PeaceMaker

Boris followed quietly, unsure of what to say, how to approach him so he chose not to say anything. They were only one hour into their return back to the palace, moving through the outskirts of the outer wall's environment, with about 7 hours remaining. 

Boris looked back momentarily to the large following that was pouring in behind them in rows and rows of carriages. The amount of people following the prince was quite alarming, as it included not only the army but also the villagers that Domnic had struck an allegiance with. At least according to Kalmin from what he had heard from Dominic. 

In that 1 hour that Boris had spent around Dominic, they had not spoken to each other for more than 10 seconds yet, just merely exchanging gazes. 'Short, quick gazes that were more like glances than even seeing each other fully,' Boris thought to himself as he looked in front of him at the billowing cape of the prince's that waved back and forth in the evening sky. Something about that bothered him. He didn't know why, but it felt like a little twinge in his chest.

His chest clenched as he watched the golden stands of the prince's hair dance back and forth as Dominic's horse pressed forward. It was beautiful. He looked away from Dominic and up at the terrain ahead of them. In the distance he could see dots of light, like sparkles across the night sky, beckoning to them, pulling them in closer like moths to a fire. But this time there was no burning to death, but a blanket of warmth giving them a nice hug. 

The comfort of returning back home, the comfort of being in an air of happiness with the army people who were already celebrating being alive and the village people who gasped in awe at their foriegn surroundings and the comfort of knowing the ones you trust the most are right there, behind him, together finally. Dominic closed his eyes for a few seconds as he took in the fresh air and opened his eyes once again to the bright twinkling lights of a kingdom awaiting him just up ahead. 

A cheer caught his attention and he turned to the source of the sound. His eyes found a family waving and cheering for him, children running beside Dominic and his entourage. A bright smile crosses his face as he waves at them, his hand even momentarily brushing against the hand of a child that reached out to him. 

"WELCOME BACK YOUR HIGHNESS!!!" the child screamed as they looked up from their hand, their eyes practically glowing. 

Dominic nodded his head as he watched their small figures slowly disappear behind him as he moved forward. 

'There are more people living in the outskirts of the kingdom now,' he thought to himself with a wide grin on his face, his hand tingling where he had grazed the child's hand. 'This feels….exhilarating.' 

There was something about being back here, something about all of this that felt like a dream, like he was just living in a fantasy, that all the bright lights, the genuine smiles on his face were all fake. This was where he was returning to. His home. 

He whipped his horse, his smile brightening as he held on tightly to his reins. "FORWARD EVERYONE! FASTER!!" He commanded, his voice brimming with confidence as he heard the cheera of others behind him yelling in approval.

The ride back was going to be long and was going to consist of many stops to help the horses and for hunger, but he didn't mind. He was back where he belonged. Amongst his people, amongst his family. The castle was just a place for him to rest, being amongst the crowd and hearing their applause, and receiving showers of flowers by his people was much more rewarding than having tea at a long table with advisors. 

The night was going to be long but…

'I'm back,' Dominic thought to himself as he looked up at the night sky, like a black canvas dotted with millions of white dots that twinkled ever so brightly. 'I missed it here.'

*

HOURS LATER

It was already early morning, but yet the entire kingdom's life and exuberance for the return of the Prince and the royal army, was just beginning to wear off. Everyone who had returned was being settled, even the foreigners that they brought back to the kingdom were immediately welcomed. Boris had worked with Kalmin immediately after they had reached halfway into the kingdom to move them into the place that was provided for them by the palace workers in the hours it took for them to get back. 

Not soon after they had gotten back, Dominic was dragged away by the nobles who had come to the palace to welcome him back and Boris had gone on to work on accommodations for the army and the villagers while Kalmin was already working with the council on a welcome party for his highness and his army. 

Boris let out a long sigh as he walked down the quiet hallway. At this time, most of the knights and soldiers were probably chugging down barrels, talking about experiences on the field to anyone who had ears to hear but he was exhausted now, his shoes and legs almost as worn out as his mind was. His mind blanked as he continued down the hallway, absentmindedly wandering down the halls. 

He passed by the pictures on the walls and stopped in front of the one he always peered at. The prince dressed in his royal garments, looking straight forward at the artist who sketched him, his emerald eyes staring intently. Boris tilted his head to the left. 'In fact, the eyes look more alert today…' he mused as he turned to the other side of the hallway and continued to walk. 'In fact, everything looks a lot more alive today…'

His mind blanked once again as he continued to walk, aimlessly moving down each and every hallway like a mouse in a maze. His energy was depleted, but his feet moved by muscle memory, like they worked separately from his body, guiding him to somewhere. Just like a mouse in a familiar maze always knew the way out.

Once again, they had taken him to the place each night always ended at, the office he always slept in, the room he spent most of his day in. A space that he leased to be his just for a little while. 

Dominic's office. 

Boris walked forward and pushed down the handle, pushing open the door once again into the room and he walked in, shutting the door behind him. He stood there for a moment, his head facing the door as he sleepily blinked, then the scent hit him. 'It smells… like him,' he thought to himself as he turned around slowly, his head to the ground as he walked over to the couch. He was about to sit down when he saw something golden move near the windows of the office. 

"You look a bit drained there," a voice called out to him. A familiar voice so sweet to his ears, that his heart once again skipped a beat as he turned to it. The golden figure tilted his head to the side as he smiled. "So you finally noticed me."

The figure stood just in front of the windows, their frame being illuminated by the soft light cast by the moon. They were in a different outfit now, a more casual white shirt and matching pants embedded with golden swirls and their golden hair laid down on their head in a messier state, some strands still slightly wet but Boris could still recognize that frame anywhere. Those eyes, that voice, that smile, and that face. 

"I finally get time to talk to you," the voice grinned, their golden waves tilting back as they laughed lightly, "Boris."

Boris flinched at the mention of his name and the name that had been lingering in his mind and tongue finally slipped out. "Dominic."

Dominic stepped away from the window and walked towards Boris, his face even more visible now as he stood before Boris. "I thought you had forgotten about me completely seeing as you didn't even see me when you walked in."

"I-I must have been sleepy or something-" Boris began his words being cut off as Dominic walked around him slowly, looking at him up and down. "What is it?"

"You grew…" Dominic muttered lightly, his voice holding undertones of amusement and fascination. "Taller and you look even stronger now." He stopped circling Boris and stopped in front of him, his emerald eyes looking up at him and locking gazes. "Makes me wonder if you'll ever stop growing."

They stayed in eye contact for a moment, until Boris' pounding heart slowly calmed down and a smile slid onto his face. "Makes me wonder if you'll ever reach my height," he teased.

Dominic didn't reply but instead only stared at Boris' face for a few moments. "It's been a while since I've seen those…" he muttered, his eyes locking with Boris', "your smile."

They stared at each other for a few seconds, something beginning to stir up. A feeling they were both familiar with but before Boris could look away, he felt hands on his chest.

Dominic's hands slid down his chest, pulling Boris into a hug.. "I've missed you."