Chapter XXIX Happily, Royally, After

Chapter 29 Happily, Royally, After

Caleb

Loving Jason that night may have been one of the best things Caleb ever decided on. Not only did it help them get through the night, but it felt as though they'd been brought closer together. From the very moment Caleb entered Jason, though Jason's face screwed up in discomfort, Caleb managed to lock eyes with him. Jason was his, and he was Jason's. The feeling of possession was alien to Caleb, but man did it feel good.

They managed to pull off another round, save a few awkward moments in varying positions, and the second time was just as blissful as the first round. If not more so.

Caleb took it upon himself, something of a smug smile, anytime he caught Jason's cheeks heat up when they looked at each other. This happened more so when Jason caught Caleb looking at him. Silent suggestions that there was a promise of more moments like this for them in the future. Caleb would do it again and again and again, until their hearts burst of joy so great... well he had no idea how to put an epic ending to that sentence.

Either way, he would be willing to do it again with Jason. Even though Jason was another guy, something Caleb would have gotten very uncomfortable with if someone told him last summer that he would get with another guy, and to like it. Well Caleb more than just liked it. He loved it. And he starting to realize, he may have fallen more in love with Jason.

As if that were possible!

Love. It hurt. That's what Caleb found himself feeling since that night, but speaking of that night, Jason had woken up with a start. They'd been lying in each other's arms after the third round, each round easier than the last for Jason. Since they were so close, wearing nothing at all and limbs tangled for miles, Caleb felt Jason's heart flutter wildly before opening his eyes. Caleb had only been watching Jason's peaceful face for only fifteen seconds. Not that he was counting.

Eyes fluttered followed by the heart, causing Caleb's own heart to flutter with his. This was the first time Caleb experienced the first real sting of love for the first time. Where there any small thought of harm, that could harm Jason in any way, caused pain to Caleb. Life with Caleb wasn't going to be easy, even with the promise of true love. There were many things Jason was due to go through. Like reclaiming his lands (if he had any left), dealing with the paparazzi and other things Caleb couldn't be there for. Since they were engaged, couldn't he be there? More so?

Caleb would love nothing more, than to be with Jason every second of the day. It hurt thinking they were going to have to part ways in the near future. Caleb was already driving himself crazy even thinking about what, how/what Jason would be doing when they were apart. It all happened in those fifteen seconds.

So when Jason finally woke up, all the way, Caleb found himself making a shushing like gesture. Calming Jason would in turn, calm him down too. The world was harsh and could be a very judgmental place. Surely, everyone had to face it, in any dose, but if Caleb could be there, by Jason's side. It wouldn't be so hard anymore.

So to hell with the paparazzi. Caleb would face them all and officially get over his fear if meant he could stay by Jason's side a bit longer.

"What time is it?" Jason might have sat up but since their limbs were still tangled, it was less than half an attempt.

"Almost morning." Caleb responded in a calm voice. In all honestly, the sun had already risen, but Caleb was willing to watch a sleeping Jason. Something about watching his peaceful face, cradled between his arms brought him serenity.

"Seriously Caleb," Jason's muscles stiffened, sadly not the one between his legs because Caleb found himself willing to go another round. To use his body, with Jason's, to help Jason to feel good, all over again. Caleb would sell his soul to watch Jason's break apart before him, over and over again. He was able to witness Jason let his guard down completely. Unfortunately, Jason was not relaxing, "I need to know what time it is because my mom might be getting up for work."

That got Caleb moving. It took some work, some elbows and knees were twisted into some awkward ways. They managed, and Caleb was reaching for the floor, for his pants, for something, anything. Since Jason was doing a lot of moving himself, this caused the bed to shake a little and that almost caused Caleb to topple over. He managed to find his watch halfway under the bed, under Jason's pajama pants. Was it wrong to want something of Jason's to bring home with him? Would he mind? All Caleb wanted was something to cuddle up with at night if he couldn't have Jason nearby, at all times.

They could sneak kisses at every available opportunity...

Caleb shivered at the small thought. Suddenly the thought of kissing Jason sent his stomach into flip flops. He could/would kiss Jason for as much as Jason would allow it. His own lips suddenly felt chapped, as if thirsty for more of Jason's lips.

