Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chip was a troublemaker. 

He’d been a troublemaker since he was given his name and given a home. And even more so since said home was taken away from him. In his core, in his soul, he was a troublemaker. A liar, a thief. 

But Chip didn’t fucking do this. 

He knew better than to steal from the fucking Royal Family. 

He worked for them. He didn’t steal from them. Any theft he did was petty and unnoticeable, something someone wont miss. Usually from one of the other servants, something he needs that they don’t anymore. 

Chip doesn’t steal heirlooms. 

And yet, here he was, being blamed for it. 

“They could have you executed for this, Chip.” The head steward was saying. Chip didn’t know his name; he felt like there was a new one every month in this castle. 

“I didn’t do it!” Chip shot back, raising his hands up in his defense. The whole kitchen was looking at him; he felt mortified. It was a losing battle, but he wasn’t going to go down without a fight. “Search me and my shit, goddammit, I don’t have it!” 

Of course, everyone thought he did it. He had a reputation. Didn’t mean it didn’t sting, though. “This was your last chance, Chip! I don’t think you have the right to be saying those kinds of words to me.” Man, this was a fucking bum. “You'd better just admit you stole it.”

“I didn’t, though!” Chip groaned. “I was cleaning! Like I was hired to do!” 

The head steward didn’t seem to want to argue with him anymore, because he grabbed Chip’s wrist, attempting to pull him. “We’ll see what the Prince has to say about that.” 

The Prince. 

God, with The Prince looking over this, Chip is sure to be executed. Chip doesn’t think he’s ever had a good interaction with the guy. He hates liars, and that’s like… all Chip is. He is brutally honest and so fucking ignorant it makes Chip want to pull his hair out. And he talks all proper and shit all the time. Its fucking annoying. 

“I say he is innocent.” 

Speak of the devil and he shalt appear. 

“Prince Gillion! Your Highness!” The Head Steward said, dropping Chip’s wrist and giving a polite bow to the Prince. 

There he was. Standing in the doorway to the kitchens– a place a prince like him would almost never go –was Prince Gillion Tidestrider, looking all too heroic. He was attractive, to say the least, with darker tan skin, littered with markings and tattoos all over his body, symbolic of whatever holy bond he had or whatever. His hair was dark, though he had dyed most of it blue, so Chip couldn’t tell if it was naturally black or brown. He was dressed in this regal outfit that surely had too many parts to it. It must be entirely too hot. 

He looked like a stuck-up motherfucker, basically. 

Still… he was saving Chip from disaster so…

“Your Highness, we caught this servant in the treasury! Exactly where your prized heirlooms were held. No one else could have done this!” The Head Steward tried to say. Chip grumbled. So much for doing his fucking job. Chip only ever seemed to attract disaster when he actually did what he was supposed to. 

Gillion raised his hand to quiet the steward. “I assure you, this boy is innocent. He was with me.” 

What-

Look, everyone knew one thing about Prince Gillion, and it was that he did not lie. He hATED lying with every fiber of his being. If you were caught lying to him, you would not end the day without a fight. If Chip had a reputation, then so did Gillion, and that reputation was that he hated liars.

And yet, he was lying for Chip. 

He had to be, because there was certainly no way Gillion was convinced Chip was with him. It had to be some kind of joke. 

“Oh, really? Your highness, I was sure-”

“You were wrong,” Gillion said firmly, in that tone that made everyone in the room shiver and back off. Gillion could be scary as fuck when he wasn’t in his ignorant little bubble. “He was with me. Privately, in my chambers.” 

What. What? WHAT!? 

The air of the room shifted. Chip could feel many eyes on him, and suddenly, he felt like he wanted to die. Execution would be better than the eyes on him right now, all of a sudden thinking he was fucking the Prince. 

Chip could hear whispers from the surrounding servants, staring him down, looking at him in ways he didn’t want to be looked at… not by these people.

And Gillion seemed fucking oblivious to it. His worst trait. 

Chip wanted to yell, to scream, but he knew the consequences for claiming the Prince was a liar himself would be far greater– and maybe, just maybe, when he looked into Gillion’s eyes, he saw the pleading from the Prince to shut his damn mouth. –So he kept silent. 

“Oh! Well- then I suppose your highness that he could not have done this…” The Steward began to say, backing up, scanning the room for a new culprit. Chip felt bad for the poor soul this guy was about to blame next, but he also didn’t care either because he was fuming. 

“He did not.” Gillion insisted, turning on his heel to leave the kitchens, almost like he was disgusted of it here. “You will leave him alone about this matter.” 

The Steward gave another bow. “Yes, your highness.” The steward didn’t bother to apologize to either Chip or Gillion and simply walked away, trying to figure out who had really stolen it. 

Chip was about ready to just storm off and possibly forget this ever happened. Maybe he would run away to avoid the incoming embarrassment of the situation. But instead, Gillion turned his head over his shoulder and said, “Come,” and well… Chip was not one to disobey a direct order. 

So, Chip followed Gillion out of the kitchens, into the halls, and was quiet only until he was out of earshot from any other servants. He really did try to control himself, but all the thoughts swirling in his brain were threatening to spill out, and he just-

“What the hell was that?!” Chip demanded. Was it a bad idea to talk like that to the prince? Absolutely. But he was confused as fuck. “You- you lied for me- YOU Prince Gillion, lied. For ME!” 

Gillion stopped in his tracks, turning to face Chip. Chip faltered for a moment, ready for some baratement or something of the sort… but instead, Gillion kept his face neutral, and just said: “I did. I did not wish to see you punished for something you did not do.” 

Chip blinked, a little taken aback. He probably should have stopped there. Counted his blessings and moved on… but he didn’t. Chip had always been reckless. “You- How do you even know that I didn’t do it? You know I’m a Liar.”  

Gillion’s face didn’t change. “Your face.” Gillion pointed out. “You have a tell. You make more eye contact when you lie. I could tell you were not lying.” 

Chip blinked. He didn’t think anyone had ever noticed that– HE hadn’t even noticed that. –How the HELL did Gillion notice that? Maybe he needed to practice making eye contact more often. He’d kinda always hated eye contact. 

Still, Chip huffed, looking away. “Okay, well, now the whole castle is gonna think we’re fucking.” 

“I did not intend to insinuate such a thing,” Gillion said after a brief pause. Of course, he didn’t. Of course, he didn’t know how that sounded. 

Chip huffed, looking back at Gillion. His shoulders were a little more slouched now, more… uncomfortable. He wanted to yell, but the set of his shoulders and the look on his face prevented him from doing so. 

“You literally said ‘Privately, in my chambers.’” Chip said, doing his best Gillion impression. “I don’t know what else normal people grasp from that.” 

Gillion huffed. “The Lie escalated more than I had intended.” 

Chip wanted to pace around, figure out how to deal with this. How the fuck was he supposed to deal with this? He didn’t want the people around here thinking Gillion was courting him. Or god forbid his parents or his sister-

His sister. 

Oh fuck. 

Chip wanted to ram his head into the wall. 

“Fuck- Edyn.” he muttered, turning around. He found himself reaching into his hair, grasping at it because pulling his own hair out seemed better than this stupid lie reaching Edyn. 

He hadn’t intended for Gillion to hear it, but apparently he did, because his next words basically killed Chip. “Right, you have a crush on my sister.” his words were full of more disdain than anything in that moment. “Maybe you deserve this.” 

Chip spun around to look at him. “Me!? What the fuck i didn’t even do anything!” Chip almost yelled but tamed into some kind of groan. “You gotta- say something! I don’t know!” 

Gillion’s face didn’t change. “No.” 

“NO!?” Chip wanted to cry. 

“No. It will be beneficial to us both if we continue with this ruse… admitting it was a lie will look poorly on both of us. You are only clear of this because of me, and if I admit it was a ruse, you will be taken to my parents… who will be much less kind about the situation.” Gillion explained. 

Chip’s heart just about froze right then and there. 

He couldn’t get out of this situation. 

“You’re using this situation we’re in to make me feel like shit for having a crush on your sister.” Chip pointed out, crossing his arms. 

“Although that was not the intention, it is an added benefit for me.” Gillion pointed out. “We will only have to keep up this charade for a few weeks, and then I can allow you to go back to your life, and I back to mine.” 

Chip huffed. “Great.” Chip was done talking. This sucked. 

Gillion stood still for a moment, eyes raking over him, observing him– it felt fucking weird –but then Gillion spoke again. “I apologize for my words, and this situation… I  hope you know I only have the best of intentions.” 

Chip didn’t respond. He was done with this. And Gillion seemed to gather that after a few moments of his silence. So, he gave Chip a polite bow (fucking- bow??) and turned, walking down the hallway. Chip didn’t follow him this time. 

This whole thing was going to be the worst few weeks of his life.

Chapter Text

Chip really hadn’t expected Gillion to commit to the whole ‘fake couple’ bit. He’d expected they’d keep their distance– keep lying about it –and when Gillion thought it had been long enough, simply say it hadn’t worked out, as he had for all his other prospective partners. Chip would have to deal with the rumors for a few months, but… then it would fade. 

However, Chip had absolutely been wrong. 

The first day, it had been some bullshit about “couple walking” and whatever kind of gesture Gillion thought he should be making to someone he was “courting,” but Chip had endured it, got through it, and went back to work like nothing had happened. 

But now, a week later, it was clear Gillion was committing to this. Really committing to this. He’d found many excuses to make conversation, but this one took the cake. 

They were sitting in the garden, and Gillion was presenting him with a box, long and ornate. One Chip felt like he shouldn’t even be looking at. No one was close enough to hear them, but he could see other workers around, not so subtly giving them looks. 

“What the hell is this?” Chip asked, slowly taking the box from Gillion’s hands. He was sitting across from him, looking far too interested in this for it being a lie. 

Gillion seemed to sit up straighter (if that was even possible.) “It is a gift,” he said simply. “To make our story more convincing.” 

Right. Their story. 

Chip almost didn’t want to open it. He wanted to throw it on the ground and tell Gillion he didn’t need any royal coddling… but he didn’t. Instead, he opened it. Inside, he found an ornately decorated dagger with far too many swirls and gold on the hilt, with the blade made from Damascus steel. Chip could never imagine owning something like this in his wildest dreams. 

“Oh, what the ass?” Chip let himself speak without really thinking about it. This knife was fucking beautiful, and Chip certainly couldn’t accept it. He’d ruin it… or himself. “Why would you-”

“You deserve it.” Gillion cut him off. “I know we have not gotten along well in the past, but I am aware you do not have much. If we are going to keep up this fabrication, I would like to leave you with a gift afterwards. Plus, we need familiarity to keep up appearances, so it seemed like a good time.” 

Chip could feel the slight tug at his heartstrings. He tried to ignore it. 

“I hate being pampered,” Chip said, closing the box. He wasn’t sure where he was going to keep this. Chip wasn’t the only thief around here… obviously. Maybe he could get Gillion to take it back. 

Gillion didn’t seem to budge, though. “Normal people would thank me.” Chip wanted to pick at him for being anything but normal, but he knew that wouldn’t bode well for him.

So, Chip sighed. “Thank you.” 

Gillion smiled softly. He seemed proud of himself for the action. Chip didn’t want to dwell on that too much. So, he took the box and slid it under the bench he was sitting on, intending to grab it later. 

