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Connor’s POV
Can I just say I fucking hate all these, I don’t fucking know, fellow kingdom meetings? I guess? Well, technically it’s a fucking summit, which by today’s standards seems like a kind of old fashioned use of the word. But anyways. So, a kingdom meeting. And just by my luck they were all coming
here
. The fucking polished marble Kingdom of Murphy. I know, just fucking perfect, right? Every neighbouring kingdom fucking coming here. Oh yeah, I’m the prince, what’s it to you? I know shouldn’t exactly be swearing but I don’t fucking care. How many neighbouring kingdoms are there again? There’s mine, there’s the one who recently… fuck, what’s the word? The old king and queen died, and now their daughter rules with her wife. Then there’s the kingdom belonging to the Lohst’s and then I think there’s even the Kleinman Kingdom but I don’t fucking know. I never come to these things, and now that it’s here, I’m forced to be there. I have to look presentable in front of the other princes and princesses, I guess. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.
My thoughts tirade was interrupted by my personal guard appearing in the doorway. We were somewhat friends. As much as a prince and guard could be anyways. “Sire-“ I got up.
“Yeah, yeah I know, I have to get changed into something fancy I know.” The guard sighed and he walked inside. He didn’t say anything as he frowned at me. “I just don’t understand why I have to be there this time. Can’t I just fucking stow away in my room or whatever?” My guard seemed slightly amused.
“I don’t think that would really give a good impression to the rest of the princes and princesses. You know your parents are going to start pestering you about the possibility of marriage, sire.” The look in my guard’s eyes told me he was joking. I rolled my own eyes.
“What if I don’t care about making an impression?” I huffed. I then looked back at him. “Plus, talk about an outdated joke, like Jesus Christ. You and I know very well we’re allowed to choose our own spouses now.”
“And yet, you could meet them here,” he mused. I blinked.
“Miguel,” the name slipped out of my mouth before I realized. “I mean- You can’t possibly know that. The only people that come to these fucking things are the royalty themselves. Also please don’t call me ‘sire’ it makes me feel strange. We’re friends, so it feels… wrong.” Miguel chuckled to himself.
“If I do that then you give me permission to tease you about whoever captures your heart. I mean, I would be your friend after all.” He smirked and I rolled my eyes.
“That won’t happen, but, deal I guess,” I murmured. My personal guard was one of my only friends, so if I had to endure teasing because of that, then so be it. But, I know for a fucking fact that I won’t meet my future spouse at this summit. Summits are usually all business, no time at all for romance even though I don’t really fucking care for the politics of it all. “Now get out, unless you want to see your future king naked.” Miguel burst out laughing but left the room, carrying his spear with him. I turned back to my gigantic wardrobe. Hm.. what gives uppity vibes? I fucking own the place vibes? What would scream ‘I’m fancy’? I gazed through all my available outfits. Fancy enough for a ball should there be one. I doubt it, but it could happen. When I eventually settled on an outfit, an off-white, bluish one, I redid my ponytail. I mean, have to look my best right? And not like I just crawled out of a sewer? I don’t fucking know.
Once happy, I turned around and left my room. The castle somehow was already decorated. Wow, that was fast. Anyways. I walked down the hallways and until I heard voices and headed in that direction. Once I got to the room I hovered by the door, trying to spy on what was happening. Maybe I could just watch the entire thing from the sidelines? It’d give me space to mind my own fucking business and not participate. Why not make my sister the face of the event? But no, since I’m the next in line I have to be it. I could hear my mother’s voice talking to another female voice I didn’t recognize.
“How’s it been ruling the kingdom, since… everything happened?” My mother asked the mysterious female voice.
“It’s been a bit of a crazy week, since there’s all these things having to be done. But, Abby’s been a real saint in helping me with everything.” The mysterious voice let out a small chuckle, that embarrassed-in-love kind. I internally cringed at just the sound. The voice and my mother continued their conversation and as this was happening, I’d just been sort of absent mindedly looking around the inside of the room, still hidden by shadow. I know, fucking ridiculous right? Anyways, I was looking around the room when…
The short guy standing next to what I presumed was his mother (they were basically clones of each other) and I caught eyes.
I startled suddenly and scrambled out of sight. What a fucking sight. A random guy basically staring at you? Well I wasn’t exactly staring at him, but he could have perceived it that way. Fuck, does he know I’m this kingdom’s prince? Because if so, what a fucking horrendous first impression. You come to an unfamiliar kingdom and that kingdom’s prince is just fucking staring at you? Of course, I don’t actually care about what happened, I didn’t even get a good look at him at all, not that was I planning to, I’m just guessing what he would think. And I would think of me as a fucking creep.
I need to calm down. I’m overthinking something that didn’t even fucking happen, I need to shut up my brain and fuck off. Yeah. That’s good I’ll do that. I spent most of the time after that trying to clear my mind of that interaction. And I managed to rid it of that.
I sat in utter boredom for most of the meetings. None of the other princes and princesses were there, except for me. Because, fuck me I guess. I wasn’t even paying attention to anything going on. I just caught snippets like ‘Sonja’ and ‘Abigail’ and ‘taxes’. I’m assuming that Sonja and Abigail are the new royalies or whatever the fuck the word is. The queen and queen of the Mell Kingdom, is what I’m trying to say. Actually that’s interesting. Would you call that a double queendom? I don’t fucking know.
