Is It Too Soon To Say "Perfect"? Chapter 8. Cash/Marshall

[x_noelian_x]

Title: Is It Too Soon To Say “Perfect”?
Pairing: Cash Colligan and Alex Marshall. (plus other surprise minor pairings.)
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Prince Cash + Stable boy Marshall. Need I say more?
Author's Notes: This is for my friend Sophie who asked me for 'Prince Cash and Stable boy Marshall'. And thanks to her and Ayesha for reading it over in lessons XD. I will try and update this as often as possible, but I'm in the middle of GCSE exams. Hope you like it (:
Disclaimer: Title by Mayday Parade. I don't own any of the characters...just the storyline.

Previous Chapters.


“You’re Marshall?”

Marshall turned and faced Hunter, giving him a confused nod.

“I’m Hunter, Cash’s cousin.”
“Oh…hi.”
“Hunter! Just leave it, let’s go,” Cash panted as he caught up with him.
“I just want to talk to him.”

Cash and Marshall locked eyes for a brief moment before they both looked away. Cash looked down at the ground and began kicking stray bits of hay around.

“Do you want to hang out with us today?”
“I don’t think that’s such a great idea.”
“Why not? Just because you broke up, doesn’t mean that you can’t hang out together.”
Marshall glared at Cash, “how many people have you told about us?! Are you trying to get me fired…or fucking banished?!”
“What?!” Cash gasped. “No! of course not! I’ve hardly told anyone…and Hunter won’t tell anyone.”
Marshall started to leave, “it would be better if we just stayed away from each other.”
“No, it wouldn’t be,” Hunter scoffed. “Cash is miserable.”
Cash groaned, “dude, shut up.”
“…and, unless you’re always this moody, I think you’re not too happy about this either…just try hanging out together, like as friends…I know Cash needs you around.”

Marshall sighed and scratched the back of his neck. Hunter looked between him and his cousin and then nodded.

“I’ll leave you two to talk.”

“I know it’s only been a day,” Cash sighed when Hunter had left, “but I really do miss you. I miss talking with you…I miss riding with you…I miss just sitting by the lake together.”
“And you think I don’t?!”
“Well then why can’t we just try and be friends?”
“Because I don’t know if I can control myself…”
Cash took a couple of steps forwards and looked up into Marshall’s eyes, “please try?”
Marshall sighed, “I’ll have to think about it...come back and see me tomorrow?”
Cash nodded, “yeah, ok, I‘ll be back tomorrow…bye, Marshall.”
“Goodbye.”

Hunter was waiting outside and he immediately fired questions at Cash as he came out. Cash told him what Marshall had said and Hunter grinned, saying that he had a good feeling about his.

“Where’s Drew gone?” Hunter frowned.
“Oh, he went for a walk with Travis,” Alex smiled from where he was sitting on the grass with Suarez.
Hunter raised an eyebrow, “where’d they go?”
“Uh, in that direction,” Alex did a vague gesture to the woods.
“Oh, I think I know where they went,” Cash told him.
“Let’s go find them,” Hunter said.
“Suarez, you coming?” Alex asked.
The messenger shook his head, “I better no, I might be needed.”
“Ah, ok, well, see you later.”

“How do you know where they’ve gone?” Hunter asked as Cash led them into the woods.
“Travis showed me this clearing out here. It’s really private and can be quite romantic…” Cash paused and stopped walking. “Maybe we shouldn’t go and find them.”
“What? Why not?”
“Maybe they wanted some privacy.”
“And why would they want that?” Hunter scoffed. “It’s not like they’d be doing anything, they’ve only known each other a day.”
“That’s all it took me and Marshall…” Cash sighed.
“Maybe we should leave them,” Alex agreed, feeling awkward at the mention of Marshall.
“If someone’s trying to make a move on my little brother then I want to know about it…lead the way, Cash.”

Cash sighed but carried on walking. They soon came to the clearing and, sure enough, Drew and Travis were sitting together, talking and laughing. Cash stopped Hunter from moving and closer and the three of them stood and watched the two boys.

They were so cute. Travis was doing most of the talking and Drew sat opposite him, listening happily. The boys hiding in the trees couldn’t hear what was being said, they could only see them. They saw Drew bow his head and hide behind his hair - like he does when he’s shy or nervous. They saw Travis reach out and brush Drew’s curly hair from his face and smile at him. And they saw Travis lean forwards and brush his lips against the younger boy’s. hunter gasped, but Cash and Alex just smiled. Drew smiled shyly at Travis and blushed bright red, but he held Travis’ hand and entwined their fingers.

