I've Always Adored You - Pallikias Fanfiction
I wrote this awhile back, but never posted it, so I guess I'm posting it now. Enjoy the pure Pallikias goodness! ~*~*~ Pallis had been like Adakias once, full of dreams and belief in fairytales. But then his mother died, and his already cold father became colder. He didn't blame Adakias, not truly, not like their father did. Sometimes, though, when his younger brother became too much to bear, something in the back of his mind whispered 'if mother were here, mother would know what to do' but he'd shake these cruel thoughts away, if mother were still there, he wouldn't have Adakias, right? It wasn't as if he were particularly close to the queen of the dark, she had given him life, given life to Adakias, and for that he'd always be thankful, but she did not raise him. Both King and Queen were far too busy with their duties, it was a variety of servants, including the cruel Sangara, who'd been given the task of raising and preening the oldest son of the King to one day become the monarch himself. Then his mother, the Queen, died in childbirth of Adakias. His father looked at the newborn like he was a spot of dirt on his shoe. This confused Pallis, and so he looked upon the child, and the feeling in his heart was one he'd never truly experienced before. Love. From that moment on, he vowed to protect his brother, and give him the love that Pallis never had. The King looked at his eldest son, it was the first time they'd seen each other in many weeks. "Pallis" he spoke quietly, but with authority, and some hidden emotion. Pallis stood up straighter and looked to his father. On his face he wore a scowl as he looked over his heir. "Yes, your majesty?" Pallis answered, nerves edging in his voice. "I have not been apart of your studies as I should have been, I will rectify this as soon as possible." He said, sealing Pallis' fate. His father kept his word, though not physically. Pallis' studies became more arduous and all his previous tutors were switched out for others, seen as a better fit for the prince. They were harsh, leaving him bruised or with bloodied knuckles. The rare times his father or Sangara would oversee his work were the worst. They wouldn't hesitate to hold back in "disciplining" him. Every night, Pallis went to bed feeling colder, feeling a little more weight of the crown on his shoulders. Fairytales and myths were far from his mind at this point in time. But there was Adakias. Adakias, who was a light in the dark. Adakias, whom he held close as he cried. Adakias, whom his father overlooked. Adakias, whom he loved more than anything. Adakias was young, no more than five years old at the time, when he begged their father to save Pallis from his pain. Pallis remembered his heart swell with fear. Pallis remembered his father looking down upon Adakias, his eyes filled with cold malice. Pallis remembered Sangara moving towards Adakias. Pallis remembered himself approaching the younger prince, and then there was nothing. He woke up in his own bed, Adakias sitting beside him clutching his hand desperately. He had a cut above his eye, new and bloody, a couple of stitches holding it together. Anger boiled in Pallis' blood, but Adakias' eyes were dripping tears as he threw himself over his brother and sobbed. Pallis barely noticed the sharp pain that struck him, he just stroked his brothers hair. "Pallis!" The young prince wailed. "You got hurt because of me, this is all my fault... It makes me so sad! They hurt you, and I hoped he would do something about it..." Pallis carded his fingers through his younger brothers hair, hushed him and soothed him. "So brave, little prince, my Adakias. I could never ask for a better brother." He whispered quietly. Adakias looked at him with red rimmed eyes. "But... Pallis..." He said, his voice cracking with sadness. Pallis gave him a smile, something he rarely did, and only for his brother. He reached his hand up and cupped Adakias' cheek in his hand. "Adakias. You have done nothing wrong. I will not hate where it is not deserved." He spoke levelly. It was that moment he remembered his favorite myth, one his maids told him and sang to him long ago, before Adakias was born. Of Holy the Sea and the Divided Terrene. "Adakias, there is a book on the shelf beside my bed, it's old and red. Bring it here." Adakias complied easily, and left his brothers bed to retrieve what Pallis had asked for. He quickly found the book and brought it over to his brother with wide and curious eyes. Pallis shuffled over, not without an immense amount of pain, and patted the newly made space beside him. Adakias crawled