Chapter Text
The jingle of a bell would have alerted her of his entrance. It was to be expected of him anyways. About the same time he’d show up at this very bakery, twice a week. Three if he could manage it, as was the case this time, which was acknowledged by a playful voice.
“Feeling gutsy?”
A dumb grin appeared on the hybrid's face. Niki. Her Bakery was one of his favorite establishments to visit whenever he felt conversational during his sneak offs. On a basic level, people knew her for the witch's sincerity, and kindness. A humble baker who did her duties as a licensed high magic user with no troubles. But that didn’t interest him, no.
The fox approached the counter with a comfortable swagger, leaning one arm on the counter. He knew a lot of people who were closely connected to the royal family, but none of them could be as honest as he was with her. “Like he's actually going to do anything about me wandering around a bit.”
A hand raised to stifle a giggle. “He has, you're just never home to accept his discipline.” She dismissively waved the thought away as she turned around to grab a worn down book. “The usual?”
The fox nods vigorously, fishing in his pocket for some coins. It was true. The subject of their conversation, his father, attempted to ground him on the regular. Not to mention the other staff's attempts to hold him down. But that wasn’t something you could do to him. They had forced this prince bull on him, and as a result were sentenced to a lifespan worth of having to deal with that. They always treated him with kiddy gloves, a two sided coin. The fools try to uphold him to strict rules. He was to live on the grounds at all times, outings were to involve three horse carriages worth of guards at the very least, according to them.
…But, on the other hand, they really couldn’t do much if Fundy decided to bend the rules. And bend the rules he did. He smugly raised his fist and put the coins down at the desk before looking back at Niki.
She brushed a pink strand of hair out of her face, mumbling something under her breath. The act nearly causes her to drop her spell book. Not out of incompetence, but more lack of effort. The things in between their talks felt particularly routine. In a flash baked goods that were in a locked cabinet moments before disappeared, and appeared in a bag. She placed it down in front of him, scooping the currency away.
“You're lucky, the apple fritters have been rather popular recently. Some days we run out before midday.” This gets a chuckle out of him, but before he could reply wittily she adds. “But now that you mention it, there was something I overheard from your father.” A hand outstretches to hand him the disposable bag, to which the fox greedily takes. He mumbles a “thanks.” before his eyes flicker back up.
This intrigues him, perhaps even concerns him a little bit. Normally she’d be pretty casual with these things, she generally matched his carefree mindset on these things. But it seemed she was genuinely worried about something. “Yeah?” He prompts.
Her eyebrows furrow, Niki sighed before elaborating further. “I think he's been planning something. I didn’t catch much but Will seems to be pretty fed up.”
Fundy's ears twitch, but the response remains pretty casual. He valued Niki's opinion, but come on. Nothing about this seemed particularly threatening. What was he going to do? Ground him to his room for the millionth time? He tries to keep serious, but his cocky attitude can’t help but slip into his response. “Hes always fed up.”
“Course, course.” Another pause, she looks him straight in the eyes. “But, I think he's seriously coordinating something. He mentioned something about training?” She closes her fists tightly, breaking the stare with similar hastiness. “I don’t remember the exact wording, I can’t believe I didn’t think to perform a memory capture while it was still fresh in my mind..”
..Okay, so this REALLY seemed to bother her. His smile drops a bit, okay, so he felt a bit bad for his reaction now. He could still remedy that, probably. “That's.. uhm, probably enough information. Don’t worry about it. I’ll keep my guard up more when I go home tonight.” He tried to think about how he could butter up his father (or possibly, his grandfather.) Maybe he could pretend to actually care about his rambly ‘advice’ for once. Offer to help out with the boys.. Or uhm..
“I’d recommend that.” Niki’s reply brought him back into the moment. The two share a moment of silence. Maybe it was an uncomfortable one, maybe it was solidarity. He wasn’t sure. But he let it run its course before he shook his head to try and set his head straight. He couldn’t deal with that yet, there was no point dwelling on it. Plus, Fundy knew he’d get this family crap dealt with, he always has. That usual smile of his returned with ease once he’d convinced himself of this.
