A/N – my apologies to Shakespeare. I'd make a complete mockery of your language if I tried to use it. So, I haven't.

Half Myself (part 3)

They raised their swords, Benedick's eyes calmer and more focused. But Don Pedro's breath was rattled; he was suddenly unnerved. Feelings he'd thought long since buried had been forced to the front of his mind. He had tried to forget his disastrous proposal and the embarrassing rejection of a response. He could not blame Beatrice for not taking him seriously; one of her greatest virtues was her genuine modesty. She had no reason to suspect a prince would have taken any interest in her.

He gave an unperceivable head shake to rid himself of the images assaulting him. The way her hair looked at sunset, her skin adorned with freckles, the unique blue of her eyes he found hypnotic , especially when they sparkled with amusement.

He'd thought he'd moved on, but he found himself more lost than never. And now he faced her husband, his friend, who wielded a sword and just had learned of his hidden desires.

Claudio raised the signal to start, and Benedick lunged forward in a temperate gesture, to start the volley in friendly practice. The prince, caught in his mortification, misread the act and swiped it violently away. Benedick stumbled a little, and repositioned his grasp. He made the error of diverting his attention to Claudio, giving the Count a concerned plea to stop. He did not see Don Pedro's quick attack until it was nearly too late. The look of wild anguish in the prince's eyes stunned Benedick; he barely had enough time to pivot to the side, but he had not been fast enough, and white heat burned down his arm.

He flung his sword aside as Claudio ran to the two men.

"Enough!" the younger man commanded.

Don Pedro stood as a statue, numb with horror. Benedick clutched at his arm, wincing at the sting. Claudio gave the prince a reproachful glare before turning to his cousin to ascertain the wound's severity.

"It's nothing," Benedick assured them. "It's only a scratch."
"Don't be a hero, Benedick," Claudio cautioned.

Chuckling through gritted teeth, Benedick shook his head. "No, I speak the truth. It's a graze and no more." He looked up at his opponent, who had turned white with shame.

"Benedick, I -"

Benedick exchanged a glance with Claudio before addressing his leader. "Your grace, I am sorry that I have offended you so much to warrant this attack," he said with a sincere and contrite voice. He thought his earlier apology had been sufficient, but clearly the prince was still wounded that he thought so low of him.

If anything the prince's pallor increased. He looked like he was about to be sick. "No," he rasped. "No."

"Sir?"

Don Pedro straightened. His emotions were raw upon his face, but he could not find his voice. Benedick slowly understood what was holding his friend's tongue. He turned to Claudio. "Go fetch some wrappings and water." At his cousin's hesitation, he gestured impatiently. "Please! All will be well here."

Assured, Claudio dashed off. Alone, the two men regarded one another.

"I am sorry all this has been exposed," Benedick started.

"I thought I had forgotten," the prince confessed in a small voice.

Benedick cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "I did not mean to cause you to despair. My selfish and insecure feelings were my own to bear. I did not consider yours."

A flash of sadness ripped through Don Pedro. "Do not think that I cannot control my emotions. But for this once, I have well been their master."

"I know that," Benedick said. "I am sorry such pain lingers in you. It cannot be easy."

Don Pedro snorted at the pity in Benedick's voice. "Please don't."

"Have your feelings strengthened?" There was nothing but concern in Benedick's voice.

The prince's smile was weak, but true. "I do not know what they are."

At the other's cautious nod, Don Pedro exhaled and looked away. "Honestly, I probably will always harbor some affection for her," he confessed. Turning back, his smile was more assured. "But my love for both of you will always be stronger: the love of a genuine friendship."

"And we for you, prince."

Don Pedro looked at the red seeping through Benedick's sleeve. "That cannot be forgiven."

Benedick made a dismissive wave. "It will mend. I have had worse in battle."

"From enemies! How can such a wound from a friend heal as soundly?"

Benedick smiled. "You were not yourself. I know you, my Liege."

"You say that after what has happened?"

Benedick nodded fiercely. "If you still desire my friendship, I will be honored to have it."

Don Pedro looked doubtful. Not at the truth of Benedick's words, but whether or not he could ever face the man, or his wife, again. "You say that to a man who has just confessed to…"

Despite himself, Benedick's jaw did clench. "I do not have any fear that you would act upon it," he said. "You have already proclaimed to be the master of your emotions. I trust that you are."

At Don Pedro's discomfort, Benedick sighed. "When you feel it is time, of course."

Blinking, the prince looked up in surprise. "It's not as severe as all that."

Benedick's eyebrows rose incredulously.

"By my honor, Benedick, your happiness, both your and Beatrice's happiness, far outweigh any feelings had or have. I will survive, as I always do."

Benedick considered this and regarded his friend, whose sincerity was plain. "Very well, my Lord. But perhaps I should be off and let the situation settle."

Fear froze Don Pedro's blood. "Will you tell her?"

Pausing, Benedick thought about it. "I cannot hide this," he said, waiving to his arm. "And Beatrice and I have no secrets."

The color began to leave Don Pedro's face again. Claudio was running up with a basin of water and fresh towels.

Benedick smiled kindly at his friend. "But this is not my secret to tell," he said. "If you wish her to know, than you will be the one to disclose it."

Claudio reached the pair and helped Benedick in removing his shirt. The Signor had been correct; the wound was not deep. Benedick hissed as it was cleaned and wrapped. When he determined it was safe to leave, he shook his cousin's hand and looked at the prince.

"Until next time," he said.

Don Pedro nodded, still too raw to say anything more. The friendship had not been ruined, and the prince knew he had to move on. If not, he'd lose two people for whom he cared very deeply, and that would be the worst fate of all.