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If you asked Ryland, there was nothing worse than a gala. Spending a whole evening dancing and talking to snooty strangers (who all wanted something from you) was his absolute personal hell, and the fact that there was no way out of them just made it all so much worse. He’d rather spend his time studying alone in his library. Then again, he’d almost always rather be studying than doing any of his princely duties. He hated being in the public eye and having all of these expectations thrust upon him when he’d much rather be left alone or in the company of one of the few people he trusted. At galas, he was completely isolated from every comfort he had in the world, and he hated it.
Truly, the only good thing about galas these days was watching his guard get more and more fed up with other people laying their hands on him as the night went on. Tonight, he could have sworn that every time he spared a glance towards Simon, the other man was glaring daggers into whoever he was talking to or dancing with. It almost made Ryland laugh a couple of times.
Simon had been his personal guard for a few months now, and Ryland could confidently say he’d never felt so understood by another person. Simon was extremely closed off when they first met, reluctant to even share his name. But, by now, they’d long-since established trust and shared more with each other than with anyone else. Ryland told Simon about his desire to flee from his responsibilities, and Simon told Ryland about his history with the cult of Eden. Neither of them judged the other, and both understood that they were there for each other, no matter what the world beyond them would think.
Recently (as in within the past week), Ryland had started to notice Simon’s behavior shifting. He stuck close to the prince’s side regardless of the circumstances, acted extra protective whenever Ryland seemed even mildly uncomfortable, and frequently found excuses to touch him (guiding him along with their arms linked or a hand on the small of his back, straightening out his clothes, squeezing his hand when Ryland got nervous before a meeting, stuff like that). They’d always gotten along well, but this recent change made Ryland start questioning their relationship.
Now, as he danced with a woman he’d never met and glanced over at Simon, whose keen eyes locked onto his the instant he caught him looking, Ryland couldn’t help but wonder how far he could push it before Simon broke past the confines of his professional persona. Like an experiment. He tore his eyes away from Simon’s and focused on the woman in his arms. He couldn’t remember her name, honestly, but he remembered how excited she had been to talk to him. He committed himself then and there to spending the night with her so that he could study Simon’s reactions.
Turns out, Simon was much better at maintaining his composure than Ryland would have thought. No matter how much time he spent dancing, talking, and laughing with the noblewoman (whose name he had since learned was Moriah), Simon remained at his post. He was watching them like an eagle, but his expression remained mostly tempered. The only moment Ryland spotted a crack was when Moriah had fussed with his shirt collar, and Simon had scoffed and glanced away, muttering something that Ryland had no shot of hearing.
Towards the end of the night, Moriah left the gala, and Ryland was left talking to an assortment of nameless nobles he couldn’t care less about until the party wound down and he was free to depart from the ballroom.
On the way to his room, with Simon at his side, Ryland sighed, “Could have gone much worse.”
Simon hummed in stoic agreement.
Looking over to the other man, Ryland asked, “You alright?”
“Fine.”
“Convincing.”
Simon rolled his eyes. “I am fine.”
“Then why do you seem so off? Usually, you’re already complaining about how stuffy the ballroom is or how excessive everyone’s dumb outfits were.”
Shrugging, Simon simply stated, “Doesn’t matter.”
Ryland studied him for a good, long moment as they approached the door to his bedroom. “Then why did you look so pissed off the entire time?”
“I wasn’t pissed off,” Simon shot him a glare. “Just don’t like the way people act around you at these things,” he muttered.
Stopping right in front of his doorway, Ryland tilted his head, “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I have an idea of what you mean. Doesn’t mean I’m right.”
“People just-” Simon glanced around, “Can we at least talk in your room if you’re going to get all nosy?”
Grace nodded, opening the door and leading Simon in.
The instant the door closed, Simon said, “I don’t like the way people act as if they know you. Or the way they look at you like they want you when they don’t have a chance in hell.”
“I don’t think that’s what people are thinking.”
“Trust me, it is,” Simon stated confidently and bluntly, starting to pace back and forth. “These people look at you, and they only see what they want from you. They don’t care about who you are or what you want.”
Ryland stayed silent for a moment, waiting for Simon to continue, but he didn’t.
Simon just looked over at him and scanned his expression, looking for something. Whatever he was looking for, Simon didn’t seem to find it, and he looked a little disheartened.
