Tristan lunged at her, she blocked his attack with her sword. He ducked and did a leg sweep.

The princess threw a backflip, partly landing smoothly. Tristan dashed, with a sharp glint in his eyes. She froze, her stare moved to the dagger on her neck. "You win."

A smile formed at the corner of his lips. He grabbed Asher's hand then ran into the forest.

"That was amazing! Is it just me or you've gotten a lot cooler," the prince said.

"I don't know," Tristan smiled sheepishly.

"Can I visit your house? I still don't know where you live," Asher said.

"Okay, I'll take you there."

They passed through the shortcut and got to the next town. They stopped at a decent timbered building.

"We're here," Tristan opened the wooden door.

Asher's eyes widened at the crowd, the family members greeted Tristan and some of them gaped at Asher, whispering with dilated eyes.

Darius ran to Tristan, then smiled as he noticed Asher. "Oh, you brought your boyfriend this time."

Steam escaped Tristan's ears like an overheated kettle. "He's not my boyfriend!"

"Yeah..." Asher said.

They both darted to him, Tristan's surprised face turned to a smug. "You see? Asher knows-"

"Tristan is the man of my dreams, not a mere boyfriend."

"What!" his jaw dropped to the rug.

His father grinned. "Come, son-in-law, let me show you around."

Asher skipped, giggling like a child. "Okay, Dad."

Tristan stared, dumbfounded, as they walked away.
What just happened?

His Dad hastened the tour until the last. "This is Tristan's room," he opened the door slightly. "As you can see, I upgraded it to a bed for two."

"Ohh..." Asher slowly nodded.

"Tristan can't stay a day without talking about you," Darius said. "Asher likes this, Asher hates that, Asher does this, Asher does that, blah blah blah."

Asher laughed as his father mimicked him. Tristan marched to them with a frown. "Dad!" he half-yelled with a faint blush.

Darius faked a smile at Tristan's glare. "I'll be going now."

Tristan's eyes followed him until he was out of sight then he darted to Asher. "Ignore him.

The silence choked the air with a pungent smell of awkwardness.

We've been standing outside the room. Isn't it weirder if I invite him in? I might sound like a pervert.

His father poked his head from the entrance. "Don't just stand there, he's our guest, welcome him."

Tristan turned. "Why are you still here! Don't you have work to do?" he pulled Asher's hand inside his room and banged the door.

"There," Tristan's lock clicked as he twisted it. His eyes widened as he realised what he just did. "You're free to go anytime! I-I can unlock it if you want," he stiffened and forced a laugh.

Asher walked to his mattress, he sat at the edge and crossed his legs with a smile. "Relax."

"Don't sit on my bed!"

"Why not? I like it here," he kicked off his silver boots and flopped on the bed, his arms spread out, staring at the white ceiling.

"That's not very prince-like," Tristan said.

"This is the only place I can be who I want to be," he mumbled. "Do I make you uncomfortable? I can leave-"

"No! It's the opposite, please stay," Tristan darted from his gaze.

Asher adjusted and tapped on the empty space.

Tristan gulped.
Is he telling me to lay next to him? Breathe... this is normal to him, he's not like you.

Tristan composed his facial expression and joined the prince. They talked for a while before Asher slept off.
He looks peaceful

Tristan stretched his hand to touch his golden hair, he folded his fingers.
What am I thinking?

Tristan stood up and sat on the chair. "It's safer here," he looked down at the bulge in his pants and exhaled.
Fuck

He walked around for sometime to get Asher off his mind.

Tristan offered the prince food when he woke up. He rested for minutes then remembered he needed to get home. "It's time for me to go back."

"I know a shortcut to your room," Tristan swept him off the ground, he wedged a foot on the large window. "Hold on."

Asher gripped his shoulders as he jumped to the nearest tree.
…

The prince was sleeping soundly when queen Alice flung the doors. "Why did you lock yourself up yesterday? Mommy missed you."

"Mom, it's too early," Asher yawned, he covered his head with a pillow as she opened the curtains.

"Scarlet told me you spent your day reading politics and finance books so I'll let it slide."

"Scarlet?" Asher said.
Scary princess covered up for me?
…

After a few days, his parents travelled to Celestia for the annual kingdom meeting. Asher seized the opportunity to visit Tristan daily, and the gang welcomed him every time.

One afternoon, they were talking in the bedroom when Asher excused himself to drink water.

Tristan's mind drifted in the silence.
Asher spends hours here, aren't I being selfish? He has responsibilities but I want to keep him to myself.

Asher entered the room, disrupting his thoughts. "Sorry, I had to play cards with your Dad."

Tristan bowed his head, unable to bear the look on his face. "Asher, I think you should stop coming."

"What?"

"I-I mean you can't run forever, you're the crown prince," Tristan said.

"And so?" Asher shrugged, then walked to him.

Tristan inhaled and summoned up courage, he looked in his eyes. "You have a lot to learn, a kingdom to rule, and a princess to marry."

Asher groaned, rolling his eyes. "Ugh! Why do you worry so much?"

"Because you never do," Tristan said.

"I'm leaving."

"You are?" Tristan's eyes enlarged.
Finally, I got to him.

Asher turned on his heels. "When you're done being a mood spoiler, come get me. I'll be with your Dad," he slammed the door.

"Hmm," Tristan paced back and forth.
I need another plan.
…

Tristan never came to pick him up after that day. Asher lied about visiting Scarlet just so he could get to the noble's town. Asher pleaded with her to play along then left her house after the carriage was gone. He took the shortcut to get to the next town.

All eyes darted to Asher as he opened the door. "Hi," he did a general wave. Asher walked briskly and barged into Tristan's room.

He flinched and turned. "You've got to be kidding me," Tristan muttered.