F O R T Y-F O U R

Kai narrowed his eyes and studied the prince in front of him, who was crossing his arms, hip out, and tapping his foot impatiently.

"I'm just saying you always wear black, maybe go with the gray."

Iris rolled his eyes for the third time in five minutes and turned back towards his closet. Kai folded his own arms over his chest as he watched him.

"You know, sir, you shouldn't ask for my opinion if you're going to get mad about what I say."

"I'm not getting mad I just want to know what's wrong with the black coat." Iris mumbled, grabbing the gray coat Kai pointed at.

"Nothing is wrong with it, you should just try looking..brighter, sir."

"Does gold and gray even match?"

"Course it does. Plus the only gold you're wearing is the belt and pin."

Iris frowned at the outfit he laid on his bed next to Kai. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, "I hate fashion.."

Kai shook his head with a smile and stood up. "You know you're incredibly dramatic. You're only wearing it for one day."

Tomorrow was Iris's birthday and because Allison had usually picked out half of every outfit Iris wore, he had to this time. Except he was a complete mess when it came to important fashion choices, because he had to wear more than just plain pants and a button up shirt.

"What about my hair? Or shoes? Ugh," Iris threw his head back and groaned with frustration. "Allison did all this for me, I don't know what to do."

Iris pulled on a strand of his hair, watching it stretch passed his eyes. He thought to himself how long it gotten, but also how lazy he was to get it trimmed.

Iris glanced up when Kai chuckled again and he frowned at him.

"Why are you laughing?"

"I'm sorry, sir, I just find your frustration a little amusing." Kai stood in front of Iris with a playful smile on his lips, which only made Iris's frown deepen.

"I can help if you want?" Kai ran a hand through Iris's hair, pushing it back so his forehead was exposed, "You look older with your hair up, so you should do that tomorrow. And shoes rarely matter, plain black is fine."

Iris blinked up at Kai and curled his hands into fists at his side. His heartbeat sped up and he quickly turned away before Kai could spot his blush.

"U-um..okay. Thanks. Um, I'm-" Iris squeaked when he bumped into his nightstand backing up and he cleared his throat, "I'm going to go talk to my dad..I'll be right back."

Kai watched him rush out of the room and close the door tightly behind him. He glanced down at his hand and hummed. Had the prince's hair always been that soft?

††

"Dad," Iris let out a low growl of dissatisfaction as he poked his head in the ball room. "That's the same amoung of people as last year!"

"No it's not," The King waved his hand at him, "Only one kingdom is here and the guests are bellow two hundred."

Iris shook his head and turned away to calm himself down or else he was going to burst. At least he didn't have to greet everyone like last time, he'd find a table in a corner and claim it.

"Whatever." Iris dismissed his dad and walked into the crowded ball room. Arlo just rolled his eyes before smiling at Kai, who watched silent from the side.

"All you have to do is stay near him, Kai, okay?"

Kai nodded his head, "Will do, sir." And he followed him inside.

People cheered and bowed as the King entered and Kai quickly maneuvered through the humans to find Iris. He ignored their confused and slightly startled stares while he scanned around. Like Iris had wanted, he was at a table in the back.

He didn't say anything as he made his way behind Iris and leaned against the wall. He folded his arms over his chest and ignored Iris when he glanced over his shoulder at him. His eyes roamed around the whole room, skipping smile to smile, eyeing drinks that swished in wine glasses, and cringed at a few laughing voices. He was so caught up in the scenes he almost didn't noticed two smiling faces rushing up to Iris.

"Happy birthday!" A male threw his arms around Iris, who returned the hug with a small chuckle. The boy was the same size as Iris, a little skinnier, and had his hair combed back.

"Thanks, Cedric." When he let go of the other prince, the girl waiting beside him gave him a tighter hug.

"Still not interested?" She mused while sending him a wink. Iris shook his head and sat back down.

"Sorry. It's not going to happen." When Iris noticed them staring at Kai, he turned in his chair and gestured towards the blank faced vampire.

"Oh, this is Kai, he's my body guard."

Bree, Cedric's sister, gasped and smiled at Kai.

"Wow! You have a body guard?! That's so cool," She bit her lip before ducking her head, "He's cute."

Iris and Kai simultaneously raise their eyebrows at her and Cedric rolled his eyes.

"She's already had a few drinks," He informed and Iris shook his head with a tired smile. "From what happened last year, a body guard makes sense." Cedric said while glancing up at Kai.

Once they engaged in a conversation they didn't pay any more mind to Kai.

