To Wear The Crown

14

Charlie's face drops when he too realises what he said. He didn't mean to. He didn't want to. "I- I- shit." Rubbing his hands over his face, Charlie regrets having agreed to the walk. It's that stupid, handsome face that the prince has. Too handsome for his own good.

"Hey, hey, hey." The prince grabs Charlie's hands, trying to get Charlie to look him in the eyes. "It's okay. I'm not going to tell anyone, promise. And honestly... I'm glad." Looking into Charlie's brown eyes, the prince can clearly see his reflection as Charlie's pupils dilate. "Yeah I've only known you for- two days. I wouldn't have come actively looking for you, specifically you, if I only wanted to say thank you. I could've easily asked Nicholas to relay the message if that was it. I wanted to spend time with you before I even heard the rumors."

Charlie says nothing. His mind spinning. He never thought something like this would happen. Part of him wants to not believe while the other yearns to believe.

"You don't have to force yourself to feel the same way I do. I'm also not going to force you into anything. Just listen to me right now," The prince removes his hands and stands straight, "I like you and if you don't reciprocate my feelings that is okay. It's perfectly fine. We can go on with our lives however you like. If that means you want nothing to do with me, or stay as friends, that is all okay."

"I like you too." Charlie mumbles barely loud enough for the other. His heart beat reverberating louder in his ears than his words.

"Then let's keep walking," The prince leans in, placing a hand on Charlie's arms. "You said you needed to get somewhere."

The two continue walking in silence at the beginning until they reach the castle's garden and the prince speaks up. Asking how Charlie wishes to keep their relationship, like whether he prefers friendship, or something a bit more intimate.

"I don't know. I'm not sure or used to this kind of thing. Can we take it slow? Like getting to know each other more before making such a big decision. Because if we do decide to start... courting, then we have to be really careful because well, I'm a servant, and you're a prince, and we're both males." Charlie's been thinking about it as they've walked. So many things could go wrong.

"Then let's take it slow. I said I'm not going to force you into anything and I mean it. Make choices based on what you want, not what you think I want." As the prince comes to his final words, the two come upon a hidden door in the castle wall, behind a bush of white roses.

"I should go alone from this point onwards. You shouldn't be seen in the lower town." Charlie turns to the prince, his composure back to normal.

"Charlie... about the whole calling me Benjamin. How about when it's just me and you, when we are somewhere private, you call me Ben. Only Ben. Other than that, we can keep it as 'your highness' so no one suspects a thing." The prince carefully watches Charlie's expression for any sudden changes.

Charlie fiddles with his fingers as he musters up the courage, "Okay... Ben." It feels wrong to drop the formality, but it also feels good— a guilty pleasure. When he'll say Ben it'll also mean more as it will be more personal.

A smile grows on Ben's face as Charlie says his name. "You know, you're really cute sometimes. Mostly when your cheeks flush. They flush so easily." Ben chuckles as he lifts a hand to brush against Charlie's warm cheek.

"I should go now." Charlie turns to open the door and steps through.

"Go on." Ben says softly, standing still, waiting for Charlie to disappear.

Charlie swiftly pulls Ben's collar down to give a quick peck on the lips before slamming the shut and scurrying away.

"Cute." Ben laughs to himself as his fingers trace his lips. The kiss was quick and light, but the feeling lingers. "Very cute." He mumbles, walking away as he can no longer hear Charlie's footsteps through the door. "Very cute..."