Chapter 5 (Feelings and Trust)

Edward (POV)

My eyes were wide as I took in the sight of the man on his knees. Don't get hard. Don't get hard...

"Stop." I said quickly and rushed to him. His eyes glanced up at me in fear and confusion as I helped him to his feet. "The ground is freezing! I would know," I said glancing at his body as he shook a little. I took my jacket off quickly and held it out for him. What was I doing? But now that I was closer, I got to have a close-up of him and I noticed that he look strangely familiar. "Take it," I instructed and he didn't hesitate to wrap it around himself.

"Umm," he muttered. "I -I'm sorry sir, I didn't know t -that you were the prince. I swear I never -"

"It's ok," I whispered and took a step back. "Why do you look familiar?" He blushed and looked down, his freckles lighting up. Wait... "Jack?" I asked. He looked up at me, amusement in his eyes.

"Rose?" He asked then slapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes wide. We both stared at each other before laughter bubbled out of me. I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt, but he looked petrified.

"That was good," I said regaining myself. He still had a look of distress, but once he noticed I wasn't going to do anything, his eyes lit up again.

"It's been a while," he murmured and I nodded a little breathless.

"Well, you surely don't look like you're seven," I said which caused him to laugh a little. He crossed his arms over his chest as we stood there staring at each other.

"You know, I kinda feel obliged to hit you since you left me so long ago," he said before glancing up at my face. When I rose my eyebrows his eyes widened and he looked down. "I m-mean um..." I stepped closer to him, but he didn't look at me.

"Jack, its fine." I said and he nodded glancing up at me. He was so... submissive. Shit. I walked over to the rock and hoped on top, conscious of his gaze on me the entire time. "Sit," I commanded, though I didn't sound harsh, giving him room to not come if he wished. He froze for a moment before walking over and sitting down next to me. We sat in silence as I watched him fiddle with the edges of my coat. He was about as tall as I was but he was skinnier, which caused it to be bigger in some places. "You do have the right to hit me," I said to him and his head shot up.

"No -no! That was stupid to say. I know what happened after you return to your place..." he trailed off and looked out into the trees, "It was really stupid." I watched him for a few moments before glancing off to the stars. I don't think he said anything stupid. He had the right to be upset if the relationship we had at that age was anything close to what I remember. We acted like best friends and considering our age, we could've been.

"I counted you as a best friend," I said narrowing my eyes at the sky. "My parents didn't -don't really care about me and it only got worse after Alexios..." I sighed and turned my gaze to the ground. I could feel his eyes on me and all I wanted was for him to tell me it was ok. "Though we only met twice, I felt like you a real friend. Someone who wouldn't treat me as royalty or as trash; but as a person..." my voice trailed off into a whisper towards the end. We sat in silence for a while as he turned my words over in his head. Did I say too much? Did I ruin what could've been?

"I treated you like that because I didn't know who you were!" he exclaimed suddenly causing me to glance at him with wide eyes, but he wasn't watching me anymore. "You should've saw my pops, he was ablaze when I told him." He chuckled and leaned on his hands to throw his head back. I studied his face as he thought of what to say next. His eyes were shut and his hair was hanging towards the rock. There were a few pieces of dirt clamped into it and I resisted the urge to run my hand through it when he spoke up again.

"Is it weird that I felt the same way as you?" he pondered, but I felt like he wasn't really asking me that question. "I feel like that you may be the only person that knows me for who I was and didn't care that I came from the 'farm land' as I've been called." He glared at the sky before meeting my eyes. "We're crazy aren't we?" he asked and I laughed nodding along with him.

"We definitely aren't normal."

***

I watched as the sun rise up slowly beyond my window. The dark clouds slowly fading to white and the beautiful moon disappearing once again. My music softly drifted through the speakers, my song quiet as to not wake anyone.

"Wish we could turn back time, to the good ol' days." I wish I could be with Alexios. Would he still want to be with me? After everything I've done?

