”I thought ya couldn’t date.” he grinned back flashing his pointed teeth. She poked his wing and it spread in response. His face turned a little red and he looked down to the spot where his tail was flicking her leg the sheets moving in response.

”They call that Friends with Benefits here.” he said reaching for her hand. ”Never wanted something like that though.” thinking about his parent’s relationship. Carrick didn’t know exactly what they called it but it was more his mother sitting around by the window waiting for his father to show up. Dear ol’ Dad only came around once a month if that, rest of the time she just seemed sad. The shifter knew from early on that wasn’t something he wanted.

”Much rather date ya.” he said finally after toying with his thoughts. Then he thought about who he was talking to and her position in the Atlantean monarchy. ”But I’m open ta discuss. Last time I had a girlfriend it didn’t work out so well fer me.” he said before realizing he dropped the girlfriend title that Sam threw around.

>>”I thought ya couldn’t date.”

"I said I didn't know what it meant." she clarified. She was beginning to get the idea, however she was not sure most Atlanteans would get the difference, or even care about it, if they saw their princess with a gorgon. Concubines were easier.

>>”They call that Friends with Benefits here. Never wanted something like that though.”

Alright, so no concubines.

>>”Much rather date ya. But I’m open ta discuss. Last time I had a girlfriend it didn’t work out so well fer me.”

So, dating meant girlfriends and boyfriends. Amethyst knew the term. She was not sure she could imagine herself as one, but at least this was something to go on. "It didn't? Why?"

”Well... what do ya want it to mean?” he said toying with her fingers. He knew he wasn’t helping but he didn’t want to say something he’d regret. Whatever this was he wanted to keep it going. The Princess was infuriating but he found it easier to be himself around her and he didn’t want to jeopardize it.

Carrick didn’t want to talk about an ex-girlfriend at the moment it felt weird to him, he was naked in bed with the Princess he should be talking about that. To him it was only a few months ago but to everyone else Liz included it was a few years. ”She had the unfortunate run in with me beasty side. First time he showed up and she saw a bit more gruesome scene than ya did the first time. After that she ghosted me. Scared her off. Now she’s a teacher here.” his tail stopped swaying at he looked down and her hand in his.

”Whatever is going on here though.” he gestured to the both of them again, ”I like it. A lot.” laying his head next to hers.

>>”Well... what do ya want it to mean?”

Good question. Amethyst was all for enjoying good things and spending time with people she liked. She liked Carrick, and spending time with him was enjoyable. Beyond that, she was not really sure. And she did not feel like making decisions this early in the morning. So she asked about the girlfriend instead.

>>”She had the unfortunate run in with me beasty side. First time he showed up and she saw a bit more gruesome scene than ya did the first time. After that she ghosted me. Scared her off. Now she’s a teacher here.”

"Is she" the princess arched an eyebrow. She'd have to find out more. The fact that the beast scared her was unfortunate; she could imagine it was a painful memory for both. But having someone around who aged while Carrick de-aged... she wondered who it was.

>>”Whatever is going on here though. I like it. A lot.”

"Me too." she smiled back at him. That part was easy. "I just... don't want it to get back to Atlantis."

”Aye... Biology teacher. Reason I skip it.” he lied. There were other reasons he skipped class. She was just the most obvious one. He also was known to skip other classes as well. Biology was the only class he was barely passing.

>>> "Me too."

His purring got louder when she admitted she liked what was going on. His tail seemed to get a little more life in it starting to sway under the blanket. His eyes fixed on her.

>>>"I just... don't want it to get back to Atlantis."

The purring died down till he was silent. The sound of his tail flicking under the sheets the only sound for a moment. ”Yeah... be a shame if that happened...” he said at first trying to understand her position. Even if he didn’t like it. ”Cause I’m Irish?” he tired to laugh then turned his body causing his one wing that was covering her to go to the other side of the bed. He laid on the other now staring at the ceiling.

”So ya want me a secret?” he chuckled, ”I require way too much attention... You’ll have yer hands full.”

