Hey all! Thank you for your patience! Here is chapter seven...and since I'm in a generous mood...chapter eight will follow! :)
Chapter Seven-First Visit to the Castle
~Dragonheart Castle, Marcus's room...Friday night~
After dinner with the folks, Marcus sat down on his bed, fingering a glowing crystal orb. Muttering a spell, the orb projected a screen. Several faces were already present.
''Yo, Flint! How'd it go with Percy?" Adrian asked, as soon as he saw Marcus's face.
"It went rather well. We had tea, lunch and we talked more."
"Man..there has to be more detail than that." Terence groaned.
"Well, certainly. I met his mother, youngest brother and...Ginny." he cringed at her name.
"Oooh..tough break." Graham added.
"Yeah...and really, guys...his mum is so fake. She thinks I didn't notice that look of shock and disbelief on her face when she saw I was there for Percy. And his brother, Ron, what a blowhard. You should have seen the way they were bugging about."
"Like a horde of blibbering humdingers?" Luna raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly. It was ridiculous. She had the nerve to signal Ginny to sit next to me. Yeah, that's not obvious whatsoever." he grunted irritably, reminiscing over the past times a girl would do that...with or without her mother's order.
"You sure you wanna go back there, mate? Chances are she'll try again." Miles queried, unsurely.
Flint returned "Yeah, I am. I mean, I'm only doing this for Percy, so I'll just have to grin and bear it for him. They're still his family."
Lucian smirked "Sounds like you're quite adamant about this."
Seeing that cheeky look, Marcus sneered. "And?"
"And...I think someone fancies a certain redhead."
He froze, staring back at the projection.
"Are we wrong?" Terence grinned mischievously.
"No, I mean yes...ugh. It's too soon for anything. I just met him a few days ago. There's no way we could fancy each other so damn quickly."
"But if there was a possibility, would Percy be what you're searching for?" Graham asked, smiling softly.
Marcus licked his lips in thought. 'They do have a point. He does seem like someone I would pursue..' "Maybe. He is quite nice and managed to keep my attention for longer than five minutes and there's the fact he doesn't try to suffocate me. On the other hand...I dunno if he's gay. Or, even the slightest bit interested in becoming more than friends. As I said, it's too early."
"Wanna know what I think?" Cassius drawled.
"You'll spew it anyway, you arrogant bastard."
He smirked before answering "I think you should give it a chance..the idea, anyway. You'd seriously risk it if you both moved too quickly so you should build upon what you've already started. That way, it can blossom at its own rate and if you two manage to feel much more, it'll be easier for you to convey it, thus helping the transition of you both becoming a couple."
Everyone was silent. Figurative crickets were chirping in the background. "What...I can't have an insightful moment? Jeez, even the arsehole is capable of this too!" Warrington scoffed dramatically as he finished.
Flint slowly nodded "I believe you...I believe you. It's funny, that's the most helpful tip you gave me so far including the sex advice, even though I won't be using that anytime soon."
"Oh, I have feeling you will eventually." The steel-gray eyed teen snickered.
Marcus rolled his eyes. "Alright, well...I'm going to turn in early. I'll keep you updated." Several farewells were given as the communication ceased. Placing the crystal gently into his nightstand drawer, he asked aloud to no one "Is it possible? Am I starting to fancy him?''
The next day, Marcus showed up yet again on Percy's front steps. Knocking on the door, he waited patiently for an answer. Footsteps were approaching and the door started opening. He hoped for a familiar face but was crestfallen seeing it was Ginny who opened up.
"Hello there." She smiled, casually leaning against the doorframe.
"Uh, hi. I'm here to see Percy."
Faking sincerity, she responded "Oh? Again already? You must be quite excited to see him, I'm positive he's the same."
' Yeah, cut the shit and let me in.'
"What am I doing here leaving you outside? Come on in. I'll alert him." Allowing Flint passage, Ginny walked away to find her brother. Luckily, Percy was already coming down the hall, smiling at his company.
"Morning, Marcus."
"Morning, uh...you think we could hang somewhere else? I mean..."
"I get it. How about your place or one of your hangouts?"
The prince smiled, making that fluttering sensation erupt within Percy's heart again. "Alright, I know a place. The castlegrounds. Let's hurry before she comes back."
"Agreed."
Making sure no one was coming, the boys headed out the door and quickly apparated. Seconds later, they were surrounded by the intense aroma of roses. On all sides, there were rosebushes of every conceivable color known in the entire world, each smelling as sweet as the last.
'Beautiful...' Percy mused as he scanned the perimeter.
"So..what you think?"
"I love it. The flora here is exquisite."
"They're a family favorite...my mother's in particular."
"I favor roses myself. There's a couple of bushes in my backyard but they pale in comparison." He replied as they strolled past. As they continued, Marcus pointed out the statues and few monuments, giving him the history of each. He showed the dense forest which served as its own mode of defense and finally, they arrived at the royal Quidditch Pitch.
"Do you happen to like Quidditch?"
Percy shamefully shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not. Well..it's not that it's a bad sport, I just...it's not my cup of tea."
He feared what Marcus would say since nearly every guy in the kingdom followed the ancient pastime but his anxiety faltered once his friend responded "It's fine, Percy. Not everyone has to like Quidditch and it's ok not to have the exact same interests as myself. I like variety...keeps it interesting.''
