The Idea of You (Bdoc Royal AU)

Chapter Two: Nerves

[Day One]

"Bubbles, I understand that you're annoyed, but please, you need to stand still. I don't want to accidentally hurt you!" Keralis fretted.

21-year-old Bdubs huffed as he moved back to his position in front of the mirrors and crossed his arms. "I feel ridiculous, I look ridiculous, and-"

"This whole thing is ridiculous, yes, we know Bdubs," Beef finished, laughing. He is sitting on an ottoman, watching Keralis attempt to help their friend dress for the big day. Normally, one of the butlers or handmaids would be there in the large dressing room, but because the prince was in a foul mood, Beef and Keralis were more than happy to save the palace workers the trouble.

"Hey, you do not look ridiculous!" Keralis insisted. "Are you insulting my fashion sense?" he accused, raising an eyebrow. All three knew he wasn't being serious and was just joking, but that didn't stop Bdubs from apologizing anyway.

"Wait, no, that came out wrong. I'm sorry Keralis, I truly like the outfit you picked out, it's just, can I actually pull this off?" He looked at himself in the mirror. A loose, off-the-shoulder white silk shirt speckled with gold flakes, was tucked into his belt-short black corset. His crimson pants had golden vines and leaves trailing down the sides. He had brown, lace-up ankle boots to complete the outfit. His cousin finished tying off the corset and stepped back to assess him.

"Don't worry, you look gorgeous! Besides, I ran this outfit by your parents and they agreed it's perfect." He turned to Beef, who had a jewelry box in his lap, and carefully pulled out a gold necklace with a small sunflower charm, and handed it over. As he clipped it to the freckled brunette's neck, he took the liberty to tie on his signature red bandana which was only a few shades lighter than his pants.

"Bdubs," the male on the ottoman scolded. "You know the kings want you to wear your crown and not the bandana."

"Fine," he grumbled, reluctantly tugging it off. He moved to the vanity against the right wall, placed it down, picked up his gold crown, and placed it on his head. He stared at himself in the mirror and buried his face in his hands as he slumped into the seat. "I don't want to do this," Bdubs whined.

"Maybe it won't be as bad as you think," Beef softly suggested as the two moved to sit on the cushioned bench by the vanity. "Stress told me her father remembers you two got along well, especially for your first interaction."

"Did she say what exactly Captain Wels remembered us doing?"

"She said you two were just playing in your garden. Apparently, you showed him some small spells you knew." He shrugged, scratching his beard. Letting out an exasperated sigh, he slumped in his seat.

"And are we sure neither of you will be able to join me for the first meeting?" he asked for the third time that day. His cousin pulled him to his feet and adjusted his hair.

"Don't worry, it'll just be some tea. We'll be there for the ball tonight. Besides, you can befriend anyone! You two got along before, I bet you can do it again."

"Yeah, when I was, like, six. I highly doubt we have anything in common. Maybe he doesn't want this either," his bitter smile slowly faded into pure worry. "What if he hates me because of this arrangement? What if I say something stupid and he thinks I'm a dumbass?"

Beef wrapped an arm around him and gave him a reassuring hug. "Everything is going to be okay. He's not going to hate you. No one can hate you Bdubs," he insisted.

An exasperated sigh erupted from the prince's chest as he leaned into Beef's hold.

"Besides," Keralis added, taking his hand and giving it a comforting squeeze. "Don't you think he's nervous too? Maybe if you show him that positive energy and brightness, everything will work out!" Bdubs pulled him into the hug. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to let go of his worries, even if it was just for a second, and enjoy the comforting warmth of his friends.

-

As if he were a little kid, 22-year-old Doc stared out the window of the car, watching his kingdom disappear from view. The last time he had even been outside the palace alone was when he was around seven, and his father took him to Artise for an 'important meeting'. He thought it was going to be a learning experience, but instead, his father had him sit in a garden with a total stranger. But it wasn't all that bad. Even now, after not seeing him for around 15 years, the fuzzy warmth Doc had felt never left him.

I wonder how much has changed. He thought, numerous possibilities cycling through his mind. I'd like to see him smile. That thought surprised him, and he blinked, unsure how to feel.

But before he could dwell on his feelings any longer, his father snapped him out of it when he began to talk.

"Now I know this is a big deal, but please don't worry too much about it. Just take this time to relax, and get to know him." The hybrid couldn't help but be slightly annoyed. He had spent most of his life just working, and now he was given a whole month to relax? What's he supposed to do?

"I understand," he responded with a nod.

Sighing into the smile, the king continued, "And although I don't doubt you will uphold your manners, I want you to remember magic is a sacred and precious resource. As beautiful as the forest may seem, it's not nice to unwelcomed guests, so it's best to stay away."

Another annoyance. One of the things Doc was looking forward to was studying the Magical Wood. Learn how it worked, how magic worked. But instead, maybe he could find something in the library, or the prince would be willing to talk to him about it.

The closer they got to the kingdom, the more nerves began to crawl up his back. He adjusted the silver crown on his head and looked down at his outfit. His father assured him a more casual outfit would be fine for the first meeting as, after all, they were to have a ball tonight anyway. So xB helped him decide on a black turtleneck underneath a dark grey, short-sleeved button-up. His tops were tucked into his high-waisted black pants. And as much as he'd rather go without shoes, or at the very least his crocs, his father made him wear nice black shoes.

Finally, the car slowed down. Doc's heart picked up the pace as the gates opened, and the self-driving vehicle pulled up to the entrance. The moment it stopped, he thought he was going to hurl. Thankfully, he didn't, but instead, he just went numb, his fear and anxiety blocking everything off and pulling up his walls.