“Well, it’s not like that really matters. I don’t care about them; they don’t care about me. It’s mutual.”
“Yeah, but you don’t want or expect anything from them. They all want you, but none of them deserve you. They don’t know you.”
Ryland felt his cheeks flush slightly, “I really don’t think that many people want me, Simon.”
“I do.” The moment the words left Simon’s lips, his eyes widened, and he clarified, “I do think that.”
Staring at his guard, Ryland slowly processed his words, his reaction, and his expression. Simon looked like he was about to sprint out of the room, so Ryland reached out and took his hand before he could seriously consider it, “Don’t go.”
Simon stared at him, then their hands, then back at him, “Okay…”
Neither of them let go, and Ryland found himself wondering if maybe Simon’s protective instinct was more than that when it came to him.
“Simon…” he trailed off.
Simon stared right at him, attention unwavering, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. It doesn’t matter what I think about any of this. My job is to keep you safe, not impose myself on every facet of your life.”
“Simon, I asked.”
“And I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m supposed to be professional here.” He tore his hand away from Ryland’s, clenching it into a fist, “I shouldn’t be indulging in this.”
“Indulging in what?”
“In this!” Simon gestured to Ryland’s now-empty hand. “In the idea that any affection I hold for you is appropriate or returned when I know it’s neither of those things.” His face was flushed with frustration, but Ryland didn’t falter even as his heart raced. “It’s not right,” Simon sighed, “I shouldn’t want to hold you like this…”
“What if I want you to?” Ryland asked.
Simon stared at him in disbelief.
“I mean it,” he countered before Simon could even argue. “What would you do if I wanted that?”
Simon kept staring for a moment until something seemed to click in his head. “Are you sure that’s something you want?”
Ryland nodded, “Positive.”
Simon took a step closer, reaching up to caress Ryland’s jaw with one hand while the other hesitantly rested on his waist. “Every time I watch you dance with someone, I want to step in. Get them away from you and keep you to myself. I don’t want anyone else to lay a hand on you, no matter how gentle they are.”
“When I was dancing with that woman earlier, I kept looking at you because I was wondering if you’d step in if we kept going,” Ryland admitted, leaning into Simon’s touch.
Simon raised an eyebrow, “Did you want me to?”
Ryland shrugged, “I wanted to see if you would. I don’t like dancing in general, so I wouldn’t have complained if you did. Mostly, I was just curious how much you could take.”
“So you were testing me?” Simon chuckled as Ryland nodded. “Sorry to disappoint you with my capacity for self-control, your highness,” he teased.
The way Simon said his title, practically purring, made Ryland want to melt into his arms. “You certainly had more than I thought.”
“Trust me, I’m pretty damn good at keeping myself on a tight leash.” He ran his thumb across Ryland’s cheek and tightened his grip on his waist, “I’d be a lot more reckless if I didn’t.”
Biting his lip, Ryland gulped, “That sounds fun.”
“Oh, does it, now?” Simon smirked, giving him a once-over. “You want me to stop holding back, don’t you?”
All Ryland could do was nod as his thoughts went hazy. He wasn’t sure he’d ever felt this way before. So desperate for another person’s touch that he couldn’t form a coherent thought other than an unspoken ‘please’.
Simon’s hand slid down to his shirt collar and gripped it tightly before he pulled Ryland down into a messy, desperate kiss. Ryland immediately wrapped his arms around his neck. There was no rhyme or reason to the kiss; there didn’t need to be. The only thing that mattered was that they were as close as physically possible. Something Simon communicated by pulling Ryland closer and pressing their hips together, grinding against him slowly and drawing out a breathy moan from the prince’s lips.
As Simon pulled back, Ryland leaned forward after him, only to be stopped by Simon’s hand on his chest, pushing him back. He went to complain, but stopped when the other man spoke first.
“Are you sure you want this?”
Ryland paused, staring down at him. Simon looked uneasy, and it took Ryland a second to bring himself down to earth enough to give a coherent response. He brought his hands to either side of Simon’s face, holding him steady and keeping their eyes locked, “Yes, Simon. I want this. I want you. I don’t want some random noble I met at a random party who could never see past my title. I want you because you cared enough to get to know me. And you care enough to check that this is what I want.”
Simon nodded, confidence slowly returning to him as he gently pushed Ryland back, demanding, “Get on the bed.”
