"I'm glad it's helping. I'll be sure to have more ready by tomorrow morning. But please, send Hasho or Jotum. You need to rest, Kali. You and the child." Abrose gave the woman a pointed look, which she shot back at him. "I'm restless, do you know how boring it is to be stuck in bed all day? Sure it sounds great fir a few days but after reading the same book for the fifth time, I'm ready to do just about anything these days to go outside for just an hour." She sighed deeply and shook her head, the group snapping their heads up as Easton burst in. Faster than he could let out a protest, Kali's husband Hasho and her brother Jotum were in front of them both, brandishing knives. Kali gripped Abrose's arm, pulling him back towards the back room, the entire time telling him.hiw they'd cover for the shop against the Fae captain while he got away.
Abrose gently shook off her grip and shoved past the two men, planting himself between them and Easton. Abrise slowly turned to Easton while still keeping an eye on the men. He gripped Easton's arm, dragging him back outside, apologising to the family before closing the door behind him. He gently took Easton's hand and started plucking out the Thorns. "Don't take this the wrong way," he started softly, keeping his voice down, "it's not that I'm ashamed of us or anything, but ever since what happened with my family, the Darielle family, especially Kali has been somewhat overprotective of me." He smiled fondly as he worked, now taking Easton's other hand to remove the rest of the thorns. "They're not particularly fond of Fae royalty." He finally looked up at Easton and sighed softly "especially if guards who burst into the shop as if they're on a murderous rampage, cursing about plants." He gave Easton a pointed look and crossed his arms over his chest, an amused light dancing in his eyes. "I did give you thicker gloves." He looked Easton's hands over again before jerking his head back to the store. "Let me explain some things to them and send them home. Then I'll find something for your hands. They're going to sting for a bit."
Easton tilted his head watching everything unfold. Easton only sigh and gave a sweet smile. Once Abrose was done pulling out the thorns he shook and blew on his hands. He gave smaller chuckles at Abrose's comments, soon a grin plastered on his face. "Darling, even if I did use the gloves you gave me. I would be frustrated just from trying to pull them out of the ground." He huffed. "In my defense those plants were evil. Look at what they did to my uniform. If I could arrest those plants I would, but sadly that is beyond my power." Easton touches Abrose's cheek lightly giving him a small peck on the lips. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. It's not like I want to tell the entire world just yet. I mean I do, but…you know what I mean my dear." Easton winced and pulled his hand down. "Go to your job and I'll wait out here." Easton would never think that Abrose was embarrassed by him, but the idea did pop into his mind. What if he is embarrassed by me? I mean he said that he wasn't, but then again I would blame him. He's going out with me, someone who hates everything he loves. It wouldn't be shocking if he did… His smile became sad the more he thought of the reason why Abrose would be embarrassed and then all seemed pretty valid. He leaned again the wall with sad eyes and glances over the field. He kicked a stone and sighed. There is no way he couldn't be embarrassed by me.
"hm, that may be true but at least you wouldn't have gotten thorns stuck in your hands." Abrose gave a laugh, finally realizing Easton's uniform was torn. "Ah so we finally found something that doesn't bend to your charms." He gently cradled the hand at his cheek and leaned into the kiss, eyes fluttering shut for a moment. "How can I not worry about you when you barge into the shop swearing the high spirits about some plants?" He offered a smile, brows turning up in concern when Easton flinch. "I'll be back in no time." He promised, giving Easton a peck on the cheek before heading back inside.
Once back in the shop, he found Kali, Hasho, and Jotum backed behind the counter, the two men still holding up their weapons. "Did you send him away?" "Does he know?" "Will be telling the queen?"
