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The Ampora Kindgom was one of the most well known kingdoms all over the world. King Ampora was a ruthless ruler, his father before him even worse and the one before that was one that legitimately made a cold sweat run down Eridans spine. Standing at 5’7, the tanned skinned Prince sat in the Garden, sitting on a stone bench and watching the fountain before him. Earlier, his father had gripped him by the back of his neck while they were both in one of the sacred rooms with all the Ampora Kings before them painted one by one in a lonely, yet lovely looking portrait. Cronus had joined the wall, originally next in line to rule over the Alternian kingdom. Surrounding the Alternian Kingdom was the Skaians, some of their territory now part of the Alternians. Soon enough, the Ampora Kingdom wanted all of Skaia. Still called Skaia, but noted to be ruled by the Alternians, the Amporas.Sighing, the dark haired male closed his eyes, tan fingers covered in various rings fanning himself lightly with the small pocket fan he kept in his pocket for hot days like today. Dark brows furrowed as he angrily huffed out a sigh, composing himself as he thought of earlier. Respect the ones before you, he father angrily said a low deep voice. Gripping the back of his neck, he made Eridan look down to the floor. Same with your brother, if anything, you should be in his place. Swallowing the thick lump in his throat, the younger male kept his mouth shut, swallowing a second thick lump as his father removed his hand and closed his eyes to pray for Cronus, and the previous Kings.Opening his eyes, he didn’t want to remember the rest. The slap. The lecture. The fact that he was supposed to marry. Everything. Sighing, pale grey eyes opened to watch the elaborate fountain not too far away from him. Today was the day that his betrothed was supposed to come and spend about a week with him. Eridan was already in a bad mood with his father, it being amplified now that he had to meet with the person from the family who killed his brother. Sollux. Sollux Captor was supposed to marry him, and Eridan didnt remember too much about the guy. He knew that they played together, that if Eridan went over Sollux was supposed to watch the spoiled little prick and be nice to him. Eridan could remember liking the guy as a kid, he paid attention to him, he hugged him, he loved him. Everything like that was completely foreign to him now unless it was to be slapped across the face.The dark haired prince crossed his leg over the other, a servant coming out with some tea for the man as he waited for the other to arrive. Another servant came out to set up a table specifically to set the tea on as he’d just be drinking on the bench. A hedge maze was behind him not too far off and it was suggested to both parties to meet in the garden and to walk through the maze together as a way to break the ice. Both Kings agreed and a room down the hall from Eridan’s chambers was prepared for Sollux. No kissing and no intimacy were to take place until the wedding night. Consummation on the night being a very important thing in the Kingdom, almost in any Kingdom. Eridan didn’t say a word as he put away the fan, taking the tea and holding it in his hands as the warmth felt nice, even on a warm day like today. Waiting, he looked at his reflection down in the cup, not hearing the servant ask if he was ok.A servant dressed in a long purple and blue dress welcomed Sollux out from his carriage once he arrived to the Kingdom. She was the Treasures’ assistant. “King Ampora has just headed out not too long ago, business to attend to. He should be back after your trip visiting.” The woman led Sollux through the hall, a few other servants coming to the carriage and taking Sollux’s belongs to his room. “The Prince is in the Garden awaiting your arrival,” she said, “tea has been brought out if you wish.” She explained the maze idea that the two Kings planned out for the two of them and suggested at least freshening up a little bit before heading out to the maze as they might get lost in it and could take up to two or three hours before finding their way out. “Dinner should be ready most likely by the time you find your way out,” she said, “but please be aware that this is a visit before the wedding to reacquaint yourselves since its been a long while since you two have seen each other.” The woman then stopped for a moment, turning to face Sollux. “The Prince may be..” she paused, trying to figure out how to word what she was going to say. “The Prince may be different than how you once remembered him.” If asked why or how he was different, she’d only tell Sollux that it was due to his father and how he has treated him over the years. Continuing on, she’d let Sollux wash up for a few minutes in the wash room before heading out. Leading Sollux out through the indoor botanical garden, she led him outside and down a stone path before turning and walking on the grass towards where the Prince should be sitting and waiting. “The wedding will be a week after you get back.”Now coming into view, the two maids waited both on one side where Eridan was. Hands folded over their front, they waited for instruction if Eridan wished for anything else. Hearing footsteps, the Princes ears twitched and he looked up from his teacup, the younger males tired half lidded eyes falling upon Sollux. Still keeping a sitting position, Sollux would see the man before him, a tanned skinned, light eyed beautiful man that was immensely attractive. His features were well defined and it was almost like the Prince was well more than just that, it was almost like he was carved straight from marble to be put on display like art and admired. Eridan didn’t feel like that though, he felt utterly disgusted at himself, mirrors not even being anywhere in his room since he didn’t like to look at himself. “Sollux from the Captor clan, m’lord."