“..So, how have things been going for you otherwise?” The question feels like an offer, a silent ‘want to move on from this?’
Thankfully, she takes it. Admittedly he forgot to consider her being more insistent, but she seemed to not want to add on to the stress of her suspicions. He was thankful for that. The fox listened eagerly as she launched into a more lighthearted spiel about business.
𓃥
He walks at a leisure pace as he checks his mental list. Nikis, the library, the park. Some window shopping.. What was he forgetting? He glanced up at the sky, huffing in annoyance at the pinkening shade. He was getting low on time. He discarded the rush of anxious thought that brought upon him. He was.. Uhm..
He glanced at the bag in his hanging hand. “Fuck!” The fox hissed. How could he forget? The orphanage! Fundy turned around and starting running down the street in the opposite direction, dashing across a road as needed. While he enjoyed getting goods for himself, there was something more important to him then that, valuable enough he could risk one last detour before going home.
Eventually Fundy slowed down, wheezing from the overexertion. Infront of him however, was a large brick building. He glanced at a nearby window as he caught his breath, greeted with the sight of messy art attached to the wall.
As cute the sight was, there was no time to waste. He practically dragged himself to the front entrance, knocking on the door. With a click, the doors smoothly slid open, a soft red glow can be spotted in-between the frame. In a sense, the orphanage was opposite to the bakery. While Niki runs her establishment primarily on magic, the man who owned the otherwise rundown building used a much more new invention.
Redstone.
Fundy stepped inside, calling out. "Dropping something off!" He says, approaching a makeshift counter. with papers scattered on the opposite side. He placed the bag ontop of it. He considered leaving, but a door flung open and a rather displaced looking man appeared. Mumbo Jumbo.
One wouldn't expect a master of machinery to be someone spending most of his time raising kids, but god did this kingdom bring people to weird places.
"Fundy?" He greeted. "Isn't it quite late for you to be here?" The man rubs his face, possibly too tired (as was very apparent) to put full effort into whatever the prince was up to, but never the less concerned.
He gestured to the bag he had moments ago placed, simply stating. "I forgot to drop off Yogs treat." A smile appears on his face. While usually small children were a fearful sight (particularly in the case of hostile mobs, but human children too, yes.) he had somehow managed to foster an odd bond with an orphan. Recently he had been too busy to do proper hangouts, he still liked spoiling the kid.
Mumbo appreciated the princes continued support of the orphanage.. "One of these days, I'm gonna have to cut you off from treat giving till you can even it out a bit." There was no bite to his words, rather, the man chuckles a bit, before continuing. "But, don't you guys have some sort of event going on? I was just about to leave to pick a friend up afterwards."
"..Event?" The fox paused, trying to connect the dots. Could this relate to what Niki told him? His tail flicked nervously.
Mumbo scratched right under his stash, tilting his head slightly. ".. The ceremony involving the royal family, incluuuding youu..?"
There is a moment of silence between the two as Fundy realized how royally fucked he is. (Pun NOT intended FUCK YOU DIE DIE DIE.)
"BYE." Fundy turns sharply, hitting the ground hard as he is once again, running off at full speed.
"Oh..— Well—" Is all he hears from the stashed man before the automatic door shuts behind him, and the fox cannot afford to look back. His surroundings blur as he runs on auto pilot, relying on his mostly accurate sense of familiarity as his mind races just as fast. He hadn't been warned of anything beforehand, he was certain! He was (briefly) within speaking distance with his family this morning, if there was something so important going on why was he not alerted of this beforehand???
The adrenaline kept him going as he rounds a corner, vaguely away of some important land marks as he runs. The retirement home, a local fishery, some flower shop. Buildings upon buildings. It didn't matter though, he had to keep his focus.
Painfully long minutes come to pass, and he is finally reaching his destination. His body tires in turn, he stumbles past the gates and looked around rapidly. Fundy hears the voices echoing off walls, and his gaze is lifted forwards. The large wooden doors were open, and people were funneling out. Fuck.
