Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Predator
After what felt like an eternity of bickering, Rowan and Kastiel finally exhausted themselves and ceased their argument. As they turned their attention back to the dining table, they were met with a rather surprising sight - Carlton was seen wiping his mouth contentedly, having polished off every morsel of food that had been laid out.
Rowan and Kastiel exchanged a bewildered glance, unsure quite how to react to this development. Especially given the distinctly amused glint in Carlton’s eye as he surveyed them both.
"You seem to have quite the appetite tonight, Your Grace," Rowan remarked wryly as he retrieved his cutlery and resumed picking at his now lukewarm steak.
Kastiel had long since lost any semblance of hunger. With a heavy sigh, he pushed his plate away in disgust.
Carlton leaned back in his chair with a self-satisfied air, bestowing upon each young man an appraising look in turn. "Ah yes," he mused aloud, "I must say I’m most impressed by your progress! Given the usual timeline for these things, I’d have expected you two to be at this stage in your relationship a good four years hence. But it seems the sparks are flying much sooner than anticipated!"
Rowan very nearly choked on his mouthful of food at this pronouncement, while Kastiel flushed crimson and ground his teeth in consternation.
"We do not have a relationship!" Kastiel protested vehemently. "That kiss was nothing more than an accident!"
"Ah, but as they say, ’love is often born from chance encounters’," Carlton replied sagely, pressing his fingertips together and affecting an air of bashful nostalgia. "Why, my darling and I began our journey together in much the same fashion - a mere accidental kiss that blossomed into something far deeper."
Kastiel shuddered at the comparison, while Rowan looked as though he might be ill. The two men exchanged a look of pure mortification at Carlton’s shameless display.
Carlton, with a mischievous glint in his eye, was determined to play the role of matchmaker for Rowan and Kastiel. As far as he was concerned, their budding romance could not be allowed to languish - no, he would see it blossom into full flower posthaste! For in Carlton’s mind, Kastiel had already been designated as his future romantic rival. And so, the Duke donned an imaginary pair of horns and a demonic tail as he set about manipulating the hearts and minds of the two young men.
"Ahh yes," Carlton reminisced dreamily, "when Alaric and I first shared that fateful kiss... well, I can tell you now that it sent my heart aflutter! Oh, how awkward we both were at first - but deep down inside..." He paused here to shoot Rowan and Kastiel a meaningful look. "...deep down inside, I knew that I didn’t truly dislike it."
Carlton’s eyes darted between Rowan and Kastiel, a knowing smirk playing about his lips. "Now then, I must ask: what were your own feelings in that moment? Did you find yourself... enjoying the experience more than you might have expected?"
The two men squirmed uncomfortably under Carlton’s meaningful gaze, acutely aware of the lecherous undertones to his words and mannerisms. It was as if they could see right through him - this so-called ’professional’ in matters of love coming across more like a perverted uncle intent on meddling in their affairs.
As Carlton’s words sank in, Kastiel found himself grappling with a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. The memory of that fateful kiss played over and over in his mind - the racing of his heart before their lips even met, the sudden blanking out of his thoughts as they connected, and worst of all... the realization that he had not hated it.
No, more than not hating it - he had actually enjoyed it. The softness of Rowan’s lips against his own was seared into his memory. But how could this be? How could he possibly harbor any tender feelings for Rowan, the bane of his existence since childhood? Was this merely a result of Kastiel’s prolonged singledom driving him to distraction?
He felt like screaming or backflipping or both as frustration bubbled up inside him. This was all too much to process!
Meanwhile, Rowan too found himself replaying the events from earlier in the day. He remembered with startling clarity just how soft Kastiel’s lips had been beneath his own - so much softer than he would have ever expected from one who had been his rival for so long. It was almost enough to make him forget who he was kissing at all.
But even as the memory filled him with a strange sort of warmth, Rowan felt a rising tide of panic. Could it be that he actually harbored feelings for Kastiel? Feelings beyond mere rivalry and annoyance? Surely not - but then why had he enjoyed their kiss so much?
The two men sat in silence, each lost in their own tumultuous thoughts, both equally terrified by the implications of their realizations.
Carlton’s sly smile only widened as he watched Kastiel and Rowan squirm uncomfortably, each lost in their own spiraling thoughts. He knew that even if they didn’t actively dislike one another, a few well-placed suggestions could poison their minds with the idea that they were indeed attracted to each other.