Abrose took a deep breath and shook his head. He pulled up one of the stools and had them sit down as well. "No, he's still outside, and no he won't tell the queen. He knows what I do." That seemed to calm the three down enough. Abrise watched as them lowered their weapons and slowly took their seats. "You're not going to like this." Abrose muttered before he jumped into telling them about how he had first met Easton, then about the the ball, the picnic, tge day they went out drinking then about today. He looked up at the three once he had finished, waiting for them to storm out or to tell him he was crazy for loving someone who he should resent. But it never came. "You're sure this is what you want?" Kali whispered, gently taking Abrose's hands in hers. "You seem to know the risks and I have no doubt you'd be able to handle yourself if something were to happen but it's still worrying."
Abrose nodded in understanding. "I know. But I really do believe he won't tell anyone. No matter how close he may be to the queen." Abrose replied.
Kali glanced away but nodded "then we'll respect your wishes. If you want to be with him, then who are we to stop you. But if anything happens to you, rose-"
"Nothing will." He reassured, gently squeezing her hand. Kali nodded slightly and stood, using her husband and brother for support. "Then we'll be going. You have work, and I have a bed to be in." She winked and gave Abrise a small smile. "Stay safe." She whispered, making her way to the back exit.
"I will." Abrose muttered, waiting to hear the door close before sliding from his chair and going to the front door. "Alright, I'm not sure they're entirely happy but at least now they won't try to kill you. At least I hope." He chuckled lightly and looked up at Easton, his small smile fading. "What's wrong, dear?" He asked softly, gently cupping Easton's cheek
Easton looked up with a chuckle as well. "They couldn't kill me even if they tried. Besides if they did they would probably get arrested…" Easton could help but avert his eyes to the ground. "It's nothing. I was just…being stupid again and started overthinking. You know I'm a really bad person. I treat people like shit. There is no justifying that. Every you love I hate. Like plants and other things. I know you said that you weren't but I feel like you are and I can't seem to get it out of my head." He huffed unable to find the words he wanted to say. "I just mean…I was…" he sighed. Easton didn't want to lie to Abrose because he trusted him enough to tell him what he was feeling. "God how tedious this is." His eyes finally met with Abrose's. He kisses the hand that was resting on his cheek. "Do you think I'm embarrassed to be around? I mean I yell about plants and I do a lot of other things that make you mad. My actions haven't been the best either. I know you said that you didn't think like that but it just came to my mind and I couldn't really get it out so. There." Easton rested his head on Abrose's neck. "It's too early in the morning for this…" he groaned his words muffled. "My apologies for my stupidness."
Abrose shook his head "I don't believe you're a bad person. Maybe a bit of an asshole's when we first met but you showed me you're not like that all the time. You're not a bad person Easton. Just because you don't like everything I do doesn't mean we won't find something we both like. You're allowed to be your own person, dear." His then lightly brushed his thumb along Easton's cheek in response to the kiss and have him a small smile. He tilted his head in thought. "No, I don't think you're embarrassing to be with. At least not in the way you're suggesting. It's unusual to have these feelings and sometimes I don't know what to do or say but I'm not afraid to be with you, in public or not. I've been through far worse ridicule before we started dating. I must admit, its a bit odd having to explain everything to friends but I don't mind much." He laughed softly and lightly ran his fingers through Easton's hair, warmth rising to his cheeks as Easton's breath carressed his neck with each word he spoke. "Don't apologies darling." He pressed a kiss to Easton's hair "come, let's get you inside and your hands taken care of." He murmured softly, gently nudging Easton
Easton laughed. "I'm a total asshole and you know it." Easton kissed his neck a couple of times before he sat up straight and nodded. "Okay…" Easton walked back into the shop. "For special treatment do I go to the back?" he smirked. Easton walked back there sighed plopping down on the nearest chair. "This place is nice." he looked around giving an approving nod. "You know, you should take more breaks. Using your magic like this all day long must take a toll on you physically right? It has to be tiring to just do something for hours on end every day with no break. Like maybe you shouldn't work on weekends or something. You probably think that people get hurt every day, but you live upstairs right? So, why not just put up a sign saying if it's urgent, knock if it isn't, leave." He sat back in the chair, putting his hands out in front of him. "That easy."
