“Oh,” said Makellos with a small chuckle. “I could see that.”
Sigurd’s expression changed to a sly smirk. “Yes. I thinktechnicallythey are still a couple, but with how exhausting things have been recently, they haven’t done much together.”
“What about you?” Makellos asked curiously. “Anyone in particular that you fancy?”
Sigurd’s smirk flickered just a moment, softening into something that looked almost shy, before reverting back to a casual smile that mirrored Sigmund’s usual look. “At the moment, just one.”
“Oh? Who?” Makellos asked curiously.
Sigurd laughed and rubbed the back of his head with his hand. “I don’t think he has really noticed me.”
“Who?” Makellos asked again, giving him a bright smile. An unrequited love was certainly romantic in his eyes. “Have you told him how you feel?”
“Oh, it’s quite new,” Sigurd said, narrowing his eyes just a bit at Makellos, his lips curving into another smirk.
Makellos opened his mouth to respond before he realized with a bit of consternation that Sigurd was referring tohim. He cleared his throat, tipping his head down a little so the little black curls at the front of his hair fell forward, giving him a slightly shy look. “Oh. So, were you serious about that kiss?”
Sigurd blinked, then grinned, walking over to the bench where Makellos sat. “Serious if you are.”
“And… the others won’t be… upset?” Makellos asked.
Sigurd paused, slotting his torso between Makellos’ knees, his hands resting on the prince’s lower thighs. “I’m not under the illusion that you like me more than any of the others,” he said, giving Makellos a strangely serious look. “If what you want is just a bit of fun, whether it’s with me, or any of the others, that is okay. I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but I’m not the sort to be possessive. I just want to be happy.”
Makellos smiled softly. “I… would just like to be happy too.” He reached up his hands, not quite sure what he was doing, and placed them a bit awkwardly over Sigurd’s bare shoulders to hold him. “Is this all right?”
Sigurd grinned. “Perfect.” His hands reached up to cup Makellos’ cheeks, and he pressed his mouth to the prince’s. It was soft and sweet, and Makellos kissed him back with a bit of caution, since he had never done more than kiss his own mother on the cheek before. Sigurd’s hands were rough, but his touch was gentle. After a moment, he pulled back and gave Makellos a smile. “What do you think?”
Makellos let out a breath as a laugh. “I think I like kissing,” he said softly.
“Good, then I’ll do it again,” Sigurd said, leaning in and pressing their lips together, a little firmer this time. Makellos closed his eyes, feeling the sweet touch go through his whole body. His heart gave a happy little hop in his chest, but it also twinged just a little. Sigurd was so kind, and he was more than happy to kiss him, and maybe even go further than that. But it felt strangely unfair. All of the others had been just as kind to him, even Grim with his standoffish attitude. And they weren’t here to all talk about it.
“I like you, Sigurd. A lot. But I also like the others as well, and I don’t want to hurt anyone. Is it all right if we wait until the others are here to discuss… things?”
“Absolutely,” Sigurd said with a small smile. “I know that I am not the only one who has caught feelings for you.”
Makellos’ sea blue eyes blinked. He knew Sigmund, of course, but were the two brothers the only ones? “Who else?”
Sigurd let out a soft snort of laughter through his nose. “Everyone.”
“What?” Makellos demanded in surprise. “No! There’s seven of you!”
“What has that got to do with anything?” Sigurd asked with a shrug. “You are beautiful, you are sweet, you are kind. How could anyonenotlike you?”
Makellos let out a single uneasy breath of laughter. “I… have not had anyone who liked me in that way before.”
“Perhaps you’re just making up for lost time then,” Sigurd said with a smirk.
Twelve
That evening, as they all sat around the dining table enjoying roasted meat and vegetables, Hardwic spoke up. “I think we should have some fun tonight, to celebrate Makellos being with us!” he said, giving the prince a cheery grin.
“What did you have in mind?” Bernhardt asked.
“Perhaps some music?” Hardwic suggested. “We haven’t had music here for so long.”
Dagobert clapped his hands eagerly, giving them all a beaming smile.
“I think that sounds like a marvelous idea,” Der said. “Provided the prince is all right with it.”