"Sometimes a certain smell will take me back to when I was young, how come I'm never able to identify where it's coming from?..." Have you ever had a certain smell that you love and had no idea why and the only possible reason is because you just like it? I have a certain smell like that too.

"It'd be to my brother, 'cause we have the same nose. Same clothes homegrown a stone's throw from a creek we used to roam. But it would remind us of when nothing really mattered." I have a picture of Alexios that I tend to look at, as creepy as it may seem. But his little 12 year old self still looks better than I have in my entire life. He holds so much confidence and sincerity in his 12 year old body that it is amazing. I wish I could be half of a person he ever was.

The song switched on the last beat and I listened to another Twenty One Pilots song. My mind switched to think of Jack instead of Alexios. We had both parted ways after an hour of seeing each other. We couldn't risk staying much longer and we had both agreed to meet there again in a week. It had been so long and I couldn't help but be amazed at how well he had grown into his body, as strange as that may seem. It's just, when he was a little kid, he didn't know where he was headed and his body seemed out of proportion. Though I am not allowed to say this, he looks so much more beautiful now. The way his freckles bounce across his cheeks when he laughs or when he glances in my direction and his eyes sparkle. It does tend to make a person weak in the knees.

Though, I must never admit that to anyone. If anyone were to find out that I even remotely think of a guy that way, I wouldn't be able to be king; and that is the only thing Alexios wanted me to do. So, despite the pain it may bring me, I will marry a... girl. I mean, girls aren't terrible, don't get me wrong, but they are just so... girl-ish? They are, well a girl, whereas I want a guy who can... be a guy? Never mind, I don't know how to explain why I want a guy. Ugh, just even saying that makes me think someone is watching me.

I glance around my room. It is all little bit bigger than someone's living room and it is one of the smallest rooms in the castle. I wasn't very fond of big rooms as a kid and it is a trait that I have taken up in my older years. To the right of my window seat, I have my bed and at the foot of that, I have a walk-in-closet. I have a desk piled with papers directly next to me and a bedside table next to my bed. To my left, there is a fireplace, (yes there is a fire place in my room), that is holding my music dock atop of it. It also has a few pictures that include me and Alexios. Then, one picture of Albert, Nana, and I at my 14th birthday. It was taken by another servant after a great experience.

My parents hadn't shown up and I didn't get any presents from them. Plus, I didn't have any friends there because most of them thought it was my fault that Alexios died, so I wasn't allowed to play with them. I was already feeling down due to the absences of Alexios that my parents not showing up made it worse. I was crying and ran up to my room in despair. Nana and Albert had found me a little while later. I had confessed to her that I didn't want to live anymore. I had also told her that I wasn't important and that I had tried to kill myself multiply times, to be with Alexios. Nana got me up, wiped my tears, and said something to me that I would never forget: 'Who cares what everyone else thinks, my little Prince? Just remember, you are very valuable to this earth. Your parents may not see it, or admit it, but they need you. If you are to die, then where would this kingdom be? I'm not going to tell you that everything is going to be fine tomorrow or a week from now, but you will make it through this, ok? Albert and I are here to help you through it and we won't ever leave you. You mean a lot to us and everything will be just fine. So, stay here, with us. Ok?" I sobbed after her speech. I felt like I wasn't important just because my parents didn't love me. After that, I knew I was loved by so many people and it wasn't fair to just end it when they were all counting on me, so I didn't.

Ever since then, they both decided I was their responsibility. That still hasn't changed today. I don't know where I would be if it weren't for them.

My breath hitched as someone knocked on my door. I quickly switched my music off and cleared my throat. "Come it!" I call out, strengthening my t-shirt and jeans. Albert came in a second later. His salt and pepper hair was combed back and he was wearing one of his tradition outfits. It was a vest over a white button up and black slacks. His jacket was downstairs with Nana at the moment. His grey eyes scrutinized my lack of pajamas but then he shook it off, knowing I most likely wouldn't tell him my problems.