He shook his head as panicked thoughts arose. No, this was his chance to get inside undetected. Worrying his ass off will only put him in a worse place.
He approaches, beginning to carefully push past people as he mingles through the masses. He can see inside now. The room is made up of a long hall, at the end several thrones. The typical "mud room" for a royal families household. All the major family members were seated in their respective seats, even Tommy was there. Expect.. Oddly, the king himself, his father, Wilbur Soot was nowhere to be ff—
Fundy is suddenly sharply yanked to the side as he passes by the entrance, he yips, too exhausted to fight back against his nonexistent attacker. One would normally assumed he was being kidnapped for ransom, but before he could even get a look at his attacker, the pieces clicked in place.
"Finally decided to wander back?" His father, speak of the fucking devil, has him pulled up right next to him, stern. Fundy only blinks, startled out of his mind. Wilbur lets go of his coat, giving his son a moment to respond.
While he had planned to deceive the household into believing he had never left (or at least create a convincing enough argument that nobody felt like disproving), obviously this was… Still entirely feasible. Yep. He could bullshit his way through this, surely. He swallowed as if it would do anything to calm his nerves, his body still shaking from over exertion. With as much confidence he could muster, replies.
"Sorry, I, uhm, had to use the restroom."
His father seems unimpressed. The fox opens his mouth to expand upon why he'd be missing for the entirety of whatever had just happened, only to be once again man handled. Wilbur grabs his wrist and drags him alongside him, temper short. "Staff caught you leaving this fucking morning, Fundy. Since this MORNING you've been gone. And ontop of that you've missed the knighting ceremony. Do you not keep up with anything? Next in line for the throne and you are fucking off and making a fool of me."
Fundy stays silent as the two make their way to the back of the room as Wilbur finished his mad-man rambling, letting go of the Fox to sit on his assigned chair. Fundy follows suit. Silent. Normally he'd snap back, but hes tired. He chooses instead to ignore the man and look a the group that remained in front of him. A bunch of knights.
Knighting ceremony huh. There hadn't been one of those in awhile. Perhaps that's what Niki overheard. Though something seemed odd about this still. Surely she'd known if there was such a huge event going on. He chewing the inside of his mouth, eyes dropping to the floor as he thought to himself. This was so fucking weird.
"Wil?" Tommy's voice can he heard a few seats left to him. His head lifts to glance between the two as the younger continues. "..Man, can you explain whats with the sudden Knighting? I'd sworn things weren't set to happen for another month."
His father hums in vague acknowledgement, pausing. Noticeably Phil doesn't seem very confused. Just frowning, focused on the group. Techno wasn't a very helpful source for hints. He was just as uninterested as usual.
The fox shifts uncomfortably, this was so, SO fucking weird. Wilbur stands up, clearing his throat hard. A smile returns to his face. It reeks of something dangerous. "Well, hell. Good news, your dismissed. " He pauses, before shifting his gaze to him. "The only person needed right now is my son."
A beat passes, before a still, unentertained voice calls out as he walks by the group. "Welp." Fundy eyes follows Technoblade, allowing him to catch a slightly disturbed 'better you then me but good luck' sort of look from Tommy walking close behind. Philza is silent.
That leaves his father, grandfather, and the knights. Wilbur faces forward, readying to address the knights. Unnerved, Fundy more desperately tries to get his attention "Dad—"
"Men!" Wilbur cuts off, calling the group to attention. The knights (despite Wils language, made up of a fair mix of gender.) The knights whom were excitedly talking among themselves, grow silence and quickly restore a line up position. Wilbur allows the last whispers to die down before continuing.
"As planned, please." He waves off them off before turning towards Fundy. "Set up here with me son." He invites, the annoyance no longer leaks into his voice, but the smirk on his face told the fox he was really in for it. And, again, as tempted as it was to cause a scene, he had an audience. He'd rather it not get out to the public that he was some man-child. The rumors people spread were already a pain enough in his ass.