>>”Aye... Biology teacher. Reason I skip it.”

Amethyst tried to picture the biology teacher. She was a young woman, kind of nice, from what she remembered (although she had skipped a class or two as well). It was probably weird for her that her former boyfriend was young again.

Carrick's contented purr died down as she mentioned Atlantis. The princess sighed.

>>”Yeah... be a shame if that happened... Cause I’m Irish?”

Obviously it wasn't. She just hated the fact that she could tell her words had an effect on him. He turned, and the purring did not come back.

>>”So ya want me a secret? I require way too much attention... You’ll have yer hands full.”

"I'm alright with that." she smiled a little, and paused. She did not know how to express what she wanted to say. "It's... you know Atlantis has... had traditions about gorgons and demigods. And that's... I'm learning about how that is wrong. But now my cousin's on the throne, and she wants to make these big changes, and she sent me here to represent that. If she found out I was... in a relationship with a... with you... I'm worried she might to present that as part of her plans. And then you would be a target for anyone who doesn't like her and wants the old ways back."

>>> "I'm alright with that."

At least someone was, he was selfish. Carrick’s need for attention made him feel like that would be the worst possible option but he knew there were worse options in this situation. Through the corner of his eye, he could see her smile contemplating what to say next.

Listening to her thoughts his tail flicked below them hitting another gem distracting Carrick long enough to hear what she had to say on the matter of them and her position in Atlantis. Carrick smirked, ”I’m alright with that...” he turned towards her using her own words against her.

”Bad time to tell ya yer cousin put me on the payroll here ta bug ya and make you fall fer me.” he turned towards her and gave her a smug grin now. ”Sweet yer worried about me love, I’m pretty good looking out fer meself though.” he sighed.

”More than just a grand lay though and I’m no pet...” trying to make a joke. ”I guess, tell me what I need ta do to keep ya all to meself.” he said knowing that was probably not something that was easily done.

Amethyst was having one of those rare moments when she was actually inspired to care about someone else's safety. In this case, Carrick's, who would be tossed into the worst of Atlantean court intrigue if he was ever presented as a companion to royalty. He did not seem to think the threat was too serious.

>>”Bad time to tell ya yer cousin put me on the payroll here ta bug ya and make you fall fer me.”

"I am the payroll" she clarified, rolling her eyes, but smiled anyway. If only.

>>”Sweet yer worried about me love, I’m pretty good looking out fer meself though.”

"No, you're actually terrible at it. You got kidnapped on both of our dates."

>>”More than just a grand lay though and I’m no pet... I guess, tell me what I need ta do to keep ya all to meself.”

The princess blinked.

"All to yourself?..." it was a foreign concept. Amethyst was familiar with the concept of monogamy, but right now, talking to Carrick, it was not the foremost thing on her mind. She smirked back at him. Grand lay, indeed.

"You are past the point of pet. People don't usually sleep with their pets." she noted, reaching up to scratch his shoulder by his wing. "And I don't plan on getting up just yet so you have me all to yourself."

>>>"I am the payroll"

Carrick grinned and nodded to the gems scattered around them raising an eyebrow. ” Well looks like I'm on ya then.” clearly proud of himself. His tail flicked behind him.

”Still sure I was looking out for ya on the first one. Second one I went willingly. Otherwise I’d risk ruining the date. Got me first kiss from ya that night.” he said bragging and pretending he didn’t almost have a panic attack. He studied her for a moment trying not to think about how dumb he was before. This was awesome.

”Moooost of the time I don’t get brought in fer questioning” he made sure not to say kidnapped. She wasn’t wrong but he didn’t want to admit she was sorta right. ”Usually I get meself out of situations without too many lumps.”

>>>"You are past the point of pet. People don't usually sleep with their pets."

”Had to make me stand.” he said flashing his teeth in a grin then lifted his chin, ”Cages n’ collars not fer me.” he looked down at her hand when she scratched his shoulder and started purring his face turning red.

”That an invite?” he chuckled, ”Or is it back to class?” he added pulling the blanket over them.