Middle of the Week Motivation

Bodyguard

Mark certainly didn't expect to be the one selected. Of all the soldiers in the royal guard, he certainly didn't consider himself the best, let alone be the one chosen to be the princes bodyguard. Ever since the last one was killed in battle, the king had been antsy to get a replacement as soon as possible and the guards had been placed under very intense training to determine who would be chosen. Apparently, Mark had caught the Kings eye, though it turns out it wasn't quite for the reason expected.

Sure, Mark wasn't the best at fighting, but he was better than most, and while the king cared about the guards skill, he also wanted them to be someone who would leave a good impression on the prince. Turns out, Mark was chosen more for his remarkable acts of kindness rather than his fighting abilities. Needless to say, Mark wasn't the only one surprised when he found out he was chosen.

He was escorted away from the training fields almost immediately, and so of the other men watched him go with longing glances. Many would give the world to be in his position, and all the while, Mark was wondering if there had been a mistake. He was confident in his training but his self esteem wasn't that high and he just figured the responsibility of the future Kings life should fall on someone who was better than him.

But he was the one who was chosen, the king giving him a reassuring smile before entering the room, Mark trailing closely behind. The prince stood there silently, Mark blushing under his watchful eye. Mark was beginning to think this was even more of a bad idea. The prince was very cute and Mark worried about himself getting distracted instead focusing on his job.

The king introduced the pair, Mark shyly taking the hand that the prince professionally offered. Mark could easily see through the princes facade and smiled to himself at the princes eagerness to have a companion. "This is Mark." The kings voice rang out. "He will be your new bodyguard." The prince gave a formal nod. "I'll leave you two to get more aquatinted." And with that, the king left.

Neither of them said anything at first. Finally, the prince broke the silence. "Not much of a talker, huh?" He asked, though you could hear the bit of teasing that mingled in with his accent.

"I'm just, nervous uh.. your highness." Mark finally managed out. Great. What a first impression this was.

"Please," the prince made a dismissive motion with his hand. "Just call me Jack." Mark nodded. "And besides, there's nothing for you to be worried about, if my father chose you, there must be a good reason."

Mark nodded, not sure if that wasn't comforting or not. He spoke again, upon realization that the prince was expecting a response. "Oh, right. Thank you... Jack."

The green haired prince smiled. "So, why don't you tell me about yourself?"

A few hours had passed and Mark had grown comfortable in Jack's presence, learning much more about him the more they talked. The king cane to check up on them, calling Jack out of the room for a "personal talk", Mark's worries setting back in. Had Jack liked him? Was the last few hours a test he was supposed to pass? Had he failed? Had he been to causal?

Mark found himself pacing as the pair of royals came back in, giving him a confused look. "I, uh, just can't sit still for very long." Mark said, as if to explain his weird behavior. He wouldn't admit his internal crisis to the royals, not just yet.

"Well, I would just like to say that Jack has really seems to take a liking towards you and that you shall be his bodyguard. We won't want to have someone who he didn't get along with, would we?"

Mark shook his head, face tinting pink at the kings words and he forced out "No sir."

"Well then, show him around the place, would you Jack?" Jack nodded and the king left them alone again.

Immediately as the king left, Jack's formal composite melted, and Mark did some too as Jack smiled. "Let's go shall we?"

They walked around the castle grounds, Jack showing him many different places and familiarizing Mark with the layout of the castle. "And lastly, the forest." Jack swept his arm out into the air in front of him, motioning to the dense forest that lay ahead.

"We're gonna go in there?" Mark asked, confused.

Jack nodded, taking Mark's hand and pulling him into the thicker of trees. "I've been dying to come here since my last bodyguard was killed." He admitted, not seeming to notice as Mark flushed red at his touch.

They walked between the trees, Jack still holding Mark's hand tightly in his own as they walked along a well trodden path. Mark eventually summoned the courage to clear his voice and manage out "uh...."

Jack paused, turning to face him, watching Mark's eyes flicker down to their linked hands. "Does this bother you?" Jack questioned.

"What?" Mark stumbled over his words.

"Does us holding hands make you uncomfortable? Is it unpleasant for you?" Jack rephrased his words.

"No." Mark admitted truthfully.

"Then I don't see the problem with it." Jack shrugged.

"What will people think if they see?" Mark couldn't help but to worry aloud.

"If people ask, I can tell them I was feeling unsafe and we held hands to prevent each other from getting lost." Jack stated simply, as if it was the easiest lie he's ever told.

Mark nodded, feeling more secure now that they had an alibi. "Ok then. That's what we'll do." And with that, they continued walking, stopping to sit on the shore of a pond. Mark looked over at the prince as he leaned on Mark's shoulder, the two of them still holding hands. They say there in silence for a while, Mark's face still tinged with pink at the touch of the prince. It wasn't until soft snores escaped his mouth that Mark realized Jack ha fallen asleep. It must've been a long day for him. Mark smiled to himself, pressing a soft kiss to his fluffy green hair, before scooping him up in his arms and carrying him back to the castle.

Turns out, this job was going to be different than what Mark had been expecting...