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The carriage ride into the Alternian Empire, the Ampora Kingdom , would take about a good four and a half days. The Captor Clan being just on the cusp of the Skaian line into Alternian Territory. This Marriage between Sollux and.. his Betrothed.. would not only tie them together in Union, but also, a Political marriage and Alliance between the two Kingdoms. Perhaps the main and slightly most important detail of King Ampora forgiving the Captors. That, and being allowed to take the Captor clans Territory. The Captor Kingdom would be Skaians no more, they’d be Alternians . Crossing his leg over his knee, the tall lithe man with a narrow build and an decently good amount of muscle, leaned back with his elbow on the wooden carved out window. Thanks to some trigger finger happy hungover guard who was unaware of the visiting Alternain Prince, Cronus was out with the King and a few others when the guard was patrolling the grounds. With his finger already on the trigger, he then ended up shooting and killing Cronus, the Prince returning from the Hunting outting first, ahead of the group as it was a friendly race. Cronus was shot through the chest, staring in disbelief as he fell off his borrowed horse and bled out, almost instantaneously. Cronus was dead and that day, Sollux was torn from the one he loved. Eridan .Sollux’s cheeks heated up as soon as he thought of the younger male. Now twenty two himself, the young Captor couldn’t help but think of how long he’s harbored this feeling for the Prince. Eridan Ampora, his Betrothed. That light pink dusting to his cheeks darkened, lips pressing in a thin line as he shoudnt be enjoying the circumstances to finally being able to meet him again. His Kingdom had murdered his brother, though by accident due to the negligence of a hungover guard, he still felt bad for being so.. giddy in being able to see him. It was then that Sollux’s carriage had passed another, quite fancier, carriage. Perhaps a diplomat or two leaving? Relatives? who knew. Sollux tapped his foot in the air, impatient as he was not only ready to get out of this stuffy and cramped thing, bathe, and eat a decent meal.. but to also finally see Eridan again. They’d be at the Ampora Kingdom soon, but not soon enough. The dark haired man crossed his arms over his chest now, one hand coming up to push his glasses up more on the bridge of his nose. This was taking too long.Closing his eyes, the man would begin to doze. Thankfully, it was one of those times where he felt like he had closed his eyes for only about a few minutes, but a good thirty minutes had passed and now the carriage had come to a complete stop. The horses neigh loudly as they’re halted, the driver calming them as they were directed into the Kingdom after showing the main burly looking guards his papers, and yes, they were informed that Sollux was indeed coming.Frowning, the man didn’t say anything and leaned back into the plush seat of his ride. With the large gates being opened to the Captor, he looked ahead as they continued onwards getting the first glimpse of Alternian life on the Royalty side of being protected by the gates. The sound of the horses trotted along the cobblestone path, coming upon the Castle, to which was massive . Sollux actually had to look.. up , no wonder Eridan had asked in the past when they first met if Sollux’s Kingdom was a vacation home.Sollux’s couldn’t help but smile, adjusting his glasses once again on his face as the tall man stepped out. He was finally here. As he made his way up to the Castles large front doors, they were opened and a woman walked out, greeting him as Sollux was welcomed inside. As she began to talk, a good multitude of servants passed them to attend to the others luggage, the Treasurers’ Assistant still speaking as Sollux’s mismatched colored eyes wandered around the interior of the castle. .. Wow .. he thought, .. just .. wow .That’s when Sollux saw the woman stop, turning to him as her expression went less from a formal to a more.. sad like emotion. Different ..? Sollux’s brows furrow and the man tilts his head a bit to the side. Huh ..? “ What do you mean..?” He asked, confused. “.. Different ..how..?”The way his father treats him? Sollux pressed his lips into a thin line, letting it sit in for a moment before nodding. “I see.” Thanking her, she bowed respectfully, leading the dark haired male to the nearest wash room to freshen up for a good few minutes. Afterwards, she’d lead the dark haired man out through the indoor botanical garden, thoughts racing through his head. It was true, the rumors he has heard of the King were probably only the beginning.. and he was trying so hard to deny it. He wanted to believe that Eridan, even after everything, was