I was starving by the time the last meeting had ended, so I was so glad that we were having dinner afterwards. With all the kingdoms obviously. The guy from earlier was seated beside Sonja, and he didn’t even look at me. Thank God. He didn’t know it was me. Probably thought I was a servant or something. I could hear my father beginning to speak. “We’d like to thank you all for coming here. And we give a warm welcome to the new rulers of the Mell Kingdom as well, Sonja, Abigail, and their son Michael.”
So the guy’s name is Michael? Huh. Well, Michael, thank you for not remembering the previous the incident, or that you think that I am a serva-
“We will now head towards the ballroom, to have a bit of fun to end this meeting. Please follow my son, Connor, he’ll show you the way.”
Well, fuck you too dad. Guess I’m on guide duty now. I got up and gathered everyone up. “Okay, stick close to me as we leave the dining the room,” I said to the gathered crowd. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Michael glancing at me. I ignored it and walked over to the ballroom. I’m a horrible dancer, fuck, I can’t dance at fucking all, so I’ll just sit this one out. No harm in that. No accidentally standing on someone’s foot, no embarrassing myself by doing like octopus arms. Once everyone was in the ballroom I walked towards the back wall and leaned against it. The ballroom was packed, no one would notice me as I stand here. I made myself comfortable as the dancing began. The song was slow, perfect for a ballroom dance. I was about to close my eyes-
“So you’re not going to dance?” An amused voice sounded. I opened my eyes, looked down, and found myself staring into…
Brown… eyes…
Lighter than my own, but still… brown…
“Um, Earth to Connor?” Connor? The fuck? How does this guy know my name. I never said my name to anyone, yet my father did say my name. I shook my head and my gaze cleared and I realized who was talking to me.
Michael.
I startled yet again. How could this guy make me startle twice in the same fucking day? First time was earlier and now was when he was looking at me and he had brown.. eyes.. I shook myself. I had to get those brown eyes out of my head. I was going to say something else, but yet, my mouth betrayed me. “I don’t know how,” I blurted before immediately covering my mouth. Why the fuck did that have to come out of my mouth? Michael blinked, his brown eyes filling with amusement.
“Well, Prince Murphy, care to let me teach you?” His tone was amused. My brain was currently in the process of malfunctioning so I just let out a weird noise, causing Michael to chuckle. “We’ll go slow,” he promised as he took my hand, causing me to feel a fucking weird sensation. “Put your hand on my shoulder, the other on my waist.” I did so and then Michael started making us sway while smiling. “You’re not terrible, you just need a bit of practice.” Michael then snorted. “Wow, I actually broke the legendary Connor Murphy,” he still sounded so amused.
When Michael left that night I was left feeling really weird and embarrassed.
What had just happened? What is happening to me? Why is that brown gaze still in my mind even five hours later?
What’s happening to me?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Michael’s POV
I actually really liked visiting the Kingdom of Murphy. The architecture reminds me of video games like Legend of Zelda. Or whatever. Yeah, we have video games. Just like all the other technology. Advanced, I know. What else would you expect from a modern kingdom in the 2000s? Anyways, I really honestly didn’t expect the prince to not know how to dance. It’s kind of adorable in a way. The famous Connor Murphy, doesn’t know how to dance. I’m joking obviously. I know he’s not famous. But really, it was kinda adorable. But I’m tangenting. The summit had been days ago.
I left my room and started walking down the hallway, I could see my moms looking at a stack of papers and I just sighed. Things have been kinda crazy since my grandmother died. Anyways, that’s not my business, anyways. I continued my walk down to hallway and I walked past where the guards were practicing archery. Or, at least, one of them. The guard then noticed me watching the practice session. “Yo, bro, you’re back,” he said and walked over. He towered over me, not that that was important, he was just in stark contrast to the other guard. “Mike, tell me what happened, bro!” I rolled my eyes. We weren’t even that close so I hated when he called me that.
“Jacob Dillinger, I have told you to never call me that right?” I narrowed my eyes but the guard didn’t seem phased.
“Come on, dude! Rich and I have been wanting to know what happened! What are the other princes and princesses like? Any hot ones?” I hid a smile.
“Nothing of the kind you are clearly thinking of happened,” I stated, deciding to ignore Connor’s face entering my mind. “Just boring political stuff. Plus greeting the new queens and such. And me of course. Then I got to dance with the prince. Well, it was more me teaching him how to dance. The poor guy didn’t know how to.” I laughed. The guard’s smile seemed to widened more into a grin.
“The dude didn’t know how to dance? What kind of prince is he?” This was clearly a joke, but I did feel a twinge of I don’t know, protectiveness? I don’t know.
“To be fair, he didn’t seem like the very social type. Probably rather sticks to himself. Nothing wrong with that.”
“Says the guy whose only friend is the cavalry captain.” I rolled my eyes. I was headed that way anyways.
“Yes, I know, Jacob,” I said and started walking again. As I walked, walls became flowering hedges as I walked out of the castle. On either side of me were so sprawling fields. Mainly used to train the horses. I could see the distant shadow of the village that joined mine and Connor’s kingdoms. I paused. How did I just realize that? Our kingdoms share a village. Huh. If I wanted to, I could mount Biscuit and ride her to Connor’s kingdom through that village. Huh. Funny that.
