Stolas was excided.
His father had invited over a very influential house among the Goetia for as he put it "To spearhead positive diplomatic relations" whatever that meant. He hardly invited even a single person over, let alone an entire family. So the prospect of meeting new people was a thrilling one.
Despite his enthusiasm, he did his best to keep it under control at the order of his father who wanted to make a good first impression. Right now he was in his room fiddling around with his tunic, but it was a bit of a struggle given how jittery his hands were. Suddenly the door to his room opened and his father, King Paimon, walked in.
"Get that childish look off your face and stand up straight. Our guests have arrived" he snapped bluntly. Stolas immediately straightened up and schooled his expression into one of neutrality, his excited look vanishing immediately and replacing with a more passive look.
Paimon looked his son up and down before nodding approvingly. "Come on. We don't want the guests to get impatient" With that, Paimon exited the room and left the door open for Stolas to follow after him down the hall.
He followed obediently behind his father, keeping up the neutral expression despite feeling incredibly nervous. He fiddled with the cuffs of his sleeves as they walked. As they were walking, they came to a stop at the entrance to the dining room as Paimon held up a hand to pause Stolas briefly.
"Remember. Be on your best behavior and act respectable. I want to make a good impression on these people" Paimon said, his voice firm. Stolas nodded obediently. "Y- yes father. I will" he said, his voice strained. He was still incredibly nervous and unsure if he could pull it off, but he didn't dare say anything that would anger Paimon.
With a small nod of acknowledgment, Paimon pushed the door open, and he and Stolas entered. Sitting at the table was a family consisting of two parents and a child who couldn't have been any older than Stolas. Both parents plumage was bold in color, with the mother's was a deep, matte red while the father's feathers being lighter gleaming yellow, like gold.
The only other thing that was as eye catching as the parents was their child, who was a near perfect combination of his progenitors. His feathers came out to be shade of orange leaning on the darker side that seemed to glow when the light hit him just right, it was like watching a living fire. That was at least how Stolas' young mind saw it.
The parents were engaged in a quiet, mostly private conversation with one another, hardly taking any note of Paimon and Stolas entering. However, the child who had been fiddling around with something he couldn't quite make out stopped and looked up immediately upon noticing them, inspecting them with his wide curious golden eyes.
Paimon cleared his throat, interrupting the parents' conversation and drawing their attention to himself and Stolas. He approached the table, gesturing for Stolas to come alongside him. "Duke and Duchess Barbatos and Zepar. I'm pleased you were able to make it today." he said, his voice pleasant and sociable, a stark contrast to how he spoke to his son.
"Your Majesty. It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person" The father, Duke Barbatos, responded, his voice equally polite. He looked expectantly at Paimon, but briefly spared a glance at Stolas who stood next to him.
"Indeed" Paimon responded. He moved, gesturing to Stolas. "Allow me to formally introduce my son, Stolas." At the sound of his name, Stolas swallowed thickly and quickly composed himself, putting on the same neutral front he had been holding thus far. The Duke nodded in acknowledgment, studying the small boy for a moment before a slight smile appeared on his face.
"Oh, I can see he takes after his mother, doesn't he?" the Duchess, said with a soft chuckle, her eyes appraising Stolas as well.
Paimon glanced at his son then let out a hollow chuckle. "Indeed he does. He looks very much like his mother..." he said, trailing off for a moment before continuing. "...for better or for worse" his voice carrying a hint of disdain as he walked to the head of the table with Stolas sitting one seat over, roughly opposite to the duchess and her son.
Zepar let out a light laugh, seemingly taking the disdain for a joke. "Of that I won't argue. Your late wife was certainly a very beautiful woman from what I've seen in photos." she said, resting her her hands polietly on her lap as she spoke to Paimon.
"That she was..." Paimon replied, a hint of melancholy in his voice, but it quickly vanished as he looked over at the orange-feathered boy sitting across from Stolas. "And this must be your boy, I presume?" he asked, cocking his head slightly.
The Duchess nodded and smiled as she placed a hand on her son's shoulder. "Yes, this is Phenex. Be nice and say hello darling" she said gently, giving him a small nudge.
The boy, Phenex, had been staring at Stolas for a while now, not saying a word or even really blinking as if completely enthralled by him. However, the sound of his mother's voice startled him, snapping him out of his daze and making him look at his mother. For a few seconds he was silent, seeming to process his mother's words before speaking. "... hello" he said quietly, almost like a squeak before he cleared his throat and tried again. "Hello" he greeted, his voice a lot clearer now.
Paimon chuckled slightly at the boy's soft voice but said nothing, allowing the duchess and duke to respond. The Duke chuckled at his son's shyness as he smiled, and the duchess gave him an encouraging smile, "Now is that any way to greet someone?" she asked in a gentle tone, giving his shoulder a small squeeze again.
Phenex looked down embarrassed, a tinge of red appearing on his cheeks. He was clearly an even more shy child than even Stolas was. However, the Duchess's small nudge seemed to encourage him to try again. He lifted his head, looking between Paimon and Stolas. Though he settled his gaze on the young prince before speaking up again. "It's nice to meet you" he continued quietly, his voice only slightly louder than last time.
Paimon smirked slightly at the boy's timidity, finding it amusing.
The duchess chuckled softly and said, "That's better. Remember to speak to speak up, my dear" she said, her voice still gentle as she gave him an encouraging smile. The Duke looked amused as well, finding his son's soft-spokenness endearing.
Stolas had been rather nervous up until now but the other boy's shyness made him feel better, like he wasn't the only one to be nervous. He took in the boy's features. Stolas thought the boy looked rather pretty but before he could say anything, the duchess spoke again, drawing his attention.