"Alright! We have sword practice at nine. Then, we have a luncheon with..." As he started listing my duties for the day, I trailed off and went to get my phone from my dock. I switched it off and threw it on my bed. There was really no point in listening to this, he would just have to remind me throughout the day. "... A fitting for your suit and then you have to choose a wife during your 2 o'clock interview in the throne room-"

"What?" I asked loudly and he frowned at me.

"Now you choose to listen?" he asked with a hint of irritation.

"I choose to listen when you do something behind my back that portrays to me, Albert!"

He rolled his eyes at me. "You have to find someone suitable enough for you, Edward. It is not my orders, but the king's." My frustration and anger grew. So, he thinks it is okay to just boss me around when he decided that I was not fit enough to teach me how to be a king?

"You know what?" I spoke, swinging towards Albert quickly enough to startle him. "You tell the king," I sneered, "That he can shove himself and my new 'wives' up his ass because I don't give a fuck." I then swung back around and made my way to my massive walk-in closet. My breath was in my throat and the only sounds in the room were my heavy breathing. Oh god. I didn't mean to snap at Albert if I lose him... "Albert I -"

"I won't tell him what happened," Albert cut in, a hint of pity and serenity in his voice. "I know you don't like the fact that you have to choose a wife, but what can I do about it?" When I didn't answer, he walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "You are like a son to me, Edward. I have known you since you were 13 and have practically raised you." I swallowed hard with tears in my eyes as Albert slowly turned me around and gathered me in his arms. His 5"7 frame holding my 6 foot one couldn't have been comfortable, but he didn't seem to mind. "We'll figure this out ok? You know Gale and I both love you, and we won't abandon you." he muttered. I then couldn't hold it anymore. I burst into tears.

Ever since Alexios left us, I have had trust issues. Albert and Nana have both known this because I was always afraid to leave their side. So, Nana and Albert had decided to shove their way into my life. Then, they got married 6 years back and I was ecstatic. Since they got married, I didn't have to worry about the other one getting hurt and it wouldn't be weird if all three of us were together at once. Ever since then, they have raised me and we often exchange our feelings to one another. This was no different.

"It's alright," Albert cooed. A moment later a knock sounded on the door. Three soft one's in-between three hard ones. Then a quick one, two, three. Nana's knock. I sat heavily on the bed as Albert went to open it for his wife. I hiccupped as the spoke in soft tones. Next thing I know, there was a loud clatter on my bed side table and a dip in the bed on either side of me. Albert's warm hand rested on my back as Nana gathered me in her arms.

"Oh my poor baby," Nana cooed, causing Albert to chuckled. I could practically feel Nana trying to send her husband an unspoken message but obviously he wasn't computing. Next thing I know, my head rests upon her big bosoms and she is twisting both of us side-to-side. "My poor baby!" she cooed again, dramatically.

"Nana!" I shout in protest, a laugh in my voice. My tears sudden evaporating.

"Hey! Those are mine!" Albert chides in jokingly and I spring up, flailing back and knocking into Albert causing him the fall on the bed; all of us laughing. My tears of despair soon become one of happiness as we all laugh at what had just transpired.

After our laughing had died down, I watched as my Nana fanned herself off. Her brown hair cascaded to her breasts in curls. Her blue eyes wide and her tanned skin flushed red. Albert was only 32 when he married Nana and Nana was 28. Even though it has been 6 year since that time, they don't look any different. How could I be so down about my parents when I've got two great people right in front of me? I also couldn't help glancing down at her swollen belly. She was due any day now and still decided to run around and be my 'servant'.

A chuckle escapes my lips as I sit up and scoot back. I rest my back to the wall as Nana looks at me curiously, an unspoken question upon her lips.

"The fact that you're due any day now, Nan, and you are still here, surprises me." She rolled her eyes.

