. I apologize for its rudeness."

The girls at the other side chuckled as Georg left the dining room. Sol couldn't laugh at his poking at Salum as he felt a nostalgic feeling of abandonment. Georg was about to leave him again for the second time, without telling why or where he was going. His heart ached as he yearned for the older man's presence and that was thoroughly expressed through his clenched fists.

"Don't worry, prince. He would be back soon."

It was almost Lyon read his heart. Doing what she would do best, Sol couldn't help but give a hearty smile.

As lunchtime was over, Sol promptly headed for his room, a place where he can wait for Georg to return without all the unnecessary commotion outside by the Barrows. The only Barrows Sol seemed to appreciate was their daughter, Luserina who nursed them back to health single handedly. Not blinded by gratitude, Sol saw that Luserina was unlike her brother or her father. As these thoughts went past his mind, Sol opened the door to find an empty room. The afternoon sunlight still shone through the windows, filling it with a slight tint of brown and a heartwarming shade of orange. The rose scent was still in abundance, but what mattered to Sol that his smell was still lingering. As he approached the neatly folded bed he noticed something familiar placed on top of the sheets. The necklace that Georg bought for him lay there, looking as good as new, untouched by the dirty hands of Gizel.

You remembered.

Sorry for taking so long! I wanted this chapter to be more meaningful than the recent smut, let's put it as a way of balancing the content…XD. Hope you guys like it.