"Are you still asleep in there?"

Luca vaguely heard a voice outside of his door. He was still cuddled up in a nest of blankets and pillows, extremely comfortable in its warmth. He nestled deeper into his pillow and ignored the voice. He didn't have any plans with anyone today, and he wasn't interested in waking up earlier than he had to.

"Luca, it's afternoon now. Time to get up." The voice called again, followed by a rapt knock on his door. It was Cleo. "I'm going to go get your sister." She warned, and he knew she was serious.

Luca gave a long sigh to himself and opened his eyes.

"Alright I'm up, I'm up. No need to go around and threaten people with bodily injury." He called out, rubbing at his groggy face. He heard no other response, Cleo was seemingly satisfied knowing she did her job.

He pulled himself out of his warm haven of a bed and stretched his back out, raising his arms up to do so. He turned to get himself dressed and ready for the day, slightly surprised he didn't have a headache when he spotted them. The small cloth containing the berries he was so protective over yesterday.

Oh my god.

Memories of last night's heated moments were flooding back to him. He covered his face with his hands in horror and squatted down to the ground in case he fainted.

The prince… Ranzal… Oh my GOD. How am I supposed to look either of them in the eye ever again?!

He let out a yelp and peeked through his eyes at the berries as if they could see him looking. He needed to put them away and deal with that later. The frazzled Sylvan hurried to stand again and picked up the berries from the side table. He couldn't leave them in here and risk his sister going through all of his things for fun. He didn't mind if she did that normally, he was rarely in here so there wasn't ever anything weird. There were 10 of the small plump berries staring back at him, daring him to find a better place for them.

Luca decided he needed to find a container for them that wouldn't risk smashing them. Glancing around his room, he looked for anything that could work for what he needed. He spotted an empty vial that once contained medicine for a small cold he had previously. It needed to be cleaned out, but it was solid and protective enough that it would work. Plus he could keep them on his person, and lessen the chance of someone stumbling on them. The last thing anyone needed was someone like Chelsea finding them and using them to her advantage.

Luca frowned at his thoughts and realized that he was no better since his plan was exactly the same. Or at least his supposed plan, he was still panicking a little bit as he set the berries back down to grab the vial.

He didn't have a sink in his room, so he started making his way to the bathroom with the vial in hand.

As he rinsed the vial in the sink, he thought back to last night.

That was really far. I think I need to cool it on the ale for a bit, I could've blown the whole thing with my big fat mouth. Not to mention…

He grimaced at the hazy memory of his intimacy last night.

"Luca."

Fuck

The Sylvan startled at the sudden voice interrupting his embarrassed thoughts and dropped the glass vial into the sink. It rolled around noisily, and Luca scrambled to pick it back up. Out of panic, he shoved it right into his pocket, still wet.

"Would you stop doing that?!" Luca complained, turning to the voice's owner. Ranzal stood at the door to the bathroom with his apparent new signature unreadable expression. As soon as Luca saw the blank expression, it was replaced with Ranzal's usual confident grin.

"Looks like you survived last night. Y'know I gotta tell ya, I didn't think you would keep up with me as long as you did." Ranzal let out a laugh, and Luca joined him trying to seem as natural as possible.

"I tripped like 3 times but I made it back safe and sound." Luca shrugged, resting his hands on his hips triumphantly. "Someone really needs to look into picking up the loose rock on the castle floors." Ranzal was almost blocking the door with how wide he was, and that was making it hard to go run off to the safety of his room.

"What were you cleanin' in here? I heard somethin' drop." Ranzal asked, folding his arms naturally.

Fuck, play it cool.

"I was gonna return, uh" He picked the vial out of his now damp pocket. " This to the apothecary, I realized I still had it from a while back." He may have stuttered, but at least the excuse was solid.

"I can do that for ya, I'm goin' there anyway. One of the guys who drank with us needs some pain reliever, guess he got the worst of the morning curse." Ranzal shook his head, seemingly disappointed at the guy whose face Luca can't even remember.

"No, that's okay! I need to get up and move." Luca lifted a hand and tried not to sound desperate, but he couldn't think of a second solid excuse. "I uh, had a leg cramp earlier." Ranzal cocked an eyebrow at him and eyed the vial that was still in Luca's hand.

"Why did you go to the prince's door last night?"

Luca's blood ran cold and prickled at the tips of his fingers.

