Peter Pan: Back to Never-land (A queer re imagining)

Part 1: Partick:

"You don't have to fight alongside the commoners, Patrick."
There's that disgusted tone mum takes when talking to or about anyone that isn't royal. But at the end of the day our kingdom is only still running because of the work they do, the work that my family refuses to do. Maybe this is my chance to be among people, among anyone that isn't royal. Looking at me like I'm untouchable, just because of the blood that runs through me.
"And besides, we wouldn't want you to die unmarried." Yeah she has a weird thing about that too. Something about honour? Blah blah blah! It's also a hint that I should be getting a move on in the finding a wife and getting married department. Which, no thank you. I'm nineteen, all that can wait as far as I'm concerned. "Patrick!" Mum practically whines. Ugh.
"Real princes fight for their people." I say slinging my sword into my holster quite dramatically. Mum rolls her eyes.
"Real princes marry princesses." She says. She doesn't know, she can't know but no matter what she knows those words sting and I take off down stairs into the kitchen with a knot in my stomach.
Dad's fussing over some toast, calling back and forth to his servant Miles. Who is a sweet brown skinned boy with a sweet smile. Who I'm not allowed to talk to anymore because apparently it was "unnecessary to be that toward with the help." But I know better than that, I know it's because Miles is a boy and the only person I've so much looked at twice. But perhaps it does have to do with the fact that he is the "help" but I don't know.
Miles gives me a tentative smile which I return while we are unwatched.
"Your mum says you want to fight?" Dad says not looking up from his toast. Mile raises his eyebrows.
"I mean it's not like I haven't trained my whole life." I say. Helping myself to a tea from Miles' tray. He keeps his eyes away from me, perhaps in fear of getting fired. Whatever then.

"While that is true, Patrick, it's still a last resort for a prince to fight, among commoners."
Really with that tone again.
"The "commoners" are the reason this kingdom is still running, don't I owe it to them to fight beside them as equals."

Dad scoffs like he thinks I'm joking but then he frowns.
"You sound like your Uncle Vin." He says like his brother wasn't killed just last year. "Standing with the commoners got him killed. You will not fight unless it's the last straw." Dad says firmly.

But I'm not backing down. Uncle Vin fought bravely along side our people, he even died saving the love of his life. I think the real reason dad makes a bad example of Vin has much more to do with his sexuality than dad would ever care to admit.

"I'll fight if I want to, every prince has the choice to stand among his people, so that's not up to you. And besides Uncle Vin was a hero, I'm honoured to even be in the same sentence as him." I say proudly. Dad scoffs again.

"Dead hero's are only remembered for a few seconds beside those who honoured their family." Dad mutters because I think he knows he can't really stop me.

"Well I'm going to "honour my family." by fighting for their survival." I say keeping my voice loud. Another scoff from dad.

"You're more like Vin than you think I realise, fine Patrick. Hide behind "fighting beside your people" even though deep down we all know you're just as fucked up as he was." Dad's words cut like a knife through my heart.

"I'd rather be like him than be like you!" I yell at him and storm out of the door before I burst into tears in front of him.

All I can think as I'm putting on my armour in a flurry of tears is, of course they knew! How could I have been so stupid to think they didn't. As if the whole thing with Miles wasn't a dead give away. As if from the moment I kissed him I also knew that I liked boys and would bring "shame to the family." As if it didn't hurt me everyday when Miles pulled away from me because of who I was. You know what? Fuck them all. I'm going to fight.

I pull out the armour that was made as "a last resort." I fit it on myself as best I can. As I do, I listen to the clanging of swords against shields just outside the castle walls. My blood runs cold.
"No, Patrick. Bloodshed is part of fighting for and with your people. You can do this." I say to myself.

I saddle up my horse in the barn next. Maybe I can get some more acreage on the enemy, support our people that way. I don't know? But I do know i am not turning back now. This is what l'm meant to do, I can feel it.