Butterfly Prince

by Britannica Tany

  “So how long have you been…” Kai clears his throat, Francis smiles to himself. “So we’re back on the gay thing.” He returns to the living room and places a cup of ramen noodles in front of Kai. “Don’t worry, I don’t see you that way.” Kai laughs shyly. “Seriously, I don’t.” Francis reassures him with a teasing wink. Kai smiles to himself and takes a pair of chopsticks from Francis. “But it doesn’t matter to me—gay, bi, hetero—you’re still my friend.” Francis laughs loudly. “Wow, Kai, you’re so sweet.” His sarcasm is contagious. “I know Francis, it amazes me sometimes.” They share a laugh and then dig into the noodles.

  ~*~

  Jenna bows to Aiden’s father and then goes to hug his mother. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen you.” The older woman says with a warm smile. Jenna bows her head. “Yes, university has just been hacking away at my time.” She nods understandingly. “I remember my university years…hard times.” Jenna smiles meekly, her gaze flicking about the house and then her eyes land on the portrait of Skye. A vibrant young woman who always wore a bright smile. Jenna goes to pay her respects and then sits down with Aiden’s parents at the kitchen table. There was a steaming cup of tea in front of her and a bread roll wrapped in a napkin. She lifts the mug and brings it to her nose. “What is it Jenna?”

  “Is our son treating you right?” She smiles and nods. “As always…he’s so sweet.” Hearing her response they let out a sigh. “He can be a bit arrogant, but not annoyingly so.” Both parents laugh and Jenna laughs along with him. It doesn’t take long for them to loop back into the bittersweet memories of the past. “You and Aiden were quite the rascals when you were young.” His mother says. “Yes, whenever you came over Aiden made sure to hide so you could find him.” Jenna laughs, her cheeks warming. “And…after Skye died—Aiden may have never said it—but he was grateful for your consistent company.” Jenna stares into her cup, watching the inky liquid swirl, the foam staining the inside of the glass. “I’m glad, that he was glad.” It goes silent, the tea kettle whistles on the stove, Aiden’s mother quickly rises up to hush it. Jenna came over to talk to them about the shift in her relationship with Aiden. What was going on with their son…but hearing them made her think otherwise. She sighs and forces a smile onto her face. “I wanted to talk a little about Aiden and his training.” His father looks into her eyes. “What about it?”

  “He doesn’t talk to me about it much, but I know it must be tiring.” Aiden’s father nods. “He comes home late sometimes and stays up even later studying for his exams.” Jenna nods. “He’s an idiot.” She mumbles, both parents laugh. “I’m afraid though…” She takes off her beanie and runs a hand through her hair. “He’s going to be going to serve the Prince soon.”

  “I don’t want to think about it.” His mother’s voice appears; soft, broken. “It’s scary to think that I could lose my second child.”

  “Can’t you stop it?” Jenna looks between the both of them. “No…Aiden wouldn’t want us to.”

  “Excuse me, but screw him. He doesn’t know what’s best for him.” She rises abruptly from her seat, the legs of the chair screeching as she rose. “What happened to Skye, could happen to him.” Jenna continues on, her eyes aflame. “I can go to the King and Queen and beg them to set him free.”

  “What happened to Skye, could happen to you. Aiden is tired of people protecting him.” Jenna scoffs. “He says that it’s his turn to protect us.” Aiden’s mother says, Jenna says nothing, her throat dry. “Idiot’s always get hurt…” She says under her breath, her phone vibrating in her pocket. She quickly checks the message and grinds her teeth together. “I guess I’m an idiot too.” The message was from Kael and read: Aiden’s here with me at the café we go to, he’s waiting for you, please come. She didn’t want to go, oh how she dreaded seeing them together, seeing that look in Aiden’s eyes and Kael returning his gaze. She dreaded that the most…when their feelings would be recognized by one another.

  ~*~

  Kael sighs and looks to Aiden, the older was sipping dazedly on his orange juice. “I texted her.” Kael says, Aiden doesn’t respond, instead he stares out of the window. Kael follows his gaze and lets out a breath. “Tell me…what’s up with you guys.” He questions, but Aiden continues to stare. With an annoyed groan, Kael leans forward and grips both sides of Aiden’s face, turning him until their eyes met. “Aiden,” He says sternly. Aiden blinks, swallows and looks to Kael nervously. “Y-yes?”

