Why the Straight One? - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

I couldn't pinpoint exactly what had awoken me. I lay there, staring at the ceiling in the dark, and trying to find out what had pulled me from my slumber.
My breathing was still even. It wasn't a dream, or anything like that. I listened to the quietness around me, and then I heard it.
It was a shaky breath being drawn in, then let out. A sniff, then the breath would be let out again, shakier than before. It was the unmistakable sound of someone crying quietly to themselves.
Guilt clenched in my stomach, and I wished desperately that I was still sleeping. This was something personal, something I had no right to hear. I'd already intruded on so much of his life. I knew he would hate if I heard him cry.
It was strange to think that someone who acted so strong would be crying in the middle of the night. But was it that strange? Strange that his heart was broken and he had no other time to let his emotions go then in the dead of night.
I tried to imagine how hard it must be to act like nothing was wrong. To keep my head up and behave how a prince should, when all I wanted to do was sob my pain out.
Of course, I'd felt bad for him a few times and stuff, but I'd never actually paused to consider just how difficult this was for him. I don't mean the part about me being a guy. It's not like he had to do anything with me but kiss every once and a while. But what of the girl he had had to push a way? What of the life he had imagined with her, set aside for the good of his country? Why hadn't I taken all that into consideration when I was bugging him?
I chanced a look over in his direction, and saw his back facing me. I'm the kind of person who can't handle seeing someone else in pain. Something in me just wants to hug that person, or talk to them, or do something. I knew my hug would do no good, but watching his strong shoulders shake with his silent grief, was really hard to watch.
If I really did snore when I slept, he'd probably notice that I was up soon. My first plan was pretend I was rolling over in my sleep, and that would let him know that I wasn't fully asleep.
So I did. And instantly fell back asleep.
When I woke up again, I was alone in the bed. I checked my phone to see that it was almost 8 a.m.
Remembering what I heard in the night, I promised to myself to be kinder to Thomas today. Maybe I'd wait a little while to get back at him about the whole snoring thing.
I got ready for the day, and walked out into the living room. It was strange the way the castle was set up. You could almost go the whole day without ever leaving your rooms. I was still getting used to the whole meal thing. Some days it was brought to us, and some days we went and ate with everyone. It was kind of confusing.
The door to our apartments opened, and Thomas came in.
"Do not go out there. Your friend is flirting shamelessly with Raymond." He warned, but his eyes glittered with amusement.
"Cameron is? Well, he is determined to get a prince." Thomas shook his head.
"I would have said he didn't stand a chance, but from what I saw, it's working."
"Seriously?"
"Yes, and I'm scarred for life. There's nothing like seeing your brother flirting with someone to put you off your breakfast. You go on without me."
"So we aren't having breakfast here?"
"Oh, you can ask for it to be sent here if you want. It's really whatever you decide." He sat on the couch, leaning his head against the back of it.
I called down to the kitchen, and asked for breakfast to be brought to us. When I got off the phone, Thomas was sitting there with his eyes closed.
"How are you today?" He started, and looked at me in confusion.
"Me?"
"Well I don't see anyone else around, do you? Of course you!"
"Sorry, I was just surprised. I'm fine." He sat there for a second, then seemed to remember his manners. "How are you?"
"Oh I'm good. You know, it's normal for people to ask other people how they are doing."
"True, true." He smiled, and went back to leaning his head on the back of the couch.
We fell into a comfortable silence until a knock sounded on our door.
"Come in." Thomas called out, and Jay poked his head in.
"Is Alex here?"
"Sure am!" I waved my hand, and he walked in.
"Do you guys mind if I hang out here for a while? I was kind of abandoned by my friend." Thomas laughed, and Jay looked over at him, obviously not expecting that.
"I saw that. I'm sorry for you. How did it end?" Jay rolled his eyes, and plopped down on the couch next to Thomas.
"I'm sorry for me too. And it ended how it always ends for Cameron. Soon he'll be able to check a prince off his list."
"Are you serious?" I sat forward in my chair.
"Yep."
Thomas was frowning, confusion in his eyes.
"Wait. Do you mean that-"
"Yes. Your brother isn't as straight as we thought." I patted his hand and he stared at me in horror when he finally figured out what Jay was saying.
"Are any of you guys straight?" Jay asked conversationally.
"Well Walter definitely is, and I am. I kinda thought Raymond was, but I'm not surprised that he likes anyone."
"You're straight?" Jay's eyebrows were raised, and he looked between us.
"Yes I am." Instead of looking at Thomas, Jay looked over at me.
