Chapter 7

Seven

The children had returned to 8B and Jonathon found that they were both quite pleasant young people. In fact, he was rather taken with the youngest Ashby. She had Riley's big blue eyes and his warm smile, offering Jonathon her hand for a proper shake.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Jonathon. I'm Luna Ashby and I'll be seven in four months," she informed him.

"But she's already brilliant at math! She's gonna catch up with me soon," Milo piped up. He was also a charming child and Jonathon was glad his parents had insisted that Milo stay home with them and finish high school with his peers, despite being a genius. Milo was shy and had hidden behind his sister and Riley at first, but he immediately opened up and seemed excited to have a new roommate.

Despite inhabiting Milo Ashby's bedroom while he was away for the weekend, Jonathon wasn't sure what to expect of the young genius or if they would have anything in common. Milo was seventeen and already an intern with NASA, but he teased and doted on his sister and seemed like an extremely typical teenager. Not that Jonathon had any experience with children, having barely been one himself. He certainly hadn't been exposed to other children as a child or a teenager.

Thankfully, Jonathon and Milo hit it off immediately.

"I've seen you around, but you're usually with your aunt and I do my best to be invisible whenever I see her, so I've never said hi," Milo said, making Jonathon chuckle.

"She is very handy at repelling nice people, but you shouldn't be afraid of Muriel. She's more fun than you'd think and actually likes when people stand up to her. Aunt Muriel hates having her ass kissed."

"I'll keep that in mind," Milo said as they walked back to his wing of the apartment. "Did you check out the gaming area? I don't really play, but Dad makes sure I have the latest games and downloads all the new expansions," he said as he unpacked his bags.

"I am not at all a gamer, unless you count the solitaire I play on my phone. But I left it downstairs so no one could track my location," Jonathon informed Milo as he climbed the bunk bed's ladder. "I've spent most of my time studying your ceiling and enjoying all the natural light during the day. I like that little projector and all the stars and planets. Far more entertaining than my room and the hotel ceilings I usually stare at."

There was a sad frown from Milo as he handed Jonathon the remote and leaned against the top bunk's rail. Riley had said that Milo had switched to using the bottom bunk when he turned fourteen and had a growth spurt so Jonathon had set up camp on top.

"My other dad, Riley, said that you needed someplace to hide while you healed. He said a prince broke your heart."

Jonathon nodded at the galaxy above his head. "That's the gist of it. Although, I had a hand in it as well. It wouldn't have gotten broken if I hadn't given it to someone careless."

"Did you know he would be careless?" Milo asked and Jonathon shook his head.

"No. Leo was the perfect gentleman in every way. I seduced myself."

"How do you…?" Milo's face scrunched and he shook his head. "Don't tell me. I barely know anything about…intimate stuff and dating, but it's already more than I want to know. And the more I learn, the more confusing it gets."

"That's a good idea," Jonathon said. "Live in ignorance for as long as you can. I don't know what women are like, but you'll never know peace once you let a man into your life."

"Noted," Milo said, nodding slowly as if he was making a mental note. "I don't understand women, or other men for that matter. But it doesn't make sense to me, why anyone would turn their lives upside down and sacrifice their peace when everything's so much simpler and calmer when you're on your own."

Jonathon snorted in agreement. "I have no clue and I would have opted out if I had any way of knowing what I was getting into. But it was over the moment we first met, inevitable with a man like Leo von Hessen."

"That doesn't sound good," Milo whispered, his brows pinched as he chewed on his lip.

"No, it wasn't," Jonathon said sadly. "I knew I would be his from the very first moment and that I'd let him have me any way he wanted. All he had to do was say the word."

Milo's face twisted and he recoiled. "But… why ? When I'm around other people… All I do is pray they don't violate my personal space," he said as he gestured at the invisible barrier around him and shook his head. "I've never understood why touching is necessary."