Abrose huffed a laugh as Easton kissed him, "you are when you do that." He breathed, trying his best to give Easton an annoyed look but he couldn't help but smile. He followed Easton back inside "in fact you do. Though I doubt in the way you're thinking. He gathered a few supplies he needed, gloves, some glasses and a pair of tweezers to remove the smaller Barb's. He pulled over a small stool and a lantern to better see, casting a warm glow over the both of them. "Thank you. I'm glad to find my shop intriguing." He settled down in the stood and gently took Easton's hand, setting it in his lap and leaning in close to start working on removing the smaller thorns. "If anything hurts, tell me and I'll stop." He said softly, putting on his glasses and taking the tweezers. "Are you saying that for your own benefit?" He mused with a small laugh. "I don't use my abilities all the time. Only when absolutely necessary. Most of the time, individual's illnesses or concerns can be taken care of with the products I provide. Besides, i'd get far too paranoid if I knew people needed me, no matter how small the problem, and chose to ignore them.because I was on a break." He shrugged and pulled sharply at a stubborn thorn. "Besides, what would I do on a so called day off? This is what usually keeps me busy, distracted, sometimes even entertained. I don't really know what I'd do with so much free time."
Easton only gave a large smirk. "Oh, you know you like it when I kiss your neck." He blushed when he saw Abrose with his glasses on. "M-Maybe I'm saying it because I want you to hang out with me more, but that's beside the point. Sort of." He winced when he started removing them. "Oh, kinky. I don't ever want you to stop-" he shut his eyes when another one was removed. He watched him with an admiring smile plastered on his face. "You know you're hot when you do this." he gave a deep chuckled but was snapped out of his trance when he pulled at one. "On a day off you would hang out with me. We could sleep together and cuddle and I can shower you in kisses…everywhere."
"you really went at it with the weeds, didn't you dear?" He smiled and shook his head, letting the blush creep up to his cheeks again as he listened to Easton. "Ah so that's the real reason you think I should take breaks." He pulled out the last barb from Easton's hands and set aside his tool, releasig a small breath of relief. He stood and gently tilted Easton's Chin up so that he could look him in the eyes. "I'd almost call that selfish dear, if that didn't sound like absolute heaven." He brush a soft kiss to Easton's lips before pulling away and rumaging through a large wall of drawers next to his desk for gauze and scissors. "I'll think about the day off. It does genuinely sound nice to have a designated day just to relax." He sat back down his chair and started wrapping Easton's hands, enough to cover to small puncture wounds and scratches, bit not so much that Easton couldn't move
"They were evil!" he cried jokingly. Easton stayed there in complete shock by the stunt Abrose just pulled. His face turned to a deep red. "You can't just…and then…" he groaned. "I would push you against the wall right now, but you are lucky my hands hurt darling," he growled. "You'll really consider it?" Easton wrapped Abrose in a warm hug. "He pulled him on top of his lap only wanting to embrace him more to feel his warmth. "That makes me ecstatic that you would consider waking up to me. We are having our dinner tonight right? O course, if tonight doesn't work for you, I'm more than happy to do whatever time suits your needs, my love."
Abrose tilted his head innocently as he secured the gauze. "Just can't do what? Kiss you?" He stood and started putting away his supplies, glad that It gave him a chance at least try to hide his flush. He turned back to Easton once he had finished organizing everything and nodded, letting out a Yelp as he was suddenly pulled into Easton's lap and wrapped in his embrace. Ambrose let himself selfishly enjoy Easton's warmth. "I'd love to wake up to you every morning." He murmured, pressing his face into Easton's neck, nodding his head. "We can have dinner tonight if you'd like." He replied, surprised to hear the pet name coming from Easton's lips, finding it cute that someone like Easton could be so charming while also being that deadly.