“So… Gillion, you never told me what you’re getting out of this.” Chip decided to question. Maybe it wasn’t the best idea, but it had been tugging at Chip’s brain for the past few days. 

Gillion didn’t seem so concerned with it. “I think I made it clear. You did not deserve to be persecuted for something you did not do, and it came with the added benefit of getting back at you for my sister.” 

Chip couldn’t keep himself from laughing, just a quick laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. “I don’t think that’s the reason you stay with it, though. This would have been more than enough if that had been the case.” Chip pointed out. It’s true. Gillion had already embarrassed Chip in front of Edyn, and they had found the actual culprit of the theft, so why Gillion insisted on continuing this was a mystery to Chip. 

Gillion looked over at him, then sighed. “I do not desire a relationship,” he said simply. “My parents have been trying to set me up with countless people, and I desire none of it.” 

Chip sat up a little straighter, listening to Gillion. He didn’t want romance… at all? Chip didn’t know if he felt relieved or hurt. (Why would he feel hurt?) 

“So… you’re doing this to get your parents off your back about getting married?” Chip asked. It sounded almost…selfish, which, although Gillion was a lot of things, selfish was never a word he would have used to describe Gillion. He usually used it to describe himself. 

Gillion nodded. “Yes. If this persists for a few more weeks, it will deter them at least another year and allow me to focus on my duties. Although this situation was unexpected, it is a convenient solution to this problem.” 

Chip scoffed, not an upset scoff, more like an amazed one. Prince Gillion was being just a little selfish! Chip liked to see it. To be fair, Chip had heard about situations like these before, but that was usually in fiction, stories his dad used to tell him; he hadn’t ever thought he’d be wrapped up in one. 

“I apologize if it seems like I am using you for personal gain,” Gillion spoke up again after a moment. “I assure you that is not my intention.” 

And Chip? Chip really did want to play that card, if he was honest with himself. He wanted to be defensive about it… But the way Gillion looked at him, he knew he couldn’t do it. So, he sighed, “I know… I know.” He said. “Just please don’t get me too much shit like this? It makes me feel like… a fool. Or some shit…” 

Gillion nodded. “Noted.” He said softly. “I will try not to make you uncomfortable. This is temporary, if that makes you feel better.” 

Chip felt like it should. He didn’t know why it didn’t. 

Gillion stood up, holding a hand out to him. “Care for a walk with me?” Chip looked up, hesitating only for a moment before taking Gillion’s hand and standing up. He let the Prince wrap his arm through his. He worried momentarily about leaving the knife where it was, but Gillion didn’t seem concerned. 

“This is gonna suck,” Chip said, lowering his voice a little as they approached other workers in the garden. He’d said it a million times, and he’d say it a million times more. 

“You will endure,” Gillion said simply, giving a polite wave to a girl tending the trees. 

Chip huffed. “I hate enduring.”

Chapter Text

To Gilion’s credit, he really did try his best not to make Chip uncomfortable. Most days, He offered Chip a walk, and they would talk about whatever came to mind for about an hour before Gillion was ushered off by whatever royal duties he had to do. Sometimes, he would bring him a gift, though much less elegant than that knife he gave him. 

After two weeks, Chip was starting to feel like he was understanding Gillion. He was kind of starting to feel like Gillion might be his friend. 

Which was just a ridiculous thought because Gillion certainly couldn’t feel the same about him. He was a prince. Princes like Gillion didn’t make friends with servants like Chip. 

Still, the fact that Gillion cared enough to dull down his normal gifts and not make Chip sit through any boring courting meetings with his parents made Chip feel kind of nice, if not a little delusional. 

This particular day, Gillion had taken him to the training yard. Chip had only been here and handful of times, but he remembers watching Gillion diligently practice for hours on end here. Gillion was a good fighter. Chip could never live up to his expectations. 

So it definitely surprised him when Gillion asked him for a spar. 

“A- I’m sorry, a what?” Chip asked, pushing himself off the pole he was leaning on. He’d been watching Gillion stab at a dummy for a few minutes now. Clearly, it hadn’t satisfied him. 

“A spar,” Gillion answered. “I would like some practice, and if I recall correctly, you do know how to fight,” he said, holding his sword blade down to the ground, as if he was going to stab it. 

Chip pursed his lips. “Well, yeah. I know how, but it’s been a really long time… I don’t know if I’m as good of a challenger as you think, Gill.” Gill. That nickname had slipped from his tongue more than once today. Gillion never mentioned it. 

Gillion turned to the wall of weapons next to him, carefully pulling a training sword off of the wall, and offering it to Chip. “I will go easy on you, if you wish.” 

Look, maybe other people might have been smarter. Might have said no, accepted Gillion going easy on him… but Chip was reckless and impulsive. So of course, he took the sword and said, “Absolutely not. If you’re gonna fight me, you better fight me for real.” 

The grin on Gillion’s face was absolutely worth the ass beating he was gonna get. 

Gillion had definitely started easy on him, despite Chip’s words. He probably thought Chip couldn’t handle it– which, to be fair, Chip had said that it had been a long time since he had fought. –But as their swords met, Chip felt like he was doing a lot better. 

They both fought well, but Chip could tell there was a distinct difference in their fighting styles. Gillion was more poised, disciplined when it came to his fighting. He was precise and calculated with every move he made. Not one mistake could be made when it came to Prince Gillion. 

Meanwhile, Chip was more scattered; he looked for openings and took them, and his body moved more wildly. He had learned to fight in the places that hurt. He had learned to fight out on the sea, on the streets, where the real threats were. Parry was not a word in his vocabulary. Bad guys out in the streets didn’t care about your stance in sword fighting. 

Gillion fought because he was taught to. 

Chip fought to survive. 

“You are fast.” Gillion pointed out. 

“Thanks. I try,” Chip responded. 

Despite Chip's unpredictability, Gillion adjusted, countered where he could. Chip wasn’t sure how long they fought, but it definitely wasn’t a short fight. They both made sure not to actually strike one another, no blood to be spilled, it was just a spar, after all. 

Eventually, Gillion got the one up on him, knocked the sword out of Chip’s hand, and both of them watched as it clattered to the ground a few feet away. They both took a breath, looking between each other and the sword. 

After a moment, Gillion smiled. “You fought well,” he said, moving over to pick up Chip’s discarded sword. “Better than I had expected.” 

Chip let out a breathy laugh, walking over to where there were benches to sit down. He hadn’t had adrenaline hit him like that in a long time. “Better than I expected,” Chip said, giving Gillion a smile. 

Gillion calmly walked over to return both swords to the wall, seeming to still be recovering. Chip moved over, giving Gillion room to sit down with him. 

Gillion hesitated for a moment before sitting down next to Chip. “You fight… strangely,” he pointed out. 

Chip chuckled. “I don’t know any proper technique or anything. I just learned how to survive.” He explained. “I definitely tripped over my feet a couple times.” 

Gillion laughed. It was the first time he’d heard Gillion laugh and… part of Chip would like to hear that again. 

Chip was starting to like hanging out with Gillion. 

“Well, it was a learning opportunity for me. I enjoyed it.” He said simply, leaning forward to rest his arms on his knees. He looks so much more… casual than usual. Chip liked seeing this side of him. Gillion usually was very calculated, carefully measuring almost everything he did, at least around his subjects. Chip was slowly learning he was a lot more impulsive than he presented himself to be.

Chip smiled softly, looking over Gillion’s facial features. He was handsome, Chip had always admitted that, but really looking at him these past few weeks allowed Chip to notice things he had never noticed before, like the freckles on his face, they were very subtle, and you could really only see them if you looked up close. And it was kinda nice to see his face tattoos from this close. Chip didn’t really know anything about the goddesses Gillion and his family worshiped that warranted these tattoos… maybe he would have to ask one day. 

Chip sat up a little straighter. “Can I ask you something?” 

Gillion looked over at him. “Of course. You may ask me anything.” 

Chip couldn’t lie; those words made his heart flutter a little bit. 

“You said you aren’t interested in relationships like… at all, right?” Chip asked, tilting his head as he looked at Gillion. “Just- I’d like to know more about that, I guess.” 

Gillion hummed, thinking about it for a moment. “I don’t know about not at all, if I am honest.” He said softly. “I think if the right person were to come along… I may warm up to the idea, eventually. But the thought of it all with anyone who has been presented to me before has felt… wrong.” 

“Wrong?” 

Gillion pursed his lips, giving a nod. “Yes. Wrong.” He said softly. “I just do not… feel it. I suppose.”

Chip nodded, thinking about it. He had more he wanted to ask, talk about, but it felt like he was crossing some kind of line… maybe not a boundary but something he wasn’t ready to cross yet… so, he kept silent. 

After a few moments, Gillion got up. “I suppose I should get back to my duties.” He said, tucking his hands behind his back like he was stepping back into his role as The Prince. “I shall see you later, then?” 

Chip cleared his throat. “Uh, yeah. See ya’ later.”

Chapter Text

Chip really did do his best not to cross boundaries. Four weeks into this charade, and Chip had done a good job at being polite about all of this, trying his hardest to make friends with Gillion while respecting that this guy was The Prince. 

But tonight… he was not in the right state of mind. 

He was shaking, a bad dream, and though normally, he would just sit silently under his covers or wake up one of the other servants to talk to… tonight, for some reason, he made his way upstairs towards Gillion’s room, blanket still strewn over his shoulders.

He only realized how stupid it was when he put his hand on the door to knock. 

What am I doing? He is literally The Prince.

However, before Chip could retract his hand and disappear into the night, the door in front of him opened. 

There stood Gillion. Same stupidly handsome face, same strange tattoos, but definitely different than Chip was used to. His hair was down, instead of being tied up in a bun like it usually was. He was wearing casual pajama pants and…

And he wasn’t wearing a shirt. 

Chip should definitely feel normal about this-

“Chip.” Gillion began, a curious expression on his face. “What are you doing here?” 

He really tried his best to push down the heat rushing to his cheeks. “I-I shouldn’t have- I don’t even-” Chip tried to back away. “How did you know I was out here? I didn’t knock.” 

“You didn’t have to; I am very aware of any footsteps approaching my door.” Maybe anyone else would have thought that was weird… but Chip didn’t. He understood it perfectly. It was something he’d been doing since he’d been left on his own.

That fact reminded him of why he was here. 

“Right, well, I- it’s fine. I came up here for a stupid reason so-” Chip really did try to pull away and retreat. Gillion didn’t let him; he grabbed his arm. 

“Chip, please be aware I care deeply for you. No reason you have to come up here will be ‘stupid.’” Gillion spoke, looking into Chip’s eyes, and well… Chip could swear he died right there. “Please… come in.” 

Gillion pulled his arm away from Chip’s, stepping aside to let him in. He wasn’t forcing him, but he was insisting. Chip could very well say ‘no thank you’ and return to bed, but… wel,l the way Gillion was looking at him… he couldn’t say no. So, carefully, he walked forward into Gillion’s bedroom. 

Gillion’s bedroom was nice, like- WAY nicer than Chip expected it to be. He should have expected this much, considering Gillion was a Prince, but maybe some part of him thought that specifically Gillion’s room would be more laid back, considering the kind of person Gillion was. But he had been wrong. The ceilings of Gillion's room were tall… like really tall, with blue walls and white trims, though there was a lot of natural wood here as well, a mixed kind of aesthetic only Gillion could have. 

