So it was two days later that we were told to go on our first "date", which was just us getting coffee together. Hold hands and kiss at least once. Those were our rules.
The country was basically going crazy since the king decreed that gay marriage was legal. The story was that Thomas and I had been secret lovers for a while, and were finally able to go out in public. The fact that our wedding was in a few weeks wasn't surprising to people who believed this story. And most people did.
I hadn't spoken to Thomas since the other day when he stormed out, and let's just say I was feeling slightly awkward around him. I knew he didn't want me to get close to him, but that's pretty impossible if we are supposed to kiss.
We were standing by the door, waiting for the car to be brought around, and I decided I better break the silence, since he wasn't jumping at that job.
"So, are you going to be able to handle this?"
"What?" It's a good thing I'm not sensitive, because I could have gotten mad about how he snapped at me.
"You know, kissing and stuff. Didn't want you to run off and leave me with the check if I get to close to you."
"Don't worry about that."
"Okay, but o got to let you in on something. When we kiss, I'm going to have to get a lot closer to you then I was the other day. That's just how kissing works." There were several servants were standing around us, but none were close enough that they could hear.
Thomas seemed to remember something, and took a step closer to me. Suddenly, his arms were around me, and he was looking down into my eyes.
"I think I understand how kissing works. Thanks for your concern." He leaned down and kissed my cheek, putting on a show for the people around us. A show that meant nothing to him, but made my heart flutter in excitement. Damn, he was a good actor.
"Just don't forget to let them see your ring." The hard ring still felt strange against the finger it encircled. I'd have to get used to the feeling though.
He pulled away as soon as the car arrived, and let me into the back seat, before getting in himself.
The chauffeur pulled out of the driveway, and I looked around the expensive interior of the car. So this was where all my taxes were going.
There was a closed partition between us and the driver, so Thomas didn't feel the urge to sit close to me, or show any signs of affection.
He looked like he had a bad taste in his mouth. Asshole. It couldn't have been that bad! It wasn't even my mouth!
As soon as we pulled into the coffee shop, that completely changed though. The door opened, and suddenly my hand was in his, and he was leading me out and into the coffee shop.
The idea was that we would start with something small, like coffee, and work our way up to an actual dinner date.
Apparently some of the media knew about our date, and where waiting with cameras outside the shop. Thomas pulled me closer with one arm, and pushed through the crowd. I brought my left hand up to cover my eyes from the flashes of light, and to discreetly show my ring to the world. Security guards swarmed around us, and I couldn't help but think that this was a big deal for two people getting coffee.
The door opened, and the smell of coffee washed over me, instantly calming any anxiety I felt from walking through the crowd. The atmosphere in the shop was warm and soothing, and most of all, it was quiet. None of the cameras were allowed inside. They still watched from directly outside though.
Thomas' arm around me felt warm and safe, and I couldn't help but enjoy the feeling, even if I knew it meant nothing to him.
Several people were in line ahead of us, so we took our place in the line.
"Turn around." Thomas whispered in my ear, and I turned in his embrace, wrapping my arms around his waist. I felt him tense slightly, but he brushed it off with a smile.
"Remember that kissing thing you were talking about?" His face was close to mine, and I could feel his breath on my face. Fortunately it didn't smell bad. I kind of wondered what mine smelt like. "I think I can handle it. The question is, can you?"
Before I could answer, he closed the distance between us, and crashed his lips into mine. Now, I was expecting a gentle peck or something, but this was entirely different. His lips moved against mine, and his hand came up to cup my face.
He pulled away after a few more seconds, a triumphant look in his eyes. I was speechless and he knew it.
"You can move forward in line now." He whispered, an amused smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. It was hard to tell if his smile was real, or for the cameras, but it was dazzling nonetheless.
I took a deep breath, and turned around, stepping closer to the cashier who had recognized Thomas as soon as we came in, and looked anxious to help us, not the customer in front of her.
Thomas kept his arms wrapped around me from behind, and I could feel his heart beating against my back. I never realized someone who obviously hated being near men could act this...protective and loving.
We ordered, and the cashier flirted with Thomas the entire time. I'm not embarrassed to say that I felt a little jealous. I had it bad for this guy who I barely knew.
After our drinks were ready, I followed him to a booth near the back. It was still visible to the other customers and the people with cameras outside. Perfect.
He sat across from me, my hand held loosely on his.
"How did you get to be such a good actor?" His dark eyes met mine, and I could tell he was trying not to smile. Well, at least he wasn't a total tightwad.
"I guess growing up as a prince, you learn how to act how people want you to. It's required that I make this look real, so real it will look." I took a drink of my coffee to avoid having to answer.
"So, Elliot said you lived with your sister and mom. How are they?" I could tell that he wasn't comfortable with our joined hands, but he was doing his best to actually start a conversation with me, and get to know me, and for that I was thankful,
"Yes, I did. I called them yesterday, and they were doing good. They can come before the wedding, right? You know, just to be there with me."
"Of course! They can come as soon as you want. I understand that it's probably pretty strange for you to suddenly be living in the castle. And sorry that I've been avoiding you the last few days. I should be helping you adjust to palace life."
"You know, you really confuse me sometimes. First you act like even being near me is disgusting, and now you are all concerned with if I feel comfortable in the palace." His eyes fell, and he cleared his throat nervously.
"I'm not trying to make you feel disgusting. I'm just...I'm getting used to being okay with all this." He gestured to our hands, but I knew he was talking about gay couples as a group. "I know it's me who needs to change, but I'm sorry if it takes me a while. All my younger years, I was told how wrong this was, and now.." he laughed bitterly. "And now, I'm marrying another man."
"I think I understand, and at least you are willing to try and change."
"I'm not saying that I will ever feel for you in that way, but I am saying that I...I will try to be more open to accepting gay people. Especially you and Elliot. I have to admit that I've been pretty hard on him." He drank his coffee, and smiled, remembering that the cameras were watching our whole interaction.
"You aren't as much of an asshole as everyone makes you out to be." He chocked on his coffee, and had to drink more quickly to stop his coughing. When he finally stopped coughing, he looked at me with tears eyes, and an amused grin.
"Wow! Thanks. Would you tell Raymond that? He basically thinks that I'm the worst thing that ever happened to this world."
"Will do." I chuckled. "But do you guys ever get along? It seems a little intense sometimes." He shrugged.
"All of our lives, we've been compared to each other and pitted against each other. It just comes natural now. I've always tried to be better than him, and I guess that makes our interactions a little...how did you put it? Intense?"
"And you are okay with that?" He reflected for a minute, his dark eyes deep in thought.
"It's just how it's always been. Being the youngest out of the first three boys, I was always under pressure to be as good as them." I couldn't imagine my parents putting me up against my own bothers. I mean, I didn't have any brothers, but if I did, I couldn't imagine it. The pressure to do everything perfectly must weigh in him constantly.
"But have you guys ever gotten along. Why does he seem like he doesn't like you much?"
"You notice a lot in a short amount of time." He muttered ruefully. "I'm afraid that's my fault. I...I haven't made it very easy on Elliot, and Raymond hasn't taken too kindly to that. He's basically Elliot's protector." He looked down at the coffee cup in his hand.
"It's not too late to make things right with Elliot you know." He kept looking at his cup.
"I guess. I just need time to figure this all out. But for now," he lifted his head, and flashed me a smile. "We need to act like a happy couple."
And with that, he leaned forward and kissed me again.
I hoped to god that he felt just a little of what I felt when he kissed me.