"Oh crap," Jason was on the other side of the room holding what looked like small rectangular box in both hands, "we're right on time." Caleb's boxers were suddenly on the floor. Meaning Caleb must have thrown them over the clock sometime in the past few hours.

"Is that a good thing?" Caleb felt sick. They were going to have to part ways, sooner than he would have liked. If it meant getting shrieked at by Jason's mother, he would take it. The next words out of his mouth were risky. Very risky but Caleb couldn't stop himself even before the words were out. "I don't want to leave you." This caused Jason to turn his head, eyes the usual soft brown turned dark, hypnotized. "Ever." Caleb threw in for good measure.

Jason didn't say anything right away. His eyes still looked hypnotized, and Caleb started to feel his own grow heavy, matching Jason's.

Why did love hurt so much? Why didn't anyone warn him of this?

"Having to go our own separate ways," Jason finally managed to say. "Even for a short while, shouldn't hurt this much. Why does it hurt?"

"Jason? Are you up?"

Uh oh.

Jason's hands both made a fluttering like motion. Caleb mind was still frozen, or it was slower than it needed to be. He was going to have to hide. The footsteps from the hallway outside of Jason's bedroom door were getting closer. Heels were clicking at an almost tip toe motion.

"School isn't for another couple of hours." She was right outside the front door. "When are you ever up this early?"

Caleb dove for under the bed and he managed to take every amount of clothing, save his boxers by Jason. It looked so easy in movies and TV shows, in reality, getting himself under the bed took a lot more work. There was a lot of maneuvering, shimming, pushing, pulling and light grunts. Jason wasn't as organized as he appeared to be. He had a lot of clothes and childhood toys under the bed that had to be pushed away. Caleb shoved both his clothes and Jason's clothes over his body, his groin specifically.

"Hold up mom I'm naked!" Boy he wasn't kidding.

Though Caleb couldn't get another look at Jason's tush, he had several flashbacks of how it felt in his hands, both hands if he recalled. Jason's mom paused at the door.

"You're still up awfully early." The voice came from the other side of the door and sounding highly suspicious. "Are you really that excited about seeing Caleb at school? If that's the case then I wish you two could have met sooner."

Since Caleb had long legs, hiding in this position wasn't easy. He hoped he could at least get out from under the bed in a few seconds.

"I-I know!"

Caleb couldn't exactly see what Jason was doing but there was a lot of walking this way and that.

"What's got you so zipped up?" Why was she suddenly being so nosey? "Was it last night?" Aw man! She had no idea! "Sweety you really are excited to see Caleb?"

Caleb smiled, a dirty thought forming in his mind but he kept his mouth shut.

Caleb had to send a text message to Mr. Bateman, after all, he would need transportation to get home. He was glad he had his phone on silent when he got the reply. Mr. Bateman simply said he hoped Caleb wouldn't make this into a habit and Caleb told him he would make no such promise. Mr. Bateman responded a full minute later that he appreciated his honesty and that he was on his way.

Meanwhile, Jason's mom kept throwing insistent questions through the door until Jason opened it. They held an awkward mother and son conversation for another couple of minutes. Jason was wrapped up in a towel. At least that's what Caleb thought until, "Where did you get those?"

"Oh these? I got a little money from Caleb a couple days ago. Remember when I complained..." Caleb had to use both hands to cover his face to keep from laughing out loud. Jason was wearing his boxers. His! More proof that he was his.

The conversation got even more awkward when Jason's mom mentioned that those boxers seemed awfully big on him. Caleb would have died on the spot if this conversation happened between him and his own mother. Instead, Caleb's smile got wider. He would take that as a compliment, but it would be better hearing it from Jason instead.

Two days later... Stockholm, Sweden

The Parliament was about to make their final decision. Would Caleb be able to rule with Jason by his side? Or would he have to step down? He found himself worrying again, about what the family would think, but he did have one concern, his younger brother. How much did the kid know about Caleb? Had anyone bothered to explain? Would he understand?

Caleb ignored the looks Jason kept throwing his way during the whole trip. They took a private flight. Caleb, Jason, the Queen herself and Jason's mom. They slept in separate rooms after that. In fact, Caleb was doing everything his power to avoid being alone with him for the time being. The look alone already suggested enough, and Caleb felt a strong desire to contradict himself. He was not about to let Jason go. Not if he could help it. Running a country, despite his love for it, came second. He knew he was being selfish, but there was always a chance.

