"Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them." (William Shakespeare)

"Promise me you won't tell Akhenaton about it. Promise me."

"Why, though? You told me you wanted to ask Zephyr on a date, not Akhenaton." Ashur objected. "I don't understand why you would want to keep it a secret from him, too."

Fayez almost rolled his eyes, but thankfully managed to restrain himself. Now was not the time to be rude to his third mate. Not if he wanted Ashur to give him his word that he wouldn't tell a soul about his plan.

Plus, ever since the spanking episode, Ashur hadn't been so lenient with him. Fayez didn't want a repeat of last time - not so soon, anyway- so he had tried his hardest not to be too bratty with the taller man.

So far, he must have done a good job at being a very good boy, since he hadn't been put on anyone's knee again. Knock on wood.

"I told you, I want it to be a surprise." Fayez sighed. "If you tell Handsome Asshole about it, it won't be a surprise anymore, since he can never keep his big mouth shut."

"Don't call your mate 'Handsome Asshole'." Ashur admonished him, while looking oddly entertained.

"You're right." Fayez agreed. "He's not even that handsome. I should just call him Assh-"

"Faye!"

"Okay, okay. I won't call him like that again." Fayez promised, raising both his hands in defeat. "As long as you swear not to tell him about my intent to take Zeph on a date."

Oops. He did it again, didn't he? He was being a brat right now. It seemed like he couldn't help it. Yes, that's what he would tell the judge.

"Fayez..." Ashur started again, this time with a hard edge in his voice. "Do you want to be my good boy or not?"

Shit. How comes he always reacted so strongly at being called a good boy? And why was the idea of being Ashur's good boy so appealing?

"Y-yes. I do. Of course, I do."

"Then you know that good boys don't go and blackmail others, right?" Ashur asked sternly. "Especially not their mates."

"I'm sorry, Ash."

Truth was, he really felt sorry. He didn't want to 'blackmail' Ashur, nor did he want to lie to his three mates and act behind their backs. He knew he had to, though. It was his only option, if he wanted to save Zeph.

He didn't have time to explain to them why the blond vampire's life was more important than his own. It was obvious that his mate's health was quickly deterriorating, and that he must act quickly.

"I forgive you, Faye, and I promise I won't mention the date to Akhenaton - although I'm positive he wouldn't tell Zephyr."

"He totally would!"

"No, he wouldn't. You're the only one here who has a big mouth - and don't object this, Faye. You know very well that more often than not, your big mouth is precisely what gets you into trouble."

He wish he had a good counter-argument, but he didn't. Plus, if Faye's ass could speak, he would probably agree with Ashur.

Ouch. His poor bottom would never forget the spanking episode.

"I still think you should tell Ake about it, though. I bet he would have brillant ideas about what you and Zeph could do on your date."

"What makes you think so?"

"Because Akhenaton took Zeph and I on dates, in the past." Ashur replied, with a dreamy expression that made Fayez a bit envious.

He didn't remain jealous for too long, though. He still had a long way to go before he could truly believe he deserved to be love. Still, he couldn't deny any longer that his mates did love him.

He could just feel it every day. Even when they were mad, tired or busy, he could still feel their affection for him.

"I will find something brillant by myself, but thank you, Ashur." Fayez politely replied, before giving his mate a chaste kiss on the cheek.

"You're welcome, sweet boy."

Ashur can't blush, but he certainly looks flustered, Fayez thought, feeling quite pleased with himself for getting such a cute reaction from the generally collected man.

He wanted to spend more time with the gentle prefect, but he had to carry on with his plan and go find Akhenaton, to ask him the same thing he had asked Ashur. He had to ensure Akhenaton's silence.

Despite what he had previously said to Ashur, he had no doubts that the two men would keep their word and not tell the others two about his plan to take Zephyr on a date.

If they both thought that the other man wasn't informed about the date, then they wouldn't mention it at all. This way, they wouldn't get suspicious about Fayez's true motives. The most dangerous thing would be Akhenaton and Ashur asking what the other thought about Fayez sudden desire to take Zephyr on a date.

He was so deep in thought, that he didn't see that someone was coming his way until it was too late.