“Hunter, we should leave,” Cash whispered.
“Why?” Hunter frowned.
“It’s wrong to spy on them…let’s leave them alone.”
“But he just kissed my brother! What if he tries to go further?!”
“Drew’s old enough to look after himself,” Alex told him.
Cash smiled at him and nodded, “exactly. Come on, Hunt, let’s go get something to eat.”

Alex and Cash grabbed one of Hunter’s arms each and pulled him away.

It was an hour before Drew and Travis came back. The other three were lounging in Cash’s sitting room and they went silent when Drew walked in.

“Um…hi,” Drew smiled awkwardly when everyone turned to stare at him.
“Where’s your boyfriend?” Hunter asked.
Drew’s eyes went wide, “what boyfriend?”
“You and Travis seemed to be getting pretty close.”
“We’re just friends.”
“Oh, you kiss all your friends then?”
Cash groaned, “Hunter!”
Drew went bright red, “how---how do you know we kissed?”
“We saw you in the clearing.”
“You were spying on me?!”
“Drew, we’re sorry,” Cash sighed. “We only saw you kiss, we left straight after.”

Drew looked like a mixture of angry, embarrassed and upset. He opened his mouth to shout at them, but nothing came out.

“He’s too old for you,” Hunter told him.
“What?! No he’s not! He’s only twenty!”
“Yes, and you’re seventeen.”
“Three years, so what?! I really like him.”
“He’s a servant.”
“Hey!” Cash exclaimed with a frown. “He’s not a servant…He teaches me music and plays to entertain guests.”
Hunter rolled his eyes, “he’s a servant.”
“Just shut up!” Drew shouted, “leave him alone!”

Drew stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

“I didn’t want to upset him, I was just trying to look out for him…” Hunter said quietly, feeling guilty.
Cash nodded, “I know.”
“I should go after him.”
“Alex decided to speak up, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.
“Yeah,” Cash agreed. “I’ll go find him. You stay here with Alex.”

Hunter sighed and collapsed on the sofa. Alex cautiously sat beside him and Cash smiled at them before he went to search for his cousin.

Drew hadn’t gone far. He’d sat down on one of the sofa’s down the corridor. He rolled his eyes when he saw Cash.

“I came to apologise…for myself and for Hunter.”

Drew just stared down at his hands.

“We shouldn’t have followed you, I know that was wrong, but we really know that anything was going on between you two. But that’s really awesome that there is.”
Drew looked up at him and smiled, “really?”
Cash nodded and sat next to him, “yeah, you make a cute couple.”
“Thanks,” Drew smiled. “I really like him.”
“So you shouldn’t let Hunter get in the way of things. You can date whoever you want. Don’t let anyone stop you.”
“You should tell your parents that.”
“What do you mean?” Cash frowned.
“Well, they don’t let you date whoever you want, do they? And you obviously don’t want to marry Alex.”
“Oh, believe me, Drew, I’ve tried so many times to get out of this wedding, but no luck.”
“Don’t give up,” Drew smiled.
“I’m not going to…now, are you going to come back with me?”
Drew shook his head, “I’m gunna go find Travis, I don’t wanna see Hunter just yet.”
Cash nodded, “alright then, I’ll see you later.”

It was the next day that Drew spoke to Hunter again. He’d brought Travis swimming with them. This made Hunter raise an eyebrow. Cash elbowed him, making him force a smile onto his face.

“Hey, are you gunna ask Marshall to come and swim?” Hunter asked, sitting on a deckchair beside the pool. “He did say to go and see him.”
Cash bit his lip, “yeah, he did. But I’m nervous. What if he doesn’t want to be my friend?”
Hunter rolled his eyes and stood up, “don’t be silly, come on,” he stuck out his hand.

Cash sighed and took it.

“Hey, Marshall,” Hunter said cheerfully, announcing his presence.

Cash smiled shyly and Marshall looked surprised to see them.

“You fancy coming for a swim?” Hunter asked.
“No, it’s ok, I have work to do,” he continued brushing Dollar’s mane.
“He doesn’t need grooming,” Cash told him. “Dollar’s fine, please come swimming?”
Marshall sighed, twirling the brush in his hand, “ok, let me just grab my stuff…I’ll meet you there in ten minutes.”
Cash grinned, “ok,” he nodded.

Cash walked back to the pool with Hunter; he was grinning from ear-to-ear.