"He's a bit shy" she said, chuckling again and ruffling her son's feathery head with her hand. "Aren't you, little firebird?" The boy made a small noise of protest at the affection but didn't say anything to deny the statement. "Why don't you two go and get to know each other while we talk about boring adult stuff. We will call you when dinner is ready" Barbatos suggested to the two boys.
The boys looked at each other for a moment before Paimon spoke, "Yes, I think that would be a good idea" he paused for a moment before adding, "Go on you two. Go and do whatever kids these days do" With that said, Paimon and the Duke and Duchess began a quiet conversation as the two children left the dining room.
When the boys were out in the hall, they paused for a moment. Standing there, neither boy quite knew what to say. They both remained silent for a few moments before Stolas spoke. "What was that thing you were holding earlier?" he asked in a quiet voice.
Stolas' question seemed to bring Phenex out of his shyness slightly, and he perked up a bit. "Oh, this?" he said, holding up the object he was fiddling with earlier but had tucked into his shirt pocket when they had entered. In his hand was a glossy black stone with sharp edges to it. "It's a piece of obsidian my father brought back from Earth for me. I like collecting rocks, and he knew I didn't have any obsidian in my collection yet" He explained sounding a lot more comfortable than before.
Stolas' eyes widened in fascination as he leaned closer to get a better look. "Whoa..." he breathed quietly, his voice filled with awe. "It's so shiny and... smooth" he said, his eyes locked on the stone for a few moments before he looked up at Phenex, an excited look in his eyes. "How many rocks do you have?"
Phenex chuckled, his shyness almost forgotten. "So many I've lost count. I have a whole cabinet in my room full of them" he answered, sounding more and more excited by the moment, happy to share something he was so interested in with someone who seemed genuinely interested. "I even have a few semi precious gems and fossils"
Stolas was practically vibrating with excitement now. "Really!? That sounds incredible!" he exclaimed, clearly very interested and impressed by what Phenex was sharing. "Can you name some of them?"
"Lapis Lazuli, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Moonstone, and a whole lot of rose quartz I have slowly accumulated by taking some when I see it in gravel"
Stolas' seemed absolutely entranced by what Phenex was saying. "That is so cool!" he said, practically gushing. "They must be so beautiful" His mind was already conjuring images of the gemstones, he could almost imagine what they might look like in his head. "Can I see your collection sometime?"
Phenex seemed to warm at the sheer awe Stolas was showing him. He couldn't even remember the last time someone had been interested in his collection before. "Yeah! Sure!" he said, sounding almost excited as well. "You can come over sometime and see my collection!"
Stolas' face lit up at the invitation. A wide grin spread across his face, and he couldn't believe his luck. "Really? I can come and see it? That would be amazing!" he said, nearly bouncing on his feet with excitement.
"What things are you interested in?" Phenex asked with a slight tilt to his head.
Stolas paused for a moment to consider the question. There were several things he was interested in, but he wasn't sure if Phenex would find them as interesting as he did. "Well..." he began, a hint of uncertainty in his voice "I like reading a lot... and listening to music" he paused, fiddling with the cuffs of his tunic nervously before continuing, "and I'm also really interested in plants and... stars." As he spoke, Stolas felt a slight uneasiness bubble up within him. He wasn't sure if his interests were something Phenex would find unusual or silly, given that they seemed to be very different on the surface. He glanced at the other boy nervously, still fiddling with his cuffs while he waited for a response.
"What kinds of plants do you like? Which is your favorite? Do you have a collection of plants?" He asked almost immediately. Stolas' uneasiness was instantly quelled as Phenex seemed genuinely interested and engaged in his answer, and he smiled at the questions. "Ooh, I love all kinds of plants really, but I guess my favorite would have to be the carnivorous ones. They feel so much more alive than most." He answered, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "my mother had a huge garden when she was alive that I take care of now, I think I got my love of plants from her," he said, his voice becoming slightly subdued at the mention of his mother.
"Can you show me?" Phenex asked a little timidly. Stolas' eyes widened slightly at the request, and he felt his heart skip a beat for a moment before it was immediately filled with excitement again. "Yes! I'd love to!" he beamed, suddenly more animated. "I know all about every plant in there, and I know all about caring for them too. We could go right now!"
The idea of showing off his mother's garden and his knowledge of plants to the other boy made Stolas incredibly excited. He was used to having his knowledge and hobbies dismissed as silly and useless, particularly by his father, and it warmed his heart that Phenex seemed so interested.
"Come on!" the young prince said suddenly, excitedly grabbing Phenex's wrist and already trying to pull him down the hall. He knew the garden like the back of his hand and was more than eager to show it off.
They made their way down the halls and corridors of the large palace, passing by a few servants who either gave Stolas a small smile or a curious look of surprise. Eventually, the two boys made it to a massive door that led to the garden, Stolas practically dragged Phenex outside into the fragrant air of the garden.
The sight that lay before them was breathtaking. The garden was an explosion of color and blooms. Flowers, bushes, shrubs, small fruit trees, and even a few saplings all planted carefully here and there and arranged aesthetically. It was a peaceful paradise amid the dull stone walls of the palace. In the center was a pool, shaped to look more like a pond with a little island and a waterfall.
Stolas pulled Phenex closer to the pond, a grin on his face. "One of my favorite plants is over here," he said, his voice filled with excitement as he pointed a finger at a large, carnivorous plant growing near the edge of the pool. "See that one? It's one of the species of sundews. They're amazing! They produce a sticky goo that traps small insects and pulls them in!" The plant in question was a vibrant green color accented by a splash of red, its leaves covered in shimmering dew drops that caught the light and reflected it in an iridescent manner. The red tentacle-like leaf tips were poised to capture any small insect or animal that may have the misfortune to touch them.