still the same old happy kid he used to play with. The same Eridan, that, whenever he saw him? would rush into his arms and beg for stories, attention and snacks. He was so happy, that’s.. that’s how he wanted to remember him.Sadly, that was not the case.Sollux was led into the garden, the man taking note of the different path that she was leading him down. As his shoes crunched under a small path of gravel now, he would be face to face with the Ampora Prince. Holding a white teacup, he saw those eyes flick up from the liquid to fall upon the Captors own different colored hues. He was frozen. Sollux was led into the garden, and was now expected to come over. He saw Eridan raise a dark brow, looking at Sollux with half lidded, tired looking eyes. Fuck. With his cheeks heating up and his collar feeling a bit too high on his neck, for once in a long while, his lanky body felt almost too stiff and tense to move. Sollux was falling in love all over again just by the mere sight of Eridan.He was.. breathtaking..Finding the courage to move, the Captor had began to make his way over to the Prince. Sitting besides the tanned skinned male, but still keeping some distance between them. Reaching out slowly, his own olive colored fingers had gently taken Eridans. Admiring the rings that covered them. Sollux had bent down a bit, hunching over as he respectfully kissed the Princes knuckles. “It’s been too long, my Prince.” Keeping his lips to the man’s knuckles, he looks up at Eridan under long dark lashes, “I apologize for having to reunite under.. these circumstances.”
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Eridan didn’t remember his mother all too much, the Prince only remembering some of the stuff that she had told him, that blank faceless woman. As far as he could remember, his mother was a very kind and compassionate woman, especially towards others, regardless of class or societal standards. Those born into Nobility, she treated commoners just as equally. The Prince remembered his mother telling him in this exact garden, that it was only by chance that we were born privileged. Birthright. Talents. Appearance . It was only by chance that bestowed those advantages on people.
Then one day, his kind mother, the Queen of the Alternian Empire, was stabbed.
That was the last time he had ever seen his mother, the last thing Eridan remembered was his mother tucking him in at night, kissing his forehead and telling the young smiling sleepy Prince that she would see him around 3pm the next day for their daily tea in the garden. The next day, she died.The Prince remembers hearing from the guard that was reporting to the King, that, She was distributing food to the poor. As she always did this every few weeks, this time a commoner man from the town over in the Skaian Territory began to hoard all the food for himself. When she resisted? She was stabbed. She believed in the goodness of humanity, my mother, the noble, my mother the naïf . Eridan gripped the teacup, looking down at his transparent like reflection in the liquid. One hand held the teacup, the other resting on his knee as he waited in thought. The peasant had said that ‘ getting stabbed was a comeuppance for always having it so lucky ’. That’s when King Ampora had broken in half and then not too soon after? Cronus had been killed as well . The King just completely.. Shattered . The war lord criminal that his mother had tamed was back.His gentle mother and his brother were gone.. Leaving Eridan at a very young age with the full blunt forcing wrath of his father. King Ampora. Now? He was a patron of many battles, wishing he had died in at least one of them.Eridan had come back down to reality, tearing himself away from his thoughts when hearing the faint crunch of someone walking along the gravel path. Flicking his eyes from the liquid in the teacup, he lightly turned his head and was met with the Treasurers' Assistant.. and Sollux Captor . It was a few moments of silence before the Prince had risen a dark brow, confused at the man before him, as he was taking another moment to just.. stand there .. before coming over to occupy the spot next to him on the bench. One of the maids eyes had widened, never in her life ever seeing someone approach the Prince or any Royal Ampora without giving a proper introduction. It made her envious of the freedom to just willingly come over and she felt light headed at the thought. His cheeks are red , Eridan thought, is he nervous? Eridan supposed so, it was either marrying him or getting executed . What choice did he really have? Pale colored eyes dart down to see the taller man reach out, the Prince frowning as the male took his hand that was resting on his knee, placing his lips to his tanned knuckles. The maid had fainted .