So instead he simply nods, pulling himself up and standing next to the man. The knights have backed up, at attention. The experience was mystifying, he looked to his father, waiting for his next command. Wilbur ignores him, nodding somewhere at the group. Fundy gazes follows him.
From the group, a singular man approaches. The youngest, possibly close to him in age. Though, he was partially concealed. A red scarf hid part of his face, and curly white hair threatened to cover up his eyes too. While he hadn't questioned it prior, this guy really stood out among the others.
"…" He paused briefly. This all just, made him wonder…
"..Why is this messenger boy here."
His father lifts a hand to speak, but the stranger beats him to it. "THIS is the man you've assigned me too?" He lifts his chin up and his expression is clearer, and the man looked just as threatening as his father had been earlier. Fundy's ears pin back, as he glances at Wilbur. What in XD's Name was he talking about?
Shockingly, his father doesn't allow himself to show temper as he usual would at such an out burst from someone working under him, but instead remaining calm. Either his fathers annoyance at the fox was enough to let it go, or that supposed 'assignment' was important. Luckily, finally the man speaks up.
"Well the pay wouldn't be so high if he could behave himself, would it?" Wilbur teases, to which the shorter just huffs, remaining silent. His father seems satisfied enough with that, and finally acknowledges his son.
"I've come to realize that I cannot stop you from trying to sneak out by yourself, and I swear Fundy, I really get it. A young man like you is bound to be dying to leave the nest." He says, which was more then he usually got but still rubbed Fundy the wrong way. But he hums, just wanting to get to the fucking point.
The smile on Wils face drops briefly as he finishes. "But a prince like you can't be out wandering by yourself anymore, not with all these rumors about dark magic users making rounds," His father face darkens, possibly reminded of the whole fiasco by the mention. But the upturn in his expression returns easily. "so, after a good think, I've come up with a compromise."
Wilbur briefly glances briefly at Phil, a brief check before his eyes land solidly on Fundy. He spits it out, a sparkle in his eye.
"I'm assigning you a personal guard."
What. Whaaat.
The nervous smile on his face was fading fast. Things were suddenly adding up very quickly and he didn't like it. He took a step back, and then another. He nearly went to run off when he felt a hand on his shoulder. A quick glance behind him told him that his Grandpa had at some-point stood up. It also told him by expression that he was silently being told to hear him out. And while he didn't trust his Grandpas judgment much more then his fathers, he wasn't sure if he could get away immediately. He could play along at least.
He re-approached, meeting his fathers gaze. Will held it for a moment before waving a hand at the .. Guard… Perhaps he was a BIT quick to assume a commoners ranking of him, but he didn't fucking look like a Knight! He was youthful. And fucking short.
Said man had restored a more neutral expression, but Fundy wasn't going to assume it meant anything less of a threat anymore. He stood next to his father, facing Fundy. His hands rest in a crossed position. Fundy felt oddly vulnerable by the way he was being looked at. Not intrusive, but analytic.
Wilbur cleared his throat. "Allow me to get introductions out of the way. Fundy," He starts. Fundy wishes he could wipe that fucking smirk off his face. "This is Five Upton. Hes a young man fresh out of his training, and he will be keeping constant surveillance of you until further notice. He is required as per his employment, to remain constantly within a certain distance of you, with some obvious piracy allowances."
His father pauses to allow him the opportunity to process the words coming out of his mouth. And so he did. And what the fuck was this man thinking. Assigning someone to stalk his every move?? As his shocked train of thought continues, the King gestures at him. "And Five, this is the prince. You are well aware of your duties already. I know your both a bit shaken up by the introduction, but I'm sure you guys will get along well. Certain!"
There is an awkward pause. It doesn't help that its only the three of them now, Philza must of left to enjoy his evening.
At least one of them were probably meant to verbally respond, but Fundy was shocked out of words, and 'Five' seemed to be without comment. Eventually Wilbur seems to give up on the concept, clapping his hands together. "Well! Anything else on your minds can be figured out between yourselves, I'll leave you to it then."
