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"So have you given it any thought?"
Ceri was ripped from their thoughts as Ruby and Luke strolled up to him. It took him a moment to realise what they were on about. Visiting Trystan's home country made luke and Ruby curious about Ceri's home country. He had no idea why anyone would want to visit though. Just a lot of old grey streets, litter and money laundering front shops.
To each their own he supposed.
"Yeah sure, prepare to be disappointed though"
"YES! Family Vacation!"
"Shouldn't we invite Tommy and the others"
"I might get my brother's to agree... But Uncle T?... Nope. He swore he'd never go back".
"Understandable"
"Mafalda?"
"Maybe? It's not exactly a peak tourist spot"
Ruby threw her arms around Luke and Ceri's necks.
"We'll have fun though! But Ceri, you gotta promise that you'll come back home with us"
"Yeah, if we lost Trystan AND you, Mafalda would flip"
Ouch.
"Yeah yeah, there's like no worries of that"
___THAT NIGHT, GUEST ROOM___
If we lost Trystan...
He really isn't coming back to New York, is he?
Ceri flopped (😔) back onto his guest room bed, ignoring the ever growing feeling of being watched. Luke and Ruby's words played over and over in his mind. He had no clue how he could just carry on with life in New York without Trystan, business as usual.
He still kinda hated to admit it, but Trystan had left a mark on them (ahem) that they knew could never be erased. And the thought of being apart killed him. But Trystan was set to take the throne and you were crazy if you thought Ceri would stay here in a castle. With Royalty? Ew. never. God knows he'd rather join the NYPD.
It doesn't matter how in love he is, he can't stay here. What would he even do? Sit around and look pretty while avoiding Trystan's creepy family? And then Trystan would have to marry someone else. Then where would that leave him?!
But Trystan....
Would he really give anything to be with Trystan?...
This is so silly. Here he was. Ceri Rose. Getting stressed out over a guy. Not just any guy. Crown prince Trystan fvcking Thorne. Younger Ceri would be so angry. He's head over high tops for a prince. God knows Iago wouldn't be happy if he was still alive.
It made them laugh. Trystan said he thought he'd have gotten along with his father. His extremely anti-royalist father. Well... he always said that he wanted them to be happy... and they are very happy with Trystan. Maybe Trystan would grow on him. Like father, like son. At least Trystan got along with Uncle T and Mafalda. Aeron and Harri were less hesitant. They were straight online telling everyone that they were friends with an Eastern European prince.
Regardless of views, they were way more welcoming than Trystan's family. He didn't expect a red carpet or anything. Honestly, at least they let Ceri and the others in. He can't wait to get back to New York though. His own flat above his Uncle's bar where he can actually walk around without the judgmental stares from everyone. Where he can have lunch with others without worrying if it's been poisoned.
They never should have taken that missing persons case...
No.... That's wrong to say. Everyone knows Tony and Eleanor would be on the loose if they left it to Morris and Holbeck. Thompson could have solved it if she tried. But no, she'd rather play it safe to please useless Mayors.
Ah well, if they did their jobs, Ceri would most likely not have his.
And if he never had this job, he'd never have met Trystan. But then he wouldn't be here. He'd be at home, tailing someone's husband. He'd get evidence and the wife would be angry. Weirdly enough she might be angry with Ceri and Luke had been known to catch a stray every now and then. One person even tried it with Mafalda. It didn't end well for them. Oh but you couldn't be too mad at them. Imagine getting cheated on by a man who aged like milk. Anyway, then he'd go home and play COD with Storm (ID MC), Ruby and Luke.
Damn, his life sucks either way.
There was a familiar knock at the door, bringing him from his thoughts.
"Ceri?"
He got out of bed like he was late for his first day at school, disturbing Eira who meowed with attitude. He unlocked the door to see Trystan with a concerned, slightly hurt look.
"You 'kay?"
"You didn't come to my room?"
They pulled him inside and locked the door behind them both.
"Sorry I'm just... I don't even know..."
"Just wanted some space?"
Ceri silently nodded and Trystan turned towards the door.
"I understand, I'll see you bright and ear-"
Ceri cut him off and pulled him closer.
"Please stay"
If Ceri and the others would be leaving soon, then shouldn't they make the most of the time they have together?
Trystan wrapped his arms around their lower back.
"You 'kay?"
"Stop copying me... And yeah..."
Totally believable that...
"You can tell me anything, you know that right?"
They nodded, knowing what comes next.
"Then what's really wrong?"
They swallowed and looked away, trying to find the words.
"The others and I will be heading back soon..."
Trystan sighed and pulled Ceri towards the bed, sitting on the edge.
"I knew this would come up... I take it you're going back to New York?"
They nodded, awkwardly fiddling with their hands.
"What about you?..."
Trystan took Ceri's hands in his own.
"I'm really sorry Ceri... but I have to stay here. I have responsibilities and a duty to my country."
Ceri ripped his hands free, hugging himself.
"But I thought you hated all those responsibilities. I lost track of all the times you've sat complaining about it"
"I do, yes. But I can't just abandon everything here"
Ceri held back the urge to mention the fact that he did that a couple weeks back.
"I-.... I understand. But what would happen... to us?"
Trystan sighed and fell silent for a few uncomfortable moments.
"I don't know Ceri..."
His heart dropped and he blinked back tears.
"You have a lot going on back in New York. I'm not naive, asking you to stay for a little while was one thing...."
He took a deep breath, turning to look them in the eyes.
"But I want you to know how much you mean to me and if you decide to leave, I hope you know that I'll never forget about you."
Ceri scooted over and pulled him into a hug, never wanting to let go.
"I don't know anymore, Trystan," he responded between shaky breaths. Tears openly fell from his rain cloud grey eyes.
"I was so ready to get out of here... but I don't want to leave you"
He wiped his eyes on his sleeves, smudging his eyeliner. Trystan pulled him closer, his own eyes welling up with tears.
"You could stay here.... with me...."
"Yeah no. That's not happening"
Is it?...
Trystan sighed. He knew they'd say that. It seemed pointless to even ask, but he had to try.
"I understand... If that's the case, let's make the most of the time we have left."
Trystan pulled them into a kiss, resting his hands on their waist.
Nothing else mattered. Not the investigation. Not the Agency. Not his life there. Nothing. All that mattered to him right now was the man in front of him.
He'd stay here with Trystan.