18 Damien Dyamere

While most people liked to classify themselves as either morning or nighttime lovers, Callan had always thought it was foolish. To him, it had never mattered. He woke up when he needed to wake up and slept whenever he was done with his duties. Attributing feeling to these hours was meaningless, however, even he could say that he was looking forward to waking up in the morning with Adrian next to him and how cute his face would look when he groggily opened up his eyes and yawned him a greeting.

Then he'd lean in and kiss those precious red lips, brush his hands against the coolness of his cheeks and inhale more of that sea salt and dandelion scent. He'd whisper 'good morning' back and Adrian would roll into his arms and they'd lay they for a few more minutes as they slowly woke up.

Before he went to sleep that night, Callan had it all planned out and felt very smug.

Instead, not only did he end up being the one to be woken up, but it was also by the sound of Adrian calling another man's name.

"Damien!" Callan, who had always been a light sleeper, snapped his grey eyes open at the sound of Adrian's hallowed gasp, "Damien! Oh, he's going to be so furious! Mum and dad too..."

There was a frantic scurrying as the sheets were kicked off one end of the bed but before Adrian could leave, Callan reacted and trapped his wrist in his hand, pulling him back onto the bed.

"What's wrong?" Callan's voice had a slight gruffiness due to just being woken up, but Adrian was too busy stressing to appreciate its sexiness.

Being caught, Adrian turned to face him as guilt dampened his beautiful face, "Sorry, did I wake you up?"

The edges of his depthless blue eyes were tinted slightly red and a bit glossy, proof he'd woken up that not long ago. The sleepy blinking of his dark blonde eyelashes resembled a sandy horizon being gently swept by waves.

"Yeah, come back to bed." Callan urged him but Adrian shuffled back.

"No, no, we've got to go back to the Academy! I need to call Damien!" His distress seemed to radiate across the room, making the other boy frown as he rather than pulling Adrian into the bed, was pulled out of bed and told to hurry up and get dressed.

Not once did Adrian even glance at his abdominal muscles either, even though he had slept with his shirt off... even though last night he couldn't seem to look away from them!

This was the start of Callan's bad morning.

According to Adrian, when he arrived at the dormitories, he was meant to contact both his parents and Damien to inform them that he'd arrived safely, but not only had forgotten to do that but he had also left behind his contact device in the dorms.

Knowing this Adrian couldn't help but guilty panic especially when he realized it was already passed midday. What if they thought he'd been discovered and kidnapped? How was he going to explain this and more importantly, how would he explain Callan to Damien?

If he had found out what had happened after just one day... Adrian shuddered to think of the consequences. Without a doubt, he'd be sent straight back home and never allowed to leave again!

With a face gone pale, Adrian made Callan swear repeatedly that no matter what happens they had to keep this new friends-with-benefits relationship a secret! His life depended on it!

Under such intense prompting, Callan had no choice other than to give up on his morning plans and obediently got changed then together they exited the hotel. Although they hadn't gotten the chance to experience the true effects of the room, Adrian was still in awe of how aesthetic and charming the place had been. It was way better than any of the inns he'd rested in on his journey to Edaine City.

This made him suspicious of the price but when he asked Callan, of course, he didn't receive an answer. Infuriatingly, Callan looked at him and simply smiled with faked innocence as he expertly guided Adrian out the door. There was no need for him to know of the price, although even he had to admit that The Angel's Tear was a fascinating place.

To misdirect Adrian's mind away from the price, Callan began to mention that they also had many differently themed rooms and Adrian questioned him with intrigue. However, when Callan spoke about their ocean-themed room, he'd noticed the way Adrian's eyes had sparkled and chuckled to himself. Once they returned in the inevitable future, he'd make sure to book that one, as from the longing in Adrian's eyes, they would definitely have a fun time.

When they entered the streets again, Callan took the opportunity to intertwine his fingers with Adrian's, both because he wanted to, and also to stop Adrian from running off.

Despite having managed to calm him down in the room, now that they had re-entered the streets, his stress and desire to return as soon as possible quickly overcame him again. For the first time in his life, Callan undertook the role of the reassurer and calmed Adrian down.

To do so, even if he couldn't care less, he asked Adrian some questions about that friend of his, whose name had been tirelessly mentioned so many times it had been forcefully stuck in his mind.

Big mistake, as what had once been a conversation quickly turned into a monologue about Damien Dyamere and the more Adrian rambled on about his supposedly amazing friend, the less and less Callan was looking forward to meeting him.

He now knew everything unnecessary about this random dude; from his hobbies to his dislikes and how his father Viscount Dyamere was very strict and wanted him to go to the Imperial Swordsmanship Academy instead, despite Damien having a poor aptitude for the sword...or any weapon for that matter.

