The Idea of You (Bdoc Royal AU)

Chapter Seven: The Idea of You

[Day Five]

It didn't surprise Doc that he didn't run into the prince at all for the entire day. It was safe to say Bdubs was probably avoiding him. He didn't blame him, but at the same time, he felt sick. They really needed to talk and make up. Sure it hasn't even been a week yet, but the sooner they make up the sooner they can get along. Far too much was riding on their ability to tolerate each other, and if Bdubs kept snapping at him it wasn't going to happen any time soon.

Then again, he wasn't helping much either. He kept saying stupid things that caused the other prince to lash out at him.

He ended up spending the day with Etho, who was leaving that afternoon. xB was only there for the ball on the first night, but Etho was able to stay a couple of extra days. While Doc helped him gather his things, he noticed the white-haired noble always found a way back to the subject of Beef.

"You really like this guy, huh?" he teased, handing over a white button-down.

"Yeah, I guess," he sheepishly answered, placing the shirt in his suitcase. "I mean, I've only known the guy for a few days."

"Etho you definitely gave him your number the night of the ball don't deny it," Doc accused with a grin.

Etho's face flushed as he closed the suitcase. "M-Maybe but like, it doesn't matter he hardly uses his phone anyways."

The prince just hummed. It was nice to see his friend this happy about someone rather than something. The noble cleared his throat and sat on the edge of the bed. "Anyways, how are things with you and Prince Bdubs?" he slowly asked.

Doc slumped on the bed next to him and drew a hand over his face. "It's been five days and I'm pretty sure he hates me." He leaned back and let his head hit the comforter. While he stared at the ceiling, his friend leaned on his side, propping up his arm to rest his hand in his head.

"Dude I cannot stress this enough; you need to communicate," he advised.

"I've tried that!" he whined. "But every time I manage to say something that makes me seem like a royal ass. Maybe it'd be better if I just stopped talking."

Patting his torso, Etho sat back up. "You're a blunt person and that isn't inherently a bad thing. But maybe try and talk to him today, and try to think a little more before speaking."

Doc slowly sat up and smoothed back his hair. "You're insulting me," he teased. He paused for a moment, before pulling his friend into a hug. "I'm going to miss you," he mumbled.

"Don't worry, we'll see each other again soon," he assured him, squeezing him.

When they pulled away, he kept his hands on his shoulders. "Tell xB I said hi and I miss him too," he added.

"Of course."

-

After dinner, Doc said goodbye to his father as well and the two Oroplions left the kingdom, officially leaving him alone. He looked over his shoulder to speak with Bdubs, but he already disappeared. When his eyes drifted to Beef, he saw him mouth to him, 'the garden', and nodded.

Biting his lip, he navigated the halls until he found a familiar area. Finally, he found himself in the large plaza once again and saw the prince sitting on the bench, his back to him.

"May I join you?" he quietly asked, standing next to the bench. Snapping out of his daze, Bdubs looked up at him. He scooched over before turning back to the garden.

The two sat in silence for a minute or so, Doc taking that time to find the right words. Finally, he turned his head to the shorter prince. "I'm sorry for being insensitive yesterday, and for being ignorant," he said, his voice still low.

Sighing, Bdubs looked up at him. "It's okay, I know you didn't mean any harm. I'm sorry for snapping at you... a lot."

He hesitated for a second. His voice dropped to a whisper as he asked, "Do you hate me?"

Letting out an exhale through his nose, the prince turned back to the garden. "No, I don't hate you. But, if I'm to be completely honest, for a long time I hated the idea of you if that makes any sense."

"What do you mean?"

"It's not your fault we're engaged, I know that. But just the fact I was betrothed to someone was what I hated. For a long time, there was someone I... liked. But because of the betrothal, I couldn't say anything to them. Because no matter what, it could never happen. A part of me hoped you hated the idea of me too, that being engaged to a total stranger annoyed you as much as it did me," he explained with a still expression.

Doc's eyes were glued to the prince. "No, I don't think I ever thought that way," he admitted. "If anything, I just didn't understand why we had to in the first place. But, if you don't mind me asking, do you still like this person?"

Bdubs scoffed, the corner of his lips twitching, threatening a smile. "No, not anymore. I learned to get over it fairly quickly. But, the funny thing is; my friends could tell there was someone I liked. I did a terrible job at hiding it," he explained, leaning his head back. "However, I told them it was some stable boy whom I spoke with once and they still believe it to this day. But it was never him."

The freckled brunette sighed and closed his eyes.

"It was Stress."

Doc blinked. Oh, he thought to himself.

"And the worst part? It could've happened," he continued. "She's the daughter of the captain of the guard, and training to take his place one day. But, I never said anything and I don't ever want to."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, unsure of what else to say.

Leaning forward, Bdubs pushed his hair back. "Don't apologize. It's not your fault and like I said- I'm over it now. Besides, if anything I'm pretty sure she just sees me like a younger brother or something now."

The hybrid thought for a moment. If Prince Bdubs trusted to tell him something like this, he wanted to reciprocate it. But this is so different, he pointed out to himself. Father would kill you if he finds out you told someone. He gripped the edge of the bench as he heavily contemplated.

"Are you okay?" Bdubs asked, gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "You look like there's something on your mind."

Taking a deep breath, he glanced over at him. "King Xisuma never had a child," he slowly explained. "He took me in when I was four, so the kingdom assumed he just kept me a secret when I was a baby for safety reasons. So technically, I'm not a prince."

Creasing his brow, the light brunette scooched closer and hugged him. His heart began to race as he gripped the back of his shirt. "It doesn't matter if you're blood-related or not, you're still his son and a prince. And I'm sure the king feels the same way," he murmured, squeezing him.

Doc let out a shaky breath as he held back tears. Something he's seen as a fact since the day he moved into the palace was suddenly ripped up in front of his very eyes.

As much as he wanted to stay there, his face buried in the other's shoulder, he didn't want to push it and pulled away.

Much to his surprise, he found Bdubs giving him a warm smile, sending butterflies scattering throughout his stomach. Feeling heat rise in his cheeks he looked back to the garden.

"Thank you," he mumbled.

"I know it's only been a few days, but I truly want us to at least be friends," the shorter prince said.

Glancing back over at him, Doc cracked a smile. "No promises," he teased.

Bdubs snorted, breaking into a small fit of giggles.

And there it was.

His laughter squeezed his heart, constricting its frantic beating. It was so light and sweet, and mixed with the emotion he was holding back earlier, suddenly his vision clouded in his right eye.

The prince's laughter died and he touched his shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked.

He quickly nodded, wiping his eye to stop the tears. "S-Sorry, yeah I'm good."