Type went ahead and hugged Bright who returned the hug with a smile on his face. The guests congratulated the newlyweds one by one and the night slowly proceeded into a reception. Bright was pulled into the crowd by Alex and Man as Type and Sam pulled Ash with them. Type had had quite a few drinks that night and he was very emotional as he fidgeted with Ash wedding ring.
"I am so happy for you, Ash", Type cupped Ash face and pulled him in a hug. Ash smiled even though all this façade was making him suffocated to say the least.
Bright found Ash again after Alex and Man were done with him.
"I believe we should make our position quite clear. All this drama is being done for a reason and as much as I love a good drink, I think we should get to the point"
Ash nodded and followed Bright as the two Leaders walked on the stage and asked everyone to keep quiet.
"Thank you one and all for becoming a part of such an important day in mine and Ash life. As we celebrate our union today, I would like to make my position quite clear. As the leader of Black Dragon , my community pledges allegiance to the entire Black Dragon and the White Dragon. And because I speak for the entire Black Dragon , I can safely say that I have the full support of the Black Dragon "
"Like Mr. Bright said, the White Dragon and the Black Dragon are together through everything. We will support and help each other in any manner we can. The Cabinet will now be presided over by both Mr. Bright and I so that the entire community has a say. For now, I invite you to enjoy the festivities. Have a nice evening, everyone"
As Bright and Ash walked down the stage, Bright turned to him. "Presided over by the both of us?", he was not expecting that.
"Yes, I think it will be best if you preside over the meetings with me so that I am not accused of any further acts of betrayal", Ash taunted and walked away from Bright .
-------
"Seriously Type ", Ash sighed as he entered their suite in the Palace Hotel.
Type had booked them one using one of his many connections. The suite was lit with candles and a red heart-shaped pillow shone bright in the center of the bed. On one side, Ash could see two suitcases and as Bright closed the door behind them, a soft tune started playing around. Ash shook his head and pulled out his tie and his coat throwing them on the sofa on his right. He turned and gazed at Bright who was stretching his hands awkwardly. He sighed and found the door that opened in the balcony.
"Get changed. I'll be outside", Ash mumbled and walked away.
Ash walked in the balcony and let the cold air run a shiver down his spine. He looked at the stars above and then at the ring that now adorned his finger. Given by the man who Ash was madly in love with, all of this felt like a shameful joke to him. He had been forced to marry the guy who he loved but who hurt his confidence in the worst way possible. Until a few days ago, he had wanted all of this to be very real for him but now, he didn't know what he wanted. Not anymore.
"Ash", Bright called from inside their suite.
Ash turned and saw that Bright had changed into track pants and a black silk vest. He was lying on one side of the bed and the pillow was gone.
"I hope you don't mind?", Bright looked at the empty side of the bed hoping Ash would be comfortable on that side. Ash nodded as he opened his bag and took out his clothes.
When Ash came out of the washroom, Bright had pulled over his side of the blanket and probably fallen asleep. Ash took his tablet and jumped on the bed next to Bright . He pulled up his side of the blanket and started going through his emails. Bright started snoring by his side when Ash attention was pulled to him. He saw his ex-boyfriend-now-husband sleeping on his palm holding the edge of the blanket in his other hand. Ash always marveled how beautiful his boyfriend was, especially when he was asleep. He was back together in one bed with him after so many painful nights but this didn't seem any different. He stared at the wedding ring as the events of the evening replayed in his mind. His fingers twitched and yearned to touch and feel Bright but his mind couldn't help but be angry and heartbroken about their whole situation.
He kept staring at Bright until his body gave up and his eyelids closed under the pressure of his tired body. The tablet dropped from his hand as he closed his eyes and dozed off.
