『Chapter Twenty-Six』
『the date』

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Jace and Kain managed to get into the Art Gallery—after the bouncer had recognised Jace from Xandar, it was something that surprised Jace given that he hadn't exactly realised how quick the news got out about Jace and his friends. Actually, it was a shock. It was somewhat rare that people noticed him because of it, though it was probably because Jace didn't take any notice of it. Though there was a part of him that found it amusing that it allowed him to have some form of privilege, he wanted to use it as much as he could if it meant spoiling Kain into forgiving him.

Kain looked up to Jace when they walked through the golden arches. "I take saving the galaxy has its advantages, doesn't it?"

Jace shrugged. "I guess it does." He found himself smiling ever so slightly. He wondered just how many perks saving the galaxy would give him and his friends and whether it would give them more jobs.

Kain's attention went back to the Gallery. He then let out a small gasp as he looked up. Jace followed where he looked, above them was a moving image of the galaxy bursting in existence—like what he had seen at the Collector's place. Six stones then burst out. Blue, green, orange, yellow, purple, and red. Space, Time, Soul, Mind, Power, and Reality. The Infinity Stones. Jace knew the amount of power the Power Stone could do, he wondered what would happen if one were to get all six of them, he wondered what one could do with them all.

The stars which burst into existence flew across the walls and all around the room, the room darkened, allowing the stars to be the only source of light throughout the room. It was amazing just to look at. Small white dots shined like stars as they danced around the Gallery, projecting enough light that the artwork could still be seen. As they went further into the Gallery, hung on the walls were models of artwork among the Ophelix people and any other artwork they could get their hands on.

Hung on one side of the wall was a painting of a disfigured being draped across a chair. Though what Jace hadn't expected was the background of the painting to move, it shifted from a regular homely background to being sat outside at night. It was like looking at some form of historic art mixed in with technology that he wasn't aware existed, he couldn't tell.

"Jace!" Kain called out. When Jace turned to him, he waved him over. "Come here!"

Jace made his way over to Kain only to see that he was pressed against a glass casing inside was pop-up buildings. There were miniature people which were stuck walking through the streets. It looked like a Birdseye view of one of Ophelix's streets. Though when Jace looked more closely, he could see that the miniature people looked as if they were moving down the streets.

Even the people were detailed, though from what Jace could gather from the clothing it seemed as if they lived thousands of years ago. The streets looked somewhat dirtier compared to now, yet the beauty never faded. The shades of the buildings looked as if the dirt never touched it, the bright and purity of the buildings stood out as they did now, that and the fact that the buildings looked older than what they are now, like how London would've looked like during the Victorian Era.

"It's amazing," Kain said quietly. Jace looked at him and Jace's face softened. The amazement on Kain's face as he looked down was enough to send a whirlwind of butterflies in his stomach. Jace had stiffened in place, forgetting his surroundings completely.

Kain's amazed expression as he watched the figures pull their way down the mini street was too adorable to look away from. The way of which Kain's smile grew more and more as he watched made Jace realise how little Kain saw of the galaxy and how much of that galaxy Jace was willing to show him. It made Jace wish that he could show Kain everything if he didn't have to worry about anything else in his life.

Jace shook his head slightly. "Kain, come, there's something which I know you'll love!"

Kain intertwined their hands after he managed to break away from the moving people. He smiled at Jace though his eyes wondered along all the artworks. Jace guided Kain towards the place where he'd thought Kain would like, though the two stopped every so often to look at things which caught Kain's attention.

Anytime that Jace caught Kain's look at the artwork, Jace couldn't help but fall for Kain more. It felt odd in a way, Jace always loved Kain yet just seeing him like this made the half-breed fall more. The desire to kiss Kain and to not stop was there, he wanted Kain more than anything in that moment. He wanted nothing more than to be forgiven for the pain that he'd caused Kain and to restart their relationship with one another.