into his brothers bed and nestled into his side. Pallis opened the book and began reading. "This is the beginning and the end. The rise and fall..." He began, and Adakias clutched tighter to his older brother. Pallis felt his heart clench in unadulterated love, and though it wouldn't grow until later in life, a new kind of love had wormed its way into his heart and sowed its seed. His love for the fairytale once again reared its head in seeing the joy on Adakias' face whenever he pulled the book out. Pallis would enter his brothers room every night and read to him until he fell asleep, plant a kiss on his head, and return to his studies. Whenever he had free time from his studies, he'd spend time with Adakias, who'd ask him questions about the fairytale and how his own day was going. "Do you think Nidria was pretty? How do you think Ahrima made the lamps? Why would Barayas want them destroyed?" Adakias would launch into a series of questions during meals or other times they spent together. Pallis, though he sometimes found it annoying, would smile at his younger brother and answer the best he knew how. "I'm sure Nidria was beautiful. The lamps are a mystery only Ahrima knew, I suspect. And I don't know what the spider had against the lamps." He said coolly. Adakias beamed a bright smile in his brother's direction. "How are you, Pallis?" Adakias asked, quieter this time, worry finding it's way into voice. Several years had passed since the incident with their father, and Pallis' regimen only became more arduous. Adakias had voiced his apologies to Pallis, but Pallis had just given him a pat on the head and told him it wasn't his fault, told him he didn't want to hear 'I'm sorry' where it wasn't needed. So Adakias never spoke of how sorry he felt, but that didn't stop him from feeling it. Pallis smiled at his brother. "I'm fine. It's been a slow week." Adakias' shoulders slumped and he breathed a sigh of relief. Some weeks were worse than others, especially if there were dignitaries visiting from different regions of The Dark. "What about you, little brother?" Pallis asked. He had started his studies years ago, just with maids and those unfit and untrained to tutor a prince. The king, however, continued to look at his youngest son as a burden, as the reason his queen was dead. Pallis asked permission to oversee Adakias' studies, and though he came away from the conversation with several bruised ribs, his father gave an indifferent approval. "Do as you wish." He had said coldly before leaving Pallis alone. So Pallis had tutors hired. He would not endure Pallis' own teachers, no cruel discipline from Sangara and their father. And so he researched and interviewed different men and women to oversee the younger prince's schooling. They were charged with teaching the prince to be a future advisor for Pallis when he becomes king. Adakias delighted in this news. "I'll be able to help you when you're king?" He had asked with a grin. "Of course. I would accept help from no one else." Pallis told him. Adakias had beamed at him. "It's going great! I really like learning about history..." Adakias said before trailing off. Pallis raised an eyebrow and gestured for his brother to continue. Adakias fidgeted, and looked down, a light blush painting his cheeks. "Do you think that that story... Is it more than just a myth?" He asked quietly. Pallis immediately knew why his brother was embarrassed. He wondered if he had brought this up to his history teacher, if they ridiculed him. If so, Pallis would need to see about a replacement. "It's just that... Some of history matches up so well with the legend, what if it's true?... I asked Neesa, and he told me I was being foolish. He called me a dreamer." Adakias winced and rubbed his head. "He hit me over the head with his cane and told me no more fairytales..." Pallis felt anger flare up. He would definitely need to punish the teacher, and find a replacement. "He has no right." Pallis said simply, if he was being honest, it did seen far-fetched for such a myth to have been reality, but it would crush Adakias if he voiced these thoughts. Adakias was a prince of the Dark, and he was but a child, he was free to dream if he so wished. Adakias reached forward and gripped Pallis' hands in his own. Pallis looked down at his brothers hands with a soft look on his face, and looked up again at Adakias, who had a determined look upon his features. "No matter what they say about me, I will not feel down. I won't feel bad for myself. For I know I have something they don't. I have you, Pallis, and this is enough for me." Adakias said with a quiet fervor, and then