Alien Prince

   You’ve been on this mission for a while now, collecting samples from various planets and examining them. It was all so boring by now. The repetition of all your tasks kind of blended together to a point that you weren’t able to enjoy what your work really was. You didn’t enjoy going on to new planets like you used to. It wasn’t the same as your first time. Now, you might as well have been working in a post office with all the monotony this science career offered.

   You were the leader and an exhibition team and today, you were taking a probe down to a planet thought to be uninhabited. Same old same old really. You yawn as the probe lands and you go over the checklist that you have to go over each and every time you land. Check this, double check that, blah blah blah.

   You finally walk out onto the surface of the planet. There is a thick fog that permeates everything, making the landscape appear to look like one of those old black and white movies. There are these tall plants that wave in the air, somehow held aloft despite their scarf-like appearance. You wander around the planet, making tracks with your crew. You find yourself alone for a moment and as you’re getting ready to follow your crew members you see something glowing. You know it’s stupid to go alone but for some reason, you don’t feel like waiting for someone. You follow the glow, a sort of radiant blue. You take your flashlight out, shining it through the fog to see what the light is attached to. You see something standing in the fog, something massive. It looks likes Samurai’s armor. Your stomach drops as you look into its eyes. You’re not sure if you screamed, it all happened in an instant.

   You come to, your helmet and suit have been removed. Instead, you’ve been placed in a strange yet beautiful garment. The texture of the fabric is so luxurious and silky. It feels like the daintiest of fabric but when you tug on it, it feels like armor. The fabric is iridescent and changes color as you move. You’ve only seen colors like this on beetles back on earth.

   You look around, examining your surroundings. The room is quiet and empty. There is a row of pillars behind you and before you, there is a curtain. When you stand and move the curtain aside you gaze out into space.

   “Oh no,” you whisper. “Where am I?”

   You hear a buzzing behind you. You suck in a breath and turn around. You see nothing but you hear the buzzing again. Then, something drops down from the ceiling. You nearly scream and you press against the window.

   The figure that stands is like the one from the planet. It is massive and tall, towering over you. It looks like old Samurai armor, plated and layered. The dark red armor is tipped with gold. The top of the head has a massive horn in the center. On one side of the horn, there is a short antenna while on the other is there is a much longer one that is slightly frilled. It takes a step towards you, clicking sounds emanating from their mouth. You somehow understand them though.

   “What?” You gasp.

   They chuckle. “It’s about time you woke up,” it replies. “You kept me waiting, I usually don’t stand for that.” He comes close to you and takes your hand. “Imagine my surprise, finding a royal on such a deserted place.” He touches you with a strange three-pronged hand, brushing your hair from your face. “Especially something so soft.”

   You yank away from him. “Who are you?” You snap.

   He scoffs and his antenna shiver. “I don’t expect everyone to know, but it is a surprise sometimes. I am Prince Qliecludeo,” his voice booms as he says his name. “Heir to the planet of Secli and commander of the Royal Armada.” He tilts his head as if expecting some sort of reaction from you. When you give none he growls. 

   “You should consider yourself lucky that I rescued you.”

   “Rescued me?” You scoff. “I was on a mission!” You snap at him. “I was working with my crew. I didn’t need rescuing!”

   “Working?” He asks. “A queen such as yourself.”

   You snort, taken by the ridiculousness of this situation. “Queen?” You blurt. “Queen?” You start to laugh and you hold your sides.

   “What is that?” He hisses. “Stop it!”

   You can’t stop laughing, fear, nerves, and adrenaline make it impossible. 

   “I said stop!”

   You shiver and snort, trying to calm yourself.

   He huffs. “Whatever that noise was, never make it again!” He snarls. “A queen should be much more dignified in her sounds.”

   “What makes you think I’m a queen?” You roll your eyes.

   “Such a heavenly scent can only come from someone of royal descent. I could smell you even before I landed on that ghastly little planet.”

   You furrow your brow. “My scent?”

   He holds his hands out to you and takes your palm. He dips his head and buries his face into your hand. His antenna dart up and down your arm and his takes in your scent. “I have never smelled anything like it! My own scent does not even compare. How do I describe it?”

   “Please don’t,” you grumble.

   He chuckles. “Needless to say, those heathens that surrounded you were not worthy of your presence. I saved you and as such, I am owed a reward.”