Stolas continued leading Phenex around the garden, pointing out various other exotic plants, their unique features, and how he cared for them. It was apparent that he was in his element, and he seemed incredibly happy to have someone who was interested in what he was saying, rather than dismissing his interests as unimportant.
The two boys spent what felt like hours exploring the vast garden, with Stolas eagerly pointing out each and every plant he had grown. They found themselves sitting on a bench under a tree as Stolas finished his latest long-winded explanation about some particular species of flower. He paused for a moment, suddenly realizing how much he'd been talking and looking over at Phenex slightly, embarrassed. "I wasn't boring you, was I?" He asked, nervously fiddling with his cuffs again. He felt a little guilty going on a long-winded, rambling explanation of every little thing they came across.
"Not at all, I like listening to you talk" the smile on Phenex' face, and the genuine interest in his eyes, reassured him that he didn't mind in the slightest. In fact, it seemed like he was enjoying it.
Stolas blushed ever so slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed and flattered by the response. "Oh... thank you..." he replied in a flustered tone. "I can get carried away when talking. I'm glad you don't mind." The two sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's company as they sat beneath the shade of the tree. Stolas could hardly believe that they had only just met for the first time. It felt so easy to talk to him, and he had never felt so comfortable around anyone his own age, or perhaps *anyone* for that matter.
"I hope you don't mind me saying this..." the young prince said suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence between them. He fiddled with his cuffs again. His fingers fidgeted with his cuffs for a moment longer as he tried to gather up some courage before he continued speaking.
"When we first met... I was a bit..." he paused, trying to think of a good way to put it, "uh, surprised by the way you looked," he said, a slight sheepish tone to his voice as he struggled to find the words to explain what he was feeling.
"I don't mean that in a bad way" he said quickly, not wanting Phenex to get the wrong idea. "I just..." he trailed off, still struggling to express his thoughts. His voice got quieter and he stared down at his lap, embarrassed as he continued "You're feathers are really pretty"
He had meant to leave it at that, but he ended up mumbling under his breath, "You're really pretty..." He felt his cheeks heat up again, and he quickly shut his mouth, not meaning to say that last part out loud. He was mortified as he waited for a response, feeling like he had just made a complete idiot of himself with that last comment.
"Oh, Thank you. My parents tell me it will help me find a wife when the time comes" he responds, the idea of the comment meaning anything more than a compliment having gone over his head.
Stolas blinked in surprise, a mixture of relief and disappointment coursing through him. He had been so convinced that Phenex would have been embarrassed or upset by the complement, but he seemed completely oblivious to it. Stolas' brow furrowed in thought for a moment, trying to banish the illogical feelings that crept up in his mind and heart.
"Yeah, that's fair," he said after a moment, trying his best to maintain his composure and not seem disappointed. "Having beautiful feathers would definitely get you a lot of attention from..." he paused for a moment, his mind briefly imagining it and immediately hating the thought. "...girls"
"I also think you're really pretty." He praised in return. Stolas' eyes widened in surprise at Phenex's words, and he felt his cheeks heat up as a mixture of emotions flooded through him, mostly confusion.
"T-Thank you..." He barely managed to squeak out, his heart suddenly beating a bit faster. The young prince felt incredibly conflicted. He knew he was arranged to be married and have children, it was his duty. But he had never felt any sort of interest in girls, and it was becoming increasingly obvious that he didn't seem to feel any romantic feelings for them, despite his efforts to convince himself that he did.
His mind was a mess of contradictions, a war between his duty and some foreign, confusing feelings that he was terrified to acknowledge or even understand. But despite his internal turmoil, Stolas found himself feeling oddly touched by Phenex's words. Even if this other boy was only complimenting him as a friend, the fact that he had even called him pretty in the first place felt like an enormous compliment, and a small part of him hoped it had meant more than just a friendly remark.
They sat in silence again as Stolas absorbed the comment and attempted to get some sort of handle on his thoughts. He was still reeling from the fact that Phenex had called him pretty. It stirred up so many feelings, some of which he had been desperately trying to ignore and push away since the notion of romance entered his head. His eyes flickered back to the other boy, taking in the beauty of his feathers yet again as they caught the late midday light. They may not have the same taste in spouses as each other, but he would be darned if he let someone who he could easily consider a best friend given he had no others slip away over some dumb feelings.
Moments later, the family servant informed the two were being summoned by their parents.
The rest of the early afternoon was spent sitting politely by each others respective parent. Stolas had tried to maintain his concentration on the conversations happening around him, but his mind kept flickering back to Phenex. The compliment he'd given him, his pretty feathers, his shy demeanor, his interest in both science and poetry, the way the sun looked on his-
Stolas quickly shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away. He was being silly.
After what felt like an agonizingly long amount of time, it had finally come time for Phenex and his parents to leave. Stolas stood by as the family prepared to leave. He tried to maintain his composure, but he could feel his heart drop for some reason at this. He didn't want Phenex to go. Despite only just meeting him today, the time they had spent sitting and talking had been some of the most enjoyable moments he could remember having in a long time.
His eyes watched the other boy, taking in his form, wanting to prolong the moment as long as he could. He didn't want this to end, but he didn't want to seem like an immature, greedy child. After being forced to sit through hours of boring conversations, he wasn't even sure when he would get to see Phenex again. "It was very nice meeting you today," A voice suddenly cut into Stolas' thoughts, making him snap back into the present and look at the family in front of him. Phenex' father had spoken, a polite smile on his face.
Stolas felt like time had slowed down. They were leaving. He was going to be alone again. He frantically tried to think of something to say, something that might prolong this moment, anything to keep him here even for just a moment longer. Before he could say anything though, Duchess spoke up as she gently placed a hand on her sons shoulder. "Maybe if your father would allow it. We could have you over for a playdate with Phenex"
Stolas' eyes widened as he looked over at the duchess, his heart fluttering at her words. *A playdate*? She was offering them another chance to meet again. He wanted to immediately shout *Yes!* but didn't want to seem too desperate, so he quickly composed himself. "That... That would be nice" Stolas responded, trying to keep his voice steady and not seem too eager, even though he was screaming with excitement inside.
