The air outside the car was crisp, the chill of late September settling in like a well-worn coat. Morgan stepped out, his breath forming small clouds as he walked around the vehicle. He opened the door for the Pendrake, stepping aside to create space for him to exit.
"Oh, such a gentleman you are, Morgan," the prince said with a lilting tone. "Perhaps my years of persistence have finally worn you down, right?" As he stepped out, his lips quirked into a playful smirk, revealing a flash of white teeth that seemed to brighten the gray day.
Morgan closed the door behind him, the sound echoing in the stillness of the parking lot. "Can't disappoint the prince of Stormhold by daring to let him open a door for himself," he replied, running a hand through his hair, the gesture more nervous than casual. "They might have my head for such an insult to royalty."
The prince huffed out a short laugh, tilting his head as he shoved his hands into his pockets, the gesture radiating confidence—something Morgan always found infuriating. "Was that a joke I just heard?" he teased, eyebrows rising in mock shock. "Oh wow, you do have a sense of humor."
Morgan rolled his eyes, the heat creeping into his cheeks despite his efforts to appear nonchalant. "Let's get going, shall we? We wouldn't want the festivities to end before you have a chance at fun, huh?"
His Highness walked ahead, leading the way, and Morgan trailed behind, the distance between them feeling like a chasm. Oh, this was going to be a long day—but when was a day ever not long for Morgan? Every day stretched painfully, like a rubber band ready to snap.
Suddenly, Alex turned, reaching behind him to grab Morgan's wrist and pull him forward, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. It was an audacious move, and Morgan clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to pull away. "Come on, Morgan. Today, you're my friend. Can you at least try to pretend you're not so distant from me?" he pleaded lightly, his tone teasing yet earnest.
Morgan sighed, tucking his hands into his pockets as he walked beside Alex. The warmth of the prince's arm against him sent a flush through his body, a strange mixture of annoyance and something softer that he couldn't quite name. If he was going to blend into the crowd, they had to at least look like friends. He tried to relax, letting the tension in his shoulders ease just a fraction.
As they passed beneath a floral arch filled with Crystavisteria, Morgan's gaze was drawn upward to the banner that read: Welcome to Silvaran. The city of Stormhold was known for its scholars and big corporations—the Circle of Wisdom, the City of Light Scholars. It was breathtaking, really. He had expected no less, yet being inside the castle walls for so long had dulled his senses to the beauty of the outside world.
But then Alex's voice broke through his reverie, a hand landing on Morgan's shoulder, jolting him back to reality. "Been a while since you left those walls, huh, grumpy puss?" The tone was more of a realization than a question, and Morgan turned his head, reluctantly meeting Alex's eyes.
"Could it be any more obvious that you're not from here?" Alex added, a teasing lilt in his voice.
Morgan filled his chest with air, his eyes rolling at the sheer audacity radiating from Alex. He pulled away slightly, huffing as he shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "So?"
Alex raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge in his gaze. Morgan knew he'd have to spell it out for him. "So, where to first?"
At the question, Alex's features lit up. A smile broke across his face, and he grabbed Morgan's hand, pulling him into the throng of people. Morgan's heart raced, a mix of excitement and dread swirling within him as he muttered apologies for bumping into people. The hand pulling him forward belonged to a giraffe-built, gazelle-legged boy—Alex moved faster than Morgan could keep up.
Soon, Morgan tightened his grip on Alex's hand, stopping abruptly, causing the taller male to jolt to a halt beside him. His chest heaved as he finally found his footing just as Alex turned to him. "You almost took my arm off, what the fuck?" Alex snapped, his face scrunching in mock anger.
"Not everyone is six-foot-whatever, you know?" Morgan shot back, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Some of us don't have legs longer than our torsos either."
"Hey! I'll have you know I'm exactly six feet tall, thank you very much!" Alex retorted, a hint of indignation in his voice. "Besides, not all of us are short, okay? Some of us are fortunately taller than—what are you, five-eight?" He teased, scanning Morgan from head to toe.
Morgan ran his tongue over his teeth, huffing before correcting, "Five-ten, actually." The words came out tighter than he intended, his jaw clenching at the playful jab.
Alex tilted his head, raising a brow as if to taunt him further. His smile widened, tongue darting out to wet his lips before he bit the lower one, suppressing laughter. "Awww, is little Morgan all worked up?" Alex tutted. "Don't worry, little guy, I promise not to walk so fast anymore."
The teasing lilt in his voice only made Morgan's anger bubble over. Heat surged to his face, his neck burning as embarrassment set in. He turned away, taking a deep breath to calm himself. This sick bastard was enjoying his despair.
"Well then, shall we get going?" Alex asked before Morgan could retort. He grabbed his hand again, leading him forward. This time, Morgan didn't struggle to keep up. Alex slowed his pace, seemingly aware of Morgan's discomfort.
As they walked, Morgan noticed his right hand was cold, so he shoved it into his pocket to warm it. That's when he realized—Alex's hand was warm. He only hoped his palm hadn't been sweaty.
Through the crowd, they navigated together until they stopped in front of a booth. Seriously? He'd dragged Morgan all the way to the back of the fair for a booth?