   You scowl at him. “You think you’re owed something? Excuse me your highness, or whatever you liked to be called, but technically, no, literally, you kidnapped me!”

   He shakes his head. “I saved you.”

   “No!” You snap. “You didn’t. I am not royal either. I grew up poor and worked from the time I was thirteen and all through my school career to afford having a school career. If I am a royal I am the last to know!”

   “Your scent doesn’t lie,” he replies. “And if you are not a royal then it is a horrible oversight that I intend to rectify.” He takes your hand again. “The reward I want is your bondage.”

   You yank your hand back. “Whoa there!”

   “Bondage, do you not understand?” He scoffs. “It is a high honor.”

   “On my planet, bondage is a kink and one practiced between consenting adults.” You take a step away from him.

   “I consent,” he places his palm to his chest.

   “I’m sure you do!” You huff. “I don’t particularly feel like being tied up!”

   His antenna twitched. “Tied up?” He then scoffs. “I would not tie up my wife.”

   Your stomach drops further, even more so than when he first said bondage. “Wife? You mean you want to marry me?”

   “If that is what it is called where you are from, then yes! I wish to marry you.” He replies. “It isn’t just a wish at all. I have earned it.”

   “Like hell you did!” You dart away from him, attempting to run but you step on your gown and trip. You fall to the ground, hitting your head on the way down. You groan, sitting up as the prince kneels beside you. You grimace as he touches you. “Let me go!”

   “You’re so soft and squishy, I was worried you had injured yourself.” He picks you up and sets you down on the platform you had woken up on. 

   You grumble under your breath as you hold your head.

   “You do not wish to bond with me?” He asks.

   “No!” You then grunt. “No,” you keep your voice quiet. “I don’t even know you. You kidnapped me while I was working and expect me to be so excited about all this.”

   “Hmm,” he sighs. “Usually, people are so excited to be around me.”

   You snort. “Do you kill them if they’re not?” 

   He glares at you and he tilts your chin up to look at him. His eyes look like glass, so shiny and slick, they’re black now but earlier than had glowed like an angelic radiance. “I still intend to make you my queen,” he replies. “It would be a waste not to.”

   You scowl at him. “You’d do your stupid to bondage to someone unwilling?”

   “No,” he replies. “I intend to change your mind.”

   You glare back at him. “Fine. You can try.”

   He keeps you by his side after that. He drags you everywhere he goes, showing you his ship and his massive crew. He takes you to the control room where he shows you how to pilot the massive ship as well as sit on his command throne.

   He takes you to the observation deck, showing you the stars and the planets that surround you. He’s extremely knowledgeable but still something of a show-off. This is never more apparent than when he takes you to the training hall. All the guards and the crew go there to train and work out. His Majesty takes you there, removing his robes and challenging one of the biggest members of the guard.

   “Wait, wait!” You grab hold of his arm. “You can’t possibly think this will impress me?” You huff at him.

   “I intend to fully wow you,” he says and pats your hand. “Why? Are you concerned for me?”

   “I’m concerned for anyone who looks like they about to get their brains bashed in!” You hiss at him.

   He pats your head and chuckles. “Do not worry, I will win this one.” He walks out into the center of the ring and you watch him as he and the guard circle one another. The guard charges first, thrusting his horn at the prince. The prince dodges and clashes the guard’s horn with his own, knocking the guard off balance and onto his back. The guard stumbles and used his horn to keep himself from tipping over. The prince charges him and they clash. Their horns locked together and you gasp at the sound. It sounds like the horns are cracking and ripping from their own heads. The prince jerks suddenly and the guard is lifted, he’s thrashed to the ground and you cover your face.

   The arena is silent and a loud hissing noise grows and grows. You open your eyes, looking as the prince stands there triumphant. He helps the guard up and to a seat before he turns back to you.

   “See?” He says.

   “What was that?” You snap.

   He pets the top of your head. “A fight, of course.” He leans down, nuzzling to your cheek. “Impressed yet?”

   I huff. “I was scared! That sound was horrible.”

   “You wouldn’t be scared if you didn’t care.” He seems so smug as he says it.

   You roll your eyes and walk away from him, having learned the ins and outs of the ship during your time there. You hear him chase after you but you continue to ignore him and walk away. You go to the observation deck, the one place on this ship that is usually quiet and you can be alone.