Act dumb

"Did I? I must've been lost. I don't remember that. Funny how drinking does that to you." Luca offered and prayed that it was enough. Ranzal's face was unreadable again, and he was starting to feel sick with anxiety. This guy was so scary when he wanted to be. He needed to get out of this situation as soon as possible.

"D'you remember a while back when I took your sister out to eat for helping us take down those fiends?" Ranzal's expression didn't change. Luca had hoped with his next words, he would get a chance to read between the lines and figure out what the bigger man was thinking. Luca decided to change the subject and squinted at him, feigning annoyance.

"Where are you going with this? No, you can't date my sister." Luca put the vial back in his pocket so he could properly cross his arms and pout. "You're not her type anyway, I bet she would shoot you down. Literally." He raised a finger to his chin and tilted his head to the side as if he was imagining it.

"She said somethin' to me on the way home how easy it is to tell when you're up to something. What's the vial for, Luca?" The attempted topic change was ignored, and what he had asked wasn't a question. Ranzal's head tilted back, now staring down through his eyelashes at the mentally (semi-physically, Ranzal was still blocking most of the doorway) cornered Sylvan. Luca's heart started to pound in his chest, he had already been anxious because of the vial but… something about getting caught was warming up his body.

"LUUUUUCCYYYYYY~!!"

Luca could have cried from relief (and disappointment, but he wasn't willing to unpack that yet) as he heard Chelsea's shrill voice in the hallway.

"Whoops, better go see what she wants! Don't want the halidom to catch fire! Haha hahaha haha! Isn't this nostalgic? HAHA! I'll send for you if I need help!" He took his opportunity to flee, pushing past the wall of a man, who didn't respond, to leave the bathroom. He knew he sounded 100% guilty, he knew his composure was absolutely lost… But at least he was free. Ranzal would forget about it. Surely.

Luca sprinted back to the castle, putting his long legs to work. Chelsea had just needed help finding the bow dojo, Euden had moved most of the dojos to better locations to make way for a new flashy facility. Although he told himself that Ranzal would forget about their earlier encounter, it was still too risky to leave the berries unattended. He did count himself lucky that he had just escorted the one person who was able and willing to break into his room to snoop around.

Ranzal knew I was at the prince's room last night… Was he following me? No, his room is close to mine.

Luca finally reached his room and slipped inside. The berries were safe and sound on his side table, and he breathed out a sigh of relief. He got straight to work, putting them into the vial that was now dry. Stashing it away in his pocket, a familiar home for them, he flopped down on his bed.

I need a plan. I still don't even know what to do with these. I really wanna see the prince lose his composure. But...

Luca's breath hitched as he remembered the heat of last night. He had never imagined a person with him before when he touched himself, but he couldn't ignore how much quicker he got himself to crumble while doing so. He covered his eyes with an arm in embarrassment, not that anyone was in there. While he was still a little ashamed, he felt a flutter of interest in his lower stomach. Ranzal, after all, would be a horrible idea. He knew something was up and he was much scarier than he originally thought. All these times they would hang out and train together, and he never got this kind of serious. At least the prince wouldn't hit him or make him run a few miles as a punishment.

Tea. The prince would never turn down tea, especially if it was made for him. That'll make it easy to use the berries and keep them undetected.

Luca sat back up and nodded to himself. That was a good start. He wasn't sure how long it took for the effects to show, but tea would probably get into his system pretty quickly.

Normally I would wait for an opening to do this but… since it's him, he would probably just accept it without question. Plus, I have an easy explanation since we just went foraging together. I found the perfect herbs to make a special tea… it's technically true.

He rose to his feet and made to leave his room, finally feeling the excitement of pulling a prank. Now all he had to do was kill some time before dinner, and he would be ready to make his move. Since he woke up so late this morning, it wouldn't be too long of a wait. It would be best to avoid Ranzal as much as possible, so as to not remind him of the earlier bathroom confrontation. He decided to set out and find something to busy himself with away from the castle.

After bugging every single person he could see, and then every single person he could think of to keep him busy, it was finally evening. Luca had the tea in hand, and he bounded down the hall to the prince's room. It had taken all of the berries to make since he wasn't sure about their potency when mixed with water. He had given it a whiff, and it smelled pleasant enough after he had mixed some fragrant herbs with it.

"Hey Euden, are you in th-" Luca froze in his stride. He had been only 5 steps from the door when he saw none other than Ranzal turn the corner into the corridor.

"Luca, come here." The much taller man ordered, his tone was stern and serious.

