The young couple meet up at the nearby Syttende Mai celebration to watch the parades and cheer them on. For the first time in his life Kai is enjoying himself because he's with the person he loves and he doesn't have to measure up to anyone. "This was a good idea," he tells Aaren with a big smile on his face. Aaren grins and puts his arm around Kai, "I'm glad you think so," he replies. They spend the entire day out and about, watching all the parades and generally just messing around. All to soon night comes and Kai starts to head back but Aaren stops him, "I have another idea!" He declares with a mischievous smile.
"What idea?" Kai asks curiously, Aaren just grabs Kai's hand and pulls him away from the crowds, "Where are we going Ren?" he looks around trying to figure it out, "camping," Aaren replies with an excited smile, "I set everything up earlier." Kai blinks, "I've never gone camping before... is it safe?" Aaren laughs, "of course it's safe! I wouldn't bring you if it wasn't," the prince nods and walks with his boyfriend.
Aaren and Kai get to the campsite where Aaren has already set up a small single tent and two bags are laying on the outside, "ta da!" Aaren declares and starts gathering wood for a fire. Kai helps set up the fallen tree branches while Aaren shows him how to light a fire.
After they get the fire going Kai unpacks some food from the bags and prepares it, the way he learned from his books. Aaren takes a bite from his portion of the meal and his eyes widen in surprise, "this is good!" Kai laughs, "you say that like you expected it to taste bad," he says. His boyfriend gives a sheepish look and just finishes eating. Kai smirks and eats his food as well.
When they've both finished the food and cleaned up the camp a little, Kai finally notices that there's only one tent. "umm... why's there only one tent-?" Aaren grins and sits at the entrance of the temporary dwelling, "I figured you might get scared since it's your first time camping and you might need a buddy," he winks.
Kai's face turns pink but it's hard to see in the dim starlight and he just moves past Aaren and settles into the cloth tent, "g'night babe," he mumbles tiredly and falls into a deep sleep. Aaren stays up awhile longer, looking up into the starry sky and smiling. All he can think about is how much his life has changed thanks to Kai and how happy he is to be with him officially.
Aaren glances at Kai who sleeps peacefully and spreads a cloak over him to make him more comfortable. In his sleep Kai pulls the cloak more around himself and smiles which makes Aaren smile happily. He steps outside of the tent and lays down on the grass to stargaze. About half an hour he drifts peacefully off to sleep and snores softly.
When Aaren wakes up the next morning he sees Kai sleeping next to him on the grass and smiles. "good morning my prince," he whispers and Kai stirs slightly. Kai blinks a bit and yawns, "morning Ren..." he looks around realizing where they are. "we should probably head back soon," Kai points out.
"About that... What if we traveled instead of going back? I've always wanted to see the world and it would be more fun if we went together!" Aaren suggests with a look of hopefulness in his eyes.
Kai hesitates but eventually agrees, "okay... but we should stop by the castle first so I can tell father," he decides. Aaren nods, "okay, I'll pack up, you go do what you need to do babe." he kisses the prince and starts gathering the camping gear. Kai grins and runs off to the castle.
When Aaren and Kai meet up next the blond prince is very downcast, "what's wrong?" Aaren gives Kai a worried looks and a hug. "Father didn't even notice that I was leaving... he was to focused on Casper..." Kai tells his boyfriend sadly. "hmm..." Aaren hums and keeps an arm wrapped around Kai's waist, "well you don't have to worry about being overlooked anymore, you've got me with you!"
Kai smiles at Aarens words and leans into him greatfully, "thanks Ren," he says with a smile. Hand in hand they walk down a dirt road off to the next city, Kai carries the bags and Aaren is in charge of the tent and money. By the time they reach the next town, both boys are very tired and looking for a place to sleep.
Kai and Aaren go all around the city looking for an inn that would take them but all of them were full. Aaren frowns, "where do we stay now?" Kai considers this question and thinks, "didn't we pass a cave on our in? Why don't we sleep there tonight?"
"Nope, we can't stay there, it's cursed," Aaren replies factually, "anyone who goes in never comes out." He shakes his head. Now it's Kai's turn to frown, "fairytales and curses aren't real Ren, magic doesn't exist. If people disappear then there must be a scientific reasoning to it," he states. "I think we should check it out."
Aaren raises an eyebrow, "you're willing to risk your life to prove magic doesn't exist?" Kai hesitates before responding, "I guess so." He shrugs, "but I'm positive nothing bad will happen, you don't have to come if you're scared," Kai adds, not in a mean way but in an understanding way.
"I'm not scared," Aaren replies, "I'm worried about you, and there's no way I'm letting you go alone, if you're really determined to go I'm coming too."