"I didn't either, until Leo. And I've let a thousand men touch me since, hoping it would feel the same or better, so I could forget him," Jonathon said, causing Milo to recoil.

"That sounds terrible."

"It was. It still is," Jonathon said with a sigh. "And I did it to myself. I could see that Leo was trying to do the right thing. We flirted for close to a week and I had tried to kiss him, but Leo shut it down."

Jonathon thought about sharing the details of their first "almost" kiss, but changed his mind. He didn't think Giles and Riley would appreciate it or that Milo would particularly enjoy the story, but Jonathon's face burned as he recalled his frustration and the morning he made his move. The suspense and Leo's indecision were killing Jonathon so he decided to finally do something about it the next time they were alone.

He had been painting white Mondial roses when Leo had joined him. Leo claimed to be "passing through" on his way to the library—on the other side of the castle—and had stopped by to see how progress was going on the piece in the conservatory.

"Sabine caught me with a stack of reports and surveys and ran me out of the study," he complained, crossing his ankles and slouching against one of the marble columns. Jonathon ached to paint him, if he thought there was a chance Leo would stand still long enough… Jonathon would keep that one for himself, an impossibly handsome reminder that the perfect man did indeed exist.

"You're supposed to be resting."

"I'd rather have another ulcer, honestly," Leo said as he pushed off and strolled toward Jonathon. "I've never been good at being idle or indoors." He cast a scowl at the windows and the damp, dreary day outside.

"If you're trying to be gloomier than the weather, you're succeeding," Jonathon teased, glancing around the easel at Leo.

He winced apologetically, pressing a hand against his chest as he bowed. "My apologies. My mood has improved since coming in here," he said as he straightened and came around the canvas.

"I don't mind. I like gloomy." Jonathon smiled and turned to ask what he thought of the roses but Leo was staring at him. "What?"

"Nothing!" Leo gave himself a shake and forced his eyes to the painting. "It's beautiful. I particularly like the way you…made them white," Leo had said, making Jonathon laugh.

"I think you've run out of compliments, sir. What other color would I use?"

Leo rolled his eyes. "I merely meant…" but his attention had dropped to Jonathon's lips. "I meant…" Leo licked his as he swayed closer.

"I know what you meant," Jonathon had panted as he leaned in and his neck stretched.

"Jonathon, I…" Leo's head lowered and their lips brushed, sending a jolt of heat down Jonathon's body and creating goosebumps.

"Yes," Jonathon whispered as he held onto the lapel of Leo's coat, his legs trembling as their breaths mingled.

"Jonathon… I can't!" Leo choked out as he took a large step back.

"Why? I want you to—" Jonathon attempted but Leo held him off.

"No. You are too young and I can't be in a relationship right now. I'm about to?—"

This time, Jonathon interrupted Leo, giggling and waving for him to stop. "Calm down! It was just a kiss. We don't know if it would have been good enough to get you past first base. And no one said anything about a relationship."

"True," Leo conceded as he turned and headed for the path back to the conservatory's door. "Take my word for it, I'd be well past first base if I had kissed you. I believe I'd be sliding home right now, if I understand the game and the metaphor correctly."

"Yup. That's right," Jonathon had croaked, picturing Leo over him as they fucked on the conservatory floor between the roses and the lilies.

Leo had intended for that to be the end of the matter and had kept a respectable distance for the rest of the day, but Jonathon couldn't think about anything other than their almost kiss and Leo "sliding home."

He had planned to tempt Leo into another kiss and thought the painting of the roses was the perfect excuse to visit the study later that evening. Jonathon had hurried across the castle before it had even dried, planning to suggest a kiss as a reward for finishing it.

The coast appeared to be clear when Jonathon leaned through the doorway and Leo waved him in, but Sabine had arrived a moment later.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Mr. Hawthorne's just completed this. Take a look!" Leo said and gestured for her to join them.