Even if he was being respectful, it was obvious that the man sitting next to him knew nothing of the proper ways to present themselves when in the vicinity of the Alternian Prince. That’s when Sollux began to speak, Eridan listening to the man as he felt his soft lips brush lightly against his fingers. His hot breath gently tickled between them. A light pink color had tinted the Princes tanned cheeks, the younger man gently pulling his hand away and putting his hand back on the teacup. Uncrossing his leg from over his knee, Eridan had now sat up more and corrected his posture. “ It is what it is ,” he said, bluntly. The Prince looked over towards the maid that had fainted, the other one standing still as well as the Treasures’ Assistant. With a wave of his hand, Eridan had dismissed them, the two of them both helping the fainted maid on the ground before bowing and curtsying in front the Prince. They apologized to the Prince about the passed out maid and took their leave. The Treasures’ Assistant stopped, once more, reminded them that Dinner would most likely be finished when they found their way out from the maze.
She bowed once more, then they took their leave.
Eridan and Sollux were finally, alone .
Once the three of them were out of view and a few moments had passed, Eridan had brought the porcelain cup to his lips, sipping the warm tea as he tried to bring himself to look at Sollux. He looked so different than he remembered, definitely taller.. and growing out, filling out more. The Prince did the same, but he looked the same.. just.. older. Eridan had grown a good few inches, but he would never reach over six foot like his father and his .. brother. Eyes flick over to the Captor. The guy just looked way different than what Eridan had pictured him as. But then again .. Eridan didn’t remember a whole lot from their time together. Perhaps he was just remembering it wrong? “In the presence of Royalty, by the way ,” the Prince began, “you bow, kneel or curtsy.” Eridan shifts his eyes back to the teapot on the small table in front of them. “You also ask to kiss their knuckles out of respect instead of just taking their hand,” he said, “ its rude .”
Eridan sips at his tea a little more, eyes kept off of Sollux.. He couldn’t look at him. “If my father saw you do that, or , if you did that to him ? He would have been extremely upset and livid.”
There was a good moment of silence between the two, Sollux just.. taking it in before swallowing a thick lump in his throat. His Adam's apple visibly bobbing. He most definitely was nervous. “.. Good.. to know .. Thank you ..” Sollux cracked a soft small, friendly smile at the man who turned his attention away from him. It stung , but Sollux tried not to pay mind to it. The guy got the feeling that Eridan was just about as nervous as he was, but was trying not to show it. “May I call you Eridan?” he asked, reaching out to grab some tea, “ I mean , if that’s alright with you?” Sollux wanted to get his permission in using his name, wanting to say it as they did used to be really good friends.. but.. knowing he should probably get his permission.. after their Kingdoms misunderstanding and Cronus' death after all these years.
Eridan had stopped mid-sip when Sollux had asked to call him by his first name, not really hearing it leave anyone else’s lips besides his father.. and he hated it when his father said his name. “Do what you like ,” he said, grumbling his mumbled answer into the cup. This is going to require some work , Sollux thought. Nodding, Sollux had poured himself some tea into the teacup provided for him off to the side, grabbing the handle and pulling the cup to his lips. “After tea, shall we head into the Hedge Maze?”The Prince, with his eyes still kept off of the man next to him, he nodded. “ That’s the plan, isn’t it? ” he retorted. “Afterwards is Dinner,” he reminded. “Do I need to state the obvious to you?” Eridan asked, turning his gaze to the taller man as he raised a brow in slight annoyance. He didn’t remember the guy being dumb. Sollux gently sipped at the cup, smiling against it. “ Maybe ,” he said, teasing a little, “ perhaps I just like to hear you specifically tell me instead of them .” Though the Hedge Maze was an idea on how to break the ice in general, the older man wanted to break the ice with Eridan in his own way once they reunited. Eridan’s cheeks blossomed a pink color, Sollux eating up the surprised look on that once sleepy face. Adorable .
Sollux wanted to show the Prince just how much he’s actually missed him, how much he actually cared about him and how much he actually loved him. It was ridiculous how much Sollux Captor loved him, the realization hurting the most the day he also realized he might never actually end up seeing him again. Eridan, the Royal, never once left his head.. Sollux’s mind always occupied and the main thing that he thought about was the Prince. He was always thinking about him.Now with Eridan being literally in front of him, the marriage between the two of them only a few weeks away.. he wanted to finally be able to convey his feelings.. and he would, soon .
I don’t want to scare him , Sollux thought. I have to take my time with this .
