Yup, Swatter, these chapters are all sort of random. Hopefully you all will enjoy them nonetheless –grin--
Disclaimer: Lobuck inspired this one. Thanks!
Remember – let me know if you want me to PM you when I start my other fic!
"Do you like coffee?"
Carvin looked at the messenger strangely.
"Come again?"
"Crown Prince Alphonse asks if you like coffee," the messenger said.
"Yes... I do," Carvin said slowly.
"Excellent. I am to take you to meet him in the kitchens, then."
Carvin sighed and looked down at his pajamas and bathrobe he had just changed into.
"Alright, let me cha – "
"Crown Prince Alphonse also comments that you may wear your pajamas; he's going to."
"In that case," Carvin said, stepping into a pair of comfortable house slippers, "lead on."
He followed the messenger to the kitchen, lit only partially by a pair of bright lanterns, one on either side of the small table. Alphonse sat in a forest green robe, pale blue pajamas peeking out the sleeves. His golden brown hair lay in disheartened waves over his head and was creeping down over his ears. There, the boy bowed to Alphonse and left the two alone.
"Coffee?" Alphonse offered, not waiting for a reply before tipping the steamy kettle into a tall mug and pushing it toward Carvin.
Carvin sat down opposite Alphonse and warmed his hands on the mug, somewhat apprehensive.
"I called you here so we could discuss Nre," Alphonse said, sipping his coffee.
Carvin swallowed a drink of hot coffee too fast and almost winced as it burned his throat.
"Yes?" Carvin said hesitantly, looking up at Alphonse.
"Do you love her?" he asked bluntly.
"I do," Carvin asserted, setting down his mug and staring into Alphonse's eyes, as if trying to make him see what he felt. "I do love her, more than anything."
"Then take care of her," Alphonse replied simply. "Always cherish her."
"I will!" Carvin said immediately and vehemently.
"Good," Alphonse said. "And, Carvin?"
"Yes?"
"If anything happens to me, I want you to be the next king."
"Nothing is going to happen to you!" Carvin said in alarm.
"But if something does," he persisted. "I want you to be king."
"Why me?" Carvin asked.
"Because you have all the qualities a king should have. You're selfless, you love your – soon to be – wife, you've wisdom beyond your years, you have a heart for our country and a head for politics. If I could do it, I'd put you for king now instead of me."
"You have all those qualities too!" Carvin insisted.
"Promise me, though?"
"Your highness –"
"Promise."
"I–"
"Carvin!"
Carvin fell silent for a moment, contemplating.
"Yes, I promise," he said finally, "But nothing is going to happen to you."
Alphonse waved him off, then took another drink of coffee.
"Be that as it may, It's better to be safe than sorry. I'd hate for some cousin of mine I've seen maybe once to come and take over. You're a good boy, Carvin, and I'll be proud to call you my brother."
"That means more to me than you'll ever know," Carvin said softly.
"If it means half as much to you as it did to me when Marlita's brother said it, then I think I do."
Final word count: 507
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