"Oh, my!" She pressed a hand to her chest and swung back to Jonathon. "It's beautiful!" She sounded surprised and gave him another once over before turning back to the painting. "I love it," she told Leo and he nodded while beaming at the roses.

"I think I'll hang it in here," Leo decided as he continued to admire it.

"If you want." Jonathon pretended his heart wasn't beating like it had wings and his feet weren't coming off the ground. "It's not my best work but you'll have others by the time we leave."

Leo shook his head but hadn't taken his eyes off the painting. "It's marvelous. Don't you think, Sabine?" he asked her excitedly.

"It's breathtaking," she said as she nodded and leaned in. "The colors are soft—he's achieved the lightness of a watercolor—yet vibrant and warm. Which you wouldn't expect from white roses."

"I agree. Would you believe he says he's more of a portraitist," Leo informed her with a dubious snort, making her chuckle.

"Perhaps the Foundation should hire him, instead of that hack who did Maximilian's," she mused and Jonathon threw his hands up.

"You're both being generous but I wouldn't want that kind of pressure. I need to go. I promised Aunt Muriel we'd play gin rummy before dinner," he said, then offered them a bow before backing out of the room. He was just about to skip down the hallway and possibly slide down the banister when he heard Sabine click her teeth and make a worried sound.

"Dearest," she said heavily so Jonathon pressed his back against the wall next to the door. "I am begging you—as your assistant and one of your oldest friends—to proceed with caution!"

"What are you talking about?" Leo asked, earning a knowing hum.

"I see the way you look at him," she whispered. "You keep disappearing for an hour at a time and your mind is always someplace else when you are here. It's obvious that something is going on with the two of you," she said and Jonathon covered his mouth to hold back a shocked yelp.

"Nothing inappropriate has happened, Sabine," Leo said, his voice lowering into an ominous growl that had the hairs on Jonathon's neck standing. "I enjoy his company and watching him work. That is all."

"Nothing has happened yet ," she replied and her tone was gently scolding. Jonathon wondered where she had found the nerve because he was quaking in his Converse as she tested Leo's patience. "Not for lack of interest on Mr. Hawthorne's part, mind you. But the Foundation won't stand for it after all that's happened with the last margrave and his archduchess. And is that really how you want to be known, as a sleazy playboy?"

There was a loud, barking cough from Leo. "I don't recall asking for your opinion. Have I ever, when it comes to my personal affairs?"

"No! You've always been discerning and kept those matters very private, thank goodness," she said with an uneasy laugh. "That's why I felt the need to warn you, dearest. I understand why you're tempted. There's no denying he's beautiful and he's obviously willing, but he's too young . Even if there wasn't a terrible scandal, he would never understand the gravity of your situation and all that's at stake."

"You're wrong about him," Leo snapped at her, but Jonathon had jumped. "I don't like what you're implying about Mr. Hawthorne's character and I won't allow you to disrespect him in my presence."

"I didn't mean to! I just?—"

"Enough!" Leo cut her off and something was slammed. "Nothing has happened between us because he is too young and too beautiful. Mr. Hawthorne has far too much potential and I lack the time and freedom to give him the attention he deserves," he said tightly, causing Jonathon's eyes to grow wide and dry as he stared at the other wall.

"I see," Sabine said with a loud sniff. "I didn't realize you cared for him. I thought it was just a fling."

"You know me better than that. I would have given into temptation days ago but my conscience wouldn't let me. Not when I have nothing more than a handful of weeks to offer him."

"I'm glad you're being sensible. You know I don't care, but the Foundation…"

Jonathon stuck his tongue out and shook his head as he went to find Muriel.

To hell with the Foundation.

And to hell with being sensible, Jonathon had decided. Never in his wildest, horniest dreams had he believed he'd have a chance with a man as sexy, mature, and refined as Leo von Hessen. He was leagues above the boys Jonathon had made out with in school and Leo was actually interesting and intelligent. Jonathon would have been a fool to let an opportunity like that slip through his fingers so he immediately began planning, starting with cards with Muriel.

