Royal Desires - 8/8. Final Chapter
Title: Royal Desires - Chapter 8b
Pairing: Colin/Ryan
Chapter Rating: PG
Author's Notes: Sorry I was a tad late with this - it went under a bit of rewriting before I finally decided it was finished.
I love you all for reading this story, as it's my longest story yet and I am so, so proud of it. From the bottom of my heart: Thank you. x
Being a king isn’t so bad, Ryan persuaded himself as he paced back and forth in his bedroom. It’s just like what you usually do except more… revered. And significant. With added butlers. And a wife. And money.
Materialism. From Ryan’s experience, it was certainly not worth the human heart.
“Are you ready, sire? It’s time,” Greg called from the other side of the door quietly, not his usual sarcastic self.
Ryan took one last look at himself in the mirror and sighed. There was no turning back now, no denying fate. Destiny waits for no man, no matter how hesitant he may be.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
~
The grand entrance of the manor was laid out with silver and gold banners, seemingly haphazardly placed like scattered petals that gave off the same amount of elegance. The ceremony was to be held here, with pretty much half the kingdom watching on in respect and joy at the wedding and coronation of their new king and queen.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for His Royal Highness, Prince Stiles.”
Oh, now what moron decided on a fanfare? Ryan thought to himself as trumpets were played upon his descent of the grand staircase, Greg and Brad on proud place behind him like two barriers who would try and block his path should he try and make a run for it.
Josie was already waiting for him at the foot of the stairs and Ryan had to admit that she really did look quite beautiful, even in a simplistic white dress with golden embroidery, stitching similar to his own clothing. He smiled at her as he came down to her level, and she gave a small bow in return. She was beautiful.
But she still wasn’t Colin.
Brad meanwhile tried to subtly rub at his bruised shoulder, the one that Lance had butted with power, but Greg blinked at him and leant over to whisper, “What is it?”
“Nothing,” Brad replied immediately, smiling. “Just pins and needles.” And a hell of a lot of aspirin - that so doesn’t work against horse-inflicted wounds.
Two servants then brought out two golden crowns on plush cushions, each one clearly meant for man and woman. A pastor read out the marital declarations as the royal head wear was ceremoniously placed on top of his head in pre-motion of the coronation. The crown felt cold and heavy - a physical duplicate of the burdens now being pressed upon his shoulders. Ryan stood in front of all these people, his soon-to-be loyal subjects, and smiled a plastic smile.
Brad inhaled deeply, grinning deviously and happily to himself.
“…To join in the united bonds of man and wife, king and queen, is one that joins us all in the love of life itself,” the pastor continued, and Ryan reluctantly reached out to hold Josie’s hand. Though, all the time, he had anxious thoughts.
Just imagine that she’s Colin… in a dress… No! Come on now, focus, Stiles.
And focus was just the thing that Ryan couldn’t do. Instead, he replayed the day he’d first met Colin… when the adorably clumsy older man had dropped the bucket all over his feet. Oh, that was so funny to think of now. And he remembered the look on Colin’s face when Ryan had asked for them to go riding together. And their first kiss… oh, how could he forget their first kiss? And the first time he’d made love to Colin amongst the hay… and then last night when Colin had been the sexual dictator with all the passion and fiery intentions of a wild animal.
And on the tail of those reminiscences was the breezy idea of suddenly bolting out the front door in absolute denial of reality, yet absolute acceptance of the Ryan that he knew he was inside.
“Umm… sire?” Greg poked Ryan on the shoulder, pushing his glasses up his own nose with one finger at the same time.
Ryan shook himself out of his paradise for a moment. Oh… Shit, what did he say?
Greg leant in a bit more and whispered, “Sire, do you take this woman to become your wife and queen?”
That cold sentence was what made him accept it - this was his life now and Colin wouldn’t be coming back. His heartstrings were tugged for all the wrong reasons as it split in two.
It’ll be okay, I promise. Those were the words he’d spoken before he fell asleep with the exquisite feeling of Colin gathered in his arms last night. He should’ve known already that he couldn’t be trusted when he made promises. The kingdom was doomed.
Opening his mouth, he gave up who he was with two those words. “I… I d-“
The rest was drowned out by the sound of distant hooves and then an almighty crack of doors being kicked off their hinges resoundingly. Crashing through the front doors with force came Lance the fiery stallion - his whinnying sounded wonderful when it echoed off the walls of the large room. And as the horse hurriedly made its way up the aisle, passing through a gasping and murmuring crowd, his rider jumped off with flair that only Ryan ever saw. “Sorry - I didn’t see a separate entrance for horses.”