Morgan stepped up beside him, pulling his hand free. "You brought me to a booth?" he asked, confusion evident in his tone. "What's so different about this one that you had to drag me along like a lost puppy?"
Alex smiled—a smile that sent a chill down Morgan's spine, a hint of mischief glimmering in his eyes. "It's not just any booth," he said, leaning in closer. "It's the best one."
Morgan sighed. "And what makes this one so special?"
Alex smirked and pulled him nearer, pointing at the sign: Archery Challenge — Test Your Skill, Win a Prize. Oh. That's why the prince was excited.
"You really love your archery games, don't you?" Morgan said flatly, though a flicker of interest sparked within him.
"This one's the hardest game at the festival," Alex boasted, puffing out his chest. "Every year, fewer than a handful of people hit the black dot dead center—and I'm one of them. Now let's see if you can do what I do."
"You just want to see me fail," Morgan retorted, just as the booth attendant approached.
"Hello, welcome to our booth! Would you like to take a stab at it?" the young woman asked, her smile warm and inviting.
Before Morgan could even process her words, Alex jumped in. "Yes, please! I want to show my friend here that I'm a beast at this game."
The attendant looked at Morgan, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I don't knowww~~," she teased. "People tend to surprise you here."
"That's why we're both gonna try," Alex said quickly, and she nodded, still amused.
Turning to Morgan, Alex grinned. "Ready to get your ass handed to you?"
"Alright, fine," Morgan said, smirking despite the doubt gnawing at him. "Let's see who really is the best." He took the bow and three arrows from her hand, thanking her quietly. Despite his skepticism, a spark of determination ignited within him. Maybe, just maybe, he could beat the menace beside him.
Time stretched—seconds to minutes, minutes to hours—and Morgan's smile grew wider as he shot. He never thought he'd have this much fun with the very source of his daily stress, yet here he was. His cheeks hurt from smiling, but he couldn't stop. Booth after booth, game after game—they laughed, won prizes, even dared rides to see who'd get less dizzy.
It was the best day he'd ever had.
"Oh wow, would you look at that—the buzzkill can have a different face than a grumpy cat meme," Alex teased, a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
Morgan rolled his eyes, but his smile remained, warmth spreading through him like sunlight breaking through clouds. "No, seriously," Alex added, his grin softening. "You have a nice smile. You should show it more often. It suits you."
Morgan laughed quietly, the sound surprising him. "Thank you, Alex. Today was actually fun. I thought this trip would be absolute torture, but as it turns out, spending this much time with you wasn't as bad as I thought. Thanks for making my first festival fun."
Alex stopped walking suddenly, forcing Morgan to halt beside him. "You've never been to a festival like this before?" His voice held disbelief, and Morgan could see the surprise etched across his features.
"No. It's not a big deal," Morgan replied softly, his smile fading as he looked down, the momentary joy slipping through his fingers like sand.
"Yes, it is a big deal! We have to get you a memento for your first time," Alex insisted, grabbing Morgan's arm and looking around frantically. Before Morgan could protest, he was being dragged again.
"Alex, that's really not necessary," he sighed as they stopped before a stall filled with plushies, trinkets, and toys galore.
"Pick your favorite," Alex said, his smile genuine—his nose crinkling slightly in excitement.
For a moment, Morgan didn't see the prince or his boss; he saw the boy he once met long ago—funny, kind, and bright. He sighed, scanning the items until his eyes landed on a small plush wolf, dark soft fur. His heart softened, and the faintest smile formed on his lips. But when he felt Alex watching him, he quickly looked away, a flicker of self-consciousness creeping in.
"The lil wolf? Well, aren't you predictable," Alex teased, a playful glint in his eye.
Morgan sighed and nodded, feeling a warmth spread through him. Alex chuckled and waved over the shopkeeper, paying for the plush before handing it to him.
"Well, my best friend of all time, here you are," he said, mischief dancing in his tone.
"Whoa, you get attached quickly, don't you?" Morgan replied, taking the plush. "I said I'd be your friend for today. You moved me up the ranks fast."
The small plush fit perfectly in his palm, its cool metal brushing against his skin—a tiny keychain attachment he vowed to keep safe.
When he looked back, Alex was faking a sob, dragging his finger down his cheek like a falling tear. "Thank you, Alex," Morgan said sincerely. As his name slipped out, he noticed the tiny, almost imperceptible light in Alex's eyes—the realization that it was the first time Morgan had ever said his first name aloud.
"Wow… if I didn't know any better, I'd think this was you being soft," Alex teased, mischief still dancing in his eyes.
"Well, good thing you know better, huh?" Morgan replied with a small laugh, glancing toward the entrance of the now-dwindling festival. "It's getting late. I better make sure you get back before the gates close. Don't want to end up with my head on a pike."
"I'm sure you'll be fine," Alex smirked. "But sure—let's head back. I'm sure today's been enough fun for your old ass anyway."
They walked side by side beneath the darkening sky, stars spilling across the night as they passed through the fairgrounds' exit. Morgan couldn't shake the feeling of lightness in his chest, a sensation he hadn't felt in ages. Today had been truly something—something Morgan would have a hard time forgetting.