I can love a block of wood (septiplier nutcracker AU)

Chapter 31

Mark took Jack to go teach him a thing or two about what it's like to be a prince.

"It's not easy. There are things you need to know how to do and know how to act. They are kind of like unspoken rules. Things that royalty does no matter what."

"Like balance books on their heads?" Jack cracked a smile at his joke, making Mark chuckle a bit.

"Actually, no. That isn't a thing that happens very often. At least, not that I know of."

"I'll do it if you do."

"No jack. We are not balancing books on our heads." Mark was laughing more at his friend's attempt at silly antics. Jack pouted playfully for a moment before smiling himself. To mark, it looked like Jack had already gotten over what had happened not so long ago. "We are going to work on posture a bit. You need to try and stand tall. You got to look like a gentleman." Jack straightened his back a small bit. The prince adjusted him a bit, making jack get a bit flustered from his touch at times.

"Oh lord, I have to walk like this? I won't have legs by the end of the week!"  the nutcracker laughed some more at him.

"Don't worry, you will get used to it. Try walking around the tree." Jack walked around the tree with Mark watching him closely. "Slow down, you can't look too frantic. It will make people worry."

"I am frantic though. I need to be a prince by tomorrow."

"Hey, don't think about it."

"How can I not?" Mark sighed and motioned him over. Jack tried to keep the prince walk going as he approached the man as requested. Mark took both of his hands, looking Jack straight in the eyes.

"Jack, You will do great. I know you will. Now, just try to not think about it and walk." Mark took some steps backward, leading the smaller man slowly. Other than the occasional comment from mark to fix something small with his posture, the lessons went well. They did last a few hours though so both men were tired when the lessons finished. "You did well today."

"Thanks, Mark." Jack rubbed his eye a bit with a gentle fist. Mark offered his hand hesitantly to lead him to a bed. Jack sat on the edge before taking off his shoes, using his feet to do so. "Where are you gonna sleep?"

"I don't need sleep, Jack." Mark gave him a gentle smile.

"Come on," The Irish man yawned. "No need to act tough."

"I'm not.  I can't sleep." Mark watched him blink before realization hit him.

"Oh, right. 'M sorry, I didn't mean-"

"I know." Jack looked at him in wonder. How could he be smiling so warmly at him with how he just embarrassed himself? He didn't seem phased but it had to be bothering him. Can't eat. Can't sleep. He has to find a way to pass time through the night, possibly alone.

"Wait, if you can't sleep then what happens when you... Nutcrackerify?" There was a chuckle from the prince.

"I am awake like that. I told you I was."

"I mean like... when I first saw you, you didn't seem awake. You had to have been sleeping."

"Not quite sleeping. It was more like a magic-induced coma."

"Then what woke you up?" The prince just shrugged.

"I don't know, but whatever it was I'm glad it did. Get some sleep. You are going to need it." Mark left Jack to sit and think about the answers he was given. They made sense for the most part. Magic coma and all that. But it was like he was never tired. He always had energy. How did he always have energy? 'now isn't the time to figure out or wonder' Jack told himself as he laid on the bed. He didn't have the time to tell himself that he had to sleep before he drifted off.

Mark sat on the stairs, just gazing aimlessly ahead of him as he let his mind go mostly blank.  It wasn't long before Tyler arrived and sat beside him. Then Ethan joined. He stood and leaned against the railing.

"What's on your mind?" Ethan questioned with a smile. He was answered with a sigh. The prince propped his elbows on his knees before he spoke.

"I'm just thinking of something that happened."

"What happened? Did Jack hurt you?"

"He didn't mean too... At least I don't think he did." Tyler patted his shoulder in comfort. "I was going to kiss him and he turned away."

"Could you be taking it wrong?" Tyler questioned.

"How could he have gotten it wrong?" Ethan rolled his eyes, making Tyler look at him with an unreadable expression. Mark didn't notice as he just rested his chin in one of his hands.

"Explain, if you don't mind."

"I was leaning in and he just turned his head away."

"Hasn't this happened before? Why does it bother you?" Tyler looked at Ethan with a hard look. He wasn't used to the doctor being this... harsh per se.

"We were interrupted, but he turned away this time. It was like... I don't know." The nutcracker stood up, stepping down off the stairs. "Maybe he wasn't ready, or he was scared or-"

"Or he doesn't like you like that."

"Ethan." The general spoke up, his voice flat and hard.

"What?" He acted clueless while Mark stood there, tense and mulling over what he heard. "Someone had to say it. It is possible." Tyler shook his head, crossed his arms, and looked back at his prince.

"You might be right..."

"Are you alright?" The general questioned him gently, trying to be careful with Mark.

"Yeah, yeah. I will be fine. Just..."

"What are you thinking?"

"I thought we had something special going. I thought he was gonna be the one."

"You still have a chance." Tyler glared when Ethan tried to counter what he told the prince. "Just because he may not be interested now doesn't mean he won't be later. You just need to show him that princely charm." Mark couldn't help but smile at this. It did make him feel better.

"Yeah... Maybe."