Stumbling back a little, Ryland blushed and laughed, “Okay, okay,” as he pivoted and closed the distance to his bed with Simon right on his heels. He sat on the edge of the bed, intending to take his shoes off, when Simon kneeled before him and took the task upon himself.
“You don’t have to-”
“I want to, your highness,” Simon spoke softly, looking up at him. “Let me serve you.”
His breath caught in his throat, but he nodded, letting Simon loosen the laces and remove his shoes. When he finished, he pressed a kiss to Ryland’s inner thigh.
“Do you want help with the rest of your clothes?”
Ryland nodded breathlessly as Simon stood, starting by nimbly unbuttoning his vest, then his shirt, and then removing both with slow, deliberate motions. Once both were off, Simon took his time folding the clothes and stepped back to set them on Ryland’s bedside table while Ryland watched him with bated breath.
When Simon returned, he motioned for Ryland to stand, which he did obediently, allowing Simon to undo the fastening of his pants. Sliding his hands beneath the waistband of his undergarments, Simon slid his hands down, over Ryland’s hips, until both garments were on the floor and Ryland was left completely undressed. Again, Simon took the time to fold his clothes and set them aside.
Simon kept his distance for a moment, slowly examining Ryland’s form while the taller man fought the urge to squirm under his guard’s attentive eye. He caught Simon’s gaze lingering on his erection for just a moment and averted his own gaze. It was all he could do to keep himself from imploding.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” Simon sighed, his words drawing Ryland’s attention back, their eyes meeting once again.
God, Ryland must have been bright red. He felt like his entire face was on fire. “You’re one to talk.”
“Take the compliment.”
“I-”
“Ryland,” he hummed sweetly, head tilting ever so slightly. Simon knew exactly what he was doing, using his name instead of his title. He only ever did that when he wanted Ryland to fold. It worked (almost) every time.
“Thanks,” he grumbled reluctantly, earning a laugh out of Simon. “Not fair that you’re fully clothed.”
Simon chuckled, “All you had to do was ask. Lie down, and I’ll be right there.”
Ryland settled back atop the sheets of his bed, sitting up and keeping his eyes focused on Simon as the other man got to work. He was much more careless in undressing himself, quickly undoing buttons and tossing his clothes to the side the instant he was free from them. Ryland didn’t dare to look away the entire time. He knew Simon was buff, and he’d seen him shirtless before, but this was different. This wasn’t just Simon showing off how remarkably strong he was for the heck of it. This was private and intimate, a scene meant just for Ryland.
He watched as Simon joined him on the bed, tapping his inner calf in a wordless request for Ryland to part his legs. He did so, and Simon kissed his way up one leg while he slowly dragged a hand up the other, making Ryland shift around with nervous anticipation as his hand hovered around his erection.
“I could watch you squirm around forever, I think,” Simon teased, retracting his hand.
“Simon, please…” he whined, biting his lip hard.
Spitting in his hand before wrapping his fingers around his cock, Simon sighed contentedly, “As if I could ever say no to you,” and began to stroke his cock slowly, prompting Ryland’s hips to buck as he moaned.
Simon wasted no time, leaning over and licking the precome off the tip of his erection before taking him into his mouth and starting to bob his head.
Somehow more desperate than before, now that Simon’s mouth was on him, Ryland used one hand to cling to the sheets and brace himself while tangling the fingers of his other hand in Simon’s hair. He firmly gripped his hair and pulled him down until he felt the back of his throat. Simon let him, taking every inch of him and groaning around him.
As Simon pulled his head back slightly, Ryland rolled his hips to chase the dizzy feeling of bliss that had overcome him moments ago. Simon continued to pull back, swirling his tongue around the head of his cock before once again taking his entire length into his mouth and bobbing his head quickly, sucking him off with all the diligence of his station.
“God, Simon,” Ryland gasped, both hands now tangled in Simon’s hair as he let go of himself and allowed the ecstasy of the moment to overwhelm him.
With Ryland’s hands in his hair, Simon let the prince take control for a moment, the pressure of his hands on the back of Simon’s head guiding his tempo. As the prince rolled his hips and hit the back of Simon’s throat again, Simon swallowed around him, causing the blonde to buck his hips and moan, “Si- Please- Please I’m so close.”
Simon clearly took that as an invitation to light his every nerve on fire, his guard’s nails digging into his hips as he bobbed his head and used his tongue to apply as much pressure to his erection as he possibly could. Every touch drew the filthiest moans and whimpers out of Ryland, who was teetering right on the edge of an orgasm. It was Simon looking up at him with pure and absolute adoration that took him over the edge.