Bright woke up next morning when a strong breeze displaced the curtains and the sunlight shined bright in his eyes. He stretched and saw that the breeze came from the balcony whose door was open. Ash was awake. Bright got up and rubbed his eyes to clear his vision when he saw Ash who was adjusting his thigh holsters while it rested on the sofa. In his half-asleep state, Bright forgot the trouble in their paradise and wanted to greet Ash when suddenly realization dawned upon him and he sighed, "Never mind". He whispered, rather loudly, attracting Ash attention. On any other day, Ash lips usually curved into a smile seeing Bright but today, he stared at him blankly."If I don't move in with you, people will start talking", Ash broke the silence between them."I can't move in your place with you...if that's what you're getting at", Bright rolled his eyes. Ash gritted his teeth together and straightened himself
"Good evening, Mr Ash. When should I expect you and your groom at the Tavern on 51?", the Manager greeted Ash as the latter made his way to his suite after his day at the Mansion."Tavern...for what?", Ash narrowed his brows."You have a table booked under your name...you and Mr. Bright ", the Manager sighed."Of course, how can I forget!", Ash faked a smile. "I'll have a word with Mr.Bright about when we will come down for the evening...", Ash shrugged."Sure, Mr. Ash. I hope you like whatever we've planned for you!", the Manager smiled. Ash curved his lips into a forceful grin as he walked to the elevator rubbing his temple. What had he gotten himself into?Ash walked in their suite which was covered in darkness. Bright hadn't returned from his day. Ash relaxed not finding his husband in their honeymoon suite and removed his jacket throwing it on the table. Heat
"How did you get so drunk!", Ash complained as he dragged Bright to the bathroom and made him sit."Alex didn't stop me...also why am I explaining this to you.", Bright complained as he started removing his rings. "Wait...I wanna throw up", Bright stopped and vomited all over Ash chest. Ash gritted his teeth together as he rubbed Bright ' back."Great", he grumbled as his lips pressed together."Honestly, not even sorry", Bright covered his mouth as he saw Ash struggle with his dirty shirt."YOU...come with me!", Ash pulled Bright up and dragged him to the tap. "Clean yourself", he ordered as he turned on the shower and stood below it...washing his neck and hands. Bright played with the tap water for a bit until his eyes wandered to Ash who had removed his t-shirt and was rubbing his chest with bath gel. The sweet smell of cinnamon intoxicated Bright as he trudged to Ash and stood in front of
"Stupid Alex", Bright croaked in his morning voice opening his eyes to the bright sunlight. He stretched and felt muscles around which is when he saw him. Ash was asleep next , one of his hands on his abdomen and the other stretched out in Bright direction. Bright found it hard to focus amidst the headache but he understood that he had spent the night sleeping on Ash arm. The embarrassment surrounded him as he rubbed his eyes trying to remember all that he had done to annoy his husband and his best friend.Ash felt the weight lift from his arm and his eyes shot open defensively. He didn't have a sound sleep because Bright woke up a couple of times because of nightmares. "Bright", he spoke automatically as he woke up. Bright was still rubbing his forehead when he heard Ash call him. "Yeah...?", he replied. "Did you have a nightmare again?", Ash asked stretching his arms."No. I just woke up", Bright muttered and got up from the bed.
"Father , Mr.Bright and I have taken all the necessary steps to ensure the survival of all the clans here in the city. I don't think the white Dragon should have anything to worry about", Ash turned to Jones who was seated on Ash chair."This political alliance with the Black dragon is very unlikely to stand. They will never accept our peace offerings", Jones curled his hands into a fist."Well, they will have a good reason to not trust us. The white dragon has been lying to them ever since the war were discovered and God knows maybe before that too. It's quite natural for them to have doubts. However, Type and I are doing everything in our power to ensure transparency and honesty among all the group's that inhabit Thailand""Ash is quite right", Bright walked in on the conversation.Jones got up and greeted him with an expression of shame and guilt on his face. The last time they'd seen each other, Jones had ordere
1 hour later:-"Thank you for coming", Ash spoke as he collected the documents that were scattered on the coffee table."Of course. Also, I was at my mansion before this and I cleaned up the guest room for your work. You can set up your office there, if you'd like. I'll put in extra care to prevent any Black dragon from interfering with your work""I don't take work home but I'd definitely like a small place to work. And there's no place in the world that is inaccessible to you so I am just going to have to place my trust in you that you won't interfere in my life as I won't in yours", Ash shrugged."Type got your things settled in the room", Bright tried to hide the heartbreak in his voice."Good. I'll come to the mansion tomorrow after work. We still have one day of booking left in the Hotel", Ash sat on his chair and opened a file.
"I am going to London for the week", Bright announced to Ash as he was getting ready for the mansion."Ok?", Ash said . He was not sure why Bright was telling him this but he nodded anyway."I am sure my people's won't bother you but if they do, here's the list of what they might need", Bright handed over a long list of names and requirements."Ok. Anything else?", Ash sipped his coffee."No. Do you want something from London?", Bright felt angry at himself for having said something like that but he had just said it."Uhh...no? What would I need?", Ash asked back. Bright gave a weak smile and leave . Ash saw him leave.-------"It's the White Dragon anniversary, Ash. Sound a little excited", Type exclaimed as he they walked through the hallways. "Us anyhow don't celebrate anything. But ton
As Ash and Bright reached the party, Ash softly gestured Bright to walk to the table where his family was seated. Type got up and hugged Bright while Ash got him a plate full of salad and snacks. Bright was not very responsive, owing to the antidote but he obeyed whatever Ash asked him to do. After the party, Ash took Bright to his room and made him lie down on his bed while he got him juice and Pizza. He sat in front of him and stared while Bright finished all the food and then leaned back on the pillows. He was quiet. Ash sighed as he kicked out his shoes and jumped on the bed next to him. Bright was in deep thoughts and it scared Ash that the thoughts might meddle with Bright unstable mind. He had just woken up after being literally poisoned."Tell me about London", Ash asked trying to pull out Bright out of his chain of thoughts. Bright gave a confused look to Ash."What about London?", he asked ba