Royal Guard's Embrace [𝐙𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐍𝐄𝐖 FF]

𝐭𝐞𝐧

After finishing my breakfast, I decided it was time to confide in Jackson. I found him outside, sharpening his blade, his usual focused expression on his face. The sight of his calm demeanor somehow made the nervousness in my chest grow. Still, I approached him, determined to speak.

"So?" he asked without looking up, sensing my presence like he always did. 

I stood there awkwardly, shifting on my feet, trying to figure out how to say it. The words were right there, but they felt strange in my mouth. I inhaled sharply, gathering whatever courage I had left.

"So, um..." My voice cracked slightly, and I cleared my throat, trying again.

"I like... men."

"Okay. Congratulations." He said, his attention is still on is blade.

"Congratulations? For what?" I furrowed my brow.

"For figuring yourself out." He gave a small shrug, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.

His nonchalance caught me off guard. I had braced myself for something or anything other than this calm, casual response. I guess I had expected more of a reaction, though I wasn't exactly sure what kind. But now, standing here, it dawned on me how much I'd overthought the whole thing. 

Maybe it wasn't as big of a deal as I'd made it out to be?

"How did you realize?" he asked, now focusing on me as he wiped the blade down with a cloth, his attention fully on the conversation.

I fidgeted with my hands, unsure of how to explain it without sounding ridiculous.

"I kissed Zee," I admitted finally. "And I... I enjoyed it."

That caught his attention. Jackson raised an eyebrow, intrigued but not judgmental. 

"So, he's also..." He trailed off, waiting for me to confirm.

I nodded, feeling my face heat up slightly.

"Interesting," was all he said. It was hard to read him sometimes, but I could tell he was thinking something over.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the next words before they even left my mouth. 

"I... I want to be with Zee," I blurted out.

"Romantically."

Jackson paused, his hand stilling on the blade for a moment before continuing. He didn't look surprised, just thoughtful. 

"You want him to be your boyfriend?"

I nodded again, this time more firmly.

"Well then, make it so." He set the blade down on his lap and turned to face me fully, his brow furrowed like he was assessing a battle plan.

I blinked. "I... I don't know how!" I said, feeling a wave of frustration rise up. I began pacing in front of him, my mind racing. 

"I've never done this before, Jack. I don't know what to say or how to act, or even if he feels the same way!"

"Well, you could start by spending more time together. Get to know each other better." Jackson smirked a little at my frustration.

"Yes... spend time together. but how and where exactly?" I asked, throwing my hands in the air.

"Wherever you want," Jackson replied, now standing up and sheathing his blade.

"You're the prince, and he's your guard. He'll have to follow you wherever you go."

"Oh, Jack, you're brilliant!" I exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across my face.

Jackson raised an eyebrow again, clearly amused by my excitement. I was about to rush off when a thought stopped me in my tracks. I turned back to him, my expression more serious now.