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]

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.

[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?"

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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."

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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?"

[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?

[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."

[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.

[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."

[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.

[longwinded]

"You wouldn't come with me, would you?" A frown. He wants Dave to come with him.

[rememberstime]

Dave shakes his head. He can't. He has more loyalties than just John himself. Even if John wants Dave to leave with him, he just can't.

[longwinded]

Dave may be the one damn thing that binds him to this kingdom. He takes a breath. "You wouldn't want me to go anyways, would you?"

[rememberstime]

Dave shakes his head. He can't. Even if John ordered him to. It would be one of the only orders he'd have to disobey.

[longwinded]

"I won't be mad at you Dave, I could never be mad at you. You've been by my side for so long, the Kingdom's side." John smiles. "I know you don't want to hear this again, but what I told you in the forest earlier. I am not going to make a liar out of myself. These are my true feelings."

[rememberstime]

Dave obviously is visibly uncomfortable with John bringing this up again. He doesn't move from where he's standing, but he hopes John won't keep talking about it. Why are you telling him this again?

[longwinded]

When will Dave ever really be okay with it? John would have to literally strip himself of his title for Dave to be okay with it. "Are you worried because our status' are different?"

[rememberstime]

Dave turns his head away and doesn't reply. Not that John should have expected any kind of answer from him in the first place. He doesn't know what to say anyways. That seems like some trick question to get him to admit how he feels.

[longwinded]

"I wouldn't be surprised if that was it, honestly." He rests his head on his knees. "We are very different in status, and it doesn't really bother me. But it could bother you and I didn't even think about that."

[rememberstime]

Dave is just gonna let John talk. It seems like John is having some monologue to himself more than at him, honestly.