"Well," Sage said from behind the changing wall. "It's an ancient tradition to host this event and at midnight, we all snip off a Devil's Ivy leaf that's growing around the palace and put it in our hair. It's sort of like an appreciation for the plant that we base our symbols on..." Sage suddenly stepped from behind the wall. "Maybe it's an ancient tradition to celebrate your protection, but overtime that's changed because your kind became only stories!"
Taro's eyes were flickering against the orange flames in the fireplace. "I think you're right. And I bet back in the ancient times, our kind were invited to the event."
"You probably were." Sage felt a little sad at the thought. "I wish there was a way to revive this ancient agreement. It's not fair that you have to live in secret."
"That's a thought too big right now. I guess I am invited to that event, and I'm invited to protect you, that's going back to my roots. My mum would be happy."
Sage pulled on smart black trousers and waited for his belt. "When did you last see your mum?" he asked.
"I've snuck out to see her a few times in the night- before I got the guard role." Taro stood behind him, and instead of looping the belt through the front, he looped it through the back and leant into Sage, watching him in the mirror.
Sage blushed when Taro rested his head on his shoulder, close to the crook of his neck. Taro fastened the belt, but let his fingers linger. "Don't worry, the door is locked, and your curtains are drawn."
Sage tried to relax, until Taro touched his stomach and let his knuckles grace along his warm skin. "I want to give you something," Taro whispered against his neck, "like how you gave me something." His eyes had changed, they were deep and full of passion.
Sage gulped from his hot breath. "What is it?" he asked sheepishly.
"It's a kiss of gratitude for my Prince," Taro replied and pulled Sage's head until his cheek tilted against Taro's lips.
Sage watched his green eyes flutter closed in the mirror. He wanted to close his eyes too, but could he really let his guard down that much? What are you afraid of? I'm afraid of getting caught, I'm afraid of letting my feelings in. But Taro wasn't afraid. He was letting his feelings rule his actions because he liked Sage. He deserves the same attention.
Sage tried to calm down. He leaned his back into Taro's chest and turned his head to lock eyes. "Thank you," he whispered, staring deeply into Taro's dilated pupils.
"I have more to give," Taro replied just as softly. His eyes dropped to Sage's lips. "If you want it now."
Sage did want it, he really, really wanted it. In a room that was locked, and private, and closed off from the rest of the world, he had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Taro respected him enough to keep everything in private, and when they were alone, he liked Sage enough to always show it. He made Sage feel good in every outfit, even his gardening ones. He made Sage smile even when he had a heavy mind. He made Sage stand tall in a world that only wanted him to shrink. Taro was the reason that Sage got through his days with such ease. He would have lost his mind to refuse such an offer.
"I want it."
Taro's eyes then glued to his lips, and his face moved closer. "Really?"
To show him that he did, Sage moved closer too and their lips finally met. Sage had tried to imagine what the moment would feel like. He had tried to guess whether his first kiss with another man would feel strange, or awkward, or comforting.
Their kiss was a mixture of all the emotions he could imagine. Sage stopped himself from pulling away the second their lips touched. I'm kissing another man! His heart exploded. Relax, relax, relax...
Sage closed his eyes, so he stopped staring at Taro's closed lids and started feeling his hands that slowly coiled his lower waist. Then he felt his lips move against his own and his body burst with pleasure. Sage's hands grabbed Taro's shoulders, and their lips moved together again.
His white-water mind levelled into a small flowing stream. Sage travelled down it, down and down and down- until Taro separated their lips. Neither of them opened their eyes. They breathed into each other until their thoughts surfaced and they once again heard the crackling fire in Sage's bedroom.
Sage opened his eyes, and Taro was already staring as though he was looking at something beautiful. He lowered his gaze to his hands that were gripping Taro's shoulders.
Taro smiled and gently pushed their foreheads together. His fingers embedded into the back of Sage's hair. His thumbs rubbed his jaw, their chests still crushed together, and Sage's lips tingled.
Then, in one sudden moment, the panic crashed onto Sage as though the ceiling had caved. Oh my god, we just kissed! Oh my god, oh my GOD! "Oh my god!" he said aloud and stood back. He covered his mouth with wide eyes. "Taro, I can't believe we did that! How am I supposed to focus on the event after this?"
