King and Lionheart [Dreamnotfound AU]

Chapter 22: Wildflowers

Dream dragged his feet around the familiar sights and faces at Cathens, pretending he'd never seen it before.

His father was already in a bad mood. "The disrespect! He's inviting every other crown for tea or dinner or a picnic, and not a single word to us! It's been a week!"

Dream didn't bring up that it had only been four days.

Nor did he bring up that he was the reason that George didn't want to see them.

A6d shot him a concerned look from behind King Viridian, but he was on ice too thin to do more than that.

Dream had to beg over and over to get his father to un-fire him and allow him to ride to them in Cathens. The prince almost cried when he saw him again, but all he was allowed was one short hug. He didn't have the privacy to tell a6d what had happened, but he knew the advisor had noticed something was wrong. He could probably guess.

Dream figured it was pretty obvious: he was heartbroken. It physically hurt inside his chest. He'd never wanted more to lie in bed forever.

Suddenly he glanced behind them. His senses warned him someone was following them, but then his gaze caught on something else.

A palace servant was putting up posters. Summons for The Green Thief.

Dream tripped. Ow.

A6d helped him up with worry in his eyes. "Are you alright, your highness?"

"Yes," Dream said shakily. "Yes."

"Clay, you're embarrassing yourself." King Viridian scowled around them as people glanced over curiously. He muttered to himself. "Dang uneven roads in this country, the boy king can't even smooth dirt. What's this about summoning anyway? Who summons a thief? This country..."

Dream tuned him out. His mind buzzed. George wants me back? I thought he was cross.

Townspeople were gathering behind him, confused about something.

Dream had accidentally grown a patch of cornflowers where he'd fallen. He lifted his hands; they were shimmering green. His magic was losing control.

The realisation sparked adrenaline and Dream had to take deep breaths to think of what to do.

He crouched and dragged one hand in the dirt alongside the road, effortlessly bringing up more blue wildflowers.

Children followed by adults flocked excitedly to him, amazed at the magic before their eyes. Dream giggled and grew a line of them as he walked.

"Clay." His father's tone and stare clearly said "stop."

But a6d smiled at him. Dream smiled back and shrugged at his father. "What? It's only flowers."

"Boop." Dream brushed against a dying flower box and suddenly it was bursting with bright marigolds.

A little kid ran up to him, their small hands curled around a clump of dirt. "Please!" they squealed.

"Alright." Magic seeped through and leaves sprouted, then a cornflower stretched and bloomed in the child's hands.

"Wow!" Their eyes lit up and a horde of loud dirt-clutching children surrounded Dream in seconds.

A surprised laugh came out his mouth as the kids jostled and beamed up at him. His heart felt a little lighter.

"Alright, alright-" he grew more flowers for them, then special orders as they started requesting types.

Before Dream knew it he led a whole parade, throwing blossoms over the cheering crowd. He handed out bouquet after bouquet as fast as he could make them.