The Idea of You (Bdoc Royal AU)

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Anxiety Still Lingers

[Day 28]

With everything finally resolved, Bdubs couldn't be happier to be back in Artise, although the castle seemed to be bustling with more energy and commotion than ever. Oropolion royalty including Etho and xB had come back with them to attend the wedding, which Bdubs refused to think about being about two days away. He barely had a moment to breathe, let alone see Doc as the two were whisked away.

Bdubs had to deal with magic training, tending to the garden, checking on the forest, and helping his fathers with solving a few village issues. He had no idea what Doc was up to for the day, as it wasn't until the rehearsal dinner that night did they get a chance to see one another.

All the dinner did for the prince was cause him to feel far more anxious. He knew he was lucky that his fathers were trying to make the whole process as easy as possible, but that couldn't stop him from worrying that he would say the wrong thing or somehow stand in the wrong spot. Worst of all, he somehow convinced himself that someone was going to sabotage the wedding.

Yet despite his silent spiraling, he kept a possible break-down at bay, because as far as he could tell, Doc was undergoing a crisis of his own. No longer was he visibly fighting the urge to be affectionate with Bdubs as the prince would sometimes notice. Instead, if he'd ever so much graze his hand, the other prince quickly pulled away. He had a slight frown on his face for practically the entire rehearsal and his eyes revealed his mind was elsewhere.

A terrible feeling was planted in Bdubs' gut, worse than his paranoia-induced worries. The idea that Doc was suddenly doubting everything - the unity, their relationship, his feelings - took root and spread through Bdubs like the poisonous and dangerous Rapid Blue Vine.

The moment the dinner was over, Doc quietly excused himself and left the room. His first instinct was to chase after him, but he hesitated. Perhaps he wants his space away from me. I wouldn't blame him.

Although he was still plenty worried, so he approached Etho who was speaking with Beef. Seeing how concerned the two of them were as well, he hoped Doc's friend would be able to share some insight.

"Do you know what's going on with Doc?" He quietly asked.

Much to his dismay, Etho shook his head. "I'm not sure. Honestly, I was hoping you'd know."

Bdubs pursed his lips. "I can only assume he's having last-minute doubts," he explained through a whisper.

"I doubt that. You should go talk to him," Etho suggested, but Bdubs shook his head.

"I'm sure he wants his space. You saw how... jumpy he was earlier. I don't want to be a bother."

"How do you know that's what he wants?" Beef butted in. "He never told you that, so even if for some reason it's true, he shouldn't expect you to know that. So seriously; go talk to him. Whether you two like it or not you're going to be together for the rest of your lives and some healthy communication will make it all the easier." Cracking a smile at his friend's lecture, Bdubs couldn't help but pull him into a quick hug.

"Always my voice of reason. I don't know what I'd do without you," he lightly laughed, feeling a bit better.

When he pulled back, Beef was matching his smile. "Go on then, before someone ropes you into more tasks," he teased.

-

Affection from Bdubs that would once send Beef spiraling seemed to no longer have that effect on him. Watching his friend leave the dining room, Beef never felt more certain in himself.

However, come to find his new partner wasn't as confident.

Feeling Etho hesitantly touch his hand, he returned his attention to him. "And you're sure that you don't-"

"Etho," Beef interrupted, squeezing his hand. "I promise I like you. No one else."

The mask on his face lifted, signifying he was smiling as he let go of Beef's hand in favor of gently holding his cheeks. "Sorry, just had to double-check," he lightly laughed.

"No worries, I'll always remind you," he assured him, his heart fluttering from the simplest of touch.

They too left the dining room, hand in hand. By that time the sun had already set, bright moonlight filtering in through the large windows. "So after the wedding, only a few days, and then I'll be back for another date then?" Etho quietly clarified.

Beef nodded. The two hadn't been going out for that long, and although they were fairly comfortable with each other, they weren't exactly at the point of giving up living in the kingdom they grew up in for the other. Although technically they were about to become one kingdom, their homes were still far from one another.

"I'll be treating you to the most magical picnic you've ever been on," he eagerly explained.

"I'm looking forward to it!"

-

Despite hearing footsteps, Doc didn't look up from his spot on the bench overlooking the magical garden Bdubs tended to. He was far too lost in thoughts as he studied the paperclip heart in his hand. The prince was delicately holding it between his thumb and forefinger, taking great care to not mess up the imperfect and wavy lines.

"There you are," Bdubs exhaled.

Doc finally looked up when his betrothed sat beside him, flashing a small yet concerned smile. "I thought you would be in the library or your room. Are you alright?" He quietly asked.

He pulled a smile onto his lips. "I'm alright," he echoed. The hybrid watched as the other slowly took his hand, lacing their fingers together and lightly squeezed.

"You can talk to me Doc."

Exhaling through his nose, Doc squeezed his hand back. "I'm so unbelievably nervous," he admitted. "This is such an important event and I'm afraid I'll mess it up somehow. That something could go wrong. I've not had to deal with a responsibility this big before, and if I can't handle this then how am I supposed to handle being king?"

Bdubs coaxed him closer into a hug, letting go of his hand to give him a good squeeze. "Trust me, I'm just as nervous, but we're not alone in this. Not only do we have each other to rely on, but our friends, the kings, and even the people have long since stopped feeling doubtful of the unity and are just as excited about it. We can handle this, and we are both more than capable of becoming kings."

Doc gripped the back of his shirt with one hand, the other still delicately holding the small gift. Burying his face in his shoulder, he quietly thanked him for his reassurance. "I thought I was going to be okay, because of what your father talked to me about, but I- this is just- so scary," he whispered, followed by a heavy exhale.

"I know, I keep psyching myself out and making myself more paranoid than I should be. But we can do this," Bdubs assured him.

When they pulled apart, he selfishly wished they hadn't, that he could stay there safe in his arms forever. However, the kiss pressed to his forehead was nice. "I'm honestly surprised you held onto that," the magical prince admitted, nodding at the heart.

His face grew warm. "Ah- yeah- I mean, when you gave it to me, it was when you were- and- you were trying to assure me you were fine when- you weren't but I guess- well now I suppose it brings me some kind of comfort," he rambled, twisting the heart between his fingers.

"Well I'm happy that I was able to provide something like that for you," Bdubs whispered.

The hybrid prince hesitated to ask, as he slipped the heart into his shirt pocket. "Could- do you think- just for a little while longer, you could- um," his voice went quieter. "Can we cuddle?"

Gently he was pulled back into a hug, the two leaning against the back of the bench. Bdubs kissed his head. "We can stay like this for however long you need."

Closing his eyes and pressing his face against his skin, Doc squeezed him. His nerves wouldn't be gone for long, but just for that moment, he was confident that everything would go okay. He knew deep down it would. 

-

We're getting so close to the end!