  “I asked, what’s up with you and Jenna?” Aiden swallows again, his eyes flicking to Kael’s lips. They were pink and moist, probably because he licked them moments ago. “Nothing…we just hit a rough patch.” Kael rolls his eyes. “That’s exactly what she said.” He drops his hands from Aiden’s face and stuffs them in his coat pockets. Aiden watches as he does this and thinks shyly that he wanted Kael’s warm hands to continue holding his cheeks. “This is a little off topic, but,” Kael quirks a brow as if to say ‘what.’ Aiden folds his hands together nervously. “When it was raining…” The memory flashes vividly in Kael’s mind and he almost wants to smile, almost, but thinks otherwise. “What about it?” Aiden hesitates, the corner of his lips twitching. “We said…that we’d forget…” He spoke softly, as though he were going over each word in his head. “Forgetting becomes easy when…I look into your eyes.” The sound of cups clattering and clinking could be heard all around the café, people chatting and laughing could also be heard, but Kael heard not a thing as Aiden spoke. “I see things Kael, good things, when I stare at you…” Aiden couldn’t understand why he was saying all this, why his heart was pounding and why his hands were sweating. “I question a lot of things when I’m with you and I wonder about you, who you are.” Kael leans back in his seat. “Can’t you show me who you are? Just once…” Aiden looks into the younger’s eyes and searches for an answer, anything and then Kael smiles, it was a sad smile. “Aiden…something’s are better left unknown, hidden away in a darkened corner.” Kael looks away from Aiden’s intense gaze. He didn’t want Aiden to discover his true identity, he couldn’t. The idea itself, of him finding out, tore Kael in two. Aiden was his first friend after Skye and he was—he was something special. “Aiden,”

  “Yes?”

  “If Jenna doesn’t show up…would you like to go somewhere with me?” The question was baffling to Aiden. Why now? Where did Kael want to go? “Yeah, as long as it’s not a strip club, Jenna would murder me.” Kael laughs and Aiden stops breathing just so Kael’s laughter could be the only sound he heard. “You’re an idiot.”

  “If it makes you laugh, so be it.” He tosses Kael a wink and Kael’s heart dances. “I should have kissed you when I had the chance.” He says under his breath and Aiden looks to him confused. “What’d you say?” Kael waves his question off. “Nothing.” He looks out of the window and then looks at his phone, Jennahad sent a message: Not able to make it, sorry Kael stares at the text and after a minute or so he decides to show it to Aiden. The ashen haired male reads over the words, sighs and rises to his feet. “Let’s drink.” He declares. “What?”

  “Let’s get drunk, a few rounds won’t hurt.” Aiden runs a hand down his face. “You’re old enough to drink, right?” Kael nods and Aiden beams. “Perfect! We’ll stop at the place you want to go and then let’s drink until our cheeks are burgundy.” Using his hand he imitates a cheer, he could see Kael from his peripheral vision and the other was struggling to suppress a smile. Maybe going out with Kael for a round of drinks was Aiden’s best idea yet or maybe his worst.

  As they’re walking out of the café, Aiden kept cracking lame jokes he used to tell Francis. Kael would groan and complain about their simplicity and then he’d come up with one that was quite witty. Aiden had no other choice but to compliment him. “Okay, not bad.” Kael places a hand to his hip and tilts his chin up. Aiden laughs into the palm of his hand and looks to Kael with admiring eyes. “Where are you taking me, Kael?” Aiden asks, softly. Kael looks to him with twinkling eyes. �
�On an adventure.” The younger replies boyishly. Aiden chuckles and then says ever so softly. “I’m already on one…since you’re the adventure.” An awkward yet shy silence falls between them. Kael’s the first to laugh. “I don’t see how Jenna can put up with your cheesiness.” Aiden smiles brightly. “The idiot in me comes out when I’m around you.” Kael laughs some more and the words kind of just slip from his lips. “Well, I like an idiot like you.”

  Aiden’s heart soared and never quite returned from its ascent into the sky.

  Intoxicated Pt. 1

  As they were walking down the sidewalk Aiden would look up and stare after Kael’s back. His shoulders were broad, but his waist was slim and the leather pants he was wearing accentuated his behind. Aiden clears his throat and tears his gaze away. I’ve never stared at a guy’s ass before…. Aiden laughs at his thoughts, causing Kael to look over his shoulder and peer at him. “Why are you laughing?”