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I like him.. I really.. really like him ..Crossing his own leg over his knee, he leaned a bit back, his back resting against the stone bench. He watched as Eridan had quickly turned his gaze away from him, pulling those pale colored eyes away from the Captors own mismatched ones. Sollux watched as the Prince pulled one hand up to cover his mouth. Eridan was.. honestly stunned, not knowing what to say or how to convey the proper emotions in what he was feeling. He felt kind of overwhelmed, but in a good, weird and flutterly way that filled his chest. His whole face was a red color and the older man couldnt help but smile against the porcelain. Sollux gently sipped at his tea, the warm liquid going down his throat as he was feeling pretty artful and sly right now. He couldn’t help but shift his gaze over to look at the Prince, lips still on the edge of the cup, as he tried not to get caught with his side glance - trying to not completely turn his head as he raked his vision over the shorter male seated next to him. It felt almost like with the way he was just straight up ogling Eridan with lustful like eyes.. if he was caught , he had a feeling that the Prince would have slapped him. Smiling to himself, he could just hear him now.. picturing how Eridan would have chewed his ear off in a lecture about Royalties and etiquette, probably going off by saying how immoral it would have been to be looking at him with those kind of eyes, especially before their marriage. He’d call Sollux out, guessing that his head was probably filled with just as perverted intentions. It wouldn’t be too far off from the truth, the guy had been fantasizing about the Royal for as long as he could remember, but it would have been extremely worth it though, at least in Sollux’s book. He’d take a thousands slaps each and every time to just be allowed to look at Eridan like that, to just blanetly rake his eyes over him.. especially whenever he’d pleased. But for now, he’d take the small side glances of quietly admiring the Prince, who was lost in thought and stunned, whenever the opportunity presented itself. Pulling his lips away from the cup, Sollux now turned his head to look at the Prince, Eridan lowering his hand and setting his tea off on the small table in front of them. He needed a moment, and if he didn’t set the cup down he would have dropped it. To him, we’re just doing this for a political move.. Sollux thought, lowering his teacup. Nothing more.. Nothing less.. ..But.. Sollux scanned his eyes over the Prince, the man he loved and who he couldn’t ever stop thinking about. I want to show him that doesn’t have to be the case.. He wondered just how much he’s actually missed out on, and, how he could make up for it. That I actually care for him.. And that I do actually love him without being forced into the loveless marriage that he thinks this is.. I want to spoil him.. I.. I want to be closer to him.. I want to be the closest to him.. Sollux turned himself a bit towards the Prince, wondering what was going through the Royals mind.
I want him to rely on me.. And I want us to be a real loving couple..
A couple so in love.. That we’re shaking just when we kiss.. when we hold each other.. but..
Sollux grips at the handle to his teacup. I know he’s gonna draw that line.. the line between love and sex .. He pressed his lips into a thin line, his chest hurting and his heart, as well as his pride, stinging. Would Eridan even be okay with completing the consummation? It was relayed that Eridan wasnt comfortable topping, so it would be left up to Sollux, which, he had no problem with. Sollux would be bedding him and finishing inside of him, but, he could only imagine how Eridan must have felt knowing that he felt nothing for Sollux.. unlike Sollux who felt damn near everything for Eridan. Does one sided love always hurt this much..? He thought. The taller man pulled his gaze from the Prince, looking down at his teacup and smiling softly, a little sadly. After taking another good sip, he reached out and set his cup down next to Eridans, uncrossing his leg and standing. Eridan had pulled his hand from covering his mouth, looking at the man who was now holding his hand out for the Prince to take, if he wished. “You might think that I’m not interested in this meeting,” Sollux mused, “but I can assure you, without any disrespect, that you’re wrong.” Looking down at the hand that was outstretched