Anyways. Biscuit.
I continued walking towards the stables. I was on my way to see Biscuit. Biscuit was my horse, I rid her when I could. And now that I realized that… I could get to Connor’s kingdom easily if I so desired. Anyways, I’m getting distracted. I finally reached the stables, and started looking for the chestnut mare. It wasn’t long before I heard an excited whinny. This was followed by a human scream and a horseshoe pick, or whatever you call the thing to clean a horses hooves, falling to the ground. When I heard the thundering hooves I quickly stepped out of the way as Biscuit bolted her way down the stables, beelining towards me. She stopped just short of me, and I was just blinking as the shock started leaving my body. She whinnied again and looked at me. “Uh, hey, Biscuit. Missed me, huh?” The horse whinnied in response.
“She clearly did,” said a voice behind me, and I turned to find Jeremy limping.
“She didn’t hurt you did she?” I asked, eyeing his leg. “You’re limping.”
“She likely trampled my foot, but besides that, no injuries.” Biscuit snorted indignantly, causing Jeremy to gaze at her. “So, you chose today to come to the stables? Weren’t you back like, three days ago?” Jeremy then put on a voice. “Did you forget about me? I am hurt, Michael! I am hurt!” I rolled my eyes, picking up on his joke.
“How could I forget my best friend? You wound me, Jer! How could I ever?” The two of us burst out laughing, and Biscuit snorted indignantly again. “No really, I was just tired I guess. I was up late.”
“Why?” He seemed amused. I hid a smile again.
“Doing stuff. Plus, politics is as boring as hell. That, and the big feast, the new queens being congratulated all that shit.” Jeremy’s brow was raised. He knew me too well. He straightened up.
“I see that smile. What stuff.” I playfully narrowed my eyes.
“It was nothing important,” I said, amused. “Just a bit o’ teaching for a prince that couldn’t dance. Nothing special.” Jeremy just seemed more intrigued. “It was really nothing special, Jer. Just politics.”
“So you danced with a prince?”
“Why are you saying it like that? We were both princes.” I felt confused, where is he going with this? Even Biscuit was silent, something she never is. “It’s not like I was some peasant dancing with the heir of the Kingdom of Murphy.”
“The heir? As in… Connor Murphy?”
Shit.
Jeremy smiled. “Hm, I see.”
“What are you on about? We’re both princes are we not?” What was going on? Jeremy just started leaving. “Jer?! What do you mean?”
“Just, I see,” he murmured, smiling.
I looked at Biscuit but she just snorted in response.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Connor’s POV
It had been a few weeks, or maybe a week, I don’t fucking know, since that boring fucking summit and I’d gotten over whatever the fuck that thing with Michael was. He just has brown eyes, nothing to fucking lose your mind over right? So why I was I have no fucking clue. It was really fucking weird anyways. Since then, nothing had really happened at all. What do you know? Royal life is fucking boring. Mostly politics, none of which I’m interested in. And that’s exactly what I had to do today. The weekly visit to the village. Not that I hated this part. It was actually how I met my village friend, Evan, so I guess it was the only ‘politics’ I liked I guess. And I kind of made sure it was my main contribution to the kingdom I guess. Leave the personal appearances to my sister and let me just do this job and I’d be cool.
I got up and got ready to go to the village. I opened my gigantic wardrobe and starting looking for an outfit. I always tried to not look snobby on my village trips, not that the village would care, I just felt that I needed to look less fancy. I mean, I’m not trying to cosplay as a peasant, God I hate that word, but I also didn’t want to come across like I didn’t care. Or that I had a ‘I’m better than you’ attitude. I guess doing what do, let me earn a friend from the village in Evan. The other half of my two friends. Yes, I know, I’m fucking friendless. Anyways. I found my brown shirt made of leather and found the army green pants. I almost internally cringed. Not my colours, they’re more Miguel’s style, yet, it was my village outfit, so I put it on. I walked out of my room and Miguel nodded me out. “Will you need me?” He asked.
“Nope. It’s the weekly village trip. No guards needed.” I replied and my personal guard nodded his head.
“Tell me if anything happens.” He usually asked this, but I have no fucking clue if he asks it as a friend or if it’s just something he has to say as a guard. Whatever, I shouldn’t worry about it. It’s probably nothing.
“I doubt I’ll need too, but I will,” I replied and started the walk down to the village. Said village was at the bottom of the hill, which made it look small, but it was larger than you’d believe it to be. It was actually technically a town if you really think about it. Yet, it was still fucking called a village for some odd reason. I stared at it from on top of the hill. The hill was always the worst part of this job. It was fucking tiring to walk up and down it. I almost wish I had a horse or some other fucking mode of transport. I decided to glance around before starting my descent. On the plains to the right of me, I saw a brown blob. It was moving and zooming around like an excited cat. The blob appeared to have four legs so I assumed it was a horse. Interesting, so the neighbouring kingdom had horses. At least it seemed like it. Anyways, I’m getting distracted. I started my descent and, if my mind wasn’t playing tricks on me, the blob was going the same direction I was. Huh, maybe the blob had business in the village as well. Anyways, no point in worrying about that. I continued onward until my feet met the stony pathway of the village. Houses and scattered residents greeted me. No one had noticed me yet, so I used the opportunity to walk around undetected. I never get the chance to walk around the village and just… take it in. Quaint, and quiet. Peaceful. Calming in a way, like the villagers didn’t care about the circumstances and just lived their life. My subjects. It almost made me proud. They make the most out of what they have. Castle life is really busy so it’s nice to just relax. I almost forgot what I was even here to do. Um, what do I do in the village again? Check up on the residents? Pay them? Pay them obviously, but also check on them? What do I-
“You’re looking a little lost there,” a small voice sounded behind me, yet it sounded amused. “Don’t… Don’t you have work to do?” I turned around to find Evan smiling at me. We close enough for him to not be an anxious mess in front of me, even if I was the prince. I put on my own smile.