“You’re adorable!” Hunter laughed.
“Shut up! I’m just happy.”
Hunter smiled and put his arm around Cash’s shoulders, “I know you are.”

They got to the pool and they saw Drew and Travis wrapped up in each other in one corner of it. They were talking quietly to each other while smiling happily. They hadn’t noticed Cash and Hunter by the gate. Travis was playing with Drew’s hair lightly and then he leant his head down to kiss him briefly. It was brief because Hunter had decided to pull off his shirt and then run to dive-bomb beside them in the water. They both jumped and Drew squeaked - making everyone laugh. Cash stood laughing at them. Drew had his arms crossed and was pouting at everyone laughing. Travis wrapped his arms around him and kissed his pout away.

“Come on, Cash, get it!” Hunter called.

Cash stripped out of his t-shirt and kicked off his flip-flops. He was about to jump in when he spotted Alex sunbathing on a deckchair, and he smirked.

Alex had his eyes shut, so he didn’t see Cash coming towards him. He didn’t know that he was there until he was suddenly scooped up in Cash’s arms.

“Cash!” he squealed, flailing his arms and legs around. “What are you doing?!”

Cash just laughed and quickly moved towards the pool. Alex gasped as he was thrown in.

“Oh my God! Cash!” Alex gasped as he came up spluttering.

Cash burst out laughing, doubling over and gripping his sides.

“You’re gunna pay for that!”
Cash couldn’t stop laughing, “oh really?”

Alex stuck his tongue out childishly and then started splashing him. But then Cash’s eye was drawn to where Marshall was hovering inside the gate. He hurried over to him.

“Hey! I didn’t see you there.”
Marshall gave him a small nod, “you and Alex seem to be getting along well.”
Cash glanced back at his fiancé, “yeah, he’s cool.”
“So I guess you won’t mind marrying him then.”
Cash groaned, “Marsh, don’t. You know I’d rather be with you.”
“Hey, I was just making friendly conversation, since that’s what we are now…friends.”
“I missed you, Marshall,” Cash sighed.
“I missed you too…”

They stood looking into each others eyes. Everyone else was watching them - Drew and Travis confused at what was going on.

“Come on, you two,” Hunter shouted. “Get in!”

Marshall kicked off his shoes and put his shirt on one of the chairs. Cash couldn’t help but stare at his bare chest. He shook his head, snapping out of his gaze, and then he slowly slid into the water. Marshall wandered over to the deep end and did a smooth dive in. He resurfaced and flicked his wet hair out of his eyes. Then he flashed a smile at the other boys - who were watching him in shock - before swimming over to them.

“Show off,” Cash mumbled with a smirk.
Marshall rolled him eyes, but smiled, “you’re just jealous.”
“Cash, who’s this?” Drew asked, being the only one who hadn’t met Marshall yet.
“Oh, yeah, Drew, this is Marshall, he’s--he works in the stables. Marsh, this is my cousin, Drew.”
“Hey,” Marshall smiled. “Oh…you and Travis?”
Drew blushed and held onto Travis’ hand from where it was hanging over his shoulder, “yeah,” he smiled shyly, looking up at his boyfriend.
“That’s cute,” Marshall smiled.

Hunter and Cash decided to have a handstand competition together. Hunter did a pretty good one, but he only lasted 7 seconds. So, when Cash got to 6 seconds, Hunter grabbed his legs and pushed him over. Cash came back up spluttering.

“Hey!” he exclaimed.
“Looks like I win,” Hunter grinned, cheekily.
“No way, you cheated!”

Cash heard laughing behind him. He span around and saw Marshall. Cash put his hands on his hips.

“Something funny?”
“Yeah,” Marshall laughed. “Your face.”

That was when Cash pounced on him. He hung onto his back, trying to pull him under.

“Cash! What the fuck?!” Marshall continued laughing, trying to shake him off.

Marshall suddenly flung himself backwards, sending Cash falling into the water. Once again, the prince came up spluttering.

“Right, that’s it!”

Cash went to grab Marshall again, but Marshall was faster. He pinned Cash to the side of the pool. Cash’s arms were pinned either side of his head and he smirked up at Marshall as he wrapped his legs around Marshall’s waist. They froze as they stared at each other, out of breath.

“Cash, I think you should let go of me,” Marshall said quietly, not breaking their eye contact.
“You let go of me.”

Everyone in the pool was watching them in silence. Drew looked to his brother, as if asking what was going on. Hunter didn’t say anything, he just swam over to them and cleared his throat. Cash and Marshall jumped and looked at Hunter.

