Title: The Lucky Unlucky Situation
Summary: Of all the things life could throw at you I'd say being slave to Prince Kheel himself is of the worst found luck. Mello/Matt
A/N: So I originally was going to do a grand fighting scene but it didn't have that much significance to the major plot which we've hardly touched yet so I opted out for something that wouldn't block me from going where I want to go^^.
Chapter Six: Friend or Flirt
Mello's POV
From the start I knew something was very wrong today. I had awoken on my own. I never awaken on my own. Where was that idiot farm boy! I peeled the pale sheets from my body so I could stretch.
What the hell was going on! My robes had failed to be laid out for me and neither one of my personal servants were here to assist me. My teeth began to grind together in irritation. He always manages to evade my orders. Either he'll have that mindless twit Near do it for him, or something'll come up where he miraculously avoids half the work load!
I rubbed my temple in slow circular motions and breathed in heavily through my nose. My ministrations were stopped by a loud CLANG that made me jump out of my skin. I knew that sound well. It was the groan of steel pushing for dominance, a sound any royal could identify.
My mouth went dry as a cold cloak surrounded my body. It was the cloak of fear itself. Now that I had stopped bitching to myself, the screams and cries resonating through the halls seemed to amplify. Now's not the time to be afraid, it's never the time to be afraid.
My father had defeated a legion of twice his size without even cowering for an instant. I wiped off a thin gleam of sweat from my forehead as I breathed deeply. My movements were silent as I gathered my bow and arrows and secured them onto my back. It wouldn't be long until a special unit of knights would be coming to take me to a Safe Away.
I smirked and pulled back my heavy curtains. Even though my hands were a little shaky I managed to open my window and peer outside. It was simply chaos. Everywhere was a battlefield, the stables, the garden and even the castle itself. Since my room is towards the back of the castle I could only see the fleets coming in from the rear.
The sound of arrows being released and swords meeting shields danced around the whole room n. I licked my lips and removed a single arrow from my quiver and steadied it delicately with my forefinger and thumb. It couldn't hurt to help. I'm not as irritable and self-absorbed as people make me out to be. I might be arrogant and whine a little more than a man should but it's who I am. Just fucking deal with it.
I focused one pale blue eye onto my target. It was a tall burly man near the garden entrance trying to force his way into a chambermaid's skirt. His large hand was secured around her ankle as she trashed about. What a waste of flesh. I released the arrow and pierced him right through the jugular. He fell to his knees collapsing on top of her, his wound quickly staining her lavender dress with red. She pushed the deadweight off her body and laid there crying to herself, though I couldn't quite tell whether they were tears from fear, joy or sadness. Regardless my heart swelled with the pride of helping someone.
A knock on my door drew me away from the scene. For some strange reason excitement bubbled up in my chest. Mischievous deep blue eyes flashed briefly before my vision as I ran my fingers through my blonde locks and replied.
"Speak." It was protocol to respond with that sole word during a castle raid. If the party behind the door is the special unit they'll respond accordingly.
"The swallow flies to the honeysuckle branch every day at noon. It perches its feet, enjoys the treat and waits patiently for the moon." I chuckle lightly. My father designed this special passcode just for me when I was a pint so I wouldn't forget it. I sighed as I made my way to one of the secret passages located inside my bedchambers. I rotated a wall lamp and revealed a hidden passage way in the middle of the floor.
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I was beyond irritated as I neared the end of the passageway. The passage leads out into a thick grove of trees near the eastern side of the forest. The closer I got to the end the more I wanted to run back to the castle. Somehow, someway within the short time the red haired idiot had arrived he'd grown on me, if only a little. It just didn't make any sense. The commoner's got a huge staring problem and can barely get anything done without help. Why do I even care?
