Hearing Elliot laugh as Charlie jumped up caused Cedric’s heart to throb and blood to rush to his cheeks. As chocolate was sweet to his tongue, Elliot’s laugh was even sweeter on his ears. That was a sound he adored and wanted to hear much more of. While watching Elliot love on his cheerful pet, Cedric’s expression softened. What a cute duo those two make. “Thank you for the warm welcome.” Cedric said before taking the hand Elliot had offered. It felt like it had been six million years and a day since he last felt the warmth of Edward’s hand. No matter how much he wished to hold his hand for longer, Cedric let go.<br/><br/><br/>What in the world is a cell? Dungeon cell? Do people dwell in dungeons now? What kind of number is he talking about?? Cedric wanted to ask, but he bit his tongue knowing a cell was probably something far too common not to know of. And of course, Cedric played along as not to make himself stand out in all the wrong ways. “A cell? I don’t have one of those.” Cedric hoped to the high heavens that his response made sense. Although he was very confused, Cedric was just so tickled to be able to hear his lover’s laugh again. And as if Elliot somehow read his mind, Cedric was graced with hearing another chuckle. Right now he felt as though his feet were walking on clouds, a feeling he hadn’t felt in forever. “I accept your offer graciously.”<br/><br/><br/>“Sure.” Cedric lowered himself to sit down on the dark green grass beside the other man. His long hair fell and out of habit he tucked the lock behind his ear. Cedric still wasn’t sure how he felt about this new color and he hoped that his other features remained the same. Not out of vanity, but Cedric was a guy who very seldom welcomed change. While looking around him, he noticed that a lot of the men which passed by on those grey pathways all had pretty short styles. This made him feel like he stood out even more and he was a little fearful Elliot might find him odd aesthetically speaking as well as in every other way.<br/><br/><br/>“That’s a shame since you love to be outside.” Cedric quickly caught himself. That was something he would have said to Edward, well this technically was him, but Elliot didn’t know that Cedric already knew so much about him. The king wondered if in this life Elliot ever dreamed of the times they would spend together in the garden. Those were some of the moments he treasured the most. Whenever his responsibilities allowed him time, Cedric would always go to Edward. Relaxing by the pond, together they would savor the flora, the fauna, and the limited time Cedric had to spare. Just as much as the former slave, the king longed to be outside under the radiant sun and blue sky. After saying goodbye to his days as a prince, fresh air and sunlight was something he began to taste and crave. It was needless to say he hadn’t had much opportunity to escape after receiving the throne after his father’s death. Now that he was here, Cedric’s mind still remained lingering on his kingdom and the only world he knew. He wondered how his younger brother, Eridanus, was faring as the temporary ruler. Cedric couldn’t help but worry so much.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Afraid he would come off as if he was a stalker or something, Cedric corrected his statement, ”I mean, it appears since you are going to be here for a while, as so you said. It’s a lovely day, is it not?” He tried his best to copy Elliot’s vernacular, but the way he spoke was almost poetic as if it carried some sort of vintage charm like in all the old monochromatic movies. His eyes wandered the park. Looking at the water across from them, it reminded Cedric of those times in the garden. Inside Cedric had to mentally fight himself not to shed tears of joy.<br/><br/><br/>Noticing the sudden silence, Cedric glanced back at Elliot. Until the other said something, Cedric was hesitant. He wanted to fill the quiet, but he wasn’t sure what subjects he could talk about. When Elliot did speak, sweat dripped down the back of his neck. Hearing the word girlfriend got Cedric to think very hard. He quickly tried to make sense of it’s meaning, but he had never heard such word before. Such term did not exist in his world. His first and only guess was luckily right. Elliot had to be talking about a relationship. Cedric shook his head, “Uh, no…” He trailed before taking a deep breath while scratching his temple. “How shall I put it simply? Uh, I don’t quite fancy women.” Cedric finally answered sort of sheepishly.<br/><br/><br/>Back in his world, a time with more division, fear, and hatred, loving someone of the same sex was something of a sin. Within the castle he was open about how he felt, but outside the castle walls he was tight lipped when it came to his personal matters. It was safer that way. Even though the king saw things well ahead of his time, most did not think the way he did, and so he chose his servants and guards carefully by their moral character. Not necessarily by what they thought was wrong or right, but to know they wouldn’t cause harm to someone even if they disagreed with who that person wants to be with. Cedric wondered just how different things in this world were.