Yet anytime Kain caught Jace staring, Jace would look down or away. He'd noticed the way that Kain would smile, and it sent something off inside Jace's mind. Though even still, Jace found himself being drawn to the animatronics of some of the artworks in the museum, he found it almost hard to keep his eyes away from it. The little mechanical side of his brain tried to figure out how they were created, how the artwork was built into what it was, he found himself muttering to himself slightly as his brain tried to work it out.

Kain felt the way that his heart quickened just that little bit when he looked at Jace and the small expressions that was written on his face when he noticed the mechanical artworks inside the gallery. It remined Kain on just how much he loved Jace and the handiwork that he used to do when they were on his home planet. Though, the thought of Jace and Xopheila hurt his heart even when he did look at Jace even now, he knew that there was so much time that bloomed between the pair of them, if it wasn't for his father then there wouldn't be this strain between them.

Kain wasn't blind when it came to the way that Jace acted around him now, it was like Jace was hesitant to touch him and it made Kain sad. He knew that he should be angry at Jace for how he left Kain to fend for himself on Xopheila, to deal with his father, but he'd forgiven Jace for it not that long ago. It might not be something that he could fully understand but at the same time, but it was something that he couldn't bring himself to ask about.

He knew that there was a reason for Jace leaving him to deal with his father, but he knew that he wouldn't be able to fully comprehend the reasoning. He knew that Jace thought the lie would've worked, but in truth, Kain never told his father anything. He never lied about Jace or the relationship, he told his father that he was in love with Jace and that there was nothing the great Emperor Aegon Barblen could do about it.

There was a part of Kain that wondered whether or not it should be something that he told Jace, though he found that it was somewhat hard to talk about it with Jace ever since they were reunited. When he used to dream about their reunion, he'd always thought that they'd go back to how they were, though he could tell that Jace was hesitant. Kain wasn't slow, he noticed the way that Jace would look at him with a sense of guilt, it was something that confused Kain the most. None of it was Jace's fault.

There was a moment when Kain thought that they'd be able to go back to how they used to be when Jace kissed him the night before, when Jace touched him, but the look on Jace's face was enough to know that his desire to be with Jace once more was something that might not happen. He hoped that this date might be of use for them both. Kain hoped that there was still something between them.

Kain still loved Jace, even when there was a small part of him that didn't like him for a time. He loved Jace even now, even with the way that Jace would get excited about electronics and animatronics, or just anything he could work with. Kain loved the way which Jace's eyes would widen anytime he saw one of the robotics move in a way which was just that little bit different than what he had seen before.

Kain knew just how much he missed them, how he missed Jace and everything they ever shared with one another. He missed the way of which Jace would mumble something about making something, or the way of which he would wake Kain up just to show him something which he made. Kain missed the way of which Jace would wake him up of a morning, missed the way of which Jace hugged him. He missed the way that Jace would talk about his interests or to show Kain something about the universe when they were in bed. In fact, Kain realised just how much he missed about Jace.

Jace was the first man Kain ever loved, even when they were apart, all of which Kain could think about was Jace. It almost hit him like a tonne of bricks when he saw Jace walk into that shop, Jace looked as if age never existed at all, he looked the same as he did when they broke up. Kain bit his lip slightly, everything of which he felt about Jace had come flooding back—even when Kain looked at Jace, all his feelings came back, reminding him that Kain Barblen was totally and utterly in love with Jace Taylor.

No matter how many assassins were after him, no matter how much his father wished for him to marry a woman, no matter how much time grew between him and Jace, no matter how long it took for them to be together, Kain still oved Jace more than anything. For a moment, he wondered whether he'd get hurt again though he didn't care, he wanted this life with Jace no matter what, even if Jace pushed Kain away, Kain still wanted him.

"Jay," Kain muttered. They were both looking at a robotic being moving in such a way which was almost hypnotising, Jace was staring at it with wide eyes as his mind worked trying to possibly think of how it was possible. Though, when Jace looked at Kain his features lit up like fairy lights.

He knew that he shouldn't, he knew that there was a chance that Jace wouldn't let him, but Kain found himself moving into kiss Jace which Jace happily returned. It sent a small shiver down Kain's spine, to know that Jace willingly was kissing him back was enough for Kain to know that there was still a chance for them. He hoped that it meant that there was another chance for them.

