Chapter Mood Song Inspiration: Home - Good Neighbours

Rhae woke up late for once, an unusual event. What woke him was the bedroom door slamming shut. The sudden loud sound set him flying up from his sleep, his hand darting to the empty spot beside him on the bed. When a frustrated sigh came from near the door, it was only then that Rhae relaxed.

"Why are you awake so early, love? Come back to bed." Rhae called out to Kaisan, who angrily yanked the cravat off, tossing it onto the wingback chair near the fireplace. 

"Family meeting," Kai clicked his tongue in annoyance, violently shaking off his dress jacket.

"This early?" Rhae asked, confused, as he swung his feet off the bed to get up. Kaisan threw his hand up to stop him.

"Stay there, I'll come to you," he tiredly replied as he kicked off his shoes. He stumbled towards the bed where Rhae waited with his arms outstretched. Kaisan smiled and fell forward on top of Rhae, who chuckled as they both plopped backwards on the bed. "That damn family meeting."

"It's usually a lunch affair for you. Did your father mean to call you this early?" Rhae asked, using his hand to pat Kai's back to soothe him. 

"Today is the Royal Hunt. That damn hunting contest can go screw itself," Kaisan groaned, burying his head into Rhae's shoulder as he wrapped his arms around his neck.

"Do you dislike hunting? With how athletic you are, I assumed you were talented in the sport."

"I am. That's one of the issues." Kai sighed deeply, his breath tickling Rhae's neck. "I am expected to participate fully and to get a score worthy of our family name - preferably as one of the top five contestants."

"That's… quite a difficult goal. Your old man has high expectations of you," Rhae replied, brows furrowed. "Is it achievable?"

"I am honestly unsure. We have had such a huge turnout this year for the foundation events. The competition is massive. I just wanted to take it easy this year before I got shipped off to who knows where to increase that dreaded man's personal coffers." He mumbled. Rhae rolled them both onto their sides so they could face each other. Kaisan curled up as tight as he could. "There's a difference between doing something I enjoy well and being forced to do something to look like a better product for sale. I hate this place."

As much as Rhae wanted to tell his lover he was happy to be here where he met him, he knew that was not as comforting as one would assume. All he could do was plan out a future where he could convince that power-hungry father to hand over his high-valued son to him. 

"Well, it's either participating in the hunting festival or stealing the spotlight from your cousin at the ladies' tea gathering," Rhae chuckled, leaning forward to kiss Kaisan's forehead. Kai looked up from his huddled position just in time for his nose to get nibbled on, which left him in a state of confusion and shock. "It would be quite a sight to see you compete with your cousin if you could lead high society. Shall we call the dressmaker?"

"I can feel your smug expression with my eyes closed," Kai grumbled. "You just want to paint me in something pretty."

"Oh dear, you don't need to wear anything at all for me to paint something pretty," Rhae replied with a matter-of-fact voice. "You can use my eyes as a mirror tonight and watch what a pretty little mess I'll turn you into."

Kaisan's entire face down to his collarbone turned red. Sitting up at lightning speed, he grabbed his pillow and smacked Rhae with it. A knock sounded at the door as he was going for a second strike.

"I called for breakfast on my way," Kaisan stated, exiting off the top of Rhae and the bed and heading to the door. "Let's eat and blow some steam with a few rounds of croquet."

"You're so shy in the bedroom. It's so different from when you're out playing sports when it's the only time I get to see you so assertive."

"Do you want my hand over your mouth instead?" Kaisan gasped, holding the door open for the servant to push in the food trays, who hurried in with his own blushed expression. "For the love of the goddess, get some clothes on."

Rhae chuckled, sliding on his robe as he discounted the bed and leaned over the bedside table to wash his face. Kaisan finished setting the food on the desk - still at the end of the bed, sitting himself down as the servant poured his coffee while Kai reached to look at some of the sketches Rhae had finished of him the day before.

"You made me too pretty. I know I'm more built than this. You should see the palace doctor for your eyesight before you leave," Kaisan mumbled, shifting through the papers. Rhae chuckled as he walked over, leaning in to peck Kai's cheek before sitting beside him.

"My eyesight is satisfactory, thank you very much. You're just not used to seeing yourself in such a light. And I know how 'built' you are. Look, the only one I started to paint with you on the bed - I captured your muscle mass quite well if I say so."

"But look at this one where I'm holding flowers while looking at the sky. I look like a boyish version of my cousin. I'm too round."

"You only know how you look when you purposely pose for masculine portraits or when you're sporting. No one looks that way all the time. You have soft moments, too - it's why I mistook you for a fae trying to take me away." Rhae joked. Kaisan scoffed, biting down on a scone. 

"Make sure to finish at least one of these," Kaisan put down three options Rahe had drawn where Kai was playing one of the many spots Rhae had witnessed. "I wish to hang one in my room. An original work by Lord Rheagal."

"Yes, anything for my love," Rhae smirked.

The late-morning croquet game was surprisingly turned into a highly competitive and fast-paced game by Kaisan. They managed to finish a few rounds in only an hour before Kai wiped the sweat from his brow with a satisfied smile and ran off to prepare for the royal hunt. Even as Rhae stopped in the main guest banquet hall for a food refuel, he didn't find the famous cousins either. 

With a bored expression, Rhae returned to his room to work on the sketch before the servants came to help him ready his gear for the event and guided him to the stables for the same horse he used previously during the polo match. Rhae followed behind with the horse as the servant led him to the hunting grounds on the far end of the playing fields at the forest's edge.

The event tents crowded the clearing and were already bustling with people. This wasn't surprising, as it was one of the most noble events during the festivities. A stage with a podium was already arranged for the winners who collected the highest point targets. 

Rhae glanced around, scanning the crowd and tents for his little angry fairy. With no luck, he handed his horse off to the guiding servant and made his way to the banquet tent. Sitting at an empty table, Rhae continued looking for familiar faces when a commotion was finally heard near the forest entrance. 

A larger group on horseback emerged, and near the front was the very person he was looking for. Dressed in crisp white, silver, and red official hunting attire, Kaisan rode on his white steed, and he seemed to be in discussion with one of the knight commanders. By pausing and pointing to the boundary line set by ribbons and flags, they were discussing official matters. 

Rhae decided to wait for Kaisan, using this chance to see him in a more serious atmosphere. It was definitely a strange feeling, especially since he seemed too well accustomed to directing palace personnel. He seemed to carry some official title that allowed him to interact with the knightage, but for his life, he couldn't guess what that position would be - so instead, he sat back and watched until his lover finally made his way to the tents. As Kaisan dismounted his horse and handed it to a stable squire, Rhae approached him.

"That's a new sexy look for you," Rhae commented, standing a few feet away as Kai adjusted his cuffs. He jumped, surprised, but gave his classic cheeky smile when their eyes met. 

"The uniform? It's one of my personal favourites. The few times I can wear something more masculine than my usual wardrobe that's been curated to match my appearance." Kaisan joked back, flashing a proud look. 

"Well, that as well. But seeing you command people with such a serious face light a new fire in me." Rhae leaned in and whispered.

"Shameless," Kaisan shook his head, clasping Rhae's hand and pulling him beside him. "It's time for the commencement ceremony before the hunt starts. Let's go."

FOOTNOTES:

1. Croquet: A simple, lazy turn-based lawn spot involving a wooden ball with a long-handled mallet through hoops called wickets. It can be played as an individual or as a team sport. Each player gets their own ball that must hit through all the wickets in the correct order, creating a complete loop/circuit. Think of it as a longer mini-golf course game.