“Colin!” The prince couldn’t contain his glee at the sight of his lover standing determined in front of him. He swooped in immediately for a constricting hug, lifting the Colin completely off the ground in the process. “Oh my God, Colin… what… I mean why…?” The stable boy felt liberated again, felt his heart swell until it was fit to bursting.
“You! I told you-” Brad approached in anger, but recoiled away immediately when the stallion reared threateningly in his direction, snorting and the footman got a jet of smelly breath directly in the face, making him fall backwards dizzily with a thump as Greg rushed in to help him up.
Colin laughed, but Ryan only looked confused. “Wait… Brad? What’s going on?”
“Ry, I’m sorry that I never told you before,” Colin said, turning completely serious. “So I’m telling you the only way I know how.”
His arms hooked behind Ryan’s neck and pulled him down into a passionate kiss, making the taller man swoon. The crowed gasped, Brad’s jaw dropped and Greg blinked like the clueless teenager who’d just been told where babies come from. All those sounds and reactions became second-focus to the two lovers however, as their kiss re-lit that reality-extinguished flame. Those angels were singing again as Ryan and Colin fell into fervour.
“I love you, Ryan,” Colin whispered after they had broken and found himself smiling at how the truth finally picked him up immeasurably.
“Oh, Colin…” sighed Ryan with tears in his eyes. “I love you, too.” They nuzzled noses affectionately like they used to do and then Ryan grinned at just where he was - how peculiar this must look to the bystanders. “You wanna get out of here? For good?”
Colin nodded, forehead resting against Ryan’s. “Yeah…”
“Wait… what?” Greg asked unbelievably, completely clueless to pretty much everything.
“Young prince, you walk out of here and you turn you back on the throne, the inheritance… everything!” Brad warned, not threateningly but anxiously and Greg nodded like an eager puppy in agreement.
Ryan bit his lip, turned and climbed onto his stallion, making sure to give Colin a helping hand until they could sit comfortably together on the saddle, Colin pressed snugly against his back and arms hooked around his waist. Ryan then dethroned himself - taking off his crown and throwing it carelessly to the ground by Brad and Greg’s feet. It rattled and span for a bit before settling neatly.
“You’re welcome to it.”
As the horse trotted happily down the aisle (definitely not in the traditional wedding sense), Brad and Greg looked down at the crown sitting idly by their feet, then at each other and both thought exactly the same thing:
They simultaneously leapt onto the royal headwear together, wrestling childishly on the carpet like warring rhinos as they fought for possession.
“Let go! I saw it first!”
“Argh! I’m older than you!”
~~~
The evening sun beat down playfully upon Ryan and Colin’s faces as they rode away from the manor forever. Though Colin had insisted that they take Margo with them and Ryan had laughed at the request but completely understood. Friends in such a lifestyle came far and few between. And Margo and Lance had always seemed close, too… Perhaps himself and Colin weren’t the only ones in love?
They never did hear what happened to the manor after that. Ryan had cut all ties to the hierarchy, making a clean new slate and Colin was relishing in the exciting experience of finally exploring a world he had barely known.
In accordance to Ryan’s previous fantasy, he managed to get himself and Colin a quaint little ranch near the coast where they kept their much loved horses - and Ryan enormously enjoyed being the simple man for once in his life. He wasn’t running through fast-pace demands or being chased by them, but rather life flowed like a gentle brook. And Colin was equally enthralled, having had the same routine for many years of his life and then suddenly breaking free in the pretty spectacular style that he had. With one of the most amazing people.
Colin tended lovingly to Margo’s mane like he always used to do, brushing it free of clumps and making it completely wispy while his tall lover watched admiringly from the side. It wouldn’t be long until they both retired inside for the evening and re-awakened the heat that their relationship always held. The Canadian turned to him briefly, catching his wandering eyes. “What are you staring at?”
“You, of course.” Ryan swept in and gathered Colin into his arms, lifting and turning him in a flared bear hug that he loved to give. They laughed delightedly and met their lips together in a gentle kiss - gentle until Colin bit down on Ryan’s lower lip and tugged lightly, making Ryan chuckle and shudder. “Someone’s eager.”
“More than you know,” Colin said cheekily and winked.
“C’mere,” whispered Ryan, taking the man’s hands in his own. “I have to show you something.”
And show him he did: The sun was setting behind the trees, casting orange glares on the few clouds in the sky before morphing to pink, then a pale purple as the day ended. It was one of the most romantic things Colin had ever seen.
“I still can’t believe we’re here,” Ryan grinned and kissed Colin’s knuckles as they stood side by side.
“Neither can I.” Colin wasn’t watching the sunset anymore for his vision was already far too captivated. “It’s like what you said - like we’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“Heaven…” Ryan smiled like the man who finally had everything he ever wanted, a man who was finally free. “What a perfect word.”
