LOVE UNREFINED

CHAPTER 16: GOODBYES

" Why do you look worried?" Cessy asked as he walked in staring at Fitz, who didn't realize that Cessy was standing right in front of him.

" I'm not worried, I'm just trying to make a decision on an issue" he replied

" Don't I need to know what this issue is?"

" Well it wouldn't be an issue if a certain person comes with me on my supposed honeymoon" he said smiling hoping Cessy would agree,

Cessy in his own way understood Fitz's feelings but at the most he had a lot going on to even think about going anywhere with him and his new partner Aine.

" You want me to go with you and Aine to your honeymoon?" He asked

" Yes..."

" What makes you think I would do that, that's going to be terrible. You can't just forsake Aine and take me along with you, it should be a time for you both to bond" Cessy explained

" But I want to bond with you" Fitz said as he pulled Cessy unto his laps

" It's not right, what would people say if they found out"

" You know I don't care, I want to be with you not him"

" It's still a No on this one, I can't" Cessy informed staring into his eyes

" How about you think about it, I'll give you the next seven days, what do you say?" Cessy was hesitant to reply Fitz

" Please, just this once do this for me, I want to be with you" Fitz added

" I'll think about it, does that sound good?"

" Yes it does" Fitz said before pulling Cessy into a kiss.

" Hold on what's happening in seven days?" Cessy asked a bit confused, Fitz had just given him seven days which he didn't understand the need, unless there was something exciting happening.

" I'm going to be holding the banquet of Kings" Fitz voiced out,

" What? you hate traditional things such as banquets, ceremonies and even parties, why on Earth would you hold a banquet?" Cessy asked, Fitz only ever attended the banquet only if it was a do or die affair and here he was suggesting the same banquet.

" The only way to postpone the honeymoon is to hold the banquet of Kings"

" Hold up, do you realize that the queen usually organizes the banquet?"

" Exactly, which brings me to my dilemma that I was trying to figure out before you walked in, hosting the banquet is going to give us some times to arrange the honeymoon but then again the banquet of kings is going to be held by none other than Aine. I just keep thinking everything would go terribly wrong. Firstly he's a fuckin barbarian with no sight of culture or even manners, now they are kings coming from all over the globe to come see my sudden amazing partner.

And then I present them in the barbarian, uneducated and God knows what more is added to his list of things that makes him terrible, he's not only going to disgrace himself but also disgrace me and the entire kingdom in front of everyone'' Fitz explained.

" I still don't get it, you want to use Aine as your sacrifice? Fitz he's not ready and trust me, this banquet won't be like the others because everyone would be so interested in seeing Aine more than anything"

" I understand but that's the only way out of the honeymoon mess"

" I don't agree with anything you're saying, the banquet will be too stressful for Aine"

" I don't care, his people decided to force this relationship and his going to have to face his responsibilities" Fitz pointed out

" You want him to embarrass himself in front of everyone just so we could go to a dumb honeymoon together?"

" Cessy you're misunderstanding my point..."

" Oh no, I understand your point clearly, and I don't need time to think, I'm no longer interested in going anywhere with you, you're the king so it's your decision" Cessy said as he stood up from Fitz's leg

" Cessy! Cessiar!!" Fitz called out as he watched him walk away, despite Cessy's reaction Fitz already knew what he wanted

**** **** **** **** **** ****

Aine was busy getting ready for his day, he had to see Chad off, his duties in a palace were over, He was finally married.

As he got dressed there was a knock on the door which he answered and the person behind the door was Chad.

" Hey" Chad greeted in a low tone as he walked into the room

" What's with the tone?" Aine asked his best friend, he could tell Chad didn't want to leave.

" Nothing"

" Are you been serious right now, I know you Chad, more than myself tell me I'm listening"

" I just don't feel right about leaving you here all alone, it's like leaving to the wolves so they can devour you"

" I know that and I'll be fine. But it doesn't feel right keeping you here with me either, you belong to the streets and the fields of Mealth" Aine said sitting next to his friend.

