Phan One Shots

~ Harmless

Harmless

Words: 6690

Summary: Dan wants to get away from his royal duties and comes across a stranger by a lake. He makes friends with the strange man - Phil, and may even develop feelings for him. However, a situation occurs that could tear them apart.

Dan's POV*

I kicked the side of my horse for him to ride faster, feeling the rush of wind against my face and through my hair. Hercules, my black stallion, thundered on, his hoofs digging up the dirt through the fast pace. I heard his fast breathing and heartbeat as it fell in rhythm with his step. I grinned and let go of the reins for a minute so Hercules could ride freely. I sat back and stood up on the stirrups, putting my arms out to the side. I yelled out in joy but lurched forward when Hercules went over a bump. 

I grinned and patted the side of his head, grasping the reins again and sitting back down on the seat. I urged him on faster as we flew across the current field we were in and approached the surrounding woods. It was good to get away from the castle on my horse. 

You see I'm a Prince, but it isn't always easy, rules and restrictions are so boring and sometimes I like to just get away from it all. My father, James Howell, is always skeptical about these things in case our neighbouring enemies ambush me, but I always go to my private space. It's in the opposite direction of both castles so I'm hopefully guaranteed no ambushes. I've never really ventured past the woods so I don't know the area that well. 

I slow Hercules down as we start through the trees, guiding him carefully through the maze of browns and greens. I stared in wonder at the calm environment. We never had anything so calm back at the castle, it was always trumpets, violin music and people talking and fussing about. Here it was the soft sway of the trees and the odd sound of a dew drop hitting a leaf or the damp soil.

I brought Hercules into a fast walk through the growth and breathed in the damp plant smell which filled me with freshness. I smiled and carry on my little adventure. Maybe I should just live out here, I'm sure I could organize a small cabin to be built here. I'm not one for large golden and marble palaces, too bright and there's always formal and important questions being thrown my way.

I was lost in thought, I didn't realize we had stepped into an opening between the trees. Hercules halted, jolting me out of my thoughts. I looked around the area in awe. A large cliff face blending into the forest faced me. Water overflowed over the edge, crashing down into the river. The spray caused small rainbows to flash every so often. The white foam from the water colliding evaporated the further it went down the glassy current.

"Wow." I breathed.

I heard Hercules grunt, turning my attention away from the mesmerizing water fall and looked to my horse which looked agitated. 

"What's wrong?" I asked, gently raking a hand through his thick mane. He grunted again and started to back up, through the trees. "Hercules, what is it?" I whispered, frowning. I looked up and scanned the area for anything that would set him on edge but found nothing. I tried to follow Hercules's weary gaze but it was looking at the water.

"There's nothing there-" I froze when I saw a figure through the water's reflection. I tugged on Hercules's reins, reversing him into the trees in case it was trouble. I watched the water intently as a figure began to surface, revealing a mop of soaking black hair. I couldn't see them properly from this distance. "Stay here." I cooed to Hercules and tied his lead to a tree which was hidden fairly well.

I crept through the trees, hiding in the growth, weeds and bushes when I got the chance, silently approaching the river. When I got close enough I saw a young man breast stroke to the bank and haul himself up, water droplets falling from his torso. His skin was very pale but that might be because he's been in the cold water. I could only see his back and he was quite skinny but had broad shoulders and a small amount of muscle.