towards him, Eridan took a moment of consideration with his own thoughts before carefully taking his next step. He was wrong? Was Sollux actually legitimately interested in this meeting? “I know that the circumstances under this meeting are.. less than ideal,” Sollux continued, “..but please.. let’s head into the Maze and we can.. talk..” Eridan, though a sour disinterested like tired look on his features, looked down at the hand that was outstretched towards him. It was true, Eridan was different than he remembered and it was his mission to get the guy he once knew back. If anything, Sollux at least wanted the Prince to be able to come to him when he was in need of something, anything he might need help with. With his expression softening, the Prince had reached out and slipped his own tanned skinned fingers over Sollux’s olive colored ones. “I suppose I may have thought that you weren’t very happy about tying yourself to the Amporas and turning over your land,” he said while Sollux helped him to stand, “it was either that or death after all.” Sollux felt Eridans touch slide away from his and with a quiet smile, pulled his hands behind his back as he let Eridan start to walk off, keeping at his side as he led him off towards the entrance of the Hedge Maze. “If I’m being tied to anyone, I’m glad it’s you Eridan.” There was so much other stuff he wanted to say, but for now he kept his mouth shut. Sollux shifted his gaze over to the Prince, looking down at the man who was dressed so elegantly, compared to his own attire Sollux looked more worn out if anything - even with his best dressed pieces on. Next to the Prince even when he was younger, he’d always known his place, but now? now he was marrying into the Ampora family, to be apart of their Kingdom and to be considered an Alternain instead of a Skaian. Sollux never felt more out of place, it was as if he felt as though a monkey paw had curled, afraid of the consequences that might lay ahead. Even with getting his wish and finally being able to see Eridan again, he knew none of this was going to be easy. The taller man held out his arm in a bent angle, offering it to the Prince to hold onto for support as a gentlemanly like offer. If he wished, of course. Eridan declined, shifting his gaze over to Sollux as they walked and entered the tall, lusciously green and well kept Hedge Maze. Sollux nodded, more to himself as reassurance to just try again later at some point. It would be a full twenty or so minutes of complete silence before Eridan had broken it. “It’s not obligated that we have to talk,” the Prince began, “..I honestly don’t remember too much of our time together..” he paused, memories trying to reach him, but his walls built around him wouldn’t allow it. “No matter how hard I try,” he says, “I just can’t seem to remember.” The two had turned and began to continue down the graveled path, every so often running into a plaque as a reminder of where they were. Eridan crossed his arms over his chest and kept his gaze cast downward, obvious to Sollux that, not being able to remember their time together kind of bothered him. Eridan was pouty, maybe even more so since he was the one to break the silence and not Sollux. Smiling, Eridan still displayed some of those actions just like how he remembered from when they were younger. “I remembered you being really nice to me,” the Prince said now turning his vision to look up at the taller man, who locked eyes with Eridan, looking down at him. “After my brothers death, now all those feelings are foreign to me,” he admitted, “touching you is.. also , very foreign to me.” Sollux nodded, “Im sure you’ll let me know if I do something you dislike.” The Prince kept his arms crossed over his chest, the man stopping and deciding which way to go. “How about left?” Sollux suggested, gesturing with his hand for Eridan to see if he wanted to go that way. The Prince looked left, then right, then at Sollux. “I want to go right ,” he said, now turning at his heel and walking forward. Smiling, Sollux gently shook his head as he followed after Eridan, seeing himself chase after the young Royal like he had done in the past when they were at his own Kingdom. The only difference was Eridan wasn’t smiling and holding his hand out for Sollux to take, loving the times when he’d drag Sollux around. “Come on,” Eridan beckoned to the other, turning his head a bit to see if Sollux was following. “I’m coming, my Prince,” he said, “I’m coming.”