Easton held Abrose close in a way he hoped would make him feel safe. "That would be nice. Are you cooking?" Easton would stroke Abrose's hair, twirling it around his finger. He kissed his hair before cupping his cheeks softly. "You know I can never seem to take my eyes off you. Whenever I see you walk amongst town my gaze is always somehow fixated on you darling. I never knew why until now. " He gave a butterfly kiss to Abrose before continuing to look in his eyes. "You're beautiful and you tend to capture the eyes of many. You never notice but there are people who look at you the same way I do. It's a shame you're taken or should I dare say reserved for me. and only me" Easton had said these words subconsciously. He didn't seem to notice that he was talking.
he nodded slightly, His blush remaining as Easton kissed his hair. "Well, I'm honored I've gained the Captain's attention, even if back then it was for other reasons." He kissed Easton back with a him, eyes fluttering at the sensation for a moment. "Oh darling, I do notice. But I've never paid any of those stares any mind. I don't need to know what they think of someone like me. At least until now." He sat up in Easton's lap and pressed their heads together. "I am reserved for no one, dear. I choose to love you. I want to love you. I want to be with you." he pressed a kiss to Easton's lips, drawing it out a bit before gently breaking away. "Territorial aren't you?" He muttered teasingly
Easton leaned into the kiss but growled when Abrose pulled away. "Who said anything about different reasons?" He moved his hand along Abrose's jawline. Abrose was right, Easton was very territorial when it came to things like this. Weather it was his sword or oven a spot he had in line with the other officers. He would claim something if it was taken from him he would get extremely mad. "I know you can love who you want to I'm just saying you choose me so you can't back on your decision just yet right?" Easton closed his eyes plants his face into Abrose's chest. "I should go I don't want your customers to have to wait to long, but even so…" He hummed, his face flushing from happiness. "You're just so comfortable I never want to leave…"
Abrose made a show of thinking things over, unable to keep a smile off his features. "I'm not entirely sure that's how things work dear, but no, I don't want to go back on any decision I've made. I want to be with you. No one else." He pressed a kiss to Easton's cheek and ran his hands through his hair, combing through the tangles and snags. "Eh, I don't really have many customers at this time. Mostly after lunch. But you have to get to work." He laughed softly and relaxed into Easton's secure hold. "I don't want you to go either but I'll be here when you get back, kay?" He promised, giving Easton an encouraging smile before slowly wasting off of his lap.
"Prepare a carriage." The queen ordered the guard closest to her throne. She tapped a well manicured finger against her lip before rising from her seat and striding to her room to change. A dress wouldn't do for where she was going. While her shapeshifting abilities were spectacular, they had no hold over what she wore. "Oh, and bring me one if the servants clothes to my chamber." She called over her shoulder before disappearing around the hall corner.
He leaned into every one of Abrose's touches, which made him only want to stay longer. He felt empty when Abrose left his lap. He wanted to beg for him to stay longer but he only sighed knowing that Abrose was right. Easton would have to get back to work and stop distracting himself with a very attractive man. Easton up as well, giving Abrose a kiss on the cheek before walking past the curtain leading to the back. "I'll see you for our date then. What time should I be here love?" he peeks his head behind the curtain, tilting his head to the right slightly.
He leaned into the kiss with a smile as he watched Easton go through the curtained doorway. He sighed softly and pressed his hands to his cheeks, surprised to still feel them warm. While he wasn't at all bothered to let show his flustered state with Easton, With other people, it was a bit of a different story. He glanced up as Easton popped back in. "Oh, uhm, how about 8-ish? Usually everyone is gone by then." He replied
Easton nodded. "I'll see you at eight then my love." he left the shop the bell giving off a ding from the door. As soon as he got outside he felt triumphant enough to do a little dance while singing that he was having a date with Abrose. Easton couldn't help but smile the entire way he walked to go do his job. He never really called to the castle often but on this day he was and he didn't know why. He simply complied and walked through the big open gates. The guard's polity escorted him down the halls as need be. "So how you doing today?" the guard didn't answer and Easton only frowned. "Not very talkative today are we. Such a shame how boring you guys are." He rolled his eyes taking his time down the hallway.
