longwinded | Prince and his Knight.

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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From:

longwinded

"I appreciate it, as always. You have never failed me." He would just want the comfort of Dave being there, and possibly other things. It was a mystery with John.

"We should head back, huh?"

From:

rememberstime

Dave is just rather oblivious to whatever John has in mind. He's perceptive, but not when it comes to the matters of the heart.

He gives another nod to John. It's probably for the best.

From:

longwinded

Matters of the heart are just so different. John himself was even afraid of what would come out of him following his heart on these matters. His parents were trying to arrange him with a different Kingdom and it just...isn't what he wanted. He wanted Dave. That he knew for sure.

He goes to fetch their horses, who were just chilling a d grazing off somewhere.

From:

rememberstime

Dave follows John. He's not going to let John go by himself.

The ride back was probably rather quiet. But what would you have expected when one of the parties doesn't speak?

From:

longwinded

Before long they make it back to the Kingdom and John is ushered to the stables to put away his steed. Blah blah, he knows they're late. He and Dave were just practicing swordsmanship and all the jazz.

John is going up now to get ready for dinner and then bed.

From:

rememberstime

Dave tends to the horses, making sure they are groomed and fed before he heads back into the castle. He shouldn't make John wait too long, right? He's a good knight.

From:

longwinded

He's a very good knight, because John won't be left waiting long. He's not even really tired. So perhaps he and Dave could look at the stars on the balcony or something like that.

From:

rememberstime

Dave knocks on John's door politely and waits to be allowed in. He can't just go in unless he's allowed to. He knows he technically is, but still.

From:

longwinded

"Please, come in." He knows it's Dave. Honestly he would have been fine with Dave not knocking at all. But. Formalities.

"I know you're here to watch me and everything, but, would you like to go look at the stars?"

From:

rememberstime

Dave steps in and gives a polite bow before straightening himself.

When John asks, Dave just nods. If that was John wanted, that would be what Dave would agree with.

From:

longwinded

John is smiling, opening the big door to his balcony and waving for Dave to come with him. It's a really clear night so they might see some really awesome stuff.

From:

rememberstime

Dave follows John, keeping a suitable distance. Not that it's because he wants to keep his distance, but because he shouldn't be so close to John unless he had to.

From:

longwinded

He motions at a spot right close to him. That is where he wanted Dave right now. He wanted to be close, they were friends right? He often knew that he and his Knight had formed a bond closer than what was normal anyhow.

"Dave, I still don't want to get married to her." He had thought about this. Thought about it the first time they rode out, thought about it while he and Dave were kissing. John didn't want this arranged marriage bullshit. "My heart isn't in it."

From:

rememberstime

Dave is quiet, but when is he not? He listens to John, and he feels bad for him. It doesn't sound all that great having to marry someone you don't want to. He puts a comforting hand on John's shoulder. Hopefully it says a lot. Dave doesn't usually touch John unless he has to. It's not usually something he does.

From:

longwinded

"It feels like I would be forcing her as well, you know? She probably doesn't want to marry an incompetent prince. A prince who has no feelings for her, a prince that doesn't really want to manage a kingdom." John has a lot of dreams, all which include him leaving. He just. Does not want to be here.

Sigh, but Dave understood. Dave always understood.

From:

rememberstime

Dave gently flicks John's forehead. Come on, John. It's an arranged marriage. It's not like you're trying to force anyone to marry you. Dave thinks it's kind of silly that John thinks he'd be forcing the girl into a relationship when he didn't want to be in it either.

From:

longwinded

He makes a face at Dave for flicking him. "The fact of the matter is that she would not resent my parents Dave, she would resent her parents and me. She is stuck with me, not my parents." This is the dumbest thing, he doesn't want this.

"What happens when it ends up that you are both miserable?"

From:

rememberstime

Dave tilts his head and gives John a comforting smile. He doubts that the girl would truly be miserable. John wasn't a bad person and he's sure that even if they didn't love each other, they could still enjoy each others' company.

It just wouldn't be very romantic. Do people eventually fall in love with who they're wed too?

From:

longwinded

John will smile back, Dave always kind of understood. John doesn't think that the girl will ever truly fall in love with him. They did not even get along when they first met.

"Dave, I want to leave this place."

From:

rememberstime

Dave frowns at this. It's not good to just run away, John. He shakes his head lightly. As much as John would want to, it seems poor choice to up and leave. Especially since John is the crown prince.

From:

longwinded

He wants to go. There isn't much at this point that could change his mind about leaving. "It wouldn't be responsible. But I want to go."

From:

rememberstime

Dave lets out a sigh. He couldn't stop John, but he couldn't go with John. He was loyal. He was John's knight, but he also had an obligation to all the people here. It would be terrible of him to just leave.