A/N: Chugging away here. I savor all of your reviews...thank you.

Chapter 3

-The Next Morning, The King's Offices, Eternos Palace -

A knock at the door broke through the sound of shuffling papers on his desk.

"Yes—?" he asked without looking up.

With a curtsey, Lady Daria entered with something in her hand. "Your Majesty, a message for you from the offices of The Crown Prince."

He snapped his head to her as she approached and placed the card on his desk.

"Would you like a cup of tea, Sire?"

He stared at the document, the thought of it sparking intense curiosity lined with a pinch of anxiety. She furrowed her brow.

"Sire?"

Randor's gaze flew up. "Uhh yes, dear. Tea would be lovely."

With a smile she gave a short curtsey and retreated.

Staring at the intimidating ivory colored cardstock he reached over and took it, tearing the envelope, sliding it out and pulling it open, his eyes moving over the text.

He frowned.

xxx

-The King's Chambers, 10AM -

Randor, Marlena, and Adora waited in his salon, the King up and pacing side to side, his hands clasped behind his back.

"This boy produces such anxiety at times," he mumbled, his wife and daughter eyeing him. "He stops talking, and you tell me he's stopped eating," he gestured at a wary Adora, "And now we all get a formal summons like it's an Arms Summit or something," he stated perturbed.

"Randy, calm down. I'm sure he just wanted all of us available so he set an appointment," Marlena explained away. "He wants us together, that's all. Makes sense seeing how incredibly busy we all are so just relax," she said patting the couch next to her.

"It's a good sign, Dad. It says that after three days he's finally willing to see you—"

He stopped and glared at her.

"I mean…us," she corrected. "Hey, in actuality you're the one he's mad at," she teased, suppressing a Cheshire grin.

Giving her a look, he pursed his lips and took a deep breath. "I suppose you're right, but why the histrionics?"

"He's not about drama, dear, and you know it. That's your department."

Randor scowled. "Is he talking?"

"We don't know," his daughter replied. "When I visited him, he was so far away. It was heartwrenching…like it wasn't him. It seems only a miracle can reach him, now," she said, distraught.

"Speaking of miracles, has anyone heard from Greyskull?"

The women shook their heads.

"The Castle has been strangely silent—"

Just then they heard the door in the foyer open and footsteps approach, Randor's head snapping to the doorway. His expectant gaze pinned to the hallway, settling, he turned and lowered himself to the chair.

Teela appeared with a curtsey followed by an aloof Adam, both wearing terse expressions and scanning the chambers.

"Hey, guys," the Redhead said quietly.

They nodded; the room suddenly galvanized with anxious energy.

"Have a seat?" Marlena gestured to the overstuffed chairs opposite.

"Thanks, Mum," Teela replied, settling and crossing her legs, Adam preferring to stand. He folded his arms across his chest.

Silence.

"Well?" the King asked impatiently.

Annoyed, Marlena slapped at his knee, Randor glancing at his wife and deciding to change his approach. He cleared his throat.

"It's my understanding that you're not talking—"

"Oh, I'm talking alright—"

Everyone jumped at the sharp unexpected retort, eyes initially widened with anxiety then waxing relieved.

"Adam, tell us what happened," his mother pleaded, worried.

His gaze slid to the Queen before returning to the King, his father's gaze narrowed in study. "I stumbled upon a trigger word I wasn't quite aware I'd internalized."

Adora stared up at her brother, her gaze apprehensive.

"Which is?" Randor asked.

Adam's blue gaze tightened.

Blinking, searching his memory about the argument, Randor's face suddenly mirrored recollection.

"Was it the word, stupid?"

Frowning, the Prince clicked his teeth, shook his head, and gave a dismissive wave. "No. I'm capable of doing stupid things from time to time. That shit doesn't bother me."

"Then what was it?" he asked.

Father and son held gazes.

"Boy."

Teela's eyes scanned the room while everyone processed.

"Why…Boy?" Adora finally asked breaking the silence, her voice soft. "It seems innocuous enough?"

Somber, her brother looked at her. "Ernest called me that whenever he was about to," he tilted his head, "You know."

Randor's questioning gaze waxed empathetic.

"It's context. I don't have an issue being referred to as a boy per se, but when used during a particularly heated denigrating moment, it triggers me," he explained. "He wouldn't just say it, he'd scream it at me when he blamed me for something that went wrong and required punishment. So uhh…I guess my psyche knew what was coming next and withdrew…involuntarily."