“Hi, Evan,” I said. “Let’s just say… I was daydreaming.” I mean, I technically was. I would live here if I could. “And yes, I do have work to do, actually. And you just so happened to notice me first, so here’s yours.” I gave him the money sack.
“There’s not going to be a war? Right? Um, I mean we all heard about the summit happening and um, not sure what came out of it? Um, the hospital is already full as it is and-“ I blinked.
“Since when did I say there was gonna be a war? The summit was fucking boring but quite jovial. Mainly welcoming the new queens and their…” I suddenly felt hot, so I fanned myself. The fuck caused that? The fuck? Why am I warm. “T-their son. So yeah. Nothing about a war happened.” I looked around. “Is it hot today? I’m burning up.” Evan looked confused.
“Uh no. It’s average, temperature wise. Um, maybe you’re coming down with something?” He suggested. I mean, that’s probably the most likely explanation, I’m sick. Yeah, let’s go with that.
“Shit. Maybe, either way I need to continue with my work.”
“I’m coming with you. In case, you, I don’t know, um faint or something.” And so, on we went. We arrived at the bakery and the heat had gone away so I don’t know what the fuck that was. Either way, I continued on my work. I paid the bakery owner and Evan decide to buy a loaf of bread. Unfortunately, the bakery owner clearly had heard about the summit.
“Did you hear the prince danced with Prince Michael? Apparently the entire dance floor was watching them. Connor seemed
very
interested.” I felt hot again, but this time I chalked it up to embarrassment.
“It wasn’t anything special,” I murmured. “I froze up and he was helping me. It’s really nothing to fucking write home about.” Is this really that news worthy? It was just a fucking dance.
“Connor, lovey,” the bakery owner tutted. “The attraction in your eyes was evident.” Okay, wait. The fuck? ATTRACTION?! The fuck? I wasn’t attracted to Michael as we danced. It was just a fucking dance. Nothing more. Where does this fucking attraction accusation come from? Obviously predicting my pending explosion, Evan dragged me away.
“Attraction? The fuck was she thinking? I wasn’t attracted to him? I hardly know him! The fuck? What the fuck is going on?” I exploded to no one in particular. Where does this shit even come from? We hardly know each other. Evan was just silent, as if waiting for me to finish. He looked slightly uncomfortable while waiting.
“Maybe we should just continue? Yeah, let’s do that.” He dragged me off again and I paid people as I went, still fuming internally. Evan was frowning. “Okay, let’s just sit somewhere and calm down okay?” He led me over to a bench. “Connor, I’m.. I’m.. sure she was just joking. I… I.. know um, that there rumours… so she was just repeating what she heard.”
“Well the rumours shouldn’t exist. Nothing happened, plus I hardly know him. So I have no fucking clue how they come to that conclusion.” I sighed and Evan just frowned.
“Um, for the record… I don’t believe that the rumours are- are true…. After all, they’re just rumours.” He attempted but I just looked at him. “I mean, um, I haven’t even heard you talk about him!” He laughed awkwardly. I just sighed. Evan frowned and looked away before his eyes narrowed in confusion. “Who… who is that..? I’ve never seen them before…” I looked where he was looking…
There, sat upon a russet flank, was Michael Mell.
I shot upward. What the fuck is he doing here? When did he get here? Why the fuck is he here? The horse he was sitting on was happily eating an apple out of a bucket and Michael was apologizing profusely and offering to pay for every apple that was eaten to the shop owner who was just dismissing him. Sun was shining down on horse and rider making the horse’s coat blaze and highlighting Michael’s embarrassed smile. And his eyes too… Michael was just shining.
“Connor?”
It was highlighting the way his glasses sat on his nose…
“Connor?”
Michael’s eyes… shining…
“Earth to Connor Murphy?”
Their brown, turning amber… simply shin-
I was punched in the arm, breaking me out of whatever daze I was in. What the hell? Where am I? What’s going on? Evan’s expression was hard to decipher, he seemed confused, in the process of realization, and intrigued all at the same time. “So that’s what she meant… wow,” he murmured to himself. “Just… wow.” What the fuck is he talking about?
“Connor?” Both Evan and I turned our heads. Michael was looking at us now. He’d noticed us. “Fancy meeting you here!” He grinned. That smile… so carefree… highlighted by the sun… “What are you doing here?” I blinked
“I’m here on politics business. You know the paying village spiel. Or whatever.” Michael dismounted the horse and brought it over to me.
“This is Biscuit. She’s my horse.” Michael petted the horse and she whinnied happily. She then walked forward and sniffed me. Michael chuckled, it was beautiful. Wait, what? The fuck? “She likes you.” I looked at the horse.