"You sure about that? Cause I thought you married Alex, and last I heard Alex was a guy. Are you still a guy, Alex?"
"Still am." He nodded.
"That's what I thought. Hey, Thomas, he's still a guy, so you married a man. Do you know what that means?"
"It means that this was all arranged and there are no feelings involved whatsoever."
"Keep telling yourself that, man. Just remember someday that you're married to a pretty awesome guy. I'd have feelings for him if I were you."
"Well I don't."
Ouch.
Yeah, that kind of hurt. Jay looked at me sympathetically.
Breakfast came just then, and we all were spared having to continue the conversation. Thomas took this time to make his escape, so Jay ate breakfast with me.
"So, any luck that we'll see Cameron in the next hour or so?" His jaw clenched, and whether he wanted to admit it or not, I know he was jealous.
"I have no idea. He'll probably be here soon."
"What is the problem with you guys?" Jay, unlike Cameron, didn't try to hide that they both liked each other.
"I don't know, Alex. I guess I'm waiting for him."
"Why? You could make the first move, you know." He sighed.
"He's not ready for commitment, obviously, and I'm not looking for anything but that, so I'm just going to wait for this to run its course. Someday he'll slow down and realize that I've been here all along."
I looked into his kind, blue eyes, and admired his patience. He knew what he wanted as was willing to wait for it.
"Sorry you had to see that earlier then." He shrugged.
"It's not worse than normal. Cameron flirts with anything on two feet. I've seen it a million times."
Another knock sounded on the door, and I frowned, wondering who it could be.
"Come in."
The door opened and Alan walked in.
"Alex, can I—oh hi, Jay." He smiled and Jay waved, unable to speak because of his mouthful of food.
"Welcome, welcome. All are invited to my humble abode." I called to him and he grinned.
"Oh good, because Elliot is coming here in a minute."
"You guys are going to get me in trouble."
"No we won't, I swear. If anyone gives you any trouble, say that we forced our way in here and wouldn't leave."
"I'll will definitely say I witnessed that." Jay added and Alan grinned at him again.
"See, I may have only known you for a very short time, but you are a real friend." He ran forward and shook Jay's hand.
"A friend in need, is a friend indeed." I looked at him quizzically.
"What's gotten into you? You seem so happy today." He shrugged.
"I don't know. There's plenty of years left for me to be miserable, I figured I might as well enjoy these few months that I have here with Elliot while I can. Don't worry, I won't always be this cheerful."
He sat down at the table, and instantly stole some of my food.
"Jerk."
"No I'm not! I ran into Thomas on my way here, who by the way is actually way nicer than I thought, and he said that you had breakfast in here and that I could have some."
"Doesn't mean that you can have mine!" I defended, clutching my plate close to me.
"Everything that you have is his, Alex. Because you are married. So if he offered me food, then so did you."
"He has you there." Jay high-fived Alan, and smirked at me.
"Fine, you can have some, but only because I'm so nice."
Knocking sounded on the door again, and I called out for him to come in. It was Elliot, and his eyes scanned the room as soon as he entered.
As soon as they landed on Alan, his whole face lit up.
"Hey Alex, thanks for letting me in. Hi Jay." He sat down next to Alan, and stole some of the food that Alan just stole from me.
Alan was about to protest, but Elliot planted a quick kiss on his lips to silence him.
"Morning, babe." He smiled down at Alan who smiled in return.
"Okay, fine! You can share with me."
I was about to finally eat some of what remained of my food, when someone else knocked on my door.
"Damn, I doubt that door had this much action in all of the years that Thomas lived here without me." I muttered. "Come in!" I called louder.
Cameron walked in, looked pretty happy with himself. He stopped short when he saw the full table, but didn't miss a beat, and sat down next to Jay.
"What'd I miss?"
"Oh, nothing, your highness." Jay remarked coldly. Cameron tried to steal some of his food, but Jay whacked his hand away angrily.
"Get your own."
"Oh come on! They are sharing!" He pointed at Elliot and Alan who were completely ignoring the rest of us, as they gazed into each other's eyes.
"When you are as cute as either of them, we can talk about you sharing my food."
"What are you taking about? I'm adorable!" Jay made a face, and Cameron turned to me.
"Aren't I adorable, Alex?" I held up my hands.
"Leave me out of this." Cameron pouted and turned back to Jay.
"C'mon Jay! Be kind to me." But Jay wasn't giving any ground, and so Cameron decided I was the easier target.
So then I was left without any breakfast, and a table full of friends. So much for ordering up my breakfast.