Gillion closed the door behind Chip. “What troubles you, Chip?” He asked. 

Chip sighed. “I just- I had a nightmare and- I don’t know why I thought I should come up here… It just… seemed like the thing to do at the time, I don’t know…” 

Slowly, Gillion's face turned into a soft smile, and he walked past Chip towards his bed. “Come sit.” Gillion circled around to the side of the bed, sitting on it presumably on the side he would usually sleep. Chip’s heart did a few flips. “Tell me about it.” He said, patting the spot on the bed next to him. 

Chip blinked. “Are you sure?” 

“I would not invite you if I was not sure.” Gillion insisted. 

So, Chip walked over, sitting himself in the spot next to Gillion. He was careful not to touch him, not to get in his space– he was already in his space enough as it is, he didn’t need to overwhelm him. –He had to figure out how to tell this without sounding like a giant baby.

“I… It was just about the night my dad died.” He said softly. He could see Gillion slightly perk up out of the corner of his eye. He chose not to pay much attention to it. “We’d been on his ship… and this giant storm came and… And I was the only one to make it out alive.” 

Gillion sat quietly for a moment, then, “Do you dream about that night a lot?” He asked.  

Chip nodded. “Uh, yeah… At least once a month, if not more.” 

Gillion nodded in understanding. “I’m sorry… that sounds terrible.” 

Chip couldn’t help but give a lighthearted scoff. “Yeah, it sucks.” He pulled his blanket tighter around his shoulders. “I… I don’t even know why I came up here, Gill. I just… I don’t know… You don’t seem so much like the Scary Prince anymore.” 

Chip could almost feel Gillion’s shoulders relax, and then, Gillion’s weight shifted as he leaned back against the headboard. “Well… I can’t say I don’t appreciate that. I do not enjoy being the Scary Prince… I would much rather just be… Gillion.” 

Chip looked over at him; he could see the softness in his eyes, and for once could see how tired he looked. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Chip wished he could fix that... But he couldn’t. So, he just said, “Yeah… you’re just Gillion.” Then, after a moment. “Sorry If I woke you up or something.” 

Gillion didn’t budge. “You did not. I could not sleep anyway.” He said simply. “You did not bother me, Chip. Please, never feel like you are a bother to me.” 

Chip didn’t ignore how his heart did a little flip at that comment. “Yeah… I’ll try.” It was hard, really, because Chip felt like he was a bother to everyone; it was just that some people he didn’t mind bothering. It would be hard not to see himself as a bother to The Prince, and even more to pretend he didn’t mind bothering him. But he would try, for Gillion’s sake. “Oh, um, by the way, I was asking around about your little like… don’t want relationship thing? Don’t worry, I didn’t say names, I just… I could have sworn there was a word for it, so, Y’know, I asked around…”

Gillion’s eyebrows raised, though he didn’t move much more. “And?” 

“And I think one of the guys down there said he was Asexual Aromantic? I think? Something about just not wanting romance or sex At All, but it having a spectrum and… yada yada yada…” Chip shrugged. “I don’t know, I thought it fit you.” 

Gillion seemed to think on it for a moment, a hum escaping him before he replied. “It does seem rather accurate, but… not entirely.” He said softly. “It feels like fitting a square into a rectangular hole.” 

It was a silly metaphor that Chip couldn’t help but chuckle at. “You said that you didn’t really… feel it, right?” He asked. 

Gillion shrugged. “Not with anyone so far. But I also said I might be open to it if the right person were to come along.” Right. Chip forgot about that part. “I think in reality, I do like the idea of a relationship… I think I desire it. It just has not felt right, yet.” 

Chip nodded. “Right, you said it felt wrong with everyone else before, yeah?” 

“...Yes.”

Now, Chip was an impulsive person. He was reckless, so of course, he didn’t think about his next words. “Does it… Feel wrong with me?”

Literally, why did I say that? What the fuck? What? What? 

“...No.” Chip’s heart just about jumped out of his chest. “The idea does not feel wrong with you.” 

Looking at Gillion, Chip could see him giving a soft smile to him, and it was making Chip's brain spiral, more than any nightmare could have. He didn’t know what was wrong with him. He definitely knew he wasn’t ready to face it, though. 

So, he just cleared his throat. “Cool.” 

After a moment of basically awkward silence, Gillion spoke up again. “Well, If you wish, you may stay.” 

Chip’s brain pretty much short-circuited. “I- Stay? Like- the night?” Gillion nodded, moving so that he was lying down, pulling the cover over himself. “Won’t that be- I mean, wouldn’t people think…?” 

Gillion chuckled. “People already think that, do they not?” He had a point. “I won't force it, but if you wish, you are welcome to my chambers anytime, Chip.” 

Chip watched Gillion as he turned over, seeming to relax in his presence… the thought of The Prince relaxing in his presence really sent Chip for a spiral, but he wasn’t about to think about that too hard… the idea of going back to bed after that nightmare kinda sounded like the worst thing in the world right now anyway, so..

“Okay,” he said softly, pulling his blanket off his shoulders to lay it across himself as he scooted down. Part of him wondered if it was some kind of treason to have his filthy Servant blanket on Gillion’s bed… another part of him wondered if it was wrong of him to use Gillion’s blankets as well… neither part tried to think too hard about it. “Thanks… Gill.” 

Chip could almost feel Gillion’s smile from the other side of the bed. “You are welcome, Chip,” Gillion said, speaking in a very soft tone. “Rest Now.” 

And for the first time in a long time, Chip let himself do just that.

Chapter Text

Chip really tried not to make a habit out of the nighttime visits. 

After waking up next to Gillion that next morning, He’d definitely sworn that he couldn’t make it a habit. Gillion said he was welcome anytime, but Chip couldn’t get it out of his head that he was intruding. It was embarrassing to feel that way, so he swore to himself… only if he really has to, only if his nightmare gets really bad. 

Chip lasted all but 3 days before he found himself at Gillion’s door again. 

And then another 3…

And by two weeks later, he was in Gillion’s room every night. 

And maybe he should have felt weird about it. Maybe he should have thought a little harder about how this whole charade could definitely be over by now, and that he was really coming up here for no reason. But it had become comfortable, even enjoyable. Seeing Gillion during the day, making their public appearances, and then hanging out and getting to be genuine together at night…

Chip didn’t want to think too hard about all the bad parts of this. How it could end any moment now. 

Chip learned very quickly how Gillion seemed so tired because he was; he couldn’t sleep. Gillion was always kept up by everything, so Chip had made it his personal mission to be his best distraction until he fell asleep. 

And it worked. Chip saw in the mornings that Gillion looked just a little more rested, a little happier, maybe, and the thought that he did that definitely didn’t stir something in Chip. 

Chip really did try his best not to think about the whole arrangement during the day, when he was working. Cleaning around the castle, Chip was not the same Chip who laughed with the Prince in his bed at midnight. 

Today, he wasn’t able to keep himself from thinking about it, though. He’d been trying really hard to, obviously, but every time he saw a flash of Gillion’s blue hair, or a shadow of the man, Chip found himself leaning towards that, hoping for a little more…

What really caught his attention was Gillion’s voice, though. 

He Really hadn’t been looking for it, he’d just been cleaning up some trash in the courtyard when he heard his name… spoken by Gillion.

“What about Chip and I?” Gillion was saying. Chip froze. 

Chip realized it definitely looked suspicious where he was, crouching behind a hedge; he really just had been chasing some trash from when one of the other servants had the audacity to litter, but- 

Now that he was here…

Edyn’s voice was the one who responded to Gillion. 

“Don’t play dumb with me, Gillion,” Edyn said, her soft spoken voice practically poking Gillion. “I want to know about this little ruse you two have got going on.” 

She knew? 

“You are aware of that?” Gillion asked. 

Edyn chuckled. “My little brother doesn’t just begin courting someone without me noticing, and I might have left it alone if he hadn’t been sneaking into your room every night.” Chip winced, he thought he’d been going there way past when anyone else was awake. “Why did you lie for someone like him?” 

Chip knew this answer. Gillion had told him many times, but that didn’t mean Chip didn’t hold his breath. Gillion seemed to as well. 

“He deserved it,” Gillion said softly. 

“Deserved the lie?” 

Gillion chuckled. “No- Well, partially but… He deserved the truth.” Gillion corrected. “He was blamed for something he clearly did not do, so I saved him, and it came with the added benefit of stalling mother’s insistence on relationships for me.” 

Right. Chip knew that. Why did he freak out? 

“And then why have you let this go on so long?” Edyn asked. “The gifts, spending time together, the midnight room visits and letting him stay?” 

Gillion didn’t answer right away. 

Chip felt like he was going to explode. He had been wondering that too. 

“I do not want it to end.” Gillion ended up saying, simply. “Is that not enough?” 

Chip could practically hear Edyn’s grin. And his heart pounding. Chip placed his hand over his mouth, trying to keep himself from squeaking or something because this was doing something to him he didn’t want to name. 

“You like him!” Edyn said, basically squealing. 

Gillion took a moment before he responded. “I suppose so.” Chip was going to have a heart attack, and it was going to be caused by Prince Gillion Tidestrider. “It is a confusing feeling, if I am honest. He listens to me as if I were just a normal person instead of a prince. He… makes me feel safe. And Understood… and I want him to keep returning.” 

Chip was going to puke, actually. Not because he didn’t want to hear those words but… but he suddenly felt so overwhelmed. 

“Perhaps it is selfish of me to want that.” Gillion continued, cautiously, as if he was speaking a secret he wasn’t allowed to have. 

Edyn giggled, a sound that might have had Chip giggling in turn a few weeks ago, but now… it didn’t have the same lift to it after all this time with Gillion. “You should talk to him.” 

“No.” Gillion said, all too fast for Chip’s liking. “He already seems startled by all of this… I do not wish to push him away.” 

Is that what Gillion really thought? 

All of this was making his head spin. 

“Well…” Edyn began. “I’m not going to let you put this off forever, okay?” 

Gillion didn’t seem too pleased, but responded. “Okay.” 

And Chip? 

Chip was trying not to hyperventilate; he didn’t want to royal siblings to know he was here. 

Prince Gillion Tidestrider liked him, at least in some kind of way. And maybe Chip should feel comforted by this idea, he wanted to feel comforted by this idea, lean into this and give himself to Gillion wholeheartedly…

But Chip was terrified.

Chapter Text

Of course, like always, the solution to Chip’s problems was avoiding them. 

Or at least that’s what Chip did. 

Maybe it wasn’t the solution but it did make him feel better. At least for a little bit. 

He, of course, did his best not to make this obvious to Gillion, because Gillion didn’t know he heard him and Edyn talking. And he wasn’t about to admit that to him either. 

Look, anyone else might have been thrilled if the Prince was into them, hell, just a few months ago Chip would have been thrilled if Edyn had been into him but… the more Chip thought about all of this, he realized even that wasn’t true. 

Chip knew he couldn’t be the person thrown into royal duties and being dressed in fancy clothes… Chip was a thief, built for the streets. He wasn’t built for a royal life. He hadn’t been since he was nine. 

So… that was why he was freaking out about this. 