If he's not benefitting me or the castle he has no significance. Despite me trying with every cog in my brain to justify ditching Matt the images bombarded me. Matt staring into space as an enemy comes at him from behind. The redhead tripping over his own feet and flailing straight into a catapult armed with flaming rocks. The idiot confusing the enemy fleet with our own and helping them get to Father. By now I had stopped walking and was staring comically at the exit as more images of the farm boy continued to race through me.
Shit, all he probably knows about fighting is potatoes and chickens! I spun on my heel to run back to the castle but was stopped by a voice calling out by the exit.
"Prince Mihael is that you!" My right brow twitched as I turned back around and slowly made my way towards the exit. Why do I want to risk my wellbeing for a commoner? The main objective is to get to safety. That is all.
A younger soldier with a brown afro peeking from his helmet greeted me as I left the passage. Six other knights were watching around the premises while two others were guarding the carriage.
"Are you ok my prince?" he said with a bow.
"Yeah." He guided me to the carriage. Every step I took felt like lead. It was a sad truth but I wouldn't be able to relax until I knew Matt was ok. Is this what a real friendship can do to you?
My butt met the soft cushions of the seat and Sir Matsuda sat down next to me. He was the youngest out of the special knights unit and by far the clumsiest. He's probably worse than Matt. My stomach dropped again.
"Is something the matter my prince?" Matsuda's big dark brown puppy eyes were looking at me with so much concern that I could just puke.
"Actually yeah, steer the carriage back towards the castle."
"Absolutely not, it is far too dangerous." Sir Mogi said with a poker face. There goes my patience.
"I would like to make sure my servants are well!" I shouted. I am never talked back to from anyone besides my Father.
"I will send a knight to retrieve word." I don't want to wait for a knight to get back; I'd rather wait for replacements for all these incompetent imbeciles.
"Then I'll just go myself." Why do I feel the need to do this again? Is it because he doesn't filter himself around me? Or am I growing tired of waking up to Near's bland hair.
"No can do my prince. Look we've got one order and one order only. We were ordered to take you to the Safe Away as soon as possible. Sorry about this…" Mogi nodded to Matsuda and I began to scoot away. What are they planning! Pale fingers grabbed my forearm and a small vial was brought to closely to my face. Something very sweet began tickling my nose making me slowly lose consciousness. It's decided Mogi and Matsuda are both getting punched in the face when this is all over. The last thing I felt before I was completely gone was Matsuda's hand stroking my hair gently from his lap.
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This now marks the second time in my entire life I have awoken alone. Only this time I had a fine tent to greet me. There's something I hate about waking up with no one there beside you. My mood had already derailed from earlier so now it could only get worse.
My boots had been removed and I didn't care to put them on I just want something to eat. As soon as I left my tent I was met with the endearing sight of Francesca, Near, Matthias and the red haired idiot himself all laughing and eating around a fire. Instead of joining them I opted out for hiding behind a tree.
"…then just at the nick of time I grab Near and sprint towards the escape route like a mad man." The white haired boy spoken of had a stupid look on his face as he overzealously listened to the blabbering idiot.
"You forgot the part where a man chased us halfway down the tunnel with a battle ax!" Near giggled. Honestly, if he thinks he looks cute doing that he's just as inept as that farm boy. My stomach growled lowly and a strange yearning to join them over took me.
"That's where we meet up with Fran who totally whoops the guy's ass with well-aimed kicks and a hand basin." Francesca just smiled and took another spoonful of stew.
"Are you hungry, your highness?" The cook, Lawliet I think his name was, had a hot steaming bowl of stew in his hands and a silver flask.
"Yes thank you cook." Here goes nothing! I joined the four settling down next to a Matthias who had just passed out drunk.
"Why, hello your highness glad you've chosen to wake up." That was another thing that irritated me about Matt that velvety sarcasm he loved to throw at me.
"It was a forced slumber." I blew gently into the hot bowl before testing out the stew. The texture and flavors mingled beautifully together and I let a small moan quietly slip. But it was loud enough for a certain farm boy to catch.
"Intimate with your food I see."
