"Falling"

Advise

Jensen walks into his study, his mind and heart still racing, when he sees Jared sitting there. His Second-In-Command is there for their morning briefing, something he has completely forgotten about.

Jensen has known Jared since they were children, having grown up together in his father's Court and going through training together. When the time came for Jensen to take over as Military Commander of his brother's army, he knew exactly who he wanted for his Second.

He crosses the room and sits down, letting out a breath.

-"What's wrong?" - Jared asks, already knowing that something was bothering his friend.

-"Nothing."

-"Your face tells me otherwise."

-"Can I ask you something?"

-"Sure."

-"Have you ever had feelings for someone you knew you couldn't have?"

-"Are we talking about a certain Princess?" - Jared smirks, already knowing the answer.

-"Forget it." - Jensen shakes his head, not in the mood for his friend's teasing.

-"You can't deny what I already know, my friend." - Jared chuckles.

-"And what is that?"

-"It's clear that you have fallen for the Princess."

-"Have I been that obvious?" - Jensen grunts.

-"Don't worry, you haven't. But I've seen how you are when she is around. Plus, I've known you long enough to know when something's different with you. What happened?"

-"I found her in the middle of the woods, muddied and limping. Her horse threw her off her saddle and she was trying to make her way back to the Castle with a sprained ankle. When we got back, in the stables, there was a moment where I almost did something I shouldn't."

"I caressed her face, Jared, and I have no idea what possessed me to do so. I know that there's no chance of something ever happening between us, but in that moment, it was just the two of us."

-"You don't know if there's no chance. She didn't push you away when you did that, so that tells me that there might be one."

-"You seem to be forgetting that she is a Princess and I'm a Military Commander in someone else's army."

-"You're the Military Commander in your brother's army. I'm sure that that will carry some weight."

-"There's no chance in hell her father would ever agree to have his only daughter marry the brother of the man he blames for his eldest daughter's death."

-"Look, I didn't say it wasn't a stretch, and even if her presence here is because her father is plotting against your brother, that doesn't mean her feelings for you aren't real. If push comes to shove, you can always elope."

-"I doubt my brother would be willing to go to war with Williams just so I can marry her."

-"You know the King better than I do, but after everything that you have done for him, I'd like to believe he would help you be with the woman you love."

Jensen nods, not sure if in agreement or not, but he can't help wondering if maybe Jared's right. More than once, he has proven himself loyal to his family and King, doing everything he is asked to do and never asking for anything in return. Maybe it's high time he asks for something he wants and he really wants to be with the Princess.

Jared can see the wheels turning in Jensen's head, the man coming to the same conclusion Jared has reached a long time ago. He sees Jensen shaking his head, clearing his thoughts, before asking him what they have on the agenda for the day. Jared smiles, telling him what they have in store for the day ahead, knowing that no matter what his friend decides to do, he will have his back.