"Defense mechanism?" his mother asked, her hazel-blue eyes welling with tears.

Adam nodded.

Teela pressed her lips together to maintain her composure, her eyes finding the floor.

"Son, did you ever leave your body during an attack by your foster?" Marlena asked, swiping at a tear, "I mean, like an out-of-body experience?"

He nodded.

"That explains why you seemed completely vacant," his sister added, distraught. "It was as if you'd departed and another entity took your place, Brother."

Another nod.

"Which explains the weird thing that happened between Adam and He-Man on Etheria," Teela interjected.

"A dissociative episode," Randor nearly whispered, his brow furrowed.

Adam stared at him.

Silence once again as everyone processed this information.

"How did you finally regain speech, son?"

At the question, pursing his lips Adam's gaze shot to the floor, Teela's wandering the room, her cheeks waxing a charming rosy. Adora's confused blue gaze volleyed between the two. "What's happening?"

His parents' eyes shifted between the two young people, their expressions catching the unspoken.

"A kiss?" Randor asked.

Adam's sarcastic glare answered for him.

Exasperated, swatting at him Marlena clicked her teeth. "Sex, Randy. It was sex."

Highly amused, Adora's mouth flew open, Teela turning full on crimson hiding her face with her hands.

"Oh," the King said quietly, suddenly knitting his brow. "Was that intentional or—?"

"Dad—," Adam said sharply.

Randor lifted his hands in mock surrender. Adam fixated on his father.

"I'd like to talk to you alone, please."

They held gazes, his father attempting to read his son's features for a clue. "Okay. Where?"

"Wherever you want."

The King nodded. "Let's go to the Gardens, son."

As his father stood and headed for the hallway and his coat, Adam leaned over to kiss Teela's lips. Straightening, he nodded at his mother and sister before following Randor out.

"They need this conversation," Marlena said more to herself, swiping her eyes.

Adora and Teela nodded mutely.

xxx

The King in a long mustard wool coat and the Prince in a black survivor jacket and jeans, the two quietly walked through the immaculately manicured winter wonderland, the tall pines and thick verdant firs hampered by powdery fallen snow, it crunching under their boots.

The brisk breeze painted their cheeks rosy, their breaths crystallizing in white puffs dissipating in a rising swirl.

Neither of them talked for a full five minutes, the two men simply experiencing a reflective moment together through the vast Gardens, the silent echo of winter hollow.

"I want to talk to you about the security incident."

Knowing his son is not one for small talk, Randor's head snapped to Adam, the younger man's eyes pinned to the snowy pavers.

"Okay."

"It was of course, an impromptu moment," he began, "After the tour I noticed a young woman in the windows of the café who'd waited on Teela and me several weeks ago."

Randor frowned in confusion. "How on Eternia did you two end up there?"

"After Adora's presentation the day after we returned from Etheria, you and Mom told us we couldn't marry because of Greyskull. We needed to be alone for a few hours." He glanced at his father's profile. "Remember?"

They crunched through the snow.

"Yes. Yes I do."

"We came across a café that was pretty empty. No one gave us a second look. She took our order and Teela and I were able to talk privately. We weren't there long. It's when we left when the place started picking up."

"Alright."

Adam shrugged. "So, when I asked for the check, the waitress recognized me. Teela made it clear I acted like an asshole," he recounted with a crooked grin, his eyes on the snow, "So when I saw her the other day, I felt the need to apologize."

Randor gave a thoughtful nod. "I see."

"There's something else you should know about."

His glanced at his son's pensive profile, his arms folding. "I'm listening."

Adam stopped and turned to him, Randor a few steps ahead stopping and squaring up, Adam placing his hands on his hips.

"I can sense when my life's in danger."

Randor blinked. "Pardon me?"

"I sense when shit's about to go down," he said, his sapphire gaze locked with hazel.

Randor seemed confused. "How does this," he waved his arms, "Sixth sense manifest?"

Folding his arms across his chest Adam glanced away, his eyes fixed on the trees. "I feel something…at the back of my neck…," he said without looking at him.

"Go on."

"It's like…a tingling sensation. It's pretty fucking accurate. Saved me from getting impaled from behind during battle many times—"

His father took a sharp intake of air. "Why hadn't you told me this? I don't recall you mentioning this to me, son."

He shrugged. "It never came up in conversation," he replied, "It's just…me," he said, his intense gaze pinned to something in the distance.