suddenly threw his arms around Pallis in a tight hug. Pallis stayed stock still for a moment, heart beating a little faster in his chest, his mind swirling, before he wrapped his arms around his brother and lay his cheek upon the top of Adakias' head. Adakias had just turned 15 when Pallis realized. They were taking a trip to the market, Pallis felt suffocated inside the castle, being in the same building as the King, and he felt that visits to town was healthy for Adakias' studies as prince, to mingle and learn how the market worked. Their father gave Pallis a monthly allowance in what he could spend, and left nothing for Adakias. Pallis put away part of the money, kept a little for himself, and have the rest to Adakias. Adakias had a tendency to spend it all almost immediately, and Pallis knew it. He'd need to teach him the importance of saving. The brothers walked side by side, Adakias looking around curiously as always, and Pallis walking stiffly, hands behind his back. They had done this many times over the years, but today's visit would be different. Adakias tugged his brothers sleeve and went bounding towards a stall selling jewelry. Pallis followed quickly after him. "Ah, your highness, little highness. What can I do for you today?" The woman running the stall said, her voice thick with deceitful joy. Adakias fingered various pieces of jewelry, and his eye kept drawing to a ring, a simple black metal band, with swirling designs etched into the surface. "How much is this?" Adakias asked the woman. She gave a grin. "50 gold pieces." she answered. Adakias' face dropped, knowing she was asking for these prices as they were princes. "I'll buy it." Pallis said, and Adakias' head whipped up to look at his brother. "No, no, you can't!" He said quickly. Pallis raised an eyebrow. "I can easily afford it, Adakias." He said quietly. The younger looked up with pleading eyes. Pallis sighed, he would drop the subject. They moved away from that stall to a different one, a baker selling various breads, when there was a shriek. Both princes whirled around and were faced with the woman from the previous stall, her face marred with anger and pointing accusingly towards the princes. No, Pallis thought, not me, Adakias. Pallis looked to his younger brother, who looked equal parts confused and terrified. "You!" The stalls woman wailed, moving closer, her index finger still directed towards the younger prince. Adakias took a step back. Pallis moved to stand just in front of his brother, to shield him from the woman. "What seems to be the problem?" He asked coldly. "This does not concern you, your highness." She said quickly. Pallis shook his head. "Anything that concerns Prince Adakias, concerns me." He told her, taking another step to shield his brother. "Ha! Prince Adikias!" She shrieked. "He is a Prince in title but not in honor! He stole from me!" Pallis raised an eyebrow knowing very well his brother wouldn't even think about stealing anything, no matter how much he wanted it. "And where is your proof, woman?" Pallis bit out, his anger rising. Adakias clutched his brothers arm tightly. "Pallis..." Adakias said quietly, his voice dripping with sorrow. "I didn't steal anything. "I know." Pallis answered definitively. It was a challenge, but the woman wasn't about to back down. They'd drawn a crowd, people were circling, whispering and pointing. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a guard rushing towards the castle. "Who does the prince think he is?" "I hear he's not really the prince" "He's just a dreamer, just Prince Pallis' whore" "I hear he believes himself the 'Chosen One'" "Look at him, thinking he can steal!" The crowd grew larger and rowdier, their accusations getting louder. "Go on, little prince, where is it?" The stalls woman asked angrily. "I don't have it!" Adakias said, his voice shaking but his resolve true. He stepped out from behind Pallis, his chin lifted high, but he still clutched tightly to Pallis' arm. The crowd stopped and stared at the younger prince. It was deathly quiet for a moment, and Adakias cleared his throat. "I didn't take it, you must be mistaken." He said quietly, and looked around at the crowd. "Say about me what you will. Call me a dreamer, a romance-seeker, it doesn't matter. I am the son of the King, my brother is the heir to the throne. This is... Who I am." Pallis looked at his brother in awe, not having heard such courage in his voice for many years. The crowd looked confused, but the woman in front of them didn't look convinced. "So, your highness, would you mind if I checked your pockets?" She asked snidely. Pallis was about