OH MY PRINCE

Dan nodded and started walking in a random direction away from the castle and road.

"So, what do you do? Besides going to events and running away from life, of course. I've never seen the rich side of the spectrum, so I apologize if I'm bothering you. I'm just curious." Chris admired the serene beauty of the scenery, but he kept his eyes straight ahead, sometimes making quick glances towards Dan.

"Well us rich people do stuff. Like have parties, fancy evening meals, and shit like that. Though most of the time my mother is in her room or her study. My father in his office working on 'work'. Then there is me, figuring out anything to keep myself entertained. It usually results in reading." Dan said then looked up at the tree tops.

"Interesting. My parents can't stop giving me all the attention. Sure, my father works as a blacksmith's apprentice, but that's just about it." Chris followed Dan's gaze to the treetops. "Nice, isn't it? There are so many different types of birds up there, maybe even unknown ones that we've yet to discover."

"Yeah. It is so peaceful and serene." Dan replied quietly. He had even stopped walking without noticing it.

"You alright?" Chris paused in front of him. "Have you never ventured out here before?"

"No… I haven't really ventured outside of the castle walls. It's like being held captive." Dan replied and looked at Chris.

"That's…odd. I've always dreamed of living like you, having people do things for me. I guess it's not all that grand, isn't it?" Chris thinks and nods. "I guess that's what makes us similar, then? Two guys who just want to run away from their lives."

"Yeah, I guess we are alike in ways." Dan replied to him. "If you ever did run away. Where would you go?"

"I don't know. Somewhere nice, populated, with people who are realists other than optimists or pessimists. Don't get me wrong, I like it here, I just wish I could move somewhere better. Somewhere where people don't care who I am. Where would you go?" Chris responded, a comfortable tone in his voice.

"Somewhere where I could disappear, go unnoticed. I feel that I have had too much attention on me for too long. I really don't care where I go, just anywhere that I wouldn't be some crowned prince." Dan replied, his voice quiet at times but not super quiet.

"Yeah. That'd be nice. But there are some things you guys take for granted. Food, water, essentials to live. Maybe not you, but the rest of your family, certainly. No offense." Chris had a peaceful look to him and he nodded once. "Do you ever think about it? Running away, I mean."

Dan smiled and nodded at the fact people take it for granted. "No offense taken, and yes. I have thought about it frequently. A small portion of the guards even know it. They have even offered to help me leave also. What about you?" Dan asked back with a smiled and a relaxed posture.

"No friends. No family who really cares what I think. No one who would really care, let alone help." He said it like a list, but he didn't seem to mind talking about it.

"Why haven't you ran away? If you don't like your life that much. Why not just run?" Dan asked sighing and thinking about running.

"Because my family enjoys my company, even if I treat them like they're only hindering me. I don't like it when they're upset or sad, so I stick around." Chris smiled sadly, and he looked to the treetops and the clear blue sky, occasionally dotted with clouds.

"Yeah. But if you're not happy, what is the point. I bet they wouldn't be sad if you ran away because you wanted to be happy." Dan replied to him. "Though I could never run. Being a prince kinda restricts my options." He said and sighed.

"I can see that. Do your parents not care about what you want, or are they just dumb?" Chris turned to look at Dan, his face concerned. I wouldn't do that to a person like him! He's nice, and caring, and-wait, why do I care so much?

"They just don't care in general. Say it is for my own good, keeping me locked up. But how am I supposed to get experience like they say I need if I am bound to home." He said quieter. "Though. You have options. You could leave."

"I could. I don't think I will, though." Chris noted, giving Dan a soft, friendly smile.

"Yeah. I understand." Dan replied and sat on the ground.

"What's on your mind?" Chris crouched down, tilting his head a little.

"Nothing much. Just wanted to sit. What about you?" He asked.

"I don't know…life, chaos, figuring out what I'll do, who I am," figuring out if I like you as more than a friend, "that kinda stuff. It's not a lot, I know, but It's important nevertheless." Chis sat next to him and scooted away once he found that they were barely an inch apart.

Dan noticed him scoot away and looked at him smiling. "It's alright, I don't bite." He said then started picking at the grass.

Chris chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I figured. I'm just, letting you have your personal space, that's all." Chris' cheeks were close to flushing, but he swallowed and looked down, waving his hand in the grass. He tried not to pay too much attention to Dan, but he could feel his eyes gravitate towards him, despite his continuous efforts to look away. We're just friends, Chris. Just friends, nothing more.

"Is something wrong?" Dan asked smiling at Chris. "Your cheeks are quite red." He said noticing the visible difference in coloring.

"U-uh, no! Of course not! I'm fine!" Chris bit the inside of his cheek, and he winced. "I'm not used to people, that's all." His voice was unconvincing, but Chris hoped it would slip by.

"I hope you know I'm not Stupid. You're not even convincing." Dan said to Chris as he picked out more grass. "If you must, lie? Just at least be more convincing. If you aren't lying, then don't sound like you are."

Chris winced at the comment, but made sure to look away so it didn't show. "I'm fine, really. You just startled me, that's all." Chris said dryly.