"Thank you for your invitation, it is greatly appreciated.", George heard his mother say.

They had been invited to the ball of their neighbor kingdom and until five minutes ago George would have hated it to be here.

But now? Now he had spotted the prince of the kingdom, down the corridor in the Royal garden, a kitten on his arm and smile on his face.

He was gorgeous.

George was sure he was the most beautiful human he had ever seen.

"There is nothing to thank us for, would you like me to show you around a little?", he heard the kingdoms queen ask and only seconds later his mother took the offer.

"How about we start in the garden? Follow me.", the queen said, walked them down the corridor, right into the princes direction.

When she spotted her son on the ground, she shot him a look that said we have guests, don't act like that.

Quickly the blonde stood up, the little cat still on his arm, as he bowed down.

"That's my son Clay, I'm sorry he's a bit of a... free spirit."

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

He first met the gaze of Georges mum, but when he turned to George the brunette felt like his heart threatened to jump out of his chest.

"The pleasure is all ours.", Georges mum replied with a smile, but Clay didn't really focus on her, only had eyes for her son, that looked like he was straight from a renaissance painting.

"Clay, dear, please put the cat down."

"But Patches needs love too.", he replied, finally taking his eyes of George, who's gone weak in the knees under the gaze of green eyes.

The queen sighed and mumbled: "You're hopeless."

"Patches is an adorable name", George broke the following silence, blushing when the blonde looked at him with a smile.

"It fits her.", Clay replied and George smiled.

"It really does."

"How about we leave the boys here, while we take a walk?", Clays mum asked and Georges mother quickly nodded.

"That sounds lovely."

So soon they walked off and left their sons behind.

They look at each other shyly and a nervous blush creeped onto both of their cheeks.

"Should I maybe- ehm- show you around?"

"Sure", George mumbled and giggled, when Patches suddenly decided that she wanted to try out if Clays shoulder was more comfortable that his arms and he struggled to keep her from climbing him as if he was a tree.

"Careful", Clay told her, when he held her securely in his arms again.

He boobed her nose with his index finger and said: "You're gonna embarrass me in front of the pretty boy"

George blushed in a dark shade of red and couldn't help himself, but smile.

Clay smiled at him. "I'm sorry.", he said and looked down, "That was probably really inappropriate."

"No, no, it's alright. Thank you", George replied quickly, shy to meet Clays eyes.

The blonde chuckled nervously, blush making his freckles stand out.

Soon after they started walking through the garden and Clay turned out to be a clumsy, yet lovely person to be around.

His crown nearly fell off his head multiple times, always followed by a giggle.

"So, what kind of flowers do you like?", he asked after a while and George said: "Carnations are nice, they mean love and admiration, I also like Hydrangeas, the pink ones have a lovely meaning too."

"Sincere emotions and romance, right?"

"Yes", George said, a little surprised, "You know flower language?"

"A little bit, I read a book about it once."

"That so nice, I never met someone who knows flower language."

"Do white camellias mean you're adorable where you come from too? I heard the meaning depends on the region.", Clay asked and George nodded. "Yes, they do."

Dream smiled. "Give me one second."

He walked around the corner and came back with a white camellia.

Proudly he presented it to George.

"It's for you."

George smiled and took the flower.

"Thank you, that's really cute."

"Will you stay for the masquerade ball on friday?", Clay then asked when they continued their walk and George nodded.

"My mother said we'd stay till next week."

Clay just wanted to say something when Patches on his arm mewed.

He chuckled. "Patches is excited that you stay too."

George reached out to pet her with a smile.

"I'm excited to stay too.", he said, stepping closer to Clay.

Playfully he looked up. "With such lovely company I'd love to stay forever."

The days went by and soon it was friday.

George was just getting ready for the masquerade, when Clay stormed into his room.

"My parents just said that-", he stopped mid sentence, when he was George.

His pupils were blown wide, lips slightly parted as he looked at him full of admiration.

"You look gorgeous."

George blushed. "Thank you, you look amazing too, but what is wrong with your tie?", he asked and chuckled.

"I don't know how you tie a tie.", Clay confessed and soon George walked up to him and started tying it properly.

"So what was the thing with your parents about?", George asked softly, while correcting Clays mistakes.

"They want me to find a wife tonight."

George froze, felt his heart ache.

"Oh.", he mumbled, "That's- That's something."

"I don't wanna find a wife, George.", Clay said and lifted a hand to caress Georges cheeks gently, "Cause I think I already know, who the person I wanna spend the rest of my life with is."

"We know each other for a week, you can't put your life and privilege on the line for me.", George replied, refusing to look at the blonde.

"I can, because my heart tells me that all I need is you.", he leaned down to catch Georges gaze, "It's been only a week, but you give me a feeling no one else ever gave me. George, I adore you and I would do everything to spend the rest of my days with you. Maybe we can go somewhere where no one can find us. Build a little cottage and make everyday feel like it's the best one we'll ever have."

"You're rushing through this", George said, even though he knew every cell of his body agreed with Clay, "We can't be together, it's just not possible."

"Then we make it possible. Tonight, is our chance to start a new, happy life together. The two of us against the world.", Clay said softly, "We'll take Patches along and find a place where we can love each other."

"Clay-" "Do you trust me?"

George looked at him, saw not a single bit of hesitation in the blondes eyes.

"I do."

And then... then Clay kissed him.

Gentle and warm and George had never felt better.

His head was spinning and in this moment he knew it was the right decision to trust the blonde.

Carefully he placed his hands on Clays cheeks and pulled him closer.

Never had he felt more at home then right now.