The End
Pairing: Colin/Ryan
Chapter Rating: PG
Author's Notes: Sorry I was a tad late with this - it went under a bit of rewriting before I finally decided it was finished.
I love you all for reading this story, as it's my longest story yet and I am so, so proud of it. From the bottom of my heart: Thank you. x
Being a king isn’t so bad, Ryan persuaded himself as he paced back and forth in his bedroom. It’s just like what you usually do except more… revered. And significant. With added butlers. And a wife. And money.
Materialism. From Ryan’s experience, it was certainly not worth the human heart.
“Are you ready, sire? It’s time,” Greg called from the other side of the door quietly, not his usual sarcastic self.
Ryan took one last look at himself in the mirror and sighed. There was no turning back now, no denying fate. Destiny waits for no man, no matter how hesitant he may be.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
~
The grand entrance of the manor was laid out with silver and gold banners, seemingly haphazardly placed like scattered petals that gave off the same amount of elegance. The ceremony was to be held here, with pretty much half the kingdom watching on in respect and joy at the wedding and coronation of their new king and queen.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise for His Royal Highness, Prince Stiles.”
Oh, now what moron decided on a fanfare? Ryan thought to himself as trumpets were played upon his descent of the grand staircase, Greg and Brad on proud place behind him like two barriers who would try and block his path should he try and make a run for it.
Josie was already waiting for him at the foot of the stairs and Ryan had to admit that she really did look quite beautiful, even in a simplistic white dress with golden embroidery, stitching similar to his own clothing. He smiled at her as he came down to her level, and she gave a small bow in return. She was beautiful.
But she still wasn’t Colin.
Brad meanwhile tried to subtly rub at his bruised shoulder, the one that Lance had butted with power, but Greg blinked at him and leant over to whisper, “What is it?”
“Nothing,” Brad replied immediately, smiling. “Just pins and needles.” And a hell of a lot of aspirin - that so doesn’t work against horse-inflicted wounds.
Two servants then brought out two golden crowns on plush cushions, each one clearly meant for man and woman. A pastor read out the marital declarations as the royal head wear was ceremoniously placed on top of his head in pre-motion of the coronation. The crown felt cold and heavy - a physical duplicate of the burdens now being pressed upon his shoulders. Ryan stood in front of all these people, his soon-to-be loyal subjects, and smiled a plastic smile.
Brad inhaled deeply, grinning deviously and happily to himself.
“…To join in the united bonds of man and wife, king and queen, is one that joins us all in the love of life itself,” the pastor continued, and Ryan reluctantly reached out to hold Josie’s hand. Though, all the time, he had anxious thoughts.
Just imagine that she’s Colin… in a dress… No! Come on now, focus, Stiles.
And focus was just the thing that Ryan couldn’t do. Instead, he replayed the day he’d first met Colin… when the adorably clumsy older man had dropped the bucket all over his feet. Oh, that was so funny to think of now. And he remembered the look on Colin’s face when Ryan had asked for them to go riding together. And their first kiss… oh, how could he forget their first kiss? And the first time he’d made love to Colin amongst the hay… and then last night when Colin had been the sexual dictator with all the passion and fiery intentions of a wild animal.
And on the tail of those reminiscences was the breezy idea of suddenly bolting out the front door in absolute denial of reality, yet absolute acceptance of the Ryan that he knew he was inside.
“Umm… sire?” Greg poked Ryan on the shoulder, pushing his glasses up his own nose with one finger at the same time.
Ryan shook himself out of his paradise for a moment. Oh… Shit, what did he say?
Greg leant in a bit more and whispered, “Sire, do you take this woman to become your wife and queen?”
That cold sentence was what made him accept it - this was his life now and Colin wouldn’t be coming back. His heartstrings were tugged for all the wrong reasons as it split in two.
It’ll be okay, I promise. Those were the words he’d spoken before he fell asleep with the exquisite feeling of Colin gathered in his arms last night. He should’ve known already that he couldn’t be trusted when he made promises. The kingdom was doomed.
Opening his mouth, he gave up who he was with two those words. “I… I d-“
The rest was drowned out by the sound of distant hooves and then an almighty crack of doors being kicked off their hinges resoundingly. Crashing through the front doors with force came Lance the fiery stallion - his whinnying sounded wonderful when it echoed off the walls of the large room. And as the horse hurriedly made its way up the aisle, passing through a gasping and murmuring crowd, his rider jumped off with flair that only Ryan ever saw. “Sorry - I didn’t see a separate entrance for horses.”