  “Huh? Oh nothing, I was just thinking about something.” Kael thinks his words over and shrugs it off. Kael was leading Aiden to the greenhouse, it wasn’t that far of a walk, the exercise would be good. From the other side of the street Kael could see a black car following behind them—his bodyguard. He slows his pace down so now he was walking side by side with Aiden. Aiden was humming along to the beat of a song Kael had listened to when he was younger; it was a song that would ring whenever Skye received a call on her phone. His heart twists itself again and he swallows. “Where are you taking me, Kael?”

  “Somewhere.” Kael responds, his gaze focused straight ahead. “Somewhere, where?” Aiden grins, but Kael wasn’t going to give in. “Somewhere…special.” Aiden’s steps slow for a moment before picking back up. To go to this place that Kael saw as special…it must mean something to him. Aiden couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at that. He’s taking me to his special place. He wanted to squeal and clutch Kael’s hand and swing it back and forth as though they were children. Instead he clears his throat and looks to Kael with glowing eyes. He wanted to ask him anything and everything. “What’s your favorite color?” Kael comes to a halt in the middle of the sidewalk, his expression curved with confusion. “What?”

  “Favorite color.” Kael blinks and Aiden laughs placing a hand to Kael’s shoulder. “What color do you like seeing the most?” Kael thinks the question over and then shrugs. “I don’t know…I’ve never thought about it…” A lie. He had just told a lie. His favorite color was the color of Aiden’s eyes. A dark chocolate-y color, like freshly made hot coco that Kael wanted to melt into. “Seriously?”

  “Yes, seriously.” Kael deadpans, Aiden sighs, his hand lingering down Kael’s arm in a slow caress. Kael looks to his hand and then looks to him; Aiden was shaking his head and muttering to himself not realizing how he was still touching Kael. A smile curls Kael’s lips. Aiden moves his hand back to his side and they start walking again. Aiden liked this, walking and talking with Kael, being able to learn more about him. He wanted to get drunk and just let himself go so he wouldn’t have to feel guilty. His heart caves in remembering that he had still yet to make up with Jenna. He brushes his thoughts away by striking up a conversation. “I’m gonna write a book one day…”

  “What?” Kael stares at him baffled. “A book. I’ve been through so much shit…may as well get it out there, ya know?” Kael nods because he did know. Maybe if he got it out there he wouldn’t suffer as much. But, he was afraid of the truth, all it did was hurt and hurt and create more pain for those he cared for. “Then…if you write a book, I’ll read it.”

  “I’m not giving you a free copy.” Aiden states, his eyebrows knit together, lips pursed out. Kael chuckles, his eyes slanting up. “Why not? We’re friends right? A single copy won’t hurt.” Kael nudges Aiden with his elbow. “I’ll have to think about it.” Kael’s smile broadens and he comes to a sudden stop in front of a glass building. Aiden follows his gaze and stares at the greenhouse with confusion.

  “A…greenhouse?” He questions. Kael nods, echoing him. “A greenhouse.” Aiden was confused, but decided to go with it. Kael wasn’t going to kill him and if he did—well—the thought wasn’t as unsettling as Aiden thought it would be. Aiden waits for Kael to open the door and when he does he follows him inside, the glass door clinking shut behind them. “Woah.” Aiden sighs in awe, his eyes doubling in size as he scans the grassy perimeter. “Nice, isn’t it?” Kael questions, his fingers ghosting along a shrub. “It’s…amazing…” Aiden follows Kael’s lead, he touches the plants and then sniffs the tips of his fingers. He could smell the forest on his fingers. Kael looks back and watches him. “Does it….remind you of anything?” Kael asks slowly, his eyes warm and patient.