Percy sighed in relief. "You have a point. Heh, besides...I haven't flown in years."
"Hmm..how about today? You can hold onto me while I circle the pitch."
"Uh...I dunno."
"It'll be fun...maybe you'll be a little more confident about flying this time."
Feeling as though he didn't want to bore him and because Marcus did what he wanted first, it was only right to participate in this nearly death-defying activity. "O-Ok...let's fly."
"Great, this way." the prince took him by the arm, leading the redhead into the broomcloset, grabbing a practice broom. Out on the green, Marcus mounted the broom, hovering a few feet in the air. He waited for Percy.
"Um.."
Seeing as Percy was still hesitant, he gently pulled the curly-top over, gazing into his eyes. "You can trust me, Percy. I promise I won't let you fall."
Percy swallowed hard and nodded, getting behind Marcus and wrapping his thin arms around the prince's defined waist. The light scent of Flint's cologne wafted across his nostrils...bringing some comfort to the nervous boy.
"Hold on tight, now...here we go!" He directed the broom upwards, soaring high into the air.
'Oh Merlin, oh Merlin, oh Merlin, oh boy, oh boy. Don't fall...' he silently whined, tightening his grip.
Noticing the change, Marcus asked "How ya doing back there?"
"I'm uh...I'm better."
"Good, I'm about to go faster, ok?"
"Um...ok.."
As promised, Marcus picked up speed, racing past the turrets all around the pitch, pulling a few aerial loops in between...Percy yelping a little with each loop...and praying Marcus somehow didn't hear his unmanly noises. Three laps later, they landed. Percy wobbled his way off the broom, plopping on the grass trying to catch his breath. Marcus had no issue, clearly from being the experienced flyer.
He raised an eyebrow in amusement, grinning widely. "You all right, Percy? You're weren't lying...you haven't touched a broom in some time."
Percy blushed, remembering his yelps. "Yeah but despite the slight dizziness, it was...well...really fun." he felt a smile stretching across his lips.
"I'm glad to hear that. Perhaps we can do it again-"
"C-Can we wait on that a bit? I'm still in shock."
Marcus chuckled "Of course, we'll wait. See? I told you I wouldn't let you fall."
His blush still present, Percy replied "Yeah...you did, huh?"
"Mhmm. My folks are out at some meeting, so how about tea? We have all sorts. Green, white, herbal, the classic earl grey.."
"I'd love some."
"Excellent...I'll show you in."
Walking in the side entryway..they took the stairs, heading up to his room.
"Lulu!" A popping noise sounded, leaving a small house elf in an orange sundress with bulging eyes. "Yes, mister Prince Marcus?"
"Could you bring me and my friend some tea and snacks? Um..whatever they have in the kitchen?"
"Yes, sir." She disappeared only to return a moment later, wheeling a cart to their table.
"Thank you, Lulu." She bowed and vanished with a 'pop'.
Taking a china teacup delicately, Percy asked "How many house elves do you own?"
"Currently, we have fifty but they're scattered throughout our properties. A lot of stuff is handled by magic so we don't need too many of them in one spot."
"Ah...ok."
He peered around Marcus's bedroom. It was absolutely immaculate...not an object out of place. The deep crimson drapes coordinated with his bedding and the pillows on the furniture. The armchairs and sofa were rich leather, the area rugs appeared to be oriental and handmade. His decorations did not clash on the shelves and small tables.
Above the fireplace was the Flint crest-containing swords, royal colors and all. Add the fact this room could fit nearly ten of Percy's and one would have the overall description of the prince's most precious dwelling.
"Is every room this ornate?"
"Yeah, even the dungeons. Well...if you don't pay attention to the torture devices we have locked up down there, it's nicely constructed." he scratched his head cutely...hoping that will lighten up the notion they still had them although the devices haven't been used in centuries. At least, not to his knowledge.
Percy smiled 'Cute..wait..did I say ''cute''?' "I think it won't be too hard to do that. Are you expecting any extra company tonight?"
"No, not this time. I'm wanting to spend my weekend with you." he stopped, realizing how near-romantic that sounded. Percy gazed at him in mid-sip, hearing his tone.
"Oh! I mean...aw shit. That sounded weird, didn't it?"
"A little...but I know what you meant. It happens.''
Now with the awkward air cleared, Marcus continued "So, what would you like to do tomorrow? Hit the town?"
"That would be good, switch it up a bit. The bakery comes up with a new treat bi-monthly, so we can check it out."
"I think I overheard the bakers discussing a new pumpkin pasty mixture the last time we were there, so I believe that may be what they're featuring."
Finishing the last small banana cream-filled cake, Percy eyed the clock to his right. It read six thirty. "Dinner's in an hour, hopefully I'll still have room for whatever Mum decided to make this evening."
"Alright, Percy. I'll show you out." Stepping through the rose garden, Percy found the apparition point. Bidding Marcus goodbye, he disappeared.
Sighing, he closed his icy blue eyes.
Memories of this morning flowed through his mind...him grabbing Percy, Percy wrapping his arms around him as he got on the broom...the redhead's grip tightening as they flew higher and faster. It felt so warm..and if Flint thought about it long enough...he actually missed that touch.
'That gentle, careful touch...wait. Wait a minute, Flint. Slow down, don't get ahead of yourself. You saw his expression this afternoon...don't jump. Merlin...why does this seem so complicated?'