He laid the groundwork then, complaining about an annoying headache that eventually blossomed into a full-blown migraine. Jonathon retired to his room for a "nap" and used the hour before dinner to take a long bath, shave, and cleanse. He was feeling fresh and frisky when he joined Muriel, Leo, and Sabine for cocktails, but he remained calm and acted distracted and tired throughout dinner. Particularly when Sabine was looking.

"I think I'll turn in early. I'm still feeling a little off," Jonathon informed everyone as their dessert plates were being cleared away.

Leo looked concerned, rising with Jonathon as he got up to leave. "I noticed that you barely ate. I can send for a doctor," he offered but Jonathon waved quickly.

"I promise, it's nothing serious, and I'll be fine once I've slept this off."

"If you're sure," Leo said as he bowed. "Goodnight, Mr. Hawthorne."

"Mr. von Hessen," Jonathon said evenly, then turned and smiled at Sabine. "Goodnight," he told her before taking Muriel's elbow. "Should I walk you to the music room for a nightcap or would you like me to help you up to your room?"

"Go on. I'll send for Elke when I'm ready," she said, but leaned back and cupped Jonathon's cheek. "Are you sure you're alright? It's not like you to hide in your room unless you're truly sick or upset."

"I'm fine!" he reassured Muriel with a kiss to her cheek. "Stayed up until dawn reading," he whispered and she chuckled fondly as she kissed him back.

"I will forgive you as long as it's something naughty and you share," she whispered, then gave his chest a pat. "Go rest, my boy."

"Yes, Aunt Muriel," he said and offered Leo and Sabine half-bows before leaving.

In his room, Jonathon giggled like a schoolboy as he shaped towels into a torso and limbs under the duvet and positioned one of Muriel's wig heads on his pillow. He put a soothing rain forest playlist on repeat and left his phone on the bedside table, then quickly shed his suit.

Jonathon hurried down the hallway in his robe and tiptoed upstairs and down the hall to Leo's suite. He had heard that Leo preferred to dress himself and didn't have a valet, but Jonathon knocked and listened before carefully creeping around the double doors. His heart was in his throat as he scanned the darkened rooms and went to find the bed.

It was an ancient four poster, draped in blue velvet, and fit for a king or a prince. Jonathon wondered how many royals before Leo had slept there and had second thoughts. Did he truly have the nerve? Leo might have entertained thoughts about a fling with Jonathon, but in his ancestors' bed?

"He doesn't think you're cheap, so stop thinking like you are," Jonathon said quietly, then pulled back his shoulders and untied the belt at his waist. He let the robe fall and used his foot to push it under the bedskirt before lifting the covers and sliding across the mattress.

He waited in the shadows, his head propped up on an elbow, practicing the speech he had prepared for Leo. His nerve buckled and Jonathon thought he might faint when Leo strode into the suite's sitting room. He peeled off his coat and tossed it at the sofa and went to pace by the fireplace. Leo's bow tie followed and there was a tap at the door before Jonathon heard Sabine murmur a sympathetic "dearest."

"What if he heard you?" Leo said as he resumed his pacing.

"I don't think he did. I took a peek and he's sleeping like a baby," she said softly, as if she were afraid of waking him.

Leo laughed, sounding relieved. "He is?"

"Yes. Now, stop worrying and see if you can get some rest. That's why we're here, after all."

"Fine. Goodnight, Sabine."

"Goodnight, dearest." She kissed his cheek and promptly left, closing the door behind her.

"Perhaps Muriel was telling the truth about the book hangover," Leo chuckled to himself as he toed off his shoes.

He passed the bedroom doors and was out of sight for a few moments, but was shirtless and carrying a drink when he padded into the bedroom. A lamp was turned on and Jonathon heard a belt unbuckling and a fly unzipping before Leo came around the bed's canopy and tossed a book on the coverlet. It landed next to Jonathon's knee and there was a sharp hiss before Leo swept aside the velvet curtain.