Would he be alright with his little brother taking his place?

Not like he never got to ask him. Between traveling to different countries and the millions of other things that happened since he first arrived in America, it all became a blur. Meeting Jason... changed his whole life. Despite his age—their ages, he just knew this was the real deal. Words could never express what he felt, only experience would.

The whole family was present including His Royal Highness Constantine who remained standing in the front rows looking as polished as ever, a cain before him, under his hands. Jonas of Prince of Nassau, Duke of Vianden, of the Royal House of Luxembourg was seated right next to him wearing an expression of open curiosity. Even Timotheus von Kaiser-Habsburg, Duke of Eschen was present. All his friends, the very same group of guys he grew up with, were all there. Caleb felt his heart swell momentarily. Like having a whole army of people for him.

Caleb had to take his place behind his parents. Samantha, Augustus and Viktor were right behind him. Jason stayed by his side as they rode by horse. Since Jason wasn't officially a Prince/King/whatever he would become, just yet so he wasn't dressed in any regalia like the rest of them were.

Nicklaus, Caitlin, Zoey, Karrishea and Jasper were seen near the back. Jason's mom, alongside the Principle and other people from school were there too. There were a lot of people, silently standing there, eyes either on Caleb, Jason or towards the front. Whatever would come, would come.

After all the royal announcements were made to each arrival. Everyone was finally able to sit.

Caleb tried to listen to the words of introduction, but his mind and heart were racing. He couldn't recall a time when he'd been this nervous. No wait, he could remember feeling this anxious the very first day of school in America. The day he first met Jason.

He needed to wipe the creepy smile from his face, even though it was hard not to smile at the memory of Jason looking as flustered as he did when they first met. Jason's backpack split wide open that all his books tumbled out at the same time. It was hard convincing Jason after the millions of things that happened after, to get a new, more improved backpack. Caleb might have went a little overboard with the material, but it was worth seeing Jason look at it in his hands, red cheeked.

"Not that I see any problem. The boy could grow into the role."

Ah, the day Caleb accidentally clobbered Jason on that first day of school. He thought Nicklaus, his best friend was his boyfriend. Then to see his so called boyfriend not only act like he didn't have a care in the world, but appeared to be cheating on Jason. Caleb felt he needed to defend Jason's honor but ultimately paid the price for it. The wrath of Caitlin, Jason's other best friend. It took days, almost a week for Caleb to be able to wrap his mind around what happened. It wasn't like best friends acted like lovers. Not where Caleb came from. Just the thought of getting close to either Constantine, Jonas or Tim made his stomach sick.

"I can't see why not either? They have what it takes. Times really are changing."

"It goes against tradition. How can one carry on-"

"There is a thing called adoption."

"But it's not the same!"

"There are other ruling families who would be willing to step forward."

Then there was that first date. Caleb never felt like he ever had to be romantic before, until he met Jason, and he really wanted to impress him. It was a beautiful day in San Francisco. Not a day Caleb would ever forget.

"Again! I mean no disrespect your Royal Highnesses but the rest of the world hasn't evolved enough. They'd take us as a joke! No, no I'm not what you would call... homophobic."

Caleb almost stood up in a violent like motion but a hand strong as steel clamped down on his shoulder. His father continued to face forward while he felt his mother throw a slightly worried glance his way.

The Parliament members were arguing, debating, whatever. The moment of what Caleb (and Jason's) future would hold. Not to mention Viktor since he was next in line for the throne. Since Augustus already declined, then Samantha, it fell to Caleb, now it might fall to Viktor.

The next Parliament member who spoke re-clarified that point.

On and on they went. Waiting for someone to settle on an agreement. If Caleb could keep his place, or not.

The question came if Caleb would be willing to keep his place but it would require an arranged marriage. Gay marriage was indeed legal, a King could have a male consort, it may have happened once or twice, but none of that was good enough for everyone to agree on. Especially the fact that Caleb would still have to marry, a woman. There was no way Caleb was going to have anyone in his life that wasn't Jason! Caleb felt sick but luckily everything stayed in his stomach instead of all over the place. Caleb had an answer ready for that but before they could, talk swayed over to Viktor if he would be willing to step up. It was a lot to put on a kid so young but then again, Augustus endured it.

