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.

Comments

[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?"

[rememberstime]

He doesn't think John doesn't want this. But who knows if it's just a passing fancy. His feelings have been a thing for awhile now. He can't imagine his own feelings changing anytime soon. He doesn't know the nature of John's feelings though. That's what scares him. He can commit, but rejection is painful.

Dave nods at John.

[longwinded]

"I apologize. That is the last thing that I ever want to do is upset you." He wishes Dave wasn't wearing the armor, he could be closer to him. To be able to comfort him more. But he will do what he can for now and that is try to hug him straight through all of this armor.

"But my feelings...your feelings, they are at stake." He doesn't want to let someone else have Dave. That scares him. "I will reject every bride if it must come down to that."

[rememberstime]

This is so awkward. John. You have made the most awkward situation right now. You are hugging him while he is up against a tree that you nudged him too and you're talking about feelings to him when he rather not.

He gives you a look. Is this just a really elaborate joke? Or does John really think that he has strong enough feelings that will last that he would be willing to do that? Not sure if heir is just really dumb or really devote. Not sure if both.

[longwinded]

He doesn't mean to make things so awkward, he doesn't really know how to feelings at this point in his life. He just knows that he feels right in Dave's presence. Doing those things they just did made him feel like he was in a comfortable place.

John gives him a look back, is Dave doubting him? Dave must be doubting him. John has Prince's honor! He's dumb, and devoted, and would honor every word he just said.

[rememberstime]

He is totally doubting you, John. You're young and your heart is probably fickle as shit. But if John was going to do this, he wasn't going to stop the other. John could make his own decisions and he could do whatever he likes. He still thinks John will see a maiden that will catch his attention, but he isn't going to voice that.

You can...stop hugging him though. Seriously.

[longwinded]

The doubts will have to wsah away with time, and they had plenty of it. John didn't have to marry at seventeen or even eighteen. His bride had to suit him after all. Even if the marriage was slightly more arranged than he believed it to be.

He kind of loosens up on the hugging and steps back, letting Dave free from the tree. Yeah, um, wow! He had never been so forceful before.

"Um..."

[rememberstime]

Dave doesn't really move, just leaning against the tree, eyebrow slightly raised. He's expecting John to say something or do something else. It seems like John has something on his mind at the very least.

[longwinded]

John had been contemplating on doing a lot more than this, and what he had done before...forcing Dave to do things. It sent some kind of thrill through his bones.

"Dave. Take off your armor." It's direct, and short. If Dave thought they were done here, he was very very wrong.

[rememberstime]

That's a...weird request. Especially in the forest no less. He would consider arguing but it was a pretty direct order and who is Dave to go against an order? So he doesn't. Instead he does as he told. Slowly undoing the pieces and placing the pieces of armor onto the ground. He stands upright again when he's down to just his clothes, bare from any pieces of any of the sturdier protection.

[longwinded]

John had never had the opportunity to feel Dave without all of that armor on his person, he's taking measured steps closer to the other again, eyes perusing Dave from head to toe. When he is at a close enough distance to pull Dave against him again he does exactly that. Sorry Dave, meet your friend the tree again. This time John having curious hands and not a curious mouth.

"Dave." John place his gaze on Dave once more. "Lean down a little."

[rememberstime]

John has never looked at him in that way before. He feels his breath get stuck in his throat as he's pushed back against the tree again. Yet, he still can't refuse John. Even if this was going faster than his mind was probably ready for. Or maybe his mind has completely blanked, and only his body is following by instinct.

He leans down a little for John. Just like he wants him too.