Doe's POV:

This week, our outing involved adventuring through the many markets and shops, both for us, and for the fact that Khloe's birthday was coming up soon.

This meant gift-hunting, something I was initially looking forward to this morning but now realized that I was incredibly bad at it.

"I still can't believe you got her something and I haven't," I mumbled.

"I had to go all the way to Nico to get an answer, and even then he didn't seem to have much. If you really want, we can share mine, but apparently she's not even getting it on her actual birthday."

I thought about it before shaking my head.

"No. That's lame. What kind of best friend doesn't get her her own present?"

"If you're her best friend, then shouldn't you have an idea of something to get her?" He teased.

I kicked a small rock back into the patch of flowers it came from to release some frustration.

"What the hell are you supposed to get someone whos probably dating a vampiric heir that definitely gets her anything she off handedly mentions?"

"Yeaaaah Nico is that type, isn't he..."

"Exactly!"

Xander is too, but I don't think he's noticed.

I can't get her any art supplies she doesn't already have, I don't know enough about board games to get her the perfect one.

"Why not something sentimental then? Instead of just a practical gift? You could always just... make her something. Like she did with that photo of you."

Make? What could I even make her?

I can't draw, I'm still in the process of writing my own songs. What else am I even halfway good at?

I went though my admittedly short list of moderate skills that could be considered shareable.

Finally perking up and nearly jumped as soon as I thought of something.

"I can bake her something," I excitedly proclaimed, "I'll make her birthday cake- no, cupcakes. She likes cupcakes more. I know she likes hazelnut and chocolate... and I can top it with raspberries because I know she loves them. And dark chocolate... Maybe for the frosting."

I paused for a moment as I thought it all through and juggled with the possible combination with what would work out best.

"I know I'd need Lily to help me... do you think that would make her see it as less genuine?"

Xander squeezed my hand with a soft laugh.

"I think she'll love it. It's the thought that matters and I can see you're already stressing it. I'm sure she'll appreciate it regardless."

"You're right," I sighed, "Cupcakes it is then."

Something else I realized during this outing was that Xander wasn't trying to hide this at all. Hide... us.

He was dressed casually, not even a hat or hood to try to hide his face. Just everyday wear, which even then was enough to get recognized.

Which he was. Quite a lot.

If it wasn't people waving or coming to talk to him for a few seconds, it was excited gasps, stares, points, and whispers.

And he carried on like we were walking alone in the halls of the castle, intertwining our fingers or kissing me on the head whenever we stopped to look through a window.

It was nice but in the same way completely and utterly weird.

He knew what he was doing, I knew that he knew what he was doing, but to me, there were still so many risks.

"You... sure that this PDA thing isn't going to come bite you in the ass later?" I asked under my breath anyway. For my own peace of mine.

Another squeeze of my hand as he looked down to me.

"I'm an heir, but I'm not the heir. There's a line of things I can get away with and Nico cant. This being one of them."

"What? Publically dating a human?"

"Who says you look human?" He questioned with a tilt of his head, "The first thing someone's gonna assume seeing you like this with me is that you're a vampire, and there's not many who are even going to think to question that. My personal and love life doesn't affect the future of the city so not a lot of people are gonna press too hard for extra info like they would Nico."

That's...fair. The people here were impressively respectful. Though only so many can avoid some good old-fashioned gossip about their future Lord and Lady.

Poor Khloe...

Maybe after her birthday, I'll take her through the city myself just so she can get out and enjoy it.

"Plus, one day you will be a vampire. and anyone who thought differently will just think that they were seeing things." He finished with a gleeful shrug, the same glee he felt every time that topic was brought up.

Dork.

He did tell me to not open my mouth too wide to give away the fact that I lacked fangs, but that alone just felt... too easy.

Apparently, vampire and human scents were similar enough when it wasn't the bloodmoon, and even if they weren't, his royal scent would cover mine.

How handy.

"Anyway," He picked back up, "I'm starting to feel myself getting hungry. Do you wanna stop by one of the shops around here or find a food vendor in the park."