“Um, hi.” I stood up. “Anyways. I should probably get going.” Michael smiled.
“Where to?”
“Back home. Only issue is there’s the hill from hell. I’m out of breath by the time by I reach the top.” I don’t know why I was revealing this. Biscuit looked at her owner and snorted and Michael looked back at her. They seemed to be communicating with each other without using words.
“Maybe I can give you a lift?” Biscuit gave a knowing snort as well. I blanked.
“Won’t I be too heavy-“ Michael looked at Biscuit, who also looked at him.
“I think she can handle it. C’mon” Biscuit even beckoned me closer herself. I was hesitant but I got on anyways. “Hold onto me, so you don’t fall off.” I didn’t really trust that but I did so anyway. Michael then looked at Biscuit. “Let’s go.” And she snorted in response.
I felt strange as I was holding onto Michael. Strangely warm, and almost light. It was strange. I don’t fucking know what the hell is going on. But, it was nice. I hardly felt Biscuit under me as she raced back towards the castle
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Michael’s POV
I really never expected to see Connor of all places at the village. I mean, he was there for a reason, paying them, but still. I hadn’t even meant to go there in the first place! I was just riding on Biscuit, since we hadn’t done so in a while and she needed exercise. Then, I don’t even know what happened, but it was like something possessed her and made her run towards the village. Though, now that I think about it, it was probably the apples. Biscuit loves apples. I know that the store owner said it was fine, but I still wanna pay him back. He could’ve been intimidated for all I know! I don’t want him like, just losing stock for nothing right? And that’s the reason I want to go back to the village. To pay him back.
And maybe see Connor again.
But that’s probably not going to happen. I just wish I could have an actual conversation with the guy. Without him, you know, having to be somewhere else.
A snort pulled me from my thoughts. Biscuit then whinnied when I noticed her, looking, if horses could look like that, amused. She clearly seemed to have picked up that I was thinking about Con- going to the village again. I narrowed my eyes. “No eating the apples, okay?” I told her, and received an indignant snort in return. Despite her perceived annoyance, Biscuit seemed to get over it in an instant. She let out a low neigh, and it almost felt like she was smirking at me.
“Where are you off to?” Said a voice behind me and I jumped. Jeremy. I looked over at him.
“I’m going back to pay for Biscuit’s crimes,” I said, receiving a but on the head from the mare. Jeremy chuckled a little. He had an odd expression on his face, one I would expect to see on Richard’s face. He was smirking.
“You sure that’s all you’re going back for?” He commented. I blinked as I felt my face warm, but I looked away from him and ignored it.
“Yeah, I feel bad that Biscuit ate all the apples, so I’m going to pay them back.” I opened Biscuit’s stall as I said this, and she whinnied in greeting. Jeremy didn’t answer while I put everything necessary on Biscuit. I mounted and looked at Jeremy. “I’ll be off now. So yeah.” Without another word, Biscuit and I were off.
——
“You’re back,” the shop owner with the apples commented, notably moving a barrel of green apples away from the reach of Biscuit. “It’s really no problem, sire, don’t feel obligated to pay back anything! It’s really okay.” This just made me feel worse than I already did.
“Please. I already feel terrible. It’s really no trouble. Just let me do this please?” I admit it sounded a little beg-y, but I just wanted to pay him back for the apples Biscuit ate without so much as an apology. The shop owner hesitated, but eventually let me pay him back and I immediately felt like a burden had been lifted. “Thank you.” The shop owner didn’t look at me.
“You know, the other prince was here yesterday.” I assumed he was talking about Connor. God, I just want to know him better. The shop owner looked back up at me. “The one you took back home.” Okay, so he was talking about Connor. But, Why was he bringing this up today? When it happened yesterday?
“Uh yeah? Why are you bringing this up? If it happened yesterday?” I was honestly confused and Biscuit let out a bored snort. The staring green eyes seemed piercing now, like he was seeing right through me. It was stark contrast to Connor’s dark brown, almost black eyes, which seemed dull and closed off. And I’m thinking about Connor again. Fuck.
“The both of you seemed very comfortable. Connor, especially.” Okay, so what does this have to do with anything? Biscuit however, now seemed intrigued and let out a curious snort. “It was like tension just released from his shoulders.” I don’t know what that means. I release tension? Huh?
“That’s um, very nice, but I should be going-“ Something seemingly possessed Biscuit again and she raced away. But she wasn’t heading towards my kingdom, but Connor’s. “Biscuit? Where the hell are you going?! Biscuit?!” She ignored me and continued racing up that unforgiving hill. I can see why Connor hates it so much. Biscuit did not slow down at all and I was soon catapulted off of her back and to the feet of a very surprised guard. Despite my back now being in agony, I managed to look up at the guy. Freckles dusted the bridge of the guard’s nose and cheeks, and his brown gaze appeared to be in shock.
“Are you alright?” The guard eventually asked when he’d recovered, his voice having the hint of a Mexican accent. I painfully moved myself into a sitting position, Biscuit snorting beside me. He then frowned. “Hang on, I’m gonna get Connor.” The guard left and I just looked at Biscuit.
“Did you really have to do that? I’m going to have a sore back for fucking weeks!” She simply snorted back at me.