"And you're very slacking with your work." I easily deflected the jab, rolling my eyes for added affect.
"You know you're hard to talk to your highness." Even though his voice had a bite to it there was a little intrigue tied into it too. I knew it was true but I didn't want to admit it so I took a large spoonful of stew with the grace of a child and shoved it in my mouth. He shoved an even larger portion of stew into his mouth and chortled.
During our exchange a little dribble of stew rolled onto his chin where very faint red hairs were sprouting. Before anyone could ponder the situation Near's hand shot out with a handkerchief and gently dabbed away the remains of dinner.
"Oh, thanks." Fran laughed at the act with irritably knowing eyes while I just sat there. For some reason Near was pissing me off. He's trying way too hard! He's acting like a common whore for Christ sake.
I waited patiently for them to start talking light heartedly about something else before I made my way to the lake to finish my dinner. I'd only been to this lake one other time when I was kid. My Farther had shown me this place after revealing to me the Safe Away. It was only about a few yards away from the main grounds and was covered thickly by groves.
It was breathtaking under the moonlight and it made me feel better instantly. I perched up against a rock and wriggled my feet between the cool blades of grass as I peacefully ate my meal.
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When I returned to my tent Matt was there cross legged waiting for me. I sighed irratably and shooed him away.
"Hey, where not in my bedchambers right now you're off the hook. You don't have to see me to bed farm boy." He cracked a smile and scratched lightly at his red mop.
"I was just checking on you." One deep blue eye winked beneath red lashes playfully. I rolled my eyes and adjusted my bedding. I could feel his eyes following me as I arranged blankets and fluffed pillows. A sigh escaped my lips as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Is there something else you want?" My patience was beginning to run thin. If you've got no further business here quit staring you fucking creep.
"…Permission to touch you your highness." My fist replied before my mouth could, it aimed straight towards the mouth that dared to mutter those words. But alas the delightful impact failed to be made and in turn was caught by a swift hand. His reflexes are improving. How many times have I punched him one…two…three times? I've lost count…
"You've got a leaf in your hair." I paused, my face heating up uncontrollably. He rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Then why didn't you just get it out!"
"If I had reached towards you without warning you would've panicked!" He reached between my silky blonde tresses and pulled out a bright green leaf, twirling it between his fingertips.
"Tada…" he said weakly as I grumbled to myself my face still a deep red in embarrassment. He didn't have to say it like that.
"What did you think I was asking to touch?" He was grinning now from ear to ear. Ok Matt time to go you're starting to piss me off.
"The door…" I climbed into my soft blankets and moved to wrap them around me but the commoner beat me to it.
"Allow me it's the least I can do after embarrassing you." He smoothed the blankets a little longer than necessary over my thighs and I nearly kicked. Watch it! It was the subtle things I'd been noticing lately. The purposeful closeness so he could catch a whiff of my scent, the firm grip on my hip as he helped guide me into my pants and especially the intense stares. Not to mention his arsenal of pathetic innuendos and light flirtations.
Or I could just be poorly socially inclined since most people I associate myself with are too afraid to joke around with me. Could I be overthinking his friendly jokes and affections? Up until now I'd been giving him creep accusations and death threats perhaps he's just kidding around. In any case he shouldn't overstep any boundaries.
"Goodnight your highness." Ok now that's odd. I guess I should say something back in return.
"Take your leave." For some reason the phrase had less bite to it than it did just yesterday. I closed my eyes and opened them again when I heard no movement. Now what?
"I don't get it… You're such a pompous asshole! Why am I so…?"
Who does he think he is? A lowly commoner, an idiotic farm boy speaking to me like he's somebody!
"Take your leave before I have you arrested." My tone was steely and hard. His eyes softened the irritation slowly leaving their depths.
"That's why…" Was he talking to himself?
"Not another word or the gold you owe me will be the least of your worries."
"Can I have permission to touch you?" He stepped closer.
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