Taro's smile shaped into a big grin. "And how am I supposed to do my guarding duties after this?"
Together, their disbelieving scoffs turned to laughter. Sage's mind was levitating high into another world, a world where he could finally see his future, one with Taro Vinea.
"Let's get you dressed," Taro said before Sage could vomit his words. Of course, Taro buttoned his shirt up from the bottom, but Sage allowed it because he liked it, he had always liked it.
He got dressed in a daze and brought out of it when Taro clasped hands around his forearms. He dragged Sage to the mirror to show him his party outfit. Sage wore black shoes with silver linings, black trousers, a silver shirt with a black velvet waistcoat, and a black blazer with a silver stitching. He wore diamond cufflinks that glittered whenever he moved his hands.
His hair was curled to perfection, and when his cologne was sprayed around him, he felt good.
"This is the man I've just kissed," Taro said, looking Sage up and down. "I am one lucky plant."
Sage could barely believe what was happening. We kissed. We actually kissed. "It's not too much?" he asked, tugging on his waistcoat.
"Of course not, you're attending the biggest event of the year, in a Palace, and you're a Prince, you look perfect. I think you'll turn more heads than the Queen. I certainly won't be able to keep my eyes off you."
Sage felt confident, and maybe even a little eager to start the party. He inhaled and exhaled as calmly as he could, "Okay," he breathed, trying to get the kiss out of his head, "I need that alcoholic drink now."
Taro ordered him one, and it came within five minutes. Sage paced, and drank, and kept his hazel eyes on the man he had kissed only fifteen minutes ago. "I suppose I should go and greet the guests." He approached the bedroom door with an odd feeling in the air. Before he could leave, Taro grabbed him, spun him around, and pushed him against the carved wood.
"Just so you know," Taro said into his ear. "You look really hot in that waistcoat."
Sage was instantly flustered. Halfway through a flattered smile, he suddenly remembered Taro's uniform. "Oh!" He pulled away from Taro and grabbed a purple blazer from the cupboard by the door. "Here, your formal uniform for a formal event." Taro wore it slowly circled him to show it off. "It fits you very well."
Taro closed the button and moved his arms around, nodding. "Yes, I can punch someone in this."
Sage shook his head and unlocked the door. "Let's hope you won't have to do that tonight."
"Well, with Oxley in charge of the alcohol, you'll have to do a lot of hoping."
They shared a knowing glance. Sage sighed and tugged at the bottom of his blazer sleeves. "Tonight's party can either go two ways... I'm sober and hate every second, or I'm drunk and still hate every second."
"It'll be over before you know it, just work the room and keep busy. Is there any way that you can leave early?"
"No," Sage said as they walked the hallways together. "I'll have to stay to say goodbye to the guests."
On the ground floor, Sage fell into stride with Oxley, who's stride stumbled with every step. Sage grabbed his brother's arm. His previously gleaming eyes were now dark with disapproval. "Are you drunk?"
"Of course, I am," Oxley slurred. "I've been tasting my cocktail since noon."
Sage pinched the bridge of his nose. "For heaven's sake, why are you like this?" He dragged him down the corridor with a scowl. His father stood by the grand doorway to a grand hall, wearing a suit of gold and blue that matched his cold blue eyes. "Dad," Sage muttered and shoved his brother into him. "He needs to sober up."
"Oxley," Haliver grumbled, looking around before ushering him to the bar by the left. A few guests had arrived and were standing in clumps with drinks and glittering outfits with jewellery that sparkled against the humongous chandelier. Nobody paid Oxley any attention, yet they had already spotted Sage lingering in the doorway.
Sage smoothed down his waistcoat as Taro approached his side. At the same time, they entered the party and for a moment, it felt like they had entered as guests, both Taro and him, together at a family event.
But the moment eyes turned to them, Taro had to stand with the other guards. A dark cloud loomed over Sage. He wanted nothing more than to grab Taro's hand and introduce him to all his family.
Oh god, sage thought, looking around at all the familiar faces. Am I falling for him? I think I am. He turned back for one more glance. Taro was watching with those dazzling green eyes and a hint of a smirk. I definitely am.
With the courage from the memory of their kiss, he faced the guests, ready to entertain, but instead, there was only one face in his view, a face he had hoped to avoid.
"Sage!" Lady Liniana said with a beaming smile as she pulled him into a hug.