Waiting is the Hardest Part

by Anarah ( iibriarroseiii@aol.com )

Archive: M_A, BiC, anywhere else, please ask :)

Category: AR, Angst, Romance, BDSM

Pairing: Q/O

Rating: That's a *big* NC-17

Warnings: This Fic contains scenes that might not be suitable for everyone. There will be BDSM involved in some of the later parts, but I will note the parts.

Disclaimers: Not mine, damn. Although I have a can of whipped cream and some Hershey's syrup that I'd be glad to share if they were!

Summary: In an AR, Prince Benjamin wants nothing but a normal life, until fate steps in and changes his plans.

Notes: I have never written an AR before, so hope you enjoy it! In later parts there will be BDSM, talk of prostitution and Dom!Qui. I will be posting these in increments, not sure how many yet, but parts 1 & 2 will follow this. Also, big smooches out to my sis who helped (?) me think of the bunny… Love ya!

*denotes emphasis*
//denotes thoughts//

The morning dew clung to the fragile petals on the roses outside his window. The temperature had dropped considerably in the last few weeks, and the dew would soon turn to frost. Gazing across the manicured gardens of the palace & beyond the large city surrounding it, his eyes fell on the small cluster that was the small town of Avelon. From this distance all that was visible to the young princes' eye, was tiny building's outlines and the spire of the town's small chapple rising above it all. Visualizing himself walking through the morning bustle, down the worn cobblestone streets, past shops just opening for business. He imagined exchanging pleasantries with fellow townsfolk, stopping occasionally to speak with a friend. The imagined sights and smells assaulted him, bringing with them a wonderful feeling of peace, and belonging.

All of a sudden, reality intruded with a sharp rap at his chamber door. Sighing, he crossed and opened the door, admitting his glowering uncle. "Good morning, Uncle. I trust you slept well," he said, keeping- barely- the sarcasm from entering his voice. Snorting and pushing past him, his Uncle Balen fixed him with an impatient glare.

"You were out again last night," he said abruptly, "Don't try to deny it, the guards watched you sneak back in. Damn it Benjamin! This has got to stop! What was it this time? Drinking, Gambling, Whores? Or all three? How many times must we go through this-"

"Spare me the self-righteous speeches, Uncle," Benjamin interrupted, before the man gained momentum for his tirade. "I was out, I came back- does it really matter my destination?"

Throwing himself down on the velvet couch, Ben crossed his arms over his chest, and closed his eyes, awaiting the impending fury to be loosed. Instead a small sigh escaped the older man, and Ben felt him kneel by his side.

"I only want what's best for you, Benjamin," he said wearily.

Thrown off by the soft comment, Ben's eyes flew open, and flashed with anger. Leaping to his feet he yelled, "Don't presume to know what's best for me! You don't even know me, so don't act like you do! You're not my father!"

Standing, Balen faced his fury, feeling his own quickly rise to match, "No," he said, deathly quiet, "but I am your guardian, and most importantly I am your *king*, so I *will* be obeyed. You forget your place is here, learning your duties, not out carousing with hoodlums in the city! It is-"

"Yes, I know," Ben interrupted, angrily, "it is unbecoming for the heir to be associating with peasants. I am so very sorry to tarnish the family name, because God knows it was pristine before *I* came along!" Ben said with biting sarcasm. Turning his back on the older man, Ben stalked to the door, and out of the chambers, the heavy door thudding ominously shut.

It was the same routine every night. Benjamin retired to his rooms after Court, pretending to get ready to sleep. His uncle set guards at his door, pretending to be there to keep people out; & under cover of darkness, Ben snuck out anyway.

Lately his Uncle had taken to setting guards to follow him, but Ben easily lost them in the winding city streets. Knowing that Balen was still angry about last night, Ben made sure the more persistent guards were really not following anymore, before turning to his true path. Taking a deep breath, calming himself, Ben started down a deserted, filthy street that would lead him into the heart of the worst area of the city. Posh businesses gave way to rundown, broken buildings and he kept a sharp eye out for the one he wanted.

He saw the small, rundown building and felt, more than heard, the pounding bass of the music playing inside as he drew nearer. He glanced around again, searching the deep shadows before he pushed open the heavy door, and stepped in.

He had been following the boy for nearly a week now. Staying in the shadows, never letting him leave his sight, until he reached his destination. The place was always the same- this hell hole SM club. Quint's mouth broke into a smirk. //Who would have guessed the brat was into *this*,// he thought, wryly.

(to be continued)