The music was festive and people danced with their arms linked around their partners. They laughed and cheered and occasionally greeted the prince with wide smiles. He politely thanked them, the discomfort obvious in his expression, but thankfully he wasn't overwhelmed by the company.

He stayed with Cedric and Bree the whole time. They kept shoving beverages in front of him and encouraged him to drink. He refused several times until finally he gave in. Iris didn't drink, so it didn't take long for the strong wine intoxicated his system. He was the opposite personality drunk, no doubt. He snorted and laughed at nothing and smiled so widely he complained that his face hurt.

He talked and talked and talked to Kai when he pulled him through the crowd to exit the ball room. Most of the guests were starting to spill out and find their rooms in the mansion, so Arlo told Kai to take Iris to his. Iris complained at first but eventually agreed.

"You should smile more often," Iris poked Kai's cheek while they walked. Iris was so wobbly and uncoordinated on his feet he rested his body completely on Kai's. Their feet would hit each other occasionally and their shoulders were glued together.

"I'll take that into consideration, thanks, sir."

Iris sighed and looked down at his hand that was clutched in Kai's. "Hey, Kai?"

"Yes?"

"Why didn't you drink?"

"Because I can't and I had to watch you."

"You were watching me."

"I know."

"Kai."

"Yes?"

"Why did you let me drink?" Iris's voice was strained and tired and he clutched his stomach. His vision blurred and the floor waved underneath his feet.

Kai glanced down at him then back ahead, "It was your fault for saying yes to that boy."

"Boy? Oh, Cedric? It would've been rude to say no."

"Sir, you said no ten times before saying yes. That's not a very good excuse."

Iris was silent for a moment.

"You got me!" He stumbled more into Kai and laughed.

Kai did think that the prince should smile more often and maybe laugh. But he was acting just like a five year-old, Kai didn't know if his desire was met or not. He pushed Iris off him when they got to his bed and Iris flopped on his back with a chuckle.

He leaned up on his elbows and gazed at Kai with something unreadable in his eyes. Or something unfamiliar. He was smiling but it was dull with happiness and held more of a mischievous but lazy emotion.

"What?" Kai asked when all Iris did was look him up and down.

"Can you help me with my clothes?"

Kai watched the prince push himself up into a sitting position and he backed away before he said yes.

"No."

Iris expressed a long blink and when he opened his eyes his guard was nowhere in sight. He giggled and threw himself back down on the bed.

The whole room spun and he felt sick to his stomach, but he didn't feel like getting up. Subconsciously, he knew his head was going to be raging tomorrow and his memories would be so faded he wouldn't be able to recall a single moment.

Iris kicked off his shoes and shrug off his coat, not bothering to change before diving under the covers and forcing himself into a restless slumber.

††

"That bad, huh?" Arlo chuckled at his son as he set another mug of hot tea in front of him.

Iris grumbled under his breath and took the tea in his hands. The warmth made his skin tingle and the taste calmed his mind.

He didn't wake up until twelve, which was probably the latest he's ever slept, and he was right; his head pounded mercilessly. His stomach was in knots and he was sick right after he woke up. He showered and threw on the most comfortable yet professional clothes he could find.

"I don't ever want to drink again."

Arlo shook his head and patted Iris's shoulder.

"Well, at least you enjoyed yourself. I have a meeting to get to so you'll be by yourself for a while. Well, not all by yourself, but your mother and I won't be here."

"That's fine," Iris took a sip of his tea, "have fun."

Arlo ruffled his son's hair before nodding at Kai as he left the dining room. Once he left, Kai immediately went to go sit down next to Iris.

The curtains were slightly see through so the sun was like a shadow in the dining room. It didn't bother Kai, so he sat comfortably at the table. It amused him how polor opposite drunk Iris was from sober Iris. He had his normal frown on his face and stoop shoulder posture, he only ever stood straight and professional around his dad. And every second Kai gazed at Iris he heard his phantom laughter.

Iris sighed as he rubbed his temple, "I'm sorry if I did anything stupid last night," He mumbled and glanced at Kai, "did I do anything stupid?"

Kai smiled reassuringly at him, "Define stupid, sir."

"Oh," Iris groaned which made Kai chuckle.

"No, you didn't do anything stupid. Out of character, definitely, but nothing stupid."

"Okay, that makes better feel better."

Kai looked at Iris a moment longer before standing up. He pushed his chair in and smiled at the prince when he looked up.

"Well, when you start feeling physically better, then we can get started."

"What are we doing?"

"You're going to start training."