Parker sits on the Gustan palace roof to look at the stars.
he could see a small light in the distance heading into the gustan forest. He knew it was me. Ever since we were children we snuck into the woods to go to our secret hideout. A small treehouse. I was just a poor peasant who lived in his kingdom but we were very close friends regardless.
He smirks as he sees the light in the distance heading into the forest. "I see you found your way here, peasant." He says with a small chuckle before jumping off the roof and walking over to her. "You shouldn't be out here this late."
"I'm always out this late your highness." I teased back as I handed him the lantern because he always carried it. My cloak covered me but nothing could hide my beauty. I smiled as we walked together down the path.
"Well, you shouldn't. It's dangerous out here at night." He says as he takes the lantern from her and holds it up higher so they can see where they're going. "You could get hurt, or worse... a Tasmanian might find you." He smirks slightly before looking back over to her, studying her face in the dim light of the lantern.
"i wouldn't dare go into the forest without my strong brave prince." I replied with a playful nudge. We walked till we could see our treehouse.
Parker laughs lightly and rolls his eyes as they finally reach the treehouse. "I'm going to go ahead and take credit for that, because you know damn well I've been keeping an eye on you." He says before setting down the lantern outside of it. "Come on, let's get inside out of the cold." With that he climbs up into the treehouse first, holding his hand out to help her up after him.
we got inside and he shut the hatch. It was well insulated. And we decorated it ourselves. I flopped down on the makeshift bed and sighed contently. It was our safe place. Where we were equal.
Parker sat down next to her on the bed and smiled, watching her in the dim light coming through the window. "So, I hear you've been quite the busybody lately." He says casually, knowing she can see right through his attempt at changing the subject. "What have you been up to?"
He leans closer to her, brushing a few strands of hair from her face before tracing his finger along her jawline. His eyes never leave hers as he waits for her response.
"volunteering at the library. And I've been helping my father with arranging the festival coming up." I told him as I playfully pretended to bite his finger.
"The library?" He says with a small laugh, pulling his hand away and sitting back against the treehouse wall. "I would've thought you'd find that boring." His eyes move down to her lips as he continues, voice lowering slightly. "But I guess... if you were helping out at the festival..." His gaze returns to hers and he gives her a small, knowing smile. "You must be pretty excited about it then."
"it can be boring but I enjoy being with the children. And the festival is exciting. I'll be chosing the food that will be sold on the streets." I replied as I sat up to tell him all about it.
"Oh?" He says with a raised eyebrow, genuinely interested now. "And what kinds of things will you be picking? I've always had a sweet tooth myself." He leans in closer to her again, his voice dropping even lower. "Maybe if you want some advice on which ones are the best..." He trails off, watching her reaction closely. Her proximity is making it harder and harder for him to concentrate on what he's saying.
"well I wanted some kind of teriyaki chicken so I'll be having that set up near the front and I arranged for Eddy the fudge maker to come in from Targo to setup cause I know how much you love his fudge." I told him beautifully.
Parker's gaze drops to her mouth again as she talks about the fudge maker, but he forces himself to focus on what she's saying. "Oh, I see," he says with a smile. "Well then, I guess you're in luck that I like his fudge so much." He pauses for a moment before asking, "Why do you think I like it so much?" His voice is soft and quiet now, almost gentle.
"cause you like cavities." I teased as I playfully shoved him and tackled him onto the bed like we always did as children.
As they wrestle on the bed, Parker laughs and tries to push her off him. "You're crazy," he says between breaths. "But I guess that's why we get along so well." He manages to flip her over onto her back before straddling her hips, pinning her hands above her head. With his other hand, he brushes a few loose hairs from her face and tucks them behind her ear.
"we will always be best friends." I replied with a giggle as he let my hands go. I hugged him tightly.
He smiles down at her and hugs her back, sighing contentedly. "Yeah," he whispers. "You're the only one who understands me." He leans in closer to nibble on her earlobe before whispering, "And you're the only one I want to understand me." His hand moves down to caress her hip through her dress, his fingers trailing lower until they find the soft skin of her inner thigh.
"
"Parker.." I whispered softly. My eyes were sad. "We can't.. you know we can't.." I added as he kissed below my ear.
His fingers stop moving and he pulls back to look at her face, his expression conflicted. "I know," he says quietly, reluctantly releasing her. "But it's getting harder every time we're together." He takes a deep breath before letting go of her entirely, sitting up on the bed beside her and looking away.
"I know..." I softly replied, my cheeks slightly pink. "You've grown into a very handsome man.. everyone sees it. I am not blind... But we cannot be anything more than what we are now. Your title does not permit it." I softly added as I got up with a sigh. I walked over to the treehouse window and gazed out of it.
"I know," he says quietly, watching her out of the corner of his eye. "But sometimes I wish things were different." He turns to face her fully, his expression a mix of frustration and longing. "You mean everything to me, you know that. And I can't help but want more with you."
He pauses for a moment before continuing, voice softer still. "Maybe... maybe we could find a way to make things work between us. Even if it means going against tradition or facing the consequences."
"I am not special Parker.. you could have a princess. Any princess you wanted." I replied with teary eyes. In his world I was nothing.
"You are," he insists, moving closer to her again. "To me, you're the only one who matters. And I can't bear the thought of losing you." His hand reaches up to wipe away a tear that escapes down her cheek, his touch gentle and reverent. "Please, Analese... don't make me choose between you and my duty."
His voice cracks slightly as he speaks, revealing the depth of his emotions. The thought of losing her is unbearable to him.
"I would never.. I would never make you chose. Your duty is your blood right.. that title is yours. You were born into it. Just as I was born into being dirt compared to you, a diamond." I said with sadness in my eyes.
His expression softens at her words and he leans in to press his forehead against hers. "I know that," he whispers. "But I can't help but wish things were different. You mean everything to me, Analese." He pauses, searching for the right words to say next. "I don't care what anyone says..."
His eyes meet hers, filled with hope and determination.