“…he was flung off the horse and I think he’s hurt his back. I need you to help him stand,” I heard the guard say. I turned my head and saw the guard and…
Holy fuck.
I didn’t expect Connor to look so good in a ponytail. Wow. Anyways.
It wasn’t long before they noticed me. I could immediately tell that Connor was worried, even if he appeared to be hiding it. Well, attempting to. He might not even know that he was worried to be honest. I mean, I’m fine, I just have a sore back. Connor turned towards the guard. “Miguel, grab that arm, I’ll get this one.” It was almost comical how I was raised from the ground. Maybe I could use this opportunity to get to know Connor better? I don’t know. Connor then looked at me. His voice feigned indifference, but there was worry there. I don’t even fucking know why he would be worried really, but, one thing was for sure, he was terrible at hiding it. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay. My back’s just sore. No need to worry.”
“I’m not worried,” Connor retorted. I could see Miguel smirking, and also holding in a laugh. “I’m just asking if you’re okay because you were bucked off a horse.” Connor then stood and looked at Miguel. “Go tie the horse up in the field. We don’t have stalls so it’s the best we can do.” That’s sweet, he’s trying to provide Biscuit. He turned back to me. “So, seeing as you’ve hurt your back, and likely won’t want to ride back with a hurt back, do you want to visit here, for I don’t fucking know, until feel better?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Are you asking me if I want to stay here until I’m better? If so, then yes,” I said. “You’ll just have to tell my moms that I’m visiting here for a bit.” Connor let a smile slip through, and it was adorable? It lit up his brown eyes.
It’s cute
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Connor’s POV
So Michael got thrown off his horse. That’s probably super fucking painful. I wonder why the fuck the horse did that? She seemed like she and her owner had a good relationship. I know fucking nothing about horses, though, so what the fuck do I know, I guess. And now he’s stuck here until his back is better, almost like the horse planned for this to happen, if the fucking triumphant look upon her face was any fucking indication. Anyways. I do hope he gets better. For some fucking reason, when Miguel told me all about what happened, I felt my stomach drop. And like, what the fuck? Why would it have done that? I don’t care about him. I just don’t want a fucking war to break out between our kingdoms. Well that, and the fact being bucked off a horse can fucking result in death.
Not that I was worried about that specifically. That Michael could’ve died.
A low whinny pulled me from my thoughts and I was reminded of where I was. Taking the horse to the nondescript field. Biscuit seemed to be having just the greatest time. I never knew a horse could be so fucking expressive. She fucking looked like she was having way too much fun with this. Little Smartass. Biscuit snorted in response as if she could read my thoughts and I rolled my eyes. Biscuit just let out an amused snort. By this point we’d reached the field. “Here’s where you’ll be staying. I’m sorry it isn’t a stall, we’re not exactly set up here for horses. Though, it would be cool I guess. Would make that fucking hill easier to walk down at least.” The field, was sort crude for a paddock. It was basically just a plain of grass with a fence surrounding it. Not exactly very flattering. “I’m sure this is probably a fucking pigsty to you, huh? Michael probably has you in a super fucking fancy stall,” I heard myself joke, my voice softening when mentioning Michael for whatever fucking reason. However, Biscuit noticed this and she let out a curious whinny, almost smiling. if horses could smile that is. I then let her go into the makeshift paddock and left.
Miguel met me halfway on the way back to the palace. “Michael’s currently in your bedroom,” he commented. “I thought you’d like to know.” He smirked by the end of the sentence. I rolled my eyes. Fucking hell.
“Miguel, we barely know each other,” I stated. “I have no fucking clue where you get me liking him from. Why the fuck does everyone seem to think I like him? I don’t.” Miguel’s smirk didn’t fade but he didn’t answer. “You make sure he’s comfortable, I’m going to draft the letter to his moms or whatever.” Miguel then got an idea.
“
I’ll
draft the letter. And I’ll deliver it to his moms. You stay here, make him feel at home for the short time he’ll be here. Plus, he wants to get to know you better.” I felt myself warm up for whatever fucking reason? What the fuck is going on? Why am I warm? Miguel’s eyes lit up at this and he started pushing me towards my room. “It’ll be no trouble, now, go talk to him. Adios~” Miguel pushed me inside and then immediately disappeared. Well, okay then. Make Michael at home I guess. Shouldn’t be an issue. I don’t fucking know.
Michael appeared to be digging in one of my cupboards. I was about to ask him what the fuck he was doing when he pulled out the Pikachu plushie from the cupboard. Michael then immediately turned towards me, smirking himself. “Pikachu, eh? You didn’t tell me you know of Pokémon.”
“I don’t
like
Pokémon, I haven’t played it in like, fourteen fucking years,” I stated simply but Michael’s smirk never left his face.
“Whatever you say Con.” At the ‘Con’ my felt myself heat up, for whatever fucking reason. It’s just a fucking nickname? Why the fuck am I acting like this? Michael looked back at the Pikachu. “Well, seeing as you haven’t played in years, may I ask you, what was your favourite Pokémon?” I moved closer into the room because I was just standing by the door and I looked fucking ridiculous. I sat on my bed. I hesitated, but Michael was smiling at me and he… he looked so passionate about the Pokémon thing. It was… adorable…
When he had discovered the Pikachu, his eyes had lit up with what could only be described as a childlike awe. It was a kind of wonder anyone would find adorable. My heart’s rhythm started increasing in speed.
