Julias looked up to watch the other noticing how embarassed he had become and gave a small smile when Jack turned to look at him once more. Biting his lip slightly he reached out giving Jack's hand a small squeeze before running ahead a couple of steps to where the buildings stopped and the castle walls loomed upwards, looking to see which guards were on shift to see how easy it would be to slip back inside.

A smile crept to his lips, some of the captians on the guard thought to keep the secret entrance exit guarded but others didn't see the need, it was rarely used and not many knew of it. The one on guard Julias didn't even believe he even remembered about it. It would be simpler than he thought.

Drawing up his hood he waited for Jack to appear behind him before reaching back to grab his hand and tugged him at a small trot against the wall and followed right underneath until it seemed almost as if they were going to walk all the way around the place before he pushed at a section of wall that opened to a tunnel. He'd left it unlocked when he left but after ushering Jack through he pushed it closed and barred it and at the exit of the tunnel pushed the rock slab across the hole.

Before saying another word to Jack he took his hand once more and lead him through the servant passages and up to his room the same way he had left it earlier that day.

The room was very spacious and about the size of the floor level of a common house and then some without the walls breaking it off into smaller rooms. It was too spacious for him and so most of the furniture were pushed to corners where it seemed to him have less room than everything else and the middle was completely bare. He didn't really care for interior design.. just what he thought was comfortable.

"Well.. here we are.." Julias murmured before realizing he was still holding Jack's hand as he pushed the hood down with the other and promptly dropped it with a small blush.

Jack had been close behind all the time. he took the chance to look around as well.
He had never ever dreamed that the castle was this big. The secret hallways fascinated him, but he stayed close to the other silently.

as the younger male took his hand Jack blushed but didn't pull it back, in fact, he even let his fingers wrap around the others hand, holding it gently.

jack smiled some and gentle squeezed his hand. "it's so lovely." he blushed as he slowly let go of his hand. Smiling he looked around. It was so beautiful. He walked around for a bit before heading over to the huge bed. He looked at it before he let himself fall on it. The softness was so good for his sore back.

The straw he usually slept on couldn't win of the soft sheets and bedding.

The castle lost its beauty to Julias long ago, but he was pleased that Jack found it so beautiful as he watched the older man look around. Untying his cloak he let it fall from his shoulders and draped it upon the dressing table before following Jack to the bed.

His hand still tingled with the fresh memory of holding Jack's hand.. he'd never really allowed himself to touch another so long like that. The feeling of Jack curling his fingers to hold Julias' hand in return not at all a distant memory but something that both shocked and comforted Julias.

Sitting down he stared down at Jack in silence a small content smile on his lips. He'd never been so comfortable with anyone, with Jack.. it felt as if he could be himself even though the boy knew who he was Jack treated him as if he were a normal boy. For that Julias couldn't be more grateful.

Jack looked up at Julias and smiled at him, slowly he sat up and leaned against the other gently. "I think I'm gonna take a nap, if you don't mind that is." he whispered as he looked at the other cutely.

The blue eyes did look tired. The blond lied back down again, but this time he pulled the other with him, holding him closely, but gentle.

Oh this prince was a nice person, he had a nice personality. But he knew they wouldn't end up in a relationship, he was a prince, he had to marry a princess. That was the way it was. Jack was just a mere peasant, however the other did treat him like he was.

"I'm gonna steal yer bed..." he mumbled with a smile.

Julias blushed deeply as the other pulled him down both surprised and now acting a bit shy he bit his lip as he looked up at the other. But after a moment or two he smiled a bit and let himself curl into Jack's body resting his head on the older man's shoulder,his arm that had been farthest now rested lightly across Jack's chest and the same leg lightly laid over Jack's one leg closest to Julias.

"I've no problem with that..." he murmured in reply. he was drowsy himself though he hadn't realized until Jack pulled him down and he allowed himself to get comfortable.

Jack s miled some and held him lovingly. He pulled the covers over them and closed his eyes. "Sleep some, you must be tired." he smiled and held him gently.

"You're a nice man..." he smiled and yawned.

"You are too..." Julias replied with a small smile and curled closer to Jack. He'd never expected sleeping next to someone would be so comfortable as this.

He dozed off with a small smile still upon his lips his body relaxing completely into Jack's arms.

The mere peasant smiled kissed the others head and fell asleep, completely relaxed and even sleeping very well.

A few hours pasased by as the two slept but Julias was slowly waking, when he felt himself against the other for a moment he nearly called for the guard before he remembered who it was and smiled to himself. He nestled back against Jack again trying not to wake the older boy and just wanted to stay in Jack's arms for as long as he could manage it.

A knock on the door though sent him sitting up with a start, biting his lip he hoped whoever it was would let off and walk away if he didn't answer. If it was a servant they may just do that, but if it was Richard... He'd open the door for sure and walk in to see him in bed with Jack.

Making up his mind quickly he woke Jack up with a gentle shake. "Jack, you've gotta get up!! Someone's at the door you've got to hide..."