"Ouch." Akhenaton winced, while rubbing his reddish chin. "Watch your steps, little brat."

"Sorry, Ake." Fayez said in a contrite tone - it sure looked a bit painful.

"S'fine. Where were you heading, anyway?"

"Actually, as crazy as it may sound, I wanted to talk to you. Unbelievable, I know. I must have gone crazy."

He shouldn't provoke his mates, he knew that. Especially not someone as cunning as Akhenaton.

The brunet suddenly grabbed him by his waist, and brought him closer, before leaning over him.

"I'll show you crazy, little brat." Akhenaton whispered in his ear. "You talk a lot, yet you're so easily flustered. It's endearing, really."

"I'm not-"

"I think the spanking last time wasn't enough." Akhenaton continued, while his hands lightly massaged the small of Fayez's back. "I think you need something... bigger. I think you need it bad. The more we wait, the worse it gets, huh?"

Crap. Why couldn't his mates have the sex appeal of an earthworm?

Okay, that wasn't a nice thing to say about earthworms. Plus, he was sure that earthworms found the members of their own species very attractive. Who was he to judge? Who was he to say that human beings or supernatural creatures were more good-looking than earthworms?

Actually, birds must find earthworms very attractive, too. Very juicy anyway.

Okay. Back to the topic at hand.

"We're not doing it now, and we're certainly not doing it here. Stop being horny all the time, Ake. We have to talk." he weakly protested, although he did lean even closer to his undeniably gorgeous mate.

"You're hard, though. I think that recently, I've seen you more often hard than soft. Must be hard on you, Faye - no pun attended."

"Shut up, Ake! People could hear us!" Fayez hissed, while turning frantically around to see if there was anyone around.

"Oops, my bad. Shall we go to a more discreet place, then!" Akhenaton asked, with a sly smile on his face.

Don't succumb to temptation. Don't succumb to temptation. You're stronger than that, Fayez. Now is the time to repeat to yourself all the wisdom quotes you like to copy in notebooks.

"No." he bravely replied. "We're not going anywhere. Listen to me closely, you doofus, for I don't have much time. I want to ask Zephyr on a date."

"Why him and not me?" Akhenaton exclaimed, a little too loudly for Fayez's comfort.

Silence. Fayez was looking at his mate with wide eyes, while, for once, Akhenaton wasn't looking at him in the eyes. Rather, he was looking at the ground, the ceiling, the walls - anything but his mate.

"Nevermind" Akhenaton finally mumbled, before he made a move to leave.

Only, Fayez wasn't having any of that. He quickly grabbed his mate by his arm, forcing him to face him again.

Of course, Akhenaton didn't like to be manhandled.

Well, too bad, Ake. Seems like the tables have turned.

"What, Fayez?" he asked quite aggressively. "You wanted to tell me about your dating plans, right? Well, I get it, and you have my blessing. Now, if you don't mind, I've got things to do."

"Akhenaton" Fayez replied. "I would have never imagined..."

"What?" Akhenaton sighed in forced exasperation.

"Don't tell me you're jealous!"

"I'm not" the prefect immediately denied, but Fayez wasn't fooled.

"You are" he insisted, while trying his hardest not to laugh, because Akhenaton being in denial was just the cutest and the most unexpected thing ever.

"Leave me alone, brat. Don't rub the salt in the wound."

Fayez wasn't usually the one to initiate intimate things with his mates. However, he had recently started to take initiatives - not that the three men were pressuring him or anything. They seemed content with pretty much everything he did, except when he was being particularly bratty - even then, they were secretly pleased to have an excuse to punish him.

He still wouldn't attempt to do anything big - like getting on his knees or indulging into dirty talk. Yet, he would more and more often do spontaneous things, like giving light kisses to his mates or openly asking for a hug.

The praise and affection he always got in return was making him more and more bold. There was a time when he had been afraid to appear too needy with his loved ones - his parents weren't too keen on showing him affection. However, his mates didn't seem to mind this side of his personality, on the contrary.

"There's no need to be jealous of anyone. I love you, you idiot." he declared without thinking.

Oh, no. He said the L-word aloud.

Did he really say to Ashur that he didn't have a big mouth? Surely this was karma. That's what he got for his lie.