to decline on behalf of his brother, but Adakias spoke quicker. "Go ahead." He told her. The woman approached, and her eyes told of a trick. She reached into the prince's pocket, and anger flashed across her face. She pulled her hand out of his pocket and lifted her hand high in the air, holding a black band. The crowd gasped. Adakias looked confused and took a step back. "Theif!" "No honor!" And then someone threw something. It wasn't much, just a pebble really, but it hit Adakias square on the jaw, and left a bloody red welt. Adakias let out a strangled noise. Pallis move immediately, he pulled Adakias towards him and wrapped his arms around the younger prince's body, shielding him. People started throwing things they had on hand, various items they'd bought at the market, produce they had on hand, small rocks, anything really, and though he couldn't shield Adakias from everything, he took the brunt of it. Hands began pulling at him, ripping him away from his brother, and for a moment fear clutched his heart before a voice boomed out. "And what are we doing?" The voice of the King was unmistakable, and for a moment, Pallis didn't know what he feared more, the people or his father. The townsfolk stopped and stared at the king, surrounded by guards, the Sangara stood by his side, a manic grin painting his face. Pallis vaguely thought back to the guard who's left earlier. Pallis stood up straight and turned towards his father, and Adakias followed suit, standing beside his brother. The King looked around angrily. "What are you standing there for? Well?" He snapped. "Get back to your lives." Everyone around started shuffling away, back into the normal hustle and bustle of the market. All save for the jeweler. The king narrowed his eyes at her, and she fell to the ground, bowing. "I do apologize, my King, but this boy, he stole this ring from me, I found it in his pocket." She said carefully. He sent a glare at Adakias, who did not move. "Stand." The King said in an almost bored tone. She stood quickly. And he looked her over. "Return to your stall. You will recover recompense for the trouble in due time." The woman nodded and quickly scurried away to her stall. The king looked to his two sons, dirty, bruised, and bloody. "Come." He said and led them down the street, where a carriage was waiting. They stepped inside and sat quietly, a tension in the air just waiting to snap. Adakias could barely keep himself from fidgeting. They arrived at the castle, and the king stepped out silently, his sons following along behind him. He brought them to a conference room, currently being unused. The King stood silent, his back facing them. "I am disappointed." He started. "I expect better of you Pallis. You are to be king one day, and you must learn to control your own people." Pallis bit his lip. "Yes, your Majesty." The king swung around, his gaze, ablaze in anger, and gripped Pallis' hair in his fist. Pallis cried out in pain. "This is not a fairytale. You have duties, and if he is getting in the way, you will never see hide nor hair of him ever again." The king spat out in his son's face. He threw him aside, Pallis hit a wall and fell to the ground, his vision swimming. He just barely saw his father gripping tightly onto Adakias' already injured jaw. Pallis' heart lept into his throat, and he tried to stand to protect his brother, but he only managed to get on his feet for a second before falling again, his head smacking into the hard ground. His vision was blacking out, but he still tried to move towards Adakias. "And you, boy, you are not some lowly beggar. You are of royalty. If you cannot learn to act like it, there will be a few accidents around here. You are not required for my line to survive, boy, you are not special. If another one of these incidents occurs again, you will find yourself where even fairytales dare not go." he heard the King say. He heard a yelp from Adakias, and a door slam. After a few moments of coming in and out of consciousness, Pallis vaguely felt hands push him over, set his head up on a lap, and his vision cleared for a few moments and he saw a mass of dark hair, a tear stained and bruised face. Pallis reached up and stroked the other's cheek. "Pallis, I'm so sorry, this is my fault! Maybe it'd be better for you if I weren't around..." The younger prince said, before Pallis lost consciousness. The next time he awoke, he was in his own bed, he looked over to find Adakias sitting in a chair beside him, slumped over and sleeping. Pallis smiled, a surge of warmth flooding his heart. He reached over and stroked his hair, and Adakias shifted in his sleep, giving