And maybe Chip would have slowly continued to pull away, nerfing his chances at any happiness because he was freaking out about royal responsibilities of being a proper royal suitor…

If it wasn’t for Jay. 

“Sup loser.” 

“JESUS fffUCK Jay!” 

Chip had NOT been sulking… except for the fact that maybe yes, he was. And Jay was the most observant person Chip had ever met. 

Jay was a princess in her own right. Though she had never been a Royal who confined herself to sipping tea with nobles and bowing curtseys to kings. No, Jay made friends with the servants in every kingdom she visited. She was there for the poor and the hurt. It was what made her the people’s princess. 

Although Chip had been working in Gillion’s castle for years, Jay visited often, and how she treated everyone had made her one of Chip’s closest friends in a short amount of time. To Jay, it didn’t matter who you were or your status, if she liked hanging around you, she would. 

It was nice that Jay liked hanging around Chip. 

“How did you even find me out here?” Chip asked. He was sitting on the outskirts of the garden, the part that had a little wall drop that most people avoided, cause it could get dangerous, and no one wanted to figure out how to fix that problem yet. It was Chip’s alone spot. 

Jay grinned, swinging her legs over the wall and sitting very comfortably on it. “'Cause I have a sixth sense for Chibo’s.” She joked, nudging him with her shoe. She was wearing a dress, but her secret rebellion was always her boots she wore under it. “What’s wrong?” 

Chip huffed. Jay had always been good about how Chip was feeling. He hated it. “Nothing.” 

“Liar.” 

“Why are you even here this time?” Chip asked, instead of answering her question. 

Jay rolled her eyes. “Diplomatic shit for my dad, obviously.” She said, leaning back on her hands. “Why else would I come to the most boring kingdom on the seven seas?” 

Chip laughed. She had a point. He felt like nothing ever happened here sometimes… and then other times everything was happening here. 

Jay stared at him for a moment. “Seriously, what’s wrong?” She asked again. 

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Chip responded, pulling his kees up to his chest. This was the last thing he needed to tell Jay about. At least… “Not right now… okay?” 

Jay sighed, pushing herself off the wall and standing in front of him. “Fine.” She said, crossing her arms. “But you are going to meet me back here at 4:00, and we’re going to talk about it. And you can’t get out if it because I will find you and I will make you spill, okay?” 

Chip looked up at her, and he could tell she meant it. He hated having such a good friend like her… but he loved it too. “Fine.” 

Jay smiled. “Good.” 

Chip realized as soon as he walked back inside the castle, he should have told her already, because he realized that the whole day of watching Jay and Gillion talk like Royalty and spend the day together hurt.

Look… He shouldn’t be jealous of Jay. She and Gillion are friends. Hell, Chip himself is friends with Jay. She is the last person who would want Gillion. Jay was too overrun with her research into her sister’s death to think about romance.

But knowing that Gillion’s parents had tried really hard to set them up a few years ago didn’t make it easier not to be jealous. Watching Gillion smile and laugh with Jay as if he wasn’t right there hurt too.  Watching Jay place her arm around Gillion’s and smile for pictures made him want to hurl something at one of them… he wasn’t sure which one. 

The whole thing was fuckign ridiculous though, because Chip was the one trying to pull away from Gillion. He had no claim to the prince in any regard and should keep it that way. So why the fuck was this traitorous feeling reeling its way into Chip’s head and heart? 

So, when 4:00 came, Chip reluctantly pulled himself to his little corner of the garden, where Jay was, and sat next to her. 

“So, you gonna tell me why you’ve been moping?” She asked as soon as he sat down. “Or why you’ve been glaring at me and Gillion all day?” 

Chip sighed. “I just… Gillion and I are trying to figure things out.” Is what he ended up saying. He’d really wanted to spill his guts out to her but, the words didn’t feel right. 

Jay hummed, leaning back like she had before. “How long have you been hopelessly in love with him?” 

Chip’s brain short-circuited. “I- what? No-” 

“Chip,” Jay said, in the way that only Jay could, to calm Chip down with just his name. “You can talk to me, y’know. I wouldn’t have gone out of my way for this if you couldn’t.” 

Chip grabbed at the fabric of his pants, trying to ground himself. Then, he just blurted it all out: “Gillion and I have been doing this like- fake courting thing basically because he saved me from getting in trouble, and he doesn’t want to get married except now I’m pretty sure we both like each other, cause I heard him talking to Edyn and he pretty much basically said that and I don’t think I can handle it so I was gonna just like stop interacting with him unless I had to because it would save us both the trouble, but then you showed up today and now i’m realizing how much I absolutely do not want to do that.” 

He’d said it fast, he wasn’t even sure if he’d stopped to breathe or if Jay caught all of it. 

But either way, Jay gave him a soft smile.”And that scares you?” She asked. 

Chip nodded. 

“Well, I’m sorry if I caused some kind of jealousy spiral, but I hope you know I would literally never want Gillion like that.” She tried her best to reassure him. 

“No, I know… I’m just mad at myself.” 

“Chip.” Jay continued. “You should talk to him.”

Chip’s eyes basically shot up to meet hers. “No. Absolutely not. I feel like I’ve already ruined this.” 

“You haven’t.”

“I can’t just go up to him and say ‘Sorry for basically ghosting you, please don’t court anyone else!’ especially when I’m not even sure if I can do this!” He said, waving his arms around. He always used his hands when he talked. “I can’t… I’m not meant for your royal, prim, and proper life. I’m a servant who chases trash in the gardens and cleans up shit that gets me in trouble for some reason. I’m not built for being paraded around in fancy clothes.” 

Jay stared at him for a moment, that cold, calculating stare that anyone else might have thought Jay was going to murder him… but she wasn’t. Chip knew that look. She was studying him, watching his reactions, and figuring out how he would react to what she wanted to say. She was always five steps ahead of Chip. 

“Chip… you think I don’t know about Arlin?” 

Chip froze. Chip had told very few people about Arlin, but he never spoke about him by name, and only ever spoke about him in a vague way… not… not in a way people would know what really happened. 

“I- What? How- How do you know?” Chip asked. Mostly, he wanted to know what she knew. He knew he had never told her. 

“You think my dad didn’t have connections to every kingdom in the seven seas?” She said, a chuckle escaping her. Gillion’s kingdom was always kinda an isolated one, only reaching out to other kingdoms when they reached out first. It was why Chip had chosen to stay here. “Your dad was a legendary king, Chip. Of Course I know.” 

She knew everything. Of course she did. 

“It doesn’t really count, though, does it?” He asked. “I mean- I was adopted. And His whole court, Everyone died in that storm… There is no kingdom for me anymore. Arlin dying in that storm was just the universe telling me I wasn’t meant to be royalty. This can’t be any different.” 

Maybe that was why the nightmares started up again once Gillion and him had started this… because the universe was telling him that he wasn’t meant to be royalty, and if he continued this with Gillion, he would only end up hurting him. 

Jay stared at him for a moment, then sighed. “You know what your biggest flaw is, Chip?” Chip gave her a look. “It’s that you are SO self-destructive. You think everything is your fault!” 

“It is.” 

“No.” Jay insisted. “It’s not… Have you ever stopped to consider that the universe handed you Gillion, maybe… to apologize for Arlin?” 

It was a stupidly optimistic thought. Really, Chip should have just thrown it out the window immediately because in his experience, the universe doesn’t apologize for anything or give Chip anything good. 

But somehow… it brought him comfort. 

Jay put a hand on Chip’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “You are allowed good things, Chip. You are allowed to love and be loved without thinking about the consequences.” 

And Chip really did want to believe her. 

He wouldn’t be able to talk to Gillion today. No, not at all. Maybe not even tomorrow… but he would get there. He would get there before fate took him away. 

Either that, or he would do something incredibly stupid.

Chapter Text

Between the options of “handle this in a mature way” and “Do something stupid about it”, Chip was ALWAYS going to pick to do something stupid about it. It was in his nature. 

Really, that hadn’t been the intent originally. After like a day of moping and thinking about it, Chip had initially decided he was going to talk to Gillion about it all and clear it up. 

But the nerves got the better of him. 

And he found himself in the garden again, hiding away in a different part so that Jay hopefully couldn’t find him. 

He was just… having a hard time letting himself want something, and he needed to psyche himself up. 

And that was when Amanda found him. 

Chip had talked to the girl a few times. She took care of the orange trees in the garden. Oranges didn’t grow naturally here, so she worked almost all around the clock to make sure they were okay. Chip admired her hard work, really. 

She hadn’t demanded to know what was wrong like Jay had; she had just offered him a walk and laughed at his jokes. 

Chip really hadn’t intended for it to seem like he was flirting. He wasn’t. 

But then… he saw Gillion. 

And the look Gillion was giving Amanda made Chip’s heart pound. 

Look, yes. Jay and Gillion together had made Chip a little jealous, but he knew realistically that Jay and Gillion would never get together. At least not in this universe. He wasn’t super mad about it, just a little frustrated. 

But Gillion didn’t know that Chip wasn’t flirting with Amanda. 

And for some FUCKING reason… Chip liked the feeling. 

Some Masochistic part of his brain liked the challenge, like the risk that came with making Prince Gillion Tidestrider jealous. It was a dangerous game. And Chip knew the fallout of this stunt would be disastrous if he didn’t play it right

But Chip was fucking stupid. 

So he leaned into her a little more, touched her arm, and smiled at her. It felt wrong, but every time he caught a glimpse of Gillion and how his jaw tightened when Chip said something to her, it set a blaze through him. 

It also made him wonder if Gillion cared. 

Sure, he saw the signs of Jealousy, saw Gillion looking at them a little too long, but maybe Chip was imagining things. Maybe… Maybe Gillion didn’t care all that much, actually. Maybe Chip had heard wrong somehow, and maybe this ruse was exactly what he thought it was… a ruse. 

Just as that thought was starting to slip up into Chip’s brain and make him feel all sorts of ways again (mostly, wanting to puke.) He found himself departing from Amanda. 

“Thank you so much for today, Chip.” She was saying. “I hope you feel better.” 

Chip was trying to play it off. “Oh, yeah, no, I’ll be fine.” he said, flashing her a grin. Signature. Charismatic. “Don’t worry about me.” He said, pulling away from her to give a wave. 

She smiled and waved back and turned to return to the Garden. 

Chip watched for a moment as she walked away, trying to figure it all out in his head. Maybe… Maybe if Gillion didn’t want this anymore, he could talk to Amanda more… maybe this kind of thing would be merciful. An easier life. He wouldn’t have to think too hard about his place in the world or if he was ‘meant for this’. He could just… be. 

Chip didn’t get the satisfaction of thinking much more about this because suddenly, he felt a wall behind him. 

“Chip.” it was Gillion, staring down at him like he’d just killed his grandma. 

Chip was in for it now-

“Gillion!” He said, turning around to face him, a nervous laugh escaping him. He had hoped this interaction was going to come. He had prepped for it, mentally, but he hadn’t prepped for Gillion to be staring at him LIKE THAT. “Heeeeey! Buddy!” 

Gillion was unwavering. He stood like a statue, and Chip could already feel the heat rising up his neck. 

“Explain,” Gillion said, crossing his arms. 

Play it cool, Chip. You can do this. 