Then again that was Augustus. The King of secrets. Caleb never got a chance to talk to his older brother. To meet the woman of his dreams. Not that they were ever close to begin with.

Viktor had to take a stand and even though Caleb knew he had his own little army along with Jason's, but who did little Viktor have? Caleb wanted to make a move, to tell Viktor that it was his choice. He was going to have his back no matter what and he would never take his choice personally. Instead, it was the Queen who was closest to him who bent over his ear. Viktor didn't nod or shake his head. He simply listened to whatever she whispered. If Caleb could have a superpower, he'd wish for super hearing.

Since Caleb couldn't actively do anything, his father clamped a hand over his shoulder once more, he tried to tell his baby brother with his eyes, but Viktor never looked his way. Instead of being a little boy, he stood, proud, and on his own two feet, confident, everything Caleb wished he could be. It was amazing at how much that little boy grew into a man in a short span of time. Though they hadn't spoken in some time, Caleb was going to have to find a way to make it up to him.

The kid was only 14, but he appeared so much older. His voice carried well too. It was full of authority, sounding eerily like their father but not in the way that would make anyone feel small. "If my brother, Caleb Montgomery Alexander, Tre rutor af Slestad, cannot rule, then I decline. The rest of the world will simply have to take us seriously or better yet, learn from us as a country. Discrimination is not an option."

Caleb felt like he had to pick his jaw up from the floor, maybe he really shouldn't have declined, but then again, Caleb wouldn't have held it against his baby brother if he did step up, even though it was a lot to shoulder. Caleb knew this by experience but what came next was what really blew everyone away.

"If it is unfit for a man such as my brother to become King because of who he loves, then I am no different."

Caleb was amazed no one fainted but there was a little choking sound from somewhere in the back.

"I may only be fresh in my teens but like both of my brothers, I am also in love." Viktor continued.

"Who?" One of the Parliament members who Caleb couldn't see his face because his vision was too blurry with emotion. His baby brother just came out?! Sure he would love to know who, but there were a million other questions. Like when did this happen? How long has this been going on?

Caleb instead looked to his baby brother, who was more of a man than Caleb could ever be. So he felt. Viktor did something not even Caleb could have accomplished himself. It was hard admitting he was gay, bisexual, pansexual, whatever, just to himself. Yet here was a 14 year old boy who could stand proudly and admit it to a whole room like that, without blinking an eye.

Caleb had to blink, several times. There was too much debris in his eyes, clouding his vision. He would to jump up and at least congratulate Viktor. Sadly that was going to have to wait. At least until his future was decided.

No one said anything for a while. Viktor remained still as a statue, unflinching, staring straight ahead. "That is not something I would like to disclose at this time. I think for now, he would chose to remain anonymous. For the time being."

In the words of Caitlin, Jason's best friend, Oh. My. Gaga.

Caleb suddenly knew who it was.

Viktor sat back down, the whole room felt like it was holding its breath, as if waiting for another shoe to drop.

"Well this year certainly has been eventful." Someone in the Parliament said followed by a few appreciative chuckles. Caleb didn't see who it was, who said it. All he could do was stare at the empty space his brother once stood proudly at.

More debating took place and Caleb felt numb. All Caleb cared about, was a future with Jason, who happened to be sitting next to him, as his Fiancé. He would never change that title for the world. To have Jason as his Fiancé and be his Fiancé.

Then it was time for the King himself to speak. It was a bunch of words that bled together to Caleb. Caleb was still having a hard time focusing on it all. First there was Jason who came into his life. Augustus, his oldest sibling and brother who decided to give up his place in line for the crown for what he truly desired, be with what his heart wanted. Maybe they weren't that different after all. Then there was Samantha who adamantly declined from an arranged marriage, who was also supposed to be with Jason. As if that wasn't weird or creepy! But Samantha would have never allowed someone to have to make a choice she knew they wouldn't have wanted to take.

Caleb, thought, and he thought, and he thought. He ran through all the facts in his head over and over again. A busy mind kept him from freaking out to begin with. He wasn't shaking his leg, a thing he did when nervous or antsy. He remembered all the scolding he got every time he did it in the past.

