A New Friend

   Since his birthday, Theodore couldn't stop thinking about the little kiss (which was a peck) between him and Joseph. He was confused and overwhelmed at the same time. He questioned himself many times. Whether the kiss was just a birthday gift or something more than that. After a lot of overthinking, he concluded that it indeed was a gift. And, it was common for friends to do that.

   After turning sixteen, Theodore became a lot busier. As he grew up, he had a lot of responsibilities awaiting him. He had to be a prince worthy of the throne. So, his missions started to become more difficult than they used to. After completing those, he had to do training to make him physically fit for the human realm. He couldn't make time for Joseph. He was sad that he couldn't spend time with him like they used to. By the time he finished his training and missions, the moon would have been high up in the sky. He could not help and just go to bed.

   Even on his day off from the mission and training, it was hard to meet Joseph because their routines didn't match up. So, on his day off, he used to go to the Divine land. And spend time with Yuki. He would ask what Yuki and Joseph had talked about the other day. Theodore would roam around the Divine land with Yuki and spend the day. And when it would be time for Theodore to go back to his realm, he would write a letter for Joseph. They communicated by writing letters to each other and leaving them in Yuki's hand.

   After sharing their routines through letters, they would occasionally meet up one day a week. And on the day of those meetings, they both had a tingling sensation in their stomach. Even in their occasional meet-ups, they never once talked about the peck. The occasional meet-ups would be full of cuddling each other in Yuki's house and sharing what they had been up to. Reading together, cooking in Yuki's house together, and everything else was what had them waiting for their meet-ups.

   Once, on Theodore's day off, he was told to stay in his chamber and not go anywhere. Theodore was pissed off. It was his only day in a week to meet Joseph, and he was ordered to stay in his room cooped up. He was frustrated and was about to go to the Divine land when he saw his father coming towards his chamber.

   "Where are you going, my son? Did I not tell you to stay in your chamber? Are you defying my orders now?" King Asmodeus raised his voice.

   "I am sorry, father. It is my only day off in a week, and I just wanted to relax. It won't happen again, father," Theodore bowed his head towards the king.

   "That's good to hear. Now, come with me. You have to meet someone today," the king said as he started moving. Theodore just followed the king without any further questions.

   The king took Theodore to the dining hall. Theodore was surprised to see the dining table set with varieties of food. Although, a large amount of food was made in the castle every day. That day, it seemed like someone important was coming to have lunch with them.

   "Today, I have invited the president of the demon realm to have lunch with us. His son is coming as well. I invited him over to discuss the changes we need. His son was born in the same year as you. And, from now onwards you both are going to train together. Also, he will stay with us in the castle. And after some years, you both will be sent to the human realm together. So, you need to be good to them. Do you understand?" The king was serious.

   It took a while for Theodore to process everything the king said and replied, "But father, what if the guy is an evil demon? And, he tries to harm me?"

   "Don't worry, my son. You will see him yourself in a matter of time," King Asmodeus was ecstatic. Theodore couldn't argue so, he remained silent.

   In a few minutes, the president and his son arrived. The king greeted the president, and all four of them sat at the table for lunch.

   Theodore was amazed to see the boy. He thought it was only him in the whole demon realm who looked angelic from the outside. But he was wrong. The guy sitting in front of him was also an exception. Theodore couldn't help but wonder what type of demon the boy was. Theodore was not even paying attention to the talks that were going on at the table.

   After the dinner, the king and the president went to the garden to have some business-related talks. And, the two young boys were left alone in the living room. Both of them sat in awkward silence for a while. Then, Theodore decided to speak up.

   "Hi! My name is Theodore, the prince of the demon realm. And, I am sixteen years old. What is your name?"

   "Hi! My name is Joshua. I am sixteen too. By the way, I am the son of the president of the demon realm," Joshua winked at him. Theodore couldn't help himself from laughing.

   "It was so awkward before. To break the ice, I just joked a little. Please don't mind it," Joshua said.

   "No, it's completely okay. You seem like a fun person to be with. You know, I thought it was only me who had an angelic face despite being a demon. But you're just like me. You have such an angelic face. Even though you are wearing dark-colored clothes, you don't seem like a demon at all," Theodore expressed what was on his mind.

   "Then, it makes the two of us. I thought the same," Joshua laughed.

   At that moment, Theodore was happy to get a new friend. He was excited to show his new friend to Joseph. He thought the three of them would get along well. Theodore was relieved to know that Joshua was a good demon and was joyful to have a friend during the training. Theodore couldn't have asked for more.