It was a peaceful day in Corus, the peaceful palace halls were filled with only the quiet neighs of horses, twittering birds, and two cousins shouting filled the air.

"You're so stubborn!" Neal yelled angrily, "You won't even admit to me that you like her!" He was stomping furiously around his room, shooting glares at his cousin. Dom, however had had enough.

"What's the point of admitting anything if you insist that you already know?! Honestly, Meathead, you think you know everything about everyone, not even bothering to ask them if it's even true!"

"So.you don't like her?" Neal asked, somewhat bewildered, "but, whenever I see you two together."

"No, you don't understand. I do like her; love her even maybe, but-"

"Then why don't you tell her?" Neal asked, folding his arms over his chest.

"Well, because, what if she didn't like me?" Dom sank slowly into an overstuffed chair, head in his hands, he had just blurted out his greatest fear to the one person who could utterly destroy him.

Neal thought for a minute then slowly grinned, "What if I told you that there was a way you could express these silenced feelings to said friend?" using his loftiest voice possible

"Really," Dom just barely managed to keep his voice from a squeak, "how?"

"Ask her to the ball," was his smug reply, "everyone will be there, and you can express your dying love for her."

"Say, that's not a bad idea, Meathead, maybe I don't give you as much credit as I should. How can I ever repay you?" Dom was smiling now, outright beaming.

"I know of a couple ways: don't call me Meathead, give me credit publicly, and pay me back from buying you that new tunic."

Dom shook his head, "Now Meathead, you know I can't comply with any of those wishes, it would be disgraceful. I was thinking more along the lines of walking you to the mess, for example, it is noon, after all."

He sniffed, "Fine, but remember this, Domitan of Masbolle, you owe me."

"Granted, Sir Meathead, now let us scurry forth for the noon-time meal," Dom said, holding open the door as Neal walked out with his nose in the air.

~~~~~~~~~~

Dom led the way to the lineup, Neal trailing behind, a look of hurt pride on his face. They got their food and slid their trays onto a table. Dom started eating right away but Neal just sat there.

Dom fixed his cousin with a questioning eye. Neal had been making odd movements and noises, grunting and winking at him, rolling his head in the direction of the doors, for about a minute.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked, letting a little too much concern drip into his voice.

"Kel, you idiot, she's here!" Neal hissed.

Dom turned around quickly, searching for her with his eyes. She was in line for food, looking for friends to sit with whenever the line stopped. She caught Dom's eye and smiled, he grinned back, then returned his attention to his cousin.

"Do you really think I'm going to ask her in front of all these people?!" Dom whispered fiercely, "I don't want everyone to know about this!"

Neal only winked and started shoveling food into his mouth hastily. By the time Kel walked over he had finished his whole meal.

He stood up quickly, winked again at Dom, who was shooting daggers at him, and whispered, "Good luck, see you later." He walked over, dumped his tray and left the hall.

Kel looked after him questioningly, but slid her tray down and took his place. "Hey, Dom. How've you been?"

He held up a finger while he finished chewing his food, smiled, and answered "Great, and yourself? Listen, once you're done, can I ask you something, in private?" he shifted in his seat nervously

"Sure, why?" she furrowed her brows, trying to think of what he could ask.

"No reason, really, but I'd rather ask without everyone hearing." They continued their meal in silence, then handed in their trays together and walked to Kel's rooms.