“How about we play volleyball?”
“Oh,” Cash unwrapped himself from Marshall. “Yeah, ok then.”
Marshall bit his bottom lip and scratched the back of his neck, “uh, you know what, this was a bad idea…I should go.”

He climbed out of the pool and went over to his clothes. Cash jumped out and followed him.

“For God’s sake!” he groaned. “Marshall, please?! Stop freaking out!”
“Just stay away from me!” Marshall shouted back, not looking at him.
Cash grabbed Marshall’s hand,” please, don’t run away from me? I need you here.”
“Why? Why do you need me?”
“I can’t go through this without you.”
“But I can’t go through this with you! It hurts too fucking much…I can’t just stand around and watch you get married.”
“But Alex is fine with us being together.”
Marshall glanced at Alex, who nodded, “it still won’t feel right…we’ll still have to hide.”
“But at least we’d be together! We had to hide before Alex came along!”
Marshall shook his head and grabbed his clothes, “I’m really sorry, but I can’t handle it.”
“I love you!” Cash called desperately at Marshall’s retreating back.

He got no reply.

“I am fucking fed up of this!” Cash complained as he stormed off and went up to the palace.

Hunter and Alex chased after him, leaving Drew and Travis shocked and confused in the pool.

Cash ran into his bedroom, slamming his door. Cassadee was cleaning in the next room and she heard him. She poked her head out the door and saw Hunter and Alex.

“Boys, what’s going on?”
Hunter shook his head, “nothing, just go back to work.”
“It isn’t to do with Marshall again is it?”
Hunter looked surprised, “you know about them?”
“Yeah…did something happen?”
Alex sighed, “they had another argument.”
“I’ll go and see him, you guys just leave him alone for a bit.”

They both looked like they were going to protest, but Cassadee gave them a pointed look before knocking and going into Cash’s room.

Cash was buried under his bed sheets. Cassadee sighed when she saw the lump.

“What happened, Cash?”
“Go away,” he mumbled.
Cassadee saw beside him, “no, come on, get out from under there and tell me.”
“No, I’m just gunna stay under here, nothing can hurt me here.”
Cassadee suddenly pulled back the sheets, “stop being a baby.”
Cash looked hurt, “fuck off!”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Marshall doesn’t love me.”
“Of course he does…”
“Then why won’t he fight for me?! As soon as things got tough he ran away!”
Cassadee hugged him tightly, “he does love you, Cash.”

Cash sighed and hugged back, letting his tears fall.

“Cash!”

The Prince looked up as Alex and Hunter ran in the room a little while later.

“I told you two to go away,” Cassadee told them.
“I know, “ Hunter nodded. “But this is important.”

Cash waited.

Alex bit his lip before explaining, “Marshall’s gone.”
Cash got to his feet suddenly, “what?! Where?!
They both shook their heads, “we don’t know where.”

Cash ran out of the room.

“Where are you going?!” Hunter called after him.
“To see my dad.”

The three of them exchanged confused glances before running after him.

“Oh, hi, Cash, everything alright?” Gabe asked as Cash entered his office - Hunter Alex and Cassadee close behind.
“Where’s Marshall gone?”
“Alex Marshall?” Gabe frowned. “He’s gone home…”
“What?!” Cash gasped, his face falling.
Gabe eyed him suspiciously, “only for a few days. He was working on his birthday, so I’ve let him have the week off to go and visit his parents.”
“Oh…oh right, ok.”
“Why is this any of your business?”
“I was just wondering…he’s my friend, he’s the one who’s supposed to look after Dollar.”
Gabe rolled his eyes, “we have other stable boys, don’t worry. Now, is there anything else you need? I’m quiet busy.”
Cash shook his head, “no, sorry for bothering you.”
“Ok,” Gabe nodded, turning back to his paperwork.

“Are you alright?” Alex asked as they all walked back down the corridor.
“I really thought he had gone. I thought he’d left for good.”
“He probably just wanted some space, time to think. He’ll be back soon,” Cassadee comforted him.
“How about we all just go and watch a film or something?” Hunter suggested. “It’ll help you take your mind off things.”

Cash sighed and agreed, so they all went and sat in Cash’s sitting room. Drew and Travis joined them a while later and there’s where they spent practically the rest of the day.

A/N - So, these chapters seem to be getting longer and longer. I just can never find a suitable place to stop.
Hope you are all still enjoying this.
Again, thanks for the lovely comments!
(I was quicker at updating this time! Yay?! =])