"I'm sure this is all just one big misunderstanding. Sure our precious Captain of the royal guard would never turn his back on his duties." The queen mused aloud, peeking at her surrounding guards and smirking, watching as they shifted uncomfortably in agreement. They all knew better than to trust her seemingly happy demeanor. She clenched her jaw and straightened in her seat, back straight A's she considered her possibilities. One, that Easton was baiting the young human to make the senstense more painful. Or two, that Easton somehow really did grow feelings for his charge and had somehow abandoned his assignment and therefore her. She drummed a well manicured hand against her throat, her mood deteriorating every moment as she thought more on it. "I want everyone out." She growled, watching as her guards slowly filed out if the throat room, leaving her alone for now
Easton was pushed into the room the doors slamming loudly behind him. He looked around for a second before his gaze landed on the queen. He quickly kneeled keeping his eyes on the floor. He cleared his throat. "Your majesty, if there a reason you have called me in today. Have I done something to upset you or not to your liking?" Easton away shad this little ball of fear whenever it came to the Queen. She had the power to do anything and he could easily go from captain to a nobody in seconds. Of course, he would never show that in front of her, however.
She watched as Easton knelt, a small smirk crossing her features at knowing that she still had that much power over him. "Rise, captain. I only wish for you to clarify a few things for me." She rose from her throne and strode around it, running a light hand along the edge of it. "There's been a rumor going around with the other guards. They've been saying that you've been seen in the village with a particularly interesting human. Some even recognized them from the ball I held the other night. While I've never minded your little escapades and romantic adventures, this one has me particularly worried." She tilted her head, lips brought into a pout, feigning concern for her captain. From what the guards have been telling me, this human sounds quite similar to the one I ordered you to bring here on the claim that he's a magic weilder. They've also told me that it seems that you've grown a particular bind with this human witch." She paused at the top of the dias, pinning Easton with a sharp glare. "Now I do hope this is all a misunderstanding captain. Perhaps a way to lure him into a false sense of security to make it easier to bring here? If that's the case then by please do continue. I hadn't realized you were that cruel." She shrugged and started to slowly descendbthe stairs if the dias, with each step, her features changed. "If my orders were not clear before, let me remind you." Her sharp features softened, eyes growing rounder and hued bright green. "You are to bring me that witch for trial and execution on the claims that he's a magic weilder. Something illegal to humans here." Another step, her gram shortened, her build becoming lanky and thing, skin gaining a warm, sun kissed glow. "In return, you, your struggling family, and any descendants therafter will be financially set for life." Another step, her hand stortened and turned a coppery red. "All you have to do is bring him to me." By the time the Queen came to stand in front of Easton, she no longer resembled the Eternally beautiful fae shapeshifter ruler but instead like Abrose, undeniable the same as the human witch she hated and feared. "And if by any chance you've somehow retain your infatuation with the human after, I'm sure things can be arranged so that you can still have your fun." She as Abrise gave a sultry smile and lightly carressed Easton's cheek, turning away and immediately shifting back to normal as she walked back to her throne. "One month, captain. That's all I'll give you for you to bring him in. And if I hear about anymore meetings that don't seem to match with your obligation, I have plenty more guards willing to take on your position." She glanced over Easton's shoulder at Nick before turning her attention back to the captain. "Am I understood?"
