For lyriette on tumblr: the main four on a double-date.
"... Why the hell are you looking at me like that?"
Prince Siegfried cleared his throat, reaching up to hide the tiny smirk on his lips. "Like what, Fakir? I don't know what you mean."
"You know what I mean." And it never ceased to throw Fakir off-balance with how utterly observant Myth-Prince Siegfried turned out to be. And the prince's penchant for subtly rubbing it in. Dammit, was this entire outing going to be like this?
The two men were quite a sight to behold, though-both handsome in different ways, casually waiting by the swan-drawn carriage for their ladies, standing dignified and poised in a way only polished dancers could, one in white, the other a deep, dark blue. They seemed above anything petty, Fakir calm and introspective, Prince Siegfried regal and warm.
But if any of the passing servants listened carefully, they'd hear Prince Siegfried's chuckle of amusement and the low grumble from Fakir's throat.
"You've fallen in love. Am I not allowed to feel joy on your behalf?"
Fakir wasn't accustomed to him feeling anything. "More like at my expense."
"Love is a precious thing, Fakir," the prince said, straightening his gold-trimmed tunic. The amusement and mirth dimmed in his golden eyes as his tone turned whimsical. "Tainted or pure, love itself can change the world. Just as it's changed yours. And I cannot think of two people more deserving of such a feeling as you both." He turned to Fakir, his smile gentle. "You two have given us hope. Let me revel in your happiness, as yours is mine."
The harsh lines of Fakir's expression softened. "It's not ... that big of a deal. But thanks." Fakir turned toward the swans of the carriage, stepping forward to brush through the white feathers. Those two girls sure took their sweet time.
"So, when will you two marry?"
When Fakir tripped over his own feet with a startled yelp, Prince Siegfried bit back a very undignified snort.
"I'd like to ask you something, Ahiru."
The redhead fiddled with the hem of her yellow sundress, turning to Rue with a tiny smile. They strolled through the garden, shoes clopping onto the cobblestone path as they made their way to the designating meeting place: right outside the castle entrance. Their palace within the story was breathtaking, and Ahiru was sure she'd visit as many times as she could in the future. "Mm? Sure! What is it?"
Rue paused in her step, elegantly brushing away a wrinkle on her own white dress. "... How in the world did you choose him?"
Honestly, the princess would never give up her prince for anyone-not even for the young girl who she loved so dearly. However, Ahiru deserved the utmost happiness. Fakir owed it to her to grant her the ability to become a girl once more. Ahiru should always dance, should always speak, should always laugh and eventually, love someone as Rue loved her prince.
... But Fakir?
Ahiru blinked her round eyes, tilting her head to the side. "How? I dunno. Just sorta happened!"
"You don't owe him anything, you know."
The redhead stopped walking then, scratching the back of her head with a bashful smile. "Oh, it's not like that! I ..." She shook her head, a blush scattering across the bridge of her freckled nose. "It took a long time for me to really ... well, I don't know exactly how it started. But he gives me strength! I like the way I feel when I'm around him. And sometimes ..."
"Sometimes?"
Ahiru lifted her gaze, her smile wide and joyful, the intense blush gracing her with a sweet, happy glow. "Sometimes, he smiles at me, and I know we can build a future just on that."
Rue wasn't convinced, but refrained from arguing any further. Instead, she reached for the other girl's arm and curled hers around it with a sigh.
Fakir side-eyed Prince Siegfried with ferocity when he felt another jab of his bony elbow into his own side. Yes, Ahiru was beautiful-he'd never seen her so made-up and polished before. It hardly mattered what she looked like or what form she took, but he was a man-he'd be a fool not to admit that she was quite a sight, with her long, red hair loose and flowing and the slight coloring of her lips fitting and subtle.
At this point in the day, he was sure he'd been bruised effectively.
He was the target of significant glances from Prince Siegfried and Rue's suspicious stares whenever he so much as brushed Ahiru's hand. He was sharply reminded of why he detested public displays of affection-Ahiru didn't mind at all, it seemed, but the attention, positive or negative, made him squirm. He could handle Rue's barely-hidden disapproval, but Prince Siegfried's romantic comments and quips about love and marriage, flustering Ahiru and driving him to complete silence? That was a different story.
Thankfully, Ahiru's constant use of the wrong fork or talking with her mouth full attracted more of Rue's attention and admonishment. He could fend off the prince's playful one-liners without the added distraction of his princess's sharp remarks.
Double-dates were a battlefield. Ahiru wasn't aware of it, but she was helping him to divide and conquer.
It carried on that way. Finally, they'd ventured to a gorgeous lake upon which they could row out into the waters, the prince and princess in one boat and their companions in the other. Thankfully, Rue decided, she had her prince to herself for the moment, and his full affection was upon her instead of his happiness for their friends in the other boat.
The prince ceased rowing as they settled to a stop, floating in the center of the lake as the sun began to set, the skies a pretty pink and purple and the blues disappearing into the distance. He took her hands in his, kissing them sweetly. Rue blushed daintily. "My prince ..."
"H-Hold still-!"
"Faki-QUA!"
SPLASH!
The moment was broken and the prince and princess jerked their heads toward the chaos. The boat had toppled over, and their companions were splashing through the waters, slowly making their way to the nearby dock. All the while, they heard their sputtering, bantering back and forth and tossing the blame every which way. Prince Siegfried's first instinct was to dive in and help, but he stopped when he realized that the situation, though unexpected and oddly amusing, was under control.
Rue only rubbed her temples with a sigh.
The prince settled back down in his seat on the boat, watching the two with his princess. Though Fakir continued to insist on Ahiru's idiocy and clumsiness, he hefted himself onto the dock and helped her up as well with protectiveness and tenderness.
"S-Stop calling me-an i-idiot!"
"Great, now you're sh-shivering. W-We'd better head back." Fakir removed his deep, blue cloak and wrapped it around Ahiru's shoulders, rubbing her arms gently to give her more heat and ignoring his own chilled form. He looked over his shoulder to the prince's boat and called out, "We're going to the castle. D-Don't worry about us."
And though they continued to verbally jab at one another, the closeness with which Fakir held Ahiru, and the way she leaned on him for warmth and support, spoke far more than their minor argument.
As they disappeared, Rue looked down at her lap. "... I think I understand, now, why she chose him of all people."
Prince Siegfried chuckled, reaching for her hands again. "Indeed." With a smile, he pulled her in, pressing his lips to hers.