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It was a long walk but one he needed. Of course he could have taken the bus, called for an uber, or even taken a taxi. He could have even asked Prince Avery to get someone to drive him back but truth be told, he needed time to think so that time he was given. Everything with the royal family was odd. The king was impatient, he had only heard of the queen, the princes were unhappy with their lives...it sounded like something that could be a royalty reality show. Of course, he would never expose their family like that. When he arrived back home, the first thing he did was check for his truck. As promised, it was sitting as if he never even drove off. The second thing he did was take a shower. Not because he wanted to wash the scent of the prince off of him but rather just to help him cool down and think through everything.
He spent the rest of his time calling clients saying that he will be out of town for a while and will be unavailable. Then he began packing. He would at least give the castle a lookover, even if he wasn't promised a job opportunity there or felt 100 percent comfortable with the royal life. As he finished packing, his phone went off and he checked his messages. For some reason his heart practically leaped out of his chest when he saw it was the prince. However, the message was just confirming that he was going and he didn't realize that up until now, he hadn't ever given a response. Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world after you stuck your neck out for me. He wrote and hit send. |
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Avery sent a thumbs up back, and considered explaining why he'd gotten so upset, but decided that it would be easier to explain in person. He went to dinner with his parents, and spent the evening in a strange state where he felt like he was just watching his own life. Avery was glad to go to bed, and slept hard. When he woke up the next morning, he was so relieved that his headache was mostly gone. He made sure everything was packed, and quickly pulled out his phone. We'll be at the private airstrip. You can park in the garage, your car will be safe.
Once he sent the message, he carried his suitcases to a limo, and settled in. A moment later, Robbie arrived, putting his luggage in the back and carrying something in his other hand. Avery squinted to see what it was. It looked...wicker? Once Robbie was seated, Avery realized it was a cat carrier. He heard a pitiful new from Zara, and laughed.
"We can let her out on the plane," Robbie said, and Avery agreed. He quickly explained to his brother that their parents would be on one jet, and they'd be on a bother with Aspen.
About half an hour later, they pulled up to the airstrip, and the boys did their usual smiles and poses, letting the press get the pictures they wanted, so hopefully they would leave. |
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Aspen woke up in the morning and did his usual morning routine. He went ahead and took another shower, feeling as if his appearance was more important than usual. In a sense, it was speaking that he was going on a trip with royalty. He didn't want to mess this up. Once dressed and ready, he checked his phone and saw a message about where to meet for the trip. He took his truck and headed down there. Once he got there, he parked in the garage and looked. The princes were getting their glamour shots on and the public was going crazy. He didn't get what the big deal was if royalty went on a trip or not. The public press actually did him a favor and made it easy for him to be guided by a guard to the right jet without even capturing the attention of the press or even the royal family for that manner. The last thing he wanted was for the press to get a picture of him. He nowhere nohow looked like the type of person royalty would associate with. That could get the press really talking and that's the least he wanted. So he was guided to where to put his suitcase and where to sit. He was also informed that the princes would be joining him on this jet sorry but the king and queen would be on the other. That was also a relief. Encounters with the king and queen somehow seemed more awkward than getting the press to notice his appearance on this trip. |
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Avery and his brother hurried up the steps onto the plane. The door closed after them, and they headed to the back. Avery was already preparing things to talk about mentally, but then Robbie helped him out.
"We should tell Aspen all about the Island!"
Avery smiled. That would be a good idea. The two boys could explain about their summer home, and Aspen might be able to get a feel of where they were going. So, they walked back into the seating area of the plane, and made all the proper greetings. Robbie let his cat out, and Zara stretched her legs, and began to explore her new domain.
The pilot asked them to please prepare for takeoff, which they all did, and, once at cruising altitude, they got ready to order drinks. Avery didn't care that it wasn't even 10 in the morning. He could feel the pain starting to bloom at the back of his skull, and ordered a martini. Robbie asked for a virgin pina colata, and they gave Aspen a moment to order as well. Robbie was practically jumping with impatience, and although Avery didn't want to admit it, he was also excited to be there, and tell Aspen about their home away from home. Once the drinks were brought out, Avery leaned back in the comfortable chairs. "Robbie and I were wondering if you want to hear about the Island. We can give you the main run-down, and tell you what the fun things to do are." |
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Aspen didn't sit down though, he wanted to wait for the princes to join him. Besides, he didn't feel comfortable on the plane alone so he wanted to stay standing. He heard the chatting of both princes and seen them entering. He gave a bow once they got closer, greeting them respectfully. He was a little nervous to be around Prince Avery now that the cat was out of the bag about being gay. He wasn't sure how or what the prince was really thinking about that. The face of the crowd and the paparazzi shots still had the prince baring a neutral expression. Prince Robbie let his cat explore the jet and he waited for Prince Avery to sit before sitting beside him for a change. Normally he would go for sitting across but he decided to change it up this time. He kept his expression friendly but so many questions were flowing through his mind about what happened last time they met. When it come to ordering, he was a bit surprised when Prince Avery ordered a martini Surely, it was too early for alcohol? It was also a reminder that legal drinking age is 18 in the UK In his country, it had been 21. He hadn't really bothered with drinking, he couldn't afford it. He also hated the idea of being not in control of himself. "I'm good but thank you for your kindness," He responded, choosing to not order anything. "I would love to hear more about the island, it could ease some of my nerves about going to yet another unfamiliar place," He shifted the way he was sitting so his his legs were crossed in the comfortable chairs,"What does the island look like?" |
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Avery sipped his martini, and smiled. "It's a small island in relation to others, but big enough once you're on it. A good portion of it is beachy, but the palace is built on rockier ground in the middle of the Island. That palace is more of a large mansion. We call it Windemere, and it looks very Victorian. Most of the rooms are very open and airy, and done in a very Costal manner." Robbie nodded, and scooped up Zara. "There are beaches all around! There are also kennels, stables, tennis courts, lacrosse pits, and other stuff. The house has 17 bedrooms, each with their own bathroom and parlor. Avery also has a music room by his room. Anyways, we can snorkle and scubadive, and-"
Avery cut his brother off.
