The Selection (1x1 with AnnaCat17)

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"Lung cancer?" Eleanor's face was ashen as she listened. "Is he...Is he going to be alright?"

Jakob smirked. "Fair enough. But after...you know, uh, I doubt anyone wants to risk flirting with you."

[AnnaCat17]

Romeo didn't have an answer for her, not wanting to lie to her when he didnt know what would happen. He kissed her forehead gently. "I have to run back up to the castle for a couple of hours tonight. Will you be ok alone for a little bit?"

Matteo's smile slipped away and he suddenly griped the arrow tightly. "It wasnt my fault! None of what happened last night was my fault! I didnt..." He tried to protest but it died off as a tremor ran through him. Did everyone blame hom for what almost happened in the shed? Did the selected hate him because Sutton stepped in to try to make sure it wouldnt happen again? He hasn't asked for any of this but once again he found himself trying to fix things with the selected over something that wasnt entirely his fault. "Im sorry for the ordeal you all were put through last night. It was never my intention for any of yesterdays events to go as they did but i will try to ensure it doesnt happen again." He turned and walked back to the castle, pushibg past Jakob as he did.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Eleanor nodded, giving his cheek a kiss. "I'll be fine."

"No, Your Highness. I know that." Jakob reached out and caught his hand without thinking it. "Matteo, I know. None of that was your fault. No one blames you for that."

[AnnaCat17]

"good. You'll call me if you need anything, right?" He asked, looking at her worried. He knew she had a lot on her plate and worried about how she was handling it but knew there wasn't much he could do besides support her.

Matteo couldn't bring himself to look at Jakob. He felt ashamed that not only did he fail to protect himself but he also dragged the selected into the mess and made the situation between him and them even worse. "You should. I wasn't there to calm everyone down and get them to treat all of you better. You all are my guests and Im supposed to handle any issues with you all on my own but I didn't. Im sorry. It wont happen again." He pulled his hand away and shoved both hands into his pockets. "You shoul get back to your sister. She probably misses you. Thank you for meeting with me."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"Yeah." Eleanor managed to give him a smile. "I'll be alright."

Jakob pulled his hand away, bitting his lip. "Of course," he muttered. "Goodbye, Your Highness." He sighed, trailing back inside of the palace. He slumped off to find his sister, disappointed that he had messed things up.

[AnnaCat17]

-that night-

Sutton sat with Solace, waiting boredly for the results of her tests to come back to tell them why she had suddenly gotten sick.

Dacey knew she shouldn't be spying on someone, especially a member of the royal family and an adviser but she couldn't look away. She listened to their quietly conversation and watched them interact through a crack in the door, all the while keeping an eye out for anyone who might yell at her.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Solace tiredly leaning against Sutton, hugging Pravin close. Pravin was crying, his nose running and his face feverish. Coughing, Solace rested her head against Sutton's chest, her face sweaty and pale. The doctor came to speak with them, telling them that they have nothing but the flu to be worrying about. He told Sutton to make sure they get lots of rest and for Solace to drink plenty of water.

[AnnaCat17]

Sutton nodded and gently took Solace home after he thanked the doctor. "Itll be ok. You'll be over this in no time." He quietly assured Solace, keeping an arm around her as they went home.

Gabel frowned as he saw Dacey intently watching something in one of the parlors. He hesitated, glancing down the hall to the men's room he was originally heading to but ended up going over and peering over her shoulder into the room. His jaw dropped opened as he looked at the scene, his reaction making Dacey have to stifle a giggle.

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"Okay," Solace whispered, leaning into his side as they went home. Pravin was sick as well, and cried as he curled up against her chest.

Karter curiously went towards them, peeking into the room.

[AnnaCat17]

Dacey gently pressed a finger to her own lips as she looked at the two oys, motioning for them to stay silent as they looked in the room.

Matteo lay on a couch with his head in Romeo's lap, both of them nursing gasses of alcohol but Matteo failing to stay as coherent as Romeo was. Matteo listened with closed eyes to Romeo talk as his fingers ran through Matteo's hair, trying to keep him relaxed as his low voice rumbled quietly. Slowly Matteo slid off the couch and onto the floor with a flop causing Romeo to stop what he was saying and chuckle. "You ok, there kid?"
"Im not a kid. Im 20 now, you know." Matteo grumbled as he sat up and played with his now empty glass, his drink having spilled on the floor.
"Im aware. I was at your birthday if you can recall." Romeo muttered and sat his glass aside. "I need to get going, matteo, and you need to get to bed before you start actign stupid." He began to get up but Matteo quickly moved so he was kneeling in front of him and pushed him back down.
"No! I need to... I need to tell you something." Matte slurred drunkenly.
Romeo gave him a raised eyebrow but didn't move from where he sat, that was until Matteo kissed his leg. "Hey, stop that now. Get on up to bed." He said gently as he rested his hands on Matteo's shoulders and pushed him away a bit.
Matteo felt like he was going to cry as he looked at Romeo, he reached up and ran a hand through Romeo's hair but he tilted his head away. "I could make you happy." He breathed. "I don't like seeing you so upset. I could take care of you. You always take care of others, even me, and its time someone looked after you and made you happy." he leaned forward and kissed Romeo's jaw but he pulled away from him and stood up, seeming lost as to how to handle the situation.
"Matteo, kid, you can barely take care of yourself let alone someone else. Just go to bed and focus on your selected. Im fine with how my life is."
Matteo rose to his feet as well and clung tightly to the front of Romeo's shirt. "Ill send them all home. Id much rather have you. Please, let me make you happy." He suddenly pulled Romeo towards him and pressed his lips against Romeo's. He wasn't expecting the slap that came a second later and that knocked him to the floor. He shook sadly and looked up with tear filled eyes at where Romeo was wiping his mouth off on his sleeve. "This didn't happen." Romeo growled before grabbing the files he had come for and leaving.

Dacey, seeing Romeo heading to the door, grabbed both boys and pulled them int the library across the hall before they could get found out. Her face was a bright red as she replayed everything she had seen in her mind.