The family all seemed to smile at the agreement - even King Paimon gave a slight nod - before bidding goodbye and making their way towards the exit. Stolas watched as Phenex followed behind his parents for a moment before he stopped for a moment and changed course back to Stolas. "I want you to have this" he said while presenting a uncut piece of tigers eye.
Stolas was taken by surprise, both by Phenex suddenly coming back to him and offering a gift. He stared down at the stone in Phenex' hand, his eyes widening and his curiosity instantly piqued. "Are you sure I can have this?" he asked, looking back up at the boy in front of him. His heart was beginning to flutter yet again.
"I'll get myself another piece some day" he says while putting the stone into Stolas' hand. "Plants feel like a lot of work to collect so maybe this will give you something to collect that you don't need to take care of"
Stolas looked at the stone, his heart feeling a bit tighter with affection. Phenex had just met him and he was already offering him a pretty gift, with the words meaning more to him than he ever could have known. "I... thank you" he said slowly, his voice a little waver as he closed his fingers around the stone. Something about the gesture felt significant to him, though for a reason he couldn't quite place. "I'll keep it... safe, I promise" he said, suddenly feeling the urge to clutch the stone to his chest like it was an invaluable treasure. His heart felt like it was going to explode in his chest.
"Well I hope so because that is one of my favorites"
He desperately wanted to say something more, to tell Phenex just how touched he was by the gift, but he found the words had escaped him. The only sound the prince could manage was a strangled "Thank you." He continued clutching the stone as Phenex gave him a cheerful smile - a smile that made his heart nearly stop. Stolas didn't want him to leave. He wanted to say something, anything, to ask him to stay, but the duchess' words had given him a small piece of hope that he'd be able to see Phenex again... soon.
The horse he was riding shifted underneath him, causing his body to sway side to side invulnerably. The now sixteen year old Stolas gripped onto the reins to steady himself, a quiet scoff escaping him as the horse continued to move. He didn't like them all that much. They were large, smelled, and always seemed on edge. He only rode them if necessary. He attempted to soothe the animal, but it made another sudden shift, nearly throwing him sideways. Stolas grumbled and muttered under his breath, gripping the rein tighter to try and stabilize himself.
Phenex moved closer and ran a calming hand across the side of the beast's head. It settled almost immediately.
Stolas watched as the movement of the young lord's hand magically calmed the horse down. A small sense of envy flared up for a moment. *Why couldn't he do that?* he wondered. He watched the other prince quietly for a moment as the horse quieted down, now docile under his gentle touch. "I don't understand why my father insists on dragging us along for these excursions"
He shifted again, his back starting to ache from sitting upright on the horse. His gaze shifted slightly, suddenly locking onto Phenex. The sight of his hand gently stroking the animal's side was oddly soothing and almost enthralling. He found himself fixated on the sight, watching as his fingers moved along the soft fur and caressed it tenderly.
"It will help teach you two patience and valuable life skills that you will inevitably find yourself needing" Phenex replied in a voice mocking Paimon's as he sat straight up once again and repositioned the fowling piece on his lap.
Stolas let out a small snort in amusement, unable to hold back the small fit of laughter that followed after. Once he managed to control his laughter, he responded. "Yes, because nothing teaches me how to rule like sitting a horse and waiting for hours before we actually do anything"
He grumbled slightly as he shifted once more. The ride was starting to grate on his nerves, and he ached to get off and stretch his legs. "We've been sitting here for ages. When are we actually going to do something? I'm getting bored"
"Tell me about it" Phenex responded as he lazily rested his head in the palm of his hand before an idea popped into his head. "You know... I don't think anyone would notice if a couple of riders slipped away for a quick lakeside trot"
Stolas perked up at Phenex's comment, his boredom temporarily replaced by curiosity. The idea of sneaking away from the royal hunting party for a small detour was... well, exciting. He glanced around cautiously, making sure that none of the other riders or his father were paying attention to him before he spoke. "You don't think anyone would notice us?"
"Probably not. Besides, we won't be in any kind of danger when we have these!" He says while grabbing his fowling piece and holding it up to emphasize his point.
Stolas chuckled slightly at the other boy's enthusiasm and confidence. He'd always been something of a rule follower and usually avoided trouble, but something about the idea of sneaking away and doing something slightly rebellious called to him.
He didn't care about hunting animals he couldn't even eat, so the thought of a break from it all was appealing, and the idea of sneaking away with Phenex of all people was even more so. "I suppose you have a point" he finally replied, a small grin appearing on his face.
He adjusted his grip on the rein, waiting for a moment to make sure no one was watching. Once he was sure the coast was clear, he glanced at Phenex again, his heart feeling inexplicably lighter as he prepared to follow the other boy's lead.
"Alright, lead the way, oh great rebel" he said in a teasing tone, a small smile on his face.
"As you wish your royal highness" he playfully countered before cueing the horse into a trot.
Stolas laughed softly as he followed behind Phenex, his horse trotting along side by side. A small rush of excitement filled his chest as they slowly moved away from the main party, the sound of horseshoes on the ground the only indication of their movement.
He glanced behind them for a moment to check that they were still unnoticed before looking forward again, the adrenaline starting to build in his veins.
As they moved further and further into the woods, Stolas' nervousness slowly faded as the sound of the party fully vanished in the distance. The thrill of getting away from the hunting trip was making his heart race with exhilaration. He looked over to Phenex riding next to him, their eyes meeting for a brief moment. A flutter of butterflies filled his stomach and a small feeling of giddy excitement settled in his chest.