"Slow down, Robbie. You're going to make his head spin." Speaking off heads spinning, Avery's headache was back full force. He was frustrated that he couldn't seem to shake it, and he downed the rest of his drink, slipping his bottle of tylenol out again. He hated that he had to rely on it, but he couldn't deal with the pain. "Why don't you ask if he has any specific questions," Avery suggested, closing his eyes for a second, taking more pills then he technically should, and swallowing hard. Robbie turned to Aspen, eyes shining.
"Do you have any specific questions?"
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He could tell that Prince Avery did enjoy the island castle. He could tell by the way he smiled and the tone of voice used to talk about it. Maybe the prince would be able to find his peace there. Each day, he seemed to be more and more stressed. And of course, reaching for the Tylenol. Now when Prince Robbie began speaking, it was a little harder to follow. The youngster prince didn't do a good job with controlling his excitement after all. Prince Avery's description sounded nice but Prince Robbie's sounded overwhelming. When the older man cut his brother off, Aspen couldn't help but chuckle. "It's okay really, I did after all have many brothers. They made my hes spin daily," He responded, reaching to pet the younger prince's cat under her chin. Of course, he stopped just in time to see the Prince reach for the Tylenol. His eyes narrowed at the amount of pills in his hand, however, he didn't dare confront the prince about it. He just couldn't help but feel worried. "Do you have any specific questions?" Aspen's focus turned to the younger prince again. He was too excited to notice his brother's excessive amount of Tylenol and he wasn't about to draw attention to it. "Why yes, I have plenty. What's your favorite memory there?" He made sure to choose a question that would get the younger prince excited and to make sure his focus stayed off his older brother to give him just a bit of rest. There was no question over how stressed Prince Avery was. Perhaps he could keep Prince Robbie company so the older could appreciate a moment of relaxation. |
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Avery grimaced as the plane rocked, and he stared into the bottom of his empty martini glass, considering ordering another. Robbie on the other hand, was thrilled to have attention on him. "One time when we were there, when Avery was 14, and I was 10, we were down on the beach, and we were going snorkeling. And I saw a jellyfish, but Avery didn't believe me, so we had to go out again, and when we did, I couldn't see it, and then it stung both of us! Mama was so mad. But we got to have gelato on the beach chairs in the sun, and skip out on muliple banquets, so that was fun." Avery couldn't help his soft laugh at the memory. It had been a good time, even though they'd had sting marks down their legs.
Robbie continued on, happy just to talk. "And then another time, we went to the cliffs on the East side, and we jumped off! The water is warmer over there. I guess they aren't really cliffs, but we call them that."
Avery zoned out as Robbie finished that memory, but pulled himself back as Robbie stopped.
"Ask me other questions!" Robbie begged. |
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The plane rocked and Aspen's weight shifted into the prince's side ever so briefly. It had caught him off guard and by surprise but he was even quicker sitting up and muttering a soft apology to Prince Avery. At this point he was getting used to embarrassing and awkward things happened between the two of them. It was almost as if they were destined to end up embarrassing each other each time they were together. He listened to Prince Robbie talk about his favorite memory, giving a little smirk. He heard a rumor that the only way to make jelly fish stings not sting was to...well best not go into details there. He sure didn't want to know how they treated the jellyfish stings. "Jellyfish stings can be nasty. I'm happy that you both had a grand time, despite that," He responded, giving a soft chuckle as he tried to imagine both the princes on their hunt for the jellyfish. He continued to tell another memory and Aspen just let him talk, even though he had only asked for one memory. It sounds like the princes had fun on this island. It was no wonder why they were so eager to go back. "Ask me other questions!" "Okay okay, as you wish, your highness," His tone had a teasing note to it and he playfully put his hands up in surrender. He thought for a moment before asking another question. "Every place has a legacy, something that it is known for. What would you say the Island is famous for?" |
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Avery finally couldn't take the pressure rolling around in his head, and he softly ordered another martini. He was sure Robbie wouldn't notice, so enthralled was he in sharing about the Island. And Aspen...well, he probably wasn't watching either. Robbie seemed like he was thinking, and Avery payed half attention to his brother to make sure he wasn't sharing false information, or embellishing a little too much. "Peaches!" He said happily. "There are peach trees everywhere, and you can pick them whenever you want. They're so sweet, and the cook makes peach cobbler sometimes. It melts in your mouth!" Avery's face blanched at the mention of food, and his stomach turned. He stared out the window, waiting until he thought the colour in his cheeks would mostly be back. Robbie chattered on behind him. "And also the water. Not the swimming water, the drinking water. It fresh spring water, and it's filtered through volcanic soils, so it tastes super clean and a little sweet." Avery wished he could have some of that water. It was refreshing and always cold, and had so many minerals and other good stuff in it that no one ever felt sick on the Island. Maybe he'd finally be able to shake this stupid headache. The thought soothed him, and he sipped his martini, wishing they would get there faster. |
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Spring 
Night Weather: 
Clear Moon: 