   As you go to sit down you see something in the distance. You stare and realize it’s an Earthship. You gasp, wondering if you’re going to be saved.

   “Dammit,” the prince huffs. “It was supposed to be a surprise!”

   “Surprise?” You turn to him.

   “I made contact some time ago,” he replies. “You said I kidnapped you, I wanted to make it official that I did not kidnap!” He points a talon at you. “I intend to return you but then request you back as well as a small crew.”

   “Why?” You ask. 

   “If I am to make the bondage with you I intend to make peace with your kind,” he says. He reaches out and takes your hand, placing it on his face. 

   You shoulders slouch and you sigh. “Thank you.”

   He nods. “It is important to me if it is important to you. I have shown you my side, it is your turn to show me yours.”

   “Agreed,” you murmur. “I’m...I’m sorry if I have acted out of line. You should have told me your plans.”

   “I like seeing you act out but from here on, I will be sure to keep us at the same pace.” He touches your face and you don’t reel away from it. 

   You dock with the Earthship. It is not the one you came from but they are able to identify you. Prince Qliecludeo and the captain of the ship have a long meeting. You get changed, given some clothes you are more accustomed to while yours are sent from your original ship.

   When the captain and the prince emerge from the chambers the captain is smiling and the prince looks in good spirits as well. He will be joining the crew of that ship as an intern for a month. You’ve been given a spot on the science crew as well, but you and the prince will be sharing quarters while he takes his internship. 

   The first few days you are both kept busy and you are grateful for it. You’ve not had a moment away from the prince since he took you away on your mission. You see him briefly in the mornings and at night, but usually, he is exhausted and nearly asleep, hanging upside down from the ceiling.

   Once you’ve settled and things are less hectic you start to see him more. He seeks out your company, wanting to spend time with you. One evening you’re able to leave early and you find him waiting outside the science office.

   “What are you doing here?” You ask.

   “I wanted to see your work,” he replies. “But you were busy so I figured it would be best I waited out here.”

   “You could have come in,” you huff at him. 

   He shakes his head. “I have a different role here, I do not wish to get in the way of anyone here and disappoint you.”

   You touch his arm. “Qli,” you look up at him. “There are many things I feel towards you, but disappointment isn’t one of them.”

   His antenna twitch. “What is it you feel?” He asks, leaning down towards you.

   Your cheeks begin to burn. “I’m not disappointed,” you say.

   “No, no,” he taps the end of a talon on the tip of your nose. “You said you had lots of feelings. I want to know what those are.”

   You frown and fidget. “How do you expect me to say those?”

   “One by one. Maybe from least to greatest. You could even just whisper them to me.” he dips down. “Go ahead, whisper.”

   You quickly peck his cheek and look away.

   He freezes up, his antenna is going haywire. He looks at you and you glance from the floor to his eyes which now are glowing that angelic radiance. “That was affection,” he whispers.

   “It was,” you murmur. “Is.” You pout and huff. “Ok, so...in all this time I maybe...well. I don’t dislike you anymore.” You shake your head and scratch through your hair. “What I mean to say is-” The shell around his mouth opens and his tongue slithers out, licking your cheek.

   “I am very fond of you as well,” he murmurs. “But of course, my queen already knew this.”

   You look up at him and your cheeks burn more. “I am fond of you,” you murmur. “And not because you impressed me. I mean, you did but…” you sigh. “Oh well,” you stand on tiptoe, placing a kiss where his tongue slithers out. His tongue swirls around your lips and you giggle.

   “Does this mean you’ll enter bondage with me?” he asks, clutching your hands in his.

   “Maybe,” you reply. “But, not right now. We still have the rest of the month for you to see my side.”

   He nods. “I intend to see all of it!” He exclaims excitedly.

   You squeeze his hand then bring it to your face. You nuzzle his palm like he does to yours. You then realize that he has a sweet and warm scent. You had never noticed before how good he smelled.

   “You smell nice,” he murmurs.

   “I’m glad you think so,” he says.

   “I never noticed before,” you nuzzle to his palm again and kiss it. “You smell like a creamsicle.”

   “What’s a creamsicle?” He asks.

   You take his hand. “Come on, let us go to the cafeteria. I’ll show you.”