"Don't get me wrong, Ake" he hastily added. "I wasn't talking to you, when I said 'I love you'. I was talking to - to someone else."

"Really?" Akhenaton asked with a raised eyebrow. "I'm disappointed, but I should have known better than getting my expectations up. You always look at the wall with a dreamy expression, so it's obvious you weren't talking to me."

"Indeed, I wasn't looking at you" Fayez was too happy to agree. "I was looking at the wall when I said those silly words."

"So you do have a big fat crush on the dusty wall, after all. Interesting. Who would have guessed?"

"Ahah. You're truly hilarious, Ake. Fucking stop smiling like you won the lottery or something." Fayez complained, before giving in. "Okay, okay, I lied. I was talking to you."

"Such a relief. Heard that, stupid wall? I won. You mean nothing to my baby brat" Akhenaton replied, before taking said baby brat in his arms and kissing him sweetly.

Will they forgive me? Fayez thought sadly, as he enjoyed the warm embrace. If I die, they might never forgive me.

What if I survive and they don't forgive me? I'm used to loving them and being loved in return.

Whatever. My feelings aren't what's important right now. What is important is that I save Zeph before it's too late.

"Just, please say nothing to Ash." Fayez eventually said, when he was set free from the bones-crushing hug.

"Why?"

Why? Why? Why are my mates always asking so many questions?

"Because, I want it to be a surprise. I haven't asked Zephyr yet. I think it's better if not too many people know about it."

"Why are you telling me this and not Ash, though?" Akhenaton asked with narrowed eyes.

Wow. Careful here. He was walking on thin ice. Akhenaton was suspicious by nature - even more so than Ashur. One wrong move, and the whole plan would be jeopardized.

"Ash is amazing, but he is a bit of a killjoy sometimes. I'm not sure he would let me take Zeph on a date - he would object that Zephyr is too weak and all." Fayez lied easily.

"Wouldn't he be right? Maybe taking this angel on a date isn't the wisest thing to do." Akhenaton said, his expression turning concerned.

"Maybe it's exactly what Zephyr needs, don't you think? He told me it's hard for him to be treated as a fragile little thing all the time. Please don't worry, Ake. I know he is sick, so I'll be careful."

"You might be right, but-"

"He's been a bit better these days. Plus, if he's really dying, maybe - maybe it would be a good thing to take him on a date, while he can still enjoy it."

I'm going to Hell for that, Fayez thought, as Akhenaton's eyes glistened with tears. His own throat was suddenly too tight.

He really believed everything he had said to Akhenaton, though.

The slender darling deserved to have a bit of fun sometimes. Fayez would do his best to ensure he had a great date.

Then he would do the impossible to save him, regardless of the consequences, but neither Ash nor Ake needed to know about that.

"Okay, brat. I won't say a word to Ash." Akhenaton eventually declared, with a shaking voice. "Just - just be careful and make the little demon happy. Please."

"I will, Ake. He's in good hands." Fayez promised in a grave voice.

Akhenaton nodded and quickly left the hallway. Fayez wanted to go after him and comfort him, but he knew that the prefect prefered to be alone when he was grieving.

He also wanted to tear up, but right now wasn't the right time for that. He needed to stay focused and carry on with the plan.

He had Ashur and Akhenaton's words. They would remained silent, both thinking that the other one hadn't been informed about Fayez's decision to take Zephyr on a date. He had initially thought about not telling them at all about the date, but had decided it wouldn't work.

The men were always watching Zephyr. If the vampire was missing for more than half an hour, they would start freaking out.

No, what he had done was the best thing to do. Anyway, it was too late for regrets.

Now, he still needed to ask Zephyr - which was also a bit stressing, even if he was pretty sure the vampire would gladly accept.

But first, he still had one important thing to do.

He needed someone's help on a very specific matter, and there were only two people he could think about.

Helmut and Nassiba.

Who should he ask?

Helmut, or Nassiba?

He had a feeling that while both were his friends, he should make the right choice. Zephyr's life was at stake.

Who was the most trustworthy of the two?

Unedited. Hope there aren't any confusing parts. Will edit asap.