“Wh- I- Ex- Explain what?”

Smooth. 

Gillion didn’t falter. “The girl. The one with the… trees.” 

The way Gillion spoke definitely didn’t make Chip feel something… whaaaat? The disdain in his voice, how protective he sounded, it was… well it shook Chip a little bit, honestly. In a good way. 

“Amanda? Oh, she’s great, y’know we were just talking!” Chip tried his best to play it off, taking a step back from Gillion and flashing him a grin. “I’m still allowed to talk to whoever I want to, Right?” 

Chip didn’t have time to react before he felt Gillion’s arms wrapped around him, partly as if protecting him from forces he couldn’t see, and partly as if he was threatening him… Chip couldn’t decide which one he liked more. 

“Not when you are spoken for,” Gillion whispered, and the spike that cut through Chip’s heart must have been Gillion’s sword because how else would simple words be doing this to Chip? 

Chip wanted to say something clever back, but all he could manage was “hhh- huh? Wha- uh f- what do- huh? haa?” 

Gillion’s grip didn’t let up, and neither did the look on his face. “As far as I’m concerned, Chip…” The way Gillion said his name sent shivers down his spine, and DEFINITELY didn’t give him something to think about later when he was alone…”You are Mine.” That did, though. 

Chip could have sworn he forgot how to breathe. 

“oh.” Chip said quietly. His face must be a hundred different shades of red. And the only way Chip knew how to deal with all these stupid emotions was well… to get defensive. So, he pulled himself away, trying his best to laugh it off. “Wh-what, you’re worried your fake boyfriend got a little too friendly-” 

“You were trying to provoke me, yes?” Gillion asked out bluntly. Chip didn’t try to correct him. “Well, it worked. Do not dare tempt me again, Chip.” 

Despite how much Chip should absolutely not be feeling emotions about this, he absolutely was. And part of him wanted to see this side of Gillion more often. It was almost scary, definitely possessive, and Chip didn’t even dare to point out that this was temporary or fake because this… this was Gillion really showing him that it couldn’t be fake. 

He also wasn’t sure how much more of this he could take without exploding. 

So, in his best attempt to disengage and get out of there, he just gave a grin. “Well... maybe next time don’t give me that face.” He said, backing up away from Gillion. He was trying to play it cool but he was dying inside. 

Gillion seemed… calmer, now, but still as stoic as ever. “Do not test my restraint.” 

Chip almost tripped. “No promises.” 

Chip really wasn’t trying his best to get out of there as fast as possible… but his body certainly was. 

He needed a place to get his hormones to chill.

Chapter Text

After finding some time to himself and getting himself to calm the fuck down, Chip realized how stupid the whole thing was. How the rational part of his brain couldn’t just take charge and do the right thing, could it? 

Apparently not. 

And now, he was just frustrated with himself. 

Which maybe was why he was scrubbing this table as hard as he was, trying to make his hands raw just so he could punish himself for doing something like that. 

Gillion, who, yes, sure, Chip used to think was arrogant and ignorant and stuck up in all the wrong places, was now Chip’s favorite person. Gillion was kind, caring for all the creatures under his care. He worked so tirelessly to do what was expected of him and even more so. Gillion, who has comforted a crying Chip back to sleep more times now than he can count, was hurt because of Chip. 

Chip knew he had hurt him, thinking back on it, Chip’s aroused brain had only thought of one thing in that situation. Looking back on it Chip had missed the hurt in Gillion’s eyes. He had only been thinking about his body pressed up against his and not-

“If you keep scrubbing like that, i think you’re going to damage the wood.” Jay’s voice popped out of basically nowhere. 

She was standing in the doorway, watching Chip as he scrubbed that meeting table like his life depended on it. Chip huffed. “I was hoping for my hands…” he muttered, standing up straight and dropping the rag on the table. 

Jay sighed, walking into the room. “Gillion told me what you did.” 

“Oh, did he now?” 

“Yeah. That was fucking stupid.” Jay didn’t even try to soften the blow. Chip shot her a glare before pulling out one of the chairs and sitting down. He didn’t care that this was for some prissy Royal to sit in because he was sitting here now. 

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Chip said, resting his elbows on his knees. 

Jay gave him a look before pulling out the chair across from him and sitting down. “You emotionally poked and prodded the prince of an entire country just to get a reaction out of him,” she pointed out, looking him dead in the eyes. 

“Yeah, I fucking know, Jay. I feel awful about it,” Chip shot back, already on the verge of yelling at someone before she came in here. “I get it. I need to apologize to both Gillion and Amanda, I just… I don’t know how.” 

Chip looked down at the ground, really not wanting to meet Jay’s eyes right now. Now that Jay was coming to him about this? It made him feel even more like shit. Jay didn’t usually get involved in shit like this and now…? 

Jay just sighed, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs. “A ‘Sorry’ might be a good start.” 

“Well, fuckin’ duh, Jay!” Chip snapped his head up to look at her, and the regret hit him instantly. Thankfully, Jay was used to Chip’s outburst and gave him a little kick. Chip took a deep breath. “I just…” 

Jay raised her eyebrows at him. “Chip…?”

“I liked it,” he admitted. “I liked how… how possessive he was about me. He called me His and looked at me like I meant something. Like, I’m not just some annoying servant that got tangled into his mess! And it makes me feel like shit that I liked it because I- it means I liked hurting him! And I don’t want to do that!” 

Jay was silent for a moment, staring at him, probably in horror. But then, a smile crept up onto her face, and she began laughing. Like really laughing. “Oh my GOD Chip!” 

Chip felt his face heat up, and he sat up in his seat, hoping that maybe if he got father away from her, she wouldn’t notice. “Wh-what!?” 

Jay leaned back in her chair, trying to calm down her giggling, but it absolutely wasn’t working. “You liked that shit? Do I need to get you a fainting couch, Mr.Drama?” Chip didn’t know whether to be offended or to laugh with her for her jokes.”I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I really don’t mean to laugh, but just hearing that Gillion basically branded you! And you like it!? It’s too funny!” 

Chip blinked. “He- he did NOT-” Chip felt the heat rising to his cheeks. He covered his face. Gillion absolutely did brand him. And Chip absolutely liked it. “Augh! What is wrong with me!?” 

Jay continued to laugh. “Everything! Everything is wrong with you! You’re fucking insane! I want this painted and hung in my castle!” 

“Jay!” Chip huffed. 

Jay finally, after a minute of laughing, got herself to calm down. “But that’s why he loves you, Chip,” she said, a little softer than she had before. “He loves how insane you are, and you gotta stop letting your self-destructive mannerisms tear you down.” 

Chip took a deep breath. It felt better, honestly, when Jay could laugh at him like that. A little mortifying, but it grounded him. “I know.” He said softly. “I just… I’m scared.” 

“...Of what?” 

Chip hadn’t expected to have to elaborate, but the answer came easier than he expected it to. “Of being wanted like that… Cause… Then what happens if I let myself start wanting that?” 

Jay scoffed, a playful, laughing sort of scoff. Not one meant to antagonize him. “You already do, Chip. You’re allowed to want things.” 

Chip wanted to shut it down. Say that he wasn’t. But they’d kinda already had this conversation before and… he couldn’t make her say it again. Plus… it was starting to sink in that she was kinda right. 

Jay stood up, stretching for a moment. “Well, I’m leaving this afternoon so, I’m not gonna be around to mom you into doing this, Chip” 

“Hey-” 

“I’m just saying.” She cut him off before he could get too offended. “You better go apologize to them. Have your emotional crisis after that, okay?” 

Chip sighed. “Yeah… okay.” 

Jay smiled before turning on her heel to walk out the door. She didn’t bother to do a formal goodbye. She didn’t need to. They both knew she would be back as soon as humanly possible. It never bothered Chip before, and he wasn’t about to start now. 

He waited until the next day to go find Amanda. (screw him, he procrastinated.) 

She was, of course, by the Orange trees, picking off any weeds and unnecessary branches to help them grow stronger. Chip didn’t understand any of that shit, nor did he want to. 

“Hey, Amanda,” Chip said, leaning on one of the nearby trees. 

Amanda looked up from where she was crouched by the base of a tree. “Chip!” She smiled brightly. “What’s up? Are you alright?” 

Chip cleared his throat. “Yeah… I uh-” Just get straight to the point, Chip. “I just wanted to apologize for Yesterday.” 

Amanda stood up, dusting off her hands and tilting her head as she looked at Chip. She was rather cute, and part of Chip definitely thought he would come back to her if Gillion hated his guts forever. 

But that wasn’t going to happen… Chip had to tell himself that. 

“I was using you… to make Gillion jealous. I- I didn’t mean to at first, but then I did and…” Chip trailed off, trying to find the best words to say what he wanted to. “You’re really awesome, and I know it wouldn’t have made a difference to you if I apologized or not, but I think you deserve it.” 

Amanda let out a breath, and then, gave a soft smile. “Oh, that’s it?” She asked. “Sorry, I just- I knew. I mean- It’s kinda hard not to know you’re being courted by The Prince.” 

Chip couldn’t tell if that made him feel better or worse. He didn't want to think about it too hard. 

“You’re right, it really wouldn’t have made a difference if you apologized or not but… I’m glad you did. It proves to me that you’re gonna be a good Prince.” That sentence really threw Chip for a loop, but he tried not to show it. 

Remembering that if he and Gillion decided together to really pursue this, that Chip would technically be a Prince (again) shook Chip to his core every time he thought about it. It sent him back into that mindset of I don’t deserve this and I’m not meant for this at least a little bit. The difference, though, was that Chip was able to pull himself out of it this time. He took a breath and tried to remember what Jay said, that maybe… he did deserve it. That he was allowed to want things. 

“Thanks,” Chip said simply. “You’re not mad?” 

Amanda shook her head. “No. I’m not.” With that, she turned around, intending to go back to her tree, but she paused, turning back to him. “Just promise me that we can still be friends? And that… when you get up there, you’ll think about us little guys?” 

Chip couldn’t help but grin. “Of course. I’ll always be thinking about the little guys.” 

So, now he just had to tackle apologizing to Gillion. 

Chip spent the rest of the day pacing and monologuing to himself as he did his chores, trying to figure out exactly what he was going to say to Gillion. Hoping that maybe he would just run into him and all the words would spill out of his mouth and this whole thing would be over. 

But alas, come midnight, none of those things had happened, and Chip couldn’t put it off any longer. He had to go apologize to Gillion. 

So, carefully, Chip walked up to Gillion’s bedroom door, and gently knocked. 

It didn’t take long for the door to open. 

There stood Gillion, exactly like he was every other night. Looking tired, with his hair down. Though this time he was wearing a robe. He looked as stoic as he had the other day when they had last talked. Something twisted in Chip’s gut, but he refused to let it move him. 

“Chip.” Gillion spoke. 

Well, here goes nothing. “Heyyy.” Chip offered weakly. “I um- I came to apologize, A-and talk if you want to?” 

Gillion sat silent for a moment, studying Chip’s face. After a moment, he assumes Gillion wanted him to continue, but of course, just as he opened his mouth to do so, Gillion stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him. “Come with me.” 

“I- Wuh- Where are we going?” he asked, though not daring to disobey and just following behind Gillion. 

Gillion didn’t turn to face him. “Do you trust me?” 