His brow arched and his nostrils flared, but the rest of Leo's body remained locked, his gaze severe as it pinned Jonathon's. "You shouldn't be here."

"Probably not, but you want me here," Jonathon said, sliding the covers down as he rolled onto his stomach and arched his back suggestively.

"I don'—" Leo rasped and needed a long sip from his drink as he drifted around to the foot of the bed.

"You don't what?" Jonathon asked innocently. He slid his right knee higher, presenting Leo with a view of his bare ass and his hole.

The glass slipped from Leo's fingers, hitting the rug with a dull thud, and whatever he was going to say was forgotten, apparently. "Jonathon…" he groaned as he set his knee on the bed. His hand shook as a knuckle traced the curve of Jonathon's asscheek. "Jonathon," he said in a ragged, reverent whisper.

His name feathered across Jonathon's skin, making him shiver before Leo kissed him there.

Jonathon would not be exaggerating when he said their first kiss had curled his toes. His eyes crossed and Jonathon whimpered at the lush heat washing over his hole. He had to grab onto the headboard as Leo's tongue swirled and lapped.

"Oh, God! Leo!" Jonathon gasped out. He had never experienced the wild, hot need throbbing in his core and he felt like he was going to jump out of his skin, he was so nervous and desperately hungry to feel Leo there. "Leo, please!" he cried as Leo sucked and licked like a starved man.

"Again," Leo growled, his large, strong hands spreading around Jonathon's ass and kneading, then around his pelvis before he was rolled onto his back. "Say my name again," he whispered as he kissed along the inside of Jonathon's thigh.

His tongue curled around Jonathon's sac, eliciting a strained, yelped "Leo!" as he arched off the bed.

"Do you like this?" Leo asked huskily, his breath wafting over Jonathon's erection. Jonathon shook his head, sliding a hand over his hard-on and hiding it. There was a soft, shushing sound as Leo kissed around his navel. "Did someone hurt you?"

"No!" Jonathon laughed shakily. "I just can't get off like that and I feel like I'm going to lose my mind if you're not in my ass or my mouth soon."

"Oh, Gott!" Leo pushed off the bed and dove at Jonathon's lips. His kiss was demanding—commanding—as his hands wandered, gripping and pulling at Jonathon's back, limbs, ass… He was insatiable and Jonathon reveled in the heat and frantic need as they pushed and kicked Leo's trousers and boxers out of the way. Leo rose and reached for the bedside table and let out a strangled "Schei?e!"

Jonathon wound an arm and a leg around Leo, imploring him to come back and keep going. "What's wrong? Don't stop."

"I have lube, but I don't have any condoms."

Heat flooded Jonathon's face. He nuzzled into the corner of Leo's neck, hoping he wouldn't notice. "We don't need them."

Leo tensed and raised his head, attempting to see Jonathon's eyes. "Why do you—? Are you sure you don't—?" he mumbled, earning an awkward shrug as Jonathon tried to burrow into Leo's shoulder.

"I trust you and I had a checkup before we left and everything was…fine," he managed.

"Are you sure?" Leo repeated, looking around the suite. "My last labs shouldn't be hard to find if I can just remember where…"

"We're good," Jonathon declared as he grabbed Leo's cheek and pulled him back in for another kiss. "We don't need them," he whispered against Leo's lips, inviting him to take and do whatever he pleased.

"Jonathon…" Leo chanted his name like it was sacred, kissing it onto his eyelids and across his brow and cheeks. "Jonathon, Jonathon, Jonathon…" They paused for a moment so Leo could find the lube and he was too gentle, caressing and carefully exploring Jonathon with slick, trembling fingers. "You're so tight. You'll tell me if I go too fast or I hurt you?" He was so earnest as he guided the head of his cock to Jonathon's hole and gave just the slightest of nudges.

