Prince and his Knight.

[longwinded]

As a young Prince, John was granted to have one Knight around him at all times. The top of the newest class, the strongest in the Kingdom. That was what John wanted, and he would have no less. That was how he met Dave, a stunning young man who....didn't say very much, but was certainly worthy of fighting by his Lord's side. The age difference wasn't too stunning. John a mere seventeen and Dave in his mid twenties, it wasn't long before they became friends. It wasn't like this was a shocker to John, he and Dave had many things in common and sometimes the line between being a Lord and a Knight and just being two regular best friends was extremely blurred.

"Dave!" John calls out to his Knight. It seems that something is deeply troubling him.

It's the start of a new chapter in young John's life. Rumors of him being married off to the Princess in the neighboring Kingdom were running high and it was something that was giving him quite a hard time. It was his loyal Knight Dave that got most of the whining about this. He was a quiet and patient fellow, one that would actually listen to him when he needed to speak.

He doesn't even wait for Dave to acknowledge that he's been called. "We are going out for a little while, could you prepare the horses?" Which usually meant a conversation in the woods was about to happen. John needed to blow off steam.

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[longwinded]

John takes his time getting to the stables, to give Dave some room of course. He'll just go upstairs and inform mother that he going riding again and that he wouldn't stay out with Dave too far past dark. When he finally gets to the stables he will smile, and give Dave acknowledgement.

"I extended our time out this time so that we can watch the sunset." It was rare mother gave him permission to stay out and come back late for supper.

[rememberstime]

Dave nods in response before holding out the reigns to John. He's somehow even more quiet than usual. Or maybe it's the fact that he's stiff as a board and he still looks nervous.

The fact that he'll be out with John longer than usual is kind of concerning too. He doesn't want to be scared of John, but what if John makes him speak? What if he says something that will merit punishment?

[longwinded]

He takes the reigns and gives Dave a smile. He does worry that Dave is making considerably less sound than usual. Why is he being so careful? John is honest to god wanting to put Dave's mind at ease, but he doesn't know how. John wasn't quite good at this kind of stuff.

"Off we go then. Same spot." He jumps on Lowas and heads off to the same spot and for the sake of roleplaying we're going to say it was a nice ride, sunny and mildly cloudy.

[rememberstime]

If you knew more about his life, you'd probably understand. But Dave never talks about himself. Well, Dave never talks so it makes sense that he also doesn't talk about himself.

He rides with John regardless. Even if he is uncomfortable, he won't skirt his duties and he won't deny John whatever he wishes. John's wants precede his own after all.

[longwinded]

John wanted to understand things about Dave's life. He wanted to understand why he never spoke before, there were oodles of things that made him more than curious. Just, why?

He hops off of Lowas and pats her on the snout. She walks away to graze and get water. The original intention he brought Dave back out here was pressing his mind once more. He would wait for Dave to dismount Lohac.

[rememberstime]

Dave dismounts, tilting his head up and having Lohac press her nose to his before trotting after Lowas to graze. Once he's given that bit of affection to his horse, he turns to face John.

He assumes John just wants to get out for a bit. He has no reason to think that there's something else that John wants.

[longwinded]

"Dave. I want to speak again about the question I asked you the other day." He stands in front of Dave, a serious look settled on his features. "I have decided that it is something I am decidedly not against. My morals are important to me, but following my feelings is something I want to try for a change."

He pauses. "Dave. I am being very serious when I say I want you to kiss me. On the mouth. Not on the hand. The mouth."

[rememberstime]

Dave frowns a bit, confusion etched onto his face. He immediately shakes his head in response. John was royalty. He couldn't kiss John. He was John's knight and while kissing John's hand was one thing, kissing John's face was a completely different thing. Kissing his hand was just to express his loyalty and devotion to John.

There was only one reason why John would want him to kiss him. He couldn't comply. Their social statuses were still far too different.

[longwinded]

When Dave doesn't, he stands there. He doesn't want to force it, but he doesn't want to not do this. He wanted this. Breaking his morals is something he would only do for Dave and that was that. He shakes his head and steps forward.

"I didn't want to beg you, so, I won't." It's swift and very gentle, John tilts his head just enough to not collide with Dave's nose as he pressed their lips together. Social status means nothing to him right now.

[rememberstime]

Dave immediately jerks back, taking a few steps back. He was visibly flustered and he kept his eyes averted, not giving John any eye contact. He could feel his heart hammering against his chest and he swears you could hear it against his chest plate. Of course that's silly, but it seems so loud in his ears.

John actually kissed him.

[longwinded]

John actually feels like he kind of messed up there, but he has to be forward if he is going to get what he wants out of this. He doesn't really know if Dave feels mutual yet. But he knows that perhaps something good could come out of this if Dave didn't decide to run for the neighboring Kingdom.

"Dave. Please do not panic." He puts his hand on Dave's chest plate, and walks him backwards until they're essentially against a tree. Dave would have to go left or right to get out.

"Why are you hesitating? You answered the same as I did. Was I wrong in thinking that perhaps we were on the same page?" He sighs. "Stop dancing around this Dave, that is an order."

