Chapter Text
Dave walked down a hallway in the palace, his lazy strides unbefitting someone of his rank. A lord walked past him and swept into a deep bow. The younger waved a hand and continued walking.
He climbed to the top of his tower, and even with an abnormally large sword at his belt he was not winded at the last stair. He opened the door to his quarters, took off his sword belt and hung it on the door handle before closing it behind him as he entered.
He jumped onto his bed and locked his hands behind his head. Next to him, his twin looked at him over his book and over his trademark Strider shades.
Only the royal family were allowed to wear sunglasses, and while it started as a petty fashion statement it soon became a tradition, and most people have long forgotten why it started. Truth be told, so did the royal family. But it was how they were raised. So on the tradition went.
"You would do well to not try to do some kind of acrobatic stunt while simply getting on a bed."
"You would do well to go down and help Bro with the commoners. There's a line near to the gates with property disputes and stolen hens and such. And while you're down there you could become a knight and go train twice a day besides what Bro makes us." A pause. "And you could stand to be less of a pompous ass."
Dirk set down his book. "I don't think I could. It's hard being this superior all the time. And it's nice to put you in your place. Someone needs to remind you you're the youngest." A small smirk cracked his face at this last bit.
Dave dislodged a hand and gave him a hard slug in the shoulder. Dirk grinned and ruffled Dave's hair. At Dave's swat, he pinned his hands above his head. Dave stared up at him with a perfect poker face and Dirk grinned down at him.
Dave finally cracked a small smile and Dirk pecked him on the lips. He collapsed on Dave and Dave pressed a kiss to the crown of his head.
They laid there for a while more before Dave said, "C'mon, it's getting late and Bro wants to talk to us about some new big companies he wants to help out. I think the owners are coming to dinner too"
"The counseling? You just said the people were stretched to the gates."
"You know as well as I do that Bro wouldn't've let me go if the line was that long."
Dirk looked up at him and gave him a grin before rolling them off the edge of the bed. Dave flailed and when Dirk landed on him, let out an undignified squawk. Dirk quickly got up before Dave could retaliate and threw open their door and sped downstairs.
Dave quickly got up and raced after him.