“Well?” I was suddenly plopped back into reality and reminded of the fact I hadn’t yet answered the question. I blinked.
“Uh, Umbreon,” I stammered out. “It’s just… cool. I guess.” God, this felt so fucking awkward. Michael’s smile was now more of a normal one.
“That’s cool,” he said. He placed down the Pikachu and then came to join me on my bed. “So, what is life like here? Is it as bad as at my palace?” He asked. I found myself move closer to me.
“As fucking boring as you can imagine. Not only is there the hill from hell, there’s also fucking long passageways. There’s boring ass meetings. There’s meetings with the guards.”
“I don’t know, you seem close to that one guard,” he commented. “So, obviously the meetings with the guards can’t be that bad.” He shrugged. “I’m friends with the cavalry captain!” He laughed and it sounded amazing. “I mean, you don’t have any horses here but still.” I could feel myself smile.
“Wow, the cavalry captain? That’s a stressful job,” I commented. “Anything could go wrong when you’re dealing with horses. Like getting bucked off and dying.” Connor why the fuck are you bringing that up?! That’s has no place here! The fuck? Michael was just grinning.
“So you
were
worried about me!” I narrowed my eyes.
“You must’ve hit your head when you fell,” I retorted, but I eventually broke and let out a chuckle. We didn’t even fucking know each other, but it seemed like we were talking like friends already which was fucking strange. It was like Michael made my cold exterior melt away for some fucking reason.
“Hm, I don’t know. My brain is still functioning. At least I think it is.” The way Michael said it made me attempt to hide a chuckle again. “I know! Let’s test it.” I felt myself nod. Let’s test if his brain still works.
“How should we test it?” I asked.
“Ask me the PAC-Man ghosts’ names!” I smiled. Michael seemed to be having fun.
“Well what are they?”
“Blinky, Inky, Pinky and um…” Michael trailed off as he tried to remember the fourth one. I watched him as he tried to remember. “…Clyde?”
“Yeah, it’s Clyde,” I stated, surprising even myself. Michael stared at me. “Anyways,” I said. “How about I take you on a tour of the palace? Do you don’t have to just, you know, I don’t fucking know, only have to hang out in my room.”
“Okay.” I helped Michael stand up and we left my room. We started walking around the palace but it wasn’t long until we started hearing the guards talking among themselves.
“The captain really is the matchmaker isn’t he?” Said the one guard.
“Shh, you can’t just say that. The prince doesn’t know that his affections are known yet. You can’t just go around and say that out loud.” Michael and Connor exchanged confused looks as he walked past.
“I have no fucking clue what they’re on about. Miguel being a matchmaker, the fuck? Anyways,” I said. “This is the infamous ‘field’.” I gestures toward the makeshift paddock where Biscuit was calmly eating some grass. Until she saw us that is. She let out a high whinny, as if laughing and gave an amused snort. “I’m again sorry that we can’t do much else isn’t terms of accommodation for Biscuit. We’re not set up for horses.”
“You seem almost disappointed at that fact,” Michael commented and I felt myself heat up for some reason. “Well, you could always come over and ride one of the horses at my palace?” He suggested, with a slight smile. “And I’m sure Biscuit doesn’t mind not being given luxury for the time being, I’m pretty sure it was her plan to get me here anyways.” He sent a knowing look at the horse, who just gave an innocent snort. I, on the other hand, felt myself heat up for some godforsaken reason. We then left the field and continued on the tour. When we got the next area, Michael’s eyes lit up in recognition. “Ah, yes. The place I taught you to dance.” He turned to me. “Gotten any better at that, Mr Murphy?” I sighed.
“No. I’m just not a dancer. Plus, you have a hurt back. So, no teaching me dancing now. Okay?” Michael smiled.
“I see.” We continued on, going throughout the palace and talking about stuff and eventually ended up back in my room. “Just so you know, I’m not gonna let you live the Pikachu thing down.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Michael’s POV
My mothers had honestly kinda been chill with the whole ‘Hi, your son is currently stuck at the Murphy palace with a sore back’ deal. They were fine with it, as long as I wasn’t handed back to them dead, which seems reasonable. I wouldn’t want my own son to be handed back dead if I was under the impression he was being cared for. In fact, I’d be fucking pissed if that had happened, so it’s probably a good thing that Biscuit’s plan hadn’t actually killed me. Not that I wanted to be dead, mind you, but it was probably also good so the kingdoms aren’t thrown into war over it. I’m almost certain by this point that Biscuit had planned for me to end up here. I still don’t know why, to be fair, it could be any fucking reason, but she clearly wanted me and Connor to be closer together. And well, she got her wish, in a way.