Back arching and eyes slamming shut as he came, Ryland could still feel Simon’s eyes on him, studying him in this most vulnerable moment. His guard kept his lips around his cock, taking everything he gave him while Ryland cried out for him repeatedly, his moans becoming whines and whimpers as he started to come down from the high.
When Simon finally took his mouth off of him, Ryland nearly let out a sigh of relief before Simon wrapped his fingers around him again and slowly stroked him. He felt tears sting in his eyes as the overwhelming sensation of Simon’s hand made him squirm. Forcing his eyes open, he looked down to see Simon staring at him intently.
“You’re so pretty like this. Whiny and desperate.” He pressed a soft kiss to the head of his cock before asking, “Did you like that, your highness?”
He nodded quickly, biting his lip to hold back more whimpers.
“I want to hear you say it. Did you like that, Ryland?”
He whined, blushing furiously as he sighed, “Yes, Simon.”
Simon chuckled, finally releasing him and letting Ryland breathe, “Good.” He shifted to kneel by Ryland’s side, cupping his cheek and leaning over to press lingering kisses to his neck. “You did so well,” he whispered against his skin between kisses.
Ryland gulped and turned his head away, flustered beyond belief, “I didn’t even do anything.”
“I beg to differ,” Simon muttered, nipping and tugging at his ear.
Ryland gasped and covered his mouth with his hand.
Simon reached up and placed his hand atop the prince’s, curling his fingers around it and guiding his hand away from his lips, “I don’t want you to hold back either. Let me hear you.”
He bit the inside of his lip as he turned his head back towards Simon. Simon, who looked at him so softly and adoringly, held his hand as he worshiped every part of his body, and spoke to him as if he’d known him his entire life. “Simon…”
Simon pulled away and tilted his head slightly.
“Thank you.”
Simon nodded, “I’m honored that you’ve entrusted me with your pleasure.”
Why did he have to say that?! Every time Ryland thought he’d regained his composure, Simon unraveled him all over again. It wasn’t fair. He wanted to return the favor, but he’d never done anything like this before. He’d never felt secure enough with another person even to consider wanting to explore anything sexual. But with Simon, he felt a degree of trust and certainty that it was safe to explore, in spite of his inexperience.
Ryland cleared his throat, “Your turn.”
Simon raised his eyebrows in surprise, “You don’t have to-”
He sat up straighter, “I want to make you feel good, Simon. Please, let me.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded, “Positive. Just tell me if I’m doing anything wrong, okay?”
Simon nodded, sitting back against the ornate headboard as Ryland moved to sit between Simon’s legs and tentatively reached out to wrap his fingers around his erection. Simon stiffened immediately, and Ryland retracted his hand.
“Not used to people being so gentle,” Simon laughed under his breath.
“Do you want me to..?”
“I want you to touch me,” he assured. “Any way you want me, I’m yours.”
Recalling what Simon had done, Ryland sheepishly spat into his hand, earning a low chuckle from Simon, before wrapping his hand around Simon’s cock and starting to slowly stroke him.
“Fuck-!” Simon gasped as Ryland continued at his slow pace. “More, Ry,” he groaned, cheeks flushed and eyes pleading. Ryland obeyed and quickened his pace, jacking Simon off with a firm grip. Simon didn’t seem to have a problem showing Ryland exactly how much he affected him, considering the way he gripped the sheets on either side of him and rolled his hips to match the pace of Ryland’s strokes.
It was mesmerizing, watching Simon let himself go and respond so openly to such a simple touch. He may be stoic, generally speaking, but he was shaking up to be quite sensitive and reactive in bed. It fueled Ryland’s confidence as he lay on his stomach, propped up by an elbow, between Simon’s legs. He leaned over and ran his tongue over the length of Simon’s cock, from the base to the head, before taking the tip into his mouth and circling his tongue around it, tasting Simon for the first time and savoring every lewd moan the actions drew out from Simon’s lips.
“God, Ryland, just like that,” Simon moaned, head lolling back as his eyes closed. Blindly reaching out, his fingers combed through the prince’s hair for a moment before balling into a tight fist. He didn’t apply any pressure, just clung to Ryland’s hair like a lifeline as the blonde sucked him off diligently.