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The Castles Hedge Maze was a distinctive forest green color, Eridans pale colored eyes shifting back and forth as he guided their way through the labyrinth. It was large and well kept, the hedges cut to precision, statues placed throughout the maze, a spiral in the middle with a fountain and sometimes even finding comfort in just getting lost - the Prince wandering around aimlessly with only his thoughts for hours on end. Though the only difference was today he was being followed by his Bethrothed. Betrothal may be unimportant in other societies, however , betrothal is an overall formal part of the marriage process, and is a must for what was taking place between the Captors and the Amporas. It was a promise made between them, between their Families, that a marriage would take place and that their feud would end. Hopefully, his fathers anger would be finally somewhat condensed and satisfied this way. Eridan didn’t know how much more he could take otherwise. Following the path, Eridan rounded the corner only to be met with a dead end when they ended up turning right. Turning at his heel, the Prince spun to face the taller, lankier man in front of him. Brows pinch together as Sollux was seen smiling. “And just what perchance are you smiling about?” The Prince mused, crossing his arms over his chest and frowning evidently at the older man. Was this Clotpoll making fun of him for making a wrong turn? Eridan couldn’t be further from the truth. Sollux honestly couldn’t help but smile, walking along with the Prince just reminding him of the past. When he’d watch Eridan, he made sure to be really attentive to the Royal. His father had told him to be nice to the little prick, even if he didn’t want to. After spending time with the Prince, it was clear that all he wanted was loads of attention, someone to talk to and someone to play with. Sollux had happily obliged then, and he would absolutely do the same now. He wanted to be Eridan’s everything, since, Eridan was already Sollux’s. “Just at how I’m enraptured to be here,” he said. Eridan’s cheeks felt warm when the other had said this, his brows still pinched together as Sollux continued to speak. “ Elated ,” he said, “ honored .” Keeping that light smile on his features, Sollux turned at his own heel and continued to walk forward. “ What can I say ,” Sollux said, stopping after a few feet to look back at the Prince from over his shoulder, “ I’m just so ecstatically thrilled to finally see you again, Eridan.” As Sollux continued on forward, the Prince stood stunned, yet again , as the man caught him off guard. For being such a Tyrant on the battlefield, why the hell did he feel like such an utter mess under this man? Almost like lime putty within those fingers of his, and he hated it. Was it because they used to know each other and the Captor was nice to him? What was his deal? Realizing he was starting to lag behind, Eridan uncrossed his arms and put some pep in his step to catch up with the man ahead of him. Now keeping pace with Sollux, the two walked side by side, taking the left path and continuing on through the maze. There was a good amount of silence between the two of them besides piping up to suggest which way to go when at a standstill between two options. Nibbling his bottom lip, the man crossed his arms back over his chest, letting out a huff as he felt played. Maybe Sollux wasn’t so thrilled to see him like he said he was? If he was as thrilled as he said , he’d be asking Eridan loads of questions, right ? Wrong . Sollux was extremely nervous in asking Eridan all these questions he had floating around in his head. Though he felt exceedingly honored to be Eridan’s beloved, he felt exceptionally unworthy to be even within his presence, the guilt from his Kingdoms wrong doing sticking with him causing him to miss out on all this time with the Prince, as well as how far their Families could have come together if Cronus’ death hadn’t happened. Then he heard the Prince let out a sighing huff, his eyes flicking over to the shorter male before him and realizing that he should perhaps say something. He was refraining from talking too much, thinking that he may end up talking too much.. but with the Princes’ demeanor maybe in Eridan’s eyes, he wasn’t talking enough? The Royal was always a hard one to gauge. Now being older? It was especially going to be challenging, but hopefully nothing he couldn’t handle. Coming upon another choice, Sollux turned his head to look at Eridan. His mismatched eyes raked over the others annoyed looking features, Eridan realized Sollux was staring at him and he turned his head to crane it up. The Captor genes really did him a favor, huh? Eridan thought to himself. “ What ?” He asked, keeping that annoyed look on his face as he spoke to the older man. Sollux couldn’t help but sheepishly smile, rubbing the back of his neck as he apologized. “My apologies,” he said, “I was trying not to talk too much,” he admitted, “and while I was thinking of something to say,” he said, “it became one question after another and I didn’t want to overwhelm you.. so I just kept quiet until I could gather my thoughts.” “Go ahead and ask me,” Eridan said bluntly, “ask me whatever you want.” Sollux stopped rubbing the back of his neck and met with the Princes’ gaze. “Which way do you want to go?” The Prince asked. The taller man couldn’t help the light blush that dusted his own cheeks, grateful that Eridan was giving him the opportunity to pick which way they could go, allowed to lead the Prince and guide him through the maze. “Right,” he said, with a light nod. “Come on then,” Eridan said. “If we stop and talk we’ll be in here longer and dinner will most likely be cold once we find our way out,” the Prince said, “now what did you want to ask me?” Sollux loved that in the beginning, Eridan had told him that it wasn’t really obligated that they talked, but now it was like because he wasn’t talking enough or asking enough questions it was making Eridan impatient. It was kind of cute. Though he honestly didn’t know which question to ask first. If he asked how he was doing, it seemed idiotic as Sollux could only imagine how his life was going with being the son of King Ampora, as well as what the woman from earlier said. Small talk seemed too redundant and talking about the marriage seemed.. too soon within the first literal hour of reuniting with one another. “Do you remember when we were little and you begged to go into the greenhouse we had?” He mused, wondering if the Prince actually remembered.