Many apologies for the huge delay. A case of uni work combined with a lack of motivation is my only excuse.
Once dusk fell, Kon led his guests inside. The reception room was intended to be a formal meeting place, but the Prince, being who he was, had managed to give it homey touches that, while subtle, put people at ease. The plush couches and divans to the right were always occupied after dark whenever any of Kon's friends came to call. However, the room being designed as it was, in their current position none of the young lords and ladies could see when others entered the room from the main entrance.
With his abilities however, Kon could hear the entrance of his latest visitors and got up to greet them. He stopped though, upon seeing his guests and stared.
"I was told you weren't arriving until tomorrow," he said in a weak voice.
Frowning, Cassie replied, "You're not pleased to see me?"
Realising his mistake, Kon shook his head. "No, I mean yes, I mean … how are you?" he looked almost nervous. By this time the others had gotten up to see who Kon was greeting.
Watching the way the two betrothed were acting around each other Slobo rolled his eyes and groaned, "Fer frag's sake," as he shoved Kon hard in the back, propelling him towards his fiancé.
"Oof," Kon grunted, impacting against Cassie. He held her steady and blushed, seemingly oblivious to the rest of his friends once again. "Er, sorry, you all right?"
Cassie was trying to look amused, it was so adorable when she did that, but she was also blushing furiously. "I'm fine," she mumbled before clearing her throat. "And you Kon?" she asked in a louder voice. "How was your trip?"
"Stunning," he breathed. Cassie looked confused. "I was talking about you," he clarified. "You look stunning."
This elicited another blush from his beloved. "I'm sweaty and dusty from the roads; it's hardly my best look."
"No, you look stunning." He grinned, that brilliant flash of teeth that made everyone's knees wobble. Cassie was no exception. Kon pulled her close and placed a kiss on her cheek. He frowned though when she stiffened slightly in his hold and he drew back from her quickly. "Cass –"
"I missed you so much." Cassie threw her arms around him, burying her face in the crook of his neck and Kon smiled again at the feel of her warmth in his arms. He'd truly missed this sort of contact, the familiar feel of her in his arms and that alluring scent that surrounded her. Breathing deep, he wished he could stay like this forever, it was heaven.
But alas, there were others who wished to greet his dear betrothed. He pulled away, brushing his cheek with hers as he moved back and held onto her arm as the others approached. Bart gave her a tight squeeze before giving the same treatment to Cissie, both Greta and Anita hugged her and kissed her cheek while Slobo scowled and grudgingly kissed her hand.
"It's nice to see you again Kon," Cissie leaned over and kissed Kon's cheek. "It's nice to see everyone back together again."
"Not everyone," Kon argued, frowning. "Tim's still not here." Cassie and Cissie shared a look which silenced everyone. "What is it?" Kon asked, rather worried by their glances.
"Tim's not coming," Cassie finally told him.
It was doubtful that anything could have shocked Kon more than that statement. He immediately jumped to the worst conclusions. "Is he all right? Did something happen?"
"He's fine, I think," Cassie continued. "It's just, we arrived with the Knights and Tim was nowhere to be seen. It probably has to do with the assassin."
"Assassin?"
Cassie stared at him in shock. "You didn't know?"
Kon shook his head. "What happened?"
Cassie was too stunned to speak, so Cissie stepped in. "Last month someone infiltrated the Thymescran palace and attempted to shoot Cassie. They failed, but now the entire realm is on guard. I've been assigned as Cassie's semi-official bodyguard."
Kon stared at Cassie, who was scowling at Cissie's last words, then without warning grabbed her and held her tight. "My god, are you all right?" he breathed into her hair.
"I'm fine," she assured him. "It was just a graze."
He drew back and turned to Cissie. "What about Tim though? Is he all right?"
Cissie shook her head. "I don't know, the Knights didn't say anything."
Kon's eyes hardened. "Well they're going to say something to me." Letting go of Cassie he stormed out the door, his friends following close behind as he made his way to the palace's main reception hall.
"Kon!" Cassie called out to him. He didn't turn around. She glared at his back then stalked off after him.
"Oh, she's gotta be pissed 'bout that," Slobo looked almost pleased by the confrontation that as sure to take place later that night.
"Come on," Cissie grabbed his hand and pulled him along, Bart, Greta and Anita following her lead. "We've got to make sure they don't do anything stupid."
Kon wasn't flying through the halls as expected, but then he only stalked when he was really annoyed about something. His face was dark – Kon-El's temper was not something to invoke lightly, he alone among the royal family was this quick to rage, the others possessed of almost infinite patience. Empowered further by his emotions, Kon slammed his way into the throne room, ignoring most of the nobles as he sought out Kal-El and the members of the League.
Sensing his arrival, Kal met him with Diana, Bruce and Wally by the thrones. Cassie wasn't far behind her betrothed and she cast a wary eye over the gathered lieges before taking Kon's arm in hers. He patted her hand distractedly, his effort focused on glaring at the older lords and lady.
"Why isn't Tim here?" he demanded. A few other nobles had gathered, though the four lieges' glares were enough to send them scampering. Kon was too distracted and worried to be intimidated – even by Bruce's stern look. "Well?"
"Lord Robin is attending to his duties to the Realm," Kal replied smoothly.
"What do you mean?"
"He's on a mission," Bruce replied shortly. "We're trying not to draw attention to it as it's highly sensitive."
"He's helping to search for the assassin right?"
"He is," Kal confirmed. "Tim is doing everything in his power to help assure your wedding proceeds as planned. Bruce's top agents are working on the case and the entire Realm is prepared. We need Timothy's expertise on this mission to make sure that the assassin does not realise that something is going on."
"He'll be here though, right?" Kon looked around at the lieges almost desperately.