"I'm not due any day now, sweetheart. I still have a little less than a month." Albert rolled his eyes this time.

"It's proven that your firstborn is most likely going to be born early." I noted and Albert nodded in my direction.

"See! I told you. You should be home, resting." Nana rolled her eyes again and smacked Albert on the arm.

"Don't encourage him! Besides, I'm not here to talk about my pregnancy, I'm here to talk about you. I came in here around 2 this morning and you were gone." She scolded and I winced. I side glanced at Albert and she rolled her eyes. "I already told Albert you were gay."

"Nan!" "Gale!" Albert and I exclaimed at the same time.

"You were supposed to wait until he told me!" Albert whined.

"It's not like you didn't already know -"

"You already knew?" I shouted, horrified. Albert rolled his eyes this time, making me think they had eye problems.

"Of course I knew!" he said a hint of hurt in it. "Do you really think I'm that stupid? You hate it when I mention wives, by the way there aren't any wives coming tonight, and don't even blink when women throw themselves at you. What else am I to think?" I shook my head, and blushed.

"Is it really that obvious?" I asked, my voice small. What happens if other people find out or have suspicions?

"No, it's not that obvious," Albert said, "we can just tell." A shrug ended the sentence.

"So, where were you?" Nana asked sternly. I sighed and glanced down at my hands. Albert already knows about Jack, of course I had told them both when I was smaller but he doesn't know that I like him. I don't think Nana does either. It's hard to talk about him because he's supposed to be my secret. He's supposed to be mine so, how do I tell them? Though, it's not like they will tell anyone so, he is still technically a secret. Right?

"I saw Jack," I whispered and watched them from the corner of my eye. They had a strange look on their face before Albert's lit up. He touch Nana's arm lightly.

"That boy he saw when he was smaller." Albert explained and Nana's eyes lit up too.

"Oh! How is he, dear?" Nana asked and I sighed. I picked at my fingernails for a while.

"He's... ok," I said, turning my head to look at them. I rolled my eyes at Nana's face, "well what am I supposed to say?" I asked. I shoved my way off the bed and started pacing the room. "He was... fuck Nana he was -"

"Watch your mouth," she said and I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, sorry! But, Nan, he was... hot." I grimaced at the word, not liking how it sounded.

"Hot?" Albert questioned and I glared at him.

"No, not hot he was... god I don't know," I walked back to the bed and flopped down on my back. "He was... pretty?" Albert chuckled and I glared again.

"Pretty? I understand that, I've seen pretty boy's before, I guess." Nana said ignoring whatever Albert was going to say. I sighed in gratitude and stared at the roof.

"You should've seen him. He had these bright blue eyes and freckles across his cheeks that were red cause of the cold. He wasn't wearing a jacket you see, so I gave him mine. It was a beautiful sight because he is like my height but smaller around the waist -" I frowned, "come to think of it, it looked like he hadn't ate in a while. I wonder if he has enough food to eat. Maybe I should invite him here to eat. Also, he was wearing these clothes that had tons of holes in them so I wonder if that's the only pair he has and if -"

"Edward," Nana spoke, a laugh in it. I glanced at her and sighed, embarrassed.

"I was rambling, wasn't I?" I asked and they nodded. I sighed again. "I like him don't I?" Another nod.

"I'm going to get executed," I muttered dejectedly.

Hello my lovelies! I'm so sorry for the late update, (I wrote it way longer than before!), school's being horrible and I finally get a break! Though, I do have writer's block and decided to write on one of my old stories. I do promise to write some of this story as soon as it comes back to me! I just have no idea where I'm headed like I changed the whole chapter and had to redo it all and... ugh. I hate writing sometimes. So stressful. I think I will try to update this story every weekend? Sounds good? Well, I only have a few fans anyway so who cares. Anyway, how do you guys like this story? Who's your favorite character? What do you like most about this story? Comment below!

Be sure to watch the 21 Pilots song up at the top! They're amazing! (3,448 words)