Author's Note: Ah~ Sorry for the late update. I got sucked off into the world of Anime Expo but here we go none the less. Hope you all are still reading and enjoy this.
As they navigated through the halls of Greenwood the Great Himelon was rather thankful for Thranduil's grip on him. More than once the raven haired elf had nearly tripped and with his mind swimming as it was Himelon was finding it near impossible to concentrate on where he was going. The kiss had woven its way into Himelon's mind and was not letting go. When he should have been watching where he was walking the raven haired elf found his mind replaying said kiss over and over again. It was only when Thranduil abruptly stopped walking and momentarily tightened his grip on the other that Himelon snapped out of it.
"Yes?" slightly startled the raven haired elf blinked several times while staring at the starlight haired king's icy eyes. When they'd stopped Himelon had quickly caught sight of Thranduil staring at him with an odd expression. In truth the raven haired elf knew he'd been somehow misunderstood or misread but he couldn't quite fathom how that would have been.
"You are displeased with my actions earlier." Thranduil had spoken softly and couldn't quite meet the other's pale gaze. It was the only reason Thranduil could think of for the other's silence. Himelon had not said a word since they left the room and had a vacant stare on his face the whole walk through. It seemed as if the raven haired elf's body moved but it's owner was not present. The Elven King had observed such a thing only a few times and none of the reasons were good. As he had thought over why they other would be suddenly so distant he could only assume that he had crossed a line and done something he never should have done when they had kissed.
"No," the raven haired elf's response had been drawn out as his eyes searched out something other than Thranduil's face, "I am…confused by it if anything." It was truth. Himelon knew his mind wouldn't stop replaying it and there was an oddly pleasant feeling associated with the pressing of their lips together but in truth he didn't really know why. He liked it and yet there was something about the kiss that made he feel terrible. It was almost like guilt but not exactly. Fear was a better word but that still wasn't exactly right either.
"You look distressed." Thranduil's words had been what filled in the gap of what Himelon had been thinking. Distress. That's what the other feeling was. As Himelon's pale blue eyes set themselves back on the starlight haired male the feeling was multiplied exponentially. The worst part about it was that Himelon didn't know why. He could clearly see the hurt and confusion in Thranduil's eyes and yet he couldn't bring himself to deny that he was distressed. And so he nodded confirmation and let his own eyes fall to the ground. Now he felt embarrassed and angry at himself. Most anyone, at least he was sure of this, would have given anything to have been kissed by their King and all the raven haired elf felt was distressed about it and delighted at the same time.
"I just don't know what to make of it," Despite his better judgment Himelon decided to try and explain why he felt distressed, "I'm not used to physical contact currently. Let alone affection. It's not you. I just didn't expect…"
"Me to be affectionate?" Thranduil knew now that he had overstepped a boundary and was silently berating himself for it. He should have known better than that. Himelon had told him and shown him more than once that he was not comfortable with people or prolonged contact. And yet he'd disregarded that and kissed the raven haired male without asking permission. Yet again something he had been taught when he grew of courting age as a Prince. No matter what the situation one must always ask permission.
"No. I didn't." while on the honest kick Himelon decided it was just best to say it , "To be pushed or ignored maybe. But not kissed. I do like you. A lot. I just don't know what is meant by it all." There had been no cruelty or malice in the raven haired elf's words. He hadn't snapped or really put much of any emotion into his words really. He'd just said what was on his mind.
"I will show you then," Thranduil made a small smile to accent his words as he turned to look the other in the eye, "No matter how long it may take. I'm patient. I can wait." The way Thranduil had spoken sent yet another blush blazing across Himelon's cheeks. Now that was something he truly didn't know what to think about. What did Thranduil mean by "I'll show you then."? Did Himelon just shatter the fragile friendship he'd just established with the other? Did he just wreck every opportunity to get any closer to Thranduil? As his head swam with all his sudden worries Himelon felt Thranduil's hand slip from his waist to his hand to hold it gently and elegantly.
"I will start," Thranduil purred leaning it so that his lips were just a hair's breath away from the tip of Himelon's ear, "by courting you properly and showing you how to enjoy the festivities of Greenwood. Shall we?" As Himelon's face heated up once again all he could really manage was a nod for he did not trust his voice. Then with an ever so gentle smile a few steps forward Thranduil led himself and his guest around the corner and straight into the main courtyard where all eyes fixed themselves upon the two new comers.