  “Well…my sister, she—she always had an interest in insects and nature and it—this place—it reminds me of her.” Kael’s smile turns sad and he says ever so quietly “I thought so.” Aiden peers intently at Kael. “How—how did you come across here?” Kael was expecting that question. “My grandparents…they built it years ago and ever since I’ve come here wanting to feel close to them.” Kael flashes a meek smile as he so easily tells a lie. Aiden stares back at him and nods knowing that, that couldn’t be the true reason. But he refrains from digging any further feeling as though he would trip and fall into a pitch black hole. He walks away from Kael, looking at all the different flowers and smelling them. Kael stands to the side, arms crossed over his chest, his dark eyes watching Aiden’s every move. Aiden’s ashen hair stood out amongst the muted greens of the trees and the veins in his arms would pulse each time he stretched his hand to pick up a vase. Kael’s gaze slowly travels down Aiden’s body; he wore ripped jeans and black sneakers, Kael could make out the thin band of his boxers and he felt his cheeks go hot. He tears his gaze away and mumbles something to himself. “Hey…Kael…”

  “Ye—” Kael clears his throat. “Yes?” Aiden looks into Kael’s eyes and smiles. “Come here.” He coaxes him over and Kael walks to him, his eyebrows knit curiously. Aiden was holding a single flower in his hand, he thrusts it towards Kael and says: “You must be a flower, to be so beautiful and yet a complete mystery to me.” There’s silence, complete silence as Aiden’s words settle. Kael blinks and then places his hands to his cheeks as though that would diffuse his blush.

  “Again with the cheesy pick-up lines.” He says despite the fluttering of his heart. Aiden chuckles stepping forward and placing the flower in the pocket of Kael’s shirt. “Did you spin that line on Jenna?” Kael asks, trying his best to appear nonchalant. Aiden looks up at Kael, his eyes twinkling…almost mischievously. “No, you’re the first,” Aiden brings his hand to Kael’s cheek. “I believe it had the proper affect, since you’re blushing.” Kael’s eyes widen, Aiden winks and walks off as though he had not given Kael more reason to like him.

  ~*~

  Kael holds the bar door open for Aiden and laughs at something the older had said. “You’re old enough, right?” Aiden asks Kael again as they find themselves a seat in the back of the bar. Kael nods and slides into the booth, Aiden slides in across from him. The bar was lit by yellow lights that kept flickering as they hung from the ceiling. Kael nervously looks over his shoulder; he’s never been to a bar before, he only knew about them in books and the rambunctious kind they had in actions movies or something of the sort. He continues looking around, his eyes wandering up and down the row of people seated at the counter. Aiden watches him with an amused gaze. “Is a bar really that interesting?” He asks, Kael snaps his gaze around and smiles shyly at Aiden. “No, it’s just…I’ve never been to one.”

  “Well, I didn’t take you for the drinking type.” Aiden places his elbows on the table and rests his chin in his hands. His dark eyes peer steadily at Kael. “What do you want to drink?” Kael shrugs.

  “I’ll drink whatever you want.” Aiden grins and looks down to his lap. He wasn’t much of a drinker, he only drank when he was in the dumps or when he needed to get his mind off of something or sometimes on a fancy date with
Jenna. And at the moment he needed to get his mind off of these feelings or maybe feeling this way wasn’t so bad. Aiden tilts his head and gazes at Kael; a single, brown strand of hair was dangling over Kael’s right eye and every time he blinked the strand would follow along with the twitch of his eye. Aiden chuckles to himself and without thinking he reaches over and brushes the strand out of Kael’s eye. Kael blinks and looks to Aiden with pure confusion. “It was bothering me….” Aiden says softly, the tips of his fingers sliding along the curve of Kael’s forehead. His finger slides down, down, and down, curving along Kael’s cheek and then stopping at the corner of his lips. Aiden kind of just stares, his pupils expanding as he peers at Kael’s lips. Pink, soft, moist. Aiden swallows and then looks up and his cheeks flush red when he saw Kael staring back at him. The tension shifts through the air and Kael smiles in the slightest of ways, his plump bottom lip thinning out. Aiden yanks his hand back and clears his throat. “Sorry.”

  “Were you flirting again?” Kael asks with a smirk. Aiden laughs and ushers a waiter over. “No…I just got stuck in a daze.” Kael laughs this time and smiles as the waiter approaches. They order a round of beers and once Aiden starts drinking he doesn’t stop. They begin talking about their hobbies and things that interested them. Aiden mentioned again how he liked listening to music in his past time and how maybe one day he’d write a song. Kael quirks a brow. “Is there a musician in my midst?” He asks teasingly, Aiden smiles. “I don’t know just…once I have my life together I’d like to do something with music.” Kael nods understandingly and their conversation carries on from there. Kael mentioned that all he did when he was younger was read. “So one day I’d like to travel.”