"Well..." Carlton reminisced wistfully, "when I first realized my feelings for Alaric... I was just as panicked as you two look now. To think that I could harbor such tender emotions for one who had once been merely a friend! But when I felt that I did not dislike our kiss... when I knew with certainty that there was more between us than mere platonic affection..."
Rowan and Kastiel shifted uncomfortably under Carlton’s gaze, feeling like his words were meant for them rather than some long-ago memory. The Duke seemed to have appointed himself an expert on matters of the heart - but both men were beginning to suspect that this expertise came from another planet entirely!
They tried to remind themselves that Carlton was currently under the delusion of being from the future - but even so, his behavior was far too bizarre to be anything otherworldly! In just one day since Carlton had changed, he had already driven them both to the brink of insanity with his meddling and cryptic remarks.
As Carlton’s words about the blossoming of feelings continued to take root in Kastiel and Rowan’s minds, neither realized just how deeply they were being affected. Carlton had sown the seeds of affection, and it was only a matter of time before those seeds would sprout into something far more tangible.
Carlton himself believed that this transformation would take some time - but he could never have anticipated just how quickly things would unfold! The future was always full of surprises, after all...
Kastiel found himself shrinking back from Carlton’s inscrutable gaze, feeling an overwhelming urge to flee. In his two years on the battlefield, he had never once experienced such severe stress as he did today under Carlton’s watchful eye. The Duke seemed intent on driving him to the brink of madness...
Just as Kastiel thought he could bear no more, there came a knock at the door. It swung open to reveal Alaric, tall and regal as ever with his black hair and golden eyes. As usual, the Crown Prince entered with calm elegance - but what he found upon entering was a scene that made his brow furrow in confusion.
Rowan and Kastiel both felt an almost overwhelming urge to embrace their crown prince savior right then and there. They were so grateful for the distraction from Carlton’s relentless meddling!
But Carlton, oblivious to the frosty reception he was receiving from his beloved, bounded over to Alaric with all the grace of a charging bull. He wrapped his arms around the Crown Prince in a tight embrace, babbling out endearments as if they spent the entire day missing each other.
"Darling!!! Miss you!!!" Carlton exclaimed with uncharacteristic fervor, pressing kisses to every inch of Alaric’s face.
Alaric’s brow furrowed as Carlton continued to pepper his face with kisses, each one landing like a small betrayal. After the fifth kiss, Alaric finally reacted, turning his head just in time to avoid another press of lips against his skin. He fixed Carlton with a cold stare.
"I came here to see if you were causing trouble again," Alaric stated flatly, "and it seems my suspicions were correct. You’re at it again with Rowan and Kastiel."
Carlton was taken aback by Alaric’s words and tone of voice. In their dozen years of marriage together, Alaric had always been gentle and trusting towards him - always striving to make Carlton happy in whatever way he could. This version of Alaric was still polite and gentle... but there was a certain aloofness to his demeanor that left Carlton feeling strangely bereft.
Seeing the Duke’s crestfallen expression, Alaric hardened his resolve. In a firm voice that brooked no argument, he declared:
"I know you believe we are married, but to me you are merely my best friend. I will not allow our friendship to be jeopardized by your delusions. Stop this behavior at once if you wish to preserve our relationship."
The words struck Carlton like a physical blow, rendering him speechless. Alaric then disentangled himself from the embrace and turned to leave, pausing only to address Kastiel.
"Kastiel, I require your presence for a private discussion," he stated before exiting the room, leaving Kastiel scrambling to follow in his wake.
Rowan moved swiftly to comfort the stricken Duke, walking alongside Kastiel as they both headed for the door. The poor man must be devastated by Prince Alaric’s harsh rebuke...
Kastiel’s hand hovered over the door handle, ready to follow Alaric out, but he paused when he caught sight of Carlton’s expression. The Duke’s face was not one of hurt or anger as Kastiel had expected - no, it was a visage of excitement, challenge... and was that arousal glinting in his eyes?!
Kastiel recoiled in shock, Rowan right beside him mirroring his horror. They both stared at Carlton with mounting unease as they watched him lick his lips like a predator eyeing its prey.
The two men exchanged a glance filled with mutual dread. Their instincts screamed danger at them in unison.
Oh no! Oh dear gods above... His Highness has unleashed something that should have remained dormant! He’ll be eaten alive after this!!!