"Then it's decided." He heard the words, then his eyes turned a familiar face. Hopeful. Almost. The eyes looked sad and Caleb made himself brace for the worst. Then again, the worst would be if Jason called off the engagement.

Which Jason was itching to get up to do.

But before he could stop him, Jason threw the words out there, causing Caleb to feel what felt like a million sharp objects pierce his heart all at the same time. "What if I called off the engagement? What then? Would he still have a chance?"

"Jason no!" Caleb was standing, hands grabbing at air. Not even in a moment like this, Caleb would NEVER put his hands on Jason, even if he meant well.

Caleb would never share another night with Jason. He would never have Jason as close as he did two nights ago. All those times they enjoyed the simple company of each other. No more laughing together. Talking late into the night. A future that suddenly pulled too far out of reach. It was like trying to grab clouds from the sky with his bare hands.

Caleb was falling, crashing, feeling every wicked flame lick every part of his body. He was going to go insane from the agony!

"You would do that?" The same familiar face with the sad eyes, the leader, the speaker of the Parliament itself. It was him who spoke. Caleb couldn't put a name with the face at the moment. His head was filled to the brim with chaos.

"Yes." Could Caleb have imagined it, or did his voice crack? Wave upon wave of agony crashed against him from in the inside. He couldn't speak but stand in an awkward crouch, fingers curled just as awkwardly as a much desired future, continued to pull further and further away from him.

Should he fight for him? Or let him go? Which would hurt the least? Taking Jason's choice away from him or never looking into his eyes again?

Caleb could only stare directly at Jason's side profile. He wasn't even sure if he was breathing. He knew there were people watching. He was barely holding it together but he wasn't sure if he would be able to hold it together much longer.

"You can't chose for me." The words finally came out. He knew he wasn't being sensible, acting like... like... not a Prince, but when he was with Jason, he was Caleb. Just a boy, growing into a full grown man. "You can't just up and make a choice for me." Jason appeared to flinch, eyes squeezing shut, cringing, not exactly away from Caleb. It was more like he was holding himself in once place. "I told you Jason. I chose you. I want nothing else. I don't care how ridiculous I sound saying this, but it's you or nothing at all. You are, my everything."

There were still many other things he wanted to say, wished to say, but he heard the familiar voice adjustment. Caleb couldn't bring himself to look away.

"Caleb! Compose yourself!" That was the Queen talking and he felt the years of obedience pickle at the back of his neck. He easily fought it off. If these truly were the last moments he could have, to at least look at Jason, he would take any consequence thrown his way in the aftermath.

Though it hurt, more than anything else hurt in his life before, he managed to look away, up towards the Parliament. He made sure to give each and every one of them direct eye contact.

"Will all due respect, if it means being stripped of my title so be it! I'll gladly stand here before you and make this decision easy for you. I have met the boy, no, the man of not only my dreams but my future! Losing him is losing my future. I will accept whatever you throw my way. Take my title, take everything I have. I can learn. I will learn. As long as I still have the option of having Jason by my side, then I will without a doubt become not only the richest man in the world but the happiest. How often is that anyone in the world meets the One? The One! I am not e- I feel it in my heart. It's real. It's the reason my heart pumps this blood through my veins. How often is it in this world... that we get a true- happy ending? I stand here before you not as Prince. Just Caleb. I am standing here before you as man in love.

"Jason Saint Laurent just so happens to be another man but the one I love."

Caleb felt like his legs were shaking. Any energy he had on reserve were now nearly used all the way up or they already were. He hand to hold himself up with bar placed horizontally in front of him. He wasn't going to break. If that meant holding it together, that would mean keeping Jason in his life, for the rest of their lives. So be it.

"It's decided then." Caleb met glacial eyes with glacial eyes, except the leader the Parliament had more of a muted blue. "Your title will remain the same. You are henceforth and always will be, His Royal Highness Caleb Montgomery Alexander Tre rutor af Slestad, Prince of Sweden."

But...?

"As much as it pains me to say this, the way the world currently is, the title of King will never be yours." They were harsh words but Caleb wasn't feeling its sting. Not yet but when it came, he would deal with it. Later. "I am... sorry. Truly, but it isn't up to only me."