Adrian chuckled when he recalled how bitter Damien had been when after that he'd come over to their estate.

If last night hadn't happened he would've almost believed that Adrian had a crush on Damien, with the way his whole face lit up in admiration and fondness. It was a very precious expression, and he wished it was directed at him instead.

"Are you sure you're just friends?" Callan commented under his breath, skeptically.

There was a slightly uncomfortable feeling swaying his mind. He hadn't known Adrian for that long and there was also a lot more about him and his mysteries that he was unaware of yet this other boy Damien, was someone who knew a lot about Adrian and was treasured dearly.

Of course, he didn't feel threatened as there was no way they could compare but still...

The crown prince was unfamiliar with the feeling of jealousy, which prickled like thorns, and somewhere else out there, Damien Dyamare was unaware he'd just earnt his highness's malice.

The corners of his ocean eyes slanted upwards as he smirked cheekily, "Are you jealous?"

Adrian's laughter rippled through the air as his question was left unanswered and Callan's expression darkened. The two of them were still holding hands, and he patted the back of Callan's hand in comfort, "Don't be. To me, he's like a brother."

Damien was many things more than that too. He was a mentor, a friend, and someone he aspired to be like. He was everything good in this world and Adrian treasured him as close as mermaidly possible.

Callan's expression lightened even if he still had a few seeds of doubt sown in his heart and not caring that they were in public, kissed the top of his forehead that was peeking out from under his black hoodie.

Adrian didn't use the appearance-changing incantation as they were just going back to school and not dawdling. He didn't wear a mask this time either, and his smile glowed brightly except when they reached the school gates when his expression changed back into one of urgency.

He'd calmed down a lot compared to when he woke up, but he still felt incredibly guilty. However, surely his parents would be understanding and that maybe, like Callan had suggested, they would just laugh it off, assuming he'd been so busy when he'd arrived the call had simply passed his mind.

The biggest problem was Damien because he'd always been a bit overprotective but Adrian knew it was out of love, so after a few apologies and promises to never do it again, his stubborn heart should be melted into forgiveness...hopefully.

After entering the Academy grounds, they headed straight to the dormitories unaware that once they entered the building, the eyes of a fair few workers latched onto the duo with curiosity. After one of the new students turned the dorm upside down this morning and gave them all a painful headache, they needed something light-heartened and interesting to chat over.

And by now, all of them had heard the rumor that an extremely beautiful first-year boy was an occupant of dorm S-12, but no one had seen him since its circulation. So when an unfamiliar hooded figure entered, they couldn't help but pry.

Adrian naturally noticed more eyes glancing in his direction, but it wasn't too abnormal as he was used to being ogled at whenever he did go out in public, even if he had his hood on, so he simply assumed they were just curious.

Callan, who overheard their whispers too, ignored it as Adrian didn't seem bothered. He agreed with their comments, that Adrian was indeed an ethereal beauty. But while they could only gawk, he could appreciate it up close and taste it, he thought smugly.

The heels of their boots clicked against the polished wooden floorboards as once again, Adrian found himself marveling over the fancy interior of the dorms, as illustrious shades of red and gold paint splashed into view. His eyes wandered over them and out the window, to the luscious green garden and watched as the mana particles buzzed happily in the air like they were welcoming him home.

His hand was still linked with Callan's, enjoying the comforting sense of heat and he looked up into those dark grey eyes and thought that maybe in the near future, he could also call this place and the people in it 'home'...

"ADRIANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!"

A single, loud scream echoed down the hallway.

Adrian flinched so hard he almost felt his consciousness jolt out of his skin and drift to the heavens above.

His face went as pale as a sheet of paper as his eyes locked onto the ground, not daring to glance up. He quickly pulled his hand away from Callan's but he'd already been caught. But why was he here? He wasn't meant to arrive for another six days!

Callan's grey eyes locked judgmentally onto the boy who had just been standing outside of dorm S-12 but now was storming towards them and he frowned.

It had been a while since he'd last seen Damien Dyamere at a formal event, so he'd forgotten how short he was.

Damien noticed Callan's stare as he halted in front of them, casting an accusatory gaze at Adrian who had his eyes locked on the floor, watering up with guilt.

Damien was wearing his own clothes and not the uniform, donning a green sweater and brown formal pants, which complimented his dark oak hair that was thin but on the longer side as it sloped down the sides of his face, not reaching his shoulders. His eyes were round and soft-looking, aided by their light brown colour, and beneath them, a few freckles were sprinkled.

He gave off a smart and scholarly air even if the top of his head would only manage to brush against Callan's chin if he stood on tiptoes. He also had a very loud voice for such a little body.

