.trust.

Tyler slept well with Jeremy next to him. He woke to Jeremy's hands rubbing oil around his wound. He sighed contentedly and let his eyes slide closed.
"Am I to go to the kitchens? They are surely preparing breakfast."
"No," Tyler murmured, reaching for his wrists, "I've need of you here." Jeremy handed over the bottle of oil wordlessly. Tyler couldn't stop his smile. He poured oil into his hand before slowly working into Jeremy again. Jeremy pressed closer willingly, moaning softly as his arms wound around Tyler's neck.
"Please, please," he whispered, eyes closing once again. Tyler frowned.
"Stay here little prince." Jeremy's forehead wrinkled and he moaned.
"I am here," he breathed. "Are you not?" His eyes peeked open and Tyler kissed his lips again.
"I am here little prince," he whispered against his mouth. Jeremy moaned again, arching under him. Tyler lifted himself on one arm, eyes locking with Jeremy's as he slid inside. A quiet moan slipped from Jeremy and he bit his lip. For just a moment Tyler's chest constricted. There was no doubt. Jeremy could not be pretending he was somewhere else. It was not possible. He pressed as close as possible, breaths slipping into Jeremy's.

It was strange. Jeremy dressed quickly and moved for the door. "Little prince," Tyler murmured, unable to stop himself. Jeremy turned, lips twisting ever so slightly.
"What?" Tyler didn't let himself hesitate. It was a ridiculous thought.
"Swear to me I can trust you." There was a need clawing inside of him. As if he knew he had gone too far and he was looking for something to save him. He had gone too far. He'd let Jeremy in. Jeremy sobered.
"I swear it."
"Good," Tyler turned away before he smiled. "Let us both keep that in mind then." The only answer was the closing door. Tyler finished dressing and went to breakfast. The meal started innocently enough. Knowing his men as he did, Tyler should have guessed it would not remain that way. He couldn't be sure how the discussion moved where it did because he hadn't been paying attention. He had been watching Jeremy eat instead. It was actually when he noticed Jeremy tense up that he began listening.
"I never heard the like," Jayel was saying. "From bitches in heat perhaps, but not from a man. These Ellysians are a different sort entirely." Tyler's reaction surprised him. He wanted to snarl. He wanted to jump across the table and kill Jayel with his bare hands. Instead he pulled his dagger, slamming it into the table. Silence fell.
"I grow bored," he stated simply. He flicked a glance to Jeremy before moving back down the table. "And when a Bor grows bored…"
"You'd best draw your sword," his men finished. A charge ran through the room.
"Jayel," Tyler drawled, not looking at him, "did you not say you wished to battle the Ellysian?" Jayel shoved back from the table. "Does anyone object?" Tyler questioned, looking around the table. The room was perfectly silent. Tyler pulled his dagger and offered it to Jeremy. Tyler caught Jeremy's sleeve and pulled him close. Jeremy took the dagger with his free hand. "His heart is buried deep," Tyler breathed in his ear, "best find it quick." Jeremy's answering smile was deadly. "Circle up around them." Everyone shoved back from the table then. Jeremy and Jayel drew to the side. The sixty odd men formed a tight, lumpy circle, leaving room for Tyler. "Daggers only," Tyler announced. Jayel snorted before handing off his sword and drawing his dagger. "To the death." Tyler felt more than heard the rumble of appreciation. "What are you waiting for?"

Jayel lunged forward but Jeremy dodged it effortlessly. With a well placed shove Jayel was stumbling forward. The men closest pushed him back in ruthlessly. Jeremy paced back and Tyler realized he was toying with Jayel. The thought pleased him sickly. He was careful not to smile as he watched the battle continue. Jeremy worked at Jayel slowly, making him move, slight cuts every so often. When Jayel caught Jeremy on the cheek Tyler's heart missed a beat. Instead of flinching back from the cut Jeremy surged forward. Tyler didn't see the fatal blow, he only heard Jayel cry out. His body dropped and Jeremy waited a moment before crossing back to Tyler. He dropped to one knee before offering the dagger. Tyler wondered if he was hiding a smile in the act. He guessed he was. He took the dagger before looking to his men. "Perhaps you now realize how dangerous the Ellysian is," he murmured. "Think you Jayel learned his lesson?"
"A bit too late," Noah offered.
"Get rid of him. Back to drills." The men moved immediately and Tyler breathed a sigh of relief. Jayel hadn't been as popular as he worried. Jeremy rose as they scrambled expression blank. "Very good little prince."
"Were you worried?" he questioned as the last man left. Tyler smiled.
"Only for a moment." Jeremy smiled too. After another moment he winced, one hand moving to his cheek.
"Bastard," he muttered.
"You did well," Tyler breathed, stepping closer before catching the back of his neck and kissing him. Jeremy released a surprised sound before catching Tyler's sides and pressing closer. Tyler lifted him and carried him to the table, shoving plates out of the way before setting him down.
"You were worried," Jeremy accused.
"Whatever you say little prince," Tyler murmured, swiping some of the blood off his cheek.