((Good time for the princess he's betrothed to walk in with her escorts no? Had you agreed to play her, or should I just?))

Jack woke up quickly and rubbed his eyes. Smiling he kissed the others cheek and shot under the bed, hiding for everyone, he loved dusty places... not really.

However he smiled and blushed deeply, he had just kissed t he loveliest man in the universe.

((yeah, I'll play the girl, no problem))

Julias stared at the space Jack had once been before he felt the kiss and blushed deeply touching his cheek with the pads of his fingers deeply wondering if this was all a dream or not.

Another sharp knock reminded him again of why Jack had to jump under the bed and pulled himself out of bed smoothing down his clothes before he realized he was still wearing peasant garb. No matter who was behind the door they would not like to see him dressed down.

"A moment!!" He called sounding about as drowsy as he could, even if he was more wide awake than he'd ever been at this moment of time. Blushing more he hoped there wasn't a good view of him from under his bed for he stripped down and quickly dressed in the clothes he had been wearing when he had first met Jack.

Quickly running a brush through his hair he shoved the regular peasant garb back into his closet and ran to the door and opened it still flushed from his hurry and the fact he had been kissed followed by stripping in front of Jack. "Yes?"

Jack had seen a good sight of the other, blushing he had seen the others manhood. A deep blush lied on his cheeks. HIs hand had clasped over his mouth.

As Julias answered the door a girl stood there, red hair, freckles and bright green eyes. Oh and don't forget the forest green dress the girl wore.
It was the princess the prince was to marry.

"Hello my prince..." she whispered softly, playing innocent. She was a real bitch, fucking every knight she met.

Julias blinked a couple times taking her in his stomach tying into knots further. He disliked her a lot but he did his best to hide it, especially from her. There was many a tale of her biting of some servant's head for uttering anything of dislike.

Bowing a small respectful bow he smiled at her pulling his clothes to be sure they were exceptionally neat. "Princess, how good it is to see you, what brings you here... at this hour?"

The woman was practically pushing him back with her huge bust.

"Well, I wanted to come over day, but I figured out I could treat you for something if I got in earlier..." she smiled and gently laid her hands in his neck.

Julias smiled almost pleasantly and gently drew her hands away from his neck but held them before him lightly within his own. The grip he had on her hands could be mistaken as that of a gentle lover not wanting to harm his maiden's dainty hands but for Julias it was more of wanting to drop them but couldn't without it seeming rude to his betrothed.

"And what would you wish to treat me to?" Julias replied full well of what she had in mind but played innocent himself. He was well willing to wait until they were officially married, and even then the thought repulsed him. He didn't see the point of doing such a thing with a person you didn't care about, but the same could be meant for marriage but his parents didn't care.

The girl smiled at him and blushed some. Then she moved to the bed and jumped on it.
Causing the wooden frame to crack a bit, dust falling down to the floor, where Jack was hiding, he covered his face so he wouldn't cough or sneeze.

The girl almost undid her top and held out her hands to Julias. "Come here, baby...let mommy take care of you." she grinned.

The smile Julias gave her was noticeably forced before he looked away from her and stayed where he had been standing. Slowly he shifted so he didn't have to turn his head to look away from her.

"We've talked of this before Princess," Julias replied. His voice gave away meek annoyance and a bit of embarrassment as he thought about Jack under the bed. "I will not before we're married. No amount of... persuasion is going to change my mind."

Julias bit his lip waiting for the recourse that was sure to follow. Just wondering how she would react this time scared him a smidge, he couldn't very well call his guards on her or he'd be the laughing stalk of the realm whether he liked her or not.

She then smiled, evil. She got up, held her shirt up with her hands and even smirked at the young prince.
"well tehn, I guess daddy needs to know...." from an evil face she put on her scared pouty one before she faked a tear, oh yes she did that, she cried.

She then got to the door, yelling something close to "you're a very mean man, and a pervert as well." before she ran out of the door, crying calling for her father to her her made up side of the story.

Jack had seen her run and noticed how the door closed, Coughing he got from under the bed and tried to breathe, his back was bleeding since the wood had been scraping over his back when the fat girl jumped on the bed.

He looked at Julias. "that's why I don't like girls. " he coughed.

Julias absolutely wanted to know how he was the pervert when he had looked away from her when she had revealed herself to him. With a shrug he sighed as he watched her go half wishing this'll be the last time and her father would call the marriage off.

Looking up at Jack he smiled a bit and sighed again before walking back over to him. Pleased that he didn't have to keep to these wishes for long. "Sorry about that... She's an annoyance I have to learn to live with... But I'll wait till we're married to even begin to try. I'd rather not though."

Blushing slightly he mumbled something that sounded something like, "If you were the Princess I'd have no troubles.."

He looked down at his feet blushing still allowing his hair to fall in his face and hide it. He hoped Jack hadn't heard it, but then a part of him wished he did.

Jack smiled some and giggled as well. His face looked pale under the layer of gray dust. "Yeah, heard the news." he said and smiled at him.