Pallis better view of his younger brother's bruised face. There were a few bandages and bruises, but nothing as bad as he thought there's be. He sighed in relief. Adakias stirred again, and his eyes cracked open. "Pallis?" He asked quietly, looking up at his brother. "Yes?" He answered, twirling a lock of Adakias' hair around his finger. The younger prince let out a yawn. "I didn't steal it." He told his elder brother. Pallis chuckled. "I know, Little One. I am curious though, why did you want that ring? It isn't in the style of other jewelry you prefer." He asked. Adakias bit his lip and looked away, a blush creeping up his pale ears. "I wanted to buy it for you." He said, barely more than a whisper, but Pallis had heard, and his breath had caught in the back of his throat, his heart ached. He cupped Adakias' cheek in his hand, and Adakias gave him a small smile. "You have very little to spend, and yet you'd want to spend it on me?" Pallis asked. Adakias frowned. "Well I couldn't actually afford it..." He said, trailing off. Pallis scoffed. "That's hardly the point, little Prince." Pallis said pointedly. Adakias shrugged. "Well of course. I love you." And it was that moment, Pallis realized his heart was darker than he thought. He'd always thought he was different, that he want as wicked as the others in the Dark, that, though he was quick to anger, he thought himself alright considering. But it was that moment he knew there was a sickness in his heart, a cruel illness of the mind. For it was that moment his heart realized all those looks he'd given Adakias were of longing, the electric feeling when their skin touched was more than static, that the pounding of his heart was for more than just a brother. In that moment he felt a surge of something, a need to pull the younger into a kiss, but he restrained himself. Pallis took his hand away quickly. "Thank you for thinking of me, but you must learn to save what little money you have." Pallis said, putting on a cold voice to hide his emotions. Adakias stared wide eyed. "Pallis?" He asked. Pallis shook his head. "I'm... Tired. You should return to your own room." Pallis told him. Adakias looked confused, but complied with his brother's wishes. Pallis was given a punishment from his father, but also a way to prove himself the next day. He would be leaving to meet with and assess the dignitaries around The Dark. His father estimated he'd be gone a year at the very least. He encouraged him to seek a suitable wife to bear his heirs. Pallis was secretly grateful, he reveled in time away, and though his heart ached with worry, it would be good for him to be away from Adakias, rid himself of the poison of his mind. Pallis found Adakias later, gave him the news, allowed himself the moments when Adakias threw himself into his brother's arms, allowed the swell in his heart, allowed himself to soothe his brother as he cried. Pallis left two weeks later. He visited lords and ladies, dined with them and spoke politics, endured proposals and propositions, read contracts and signed paperwork. He read letters from his brother, and wrote his own less regularly. It broke his heart to be so far from Adakias for so long, but he needed to rid himself of the hideous love in his heart. His work was done after a year, as his father had said, but he sought ways to lengthen it. True to his word, he sought out a wife, and courted with a several ladies, but it was less for his father and more to have a reason to stay away. He would bring the relationship to full courting period, and would break it off instead of proposing. He'd move onto the next city, meeting with their lords ladies. Soon 3 years had passed, a much longer period than his father had estimated, and there was no reason for him to stay away any longer. Most had heard about his ways in courting, and refused to be with him, prince or not. He was terrified, he was no closer to thinking about Adakias in a familial way once more. So, he decided there was nothing he could do, he would make his brother hate him. He sent a letter to the castle, telling his whereabouts, how close he was to home in the morning. That evening, he was in his rented room at an inn, drinking too much wine and trying to get the thoughts of Adakias out of his head, when suddenly someone burst into his room. Pallis stood quickly and pulled out a knife he had hidden on his person and looked at his assailant, a hooded figure. The person removed their hood, revealing Adakias with a bright smile. Pallis dropped his knife quickly, his heartbeat doubling at the sight. "Pallis!" Adakias said excitedly, moving forward and throwing