Luca didn't move.

"Fine." Ranzal stepped toward him, in a way that suggested that if Luca were to run, he wouldn't get very far. He pulled the cup from Luca's sweating palms and brought it up to his mouth.

"Wait-" Luca tried to warn him, and held up a hand to try and knock the tea down, but it was too late. The teacup was thrown back, and Ranzal drank the entire contents. He set the teacup down to the side of the corridor out of the way of the footpath. Luca needed to leave. Or stay. Or leave. His brain was short-circuiting. He rejoiced in the fact that he was technically getting his way in the end, despite being caught. But if being caught meant Ranzal poisoning himself with the lusty berry tea, and then taking it out on him… He considered this to be the gods smiling down at him.

"I've been around a lot. I've been to a lot of places around this world." Ranzal started, stepping toward Luca and towering over him in a motion of pure intimidation. "And when you're a merc like me, you hear things. Lots of rumors." Luca backed up against the wall out of instinct. He was pleased to be the prey in this situation and was more than happy to play the part.

"Ranzal-" Luca tried to interrupt, wanting to get to the point, but that earned a hand on the wall beside his head. He yelped and tried to make himself small. Something was wrong, it didn't seem to be affecting the man at all. He would have assumed that a man of that size would have grabbed at him at least a little by now, under those effects.

"That berry doesn't work on humans," Ranzal smirked, watching Luca's face turn pale. "Don't you reckon we would hear about that kinda thing from those soldiers?" He lifted his other hand to grab Luca's chin and forced him to look farther up at him. Luca swallowed thickly, having no responses in his head. All he could focus on was the closeness of the other man's body, the heat that radiated off of it. He felt prickles of sensitivity all over his body. Part of him was now glad that Ranzal didn't know about his recent lusting after him, but another part of him wanted the other man's body to be smashed against his own.

Ranzal let go of the hold he had on Luca's chin and reached for something in his pocket. Luca glanced around him, looking for anywhere to escape. Suddenly he heard the hand next to his head move, and he felt the press of fingers on his throat. His eyes widened, and he flicked his attention back to Ranzal.

"I don't know exactly what you were plannin' on doin' with the prince. What I do know is that you are gonna learn how it feels." With the hand securing Luca's throat, he squeezed once, causing him to gasp at the sensation. He took the planned opportunity and slid a finger into the other man's mouth, pressing something round down at the tongue inside.

What.

Luca spattered and coughed, shoving the other's hands away from himself. He had tasted something sweet, wet, and… a few mealy seeds? He dropped to the floor, legs weak from the stress (and arousal, he can't lie anymore).

"Like I said, this berry only works on you guys. The bunnies. Hopefully, this will teach you about mindin' your business. And to make sure you pick up stuff you dropped. Though, I think you were too drunk to notice you even dropped one." Ranzal crossed his arms and took a step back to give Luca some space. Luca, on the other hand, was now breathing hard. He had already been turned on by the sudden throat grabbing, but it was quickly escalating into something much stronger. His hands braced himself on the floor, fire traveling through his veins. Sitting all of a sudden felt amazing, but at the same time, his body was screaming that he needed more. The phantom feeling of Ranzal's finger in his mouth was driving him crazy. "Leave the prince alone, bottom line. Go back to your room and go to bed."

Luca was straining against his pants now, and he felt extremely strange throughout his body. He felt an especially alien warmth at his entrance, almost as if it were… wet? Slimy? Sticky?

"Ranzal… I'm really... " He was beginning to get a little panicked now, having never felt like this before. He went to speak again, but all that came out was a breathy 'oh'. He peered up at the towering man, his face flushed with need.

Ranzal's jaw visibly tightened, and He quirked an eyebrow. "Alright, I'll get you back to your room. Maybe that was a little far." He leaned down to pick up the other man from his place on the floor.

Luca's entire body sang with the contact, as he was maneuvered over the giant shoulder of the other. He was only able to respond with a loud gasp as his hips made contact with the shoulder he was balanced on.

"I know, I know. Don't worry about it. We don't gotta talk about it after this. Sorry, Luca, it seemed like a fitting punishment at the time. What with the laughing pie and all, I assumed that was the way you learned your lesson." Ranzal made for Luca's room, Luca wasn't listening. Every step brushed his dick against his shoulder, it wasn't enough, but he was drowning in the pleasure of it. Whatever sensation he was feeling at his entrance only grew stronger as he was hauled. "Why did ya wanna know who the prince is seein' so bad anyway? You got a crush?"

