The Prince and the Thief

"I don't even know how to fish." Vic laughed. I picked up the stick, examining it. It was a branch from a tree that had a fine silver string attached to the end. He pushed my shoulder playfully.
"You're absolutely adorable. I'm going to teach you." I blushed. I wasn't adorable. He brought me to a dock. He let his feet dangle off the edge like a little kid then pat the spot next to him. I let my feet dangle as well but kept it so I was farther back than him. No way was I falling in.
"So what now?" He snatched the pole from my hands.
"You have your stick and your string." I rolled my eyes. "You bring the stick back then throwing it forward, without letting go, and you wait for a tug."
"Have you had people actually let go?"
"You should have been here when I first taught Jenna. I had to swim out and get it three times." I giggle as he handed back the stick. I followed his instructions, smiling when I did it correctly.
"Jenna. She's-"
"Her father was from my village but her mother lived in Arayldan. She does not like to talk about it." I nodded. I watched him lay back on the dock, folding his arms behind his head.
"Why aren't you fishing?"
"I only have one pole." I scoffed.
"You can easily make one more."
"Then it would not be that much fun." I watched his lips twitch.
"Whatever."
"Besides its time to explain some things." I let my feet swing back and forth. "Unmarried people are not allowed to socialize, alone." I looked around, finding no one around us.
"Then what is this?"
"I got permission. Anciano thinks you are more relaxed around me. Besides it's mostly for women. You must have a respect for elders. Anyone with 'Anciano' before their name has to be treated as royalty, to an extent. And we all have our rolls. You will get yours with time as well as the other rules." I nodded after everything he said. These rules seemed minimal but they had a lot of weight to their lives.
"What do you think of these rules?" Vic shrugged.
"I was born with them. But I will tell you something." He put his lips next to my ear. "Rules are meant to be broken." I bit my lip. His breath was warm, spilling down my neck. He pulled away with a small smirk and returned to his original position.
"Are you, uh, into..." I scratched the back of my head with one of my hands. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you into men?" I blurted. He started laugh so hard he had to roll on his stomach. I felt so embarrassed. He wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes, breathing heavily. He finally calmed down a few minutes later.
"Kellin. We believe it's healthy to be both interested in men and women." I looked out over the lake.
"What are you interested in?" He leaned up, looking over my body. I turned my head away from him, hiding the blush on my cheeks.
"Either way, my answer will make you uncomfortable."
"No it wouldn't. We are friends."
"Let me just say, I'm a healthy teen."
"Oh." He nodded. It didn't make me uncomfortable. It made me think of the possibility of being with Vic. I've always found that I find more men attractive then women. I felt the stick move on its own. "Vic. I think I caught something."
"Pull it up. Quickly." I did as he said but when the line came up, there was nothing. I was disappointed.
"I'm sorry."
"What are you apologizing for? It's your first time."
"But I didn't catch anything." He wrapped his arm around my shoulders comfortingly.
"You're not going to be able to catch every fish. It took me days to get my first fish." I put the line back in the water. We sat there for an hour, possibly longer. Vic started tugging at the bottom of my shirt. He had went back to laying down again.
"What are you doing?"
"You didn't tuck in your shirt." He pushed my shirt up, revealing some of my skin. "Así pálido." He whispered as he brushed his fingers across my side. I smacked his hand away.
"What did you say?"
"Your skin is so pale." He pushed my shirt up a little more.
"Stop it."
"But I'm bored Kellin. And it's hot." He whined. He was right though. It felt like the sun was right in front of our face. I got an idea.
"If you're so hot, why not take a swim?" His eyes widened and before he could say anything, I shoved him off the dock and into the water. He came a few seconds later and grabbed my dangling feet. I steadied myself.
"You son of a-"
"Hey! Watch your mouth." I watched the water skid down his face. His hair was flat against his head. "Looks like I caught something."
"Yeah. Well this one is a fighter." He pulled me into the ice cold water. It may have looked warm but it felt like needles. I closed my mouth before the water could find its way in. An arm pulled me up and I was gasping for breath as I held onto a body. I heard Vic laugh.
"You ass!"
"Hey, watch your mouth." He mocked. I looked up at his face. He was smiling down at me, one arm grabbing onto the dock so he didn't have to float.
"I don't know how to swim very well." He held me closer to his chest. Our clothing was soaked.
"Don't worry. You're safe in my arms."
"I wouldn't have to worry about being safe if you didn't pull me off the dock!"
"I could let you go. Right now." I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You wouldn't dare." He smirked but made no move to let me go. He use one hand to shimmy us to where we could touch. I let my hands trail down his chest for as long as I could without him getting suspicious. He fell back, splashing me with water. "What the hell?"
"Couldn't resist." I rolled my eyes, walking back to the shore. I heard him following behind. Something was thrown on the shore from behind me. When I turned around my jaw dropped. Vic was completely shirtless. His skin was perfectly sun kissed. His chest was perfectly sculpted and gleaming from the sun hitting the water on his body. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"You're shirtless." He raised an amused eyebrow.
"Yes." I pointed at his chest.
"Why are you shirtless?"
"I would get use to it. I don't like wearing shirts very often." My eyes followed the trail that went down to his- "Am I making you uncomfortable?" I returned my eyes to look at his. I cleared my throat.
"No. Not at all." I lied. He walked past me, picking up his shirt as he walked by it.
"Come on. Let's get back." He looked at where the sun was. "It's getting late."
"When did I wake up?"
"Around noon." I hit him on the arm.
"Why did you let me sleep that long?" He shrugged.
"You just looked so peaceful. And you needed it." I felt heat coming to my cheeks.
"You watched me while I slept?"
"No." He replied calmly. "I just glanced your direction when I got my clothing." He pulled me in the direction of the village. He was always so calm and collected. I don't think I've ever seen him blush or get flustered. I smiled when we entered the camp. Children were running after chickens and little puppies.
"Where's Soare?" I panicked. Vic pointed towards were a little girl was sleeping on a black dog's stomach. I let out a breath of relief when I recognized it as Soare. A woman with a basket full of laundry sauntered by. She looked Vic's age and it was really obvious she had her sights on Vic. Him on the other hand looked completely oblivious.
"Bună ziua!" He nodded to her with a small smile, continuing to walk. I walked faster to catch up with him.
"What did she say?"
"Hello."
"Did you not-"
"That she fancies me? Yes, I know." He leaned closer to my ear. "She tends to sleep in a different bed every night." He whispered. We walked up to his caravan and I noticed another bed on the other side of the room. "Wash up. I'll be back by then." I grabbed his hand. I have never been left alone without Vic, other then when I was sleeping. I was scared.
"W-where are you going?" He smiled, running his fingers through my hair before placing a kiss on my forehead.
"It's okay. You are safe here and I will be right back." He walked down the steps. He whistled. "Soare!" The dog ran up to him, wagging her tail happily. "Stay." He waved back at me before walking away. I sat on his bed. I felt lost. I just really wish he never left.