his arms around his brother tightly. "It's been so long Pallis, how I've missed you! You didn't write often, I was so scared something happened..." Pallis stood stock still, forcing himself to not wrap his arms around the other. Adakias noticed this, and pulled away, confusion dancing in his eyes. "Why did you come?" Pallis said simply. Adakias frowned. "You're very close to the castle, and I've missed you. Father doesn't care. I've not seen you in many years." Adakias said, confusion apparent in his voice. Pallis raised an eyebrow. "You must learn patience. You are a prince, Adakias, act accordingly." Pallis said coldly, and he turned away, but not so quickly as to miss the look of fear and hurt on Adakias' face. A sharp pain wracked through Pallis' chest, a feeling of needles being thrusted into his heart, but he held his resolve. Adakias gripped the sleeve of Pallis' jacket. "Pallis?" Adakias spoke quietly. Pallis clenched his teeth. "I suppose I need to go reserve you a room, I can't very well send you home at this hour." Pallis said, still refusing to turn to face his brother. "Can't I sleep in here?" Adakias asked. Pallis sighed, wishing he could say yes. But he was evil, he truly had to be if he thought of his younger brother as anything but family. He was twisted, and he wouldn't taint Adakias, poison the pure light that he radiated. Pallis turned around, looking stiffly down at Adakias. "No. It wouldn't be appropriate, you are a grown boy now." Pallis told him, shaking roughly out of the other boys grip and walking towards the door. Adakias gaped at him. "But-" he started. "No buts, like I said, you are a grown prince." Pallis said, cutting the other off. "... Will you sing to me?" Adakias questioned quietly. Pallis stopped and whirled around to look at Adakias. His eyes were to the ground and he was fidgeting, a habit from childhood he'd yet to kick. His long dark lashes were lowered, a stark contrast against his pale skin and pink lips. Pallis knew the boy before him was beautiful, he'd known it his entire life, but he couldn't help feel guilty for thinking so now. "No. No more singing, no more stories and fairytales, Adakias. It's time to grow up. You always spoke about myths and fantasies that you are the chosen one, but you are just a dreamer." Pallis sighed, fearing his brother's reaction. Adakias' head snapped up, many emotions swirling in his eyes, and he took a step towards Pallis. "Grow up?" Adakias questioned incredulously. "Just a dreamer? Pallis! What has happened, dear brother? What has happened to make you say these things, like Sangara and the towns people? Like our father?!" Adakias had his hand closed in tight fists, and he was scrunching his face up to keep from crying. The moment Adakias compared Pallis to their father, he lost himself to his rage, to the wine in his system. "I am nothing like that man!" Pallis retorted, moving toward Adakias, and watched as fear flashed across his face. Pallis stopped. "Do you think I'll hurt you?" "I don't know anymore, it seems that time away and you've started acting as he does." Adakias said quietly. Pallis was in a way like his father, only in the fact that he was one of the lowest kinds of scum. That only came with such feelings towards ones own brother. "It needs to be this way, Adakias." Pallis told him quietly. Adakias looked upon his brother angrily. "I don't understand." "You don't need to" "I do! Go on! Make me understand!" Pallis took another step towards Adakias, his anger and confusion and desire clouding his brain. The wine wasn't helping. "You want to know so bad, Adakias?" Pallis questioned. Adakias lifted his chin defiantly, his resolve weakening with each passing moment. "What has happened? Why do you feel it is necessary to become a copy of the current King?" Adakias asked. The rational part of Pallis' mind would tell him that his brother was just trying to goad him, but the rational part of Pallis was long gone for the night, he was too tired and too full of too many emotions. Pallis took another few steps towards Adakias, who took a long step away from Pallis. "What has got you so wound up, Pallis?" Adakias asked quietly, taking steps back as Pallis moved towards him, before the back of his legs bumped into the desk placed in the room. His eyes widened as Pallis was a few inches from him, and he had no where else to move. "Pallis?" Adakias worried, his brother had yet to say a word. Pallis slammed his hands on the desk behind Adakias, who jumped in fright. Pallis leaned closer. "You really want to know?" Pallis said quietly, calmly. He heard Adakias' breath hitch, watched his eyes