"How does this relate to what happened a few days ago?"

Adam's eyes swung back to him. "I didn't have that feeling in the café. Even though the crowd swelled and I got jostled around a bit, I sensed nothing. I knew I'd be fine, Dad."

Randor blinked at him, his eyes studying.

"So I wouldn't go ahead with something when it warns me otherwise. I listen to my gut instinct. I don't arbitrarily place myself in dangerous situations…unless of course I'm Him…on official business."

His father nodded. "I understand. So you knew you were safe even among the throng of admirers?" he asked more like a statement.

He nodded.

"And you're saying this to reassure me that you are a responsible young man and that you're able to make sensible decisions that won't endanger your safety or put the Miro Line at risk?"

Another nod.

"I see." They resumed their walk, Randor's eyes on the snow.

"You're the next generation of the House Of Miro. It seems a changing of the guard is on the horizon," he muttered, contemplatively.

"Possibly."

Silence as they pondered.

A thought occurred to him. "Are you of the mind that Royals should be more visible to the public? More accessible? Personable?"

Adam made a face. "Yes. Within reason, of course."

"I'm rarely among my subjects," Randor stated thoughtfully, "Perhaps that's one of my failings; my people view me as detached, aloof…snobby," he snorted a chuckle.

"I'd stop at aloof."

They glanced a chuckle.

"But there's something to be said about not making yourself too available," the Prince stated reflectively. "We walk the fine line of commanding respect yet appearing approachable. If you become too familiar to them, you lose an element of formal regard, I think. There's a certain respectful distance that should be observed."

His head snapping to the younger man, Randor's eyes went wide at the insight. "You are correct, son."

Father and Son walked in silence, preoccupied with their thoughts. Long minutes went by.

"Tell me your feelings about the Captain."

Adam's head snapped to his father. "My feelings?"

Randor nodded, his gaze straight ahead.

"They run deep," he replied. "I can't imagine my life without her. I can't breathe without her. She's the love of my life."

"What are your intentions?"

"I plan on asking her to marry me," he gave a lopsided smile and a shrug, "If she'll have me."

"Good. What are you waiting for?"

Adam shot him a look, his gaze resuming ahead. "Uncle Keldor's sentencing, the memorial ceremonies, and the restoration projects. Our people have been through too much trauma. I feel waiting until we're in a better place as a society respects the healing and recovery process. Not a time to celebrate just yet."

Randor smiled to himself. "Exactly the answer I wanted to hear." He stopped and squared up to his son. "A less considerate man would have cast all aside and followed his selfish desires, the emotional needs and the welfare of the public be damned. You, my son, have passed the test."

The Prince quirked a brow. "Oh, so this was a test?" he replied sarcastically.

"You betchya it was. And stay on your toes because there'll be more down the pike, zero warning," he snorted a chuckle before waxing serious. "You are going to be twenty-two in a few months, Adam. Although I'm only in my forties, tomorrow is not promised. My jet could go down in the mountains. I could get hit by a Trak tomorrow. I could perish from a heart attack."

He grasped Adam's shoulders, his eyes boring into his son's. "You need to be ready at a moment's notice to take The Throne if need be. Do you understand?"

Grave, he nodded. "Yes."

With a nod he released them as they resumed their walk in silence.

"I want to apologize for coming down on you so hard the other night, son."

Adam shrugged, Randor looking a glance.

"I'm hard on you because it falls on your shoulders. It all falls on your shoulders. I know it's unfair, but you are my Firstborn. The line of succession hinges on you." The King stopped again, Adam doing a double take and stopping to face him.

Randor reached out, grasping Adam's arms. "My son, my beloved son. I love you with all my heart and soul and I'm so proud of the man you've become. I want to remind you of something I told you when you were a little boy."

Adam nodded expectantly.

"I adore you simply because you exist, unconditionally, not based on any bullshit performance or living up to an unrealistic standard. I want you to know in your heart that I would never do or say anything to intentionally harm you. I would never ever want to emulate that bastard and if I react in a crisis or say something that sends you back to relive the nightmare, please…please tell me, okay? The thought of you suffering over something thoughtless I may have said or done would absolutely crush my soul. You understand that, right?"

"Yes. I do know you harbor no malice in your heart, Dad. I can tell the difference."

His eyes glistening with tears, Randor pulled Adam close to him in a tight embrace, their hearts mending and reconnecting in the Gardens.

The snow began to fall.