Chip trusted Gillion with his life at this point. He would let Gillion take him to the ends of the earth. He would let Gillion lead him blind through a hole. “Yes, of course.” 

Gillion paused his steps to look back at Chip, only momentarily, as he said, “Then, come with me,” before he continued walking. Chip didn’t have to be told twice. 

A million thoughts came and went through Chip’s head as Gillion led him through the castle. Sure, Chip knew every nook and cranny of this Castle, but that didn’t mean he knew where Gillion was leading him. Gillion could be leading him to execution for all he knew. Chip would accept it if that’s what Gillion wanted. 

But eventually, Gillion came to a stop at two double doors and opened them to reveal one of the many ballrooms in the castle. It was one that hadn’t been used in years. It was smaller than the others and, therefore, was only used sparingly. Chip had only been in here a couple of times. 

Even still, with how small the ballroom was in comparison to the others, it was beautiful. Moonlight came in through the arched windows, shining on all the gold in the room and just making it light up despite it being dark in here. Although the other ballrooms were bigger, this one was the prettiest. 

“What are we doing in here?” Chip asked cautiously. The idea that maybe Gillion wanted to execute him was still just a little bit on his mind. 

Gillion turned to face Chip, pulling his robe up to tie it out of his way, then, he held out a hand to Chip. “I’d like to dance with you.”

Chip’s brain buffered. “I- what? I-” 

“You said you wanted to apologize. I wish to make a gesture. I am killing two birds with one stone here.” Gillion said simply, not daring to move his outstretched hand from Chip’s reach. 

Part of Chip wanted to argue that there was no music, no lights, and the fact that Chip didn’t even know how to dance but… Chip couldn’t say no to the look on Gillion’s face. So, he stepped forward and took Gillion’s hand. 

“You’ve been doing great with the metaphors lately.” Chip decided to say, instead of any of the other possible things he could have said. He didn’t want to argue with Gillion. Not tonight. 

“Thank you.” 

Gillion took a firm grasp of Chip’s hand, guiding his other one to his own shoulder, before placing his hand on Chip’s waist. Chip almost wanted to make a comment about how Gillion was making him the girl, but it’s not like Chip knew much about this anyway, and he was pretty sure this was the only way Gillion had learned how to dance. It didn’t make much of a difference if he was in the ‘boy role’ or not. 

Chip took a deep breath, giving Gillion time to sway him and get them into the rhythm of this before he said anything. He was following Gillion’s lead. “I’m sorry.” Chip finally said when he felt like he’d steadied himself into this moment. “For trying to make you jealous… for… hurting you.” He said softly. 

Gillion looked down at him. Sometimes, it baffled him that Gillion was taller than him because sometimes it felt like in some other universe their roles were switched. “Apology accepted,” Gillion said, with a soft smile. 

Chip could have left it at that… but he didn’t. “I’m not done.” He said, in almost a whisper. “I just… If I’m honest… I wondered if you cared.” 

Gillion’s expression softened, his thumb rubbing circles into Chip’s waist. “Of course I care.” 

“I know,” Chip responded, quicker, louder this time. “But I heard you and Edyn talking and… it freaked me out. I wasn’t ready to know that stuff yet, and I did… And it scared me because I couldn’t handle being wanted like that… And then I convinced myself that maybe you didn’t mean it and you didn’t actually care and then Jay came here and-” 

“You heard Edyn and I?” Gillion asked, grounding Chip a little more from the spiral he was heading towards. 

Chip took a deep breath. “Yeah… I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but… I kinda did.” Chip responded. “I’m sorry about that, too.” 

Gillion let out a breath. “I feel I should be apologizing then… I knew you were there.” 

Chip blinked. “I- You did?” 

“If you must recall, I am very perceptive.” Right. Gillion had talked about that before. The whole thing with the footsteps. It makes sense that it wouldn’t just be when he’s in his bedroom. “I hadn’t meant to freak you out. I’m sorry.” 

To be honest, that information made Chip feel a lot better. Chip a couple days ago might have freaked out about that information, but today Chip was just happy to know that he wasn’t alone in this. That they were a little mutually at fault, even if it was mostly Chip’s fault. 

“Does it still bother you?” Chip asked, after a moment. “Me trying to make you jealous?” 

Gillion thought on it for a moment before responding. “A little, yes… but I better understand why, now.” 

“Well… you wanna know the really messed up part?” Chip asked. Gillion tilted his head, signaling Chip to continue. “I really liked it… How… possessive you got. I was focused on only that part for like… a day before I started feeling bad about it. Which… feels shitty on its own.” 

“I do not think it is.” Gillion said, quicker than Chip had expected. “But Chip, if you desire me to be more possessive… I can be anytime.” 

Chip shuddered. “Gill…” 

“It would not be false.” Gillion continued, lowering his voice in a way that Chip felt like was meant only for him… no. That Chip knew was only meant for him. “You are mine, and I do not take what is mine lightly.” 

Chip could feel his body betraying him again. Hormones running wild, and maybe before, Chip would have taken this as his sign to run away, and be on his own, but for once, under the moonlight, with the one person in this damn place Chip had really made a connection with… 

Chip stayed.

Chapter Text

Ending up back in Gillion’s bed after dancing with him for what felt like hours was absolute heaven to Chip. 

For once, Chip let himself be close to Gillion. He let Gillion wrap his arms around him and hold him to his chest. Despite Chip’s hormones going wild, there was no urgency or hunger behind it, just two people lying together, figuring out what this all means. Chip simply let himself be present with Gillion, without worrying about anything else. 

Gillion’s arms were warm, he knew that much, but actually letting himself press up against Gillion and take in his scent and warmth really made Chip feel all the feelings he was already feeling but like… times ten. 

For once, Chip almost felt entirely thoughtless. Like nothing else mattered but him and Gillion. 

Almost, of course. There was one thought nagging at his brain, begging to be spilled out. 

“Hey, Gillion?” Gillion hummed underneath him. “Can I tell you something super personal?” 

Chip looked up at Gillion, who looked very content with his eyes closed, but opened one of them to look at Chip anyway, despite how comfortable he looked. “Of Course.” 

Despite Gillion saying that, Chip was still having trouble trying to get the words out. He wasn’t sure how he wanted to tell Gillion he just knew he wanted to tell him. So, in hopes of getting himself to say it a little faster, Chip sat up to look at Gillion properly. 

“I… Remember when I told you about my dad?” Chip asked,  looking down at Gillion now. Gillion properly opened both of his eyes, giving a nod. He was listening intently to Chip now. He always listened intently… like Chip was the only thing in the world. 

Chip loved how Gillion looked at him like that, how he always took him seriously. He had learned over the last two months that Chip could be saying the silliest thing, and Gillion would treat him seriously. It made Chip feel important. 

Chip took a deep breath. “He was… his name was Arlin.” Gillion sat up, wrapping an arm around Chip. It made him feel a little better, for sure. “He wasn’t just a fisherman or… anything He was… Royalty. “

Chip only glanced at Gillion for a moment. He could see the recognition on Gillion’s face, but Gillion didn’t press. He didn’t judge, he just listened, genuinely, silently. Chip really appreciated him for that. 

“He… He adopted me when I was like… 5, I think. And then, when I was 9… that storm took him and his whole court away… Everyone…” Chip could feel Gillion give his shoulder a squeeze. “I never told you cause I… I didn’t want you to think differently of me. Y’know I- I might have had some good years with him, but… I didn’t really grow up with him. I’m not really a Prince… not like you.” 

Gillion is quiet for a moment, simply holding Chip. Chip isn’t sure what to think for a moment. He doesn’t know what Gillion is gonna say, and that scares the hell out of him, but… then, Gillion speaks up. “I do not think differently of you,” he says, simply. It gives Chip the chance to let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in. “You mattered to me before this knowledge, and you continue to matter to me after it.” 

Chip kinda wants to cry, but instead, he leans into Gillion, letting Gillion envelop him in his arms. Gillion has been nothing but kind to him, really. 

“Although,” Gillion speaks up, gaining Chip’s attention. “It does not matter to me that fact may make it easier for my parents to accept you… which is… important, to me.” 

Chip almost wants to laugh. Of course, Gillion was being practical about it. But then it hit him… Gillion was thinking about the future, their future, and Chip felt all the emotions building up in his mind, how much he wanted Gillion. 

And Chip, looking up at Gillion, knew he never wanted this feeling to end. His brain must have left the building because before Chip could think too much more about it, his lips were touching Gillion’s. 

It lasted only for a moment before Chip pulled away, his heart rate much faster than probably humanly possible. He couldn’t tell if that was stupid or not. 

Chip apologized anyway, “Shit- Sorry- I I didn’t think about that i-” 

Chip barely has time to say anything more before he feels Gillion’s hand on the back of his head, curling his fingers in his hair as he kisses him again. It’s confident, and soft, and full of love. Chip lets himself relax in Gillion’s embrace. 

When Gillion pulls away, Chip isn’t thinking; he is staring at Gillion, like he is the only thing in the world. To Chip, he is the only thing in the world. Gillion is smiling at him, and Chip has never felt more at home. Gillion makes him not want to question his own decisions, which… is fucking crazy. 

After a moment, Chip finds his words. “Was this ever… were you ever pretending?” he asks, softly. He’s almost scared of the answer. He knows this is real to him now. 

Gillion hums. “I have not been pretending for some time now,” he admitted. “Since you asked me if courting felt wrong with you… I said it did not, and I meant it. I have been treating this as real since then.” 

Chip blinked. “I- really?” 

“Yes,” Gillion responded, so certainly. “I have been courting you, truly.”

It made sense. He knew Gillion loved him; he knew that now, but hearing that, hearing how long Gillion had been truly courting him, it made him realize how permanent this was for them. It may have started foolishly, but Chip wanted to follow his heart. He wanted Gillion. 

“I don’t want this to end,” Chip says, softly, cautiously. And he knows he’s saying it for really no reason… because he knows Gillion loves him. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“Neither do I.” Gillion responded. 

Gillion, this amazing Prince with a heart of gold, was choosing Chip, not because he was a Prince, but because he just liked Chip. 

And Chip was choosing Gillion, not because he was a Prince, but because he just liked Gillion.

Chapter Text

Chip reveled in the week after him and Gillion had their first kiss. It opened a whole new world to him he didn’t even know was possible. 

Yes, Chip was still a servant, still doing his daily work, mopping floors, doing laundry, cleaning dishes, doing whatever was asked of him, really. But now, anytime he happened to see Gillion, the Prince would walk over to him, kiss him, ask him about his day, maybe spend a few minutes talking to him before Chip really had to get back to work. 

Chip was floating, really. 

And Gillion? Gillion showed he cared in more ways than just that 

This particular day, Chip was eating his lunch, sitting next to Gillion. Gillion had sat them at a window that faced the sea. Despite that sea being the center of Chip’s nightmares, it was also one of the things Chip loved. 

“Chip.” Gillion spoke up, getting his attention. “If you are comfortable with it, will you tell me more about your father?” He asked, looking over at him. 

Chip looked up, meeting Gillion’s eyes, sandwich halfway to his mouth. “About Arlin?” He asked, setting his sandwich down. He took a deep breath. He could talk about Arlin. “He was… a really good dad. He saw everything as a way to teach me something… and he was always playing pranks on people. He… he saw his people not as people below him but, as his brothers and sisters!” 

