MOIRAI (Man*Man)

Chapter 21

Bert might not be the protector yet or still weak in some places 'Okay many places' but he feels like what Ernest did was irrational. They had talked about it when Ernest got a crazy idea to search for who tried to kill Elmer, Bert wanted them to be arrested but he wasn't supportive of the fact that Ernest wanted to lead the search. He was worried that something might have happened to Ernest or something might have, gone wrong, messed up the entire thing leaving the kingdom with no one next in line.

Bert was not on board with the plan but it was hard to change Ernest's mind so Bert made a deal that they will have to do it together, Ernest was not allowed to go out for the search without Bert. At least that was the plan but now look, Bert was only distracted for a few seconds and what does Ernest do, he made it his deal to go out without Bert. Bert knows he is the protector but he doesn't need to feel like a babysitter and he usually values Ernest's decisions but this one was rushed. he is mad at him that he hasn't gone to see him after their fight at all even when he comes to the castle.

Bert only visits Elmer to see how he is doing, helps take care of him. Sometimes he would want to know how Ernest is doing so he asks some servants to inform him about it but he doesn't step foot into Ernest's room at all. He also has a lot of maids on him plus his mother and his elder sister is also with him so Bert isn't much needed there.... "And what do you think your doing?" Bert asked running over to Elmer giving him support "Get back in bed" Bert tried putting him back in bed but Elmer wasn't having it.

He has been rooted in that bed for three days straight, he is tired of sleeping on his butt all the time. He needs to get back to his normal life, take care of the flowers so that time can start moving. Him being stuck in bed makes him feel useless plus it is boring, he needs some fresh air, he needs his flowers. He isn't spending another day in bed "I am fine"

"No you're not" Bert denied putting him back on the bed "Don't try that again, you might get yourself hurt" Elmer has noticed one thing, he doesn't want Bert to take care of him because he is so strict on everything and he is having a hard time to believe that Elmer is doing better, his ribs don't hurt anymore, his throat is well, his jaw is good since he can eat well now and not die of pain.

"Bert I am fine" Bert was not having it "I promise I am fine, I need some fresh air. I am tired of being inside all the time" After a very long silence with Bert contemplating on what he should do he finally accepted on taking Elmer outside, he helped him as they walked slowly so not to hurt Elmer even more with Bert asking if he is fine every single step they took. When they reached in the flowers Elmer could breath freely, he missed the place so much and he feels like taking care of some flowers but he knows Bert won't be up for it because that was the first thing he told him after accepting to bring him outside.

"How are you feeling?"

"Good" Elmer replied with a sigh, trying to lean back but his ribs didn't allow the motion. He kept the hiss in so not to show Bert that he wasn't good, he needs some time out before he is forced back inside again "How is Ernest?" Elmer feels bad that he was the cause of Ernest's injury even if Bert constantly tells him that it was Ernest's stupidity that caused his injury. Elmer still feels accountable for it, Ernest was trying to get him justice and he got injured instead

"I believe he is fine"

"You're still mad at him" Elmer thought Bert will finally crack and go talk to Ernest but he believes that isn't going to work anytime soon if Bert hasn't gone to see Ernest "He was doing it for a good cause"

"I don't want to talk about it" Bert cut off that topic, it wasn't for a good cause. Bert takes it as a selfish move, everyone was saddened by Elmer's attack and no one did something as irrational as that, Ernest putting himself in danger doesn't help anyone and it certainly doesn't help Bert when he was the protector who was supposed to be by his side to prevent something like that. Bert's dad was angry at him but no one was angry at Bert as himself, he feels incompetent to do his job and that is why Ernest is sick.

He is angry at Ernest but also angry at himself and shameful that he couldn't do his job, that is why he doesn't want to face Ernest too because he feels like he failed him "Are you okay?"

"Yeah" Bert smiled up at Elmer "And I am sorry"

"It wasn't your fault" Bert thinks that giving Elmer the pendant caused all of this trouble, if he hadn't given it to him maybe all of this wouldn't have happened "Stop blaming yourself or I will kick your butt"

"You're too sick for that" Bert chuckled "And you know, you can never kick my ass"

"I will be able to do so one day"

"Then a friendly match it is" Bert put his picky finger out, Elmer attached it with his nodding. Indeed a friendly match it is, They stared at each other in the eye "Oh gods"

"What?" Elmer asked confused of where that came from.

"Your drooling" Elmer put his hand up to check his lips for the drool, that would be embarrassing and why would he be drooling in the first place. Bert burst out laughing at the panic in Elmer's eyes "I can't believe it worked" Elmer's face turned bright red from embarrassment as he pushed Bert's shoulder slightly, he can't believe he checked yet he knew he wouldn't be drooling "You should have seen your face, you really thought you were"

"I hate you"

"Don't deny it, you love me" Bert knows it, they chuckled as they continued making small talk laughing among them selves forgetting all about the world around them, enjoying each other's company.

****

Ernest stood in the window seeing Elmer and Bert laughing about something. It looked like Bert was showing Elmer something in the flowers, Bert got up walking away and when he came back he had something that Ernest couldn't see from a far but it made Elmer laugh throwing it back at Bert. Ernest hasn't see Bert in days, ever since he got the injury. He only gets informed by the maids that Bert asked about him but that is it, he never comes to see him in person.

Ernest knows he did something wrong by leaving Bert behind but he got the information in that time and Bert was busy taking care of Elmer. Ernest didn't want Bert to leave Elmer alone so that they can go catch the bastard, Ernest wanted to capture those guys by himself but it turns out it just angered Bert off even more. The door opened up behind him making Ernest to turn his head to find his valet Samuel coming in with his clean clothes "Samuel, I need you to give Elmer some of my clothes"

"Am sorry my prince but can I ask why?" Ernest turned full around taking his eyes off of Bert, Ernest needs Bert to forgive him and he believes if he makes Elmer happy maybe Bert will forgive him.

"You may not ask" Ernest replied walking with his clutches back to the bed "And please choose the best clothes"

"Yes my prince" Samuel started picking out some of the best clothes, he has worked here two years and he has never been given clothes from the prince yet Elmer gets new clothes just like that, Samuel believes everyone gets attacked in that part of town and many have been attacked before. Elmer was just the unlucky one that day but he is being treated like it was so special.

"Samuel" Ernest called getting Samuel out of his angry thoughts "Get me a trip with Lady Rylee for two days, I want no one to know about it do you understand"

"Yes my prince" Samuel bowed "My prince, do you want me to give out this shirt" Samuel knows that the shirt was gifted to the prince on his twentieth birthday from his mother.

"Yes" Samuel didn't question, Ernest fell back down on the bed passing his hands on his temple as he picked out a pen writing down a note "I want you to give this not to Bert when I am gone" Samuel accepted the letter walking out after sorting the clothes he should give out to Elmer.

Ernest needs some alone time for a few days and Rylee would make a good company, she has been neglected lately due to Ernest's injury he hasn't been able to show her around and maybe some alone time between the two could help out, it can help Ernest get his mind off of Bert for some time.