"Sorry you got stuck sharing with me, Prince Alcryst," Amber said, absolutely flooring the Prince who'd been about to make the same apology; the inn was packed, roommates had been selected at random, and Alcryst hadn't expected Amber to be his.

"Why are you apologizing?" he asked, pulling the blankets over them, "if this is about the alpaca smell, I really don't mind it! Besides, I haven't had a chance to hang out with you in a long time, so this will be nice."

"Aww, Prince Alcryst!" Amber pulled him into a bear hug, like he was a stuffed toy, and Alcryst just smiled; it was hard to feel bad about himself when Amber was around.

*****

"I love you." And right away he regrets it, not because he doesn't mean it but because he and Alcryst have been dating for three months and Alcryst still has a lot of anxiety about the relationship; I still can't believe you're with me of all people, you could do better, sometimes I can't get used to the idea that I deserve someone like you.

Every time, Fogado tries to reassure him rather than admit he's had the same worries, I'm a slut, okay, not just a casual dater or a flirt, I dated four different people throughout sophomore year, I'm a slut; sometimes he wonders how he deserves Alcryst, and he certainly doesn't have the right to say those words.

"Forget it," he starts to say, but he barely gets the words out before Alcryst kisses him; when they part for air, he whispers the same, and Fogado can't hold back the tears of relief.

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