Jonathon bit his lip, nodding quickly. "I'll tell you," he said, his fingertips digging into Leo's shoulders, silently urging him to just go for it and get it over with already.

"Verdammt!" Leo hissed as he slid deeper, slowly filling Jonathon with thick, slick heat. He was so large and Jonathon's hole burned as it stretched around Leo's shaft. "You're so tight, mein Gott! Are you good? Is this how you like it?" he whispered in an awkward jumble but his hips pumped at a steady, shallow pace as he held himself up on his elbows.

"I… I don't know what I like. You can do whatever you want to me," Jonathon said bravely, but Leo halted and drew back.

"Why don't you know?" he asked warily. "Is this how you usually prefer to be…taken," he said with a pained grimace.

"The thing is…" Jonathon prayed this was one of those moments where telling the truth helped, and didn't ruin everything. "I've never…before. So I don't know how I prefer it."

"Jonathon!" This time, his name came out as a strained shriek as Leo pulled out, rose and scrubbed his face with his hands. "What have I done?"

"No! You stop that right now!" Jonathon ordered as he got up on his knees and lunged at Leo, pushing him onto his back. "Look at me," he demanded, throwing a leg over Leo's waist and straddling him. "I am not a virgin," he said clearly and captured Leo's face so he couldn't look away.

"You've done this with a man before?" he verified but Jonathon wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "Out!" Leo said as he tried to roll them.

"No!" Jonathon braced his hands on Leo's shoulders and dug in with his knees, refusing to budge. "I've…done things with boys my age," he began, earning a flat look from Leo and Jonathon returned it with a notched brow. "I dare you to tell me you were a man at twenty."

"Fine," Leo conceded tightly. "What things have you done with these boys?" he asked, his tone clipped, but Jonathon felt Leo's cock jump against his thigh.

"Well…" Jonathon scraped his teeth over his lip, pretending to consider and bucking his hips and grinding against Leo's hard-on. "I've made out with a few guys and I gave a hot nerd in my psych class a handjob in the library back in November."

Leo's eyes widened. "That's it?" He tried to roll them again but Jonathon kept him pinned, smiling as he lowered and pecked at Leo's lips.

"They bored me and I got tired of waiting for someone special to come along so I ordered some toys. I don't have anything as big as you but I believe in myself and my ability to adapt to any challenge," he said with a salute and a jaunty wink, making Leo gasp and laugh.

"You do have a remarkable ability to adapt," he agreed as he twisted his fingers in Jonathon's hair and pulled him close for a slow, clinging kiss. "You should have saved this for someone special. Your first time should have been magical," he complained but a cheeky smile tickled Jonathon's lips, making them twitch.

"You're pretty special, Leo, and I don't think a lot of people can say that their first time was in a castle with an actual prince."

"That is true…" Leo murmured distantly, his attention drifting down Jonathon's body. Hands tightened around Jonathon's ass before he was lifted.

"And this feels very magical," Jonathon purred as he reached behind him and gripped Leo's shaft. Once it was lined up, Jonathon sat back, taking Leo to the hilt. "Wow!" He pushed out a long, cleansing breath, giving his walls a moment to stretch and willing the muscles gripping Leo's cock to unclench. "There!" he declared and gave Leo's chest a pat when he was ready.

"Show me what you can do. Reit mich," Leo said through clenched teeth. His hands were tight around Jonathon's waist, stiffly guiding him as he began to rock back and forth.

The friction was divine, creating sparks of bright pleasure in Jonathon's core. "I'll show you," he replied, smirking haughtily as if Leo had dared him. Jonathon planted his hands on the center of Leo's chest, over his heart, and rose on his knees so he could set a faster, bouncing pace.

Leo whimpered something in German that Jonathon couldn't make out. His touch was no longer gentle and reverent as his hands tightened around Jonathon's throat and his thigh, holding him tight and still as Leo bucked off the bed.