It was Cassie who soothed him. "Don't worry, Kon. Tim's your best friend, he has to stand by your side at the alter – he wouldn't want to miss that. He'll definitely be here for the wedding. Am I right?" Cassie's stony gaze captured all of the assembled.
"Of course," Diana nodded. "We would not wish to ruin your happy day after all."
Kon nodded. He didn't look happy exactly, but he wasn't mad any more. "I suppose that's all right. I mean, he is just performing his duties, I can hardly ask him to stop doing that." He smiled. "Robin is the best of the best after all – I certainly wouldn't want to trust anyone less in helping to protect Cassie's life."
Cassie smiled and kissed his cheek. "That's sweet Kon. And everything will be all right in the end. Tim's never failed us before."
"Ha, the world would end disastrously before Tim failed in a mission." Kon turned around to see his other friends at the doorway to the throne room and grinned sheepishly. "Maybe I overreacted a little bit."
"I think you might have," Cassie chuckled.
"Still," he sighed, looking back over at Bart and the others. "I really wish Tim was here with us. Nothing feels right without him around."
Cassie swallowed. "Yeah," she agreed in a small voice.
"I apologise for barging in like that," Kon bowed, turning back to Kal and the gathered nobles. "And for making demands."
"You were upset," Kal patted him on the head. "I know you're nervous, but don't worry, though it feels terrifying now this will be the happiest time of your life when you look back upon it. And I will make sure that everyone is there to celebrate it with you."
"Thanks." Kon smiled then turned to Cassie and pulled her closer. "Let's go back."
"I'll make sure to tell the others they won't be needed to clean up one of your messes," Cassie teased. Kon glared, but it faded to the fond smile he always had for her.
"Have I mentioned how amazing you are tonight?" he whispered, causing her to blush. Leaning back, he bowed to Kal and the others. "Goodnight my lieges." Cassie managed to regain her composure enough to curtsey and walked off, arm-in-arm with Kon. Once they met the other young lords and ladies at the entrance and left the throne room, the four lieges shared concerned looks.
"I'm really starting to think this was a bad idea now," Wally told the others. They didn't reply, but doubts were showing on their faces. The situation had now gotten a little more complicated. Perhaps they should have listened to the young Lord Robin.
It wasn't long before the others slowly started to trickle off towards their rooms. They had all been travelling for a while and not even Bart, in all his boundless enthusiasm, was able to stay up too late.
Tim was used to long days and late nights following them so he was one of the last to leave. Cissie caught his eye just before she left him and Kon alone in the room and he knew that this moment would be very important. He had to make sure Kon wouldn't see through his disguise.
Still, why did it have to be so nerve-wracking?
"Is everything all right?"
Tim jumped at the unexpected inquiry and cursed himself for reacting at all. He smiled at Kon and shook his head. "Yes, I'm just tired."
Kon nodded and moved closer to draw Tim up from the couch. "It's been a long day. Must feel even longer for you, what with everything that's happened." A frown crossed his face and he caught Tim in a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry; I wish I'd been there for you."
"It's okay." Tim clutched onto Kon just as tight, his heart beating furiously at the contact and situation. This was completely unknown territory for him and as good an actor he was, there was still a large part of him that was not certain he could pull this off. This was Kon after all, and as dense as some people thought him, Kon knew him as well as himself. His nervousness at getting caught and the strangeness of the situation didn't show on his face, but he was certain Kon knew something was wrong.
"Your heart," Kon murmured. Tim cursed himself for forgetting that fact about Kon. "What's wrong?"
Tim drew back with a quick shake of his head. "It's nothing really," he replied breathlessly. "I just … don't like to be reminded about how close I came to …"
Kon drew him back into an even tighter embrace and this time Tim was too preoccupied with trying to breathe to think about anything going wrong.
"You're safe now," he whispered. Tim barely restrained a shudder at the sensation. "We'll catch the person behind this – Tim won't let us down."
And there was that sinking feeling of guilt again.
"I know," Tim replied. "I'm just being silly, it's late and I'm letting my fears get to me."
Kon finally let him go. "You should go to bed and get some rest."
"And so should you."
Kon rolled his eyes and smiled that brilliant boyish smile of his. "Yeah, I know." He leaned down and kissed Tim's cheek again – this time without Tim reacting badly. "I'll see you in the morning." He let his fingers drift down Tim's arm before turning and leaving.
Tim sighed softly then headed towards the bedrooms, feeling very tired all of a sudden.
"Cassie?"
Tim looked up and paled. After all this and I screw up now? Kon was watching him carefully; curious as to know why his betrothed was heading towards the men's bedrooms.
"Kon I …" Think Tim! Why would … "Can't a girl get a proper goodnight kiss?" I'm not going to survive when Cassie comes back.
Kon looked a little surprised by the request, and then grinned. Tim knew that grin far to well and would have groaned – if he were Tim. But Cassie smiled and reached out to her fiancé and tugged on his hands to draw him close.
Kon leaned down again and Tim closed his eyes when he got too close, hardly able to stand from all the sensations he was suddenly feeling. It was almost a relief when Kon's lips touched his own, then there were suddenly some very new sensations crawling up his spine.
Maybe kissing wasn't the best idea he could have come up with.
Kon smiled as he broke away. "I was almost starting to worry about you," he murmured against Tim's lips.
"Sorry," Tim breathed, his mind only just able to comprehend the comment. "I've had a lot on my mind."
Kon kissed him again briefly before letting him go. "Get some sleep now. I promise everything will be better in the morning."
I sincerely doubt that. "Goodnight Kon," Tim said instead. He watched his best friend head into his room before leaning against the wall and wrapping his arms around his torso.
As if things couldn't get any worse.