Caleb felt whatever reserves he had left to hold him up drain him from being able to look up to meets the man's eyes.

"If you truly meant as you say, you standing here as a man in love, with who happens to be another man, then I see no reason to stand in your way of that. Nor would anyone in this room."

A breath that lasted for an eternity gushed out all at once. The weight of what felt like a dozen elephants standing on his shoulders suddenly felt lighter.

"That is..." he continued, "if your Fiancé would still have you." There was a look like, better you than me, but Caleb felt himself half turn, towards Jason.

Jason's eyes were wide and was shockingly standing in the same exact way Caleb was. Caleb didn't have it in him, not right now, not right at this very moment to say anything.

"I will."

Caleb sat. He could have easily threw himself into Jason's arms. Maybe hooted with joy, but he had NO energy to spare. Jason mirrored about all the same moves, but he seemed to have more strength to flop with more dignity. "I couldn't live with myself if it meant-"

With one finger, Caleb managed to shush him, "Later Jason. Later. Please." Jason's head first fell to Caleb's shoulder then fall to his chest which Caleb held, frailly. "Don't ever do that to me again you hearing me?"

Jason managed a small nod.

"So who the hell will rule next?" Another person of the Parliament said. Caleb felt too worn out now to bother looking for who said it, let alone spare any brain capacity to wander. He felt his head flop against the back of Jason's head.

"I will take my place as next Ruler of my family. That is... if you'll still have me?" Samantha was next to stand. The joke was there but the words were serious. All she would have to do was throw her puppy eyes. That usually won the King himself over to her side.

"But without an arranged marriage and with the Saint Laurent boy..."

"All due respect, we really do need to change things." The dignified young Princess said. Unlike Caleb in his current state but very much like the baby brother of the family, Viktor, she too stood proud. "A woman such as myself shouldn't have to rule with a man at her side. And just so we're clear, I would want to marry for love."

Umm?

"Oh and just so we're clear I like my men tall, dark and mysterious. Perhaps a better cook than I and would enjoy a good long walk on the beach. That about sums it up."

Wew! Caleb wasn't sure how many more shocks the parents or anyone else in the room could take.

There were several head turns, and just like before, a small vote was taken. Unlike with Caleb, his sister won in favor. She could rule without marriage. She would in turn become the next Queen of Sweden. Caleb would have loved to at least spare the energy to jump with a fist in the air, congratulate her, but he was having a hard time letting Jason go. Sure two Kings couldn't rule a country, but a woman could. That in itself was a step forward. A bold step.

With a Queen like Samantha, surely that time might come sooner than expected. For now, the world simply wasn't evolved enough. Caleb simply didn't have the energy to work on changing it himself, not when all he could think about, was having Jason at his side. So perhaps everything did work out for the better.

So once all was said and done, though the meeting wasn't yet finished. Feelings started to return, and once the dismissal was made...

Joy, that's what it felt like as Caleb rushed away from it all, hand clamped to Jason. It was Jason who loosened his hold and Caleb was already down the steps, looking back at Jason with questions evident in his eyes. Caleb was below the steps suddenly stopping, waiting, looking up at Jason. Jason didn't have to think twice. He ran down the steps and took Caleb's hand. They had won!

Caleb threaded his fingers through Jason's. They didn't care what the Parliament, what anyone thought, or that more than half the room was staring at them. They ran down the walkway instead of walking tall. Love wasn't about being proper or perfect, it was about living in blissful happiness. At least that was Caleb's theory.

Laughing together, they both ran through the door like they were already married. They had to run down more steps and across the street ignoring the honking horns when they finally came to rest before a grand water fountain.

Jason had to clutch his side while Caleb hunched over without letting go of Jason's hand, the other hand on his right knee.

"What happens now?" Jason managed to heave his final breaths before asking the question.

Caleb didn't answer right away, they were both high in adrenaline. So it took some time for him to answer. "We get married. It's what you want. Isn't it?"

Jason made an obvious palm to the forehead gesture. "How could I forget?"

"So you really meant what you said back there?" Some of the old fear returned but Caleb was not about to let it take over.

"I'm Royally yours."

That was all Caleb needed to hear before his lips crashed with Jason's. Jason returned the gesture just as feverishly.

They could live happily, royally, after but it would sound better saying, Royally Ever After.