Alto

Raelynn landed the Outercraft about 15 minutes later. They landed in front of a gate that was no match for the building behind it. The mansion was built on a cliff with a pool surrounded by lights in the front. The building itself wasn’t extremely modern, but it sure was huge. It was a three story tall white marble palace with elaborate spaces for relaxing and comfort. Green plants and lush trees enclosed the structure while the glass doors addressed the scenery inside. Alto was quite expecting security or guards to arrive and ask them a bunch of questions, but as he and Raelynn stepped out of the Outercraft and walked towards the mansion, the gate opened automatically.

“They knew we were coming,” Raelynn explained. He nodded and continued to walk calmly, but froze as soon as he saw a figure running towards them. Moments later, a person came crashing into Alto, thus knocking the air out of his body completely.

“Is it really you?” The voice said. He chuckled, pulling the prince closer into the hug. Nile was slightly shorter than Alto and his chin brushed up against his shoulder. The curls of the prince’s brown hair were soft as they touched the former lawyer’s cheek. A strawberry and cinnamon scent filled Alto’s nose as he inhaled.

“It is me, Your Majesty,” he said. “Or are you still ‘my dear’?” Nile blushed, then laughed.

“Well that wasn’t very professional of me, was it? Raelynn, why don’t you head on in, I need to explain some things to…” he trailed off. Raelynn nodded, then ran through the entrance.

“Alto. Call me what you call me now. Mateo is behind us,” The taller boy smiled.

“Right. Shall we take a tour?” The prince asked. Suddenly, Alto remembered what it was like to love. He remembered the thrill of sneaking out of the window and breathing in the cool air while watching the sun set. Sometimes they didn’t speak, sometimes they poured our hearts out. And sometimes they let only their bodies do the talking. But it wasn’t him. It wasn’t around Nile that he felt like this before. It wasn’t the same feeling.

“Of course, whatever you want, Your Highness,” Alto said, looking at his reflection through Nile’s twinkling amber eyes. The eyes that he fell for all those years ago.

“Oh, please, ‘my dear’ would do,” the prince said. After a few seconds of silence they both were laughing like their lives depended on it. “Nile,” he said finally, still snickering. “Nile would be fine.”

“Well, Nile, it’s good to see you again. Why don’t we put our past behind us and get to business.”

“Sure thing, mate.” Maybe it was time to get back up again. Love is overrated.