Chapter Text
Prince William needed to get away, away from the big castle for a while. His sister, princess Jane, was off in one of the many rooms in that castle and his brother, prince Johnathan, was with that knight’s older sister, Nance or Nancy he didn’t remember and didn’t care. The sun was bright that afternoon, the ponds glistened as the fish swam and the breeze ran throughout the trees high above, it was calming. A few years ago his mom, the Queen, married a King from another land, he was a kind man but serious and stern. He had a daughter, Jane, William’s best friend and, now, sister, she was a strong willed princess and quite observant. She was always up for a heartfelt talk with him, she cared deeply and would spend many hours in thought. And then there was the reason he was out here ,in the gardens by a pond, his family (his mom manly) over cared for him, tried to protect every hair on his head and decided that he needed a guard, a protector, a knight. He didn't understand it. He was seventeen, not eleven, not in need of a knight, if anything his sister should have a guard, not him the second prince of Queen Joyce and King Hopper. But he was to meet that knight in a few hours. It was ridiculous, he thought. Just stupid. He sat in the grass next to the pond in which a few fish were swimming in. He’s always felt stupid for ever having help, When his vile birth father was around he would call him names, unnatural, strange, too much like a girl, odd or revolting. Will never understood why he was sensitive and soft. He knew that boys, princes, were not like him. But his mom was always nice about it, she didn’t care if he was different and nor did his family. That man, the one who was related to him by blood was not his father, he was glad that that man was dead now.
He sat there for a while, with his knees up to his chest, arms wrapped around himself tight. He was crying. It was pathetic, he thought, to cry. And he knew he needn’t be doing it for long, it was not how he would want to present himself with his eyes red and puffy. There was a sound behind him, he whipped around to see Jane standing there, brows furrowed, looking down at him.
“Will,”
her voice was soft and had so much comfort in it. Will turned away again and wiped his face with the palm of his hand.
“Hey, it’s okay.”
She sat down next to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“No, it’s stupid”
“Will, you are not stupid.”
He looked up at her from his palms
“But I'm crying about having a knight assigned to look after me”
She sighed, because she found everything about her brother to be truly brave even though he was sensitive and he was never stupid. Not to her.
“And that’s fine. You don’t want to have some guard look after you, but it is what it is and maybe they will be your friend Will.”
“ but Jane–”
“No Will. This is not about if they will accept you. You are not wrong, I do not care what Lonnie said, you are Will and Will is brave, kind and wise, He will find friends and will have fun.”
He sniffed.
“Okay. You’re right. It will be fine. “
She smiled at him, she was really his favorite person ever.
“Okay.” she said, pulling him into a hug. Then she took his hand and they walked up to the castle.
Now he was waiting in the big room that was inevitably the first room you see upon entering the castle. The Knight was to arrive and get to know him. And within minutes Will could see a young man on a horse through the window.
“Oh! He is here”
Will rolled his eyes at Jane who was jumping at the sight of his knight in shining armor. They made their way to the steps outside of the castle to probably meet this knight. He stopped short and hoped off the horse, his hair was a dark shade of brown, long and curly and his eyes were a mesmerizing brown as well, he stood a little taller than Will himself, his jaw was sharp and there were light caramel freckles on his face, his lips were a rose red color with Will found himself looking at for a moment. He is so fucking stunning, Will thought so beautiful so so–
“ Hi I’m Michael Wheeler um but you can call me Mike.”
He said bowing
“Oh. hello, I’m William Byers ,uh Will, you can call me Will”
He held out his hand with a smile
“Nice to meet you Will.”
Will took his hand
“Nice to meet you, Mike”
Jane shook his hand next. Will was red in the face, not from crying but from this charming young man. He was so gorgeous to Will it was hard to look at him. And he had only just met the boy seconds ago.