Valoria Palace - Dungeon
There are a million ways to be tortured before being put out of your misery.
Stan never expected the boy he used to love - call friend - to be the observer of his torture. Then again, he believes that Stan killed his mom.
The though itself was so idiotic Stan chuckled.
With his good eye, Stan peered up at Farley, Shay, and the stoic-faced palace guard. Farley stood there still as a statue, her lips pulled into an amused smirk.
On the other hand, Shay wasn't well-practiced in the art of hiding his emotions He folded his arms tightly across his chest while he looked Stan up and down.
"Something funny?" Shay hissed, voice dripping with venom.
Stan spat on the ground near Farley's shote - a tooth landed among the blood splatter. Farley grimaced wiping her boot on the ground.
Stan chuckled, lifting his arm to scratch his head. The chains keeping him in place clanked. "Scare of a little blood?"
Farley opened her mouth to snap back but Shay waved her and the guard out.
"Sir-" Farley spluttered.
"Go, Farley. That's an order."
With a huff Farley left with the guard following her. Stan watched them until they were out of sight.
"Hoping to finish me off, then?" Stan murmured, hanging his head. "Go ahead, your father has already taken everything from me."
Shay glanced out into the hall, dropping his cold demeanor. He turned back to Stan. "You're telling the truth...about my mom?"
"Yes. I may be a savage - but I don't kill women." Stan whispered fighting against the wave of fatigue that came over him.
"Your charges for Michol Little have been dropped."
Stan blinked unsure he heard him correctly. The charges dropped?
How?
When?
Who?
What did it change? He's still facing death for the murder of Queen Patricia - a swift one at that.
"I knew...King Agnus would send a torturer." Stan says, "I'm flattered he sent his best."
A man who'd rip out Stan's heart without blinking.
Shay chuckles. "We both know purple isn't my color."
Stan looks up to see Shay smile - that boyish grin. The one he first winked at him when they'd play together. The one he gave after their hands accidentally brushed.
The one he flashed at him right before King Agnus handed him the death sentence.
"Stop kidding me. Get this over with." Stan grumbled, looking down again.
Shay grasped Stan's chin lifting his face. "I'm not kidding you, Stan. Your sister helped to drop the charges."
"Wh-?"
"Right now I need you to act like a prisoner on death row." Shay held out his hand holding a blue rose.
Stan thought about pointing out the irony of Shay's statement but he stopped. Avery.
Stan blinked at the flower. "How-?"
"You're not going to die today." Shay tucked the flower in his pocket. "Or ever."
Stan attempted to pull away but Shay held fast, his breath sending chills up Stan's back.
"Is Mallory-?"
"I need you to stay alive, Stan. Don't do it for me, though, do if for your family." his gaze locked on Stan's. "Mallory is onboard. She doesn't believe you killed our mother either."
"What-What's going on? How is Avery-?"
"He and a couple of his friends will free you."
"You're ok with that?!"
Shay raised a brow, confused. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I murdered Michol Little because I was angry and so...petty." Stan hissed, his eyes welling up with tears. "I used to have a crush on you 'ya know. Then I saw you and Noah...I'd gotten so angry."
Shay's mouth moved but no words formed.
"The real reason I told on you when we were seven wasn't because I hated you - I loved you - so much that it hurt." tears streamed down Stan's face mixing with the blood. "I should be the one saying-"
"Sorry?" Shay rasped.
Stan nods. "Yes, Shay. I am - for everything."
His gaze fell to Shay's mouth and before he could lose his nerve he pressed his lips against his.
Shay responded instantly opening his mouth and allowing their tongues to meet. Stan moaned low in his throat, Shay tasted so sweet and smelled of honey.
Stan ran his hands up Shay's back through his soft hair and down his muscular chest. His hands slipped beneath Shay's shirt, his finger running over his chiseled abs and corded muscles.
Shay groaned tilting Stan's head to their lips met fully.
Stan had dreamed about this since he'd been six, now-
Someone tapped on the bars causing them to jerk apart. Mallory stood on the other side of the cell, a wicked smile slowly spreading - her eyes full of glee.
Shay's fox, Silvyr, stood beside her staring in.
"How-How long have you been standing there?" Shay asked, breathless.
Mallory giggled. "Long enough to know my brother has a boyfriend!"
Shay glanced back to smirk.
When Mallory and Silvyr left, Shay placed a hand on Stan's chest.
"So, promise to stay alive, yeah?"
Stan nodded, but all he wanted was to feel Shay's mouth on his again.
This time Shay's lips found his.
Boyfriend has a nice ring to it.