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He has been waiting for this since their last meeting, a letter with a very familiar wax seal, a letter from the prince. It was currently placed carefully on top of his table and the man couldn’t hide his excitement. His already bright eyes brightened even more as he read the content of the letter.
Dear Joseph,
I am writing this letter to tell you that I will finally be able to meet up today. My duties are starting to stabilize and I think I could take a break. Same place and time, please send me a reply if you are unable to attend.
Yours sincerely,
Aesop Carl
Immediately after reading the letter, the man carefully tucked it away in a drawer full of other similar letters and prepared himself.
The man had blonde hair that was french braided above his ears and tied to a ponytail. His eyes were bright blue and his skin was pale. He was wearing a fencing uniform, complete with a long, thin rapier on his waist.
--
A long sigh escaped his lips as the man rested his back against a tree. He knew he was way too early but still insisted on waiting for the prince. The sun was shining too bright right above him and luckily, the forest was dense enough to provide some shade.
He occasionally looked around and changed his posture as if anxious for someone to arrive.
A few hours later, the bushes rustled nearby and he turned to look at the direction. A man carefully made his way through and his lips curved upwards unknowingly as he saw the man.
The man approaching had blonde hair that was darker than him and tied to a simple rat-tail. He had jade green eyes and wore a black prince-like costume with a golden/yellowish cape on top. Upon closer look, it seemed that he also brought a thin sword on this waist.
The man that had just arrived looked at him and asked, "Sorry Joseph, did I make you wait long?"
“Not at all my dear, I have also just arrived.” replied the taller man, lying with a straight face.
“Well then, shall we proceed with our usual training?” the man asked as he slowly pulled the hilt of his sword from the scabbard.
Straight to training? No bantering or exchanging pleasantries at all? Joseph seemed to be disappointed and the man noticed it. "Is there anything wrong, Joseph?"
“Ah, nothing my dear prince, shall we begin then?”
The man pulled out his rapier and prepared his stance. They began their usual practice, duelling each other but making sure that neither of them got hurt while also exchanging opinions.
As they were duelling, Joseph made a slight mistake and Aesop took that as a chance. The prince pushed his sword forward, and Joseph fell on his back with a thud.
“Are you alright?” Aesop was now sure that something was definitely up with this man. "If you're not feeling well, we can end this now."
His face is too close was what Joseph was thinking, and ending their training session was the worst thing that could happen. The prince was currently leaning on the man's face, and he was close to straddling the man.
Joseph could clearly see the prince's face, his green eyes and long eyelashes, and his clear yet slightly red face. He seemed to remember about their first meeting, their first agreement to exchange letters and meet up to practice their skills. At that time, those meetings were only practice for him, he could train with the prince and no one would bother or fawn over him. The prince was the only man who would fight him without batting an eye.
But now, with the prince's face so close to his, his heart seemed to beat and the feeling came again. He wondered when he started feeling this way towards the prince; was it when he saw the prince smiling for the first time? or was it when the prince gave him a gift, a simple ribbon that was now tying his hair? Either way, the prince has taken his heart.
The prince stared calmly at the man who was silent before sheathing his sword. He stood up and offered his hand to the fallen man. The man took his hand and stood up too.
“Is there really nothing wrong? I won't press you anymore if you don't want to talk about it but maybe I could help?” The prince asked innocently.
Well if the problem isn't related to you, I would really be delighted to tell you. The man thought to himself. After a while, he decided to brace himself and do what he was best at to calm the awkward situation. Flirting. This could either go well and the prince would take it as a joke or this could go really bad.
“Nothing wrong my dear, I was just mesmerized by your eyes. I guess it's because we were seperated for such a long time.” The man replied.
What he didn't expect was that the prince blushed. He had already built hundreds of scenes in his head; the prince would sigh dissapointingly or the prince would smile, taking it as a joke. but this, this, he never expected this. The prince was beautiful, even more when he was smiling. But when he was blushing? He was perfect. Joseph's heart was even more racing.
Deciding to go all in, Joseph smiled and begun to speak. “We are like swans, partners for life, one can't live without the other, and you are my other half.” Joseph wanted to make sure that he didn't go to far by looking at the prince's face but the prince decided to turn around and his back was all he could see.
There was silence between them, but the prince didn't leave, so he guess it was fine?
“What are you trying to say?” The prince asked, although his tone was more like a command.
This time, Joseph was treading on thin ice.
After what seemed like an eternity, he made up his mind. “What I'm saying is that I love you.” Well if he didnt accept I can just say it was a joke.
“Really?” The prince demanded confirmation.
“Eh?” Joseph didn't expect this question. “Of course my dear prince, why would I lie?” The man seemed to gain a boost of confidence and moved closer to the prince.
“Call me by my name.”
“Yes Aesop, I love you.”
The prince was silent, but Joseph had all the time in this world for his answer. As the sky was turning dark, the prince slowly said, “I love you too.”
Joseph thought he misheard it, so it was now his turn, “Really?”
Another silence.
“..who would take a time out of their busy life and set aside their prince duties just to practice their swordsmanship with a nobody? Why would a prince give someone a stupid hairtie that he made himself?” The prince's voice turned quieter with every words that came out from his mouth.
Joseph hugged the prince from behind. He was sure of it now, he truly loved the prince. He kissed the prince's hair and they stayed like that for a while before the prince turned around and hugged him back.