“Colin!” The prince couldn’t contain his glee at the sight of his lover standing determined in front of him. He swooped in immediately for a constricting hug, lifting the Colin completely off the ground in the process. “Oh my God, Colin… what… I mean why…?” The stable boy felt liberated again, felt his heart swell until it was fit to bursting.
“You! I told you-” Brad approached in anger, but recoiled away immediately when the stallion reared threateningly in his direction, snorting and the footman got a jet of smelly breath directly in the face, making him fall backwards dizzily with a thump as Greg rushed in to help him up.
Colin laughed, but Ryan only looked confused. “Wait… Brad? What’s going on?”
“Ry, I’m sorry that I never told you before,” Colin said, turning completely serious. “So I’m telling you the only way I know how.”
His arms hooked behind Ryan’s neck and pulled him down into a passionate kiss, making the taller man swoon. The crowed gasped, Brad’s jaw dropped and Greg blinked like the clueless teenager who’d just been told where babies come from. All those sounds and reactions became second-focus to the two lovers however, as their kiss re-lit that reality-extinguished flame. Those angels were singing again as Ryan and Colin fell into fervour.
“I love you, Ryan,” Colin whispered after they had broken and found himself smiling at how the truth finally picked him up immeasurably.
“Oh, Colin…” sighed Ryan with tears in his eyes. “I love you, too.” They nuzzled noses affectionately like they used to do and then Ryan grinned at just where he was - how peculiar this must look to the bystanders. “You wanna get out of here? For good?”
Colin nodded, forehead resting against Ryan’s. “Yeah…”
“Wait… what?” Greg asked unbelievably, completely clueless to pretty much everything.
“Young prince, you walk out of here and you turn you back on the throne, the inheritance… everything!” Brad warned, not threateningly but anxiously and Greg nodded like an eager puppy in agreement.
Ryan bit his lip, turned and climbed onto his stallion, making sure to give Colin a helping hand until they could sit comfortably together on the saddle, Colin pressed snugly against his back and arms hooked around his waist. Ryan then dethroned himself - taking off his crown and throwing it carelessly to the ground by Brad and Greg’s feet. It rattled and span for a bit before settling neatly.
“You’re welcome to it.”
As the horse trotted happily down the aisle (definitely not in the traditional wedding sense), Brad and Greg looked down at the crown sitting idly by their feet, then at each other and both thought exactly the same thing:
They simultaneously leapt onto the royal headwear together, wrestling childishly on the carpet like warring rhinos as they fought for possession.
“Let go! I saw it first!”
“Argh! I’m older than you!”
~~~
The evening sun beat down playfully upon Ryan and Colin’s faces as they rode away from the manor forever. Though Colin had insisted that they take Margo with them and Ryan had laughed at the request but completely understood. Friends in such a lifestyle came far and few between. And Margo and Lance had always seemed close, too… Perhaps himself and Colin weren’t the only ones in love?
They never did hear what happened to the manor after that. Ryan had cut all ties to the hierarchy, making a clean new slate and Colin was relishing in the exciting experience of finally exploring a world he had barely known.
In accordance to Ryan’s previous fantasy, he managed to get himself and Colin a quaint little ranch near the coast where they kept their much loved horses - and Ryan enormously enjoyed being the simple man for once in his life. He wasn’t running through fast-pace demands or being chased by them, but rather life flowed like a gentle brook. And Colin was equally enthralled, having had the same routine for many years of his life and then suddenly breaking free in the pretty spectacular style that he had. With one of the most amazing people.
Colin tended lovingly to Margo’s mane like he always used to do, brushing it free of clumps and making it completely wispy while his tall lover watched admiringly from the side. It wouldn’t be long until they both retired inside for the evening and re-awakened the heat that their relationship always held. The Canadian turned to him briefly, catching his wandering eyes. “What are you staring at?”
“You, of course.” Ryan swept in and gathered Colin into his arms, lifting and turning him in a flared bear hug that he loved to give. They laughed delightedly and met their lips together in a gentle kiss - gentle until Colin bit down on Ryan’s lower lip and tugged lightly, making Ryan chuckle and shudder. “Someone’s eager.”
“More than you know,” Colin said cheekily and winked.
“C’mere,” whispered Ryan, taking the man’s hands in his own. “I have to show you something.”
And show him he did: The sun was setting behind the trees, casting orange glares on the few clouds in the sky before morphing to pink, then a pale purple as the day ended. It was one of the most romantic things Colin had ever seen.
“I still can’t believe we’re here,” Ryan grinned and kissed Colin’s knuckles as they stood side by side.
“Neither can I.” Colin wasn’t watching the sunset anymore for his vision was already far too captivated. “It’s like what you said - like we’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“Heaven…” Ryan smiled like the man who finally had everything he ever wanted, a man who was finally free. “What a perfect word.”
The End