Connor had been needed elsewhere so I was left alone in his room. My ‘bed’, if you could call it that, had been made out of a sofa that was in the room. He’d specifically wanted me to be as comfortable as fucking possible because of the back. Which, it’s sweet. That he cares, even if he tries not to show it. It’s honestly kinda funny. It’s almost… adorable. Also he thinks he can hide his love for Pokémon from me, but I know. I’d been doing this sort of impromptu stay over for about a week now, and I kinda had free range of Connor’s palace. His parents hadn’t seemed all too bothered by this… arrangement either. My back was doing better as well, and I could lift and lower myself without being in agony or needing help. Which was great, I could probably go home soon, and I’m sure Biscuit would appreciate not being in what amounts to shack for her anymore. But, for some reason, I almost didn’t want to leave. Connor and I were a lot more friendly with each other and it felt like we were friends. It was to the point that even his guard had noticed! Funny that. Connor actually has a funny side to him. When it comes out, a genuine smile appears on his face. It’s different… for him. I’m so used to indifference and neutral frowns, so when the smile appears… it’s sweet. It lights up his eyes, in a way. I’m distracted.
I blinked out of my state and found myself staring at a pale blue dress shirt or would it technically count as a suit? Either way, it was the outfit Connor wore at the summit. Huh, fancy that. While I was in my trance, I’d been staring at what I met him in. I smiled at the memory, and then saw that it was the most fancy thing in his wardrobe. I guess it was specifically chosen just for that. I turned away from the outfit and walked out of Connor’s room. Miguel gave me a wave on the way out. I smiled back at him and started to walk around. I could see Biscuit out the window, munching away at a box of… apples? Where did the apples come from? Last time I checked, Connor’s palace didn’t have apple trees. Intrigued, I stepped outside, walking to Biscuit’s paddock. She was too focused on the apples to notice me. “Biscuit, did you steal the shop seller’s apples again?” That got her attention, and she snorted indignantly. “Do I have to pay for th-“
“I bought them.” My head whipped around, to find Jeremy, with his foot bandaged, sitting on the seal brown stallion he usually rode when he got a chance to ride. I smiled when I saw him.
“Jer, how have you been?” I asked as I walked over.
“As good as you can be with a broken foot.” He glanced over at Biscuit. “No thanks to you know who.” The chestnut simply snorted in response. I chuckled slightly.
“He’s not mad at you,” I stated but Biscuit simply went back to the apples. I looked back at him. “What brings you here?” I asked, because I honestly didn’t expect Jeremy to come here. He was the one I’d expected the least to come and visit me while doing the impromptu stay over. Jeremy hopped off the horse and tied him to one of the posts on Biscuit’s fence.
“I just wanna know how you’ve been doing staying here at the love of your life’s palace.” He shrugged and I threw back a confused expression.
“Jeremy, Connor and I aren’t dating, I don’t even like him like that.” I was honestly confused. What brought on this? “I’m confused as to why you think that?” Jeremy looked at me.
“You danced together. Anyways. How have you been fairing?” He stole one of Biscuit’s apples to give to the stallion. I don’t know how dancing together counts as dating but okay. I smiled despite myself.
“It’s been… good. I haven’t been doing much in teaching him how to dance because, my back. And he made sure that my ‘bed’ was comfortable for me with my back and everything. And, I even feel like we’re friends kinda. I know so much about him now. You should see how he tries to hide that he likes Pokémon, it’s hilarious. Connor’s honestly really sweet, and kind in a way? I mean he offered Biscuit a place to stay, even though it’s not very good, but he tried! Instead of chasing her off. And the whole offer ring for me to stay here.” A warm affection swirled in my chest. “Yeah, but that’s how I’ve been doing.” I didn’t know why exactly I was feeling the affection, but I didn’t hate it.
Jeremy’s expression was strange, it looked like a mix between a knowing look, and trying to bite back a smile. “Well it’s nice to know you’ve been having a good time. Seems like you’re very happy here,” the smirk broke through. “Well, since I’m here now, why don’t you show me around?”
“Jeremy, I don’t live here.”
“And? You seem right at home.” I rolled my eyes.
“You’ve been hanging around with Rich too much. I’ve hardly been here two weeks. I don’t live here.”
“Sure, sure. I get you. I have to leave anyways, I’ll leave the apples for Biscuit.” He then untied the horse and left. That was strange.
By the time that was over, Connor had finished whatever he’d been doing and we bumped into each other in the hallway. Almost immediately, a friendly smile appeared on his face. “Hey Michael,” he greeted. I smiled back.
“Hey. Hey, y’know my back? It’s getting better,” I said and he blinked. “You know what that means?” Connor blinked yet again and stared at me, before sighing. “Yep. You can’t run from it forever.” I grabbed his arm and raced toward the ballroom. We were the only ones there, except for a maid at the very far end. Connor looked at him, attempting an emotionless face.
“Don’t overdo yourself, the last thing I want is for you to hurt yourself more.” I smiled teasingly.
“Awww, you do care about me,” I teased, though I felt that affection again, but I ignored it. Still have no idea what’s causing it. “Now, me teaching you how to dance.” I wrapped my arm around Connor’s waist and brought him closer, probably a bit too vigorously because Connor’s chin briefly knocked against my forehead. “Okay, let’s try that again.” I released my arm. “Let’s start with something simple.” We did a few twirls and then we tried the waist thing again. “Just follow my lead, then we can sort of freestyle it. Or something, I guess.” I then burst into laughter. “Connor, loosen up a bit, you look like a wall.”
“Am I doing this right?” He asked after a while, as he wrapped his arm around my waist. I felt a weird, fluttering sensation in my gut at this, but I assumed it was just because Connor’s uncertainty was adorable.
“Yes, yes, you’re doing fine.” I chuckled as I helped him