Easton, there is shock by her words. He registered everything that had been said to him, yet he didn't answer to any of her claims except one. He smirked "Yes, Your Majesty. I will bring in the witch to you as soon as possible. I hope you don't think that I would ever betray you in such away. Especially with some human. I am loyal to you and only you. You have nothing to worry about that human is wrapped around my finger." He bowed before confidently walking out of the room. On his way out his caught of glimpse of Nick before looking straight forward. With the doors slamming shut behind him, Abrose had felt a throbbing pain in his chest. He felt lost and angry and confused. He had just lied to the queen. He wasn't manipulating Abrose, he truly just wanted to be with him. Of all of the people he had to find attractive, it's the one person he has to bring in. I have really bad choices in men… He had his duty to the Queen, but he also had his duty to Abrose. He didn't want to lose Abrose. What does she mean when she said I could still have my fun? Is there a way I could still be with Abrose? Damn it Easton why didn't you ask.
"If I may ask Your Majesty, why have you called me in today. I hope I haven't done anything to offend or upset you My Queen." He kneeled as well. Nick had always been loyal to the Queen whatever she needed he was there to do the job. He enjoyed his work as well. He would do anything regardless of who he hurt. His feelings were irrelevant.
The queen remained silent as she watched Easton retreat, eyes narrowing slightly. She waited for the doors to fully close and few moments to pass before addressing her other guard. "You are to follow him." She said, relaxing back into her throne and pinching the bridge of her nose to release tension. "All of you. Follow his every move without getting caught by Easton or the witch. Find out anything you can on either of them. Disguise yourself as customers, threaten villagers for information, I don't care what you do. I want information on both of them each week. And if anything becomes particularly concerning with our precious captain of the guard and the human, bring them both in, even if it's before his deadline." She finally met his gaze and grinned. "Who knows, second. You may find yourself in a profitable position. If your captain is indeed finding himself falling, again for another individual, then I might be able to guarantee a ride in position." She shrugged and nodded her head. "I should have known this was coming." She muttered, waving at Nicknin dismissal. "Oh and remember, Secind. You and those under you answer to me. If the captain happens to disagree with any of your actions, I'll deal with him. Understood?" She didn't even wait for him to answer before rising from her throne and heading to her room, itching to get the servants clothes off
Nick nodded. "Yes Your Majesty," he said without a hint of hesitation in his voice. He left the throne room and started to do as the queen said.
Easton on the other hand was having a mental breakdown, but his face didn't show it as he walked around town scoping the area and being usual his usual stuck-up and annoying self. However, he would pass by the shop a couple of times, during this, he would walk slowly past so he could see Abrose's smile and little laughs. He would even watch him work which was more entertaining than he thought it would be. He looked so focus and this made Easton smile. "How am I going to figure this out…" his heart sank thinking about today and soon trudging off back to work. "I meet with him today…so just tell him what happened and everything should be fine. Right? Yeah…"
Abrose had nothing but customers once noon time came around, barely allowing him to take a break or to check on his horse, much less set up for the date with Easron later that night.
"Good luck!" He called as a man walked out if his shop with a bouquet of roses, set on proposing to his partner later that day. He smiled softly and went back to careing for his plants, softly humming to them and gently encouraging blooms to open. After the stream if customers he had had all day, abrose wanted nothing more than to rest and relax for the rest of the evening, but he knew his work wasn't done yet. After an hour or so of no customers and tending to his mare, abrose took that as a sign to close the shop and begin setting up for the date. He cleared up the back area he used for a living space and pulled over his little dining table made from old wood his father had made for his mother far before Abrose was ever a thought in the young couple's mind. He then started on the dinner. A few meat dishes along with a soup and some fresh bread. Rustic for most, but abrose enjoyed the comforting hearty meal and hoped that Easton would as well. Lastly he showered and dressed. Nothing if what he wore was quite as spectacular as what he had worn during the ball but it was Abrose's more well kept clothes. Close fitting black pants along with a deep navy blue tunic with a lace up v neck. He ran his hands through his red hair, trying his best to brush it out as it dried but only managing to make it fluffier. With a huffed sigh he let it be and went back to finalize the dinner as well as out what he had come up with for dessert in the oven, a chocolate and cherry cake, something a bit more indulgent for what he hoped would be a beautiful night.