The click of his shoes on the polished floor snaps Fundy out of it, and he spins around to meet him. "Father— Surely this is..—"
But he is cutoff by Wilbur's response, simple and without even a pause in his strut. "You brought this upon yourself, son!" And within moments he had disappeared around the corner, and at that point it was useless.
What followed afterwards was a good ten seconds of silence between the two, the sound of gossiping knights drowning into the background as the two were forced to turn to acknowledge each other. Unfortunately Fundy was pretty sure this wasn't a situation he could immediately escape, even if he ran the fox would have to return back to the castle at some point.
…And he couldn't be sure how quick the man assigned to him was.
Five Upton, huh. It was probably time for a reintroduction now that his father left. Fundy puts his charisma back on and flashes the man a grin. "Soo… Your—"
"To your room, please." Once again he is cut off. And while he kept with the pleasantries, it was incredibly obvious that the man accompanying him was not feeling like the small talk.
Well, he couldn't let the others lack of energy drag him down. He kept the smile up, trying to keep up his tone. "Course. Course. Your gonna have to know where your staying." God that felt so weird to say? Were they gonna move a second mattress in? Is there gonna be some random guy sleeping on the floor?
He supposed that was why his father chose someone so close to him in age. It would be kind of weird if he had to share a room with a knight in their mid fourties or fifties. He shudders at the mental image. Yep. Okay. He sighs, gesturing for the other to follow him through the same large doorway his family had gone through a few minutes ago.
The walk to his room was silent, admitably his day adventures and everything that had just transpired had tired him. So it wasn't like he horribly minded. But it did feel a bit awkward. He sighed, brushing his ginger bangs out of his eyes as he turned a corner, finally stopping at a door with a sign labeled "Do Not Enter."
"How old are you again..?" He heard the incredibly dry response from the man right on his heels.
The only reaction the plant hybrid get is a twitch of his ear as he opens the door, enters and gestures for him to come in. That was a particularly petty response, even for Fundy. But he could match it by stubbornly keeping up a good attitude. Five gives the slightest nod in acknowledge of his request before walking in, putting his hands together as his focus was immediately put to examining his surroundings.
His room was pretty simple. Whenever he couldn't leave the castle, it was where he would hole himself up in, so it was pretty homey to the fox. Bed, table, a special box for his trinkets. All the normal room things. He settled at the foot of his bed, waiting for the knight to finish.
When he still was poking around to progressively more intrusive extents, he changed his mind about this.
"Do you plan on having someone bring a mattress in? As you can tell there's plenty of room." He gestures at the floor, self explanatory. It was mostly clear. Bit of trash. He hadn't really been expecting guests. Ever.
He had expected a pretty lax reply, yet…
"The floor is fine, I'm used to much worse conditions than you people." As if to prove his point, Five removed some of his more uncomfortable layers before settling on the floor himself, dropping everything on the floor around him.
In that time, Fundy could only stare, mouth agap at his lack of manners. The nerve he had! Briefly, he questioned if he could use this behavior to his advantage and report him so he'd be without this insane "personal guard" situation. But just as quick the multiple ways that could go wrong came to him. "Make yourself at home I guess…" He muttered, defeated.
If the man heard him he didn't make it known. Fundy watched as he continued on with this bedtime routine. As if he was camping. A bag that laid lopsided on the floor was now zipped open, and from it Five pulled out a pillow and a very thin rolled up blanket.
He didn't care to pay anymore attention.
Fundy settled down into his own bed, trying to ignore shuffling as the man that now shared a space with him lied down in how makeshift sleeping spot. Like a little camper. Wierd. Fundy rolled so his body was looking at the wall opposite of him, getting comfortable.
As per usual it took him a while to fall asleep. And it didn't really help that he was sharing a room with someone. Eventually however, he felt his eyes grow heavy. He surrendered to sleep, nothing audible but the quiet mumbling of Five from across the room. He tries to ignore him.