Chapter Text
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The Prince of Love, otherwise known as Malcolm's successor, is constantly burdened with the issues of his people. The church school has issues getting the children to believe in pure love, that is the prince's top priority. He simply couldn't let kids at such a young age be brainwashed into believing their love was pure when it wasn't.
He's often seen everywhere, all the time. He never catches a break, and when he does, they don't last long. Some might think, If he never sleeps, wouldn't he look half dead? And they're right! He does look dead! No one sees that side of him except for himself though; if he doesn't look perfect, he simply isn't perfect.
How he used to love what he did..
But he doesn't love this love anymore.
He's bored, to tears! Malcolm won't allow him to have a special one, he says she'll just get in the way of his work.
The prince pondered for weeks, if he weren't allowed to have a special one.. why not just have a regular one? Someone who wouldn't mean anything to him, just to have fun with occasionally.. as friends. He knew it was too risky. Malcolm would find out.
He didn't care..
He still snuck out at night, flying through the dark sky knowing if anyone were to look up, they'd spot him. He looked around at the ground for days to find anyone who might look desperate enough to fulfill the prince's wishes.
One night, he was getting extra ready. He practiced his illusion and charm for countless years on his people, he was a natural. He'd been watching a certain someone for a few nights, learning their routine so he could pretend to catch them off guard. Malcolm hadn't suspected a thing yet.
He slung a small satchel over his shoulder, carrying money, a phone, a small polaroid, and extra gloves. He prettied himself up, admiring his image in the mirror for a couple of minutes before an alarm rang.
An alarm signaling when he should take off if he wanted to catch his new friend on time.
So he left, after checking to make sure he looked good once again.
He flew over to a small, quiet part of the town where he knew his person would be. He always sat out here at night and looked at the flowers for a bit.
And there he was, a worm. Sitting on the grass and picking the flower petals. He was slightly curled in on himself, looked to be trembling. I suppose it is cold out tonight. He quieted his fluttering and landed a ways behind the worm. Adjusting his satchel and hair, he walked forward.
The worm heard footsteps behind him, flinching and turning around quickly. He expected to see a bigger person, ready to pick a fight or something.
He didn't expect the prince.
The worm flushed in embarrassment, keeping his eyes on the prince.
"Hello there, friend. Lonely? It's cold out.. you should be home." The prince finally stopped beside the worm, taking his seat on the grass to look at the flowers. The worm was still staring, he thought he was dreaming.
The butterfly beside him was practically glowing, he could see the dust emitting from his wings, his hair had no tangles, skin was perfect, and oh so attracting eyes.
"Um.. yes. It is cold, but I like to look at the flowers and the stars before bed."
"Flowers at night? Is it not an activity you do during the day?" The prince looked over, locking eyes with the other bug beside him. He giggled softly when he noticed how flustered the worm was.
"Oh- what happened? Um,, I'm sorry.. I guess it is a thing to do when it's bright. I find it more comforting at night.."
He stuttered, trying not to crumble under the pressure of eye contact.
The prince laughed again, holding his hand over his mouth.
"Excuse my manners, I'm-"
"Shrignold, the love prince. Everyone knows you.."
"Right, and you are?"
Shrignold noticed the worm hesitate and chew his lip for a moment.
"Warren.. the eagle." He finally broke eye contact, looking back down at the flowers. Warren grabbed a new flower, picking at the petals again.
"I think it suits you, Warren." Shrignold subtly scooted closer to look at what Warren was doing. Obviously, Warren noticed. He wasn't used to close contact, usually people saw him and would try to avoid him immediately.
"The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it? That might be why it's so cold." Shrignold was now looking up at the sky. It was nearly pitch black, a few stars sprinkling its surface with the moon shining brighter than ever. Warren looked up.
"Yes, it is." he was so awkward, he didn't know how to hold conversations because no one ever wanted one with him.
"Have you ever been airborne, Warren? I noticed your wings haven't grown in yet." Shrignold was still looking up, while Warren looked at the sparkling prince in adoration.
"No.. I haven't. My.. wings are coming in very slowly. ..could you explain what it's like?" Shrignold looked over, his eyes hooded and a small smile painted his face.
"Of course, I could show you one day."
Warren bloomed, not only did he offer to carry him in flight, but he said it as if he wanted to be friends. He couldn't help but smile.
"That sounds great! Sorry, I might get too excited. Flying is a thing i've always wanted to do." Shrignold nodded, he was already wrapped around his tiny finger.