"So beautiful! So good!" He growled the words as he filled every inch of Jonathon's passage.

Jonathon couldn't manage more than a delirious moan, his hands locked around Leo's wrist as he rode each rolling thrust. The hand around Jonathon's throat was so strong and secure as it restricted his blood flow, making him lightheaded and his limbs tingle.

"Do you like that?" Leo asked, releasing Jonathon's neck so he could nod. The rush of air to his head and lungs caused Jonathon's skin to explode in goosebumps as he came with a burst of giggles.

"Yes! I love it!" he cried euphorically, limp and shuddering as he fell forward. Leo caught him and rolled them, gathering Jonathon in his arms.

Leo's teeth dug into the side of Jonathon's neck before nipping his earlobe. "Tell me," he commanded, sliding deep into Jonathon's ass.

"Oh, fuck!" Jonathon said breathlessly as his head lolled. He was drunk with lust and giddy with delight, he felt so gloriously full of Leo and possessed by Leo. Leo was everything and Jonathon wanted nothing else but to belong to Leo. "I love it!" he sobbed, his arms and legs winding tight around Leo's shoulders and waist, drawing him deeper and closer until he was all Jonathon could see, hear, and smell. He kissed Leo with feral abandon, sucking on his lips and tongue until he was all Jonathon could taste. "I'm yours! Do whatever you want with me!" he pleaded.

"Mine." Leo twisted the hand in Jonathon's hair, pulling tight. "Are you sure you want to be mine?"

Jonathon nodded, thrilling at the pain and pleasure skipping along his nerves and the pure joy he felt as Leo shed his polite, graceful manners and grew more possessive and demanding.

"Yes! I want to be yours: whenever you want and in every way you can possibly imagine."

"Every way?" Leo challenged, his grip tightening once more around Jonathon's neck.

"Yes! Please!" Jonathon begged. "I'll do anything you want!"

"Mine." He groaned the words against Jonathon's lips, claiming them as his hips pumped hard and deep. Leo was rough, gripping and grinding as he licked and bit at Jonathon's neck and shoulders. But his touch wasn't brutal or careless. Instead, Jonathon rejoiced as he was consumed and possessed, joyful as he sated Leo's most primitive desires. "Jonathon!" Leo shouted as wet heat plumed in Jonathon's passage.

Leo's hoarse, ragged cry sent Jonathon spilling over the edge again. He tumbled into ecstasy with Leo, the sound echoing in Jonathon's heart as the room grew quiet, save for their breathless pants.

"Tomorrow, I will have a hundred regrets," Leo whispered just beneath Jonathon's ear, making him shiver. "But tonight feels like a dream. I don't know how this— you —can be real. I've been tormented with thoughts of you just like this, even when I'm asleep, from the moment we met. No matter how hard I tried, I could not stop wanting you, and now you are here."

"I wanted you too," Jonathon said, biting down on his lip as he boldly trailed his fingers up Leo's spine. "But I never thought I had a chance. I was surprised you even noticed me."

A delighted growl rumbled from Leo as he rose and sucked on Jonathon's lip. "I was under your spell from the moment you walked into the library."

"Stop!" Jonathon protested, laughing as he pushed Leo away.

He fell onto his side, catching Jonathon's hand and kissing his knuckles. "It's true. I thought you were luminous and magical. You are always glowing and I think it's because you absorb the light, whenever you're near a window or outside."

Jonathon gave him a dubious look, then noticed the book on the floor by the bed. He disentangled himself and went to retrieve it. "What's this?" he asked, smiling as he picked it up and recognized the spine. "Grimms' tales."

Leo reached for it, a faint blush staining his cheeks. "You borrowed it so I thought I might take another look. It's been a long time," he said, his bashfulness enchanting Jonathon all over again.

