|
Neutral
|
"That won't be necessary. I'm sure you have things you would rather do." Aspen wanted to push his limits and insist on going. However, he already did that once and he was still waiting to hear the consequences of that one. Besides Lorenz was there and would probably be better at keeping Prince Avery in line. As long as the prince wasnt alone, he should be fine. It was the neutral expression he was worried about. Ine could say the prince was doing better but he knew damn well he wasnt. Avery was just trying to bury his emotions. "O-Oh okay. If you need anything, you have my number," He simply said as the two of them headed out. He wasnt going to pry or insist. He took thst risk last time. He needed to be careful now. Prince Avery would be okay. It might do him some good to see his brother. Aspen just hoped he was doing better. So instead he returned to his god-awful coffee and trusted Lorenz to handle the prince and all the potential outbursts he may have.
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
Avery was already jumpy, and by the time they reached the hospital, his anxiety had sky rocketed. He used his usual methods to keep himself sane, and followed a nurse down the overly sterile hallways, stepping into a small room. Robbie was asleep on the bed, and despite the IV running to his wrist, Avery was thrilled to see he didn't have a breathing mask anymore.
Robbie had quite obviously been cleaned up, his curls no longer dirty and matted, the blood on his face gone. Avery dropped into a chair next to his little brother, studying the younger boy's face. Robbie also looked more peaceful when he was sleeping, and Avery was glad that when he was asleep, he wasn't feeling so much pain.
He glanced up as someone else walked in, and his whole body relaxed. The Queen walked in, her stature stately, but her face beautiful and gentle, and kind. Her dark hair was pulled back in a bun, light grey streaks near her temples. She embraced her eldest son, and Avery curled his arms around her, soothed even more by his mother's presence.
|
|
|
|
Neutral
|
Aspen finished his coffee and busied himself with doing dishes. He was sure he was taking the job of somebody else but he just needed to do something to keep his head cleared.
Yesterday had been rough on him, even if he didnt want to admit it. It had been hard for him to see the prince hurting like that. It had been scary even. Prince Avery had frightened him even if he had hid that fear and tried to help the prince through his emotions. After the dishes were done, he headed outside to the gardens fo help clear his mind.
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
The Queen coaxed her son to go back home, telling him that Robbie would be ok, and that it wouldn't help him to just sit there. Avery was skeptical, but he'd been so relieved to see his mother that he agreed, and he and Lorenz headed back to the manor. Avery headed straight to Emily's room, not wanting to see anything that might make him upset again. He picked up Emily's book off the desk, and mindlessly flipped through it, barely paying attention to the words. After a moment, he glanced outside. The storm had much since passed, and the sun shown brightly. From what he could tell, the waves were gentle, and the tide high. It was the perfect weather for cliff diving, and he started to stand, but another thought struck him. He'd be jumping without his brother, and without Emily. Not wanting to go alone, he leaned back in the chair, setting the book back down.
|
|
|
|
Neutral
|
Aspen didnt stay in the gardens for long. When he headed back inside, he heard the sound of a car approaching. When he looked, he saw that it was the prince. He wanted to question the prince and Lorenz about Robbie but yet wanted to give them space. After hearing the sound of a door opening, he decided to make himself scarce. He ran up the stairs and into his room, not wanting to bother the two. He didnt want to seem too caring to the point where the prince never had any space to himself. So instead, he gave him that space. He went to his room and pulled out his laptop. He decided to go to his drawing program and doodle. If the prince wanted to see him, well the door was open.
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
Avery sat still for only a few seconds, going in search of Aspen. He saw the other man's door was slightly ajar, and gently pushed it open. "Hey," he said softly, walking into the room.
It wasn't one of his favorite rooms in the manor, in his opinion, it was a little too stark and plain. But as long as Aspen liked it, that's was fine with him. Avery considered giving Aspen the rundown on Robbie, but decided he probably didn't care all that much, and instead sat in silence, waiting to see if Aspen wanted to talk to him.
|
|
|
|
Neutral
|
He wasnt much of artist. He understood design more when it was in the form of houses. However, sometimes it was nice fo just sit down and doodle away. He was drawing a cartoon version of Robbie's cat whenever he heard the door creak open. He glanced up and saw the prince. The prince seemed to be doing okay. He didnt look to be as distressed as he was last rime he visited his brother. He assumed that the visit went roughly well. "Hi," He greeted Avery with a smile of his own. He shut his laptop and sat it off to the side. He patted a spot on the bed next to him for the other man to sit if he chose to. After a moment of silence, he cleared his throat. "How's your brother?" He asked softly, his gaze studying the prince for a moment before looking away.
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
Avery brightened slightly. "He's doing a lot better. My mum thinks maybe he'll be able to come home soon. You really helped me through all that. Thank you."
Avery's voice was soft, and he glanced up shyly, trying to hide his true feelings, but the appreciation and little bit of love was clear in his silvery eyes.
|
|
|
|
Neutral
|
The prince seemed to brighten at the mention of his brother. He began to say that Robbie was doing much better and the Queen said he would be coming home soon. "Thats great news! Im glad he's doing better," Aspen briefly rested his hand on his shoulder before removing it and turning his gaze away shyly. It seemed awkward to touch the prince now and he didnt know why he did to start with. When he glanced back uo, his gaze met Avery's. The man's silver gaze seemed to glow with appreciation. There was another feeling in there too that he thought was love but he knew he was being silly. A prince would never feel that way toward him, not even a gay prince. "And it wasnt a problem, helping you I mean," He blushed a little, clearing his throat again and glancing down,"Anyone that truly cares for you would have done the same. I'm nothing special and it was my honor to help you." Avery just needed a friend. Thats all he was. Of course, his heart pained a little at the idea of simply being his friend. Prince Robbie was right about one thing on the plane: he was really starting to develop feelings for the prince. "Do you know exactly when he's coming back? If you do, we could throw him a welcome home party?" He suggested with a shrug,"If you want to that is."
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
Avery sighed. "I don't know exactly when he's coming back. Mum wasn't sure." Avery stared at the ground for a moment, trying to find his cheery attitude again. "But we'll be ok until he does, right?" His voice was mostly cheery, but a little bit of it was forced.
Zara padded into the room, relieving some of the tension Avery felt. He gently picked up the kitten, settling her on his lap.
"Robbie will be glad to see you, little one." He relaxed, the silence less awkward. "Do you wanna go out with me? On a walk, I mean. At least just that for now." The last part of his words were soft, but still loud enough to be caught if one was really listening.
|
|
|