The two continued to ride in silence for a few moments, the only sound being the steady rhythm of horse hooves thumping on the ground. The trees above them grew denser, the shadows from their leaves casting a dappled pattern of light and darkness on the dew covered forest floor. Stolas glanced around, taking in the scenery. The forest seemed almost like a new world, so different from the royal poaching grounds he was so used to.
He took a deep breath, letting the clean, crisp forest air fill his lungs. The silence of the forest felt refreshing, and the solitude from the other riders and his father was appreciated. He glanced over at Phenex again, his heart fluttering gently as he watched the Duke to be ride next to him. The sight of him in his hunting gear, his feathers slightly messy, and his relaxed face was mesmerizing to him. His eyes couldn't help but linger on Phenex's features, taking in every small detail and committing to memory. *He's so beautiful*. He caught himself thinking, Stolas had had a budding crush on Phenex for quite some time, but anytime he would try and test the waters, he was met with a oblivious reaction. Phenex had no inkling that he had a crush on him. Stolas glanced away quickly, pretending to be looking at the surrounding trees instead.
The two nobles continued to travel in comfortable silence, eventually coming to a clearing near a large, open lake. The surface of the water was calm and pristine, only a subtle ripple and occasional splash giving away that anything was beneath the surface. Stolas pulled on the reins of his horse as they came to the edge of the lake, admiring the view of the water and the surrounding forest. The silence that hung in the air was peaceful and refreshing.
Dismounting his steed, Phenex gave her a pat on the side and a treat from a satchel attached to the saddle.
Stolas followed suit, gracefully climbing off his own horse. As he stood on the ground, he took a moment to stretch his legs, the feeling of solid ground after so long on a horse feeling good.
His gaze wandered over to Phenex, watching him as he continued to pamper his steed. The act was strangely endearing to Stolas, and he found himself secretly wishing he would be pampered like that. *Am I seriously jealous of a horse?* he thought to himself. With a small shake of his head, Stolas began walking towards the water, his talons squishing slightly in the still damp leaves and grass. Nearing the edge of the water, he looked out over the lake again. The water mirrored the surrounding landscape almost perfectly, creating a picturesque view. A gentle breeze blew across the water, causing small ripples to break the surface and creating a mesmerizing Van Gogh like effect.
He knelt down by the water's edge, dipping the tips of his fingers into the cool liquid. The feeling of the water flowing across his feathers was soothing and refreshing. He let out a soft sigh, his shoulders sagging as the remaining tension in his body slowly melted away. He continued watching the way the water rippled and moved, how the trees on the other side gently swayed and undulated in the breeze. For the first time all day, he felt relaxed and at peace. He closed his eyes, taking a deep, calming breath.
The crunch of footsteps sounded from behind him until they ended with a final thud of Phenex sitting beside him. His fowling piece now slung over his shoulders. "Still got any reservations on sneaking away?" he asked Stolas, giving him a slight smile.
Stolas glanced over at him, the question pulling him from his relaxed state. "None at all" he replied with a small grin, the thrill of doing something so sneaky still coursing through his veins. He took a moment to look Phenex over, taking in his relaxed body language and easy smile. "It was a good idea" he admitted quietly.
"Another good idea to add to my ever growing list of good ideas" he joked while laying back on the soft, light blue grass of Gluttony.
Stolas chuckled at Phenex's remark, rolling his eyes playfully in response. "Too bad it won't ever surpass your overflowing list of terrible ideas." He followed suit and laid down next to him, a slight shiver going through him as the cool blades of grass tickled his neck.
"That's why I don't keep a record of that list" Phenex replied, thinking we won the conversation.
"You should. It'd make a great joke book" he teased back, grinning. Stolas glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, wanting to see his reaction.
"I would smack you upside the head if you weren't the son of a king!" He exclaims while turning to rest on his side, facing Stolas.
Stolas chuckled, the threat sounding far more fond than legitimate. "Ah yes, the ever feared smacking of ones head. Truly a terrifying punishment indeed" he quipped back sarcastically. He rolled onto his side as well to face him, his elbow propping his head up on his hand.
As he gazed into Phenex's eyes, his heart began to throb in his chest again, that same feeling of butterflies reappearing in his stomach. He found himself lost in Phenex's appearance, taking in every small detail and committing it to memory. The way his feathers fell into place, the sharp shape of his face, the warmth of his gaze. *Gods, he was gorgeous.*
He found himself desperately wanting to speak those thoughts out loud, to tell Phenex exactly what he was feeling. But he couldn't. Phenex saw him as a friend, and there was no way Stolas was going to make things awkward between them by confessing his crush. No, he'd have to keep these feelings buried deep down, only letting them out in secret moments like this.
He forced himself to keep up the casual air, doing his best to keep the nerves out of his voice. "I really needed this today. Thank you" He smiled over at Phenex, meaning the words he spoke wholeheartedly. The change of environment and the company of his friend had lifted his spirits significantly, and for once he was feeling relaxed and at ease. He hoped the other boy could feel the sincerity in his words and how much he appreciated the chance to get away from it all.
"It's the least I could do, your highness" He teased the prince.
Stolas rolled his eyes slightly at the title, but his expression softened as he continued to look at his friend. "You know you don't have to call me that when we're alone, right?"
"I know, I just like seeing the look on your face when I call you by your title"
Stolas playfully pushed at Phenex, laughing softly. "Ass" he muttered affectionately, the look on his face showing the opposite of annoyance.
He glanced away for a moment, his smile faltering slightly. The easy banter with Phenex was making it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings to himself. A part of him wanted to tell the other boy his true feelings, to confess that he had a crush on him. But a much larger part of him kept those feelings buried deep within. He didn't want to risk ruining their friendship, and he knew that Phenex most likely did not see him the same way. An idea came to him, Stolas paused for a second, debating whether or not he should enact on it. He took a deep breath to steady himself before speaking, his voice a little quieter than usual. "Have you ever... Had a crush on anyone before?"