"I didn't get very far. I overestimated my ability to read German," Jonathon admitted.

"But you're learning and you're trying. I find that admirable," Leo said and held a hand out to Jonathon. "Stay for a while. I'm not ready to part with you yet." He raised his brows hopefully.

Jonathon knew he had to be dreaming, how could a night be so perfect? "Will you read a story to me?" he asked as he took Leo's hand and climbed back into bed with him.

"Of course. Shall we start with Rapunzel? It's one of my favorites," he told Jonathon.

"I love Rapunzel," Jonathon said as he reclined against Leo's chest. He wiggled and scooted until he was comfortable, then pulled Leo's arm around his waist. "But, FYI: if you ever catch me growing my hair out like hers, consider it a cry for help."

"Shall I rescue you?" Leo asked, nibbling on Jonathon's shoulder as he opened the book and found the right page.

Jonathon snorted and tapped the elaborate illustration at the beginning of the story. "You wouldn't be much of a prince if you left your damsel in distress," he scolded and Leo hummed seriously in agreement.

"I would not and you would have every right to banish me."

"You're the one who banished me, Leo," Jonathon murmured, the memory fading as he returned to Milo Ashby's bunk bed. He ached, as he always did when he thought of Sch?nbühel and longed for Leo. But that yearning was quickly replaced with cold anger.

"Is that what it feels like, breaking up?" Milo asked and Jonathon nodded.

"It's exactly like that when you've been dumped. I was fine, having no one but Muriel before I met Leo. I didn't know what it was like to belong to someone, and to feel so safe and so…complete. I had found my other half and my purpose and then, overnight, it was all gone and I had been exiled."

"I can see why you're hurt and why you want to hide," Milo said sadly. He went to his desk and pressed the tall, narrow dry erase board next to it and it swung aside.

"Has that been here this whole time?" Jonathon asked as he popped up, gasping as Milo pulled and revealed a long shelf, loaded with bags of chips and candy, bottles of soda, boxes of snack cakes and cereals…

"It's my snack stash," Milo informed Jonathon, selecting a Raspberry Pop Tart and tossing the foil package to him.

Jonathon caught it and hugged it against his chest. "I love these!"

There was a soft chuckle from Milo as he chose a honey bun and dropped into his rolling chair. "I could tell. I take my snacks very seriously and I have a sixth sense when it comes to picking the right snack."

"The right snack?" Jonathon asked as he opened it, making Milo shrug.

"Popcorn or gummies aren't sad snacks, they're for movies and games. Pop Tarts are good for when you're in a hurry or miss being a kid before you had grown up problems. You're not a classic Brown Sugar Cinnamon or Strawberry kind of guy, though. I figured Raspberry or S'mores and went with Raspberry because even camping-themed snacks sound too outdoorsy for you," he explained.

"Well, you certainly nailed it," Jonathon agreed and broke one of the pastries in half, smiling at its crackled frosting and gooey, dark magenta filling.

He took a bite and was immediately reminded of trips to the library with Carla. She was one of Jonathon's better nannies when he was a child before moving to Muriel's. Carla would take him to the library almost daily because her sister worked there. Jonathon would be given a bag of snacks—usually a Capri Sun, a piece of string cheese, and a Pop Tart—and was told to stay out of trouble until it was time to go.

That was where Jonathon had discovered his love of reading, but it was also where he became enthralled with art and painting. He sat on the floor, silently munching on Pop Tarts as he studied the masters and dreamed of visiting Rome and the Louvre.

Jonathon had visited both places several times with Muriel, but he wished he could go back to the library and tell little Jonathon to keep his eyes on the art and focus on his education. And he would warn Jonathon to stay far, far away from dashing, strapping princes, if he should ever find himself in an Austrian castle.

"At least, there are snacks here," Jonathon noted, once again grateful for the Ashbys and Milo's hospitality. "Exile isn't so bad when the people are really nice and they give you snacks."