Gillion seemed to be listening intently to every word he had to say, and when Chip got choked up, Gillion’s first reaction was to place his hand on Chip’s and squeeze, to support him. To show Chip that he was here and to ground him. Chip loved having Gillion here like this.

“I uh… he found me when I was five… I didn’t even have a name; people just called me ‘the kid.’ And then, when he came to the town, y’know… I was too young to realize he was The King, he was just… a guy that was nice to me.” Chip shrugged, looking at Gillion, who seemed to smile softly at that. “I begged him to take me on his ship, and take me back to his castle, but I uh… I said ‘Ship’ kinda weird… I said it more like ‘Chip,’ and I’ve been Chip ever since.” 

Chip didn’t know when the tears started welling up in his eyes. He had tried his entire life not to cry over Arlin, especially not around people, and especially not when talking about him to people, but… with Gillion… it felt okay to do. 

Gillion’s arms wrapped around him, comforting him. “Well… I have been doing some research… and I found something interesting, if you would like to hear it.” 

Chips' heart rate spiked as he looked up at Gillion, wiping his eyes. “Wh- Research?”

Gillion nodded. “I found out that Jay’s uncle used to be on that ship… Drey Ferin. He was found several years ago.” 

Chip searched his memory; he remembered Drey. Drey taught him how to shoot a gun when he was eight.  How had he not connected the dots to Jay? He should have… That was probably why Jay knew about this. 

“And…” Gillion continued. “My grandfather had also been aboard that ship. He was found sometime last year. He has been in medical care by the coast since then.” 

Chip blinked. “Your grandfather?” He asked. 

“Finn,” Gillion answered, a soft smile creeping up onto his face. “Do you remember him?” 

Chip nodded, slowly. “Yeah… yeah, he- Arlin used to prank him all the time, but- But he also made sure to show Finn how much he appreciated him because he was the best healer our kingdom had.” Slowly, a smile made it’s way onto Chip’s face. “Oh my god, I’m not the only one.” 

Gillion shook his head. “You are not. I presume there are others out there as well… Like possibly, Arlin himself.” 

Chip froze, taking a moment before turning to Gillion. “I- wait, really?” Gillion nodded. 

Look, Chip had never really given up on the idea that Arlin could be out there somewhere. When he’d first washed ashore, he’d been so adamant about it, but the more he talked about it, the more people shut him down. People told him for the past 10 years that there was No Way Arlin was still alive. That it was Impossible. Eventually, Chip started believing them. 

“I think it is possible.” Gillion said softly, holding Chip as if he was shielding him from the world. “I think there is reason to make that search, and if you allow it, I will be the one to authorize that search.” 

That really hit Chip. The fact that it was possible his dad was still out there somewhere, and that Gillion was willing to put everything aside to look for him. It meant more than he could have hoped for. Everything in his life had always just been to survive but part of him had always wanted to get back to that, back how he felt with Arlin… 

Chip realized he didn’t have to search far for that. 

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that.” Chip ended up saying. “I.. I mean- I think I want to eventually. Maybe in the next year or two…I want to find my dad. I always thought I would jump on that opportunity because I wanted to feel like I had a home but… I have a home with you Gill.” 

Chip could practically see the emotions on Gillion’s face, how the shock hit him, and then it softened. “Chip… That means more to me than I can say.” 

It was probably the most selfless thing Chip had ever said, if he was honest, but he meant it. Finding out Arlin was alive was amazing, yes, but he had just started something real and true with Gillion… and Chip didn’t want to chase his past when his future was right in front of him. 

Gillion brought his hands up to Chip’s cheeks, holding his face in his hands. “But I hope you know, when you are ready for that… I will be right here.” 

“I know…” 

Chapter Text

After a month, Chip was starting to get used to the new dynamic they’ve gotten into. Chip sleeps in Gillion’s bed every night at this point, they kiss– a lot. And though Gillion’s schedule gets more busy, Gillion always makes time to see Chip, everyday. 

So the looming threat of Gillion leaving is weighing on Chip just a little bit. 

“I will only be gone a few days.” Gillion tries to reassure him, adjusting his cape in the mirror. Chip used to think that cape was stupid (Hell, he still did but… it looked pretty, especially on Gillion.) 

Chip huffs. “I know.” He says, he’s sitting on Gillion’s bed, watching him get ready. “It just sucks. I don’t want to have to like… go back to my boring old routine before.” 

I don’t want to miss you. Is what he doesn’t say. I don’t want you to forget about me is what he DEFINETLY doesn’t say. 

Gillion turned to face Chip, a calculating look in his eyes. He’s thinking for a long moment before he speaks up again. “You know you do not have to, right?” he says, simply. 

“Well I kinda d-” 

“Chip.” Gillion doesn’t let Chip get through the self deprecating thought, no matter how true it was. “You do not have to return to your bed downstairs if you do not wish to.” 

That wasn’t the entire meaning behind Chip’s worries about his old routine, but it does help a little bit, even if it hadn’t been what he had meant. Still, the implication that Chip could just sleep here? As if it was his room? This was Gillion’s room. 

It was like Gillion could see the cogs turning in his head. He walked over to Chip, tilting his head up and meeting his lips in a short, soft kiss. “This room is as much yours as it is mine now. I would not have shared it with you all this time if it was not.” Gillion said it so simply, so easily, as if there was no question about it. “You belong here, Chip. This is our bed.” 

Chip took a deep breath. He didn’t want to argue with Gillion. He knew there were some arguments he just couldn’t win and this was one of them… but he also didn’t want to keep his thoughts from Gillion either. He knew better than that too. “What if I try to come in here and someone stops me?” He asks, hesitantly. 

Gillion just chuckles. “They wont. I will make sure of that before I leave.” 

That does make Chip feel a little better. 

It’s only an hour later when Chip finds himself standing at the castle gates, giving Gillion one last kiss, and watching him get on a Horse, and ride off. 

Watching Gillion ride off on a horse shouldn’t be attractive to him. 

It is. 

The first day without Gillion goes rather seamlessly. No one bats an eye, no one changes anything, it’s… fine. Chip is still working just like he does everyday. 

That night he tries to sleep in his cot downstairs. He knows Gillion told him it was fine to sleep in his bed but part of Chip just can’t do it without feeling guilty, so… he settles for his cot downstairs. 

He lasts exactly two hours. 

Two hours of tossing, and turning, of hearing the people in the room with him snore too loudly, or knock something over, or talking just in the corner, not able to sleep like him- and it’s torture. He doesn’t know how he ever slept soundly here. 

So, finally, he gives up, abandons his bedding and his cot and goes upstairs to Gillion’s room. No one stops him, the night guards just give him a friendly wave. Chip expects resentment, for making them still guard this area of the castle… he doesn’t see any. 

Eventually, he falls into Gillion’s– no, their bed, and he’s much more comfortable. He can hear the waves in the distance from Gillion’s window. He can smell Gillion on the covers, and its so, so much warmer here. 

He wonders, for a while, if Gillion is thinking about him right now. If Gillion is looking at the moon, and instead of thinking of the goddess, he’s thinking about Him. It’s the thought that Chip falls asleep to that night. 

The next day, Chip tries his best to continue his normal routine. 

However, the people around him suddenly have a taste for blood– or at least that’s how it feels. 

It starts innocently enough, a whisper here, a chuckle there. 

But once the comments really started in earshot was when Chip’s blood began to boil. 

“You really think you can sleep your way to the top?” 

“Gillion will come to his senses eventually.” 

“You’re a waste of The Princes attention.” 

Chip really does a decent job at ignoring it, at just shoving it aside and letting it go. It hurts, sure, but he knows he’s no better of a person if he engages in it. So he tries not to. 

But some people really get Chip pissed off. 

Reuben was one of these people. He used to be his friend, but Reuben had gotten way to over his head, and Chip had preferred to lay low. Reuben knew exactly how to push Chip’s buttons. 

“Well if it isn’t the Prince’s pet.” Reuben sneered, passing by him in the laundry room. 

Chip was just trying to do his job. “Not in the mood, Price.” 

Reuben scoffed. “Right, because you think you’re so special you can just wave all of us down here away, don’t you?” He asked, so condescendingly Chip felt like it could break something. 

“I’m just trying to do my job, Reuben.” Chip shot back, trying to ignore his once past friend. Reuben had always been terrible, but the other servants usually kept him in check… but Chip supposed with Gillion not here, no one bothered to keep Reuben in check. 

“Oh please, your job now is sucking the prince off and being paraded around wherever he wants, isn’t it?” Reuben’s words hit him like an arrow to the chest. 

Chip sighed. He wasn’t going to do this. Not with Gillion gone. He knew Gillion would be disappointed in him and honestly? It wasn’t worth Chip’s time. So, he got up from his spot. “I’m not doing this.” He said, beginning to walk away. He could finish this later. 

“Hey, where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Reuben asked, grabbing Chip’s wrist before he could get far. Chip knew this move anywhere, he was gonna try to grab him and really scare him, get him on the ground and hurt him- Chip wasn’t going to let that happen. 

“Back off!” He hissed, trying to pull away from Reuben. 

Reuben only pulled him closer, holding his wrist tighter. “You don’t have your little Prince here to save you, So I can do whatever I want. Like this.” 

Reuben’s fist made contact with Chip’s face before Chip had a moment to react. He usually would have been better about this, He would have ducked or something. But Reuben got to him, and it fucking sucked. 

Chip stumbled back as Reuben punched him and let go of his arm. He wanted a fucking fight, huh? “Ah, fuck!” Chip knew Reuben was egging him on on purpose, but god did Chip want to punch Reuben. Gillion had taught him enough about honor to warrant it, right? 

Just as Chip turned to face Reuben again, as soon as he raised his fist to just get one hit on him, a voice cut through the air. “Stop it!” 

All eyes in the room turned towards the entrance, and there stood Edyn. Chip hadn’t known she would be around here at this time. The Princess was here to save him? Or maybe berate him… that was probably the more likely option. 

Reuben was the first to speak. “Lady Edyn-”

“Do I need to repeat myself?” She asked, sternly. “Get away from him.” 

Edyn was scarier like this, like she could burn a hole into your skull. Chip had known for a long time she had the ability to do this. Gillion always described her as being scary but he’d never seen it himself. 

Reuben looked at Chip, and reluctantly pulled away. 

Edyn huffed. “You better not make this mistake again. When my brother returns he will not be happy, and if I have to witness this again I will be even unhappier, and neither of us are very forgiving.” She said walking over to Chip. “Do not lay another hand on him. Do you hear me?” 

Chip had never seen Reuben Price look like a dog with his tail tucked inbetween his legs. “Yes… Your Highness.” This was officially the best day ever, actually. 

Edyn helped Chip up, brought him to her room, which was much closer than Gillions –but very similar in size– and began pressing some Ice onto his face. 

“I could have handled it myself.” Chip said after a minute or two of silence. It was much easier talking to Edyn now, since he was with Gillion. He still thought she was incredibly pretty and out of his league, he just thought that about Gillion now too, and Gillion wanted him. 

Edyn hummed. “You shouldn’t have had to. It shouldn’t have begun.” She stated firmly. “Why did it?” 