dilate, his teeth chewing his lower lip nervously. Thoughts of how tainted his heart was were far from Pallis' mind at that moment. The younger prince could do nothing but nod slowly, and that was all it took for Pallis to press his lips against his younger brother's. Adakias made a muffled noise, and let his arms dangle confused for a moment, before wrapping around Pallis' neck and burying his hands in his hair. Pallis moved closer, gently pressing his body against Adakias'. Pallis, though wanting to go further, pulled away slightly, parting their lips. "Your big brother must be evil to think of you like this, to love you this way." Pallis whispered. "This is why you need to hate me, Little Prince." Adakias looked into Pallis' eyes for moment without speaking. "Brother, if this is how it must be, then you must hate me also. I love you. More than a little brother should, but I can't help it, it feels like..." "Destiny." They spoke in unison. Pallis chuckled, and sighed, pulling Adakias into a hug. "I missed you. I should have come home sooner." Pallis told him, breathing in the younger princes scent. Adakias made a noise of agreement. "You should have sent more letters." Adakias scolded. "I think I'll stay from now on." Pallis told him. Adakias grinned. "Does this mean I can sleep in your bed now?" He said cheekily. Pallis rolled his eyes. "And I'll sing to you too." He told him, and Adakias' eyes widened excitedly. Pallis smiled as Adakias took him by the hand, and pulled him toward the bed. Somehow, he no longer felt like a monster. Somehow knowing Adakias felt the same way eased his mind. He felt in his very core a reassurance, something he'd not felt in several years. "Nidria please listen, I'd like to explain," Pallis sang softly as Adakias tugged his arm gently to pull him next to him. Adakias immediately shuffle closer and buried his face in the older Prince's night shirt. "I should have told you sooner, it's been gnawing at my brain." Adakias made a muffled sound of agreement. Pallis rolled his eyes and pulled the blanket over. Him and his brother, planted a kiss on his head. "My mind's in knots, it's got me lost, please help me through the maze." Pallis continued, running his fingers lazily through Adakias' inky dark hair. "'Cause you're the key, the lock turning, the breaking of these chains..." "Pallis?" Adakias said, his voice thick with sleep. Pallis smiled gently. "You are tired, Little Prince. Sleep." He ordered quietly. Adakias rolled over to look at Pallis, his eyes drooping. He gave a small shake of his head. "It's important." Adakias said firmly. Pallis raised an eyebrow, and the younger pulled a small box from his pocket and handed it to Pallis, looking at him expectantly. The box in Pallis' hand was small and unadorned, very simple, which piqued Pallis' curiosity as to the contents. He removed the lid and gasped. "Adakias?" He questioned shakily. "Father promised her recompense, in which he gave in the form of money and helping hands. I am required to help there once a week, as punishment." Adakias told him. Pallis felt his anger rise. "She sent me to work with her husband, who was much nicer than she. He makes the jewelry she sells, and he taught me." Pallis looked down again, a ring in the box. It wasn't the same ring as all those years ago, but it was similar. It was the same black metal, but had a tiny white jewel embossed into the center, tiny swirling designs engraved around it, and on the inside it said in tiny letters 'u suck scrub' "Apparently jewelry made by royalty is good for business." Adakias told him dryly. "Even though I was required to work there, I kept up on my studies, I promise... I wanted to make something for you, Pallis, for all the trouble I've ever caused you..." Pallis looked at his brother, his mind boggled by the sweet gesture, and he berated himself, he should have come home sooner. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss on Adakias' lips. "Never say such things, Little Prince, you have never caused me trouble, you have never never been a burden." Pallis said quietly. "Thank you, Adakias. Truly. Now, sleep. You need it." Adakias nodded, and Pallis took the ring out, slipping it onto his finger easily, and Adakias smiled. He assumed Adakias was tired before he'd come, he'd relaxed quickly, and Pallis could hear his steady quiet breathing. His mind told him this was wrong, this shouldn't be, but his heart sand a different tune entirely. His heart soared in acceptance, in knowledge and requital. They both felt it, it must be destiny, and whatever was to come, he would face it with a calm mind and a loving heart.