Phenex looked lost in thought for a moment before answering. "There was this really nerdy girl I met a couple of weeks ago. I wouldn't really call it a crush, more like I couldn't help but find her cute because of how much of a nerd she was. But other than that, no" Stolas' heart sank slightly at the response, disappointment flooding through him. A girl, of course it was. He tried to push down the feeling, reminding himself that it wasn't surprising. After all, he did make his interest in women know when they first met.
"Interesting. A nerdy girl, huh?" he replied, trying to keep his voice casual. "And what about... boys? Any interest in them?" He held his breath, his heart racing anxiously as he waited for Phenex to answer. *please say yes, please say yes* he mentally pleaded, keeping his expression as neutral and uncaring as possible.
"I don't know... I've never thought about it before" He answered truthfully.
Stolas felt a pang of disappointment again, but he covered it quickly with a small smile. "Oh, well that's understandable" he said, trying to keep his voice nonchalant. Inside he felt crushed, his heart aching in his chest. Of course Phenex had never thought about it before, he was straight after all. *Stupid, stupid, stupid*. he chastised himself mentally.
He felt a lump form in his throat, his eyes starting to sting. *You idiot, what did you expect. He's into girls. Not you. Just accept it already and get a goddamn grip on yourself!* Forcing himself to stay calm, he shifted his gaze away from Phenex and directed it back at the lake. "Just curious, that's all" he said quietly, his voice cracking ever so slightly. He took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to keep the lump in his throat from growing. *don't cry, you idiot. Don't you dare cry.* He clenched his jaw, refusing to let any sign of disappointment or heartbreak show on his face. He'd have an emotional breakdown later, in private. Not here. Not in front of him.
"Are you alright? You're shivering a bit." Phenex asked with slight concern.
Stolas was taken out of his thoughts by Phenex's concerned voice. He realized he was shivering, his body trembling slightly on the grass. He wasn't sure if it was from the cool morning air or because he was holding back tears. He quickly composed himself, plastering a small, fake smile on his face. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little cold" he lied, his voice strained with forced casualness.
Phenex shifted to sitting right beside him before he closed his eyes focused for a moment. His body began to faintly glow as the space around him rose in temperature. "Better?" Stolas was pleasantly surprised to feel the temperature around him increase slightly, a faint but noticeable warmth enveloping him. He let out a soft sigh and rested his head on his shoulder, finally noticing how cold he'd been from sitting on the chill grass for so long.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, allowing the warmth to sink into his feathers and soothe his body. "Yeah... Much better." With every inhale, he took in the other boy's scent, a mixture of leather, smoke, and something uniquely *him*. It was strangely soothing. They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the sounds and smells of the peaceful lakeside. However, all good things must come to an end sooner or later. "We should probably be heading back now" Phenex said quietly.
Stolas groaned, reluctantly opening his eyes again. "Yeah... I know." he said with a sigh, his disappointment at having to leave this tranquil spot evident in his voice. He forced himself to sit up, feeling a wave of cold hit him as he did. They had been out here for quite some time, and if they weren't back soon, their fathers would get suspicious and start looking for them. Stretching out his arms, he stifled a yawn before climbing to his feet, brushing any stray grass off his clothing.
"I wish we didn't have to go back" he muttered, his previous emotional struggle still fresh in his mind. He wanted nothing more than to continue this moment with Phenex, in this peaceful sanctuary away from all the pressures and duties that came with being a Goetic prince.
"Look on the bright side. After this boring little hunting trip is over, we get the whole rest of the day open to do whatever we want" Phenex tells him while mounting his horse. "Didn't you find yourself something new to read? We could playact it while we read it like we used to when we were younger!"
Stolas felt his heart flutter at the suggestion, his mood lightening a little. They had spent many days when they were little kids putting on dramatic readings for each other, always ending up in fits of giggles over the silliest things.
He smiled at the memory, feeling a warm sense of nostalgia. "That sounds lovely, actually" he said, his voice already sounding a little more cheerful than before. He walked over to his horse, pausing to give one last glance at the beautiful landscape around them. He really wished they could stay here longer. With a sigh, he finished tightening the straps of his horse's saddle before pulling himself up into the saddle and steadying himself. "Hopefully our fathers haven't noticed out absence yet"
"Then let's try to get back as soon as possible... I purpose we have a little race, whoever gets back first gets to pick the roles we play"
Stolas couldn't help but grin at the suggestion. "You're on." he said, his competitive side kicking in. "I already have some roles in mind for you!"
With one last determined look at his friend, he leaned forward in his saddle and gave a sharp kick to the horse's sides. The horse whinnied loudly before rearing up into a gallop. Stolas gripped the reins tightly as he felt the wind whip his face, the feeling of freedom and weightlessness overtaking him as they raced into the tree line. The rush of adrenaline was intoxicating, pushing him to keep going faster. He felt the grass and mud flying up from under the horse's hooves as they thundered through the forest, narrowly avoiding low hanging branches.
He heard the drumming of another horse's hooves behind him. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Phenex on his horse, keeping up with him and even starting to gain on him. He let out a loud laugh. "Come on, you can do better than that!" he called back, pushing his horse to go even faster. The wind roared past his ears and he leaned forward so that his body was nearly flush with the horse's neck.
He could hear Phenex's horse closing the distance between them, and he knew he had to do something to keep the lead. He spotted a narrow gap in the trees up ahead that he knew only his steed could fit through. Directed his horse towards the opening, it responded well, weaving through the small opening and jumping over a fallen tree. The maneuver gave him a clear lead, he could hear Phenex's indignant shout from behind him. "That's cheating!" he called out, his voice filled with friendly mockery.