Jace's lips were soft—they always were—it was enough to send a small wave of familiarity in Kain, enough that Kain wanted more. There was this small part of Kain that wanted to wrap his arms around Jace and pull him in closer, though he was afraid that Jace would pull himself away and run off. All that went through Kain's mind was Jace and his soft lips, and how much Kain wanted this again.

It was Jace who broke the kiss first, Kain felt the small worry creep up on him. Kain didn't want Jace to run from him again, he wouldn't be able to deal with such a thing again, he couldn't watch as Jace ran away. When Jace leaned his forehead against Kain's it was as if the worries in him no longer existed, that there was nothing for him to worry about. Kain could hear Jace mumbling stuff under his breath though Kain didn't understand what was being said, all he could feel was the rapid beat of his heart in his chest.

What snapped Kain out of his thoughts was when Jace wrapped an arm around Kain's shoulder, pulling Kain close to him. "My prince."

Kain felt himself almost melt into Jace's grasp and at Jace's words. He remembered when Jace would always call him that, it was something that always made Kain feel all happy and warm inside. There was always something about the way that Jace said it which made him feel relaxed and everything. When anyone else on his home planet called him that, it felt like a chore like being a prince was a burden, but Jace saying it made him love being a prince because it meant being Jace's prince.

"My space boy," Kain whispered. Jace was always Kain's space boy, his pirate. It gave Kain enough hope that there was something to work for, that there was something between them once again.

Kain found himself looking up Jace for a moment, Jace was smiling down at him with that perfect grin, it was enough to make Kain feel almost nervous about what life might be like between them. He knew that there was nothing for him to worry about, that he needed to relax, but the thought that Jace was smiling at him was enough to send him into a small panic. Kain found himself leaning into Jace's side. Jace kissed his temple as the pair then walked more into the Gallery.

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Getting to the Gallery didn't take Adrian that long, he was surprised on how quick that it took him to get here given that normally Ophelix always distracted him in some way. He shook his head lightly, walking into the Gallery, he found himself looking around and paused for a moment. The one thing that Adrian realised was how hard it was going to be for him to actually find Jace in here. It seemed as if Alexis was right, a lot of people were here just for whatever the event was. And yet the worst thing to top all of this off; Adrian hated art. Completely.

It never really interested him much, so to know that he had to walk aimlessly around an art gallery just to find the half-breed made Adrian want to bang his head against the wall. Repeatedly. He did debate on whether or not just to wait outside, but even then it seemed like the worst decision he could make. Yet it was an even worse one to go inside. He wondered for a moment whether this money would be a good thing for him or not, but he shook his head at the thought knowing that he needed whatever money he could get out of Odin for bringing Jace to him.

Adrian looked around for a moment and spotted the front desk close to the entrance of the Gallery, realising how much easier he could make this job be for himself. He noticed that on the desk was a microphone which Adrian assumed would be connected to the speakers throughout the Gallery. He smirked to himself for a moment, this was far too easy for him, and it was something he enjoyed more than anything. Adrian tried his best to hide his amusement and joy that he didn't have to walk through the Gallery as he made his way to the desk.

Behind the desk was a light pink woman who looked as if she was busy working on something, though she looked up when she heard Adrian near. She smiled up at him. "What can I do for you, dear?"

"Hi," Adrian greeted with as much of an innocent smile as he could. "Can I make an announcement please? I lost my little brother; he likes to wonder off and he's with a friend. Both are under my care, and I can't find them anywhere in here."

The woman's eyebrows shot up at an instant, though it seemed as if this was also a reoccurring thing for her. "Oh, yes!" As the woman then moved the microphone near Adrian, he smiled at her which made her blush. "Press the button, dear."

Adrian nodded, he cleared his throat, and pressed the button. "Jace Taylor, could you come to the front desk please? That is, ah, Jace Taylor. Your brother is waiting for you."

He slid the microphone back over towards the woman, thanking her for allowing him to do that. He winked at her to wish she blushed at once more. He found himself moving away from the desk, knowing that all he had to do was wait for Jace to arrive. He hoped that he wouldn't have to wait all that long though he tried his best to relax as much as he could.