Something about Simon’s praise drove Ryland crazy and made him desperate to earn more, so he kept his lips wrapped around the other man’s cock and bobbed his head, taking as much as he could into his mouth without gagging and stroking the rest of the length with his hand. Simon’s groans turned into breathy gasps and whines that Ryland never would have thought were sounds his guard could make. How lucky he was to hear them.
It didn’t take long at all for Simon to start losing control of himself and thrusting up into the prince’s mouth as he panted, “Fuck, Ry, ‘m so close- Don’t stop, please..!”
Feeling Simon’s cock press deep into his mouth, Ryland swallowed instinctually, leading to Simon’s vice grip on his hair tightening as his guard rambled, “Yeah, baby, like that. Fuck, you’re so good.”
That was all Ryland needed to push his limits and try to take the entirety of Simon’s erection in his mouth. He nearly felt the tip of his cock at the back of his throat when Simon came. The sudden, unexpected sensation triggered Ryland’s gag reflex and made him pull away, coughing while Simon’s grip on his hair kept him down between his legs. Simon himself was trembling slightly and biting his lip hard, trying to ground himself through his orgasm.
Seeing Ryland continuing to cough made his guard immediately focus and release his grip on his hair, taking a few breaths to steady himself and come down before he cupped his cheek and asked, “Shit, are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
Ryland shook his head as he caught his breath, leaning into Simon’s hand. “I’m okay.”
Simon leaned over as Ryland got back to his knees so they were eye-level again, “You sure?”
He nodded, “Yeah. Sorry to, uh,” he laughed, blushing, “ruin the mood.”
Simon shook his head, “Nothing to apologize for. I should have been more careful.”
Ryland shrugged, blush intensifying, “I like that you weren’t. I’m not made of porcelain. I won’t break.”
Glancing him over, Simon hummed, “I’ll find a way.” Ryland wasn’t sure if he was flirting or taking a dig at himself. He decided it was flirting, though, giving Simon the benefit of the doubt while simultaneously inviting himself to get more flustered than he had been when Simon had his mouth on him.
Even as he decided Simon was flirting, he was still left speechless until Simon leaned forward and pressed his lips to Ryland’s. This kiss was far more tender than their first, and it cemented Simon’s place in his heart. He didn’t know what this was, what they were, but he wasn’t sure he cared, so long as they had each other.
Simon pulled back, hesitated, then pressed one more kiss to Ryland’s forehead, “You should rest.” He went to get off the bed, but Ryland caught his hand as he moved away.
“Stay with me?”
Halfway off the bed, Simon looked back at Ryland and sighed, “I can’t. I’m supposed to be posted outside of your room, not in your bed.”
“But-”
“Ryland, as grateful as I am right now, I can’t break my word or my oath to protect you. If you’ll have me, I’ll be yours in any way you want me to be. But I must be your protector before I’m anything else to you.”
“...Fine,” he reluctantly yielded, letting his hand go. “Just promise me you’ll let yourself be more to me.”
Simon looked taken aback, but he nodded as he got off the bed and went to gather his clothes, “I will.”
“Swear it.”
Shirt in his hands, Simon met Ryland’s eyes, “I swear, I will be whatever you want me to be for as long as you’ll have me.”
The room fell silent as Simon dressed himself. Ryland just watched, mulling over Simon’s promise in his head. Something about it bothered him, but he couldn’t place his finger on it. When Simon made his way to the door, it clicked.
“Wait!” Ryland scrambled to his feet.
Simon looked back with an eyebrow raised, his hand on the doorknob. “What?”
Ryland hesitated before speaking, “I don’t want you to be what I want you to be, Simon. I want you to be yourself, just…with me.”
Simon let go of the knob and walked over to him, stopping just in front of him, “I wasn’t saying I’d change myself for you. I was saying I don’t care what we call this. As long as I’m yours, then I’m happy. Is that okay with you, your highness?”
Ryland rolled his eyes when Simon referred to him by his title, but it still made him blush as he nodded, “Okay. Yeah…Yeah, that’s okay.”
Simon chuckled, his rough hands reaching up to hold Ryland’s face and pull him into one more kiss. “Sweet dreams, Ryland,” Simon whispered against his lips before pulling away, letting him go, and exiting the room.
Ryland reached up and faintly touched his lips with the tips of his fingers.
Yeah, he could get used to this.