Stolas chuckled and shook his head, enjoying the feeling of competition. "Not my fault your horse is slower than mine!" he retorted, glancing over his shoulder to give his friend a smug grin.
He focused back on the path ahead, the excitement of racing mixing with the familiar joy of being out in nature. The sound of the horse's hooves, the rustle of the leaves, the smell of the wilderness all coming together to make the perfect backdrop to the thrill of the race.
Only after taking a moment to look back did Stolas notice the lack of his racing partner. Phenex was nowhere in sight, causing him to slow down his horse. A small pang of worry suddenly struck him, and he twisted around in the saddle to peer behind him. Scanning the trees for any hint of the other boy. *He was just behind me a minute ago, where could he have gone?*
From atop a small elevated rock face, the form of a horse and its rider leap off and land a few feet ahead of Stolas. "You were saying?" Phenex teased, looing back for a moment before cueing his horse to continue the gallop.
Stolas' eyes widened in surprise at his suddenly appearing ahead of him, having somehow made his way around him in their race. He stared dumbfounded as the other boy taunted him, both impressed and a little vexed. "Show off!" he called back, a hint of laughter in his voice. He kicked at his own horse in a silent command, resuming the race and trying to make up the time he lost. He would not accept defeat so easily.
The two boys continued their race through the forest, dodging trees, rocks, and any other obstacles in their way. Their competitive natures drove them to push their horses harder, each trying to stay ahead of the other. The air was filled with the sound of hoofbeats and the occasional friendly banter between the two teens.
Stolas felt a rush of adrenaline with every jump over fallen logs, every swerve around a tree trunk that was just a little too close. His focus was solely on winning, his eyes fixed on Phenex's back as he tried to keep up. However, it seemed like Phenex had a little bit of an advantage in terms of his equestrian skills.
"Give up yet?" Phenex called back with a smirk, his voice filled with playful mockery. Stolas gritted his beak and forced his horse to go even faster, his competitive spirit refusing to give in. He leaned forward in the saddle, his eyes narrowing as he tried to keep pace with the other boy. "Not a chance!" he shot back with a determined smile.
Phenex was about to say another teasing comment before a rouge low handing branch whapped him in the head. "Son of a-" his being distracted temporally gave Stolas just the opportunity to gain on him. Stolas burst out laughing as he saw Phenex get hit by the branch, his concentration broken enough for him to close the gap between them. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and triumph, finally catching up to his friend and even moving to overtake him.
The two were now neck and neck as they neared the small clearing where the hunting party was. Each tried to push their steeds that ever so slightly faster to outpace the other, one could be mistaken for thinking them to be pursuing something more significant than the choice pick of characters to act.
The clearing became visible through the trees, Stolas felt the mixture of exertion and excitement course through his veins. He could see the familiar shapes of their fathers' and the other lords up ahead. This was it. It was now or never. He urged his horse to go just a little faster, what little iota of a competitive nature he had taking over completely. He was so close.
He and Phenex broke through the trees into the clearing, slowing down after having passed the imaginary finish line. Their horses panting and lathered from the long run. The lords and royals looked up in surprise at their sudden appearance, a few of them chuckling at the sight of the two disheveled and out of breath noble born children. Neither boy paid any attention, too focused on debating which one had passed the line first.
Stolas was still panting from the race, feeling the exhaustion starting to sink in. But his mind was still racing, filled with competitive spirit and determination. He was convinced he had crossed the line before Phenex, but it seemed like his friend had a different opinion. "I definitely beat you back here," he said between breaths, a cocky smile on his face.
"You're delusional," Phenex shot back, his own chest heaving with exertion. "I was at least half a length ahead of you when I crossed!"
"Half a length? More like half a hair's width!" Stolas countered, a hint of snark in his voice. He glanced towards the lords and royals that had been watching them, several of them seemed amused by the exchange. "You're just trying to save face because you lost!" he insisted with a smirk. The two began circling each other, still on their horses as they continued to argue over who won.
Their fathers noticed the commotion and turned to see what the matter was. "It would be an understatement to call those two close, they are inseparable" Barbatos commented, having turned back to fiddling his fowling piece. Paimon let out a gruff exhale of air as he observed his son and Phenex continuing their spirited debate. "Perhaps a bit too much" he remarked, his gaze lingering on the two.
Meanwhile, Phenex and Stolas were still engaged in their lively dispute, both boys still convinced they had come in first. It had evolved from a disagreement between friends to sounding more akin to a political debate as they resorted to rhetorical tactics and persuasive techniques they had learned from their tutors, rather than simple friendly debate. They used flowery language and colorful metaphors in an attempt to win over their audience.
Eventually they reached the conclusion that the race had ended in a draw, and settled that they should have equal control over how they spent the rest of their day. While it was entertainment to the nobles, for the boys it was a fun way to put into practice the skills they had been taught from a young age.
The adults took notice of the impressive display of oratorical skills from the teenagers. They exchanged discreet glances, silently acknowledging each other's approval without letting on to the boys how impressed they truly were.
With the argument settled, Stolas and Phenex took a moment to settle their labored breathing, the excitement of the race and the argument still coursing through their veins. They looked at each other for a moment before simultaneously bursting out into laughter at the absurdity of the situation. Their laughter quickly dissolved into chuckles, both of them finally realizing how ridiculous they must have looked engaging in such a heated argument and displaying such rhetorical skill over something so inconsequential.
"Perhaps we got a little carried away," Stolas admitted with a sheepish smile, running a hand through his tousled feathers.
"Just a little," Phenex agreed, still chuckling and leaning forward to rest his forearms on the pommel of his saddle.
