The Idea of You (Bdoc Royal AU)

Chapter Four: The Celebration

[Day One]

(Technically night but whatever)

Doc glanced over at Prince Bdubs. He once again was wearing that strange polite yet fake smile. The hybrid was the same way, only it felt like it took more effort for him to keep the corners of his lips up. The sound of applause was deafening as he surveyed the scene in front of him.

It was a ball to celebrate the two coming together and the engagement officially being announced. They had just exchanged rose-gold engagement rings, and it felt so awkward. Thankfully, his friends xB and Etho were here, so he had some form of escape from this nightmare of a ball.

For this occasion, he donned a navy blue sleeveless, turtleneck dress. He felt too... simple. It had no shape and the only interesting thing about it was the white and gold sparkles scattered on the bottom and slowly dispersing further up the skirt. Doc felt as though it couldn't compare to the other prince's.

To complement his tan skin, Prince Bdubs was wearing an elegant ruby ballgown. His off-the-shoulders sleeves looked big and loose, yet they hardly moved. Sparkling gold stars were scattered across the dress, matching the golden necklace around his neck with the family crest as a charm. Hidden by the white underskirt, Doc knew was a pair of black heels, which he couldn't help but find funny, seeing as they barely gave the shorter any height on him. In fact, he too almost wore heels but ultimately decided plain black dress shoes were fine.

But there was no longer time to think about how they were dressed- it was time to dance. The ballroom fell silent as the two glided into the middle of the dance floor, Doc's hand on Bdubs' waist as they clasped hands. When the music started up, he took a small breath and they began to dance. He assumed Bdubs wouldn't look at him, but much to his surprise the freckled prince was maintaining eye contact with him.

More people joined in on the dancing, the volume in the ballroom picking up once again.

"Surprise you know how to dance," Bdubs muttered, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't it a hobby? A complete waste of time?" The hybrid tried not to cringe as he was reminded of the comments he made earlier that day.

"It's mandatory for all royals and nobles alike to know how to dance. I wouldn't call it a hobby," he retorted with a low voice. A part of him wanted to take back what he said, but he was too proud and stubborn to retract his claim.

The prince scoffed, looking away as they continued to dance.

-

Bdubs found Keralis in the crowd, who seemed to be flirting with someone from Oropolis. He looked great as usual in a sunflower-yellow suit. Along with a white button-up and a sapphire blue cravat, he was sure Keralis was the only person who could make the outfit look so stunning. The male he was talking to had adorned a deep plum suit and a black tie and seemed to be just as flirty. His cousin made eye contact with him and gave him an encouraging smile.

He looked back up at the hybrid prince and practically jumped out of his skin to find he was still staring at him. Bdubs took this time to study his face since it felt like Doc was doing the same thing. Although he couldn't remember much, he remembered when they were little Doc had very short almost buzz-cut hair, but obviously, it had now grown out, and he had styled it for the ball. "Did you end up reading anything useful in the library?" he asked, still keeping his voice rather low.

"Yes, actually," Doc said almost too proudly. "History on your kingdom, to be specific." Bdubs pursed his lips.

"History on the entire kingdom or just the Magical Wood?" He raised an eyebrow again and tried to see if the half-creeper's expression would change. A flair of his nostrils and the slight narrowing of his eyes revealed Bdubs had hit the bullseye. "I hope you're aware there's no way I'm taking you in there," he stated, suppressing his smirk.

Doc didn't mask his disappointment very well, though it was hard to tell if it was on purpose or not. "Why not?" he huffed, only to quickly follow up with, "Are you intimidated by me or something?"

The smirk on his face only fueled Bdubs' annoyance. Thankfully, the music was starting to fade out the first dance was coming to a close. As they bowed to each other, Bdubs stared at him with a straight face. "No, I just don't like you." He bluntly stated.

-

Beef watched as the engaged couple broke off, Bdubs coming right towards him. The short brunette immediately loosened up the moment he approached Beef and Stress, who was standing with him. "Hi," the prince breathed. "You both look amazing."

He wasn't too sure about that one. He was just wearing a regular three-piece black suit. Dressing up was never his thing, and it felt very obvious when he was around people like Bdubs and Stress. The lady's brunette hair was braided into a bun on the back of her head, and a tiara of flowers with gems that looked like water droplets sitting on top of her hair. She had gone with a pastel pink suit, the jacket hanging off her shoulders. A sky-blue tie hung from her sparkly white button-up.

"You look tired," she softly pointed out to the prince.

"I'm just... drained," he mumbled.

"Hey, it's okay," Beef reassured him, squeezing his shoulders. "You should get something to drink."

Stress offered to go with him, leaving him all alone. But not for long, as a white-haired stranger in a dark green suit suddenly appeared.

"Something tells me those two aren't getting along," he said, crossing his arms. Beef followed his gaze and saw Prince Doc was quietly talking to the male Keralis was with.

"They seem to be pretty good at hiding it, though," he pointed out, looking back at the other.

"You're Beef, right? I'm-"

"Etho. I know," the taller cut him off, extending his hand. Etho grinned, shaking his hand. "Why do I feel like you have something... planned?"

The young noble from Oropolis chuckled. "And I have a feeling you'll be willing to help."

Something about the glint of mischief in his eyes sparked a funny feeling in his chest. A feeling he hadn't felt in a while.

A feeling that last he felt it, he had suppressed it.

-

Prince Bdubs drummed his fingers on the balcony railing. Beef had told him to meet him out here, that he wanted to talk to him, but so far nothing. It was definitely one of his weirder pranks, but he couldn't help but be somewhat thankful. Getting some time away from the ball, away from Doc, was just what he needed.

But just when he decided that maybe he should head back inside, someone came outside to join him, and it wasn't Beef.

"Prince Doc? Can I help you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Um, I was told you wanted to talk to me?" he explained, scratching the side of his face.

Suddenly it all made sense and Bdubs sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know what Beef thought he was doing..." he muttered. Looking up at the other prince he clapped his hands together. "Apologies, but it was all a misunderstanding. I'm going to head back inside now." Excusing himself, he moved around the tall hybrid.

"Wait," the darker brunette protested, touching his forearm. The freckled prince turned around, blinking at him expectantly.

-

He was truly considering apologizing for what he said. Considering swallowing his pride and admitting his fault. But something about how despite the blank stare on the prince's face, Doc could feel his annoyance and decided against it. Instead, he quickly pulled something out of a random spot in his mind.

"I know you don't like me but we ought to try and get along. We kind of need to," he pointed out.

Doc wasn't sure how the other would react, but an eye-roll was not up there in the possibilities.

"I appreciate the concern but I am well aware of what we ought to do. I'm positive we were both given the same rundown of what this betrothal entails," he snapped. Collecting himself via a deep breath, Prince Bdubs gave a small curtsy. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

Practically dumbfounded by the rather improper retaliation, the hybrid watched as he walked back into the ballroom. He was left behind as a strange and unfamiliar fuzzy feeling resonating in his chest.