"Taking flight is a beautiful thing. You're weightless, free to do whatever. You can go through clouds and feel the fuzzy water sprinkle your face. You can fly through things, under things, above things. The whole concept is absolutely divine, what I wouldn't give to allow everyone to experience such a feeling."
Shrignold was still holding eye contact as best he could. He gestured with his hands a lot, Warren following along in deep awe.
Warrens eyes were completely blown, his green eye almost invisible. He could only imagine what it must feel like.
"It sounds fun.. I can't wait till my wings come in. Yours are beautiful.." He mumbled the last bit, looking away and growing even more red. Shrignold smiled more, chuckling lightly. He scooted up closer to Warren.
"You can touch them if you'd like." Warren instantly became a mess, stuttering, sweating, and as red as a ripe tomato. Shrignold began finding him cute, or amusing.
"You're.. You're sure? I'm not.. not sure I, of all people, should be allowed something like that from you.." He messed with his fingers, glancing around.
Shrignold couldn't help but laugh a little louder. He was so worked up over a small offer. Sure, he was the prince, but surely it wasn't that big of a deal, was it?
"It's okay, Warren! You don't have to. I'm just offering, if you'd like to touch them at any time, ask and I will let you." His voice immediately soothed down the panicked worm.
"Alright.. It'd be fine if I touched them now, right?"
"Of course, at anytime."
Warren hesitated again, slowly reaching his hand out. He started at the top base of the wing. His finger grazed Shrignold's back before he started moving his finger up the wing.
Shrignold was keeping his composure. He usually touched his wings when he was bored, having someone else touch them was an odd feeling. A good odd.
Warren was halfway down the wing, stopping for a moment to look at Shrignold. The prince had his hand over his mouth, a very faint blush blooming across his cheeks. His other wing stuttered subtly.
"Um.. do you want me to stop..?" Warren thought he was making the prince feel uncomfortable somehow, maybe bothered.
"Nono.. you don't have to. Only if you want to." Shrignold dropped his hand, looking at Warren again.
The worm nodded slowly, turning his attention back to the dazzling wing.
He began paying attention to the little details on it. They were both a beautiful shade of yellow, small purple wings sat at the bottom. There were zigzags, hearts, circles, swirls, and many other shapes decorating them. These shapes were colored with blue, pink, and purple. He glanced at Shrignolds sides for a moment, noticing the light blue freckles coloring his body.
He continued dragging his finger down the rest of the way until he hit the bottom of the base. Shrignold shivered, fluttering his wings when Warren took his hand off.
"They're beautiful, I'd admire myself everyday if I had a pair of these."
"Haha.. I do!" Shrignold chuckled, looking back up at Warren when he calmed down.
"Oh, your face. It's.. all purple." Warren focused on Shrignolds face, his own blush growing.
"Ah, sorry. Not many people touch my wings so it's a very unusual feeling."
"Oh! Um, sorry..? I didn't mean to make you feel weird.." Warren rubbed the back of his neck, feeling more embarrassed than anything.
"Hm, don't worry. You did nothing wrong. Perhaps i'll let you touch them more often so I can get used to the feeling."
Warren nodded, yawning right after.
"Tired? I suppose it is late. Would you like to meet here again tomorrow? Or would you want to meet before that?" Warren perked up a little,
"We could meet before night? Please..? In the pizzeria down by Crown."
"Of course."
Shrignold began getting up, Warren watching him closely.
When he was up, his dusted himself off and fluttered his wings to prepare for flight. The prince looked down at Warren.
"Why not a photo before I leave? I want to remember our first night as friends."
Warren immediately started getting up, "Hold on, you're much bigger than I am. Stay seated for this so we'll be at the same height, won't you?" Shrignold held Warrens shoulders, lowering him back onto the grass.
"Ah, right, of course."
Shrignold took the small polaroid out of his satchel, going to stand beside Warren. When the polaroid was ready, he pointed it at the two. Shrignold hugged Warren, his hand resting at Warrens waist. Warren did the same, hugging Shrignold to his own body.
A small click was heard and Shrignold released Warren.
The worm almost pawed at the prince to get the touch back, but quickly put his hand back down as Shrignold took out the photo.
"Well, goodnight, Warren. I'll see you tomorrow at, lets say 12 PM?" Warren nodded, unable to get a word out.
Shrignold slowly blinked at him, fluttering his wings and floating off the ground.
"I'll miss you, sleep tight." With that, Shrignold flew off back to his own cottage.
Warren watched, already missing the company and aching for the close contact again. He got up, walking(?) back to his own apartment. Warren knew his head would be full of the prince all night.