There was a brief silence as they both caught their breath, the adrenaline slowly draining from them. The sounds of the forest and the returned idle chatter of the aristocrats filled the space between them.
"I have no idea what I would do most of the time without you" Stolas finally spoke.
"Probably be completely and utterly bored?" Phenex responded with a smirk. "And do a lot more reading, knowing you."
"Hey, I resent that," Stolas retorted with a grin, pretending to be offended. "I have other hobbies besides reading, you know."
"Like your lovey-dovey romcoms you make me watch?"
Stolas blushed a little, his smile becoming sheepish. "They're not that bad! Besides, you always end up getting invested in the story as well, and we both know it."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Phenex protested, crossing his arms and trying to maintain a serious expression, though the slight blush that started to color his face betrayed his true feelings.
"Oh, really?" Stolas teased, a sly smile on his face. "Because if I remember correctly, the last time we watched one of those romcoms together, you were the one who ended up crying at the climax."
"Pfftt, something had got in my eyes." He waived off.
Stolas chuckled and raised an eyebrow, obviously not believing him. "Something got in your eyes, huh? How convenient" he said, still smiling. "Is that what happened when Wilson the volleyball drifted out to sea?"
"Shut up," Phenex lightly snapped, his blush deepening. "Even if it was only a volleyball, it was sad watching him lose his only friend"
Stolas smirked triumphantly, enjoying the fact that he had ruffled his friend's feathers; literally and figuratively. "Or how about the dead poets society?" he teased, grinning.
"T-that was completely different, that movie was made to make you sad" Phenex halfway admitted, trying to maintain his composure. "I'm not going to pretend that there weren't a few parts of the movie that got to me. Not like you were any better!"
"I never claimed to be immune to the emotional manipulation of media," Stolas protested, a smug look on his face. "But we both know you were the one who was inconsolable for like an hour afterwards" he teased. "If I recall correctly, I distinctly remember you sobbing your eyes out and hugging me so hard during the final scene that I had to use a spell out of my grimoire to keep my bones from being crushed."
"Oh, yeah? Well..." Phenex tried to think of a rebuttal, but quickly came up empty-handed. The flush on his face increased slightly, a mixture of embarrassment and resignation. "I have got nothing"
"Exactly," Stolas said with a satisfied smirk, clearly enjoying having won the argument. His expression shifted to a more playful one. "Admit it, you're a big ol' softie that secretly enjoys all those movies as much as I do."
"You've rubbed off on me to much" Phenex complained half-heartedly, glancing and crossing his arms again in a vain attempt to seem more stubborn. Despite his efforts, a small smile tugged at the corner of his beak, betraying his true feelings.
"I wouldn't say I've rubbed off on you," Stolas replied, mirroring Phenex's pose by crossing his own arms. "I prefer to think of it as enlightening you to the joys of enjoying something that isn't academic for once."
"And what's so wrong with the pursuit of knowledge?"
"Nothing," Stolas responded easily, a sly smile on his face. "Except that you have a tendency to get so absorbed in it that you forget the world still exists outside of dusty tomes and equations"
"I can think of about a dozen instances where I had to practically drag you out of the library because you were there so often that even the librarians were getting worried for your health" Phenex counted while leaning forward on his saddle.
Stolas chuckled at the comment, remembering those times clearly. "Alright, fair point. But at least I learned to admit when I need a break" he shot back. "You, on the other hand, have no sense of balance between work and relaxation and it's honestly concerning."
"Then lets agree that we balance each other out. You keep me from becoming an emotionless well of knowledge, and I help you actually spend time on study and not just fantasizing of falling in love"
Stolas chuckled at the agreement. "I wouldn't call reading romance novels fantasizing about falling in love," he countered. "But I suppose your logic is sound. We keep each other from tipping too far into our extremes" Before either could continue the conversation, the sound of mature voice cut through the air in between them. "Come along you two, we're ready to move on!" Lord Barbatos called out to the teens.
Stolas' perked up at the sound of the voice, he glanced over his shoulder to see Barbatos gesturing for them to come along. He turned back to Phenex as they both prepared to cue their horses again. "With any luck, this will be the last stretch of the hunt"
"I hope so, I'm starving" Phenex grumbled in a slight pout over his hunger.
Stolas chuckled as he nudged his horse forward to follow the lead of the adults. "You're always hungry. I honestly have no idea how you still look as good as you do with the amount you eat sometimes."
"It's a gift" he responded with a shrug, his horse falling into a walk alongside Stolas' as they continued moving forward.
"A gift of endless appetite" he said, shooting a sideways glance at his friend with a smirk. "It must be a side effect of your pyrokinetic abilities, literally burning through calories at a rapid rate"
"That's a great theory, we should write a paper on that!" Phenex excitedly suggested.
Stolas gave a laugh in amusement at Phenex's excitement. "A paper about the possible metabolic effects of pyrokinetic abilities?" He asked, his tone slightly teasing.
"It's brilliant, isn't it?" Phenex continued, a wide grin on his face. "Just imagine the title - 'The Caloric Demands of Pyrokinetic Powers: A Comprehensive Analysis' It almost writes itself!"
Stolas couldn't help but chuckle at Phenex's enthusiasm. "While I have no doubt your paper would be well researched and meticulously detailed, I can't help but think you're just finding an excuse to eat endlessly in the name of 'science'" he teased.
"Perhaps..." Phenex admitted, giving an unapologetic shrug. "But the two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive. I can conduct a detailed analysis on the subject while enjoying a wide variety of food, all in the name of science."
Stolas rolled his eyes slightly in mock annoyance, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his beak. "You're incorrigible"
"Perhaps, but you love me for it" Phenex joked, looking over at Stolas with a confident smile.
He smiled back, unable to deny the truth in the statement. "Yeah, I suppose I do" he confessed quietly, his heart fluttering at the admission.