As Adrian waited, he wondered on who Jace's boyfriend could be, if it was one of the princes from Xopheila then he was sure that he could get extra cash for bringing him to the Emperor of that planet. He knew that it was something he shouldn't be thinking about, but he was trying to think of ways to get into an early retirement. He shook his head, trying to remain as focused as he could. He knew that he had to be cautious over who this prince could be, knowing that he lacked enough detail on the prince. Though the one thing that Adrian knew was that he could use their relationship against Jace if needed to be.

Adrian wasn't sure how long he was waiting for Jace and his prince, but it felt no longer than ten minutes roughly. Both looked flustered and yet Adrian smirked more so than before. This was definitely easy. Well, easier than expected. Normally on any other job, it would've taken him weeks to find the person he was looking for, that and the fact that the people he normally did look for were always surrounded by dozens of other people that he'd have to kill in order to complete his job. He was thankful that the only other person he had to worry about was the prince person Jace was with. Easy.

And yet Adrian found himself tensing up when he looked at Jace, he wasn't sure whether or not it was the fact that he found Jace cuter than in the photos that he had, or if it was the fact that he felt a sense of unease rise in him. Adrian never got this feeling inside him when it came to a target, he never felt uneasy when it came to meeting his target. For a brief moment he wondered whether or not it was because he knew that Jace could get aggressive in a fight—from what he'd been told—but he shook his head slightly, knowing that he had targets before who were just as aggressive.

Adrian didn't know what it was when he looked at Jace, but he couldn't get over this sense of unease. Even when there was a small part of Adrian that found it adorable when he noticed how messy Jace's hair was or how adorable Jace looked when he looked around as if he was a lost puppy. Despite all the uneasiness he felt when looking at Jace, there was this small part of Adrian that wondered just how soft Jace hair was to touch. Adrian shook his head slightly, no, snap out of it.

He found himself looking at what Adrian assumed to be Jace's boyfriend—the prince (or what Adrian was going to assume him as)—the man was purple like a grape and for a moment, Adrian thought that his hair was black though when the light hit it, Adrian noticed the blue in it. There were silver stars near his left eye, three to be exact. Alexis was right when it came to how this prince held himself, the way that he walked was enough for Adrian to assume that th boyfriend was one of the Princes of Xopheila.

He found himself tilting his head ever so slightly as he stared at the two. There was something about the pair of them that didn't fit right. He wasn't sure whether it was just because he was in the mood to be a little judgemental, but the thought of a runaway prince being all lovey with a literal demi-god was something of an odd sight. Of course, he didn't have an issue with who anyone dated, he was just a semi-hater to relationships as a whole. Though, looking at both of the people in front of him, there was a small part of him that wondered how these two fit together.

Adrian watched as Jace walked over towards the front desk with his boyfriend's hand in his own. "Excuse me, there was an announcement for me? My brother?"

Damn, even his voice was attractive. Adrian shook his head slightly, he didn't need to be thinking about what he found attractive on the person he was tracking, he was here to grab Jace and take him back to the King. He needed to stay focused, the last thing that he wanted was these unwarranted thoughts of Jace and the thought of a target being pretty. This was a job, one that required him to grab Jace and leave.

The woman then gestured her hand towards Adrian. Jace turned to where the woman pointed only for him to look confused as ever. There was something about the look that Adrain found rather amusing as he walked up to Jace Taylor who had instantly grown protective. He noticed the way that Jace put his arm in front of the prince as if to make sure that the prince was safe. For a moment, Adrian wondered whether there was people after the prince which made it all more tempting to take the pair of them.

Although the job that he was hired to do only revolved around Jace and taking him back to Asgard, there was a part of Adrian that wondered just how much money he would get for delivering the prince back to his home planet. There was that small part of him that just wanted to be that little bit cruel though he tried to stay on task as much as he could.

Once Adrian was closer and he turned his attention back onto Jace, he found himself smiling at the demi-god. "Hello Jace Taylor. It's nice to finally meet you."