" Would you stop sounding like I'm going to die today" Chad said staring at Aine

" Well, for the past few weeks I hadn't seen a sword or a gun, I think I'm beginning to forget what it means to be a swordsman" Aine pointed out

" That shouldn't be a problem right? you can always go and train with the guards so it's a win-win" Chad suggested

" I guess so but you know the way Fitz is with his insults, some times I just feel like punching right across his ugly face" he said feeling really annoyed

" Do you really think he's ugly?" Chad asked

" What kind of question is that, can't you tell that he's ugly or are you blind" Aine added as he recalled the image of Fitz sleeping

" I understand what you mean by ugly" Chad said with a smile

" What's that suppose to mean?"

" I didn't say anything" he defended with a smirk

" I could hurt you badly right now"

" Oh please don't, I still haven't recovered from the waking up early" Chad's statement made Aine smile and also made him realize his best friend was leaving soon.

" I got you a wedding present, I haven't given it to you yet" Chad said with a smile

" Really?"

" Yes wait here I'll be back" he said quickly as he rushed outside the room coming in with the present that was in a huge box.

" What's this?" Aine asked

" Just open it would you"

" I hope it's not a child"

" You fool would you just open it and stop talking nonsense"

Aine quickly unwrapped the presents to see his favorite sword

" How did you get this? you can't be serious Chad, when did you do this?" Aine asked excited

" Well, I'm your best friend and I know what you want, all I just did was pull in a few strings and here you are" he answered with a smile he was glad Aine loved the present

" Thank you so much this means a lot to me, hold on how did you know the passcode to my vault?"

" Who wouldn't know the passcode when you were all head over heels for Meridith"

" True"

" Anyways, I thought it would be nice to bring it seeing that I’m a good friend and all"

" Chad you're the best and I am going to miss you" Aine said as tears drop down his eyes

" Can we just go so I can head out, it's a long drive to Mealth from here, plus we are men, we shouldn't be crying over departures" Chad said trying to hold in his own tears, indeed he was going to miss his best friend. They had been friends ever since they were five and now Aine was legally married and also a king, something they could never had imagined would ever happen.

" Would you just come over here" Aine said with his arms wildly open

" I don't want to hug you can't you see I'm trying to be strong and you want to give me a hug right...."

Chad's words were cut off by Aine pulling into a hug

" I'll miss you" Aine whispered, all the tears Chad was trying so hard to hold back for so long began streaming down his face, he haf never gotten separated from Aine before, this was going to be the hardest and the longest adjustment ever.

" Look at what you did now, I told you I didn't want to cry" Chad voice croaked, his head still on Aine's shoulders

" Would you just say something that makes sense for once you're ruining the mood" Chad wrapped his hand around his friend

" You are going to be the greatest king ever written in the history" he whispered

" You really think so?"

" I know so, you better make me proud" he added before breaking from the hug

" Let's go down the people of Mealth are waiting for your arrival"

" What do you mean, it's just my mum and your dad waiting for me to arrive"

" Don't worry, you wait and see my gift, it also waiting for you there". There was another knock on the door

" My lord, the King request your presence" a servant announced breaking off Aine and Chad's little emotional moments.

" Alright I think you should go see your husband" Chad said with a smile

" What does he want now?" he scoffed

" I'll get going" Chad said about to take his leave

" No you're not going anywhere alone I'm going to see you off before going to see him"

" A gentleman do not allow their partners wait for them" Chad said and immediately Aine busted out laughing.

He escorted Chad to the front of the palace where the cars were parked

" Be good and don't cause any trouble" Chad said

" No promises" he answered with a smile he watched his best friend got into the car, he waited till he could no longer see any trace of him at all now

" Now let's go see what the lunatic wants" he said to himself as he walked back into the palace to go see Fitz.