"N-No-!" Luca gritted out, cutting himself off with a groan. "Ranzal I need y-"

"Okay, I hear ya. It's not fair to ask you about crushes right now anyway, huh? We're almost there, just hang in there." Ranzal either knew about Luca's problem and was trying to save themselves the embarrassment, or he was just blissfully unaware. He was right that they were almost at Luca's room, but all Luca could feel was intense burning inside of him. He wasn't sure what wanted to be filled more, his mouth, or his slick entrance.

"Ranzal- Please I need-" Luca gasped out, each brush against him was edging torture. At this point he was practically mewling, having given up on being subtle. He definitely couldn't finish for a long time in his position, but it still flooded all of his senses. He couldn't see the other man's face from where he was, since he was slung over his shoulder like this.

Finally, they reached Luca's room, and Ranzal set him down right in front of the door. He avoided looking at Luca's face but gave him a once-over look to make sure nothing was horribly amiss. Luca himself was standing on shaking legs, panting heavily and disheveled. He thought he was drunk and needy last night, but it didn't compare to this feeling.

I want him.

"Hey, again. I'm sorry for doing that, I really wasn't thinking. I'm sure you understand." Ranzal started, "Everyone's basically headin' to bed now, so it won't look weird if you stay in here. I'll cover for you if anyone asks. Do you need-"

I want him.

Luca looked up at the man who had halted in his sentence and let his impulses win. The next moment, he was up against the other man, pressing himself against the broad chest. His hips weren't making any contact, but his body still sung at the touch of their chests.

"Ranzal please-" He breathed, "I need you inside of me, I don't care where." He rambled out, face blazing with lust. A hand was put on his shoulder, and he was sternly held away. He whimpered at the loss of contact and warmth of their chests.

"No, Luca. You're clearly affected by that berry, I'm not gonna take advantage of that." Ranzal's tone was serious, and his face matched. Despite that, Luca could see a small hint of something in the other man's eyes that didn't exactly say 'stay away'.

Luca eyed the thick hand that was braced on his shoulder, seeing the finger that had been in his mouth earlier. Even that would be better than nothing, his mouth was already watering thinking about it.

"Go take care of yourself in there." Ranzal moved to turn away, and Luca grabbed his arm to stop him. "Luca, I'm a mercenary. I don't doubt my ability to hold back here. Been in worse positions before."

"Then don't be a mercenary, be my friend." Luca pulled the arm he had in his grasp and brought his body back up close to the man again. "Please-"

Suddenly, Ranzal moved. He moved Luca aside slightly and opened his door. He then grabbed Luca's shoulders, turned him to face the now open door, and shoved him inside. Luca was singing his praises to the heavens, he had won. He turned himself back around to look at the man, breathing heavily in his excitement. His entrance was throbbing, and at this point, he was almost positive he was dripping. Part of him felt like he should have been self-conscious about that, but he was too focused on the hungry, empty feeling he felt down there.

"You're going to stay in here. I'm going to guard the door. Call for me if you need anything." Ranzal's face was unreadable yet again, but his tone was firm and serious.

Luca groaned to himself in frustration. He was so close to getting what he wanted, but his stupid friend's chivalry was getting on his nerves.

"I am beggi-" Luca started to complain but was cut off by an intimidating glare.

"I ain't gonna tell you again." Ranzal warned, "I won't take advantage of my friend just because of a damned berry."

Luca let out another frustrated groan. Ranzal ignored it and turned on his heel to leave the room.

As the door shut with a muted sound, Luca furrowed his brow. His heat seemed to be cooperating in letting him think, aiding in the quest to fill the void in his core.

But if it wasn't because of a berry… Would he…?

Luca let a dark smirk cross his face, and he went to strip himself. As he removed each article of clothing, he felt anticipation prick down his spine. He removed his headband last and padded over to his closed door. He pressed an ear to it and didn't hear anyone walking by.

"Hey, Ranzal," Luca whispered loudly enough to be heard from the other side. "You still there?"

"Yes."

"Just checking. So if I can't have you in here," Luca dropped his tone to a hushed seductive one, "It's okay if I take care of myself right here, right?" As he spoke the last words, he reached down to grip his long-neglected erection, and let out a loud whimper, ensuring the other man heard it through the door.

If he listened closely, he could almost hear Ranzal grit his teeth.