If you're wondering whether Zacharias was a pushover, he'd argue with that. But here he was, nearly cracking the silicium solid watch on his right wrist when he fell from the bike he rented out supposedly for King.

Scared out of his wits, King stopped persuading the alpha, wondering whether learning how to ride a bicycle was worth the death of the thousand dollar Tissot men accessory, and him being stuck with guilt, regret, and worry on how the hell would he'd pay for something that's even beyond his monthly salary in upper Manhattan. He'd do the persuading in the future. Maybe once Zacharias was... less fashioned for being bicycle tutored.

"Looks like the great alpha isn't so great" King said while cycling around Zach. He felt a sense of achievement. Maybe because he realized there isn't such thing as a perfect being in this world after all. Even if it's a business tycoon or alpha like Zach.

Zacharias huffed a laugh, and gently brushed his tongue on the inside of his cheek, his hands tucked in his pocket as he walked with no general direction to where it was they were really going at. "Of course. Do you see me as a greek god or something?"

Yes.

"No. Well, maybe." King gave him a side glance, connecting gazes with a pair of blue eyes. "Okay, yes."

"Why?"

"Do you have to ask? I mean, like those mythical gods, hashtag daddies," King implied, putting pressure on his tongue. He pulled the brakes, sized up Zach and gestured a flat hand up and down him. "You got that."

Zach couldn't contain a lopsided smile. It seems like getting complimented by King would be his newfound guilty pleasure.

"Pretty sure you got a long line of people wanting to date you." King got off of the bike to keep up with Zach's pace. "Too bad werewolves are being ruled by a supposedly fated crap."

"... Do you really dislike it that much?"

"Well, don't you want your own... freedom? Meet a person, get to know each other, and fall in love with her... or him... only for fate to barge in and say who you're supposed to be with? It's a major asshole move for me."

Zach coughed a laugh.

"Don't laugh."

"My apologies." King gave him an unamused look while he cleared his throat. He breathed in deeply, ran a hand through his bluish coal-black hair, and heaved out a sigh. "There's always two sides in a coin, King. Theoretically, fate happens for a good reason for some people. For others, it's otherwise. You'll never know where you'll end up with. And frankly, even if fate doesn't exist, something is always bound to happen."

King halted in his track when Zach suddenly stopped. The werewolf looked at him, gentle baby-blue eyes tolerably snatching off his breath.

"And aren't we already getting to know each other?" Zacharias stated, smiling at King, before he continued his tracks.

King blushed furiously. "W—!"

"Do you want to go and grab something to eat?" Zach asked while staring at the time in his watch. It was nearly two in the afternoon, and they still haven't eaten ever since they've left the stronghold.

"N-no thanks. I don't have any money with me." King cleared his throat.

Zach snapped his head to him. "You don't have to—"

"I hate being indebted. And even if you're rich," and it's annoying as hell, "doesn't mean it excuses every little bucks that you'll spend for people. Even if it's a cent."

"Hm. That's a very good attitude," Zach hummed, a small proud smile curling 1his lips. "But you don't have to worry. I'm the one who asked and brought you out here, so I'll pay."

"No way—" King's stomach rumbled, and both stopped walking.

Zach cracked up a small laugh again. "Your stomach surely says otherwise."

The werecat's cheeks bloomed again. His lips pulled slightly ajar and he wrinkled his forehead from his breadbasket's betrayal. He gritted his teeth, closed his eyes and then pursed his lips. "Fine," he said, finally aggreing to Zach. "But I'm paying you back. Also that bike."

"What kind of payment?" Zach asked, his tone unsuspiciously suspicious. He started moving again before King could throw his answer.

"What else would it b—" King paused. He blushed again. "Hey!" he yelled, "What did you mean by that?!"

Zacharias pretended not to hear him.

"Hey!" King ran to his side, dragging the bike with him.

---

The two ended up strolling in the open skirts of Brasov—a photogenic town definitely worthwhile to see in a lifetime—while looking for a perfect place to dine in. Along the way, King felt nostalgia and weird when he saw medieval architectures again, one thing which he'd not see in the modern New York. The people around them on the other hand weren't that different. They all had their own business to attend to.

Ending with the first diner they'd landed at, King and Zacharias arrived at a small, hidden old diner owned by an old couple selling traditional Romanian dishes in one alleyway. The couples were talkative, and since they were the only customers, Zach and King was forced to absorb every words that came out of their mouth. It wasn't bad though. It was cute, to be honest. King enjoyed their company, especially when he saw the loving interactions from the two children-less individuals. He admired them.

Afterward the main course, you'd think that the two were already full. But here they were again, waiting behind a counter for the crispy bacon and cheese fries that seemed legit and temptingly seductive for the eyes and the stomach. A Mezzo-Soprano in singing cholesterol, King thought. But that didn't end there.

Unexpectedly, the stroll turned into a food trip. Their last stop, desserts.

───── ❝ TO BE CONTINUED❞ ─────

Zach is a natural flirt despite his serious nature at times. And hehe, what kind of payment would you like, Zacky-boy?

I recently made an animated book cover for the current one on my Tapas page featuring the brothers. Too bad Wattpad don't support GIF covers.

Here's a heart and kiss for a change. Take it, or imma tomahawk chop you up, bish  ( ˘ ³˘)っ♡