His vision began to blur rather fast and he sat down on the bed slowly. he had no idea what was wrong, but he kept on smiling and eventually he cleaned his face.

He had heard what the prince had said and he blushed deeply, atleast, he thought he was. The deep red shade that should have been up, was a vague pink.

One of his hands moved to his lower back, he had felt what seemed water running down his back, but when he retreated his hand and found blood he looked up at the prince. "get me some bandages..." he whispered. Before he could say anything else he fell forward, hitting the ground, he had fainted of the great ammount of blood loss and pain.

Julias' eyes went wide when he seen the blood and his own skin went pale with fear. Gritting his teeth to get himself to move he looked away from Jack's unconscious form.

Quite uncaring of whether it was known he was there or not he waved a servant down and ordered to get the healer to his room before returning to Jack's side using his own bed sheets to use to cover the wound and applied pressure hoping the bleeding would stop.

He looked up with relief when the healer finally came and ignored the questioning look and told him to help Jack at once. Richard wasn't far behind the healer always one to show up when there is trouble, knowing where to listen to the servant's gossip since Julias kept him away as long as humanly possible.

Julias tried to ignore him as well as he watched the healer do his job without a word of questioning. Richard wasn't one to hold his tongue and Julias wondered if that was what the man was paid for, to talk non stop about things that weren't his business.

"What's he doing in here?"
"I invited him."
"Why?"
"He's the one that was working on the horses earlier today," Julias replied looking at Richard but he could see Richard remembered him clearly. "I've been thinking of what my parents were wanting. A stable boy of my own was on that list..."
"So you chose him?"
"Yes."
"How'd he get injured?"
"I'm not too certain... I think he meant to sit on the bed and missed is all scraped his back against the wood it cut deeper than I had thought."
"Well you could be sure that bed frame will be replaced as soon as I give word to your parents."

Julias nodded. The conversation went by quickly and quietly but the healer had finished his job and the bandages stood white upon Jack's skin which was quickly returning to it's regular tint. The remainder of his bloody shirt was laying on the floor cut off from him to get at the wounds. The blood ruined the clothing anyways so it wouldn't have been much of a loss.

"What do we do with him while we wait for him to become conscious again?"
"Get the servants to change the sheets to the bed and let him rest there, unless you mean for the bed to be dismantled at this instant."

"As you wish your highness."

This was done in a matter of minutes and Julias ordered everyone out once it was done and sat on the edge of the bed and lightly brushed Jack's hair away from his face.

the man lied on his side as he rested some. It had gone so quickly. After a short while he opened his eyes slowly. He saw the prince's hip and smiled at the sight of the others form. His hand gently moved to the other and rested on his thigh.

"What happened after I passed out?" he asked quietly. He looked up at the mans gentle face and smiled sweetly at him.
jack soon looked a lot better and felt better as well.

Slowly he tried to sit up. It was hard because his back skin felt so rough and tight.

Julias smiled as Jack awakened but placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him from sitting up seeing that he was still in pain. "Just relax, you don't need to rush yourself..."

Julias leaned down and lightly kissed Jack's cheek with a small blush glad that Jack was awake. He knew it was a rather superficial wound but he was still worried as hell after the healer had left, he wanted Jack to be okay.

"I had called in the healer and he took care of you.." Julias explained with a small smile in this way admitting that he had no idea how to dress a wound, that he hadn't paid attention when the healer was showing him the basics. "Richard had come with him, but I explained you were only here because I was speaking with you about being my stable hand and you missed the bed when trying to sit down..."

Julias' eyes darted away quickly, it had been the quickest lie he managed to think of but he only now realized just how much of a dunce he made Jack out to be to Richard.

"I'm getting a new bed out of this though, Richard feels it's now too dangerous for me.." Julias murmured finally in a quiet voice. "He accepted it though so... we shouldn't have any problems now."

he smiled and laughed some. However he was happy that the other caught him up like that. It would have been bad. then Jack smiled brighter. "But then, the entire incident with that hag didn't happen at all." he grinned. "People will see that she lies and probably pulls the marriage off." he smiled and hugged the other gently.

Jack was happy for the other. Slowly he lied back down again and moved back a bit, patting the bed next to him. "Come lay with me?" he asked softly. "I'll relax more that way." he winked at him.

Julias blinked wondering what Jack had meant at first then smiled as he understood. He wondered what the Princess would say if that got around? Julias chuckled a bit and lay back down next to Jack comfortably with a smile.

Resting his head on the pillows he looked up almost innocently at Jack. Part of him was wondering if this was a dream and another part of him was singing in joy because he was proved correct when he thought being a commoner would be so much better. He wouldn't have to worry about marrying for the country or who he was seen fraternizing with... He'd be able to be with Jack for as long as he wanted, be with him as more than friends...

Julias sighed again letting his hand lightly run down Jack's bare skin from his chest down his side to his waist. As a prince and heir to the throne... a relationship with Jack would be impossible. The thought itself surprised him, he hadn't realized he'd been thinking that way all along until now. He felt for Jack how he should feel for the Princess...