It was weird, to hear Edyn talking all pissed off and shit. She was always the nicest out of the three Tidestrider siblings, and that was saying something because Pretzel was 15. 

Chip shrugged. “Just… Servants being mad I got it good, I guess.” He said a slight chuckle escaping him despite how bad his face hurt. 

“Chip.” 

“I’m serious.” Chip cleared up. “Look, you guys don’t look at them too often, but I do. They’re doin’ this shit all the time, beating each other up for getting something good. It happens, I’ve been that guy beating someone else up over shit like this. It just happens.” 

Edy stared at him for a moment. “We should make sure it doesn’t.” 

Chip laughed. “Pretty hard thing to do but… trying wouldn’t be bad for them.” 

It was weird, how he was referring to the other servants as them, and not us. But Chip supposed he didn’t have much of a place there anymore. Not with Gillion courting him like this. 

Luckily for Chip, the next couple days went by without much more fuss. Sure, he got looks, and comments still, but he could ignore them. Part of Chip absolutely did want to go back to Price and punch the shit out of him but… Chip eventually decided that seeing Price run away with his tail tucked between his legs was much better than punching him. 

By the day Gillion was set to return though, Chip had a nasty black eye. 

He knew Gillion wasn’t going to react well. 

Chip heard the sound of hooves before he ever heard the announcements from the guards, and though Chip was terrified to see how Gillion would react, he was even more excited to see Gillion. Seeing Gillion made it worth it, really. 

He barely made it halfway down the stairs when he found Gillion looking up at him, and it took barely a second for Gillion to see the black eye. Chip could see the panic in his eyes, and rushed just a little faster to meet him at the bottom of the stairs. 

Gillion cupped Chip’s face in his hands as soon as he was within range. “What happened to you?” he asked immediately. 

“No Hi? Hello?” Chip asked teasingly. Gillion gave him a look. Chip backed down. “It’s fine.” 

“It certainly is not fine.” Gillion insisted. “Who did this to you?” 

This fight was one he could win with Gillion. Mostly, because Chip would refuse to back down from this one. He knew the ins and outs of this kind of situation and knew there was only one right answer to give Gillion. 

“I’m not telling you.” He answered simply. 

Gillion blinked. “What?” 

He knew Gillion would be frustrated about this, but Chip knew better this time around. “I’m not telling you.” He repeated himself. “I don’t want him punished.” 

“He struck you, Chip.” Gillion said, pointing out the obvious like Chip didn’t know. That annoyed him a little bit but Chip wasn’t about to turn this into a real argument. 

“I’ve been hit worse.” Chip pointed out. He reached up, taking Gillions hands off his face and just holding them. “Look, i’ve been that guy before. They’re just trying to beat me up ‘cause they want what I got. And not only that they think that i’m just like… your plaything. If you go and beat this guy up, it’ll just prove to them that they were right.” 

“But you are not-” 

“I know that. They don’t.” Chip said, squeezing Gillion’s hand. “Kicking this guy out or executing him or whatever isn’t going to make it better, it’s just gonna make it worse for me when you leave next time. And Maybe next time, Edyn wont be there to rescue me.” 

Gillion raised his eye brows. “Edyn rescued you?” 

Chip huffed. “Yeah, I mean, not like she had to. I could’ve hit him back– Which is my next point… I can fight my own battles, Gillion. I’ve already done enough and honestly so has Edyn… you don’t need to avenge me or anything.” 

Gillion took a deep breath. Then another. He was obviously mad about it but at least he was trying to keep an open mind. “Do not ask me to be calm about you being harmed.” 

“Can I ask you to trust me?” Chip asked. Gillion looked at him for a long moment, before reluctantly nodding. “Good.” 

Gillion, after another sigh, wrapped his arms around Chip, pulling him close. “I worried for you every night I was away.” 

Chip chuckled, leaning into Gillion’s touch. His arms, his chest, how his heart beat… Chip loved and wanted all of it, all the time. “Yeah? You missed me?” 

“Miss is an insufficient word for what I felt while away.” Gillion responded. He was holding onto Chip like he’d pass away if he let go. Chip didn’t mind. “Your absence was like a wound on my soul.” 

God- Gillion was going to kill him. He was going to pass away because of how fiercely Gillion cared about him… which was probably the best way to die. 

“I love you.” Chip basically blurted out. 

Or, y’know he might die of embarassment. That’s an option too. 

“I- i mean- Y’know- god I shouldn-” 

“I love you too, Chip.” Gillion was beaming, the sudden confession bringing the prince into a much better mood. Chip felt like he could melt into that smile. 

The rest of the day went by in a blur, Gillion dealing with royal duties as he returns home, Chip still finishing up his work for the day, they were both still busy. 

But, by the end of the day, they both were able to fall into Gillion’s– Their bed, bodies touching once again, softly holding each other. 

Chip can feel Gillion’s tension. He knew what it was about. 

“Are you still mad?” he asked. 

Gillion was quiet for a few moments. “Yes… not at you.” 

Chip sighed, sitting up to look at Gillion. “Gillion, you gotta understand why I don’t want to tell you right?” 

Gillion met his eyes. “I am just… frustrated, I cannot defend you like I wish to.” 

Chip knew how much Gillion cared, and he knew before he came home how frustrated he would be, but he knew it was the better option for both of them. He knew the guys down there, he knew how it would be. “I know.” Chip said softly. “But I also know those guys, and know what they’re feeling, and even though its sucks I get it. Taking the high road is the better option here.” 

Gillion definitely didn’t look happy. “You may have to explain it to me again but… I will try to understand because you ask it of me.” Gillion decided, carefully taking Chip’s hand in his. 

Chip let out a deep breath. “Thank you. I will explain it to you as much as you need.” 

Gillion looked up at him, a soft smile creeping up on his face. “Because you love me?” He teased. 

Chip chuckled. “Yes, Because I love you.” It was freeing to say that, honestly, because Chip had beein thinking that for a while now. 

Gillion sat up a little more, to press his forehead against Chip’s. Chip let him. “I love you too.” hearing it back was pretty freaking awesome too.

They sat there for awhile, chest to chest, Chip just barely on Gillion’s lap, sitting in silence. They didn’t need anymore. They just needed each other. 

But of course, Chip was a curious person and a question was bound to come up eventually. 

“Hey… weird question.” Gillion hummed, opening an eye. “Who’s gonna be like, the next Ruler? I assume Edyn because she’s older but you’re the first boy so-” 

Gillion opened his eyes, raising his eyebrows at him. “I will be king.” 

Chip tried not to let that scare him. Instead, he hummed. “Ok, so It’s not an eldest child thing.” 

Gillion shook his head. “No, our ruler is chosen by Lunadeyis” 

“...Huh?” 

“Our Goddess.” Right. Chip knew he should know this stuff. He definitely didn’t. “Chip, have you not paid attention at any of our religious ceremonies in the last five years you’ve been living here?” 

Chip gave him a look. “Dude, you gotta know, I zone out constantly.” 

Gillion only chuckled. “Would you like me to explain it, or will you zone out then too?” 

Chip knew he should really learn more about this stuff, especially if he really saw a future with Gillion… He wanted Gillion to know he respected him and his religion, even if Chip wasn’t all in it himself. So, Chip moved just a little bit, sitting cross cross next to Gillion, so he could pay attention more easily. 

“I wont zone out. Tell me. Educate me, even.” Chip insisted with a firm nod. 

Gillion chuckled. “Lunadeyis is the name of our goddess. She is a warrior goddess, She watches over the tides, the storms, and the moon. She has chosen every leader in our kingdom since it’s founding.” 

“Like, personally?” Chip asked. Gillion nodded. “How does that work?” 

“A ceremony.” Gillion answered, looking proud but also scared, almost. “All children of the royal bloodline gather, and the moon’s light only touches one of us, and out of Edyn, Pretzel, and all of my cousins, it shone on me and me alone.” 

That was… kinda metal. Chip thought it was pretty cool. It was kinda confirmation that this goddess existed if she had the power to do that… maybe he should look more into her. “How old were you?” Chip decided to ask. 

Gillion took a deep breath. “Eleven.” He answered. 

God, that was young. Chip couldn’t imagine how much strength it took Gillion to know all this time that he was like… prophesied to be king, or something. To be personally handpicked by the goddess you worship. To be thrown into that kind of thing… Chip didn’t want to think about it too hard. 

Chip instead turned his attention to that tattoos on Gillion’s body. He had some on his face, which were the ones Chip usually saw, but since he started sleeping in Gillion’s room, he’d gotten used to the ones on his chest and arms too. On his chest, he had a intricate set of waves, and his arms had several different tattoos, scales, a sword, and the phases of the moon, though mostly just a lot of dots, lines, and triangles. On his face were 4 triangles, with some dots at the end, as well as some dots above his eyebrows, and on the center of his forehead, a star. 

Chip reached out to cup his face. “These tattoos, they’re for her, right?” He asked. 

Gillion leaned into Chip’s touch. “Yes, in part. They represent, lineage, and milestones, and help us connect to the natural world, they are sacred to us. And this one” Gillion pointed to the star right on his forehead. “Is the one that marks me as the next ruler.” 

Ugh. Everyone here probably knew that. Of course they knew that. Chip felt embarrassed about asking now. “Ooh, I looked pretty foolish asking, huh?” 

Gillion chuckled. “It is alright. You didn’t know.” He said softly. Gillion was always so kind and understanding to Chip. Chip didn’t know how he didn’t love this man sooner. “I believe this one blends in with the rest of them now. I gain tattoos for many achievements. Puberty, Graduation from the guard, First diplomatic trip, and one day I will gain one when I marry.” 

Chip’s heart fluttered, and the heat rose to his cheeks faster than it really should have. 

“Oh, I- really?” Chip was trying so hard (and failing) to be cool about this. “So I mean- hypothetically– Let’s say that you and I get married… Would I have to get one too?” Chip asked, very much not hypothetically. 

Gillion smiled, a smile that could kill dozen’s of men… or just Chip. “No, you would not have to. These markings are for our people. I would not ask you to take up a tradition of a culture that is not yours.” 

It was relieving, honestly, that Gillion didn’t mind that Chip wasn’t as religious as him, and wouldn’t make him perform to their religious traditions. Chip felt lucky that a man like Gillion just wanted Chip to be himself, and didn’t require him to be anything else. Not even performatively. 

Yet, hope blossomed in him. 

“And… what if I wanted to?” Chip asked. “Would I be allowed to?” 

Chip could see the air leave Gillion’s lungs just as quickly as the heat rose to his own cheeks, Chip had learned it wasn’t easy to fluster Gillion, but Chip could certainly get away with taking his breath away… if he tried hard enough. 

“You could.” Gillion confirmed, quietly. “If you wished it… it would be an honor.” 

Chip smiled softly, uncrossing him legs and snaking an arm behind Gillion to hold him close. He needed him here. “I would really like that… actually.” Chip admitted. “One day, to match with you… be bonded to you forever like that…It’s a nice thought.” 

Gillion leaned into his touch, looking over at him. “I agree.” 

Chip felt like he should be scared of these conversations. Of Gillion being king one day, of Chip having the possibility of being tattooed on his face because he married Gillion… but Chip wasn’t afraid of it at all, actually. 

He just felt at home.