A few days had passed and while nothing of note had happened, Tyler had the feeling that it was only a matter of time. His men were Bor and it could only be so long before they would grow dissatisfied. He worried over the Ellysians' safety constantly.
"Your shoulder is tense," Jeremy offered quietly, hands working at it slowly. Tyler grimaced.
"Thoughts weigh heavy on my mind." Jeremy made a quiet sound of acceptance but did not question him. Words were pulling at Tyler's lips before he realized. "My men are difficult to control at times. We are far from home and I know well that they are not overly fond of me."
"You worry of a rebellion?" Jeremy questioned after a long moment. Tyler nodded once, stiffly. Jeremy was silent for a long time, clearly thinking. "Would you care for a suggestion?" he finally hazarded quietly. Tyler stared at him openly. If Jeremy avoiding his gaze was deliberate he couldn't be sure.
"I would hear one."
"Several times a year, in the capitol, we- the royal family holds a day for the people to come to us with any problems they have. They can be simple, such as a belonging gone missing, or complicated, such as a murder. We do whatever we can to aid them."
"Why?" Tyler demanded. A man's problems were his own. Weren't they?
"Well," Jeremy hedged, wiping his hands on a cloth before dropping them, "in Ellysia we believe that it is a ruler's duty to look after their people. The power over the people is not the most important thing. They are." Tyler felt his forehead pucker in confusion.
"And who looks after you?" Jeremy continued avoiding his gaze, climbing out of bed and setting the oil on a table. Eventually he shrugged.
"I do not matter."
"Why not?" Jeremy finally looked to him then and Tyler could see the absolute determination there.
"I was- supposed to be king," he said simply, as if that answered everything.
"So you would have me ask my men what they desire?"
"I would have you do nothing your highness. I simply seek to help you." Tyler did not respond, lips pressing together in thought.

Silence fell when Tyler stood in the middle of breakfast the next day. He placed both palms flat on the table and looked at no one in particular. He specifically did not look at Jeremy.
"We are far from home," he began. "I know you are not fools and I know this is obvious in all of our thoughts. Word from my father will take time. For now we are to hold stationary. I have decided that there will be no drills today. Instead, I will hold council with anyone that wishes it."
"Council?" a man questioned. Tyler didn't look up fast enough to catch him.
"Council," he agreed. He sank back into his chair, incredibly aware of how slowly eating resumed. He couldn't let his guard down and he knew that. But maybe this was not the same thing. Maybe if his men were content things could be more like they were in Ellysia. They were in Ellysia after all. Why not do as they did? The council went well, shockingly so. Nearly a third of the men came to see him. A few mentioned his rule on the Ellysians but he put those thoughts down quickly. Other men wanted more equality among the guard duties. A few on third line that had stayed loyal wanted promotions. Some complained of the food, the ones who did not dine with Tyler. He almost could not believe that they actually seemed to listen when he talked with them. Maybe Jeremy was on to something after all. At dinner he summarized what had been discussed and what his stance on things was. They would hold duels for those that wished to try and gain more status. Guard duties would be shared equally, even the commanding officers. Tyler reasoned that it was not an exceptionally difficult task. As for the food Tyler asked Jeremy if some of the Ellysians would be opposed to teaching his men how to cook simple meals using what they could find here. Jeremy agreed that he would see what he could do, expression neutral. That night brought a different side of Jeremy. He smiled, pulling Tyler close and kissing him. "You are…happy," Tyler surmised slowly.
"I am."
"Why?" Why was Tyler so pleased by this?
"You bend a little," Jeremy said, pressing even closer, "and sometimes you find things you were not expecting." Tyler had the feeling they weren't talking about his men.

Tyler wasn't sure exactly what he'd expected. Things…settled. Perhaps it was the Ellysian air, perhaps it was his attempt at council, but his men seemed calmer here. They rarely fought amongst themselves and he even saw different faces around the dinner table on different nights. They were…sharing with each other. As for Tyler, he was calmer here too. He'd never felt this way. Tyler studied the way Jeremy's eyelashes rested on his cheeks. He slept soundly, mere inches from Tyler. It still surprised Tyler, that Jeremy would sleep next to him. But maybe Jeremy knew he had nothing to fear. Maybe he didn't. Half debating the action, Tyler leaned down and kissed him softly. His fingertips drifted over the nearly healed cut on his cheek. Ridiculously, he hoped it wouldn't scar. Jeremy woke with a gentle moan, shifting closer. Tyler smiled against his lips before pulling back.
"Good morning little prince," he offered. Jeremy smiled and blinked slowly.
"Morning."
"What if we get away from the castle today?" Jeremy's smile grew more pronounced after a moment.
"I know the perfect place."

A/N: So I just wanted to quickly mention that we've jumped ahead about…well a couple weeks. I don't know how clearly that read and I added quite a bit last minute so yeah. Sorry if it seems choppy or rushed. (No I'm not telling you which part it was…) Oh and I will be covering different aspects of the same time with Jeremy. Or at least I'll try.

I am so freaking excited/nervous for next chapter. I can't even. And no I'm not trying to tease you I just…can't really contain it. And this chapter was almost twice the length of a normal one so…you can't be mad.

But yeah. I'm really hoping to have it done soon.

Thanks.