Prince Charming ✓

-4-**

"Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end."

-John Lennon

***************

Soren

I wouldn't stay for his wedding. I wouldn't stay to see him get married off to a princess he didn't want; didn't love.

I wouldn't stay and see him live a life with her, ruling a kingdom and adored by everyone.

I wouldn't stay to see him triumph, rise, because I knew that no matter how strong he was, this life was breaking him apart.

All of the decisions that he didn't want to make, all the things he couldn't deal with, all of the pressure.

The need to please others. The need to try to please himself, and failing.

I wouldn't stay, simply because I couldn't.

I couldn't watch him get married, I couldn't watch him succeed, I couldn't watch him break.

I couldn't watch him lead a life he didn't want to lead, because the thought of it made me want to stay.

But I wouldn't stay, because I couldn't bear to watch him wear away in his sad little throne, in this sick little kingdom.

But by the look in his eyes and the smile on his face when I told him I wouldn't see him get married, something told me the prince had a plan.

*******

"Do you have a family?" He asked me one morning. It was early, and we were in the kitchen as usual.

I paused for a moment, wondering whether or not I should tell him the truth.

"Sure," I shrugged, "I suppose."

"You suppose you have a family?" He asked me, raising his eyebrows.

I nodded.

"Care to explain?"

"Sure." I grunted, repositioning myself so I was facing him. "I grew up somewhere far away, with my aunt and cousin. We weren't very close because they took me in after my parents died when I was five."

"You say it so calmly." He frowned.

"Time heals." I reminded him. "Besides, I grew up perfectly fine. I had clothes, food, shelter,"

"So then why did you leave?" He asked me.

"Because they didn't love me and I didn't love them." I replied.

"So you're looking for love?" He smiled with a laugh.

"I guess...any type of love. Family, marriage, friendship, anything really."

"That's sweet. We have friendship, so why are you still leaving?" He asked accusingly.

"I..." I sighed. "I can't stay. I don't know if I could explain to you exactly why."

"Try." He scowled.

"Um..." I coughed awkwardly. "It's kind of cheesy."

"Soren!" He exclaimed. "C'mon!"

"Fine, fine." I sighed. "So, we're friends. And you're getting married to someone who you don't love, and I..." I paused, "I don't think I can watch you do it."

Aryan was quiet for a moment before he finally spoke again.

"So you care about me?"

"I obviously care about you. I wouldn't hang out with you, or worry about you, take you to the village, make you so many damn cookies, if I didn't care about you."