Sleeping Beauty; It's Tine's Story

Before Andalusia

"Oh come on, Sarawat," Man had called him. He was nursing his mug at the corner, refusing to interact with people. "Loosen up!"

"And do what?" he said sourly. He's not in a good mood. 

Andalusia had sent an invitation for Riverrun's Royal Highness Sarawat to stay in Andalusia for as long as he wishes it to be. His parents were thrilled. Everyone have heard of Andalusia, and their Princess Pam. His mother was entertaining the idea of Sarawat being the prince who rescues the damsel in distress. His father has a much simpler vision. Andalusia is rich with natural resources and the geographical proximity will create a lot of trade opportunities between them. 

Sarawat wants to play his guitar and be left alone. 

"I have seen the princess," Boss said. "She's very pretty, I would say that."

"And as interesting as a piece of wood," Earn said boredly. She and Boss had followed Dim for tours, and they had been to Andalusia. Earn has always been the nicest among them, and the fact that she doesn't think highly of this Pam speaks volume. 

"Fuck me," he downed his beer. "I'm going to the dancefloor."

He left them, looking for people he could lost himself in. There were a lot of men and women throwing themselves at him, but he doesn't find them particularly interesting.

"Will you look at that," Man snickered, appearing beside him. "Sun is trying to pull somebody. Poor little guy."

Sarawat turned to see Sun moving closer to a smaller, lithe guy. He would have ignored it, but the smaller guy looked terrified, and Sarawat knows that Sun can be a bully if he wants to. 

"That's not cool," he said flatly and brushed his hair aback. "Wait here. I'll deal with it and come back."

He walked over towards them, intending to make it fast. 

And then the smaller man turned to look at him. eyes wide with desperation and he was blown away. 

This guy is outright beautiful. His face, his skin and his eyes is like the siren's song to Sarawat. "That's my boy," Sarawat growled to Sun, who flinched back from him. Sarawt might be lean, but he's a fighter. Sun left with his friend, and Sarawat half-dragged the other guy out. 

The guy was babbling and looking at Sarawat as if he hung the moon. And Sarawat can't stop staring at this masterpiece in front of him.

When the guy, Ash, asked him whether he would like to be the first person to take his virginity, Sarawat couldn't agree fast enough. 

He woke up to see Ash sleeping soundly against him, his head on top of Sarawat's chest. How could a person look so wonderfully adorable when he looked like Adonis just awhile ago?

He stroked Ash's hair fondly, and Ash snuggled to him for warmth. 

Like a baby bunny, he thought warmly. 

He thought about it. He will take Ash out, have breakfast, get to know him and obsess over him for the rest of the day. And fuck. He's certain that Ash would be open to it, if last night was any indicator. Ash seemed satisfied enough.

Pam. 

He stopped stroking Ash's hair. 

What the hell is he doing? He's almost as good as engaged, to a princess. He can't be doing this. 

He pushed Ash away gently, and dressed up quickly. Ash mumbled incoherently and frowned. Sarawat wrapped the blanket around him, and kissed him in the forehead. A pang of despair hit him.

But he's a prince, and this is what princes does. 

And he will never see Ash again. 

In Andalusia

He was proven wrong in a matter of days. 

"Sister!" someone yelled.

Sarawat had almost doubled over in relief. Pam is very pretty, yes, and fucking dull. She seems to be waiting for him to do all the work, and has no idea whatsoever on how to converse like a normal human being. Whoever had just interrupted them, he will kiss the boot of the person, he swear. 

He turned around to see Ash in the flesh, staring at him. 

Queen Ariana had came then, grabbing Ash by the hand, and telling Tine, Prince Tine Teepakorn, to greet their esteemed guest. 

He had wanted to explain to Tine why he left. He didn't expect Tine to explode and left him standing at the dance floor.

He had tried talking to Tine, but somehow, the Second Prince is particularly excellent in the art of avoiding him. He finally got his chance when Pam told him that Tine is fine with taking them down to the village. 

But Tine didn't want to sit with them. He decided to ride with the scholar, Prae. 

"They are rather close, aren't they?" he said comfortably. Man, Boss and Earn knows him well enough to detect the minor jealousy he felt. Pam shrugged. 

"Tine is close to the palace help," she said, almost conspiratorially. "Not so much with his own family," she shook her head, and the dark curls tumbled down her shoulder. 

Sarawat kept his own comment. Now he understand why Tine exploded so when he brought up his possible engagement with Pam.  

When they arrived, he helped Pam out. Pam was dragging him away, but he turned because he wanted to tell the coach to take break, and come back later. But Tine beat him to it. Sweet Tine was smiling at the man, calling him by name and telling him to go, and he will take care of the horses. And he even asked Earn to accompany Prae to the shop. Even Earn was impressed, he could tell. Not many royals will care whether their help is comfortable. 

When he came back he found Nadech sitting alone. 

"Where is Tine?" Pam demanded. "It's time we leave."

"At the city centre, my Royal Highness," the man cowered. "There is a show there he wanted to see."

Before Pam could say anything, Sarawat volunteered to find the missing prince. 

He was at the concert, looking for Tine when he saw someone jumping up and down happily. The guy was so excited, and Sarawat stood right behind him. 

"Sorry! I..." Tine turned, and he looked happy and glorious. His face fell when he saw Sarawat, and Sarawat's heart dropped. 

Pam and Prae was beside him, and he didn't even notice. He noticed how Tine's eyes lose its initial light when Pam asked them to go back. Prae tried to let them stay, but Tine doesn't care less. 

Earn decided to ride, and much to his chagrin, Prae rode with Tine. He scowled when she has her arms around Tine. He had had his arms there and he knew how addicted that is. 

He watched Tine as he danced. Pam was beside him, but she wasn't interested in dancing. She only wants to talk, and to listen to Sarawat talk about her. 

Good lord, she's exhausting. 

He was pretty sure he had only looked away for a second, but the next thing he know, Tine was on the floor and Man was tackling a guy double his size. 

He walked towards them, and Tine looked dazed. Earn told him what had happened, and he was filled with a terrible rage. The only thing stopping him was Tine whimpering beside him. He brought Tine and listened as Tine rambled. 

Tine made him sad. So many people adore him and he's still so lonely. He resented the royal family's treatment towards their son. He had never even heard of Tine until he comes to Andalusia, whereas Pam is almost a household name even in his country. 

Tine fell asleep on him. It was noisy, so he brought Tine to a room. He watched Tine sleep peacefully on his lap. 

He went out to get water, but Tine was gone when he came back. He panicked and rushed out.

He found Tine outside, humming and sitting alone, and his heart was filled with so much love for the man in front of him, Leaving caution to the wind, he kissed the man adoringly, wishing with all his heart that he could tell Tine how much he loved him. 

"I like you..." he said almost desperately. "Tine, I love you."

"Is it my body? Do you want to fuck me?" Tine asked. He was shocked. How could Tine ask that of him?

Tine shook his head and pushed him. He stepped back, and Tine walked away from him. 

Sarawat watched him go, and for the first time, his heart breaks.