Prince Sam had never been more bored in his life, wait yes he had, during the last meeting he had to attend. His sister sat next to him playing with blocks, she was fifteen??? Why did he have to pay attention? He was would call favoritism but he knew that was untrue, it was the fact that he would be next to rule over the kingdom. 'Why couldn't Mabel do it?' He looked over as she growled at her tower that had just fallen over. He took that thought back.
"Meeting dismissed"
He almost ran from the room, he just wanted to go outside where stupid administrators and his responsibilities couldn't reach him. After years of sneaking out it was almost second nature to avoid all the staffs daily routines and sneak out the back. The village was such a nice community but being seen and drawing attention to himself was not the best option. He took a back road towards the forest, there he would be able to think straight.
He suddenly ran into something and fell over. That something quickly rushed to his side and started to apologize repeatedly. Sam looked up to see a brown haired boy staring at him nervously. Sam groaned as he began to get up and a hand appeared in front of his face. He took the hand graciously and stood up,
"Hi I'm Gage," he smiled at him.
"Hey I'm Sam," he realized how dumb it was to introduce yourself when you are the future king of the area but Gage didn't seem to mind. He took notice of the fact that Gage had bags and had also been on the outskirts of the forest looking to go in.
"So what are you doing here?"
"Oh! I collect herbs for the magic man in town." His eyes lit up, this was obviously something he enjoyed.
"Magic man?" Sam was very unfamiliar with the town he was soon to preside over.
"You don't know him??? Come with me to get the things they need and you can go see him with me!"
Sam blanked for a second but talking to someone other than the staff at the castle sounded great,
"Yeah okay,"
And off they went into the forest.
While they were searching for clover there was a rustle in some nearby bushes. They stopped walking and stared, the bushes moved again. Out came a bear, it seemed angry. It ran towards them in a blinding rage. Gage took ahold of his arm and ran to a tree and quickly started climbing, Sam followed suit. They made it out of the bears reach, but that didn't seem to discourage it.
Sam was terrified, most of his fears were of responsibilities and of disappointing his parents but now, he could die here. His parents didn't even know he was out here, he could die and know one would know why. His breathing quickened but he still felt like he was suffocating. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see Gage, he was giving a reassuring smile but he fear was clear in his eyes. Sam tried to calm down but he couldn't.
"So I haven't seen you around before, are you new to town?"
Gage's voice was shaky but Sam could see the attempt. But that meant, oh jeez, was he stupid?
"Uh no, I just don't get out much I guess..."
How did he respond to that??? 'Oh yeah I'm a prince and I shouldn't be here but whatever.'
"Oh, well I hope to see your around more I guess,"
Something in Sam exploded, it was a warm feeling that began to creep up his neck, he didn't know what it was but it felt nice.
"Yeah I'd like that too,"
Sam had started to feel as if up in this tree was extremely hot and began to suspect climate change.
While they were stuck in the tree they just talked, it was awkward at first hut something about Gage made Sam relax. The bear eventually got bored and wandered off. They started climbing down, ready to stretch their legs when Sam put his foot on a branch and there was a loud snap. He fell through the air and landed with a thud. Gage made some kind of sound and was by his side in seconds.
"Ohmygoodnessohmygoodnessareyouokayimsorryishouldvecaughtyouimaterriblefriend."
Sam didn't understand anything Gage said but nodded anyways. Gage carefully helped him up and started walking back to town. Gage rambled the entire time and was going to give himself grey hairs early. Sam was mostly silent, he was tired but mostly he felt special having someone care for him.
They made it back to town and stumbled into the "magic man's" hut and inside sat this small Asian boy looking into a crystal ball.
"Oh you're back!" He looked at Sam, "Who's this?"
"Uh this is my friend Sam andithinkheshurtpleasehelp" he had tried to keep calm but that didn't last long.
"Bring him here" Sam sat down in front of him glad to not be standing anymore.
The magic man stared at his face and Sam was becoming very uncomfortable,
"Oh gosh! Prince Romans! What are you doing here!"
Gage made some sort of squeaking sound behind them.
"Just avoiding my family as usual" Sam added a small sad chuckle to make it sound like a normal thing.
If Sam has turned around he would have seen a very flustered Gage, his mind was racing. Was the cute guy he had been hanging out with really the prince? Had he really let the prince get hurt on his watch? Was the guy he had been low-key falling for suddenly totally out of his league?
"Well your majesty I'm Kaito the magic man," he gave a small bow.
"Please don't, I came out here to escape them,"
Gage suddenly remembered the whole reason he went out,
"Uh Kaito...I didn't get the clover like you asked.." He lowered his head in shame while Sam was glad to no longer be in the center of attention.
"Oh that. I don't need it. My crystal ball just told me you needed to be there."
Both boys looked down in embarrassment as they even considered their meeting fate.
"Well they are going to start looking for me, I should get going" and before anyone could protest Sam ran out and made his way back home.
As he entered his room and laid down on his bed and thought that maybe he should get out more and just maybe go visit a certain magic man and a certain herb collector.