"The park," They always have the freshest food, plus the smells in the open air practically drag you to them anyway, "Definitely the park.

~~~

We thankfully found a similar skewer place that we visited in Bronwyn's territory.

And the park was a very... social spot apparently. Comparatively speaking to the shopping plaza. Xander and I got stopped numerous times from the time we got there, got our food, and even as we ate.

Both vampires and humans alike.

Luckily most of the conversations weren't very long, just some quick introductions and words of gratitude or appreciation or just hyping up the territory his parents had made.

60 seconds maximum for each before they let us carry on.

And he responded with each one so... Prince-like.

So cordial and humble, showing each interaction with a smile that looked genuine because I felt like it actually was.

Answering quick questions, promising to carry on their messages, even giving simple advice on things.

If I'm being completely honest it was hot as hell to witness.

It's always... fun remembering how much this man of mine is capable of. Remembering how much he truly does love his territory and its people, how much they seemed to respect him and his family back.

It kind of made me excited... knowing that I'd be a part of it someday if everything goes as planned.

As well as despise the Bronwyn territory that much more, but this isn't about that.

Some- Most even introduced themselves to me, and I tried my absolute hardest not to look like a complete babbling idiot. Definitely something I'd have to work on, but Xander looked pleased and reassured me regardless of how awkward I felt I was.

Everyone was just so pleasant, and the attention didn't feel overbearing like I first imagined it was.

That being said, I left by myself to find a trashcan for our garbage, figuring that he'd get stopped four or five times if he went on that little venture himself.

It took some convincing before he agreed to let me go, the chivalrous bastard.

It took me a good five minutes before I even found one and had to make my way back.

As I did, he was, unsurprisingly, being chatted up by someone, a woman.

Which was all fine and dandy. Completely normal or whatever.

What wasn't normal, however, was the way she lifted her hand lifted towards his shoulder.

They were at an odd angle. Xander's back turned towards me to where I could see about 1/4 of his face and 3/4 of her dark hair and eyes the way she was facing him.

Enough for me to see the way he kind of instinctively leaned back and watched her try to play it off like she was brushing something off of his shirt.

Something shot through me so fast and heavily that I had to pause my movements, confused at the severity.

It was anger that flicked on like a light and focused on her with a feeling I could only translate as the physical embodiment of the phrase 'how dare you.".

She had to be a vampire. No human would have the nerve regardless of how kind these leaders were.

My legs moved again, yet I forced myself to walk normally if not a bit slower than my usual gait.

I wanted to make sure that my fiery emotions were justified at least. Such an immediate and heated reaction wasn't like me. Not to a complete stranger.

So, I watched. Watched the way she laughed a little too hard at everything he said. Watched her inch her way closer, watching her go for another attempt to touch him.

It felt disgustingly familiar in a way. I think that's where this reaction was coming from.

No one else today had tried to touch him more than just a formal handshake, and even then, that was scarce. That touch didn't come with a hidden intent I felt like I could see on her.

Xander just stood his ground. He was hiding it well, but I knew all too well when he was faking comfort and trying his hardest not to be rude.

He's lucky his family status is enough for me to let him get away with that, and I knew no matter what, he wouldn't want to brush off any of his people.

Meanwhile, something inside me felt like it was boiling. With the multitude of questions, the space she was still trying to close on him, the way that even I could tell he was looking for a peaceful out.

Turning his head in every direction except for the one I was approaching from.

The closer I got, the more I could make out, and the more the pieces started clicking together as to why this was unsettling me so much.

Her eyes... there was a look in her eyes that felt so familiar.

The second the pot finally boiled over, my pace picked back up.

Long and quick strides back to his side.

As soon as I could I reclaimed his hand in one, and wrapped my other one around to grab his bicep, holding myself close.

Not giving a shit that my words were probably interjecting hers.

"Hey love, sorry for the wait. I'm finished now so we can leave." I kept my gaze just on him for now, not even acknowledging her presence.

After remembering where I'd seen that look before, I almost couldn't physically force myself to look at her.

That protective urge got what it wanted, but I suppose the memories were still ingrained in me.

Geez, the relief I could just feel going through this man at my words.

"Ah, right," He picked up on it flawlessly, rubbing my hand with his thumb, "We should get going."

He turned back to the girl, giving her a complimentary, "It was nice meeting you."

I was the one to turn and pull him away during her awkward, "Yeah, you too."

Thankfully that was it for that conversation.

I stole a glimpse as soon as my body would allow, seeing her shocked expression melt into an annoyed glare as soon as she met my eye.

I simply smiled with an innocent tilt of my head and carried on dragging Xander to the nearest semi-hidden spot I could find.

Which just so happened to be a small 'alleyway' between two shops.

I dragged I'm in, pushed him back against the wall, slid my hands behind his neck and kissed him.

He fell into it quickly, in fact with a hand on my lower back, it was my turn to be against the opposing wall

"Doe, you didn't have to worry about-"

"I didn't like the way she looked at you." I cut in.

I knew what he was going to say, and that wasn't the issue.

I wasn't worried about him doing something wrong. Falling for her attempts or what not. I trusted him enough that those kinds of thoughts never crossed my mind.

He did what he could given his status he had to keep up, I wasn't upset because of him by any means.

"Oh? Did she look at you the way you do?" He cooed, adding a hint of a tease towards the end. Most likely in an act to ease that rush of nerves he could sense back there.

I shook my head.

"No. If she did then you would have had to save my ass after I tore into her with claws I don't have," I stated matter of factly.

Because, well, I meant it. Completely.

That feeling may have been knew, but I knew where it was headed.

He just blinked, surprised. Followed soon by a dull purr.

Which aided greatly in easing the almost sadness that came with the memory.

I let out a sigh, letting my hands fall down his jaw to rub his cheeks with my thumbs.

"She looked at you the way Layla did," I admitted, my eyes tearing away from him and off to the side, "I'm sorry if that was brash of me to interject like that but after I saw that, something just..."

"I know," He calmly whispered, leaning into another tender kiss, "I saw it too, and your interjection was quite smooth if I do say so myself."

His commend lead my eyes back to him, seeing that soft gaze and smile.

"You were perfect. The whole day you have been." he softly assured me.

I just nodded, trying to shake off the residual adrenaline.

All this reaction from just a look. Just one simple flirty interaction. How... distasteful.

Bringing up old memories after burying them for so long.

I was just happy that shoving them back down into the dirt was easy.

I was almost somewhat embarrassed by how badly it got to me, but if anything, Xander was completely satisfied with everything.

"Let me take you to a new bakery I know of," He began, "Or we can just head home if you want."

"We're not cutting the day short just because of that," I insisted, straightening myself out against this wall, "I need to get inspiration for Khloe's cupcakes anyways."

He nodded, stepping back to fix his hair.

He didn't speak again until we were out of the alleyway, using that prior teasing tone yet again.

"You do know that's the first time you called me 'love', right?" He grinned.

My face flamed under the call-out, turning away from him with a huff.

"You definitely imagined that." I lied.

He's flustered me before, many times, unfortunately, but doing it in public just added another layer to it.

He hummed, knowing full well I was lying but deciding to let me get away with it. For now.

"Perhaps I did."