Love Thyself?

Roy had always thought himself manly despite his fair skin and light frame. It came not out of compensation, but out of an observation of his own natural demeanor. He was a born street kid; a rebel; the kind of guy that swore and spit and got in the face of anyone who dared to get in his. What he considered to be a real man.


Recently, though, he discovered that he was only that way outside of the Prince’s bedroom.


Inside that very bedroom, Roy felt like a girl.


The Prince was either as charming as everyone said or he had some strong Rune magic at work, because every time Roy walked into that room, he was different. He was shy, and he blushed; he was submissive, he gazed with silly romantic eyes at the Prince’s face; and he would compliantly spread his legs for His Highness, ready to obey his every whim.


Lyon had once said that the Prince made a great leader because he could command the attention of an entire army without saying a word. He’d laughed and wondered how a spoiled pretty boy like the Prince could command the attention of even one person.


Now he knew. The Prince had the eyes of a soldier.


Up close, the Prince’s eyes looked like the sky over the sea. Powerful and never-ending, they were capable of sweeping a person off their feet before they even knew what hit them. They were always so clear and intense. One look at them and Roy was done for; no matter if he had inhibitions.


It had been nearly a month since Roy had first encountered the submissive side of himself. A little over three weeks, in fact, since he’d first bowed to the Prince’s will.


It had felt so good…


“Almost a month, Roy. I think we should celebrate.”


Roy chuckled into the Prince’s bare shoulder. The idea was almost too sappy for his tastes. “Oh, you think so, do you?”


“I do,” the Prince replied simply. He lowered his voice an octave and spoke just as he ran a finger up Roy’s spine. The combined actions made Roy give a little shiver. “Don’t you?”


“Haa…not fair…” Roy trembled and buried his face in the crook of Sutake’s neck. The Prince laughed. He leaned in close to whisper in Roy’s ear and let his breath wash smoothly over it.


“We could take a boat to Yashuna Village…spend our evening relaxing in the hot springs…”


“Nnn…stop it.” Roy pushed back. He was blushing, as usual. Damn the Prince and his…princely-ness. “I…I admit that it sounds real nice, but…people will wonder, especially Lyon. She is your bodyguard, after all.”


The Prince kissed him. “I’ll take care of that.”


“You make it sound so easy.”


“It is.” Roy looked into the Prince’s eyes then, and instantly regretted it. He always regretted it. Each time he looked into those eyes, he felt as though he would believe anything the Prince told him. He could also blame his libido somewhat right now. It was near evening, and being wrapped all up against the Prince’s warm, creamy flesh was making him lose it. And the Prince never missed an opportunity to take advantage of that. Before Roy knew it, they were bringing up the mood with lips and tongues and eager fingers.


Then there was a knock on the door.


“Prince? Your Highness, may I come in?”


Roy jumped back.


Lyon.


Roy’s heart was beating like a battle drum, but the Prince’s blue eyes remained calm and clear.


“No.”


There was a pause. Then a sigh. Then Lyon said, “Very well, Prince…I’ll return when it is time for dinner.”


Still cool as you please, the Prince winked at Roy. “Thank you, Lyon.”


Roy just stared.


With a chuckle, the Prince leaned down to kiss him. “Now where were we…?”


Roy turned a vivid shade of red and stared down at the sheets. “You’re far too eager sometimes, you know that?” he muttered.


“Don’t be like that. You’re the one who came to me first, after all.”


Roy’s eyes snapped upward to meet the Prince’s eyes again, the pitch of his voice rising anxiously. “It wasn’t for…!” He trailed off, embarrassed. It’s true he hadn’t gone to him for that, but…it had ended up that way…so how could he really say that with any conviction?


The silence between them then was heavy, and it made Roy’s heart hurt.


As usual, the Prince eased all his troubles. He stroked Roy’s cheek and gently lifted his chin, and spoke soothingly soft, as a lover should. “Not that first time, I know. I’m sorry I brought it up. But…” Now the Prince trailed off; and where Roy’s worries should have dissipated, new ones took their place. The Prince continued, “…that is…what you keep coming back for…right?”


Roy hesitated to answer. He had to think.


The answer wasn’t hard to find.


“Yes,” he said finally; and delighted in the Prince’s heavenly smile.


“Good.”