"Who are you?" Damien Dyamere scowled in accusation towards Callan.

His sweet Adrian didn't contact him yesterday like he said he would! He also didn't contact his parents either which had worried Damien so much he'd tried calling him again and again but with no response, so he'd dropped everything much to his father's disapproval, and raced off to Edaine city. He traveled nonstop for almost sixteen hours to arrive here and when he did, Adrian was nowhere to be seen even though he'd checked in!

They also weren't in the same dormitory and when he'd complained about that to the lady at the entrance desk, she'd gotten furious and screamed at him like a banshee.

Still, Damien didn't give up and knocked on all the doors of the dormitory, meeting a lot of his future classmates and seniors in advance and earning quite the reputation before class even began for the disturbance. But none of the dorms had Adrian inside nor did the occupants know anything.

So then he asked the dorm staff if anyone knew where he'd gone, but once again no one had an answer and he'd been forced to race around the entire campus before finally, someone mentioned they thought they'd seen a person wearing a black hoodie that covered most of their face exiting in the early afternoon of yesterday.

According to that student, they had exited along with another person.

After hearing that how could Damien not panic and think of the worst? What if he'd been kidnapped and sold? If anyone found out that he was a mermaid... Damien's heart had sunk in his chest.

There were a lot of mysteries surrounding the disappearance of mermaids and no definite answers, but in all of the myths and history books recording that period, not one attributed the disappearance of mermaids to anything positive or natural.

So he couldn't help but worry, after all, a world without Adrian in it would be very bleak and boring. He'd run back to the dorms because he had to grab something from his bags to contact his father with, to inform him of Adrian's disappearance but then at the other end of the corridor he'd heard his voice and when he turned around, he was standing there with another taller boy.

Callan replied with a polite smile that didn't reach his eyes, "I'm Callan Reevit."

Damien's eyes flickered over his tall body as he scrutinized every detail of him. Callan wasn't particularly eye-catching and he was unfamiliar with his name so if he was a noble, he wasn't one from this kingdom, or if he was then just some minor one.

Plus both his hair and eyes were grey... what a miserable colour!

Someone like that shouldn't be linking hands with Adrian, Damien's frown deepened as he turned his attention back to Adrian, which was the only place it deserved to be.

"Why didn't you call me and why didn't you answer either?" He asked him, in a soft but hurt voice.

Adrian couldn't bear to hear him sound like that and glanced up at him with teary eyes, "I'm sorry." He murmured miserably, "I went to town with Callan, and we lost track of time so we stayed there overnight and I left my contact device here and-"

His sentence was stopped midway by Damien's incredulous shout, "YOU DID WHAT NOW?"

Adrian scratched his cheek and looked away. This was the best way to phrase it that he could think of that didn't spill too many details.

Damien continued, "Why would you do that let alone stay out overnight with him? You've only just met him! Didn't you promise us all that you would be careful?"

Adrian bit his lip as he couldn't really refute Damien's points...it was a bit careless of him to do that and he even slept with him. Adrian gulped and swore once again in his heart that he would never, ever let Damien find out, and even if they told each other everything, from now on he'd tell him everything but that!

"I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking." Adrian hung his head guiltily, "But I swear nothing bad happened! And he's my roommate so I don't think he's that untrustworthy...."

"He's your roommate?" Damien glared at Adrian in anger before scoffing, "Did you forget that you're a...urgh forget it!" He turned to Callan, "Let's switch rooms." He demanded.

Adrian might trust this guy, but Damien sure didn't! What if he made a move on Adrian or held dark thoughts towards him? Or if his secret got found out...

Too many things could go wrong! They can't be dormmates, Damien would never allow it!

Callan stared down at him, annoyed. What nonsense was he trying to fill Adrian's ears with? Also, there was no way he was going to switch dorms especially not with this boy who vaguely resembled one of the gnomes in the palace's garden.

Callan's eyes darkened as he wondered that if he were to punch him, would he shatter like one too?

"I-I can't change rooms." Adrian spoke up, his watery blue eyes meeting Damien's, "They won't let us, I already asked when I entered."

Damien clicked his tongue. He'd also asked for the dorms to be switched but had been adamantly refused by that banshee lady.

But he'd promised Adrian's parents and even swore to his own father that he'd look after him and how could he do that if they were separate at night? Both of them knew all too well of the troubles and trauma Adrian had in the past regarding people making moves or worse on him because of his beauty...and if anything bad happened to Adrian here, Damien would never forgive himself.

He wanted to suggest that they return home, but he knew how much the Academy meant to Adrian and how hard he'd worked to convince them all to let him attend it... if he took that away from him then what if Adrian never forgave him for it?

So what should he do?