[rememberstime]

Was that what John meant when he asked? They were on completely different planes. Or maybe not so much. Did he harbor feelings for John? He was sure that it wasn't obvious. Nothing would come of it, he was sure. John could never reciprocate and he had no status behind him. He wasn't a young princess ready to be wed off.

He keeps his eyes averted. He can't answer these with a shake or nod of his head. But the thought of speaking just made it hard to breathe. It constricted his throat, refusing to let him utter any sound or word.

He swallows audibly, his breath heavy. He's not quite panicking, but John put him in a difficult situation.

[longwinded]

John eased up a little off of Dave, not pressing into him as much. Gingerly, he puts his hand on Dave's cheek and turns his face back, He wants to look Dave in the eyes when they're talking.

"I ask that you do not look away." But he isn't forcing him to speak out, he would never push that far into uncomfortable territory if that was something that Dave did not wish to indulge in at this moment.

"This is a direct order, Dave." He hated to use his status for trivial things. But it was feeding his curiosity. "I will not tell a soul, there is nothing to fear. I want you to let me kiss you again without you jerking around. It is very difficult to kiss a moving target you know." At that point he would hope Dave would reciprocate.

[rememberstime]

Even if John pushed, he probably wouldn't get Dave to speak. It's not exactly because Dave is unwilling to some extent. It's partially a mental block that he can't get over. But he doesn't look away, and he doesn't move.

He's obedient, even if he still looks anxious. But at least he's stopped dodging. John has given him an order and he was following it as he should.

Even if this entire situation seemed kind of wrong. Kind of impossible. His mind can't quite wrap around it. This was an actual thing that was happening.

[longwinded]

John wishes he could figure out what was troubling Dave so badly. There was nothing wrong with this in his own eyes. Sure it probably should have been the time old story of a princess falling in love with her knight, but John had really never been a normal kid.

He leans forward again with caution and presses their lips together again. It was probably lighter than a feather, to give Dave time to decide if he was going to reciprocate or not.

[rememberstime]

He just thinks John is on a higher plane than he is. He's undeserving of such affections from him. He wants to kiss back, but he can't just give in. His mind won't let him. It's probably awkward considering he won't kiss back, but he didn't want John to know how he felt.

Even if maybe the turmoil was obvious in Dave's eyes.

[longwinded]

John pulls away again, but he doesn't step back. What does he have to do to convince Dave this is okay? That kissing him is completely okay to do. He supposes it was just how Dave was? Perhaps the feelings were not mutual. The mere thought makes John's features droop into something a lot more upset looking.

"I do not understand Dave, is this not okay?"

[rememberstime]

Dave tries to look as apologetic as possible. Because nothing he does can ever truly explain why without words. He doesn't know how to communicate his thoughts. He's too scared to answer verbally. What if it's the wrong answer and he gets punished for it? Seeing John like that makes his heart ache though. He doesn't want John to be upset either.

[longwinded]

John places his hand on Dave's cheek, patting it gently. He doesn't really want Dave to feel bad if this is not what he wants. But how to tell him that without sounding like a complete brat. He shuffles a little, sure he still looked like a kicked puppy. But that was okay.

"Dave, please do not feel like you did anything wrong. This was probably not what you wanted anyways."

[rememberstime]

Dave grits his teeth before placing his hands on either side of John's face and tilts it up. He leans down to press his mouth to John's. It's quick, but there's a hint of slight desperation. Like this has been something he's wanted to do for awhile, but refused to let himself do. He pulls back after his eyes downcast and he lets his hands drop to his sides.

[longwinded]

John was shocked, to say the least. Also very confused, Dave had jerked away the first time and didn't even move a muscle the second time. What did the other really want? But he was also not done with their lips being together. He has to stand on his toes to initiate the kiss again, Dave really shouldn't leave him hanging like this, and John wants him to know that. Should his knight choose to not reciprocate this time, John would probably call it quits for the day.

[rememberstime]

Dave's action are hesitant. His mind and heart are fighting and trying to beat the other. He's confused himself now. But he does kiss back this time. It's still hesitant and even shy. Nothing like how Dave usually holds himself. He wishes John would stop. It hurts and he isn't even sure if this was just John being young and stupid. Honestly, if that were the case, he doesn't think his heart could handle that. It was fragile as is.

[longwinded]

John isn't really an expert at kissing, the few times he had actually been given the chance to kiss anyone it was a female, on her hand. This was his first actual kiss, and it felt nice. In a way it felt right? He would have to pray tonight that this was what he really wanted. John wishes he could rationalize what this was, but there were feelings. He knows these are feelings.

He pulls back again, only going back for a brief kiss. "Dave?"

[rememberstime]

He covers his mouth this time. You're killing him, John. Now that you know, he feels like you're just teasing him and he can't handle that. He's looking away again. God damn it, John. You probably don't even realize how conflicted Dave is right now. About all of this. He's pretty damn conflicted and you aren't helping.

[longwinded]

"I did this because this is something that I truly want, Dave. I do not want you to think I am just using you." Because using Dave would be the most unthinkable and despicable thing John could do and just refuses to do it. He doesn't know how to fix Dave, he wants him to be happy.

All he can really do for now is lean against him, arms wrapped around him as far as the armor would allow. He has to think of a yes or no question, and it takes him a moment. "Did me expressing my feelings upset you?"