"Richard Greyson-Wayne why are you out so late?"
"I went out to have a drink with the men."
"Aye?"
Richard nodded, tossing his mask on the bed, his body following soon after.
"Father, I am rather exhausted, might you spare this redundant chat for tomorrow?"
"Forget it, we haven't the time for it, and you must be rested to knight your new royal guard." Richard grinned against his pillow, sitting up, not facing his father.
"Royal guard?"
"Aye. A boy of the country."
"Boy..?"
"Not too much older than ye. Appointed by Barry."
"Your guard?" Bruce nodded.
"You'll knight the fellow in the morning, do rest tonight."
"Yes Father." Richard smirked, laying down, resting almost instantly. In the morning he didn't give Alfred his typical struggle of asking for several moments of shut eye, rather he rushed out of bed, practically inhaling his morning meal, every moment leading up to the knighting anticipated him.
His fingers tapped against his throne as he awaited the knighting ceremony.
"Adjust your crown and cease your fidgeting." Bruce sighed, as his son squirmed. The time was almost near as the priest blessed the swords and shields upon the alter.
Knights stood side by side and across each other as Barry West lead Walter down the aisle, Wally walked with confidence in his white vest, his black boots tapped on the floor of the silent hall. A shining grin on his face left Richard's cheeks a lightened shade of pink, before him just as the night before, Wally knelt as the Priest signaled him to recite his vows and his oath a knight.
"As knight of this kingdom of Gotham I do so Oath to you my prince to fulfill my duties honorably, and protect the members of the royal family as well as the people of this kingdom. I shall act with chivalry to please both the King and yourself, my prince. I shall act with honor, chivalry and strength."
Richard stood, his steps slow as he walked to the red-head, as he lifted the sword.
"I dub thee, Wallace Robert West, Sir Knight."
Once dubbed knight, Wally grinned up at the prince then knelt before the king who'd be the one to dub him royal guard of his young highness.
"Recite thy oaths."
"Aye, your majesty. As royal guard of his young highness I shall lay my life down to protect Gotham's prince Richard. I shall treat his majesty with the highest honor and respect, I will myself to die for my prince and stand by his side no matter the circumstance, I shall do so honorably, truthfully, and with the utmost chivalrous behavior. To you my king I swear of this."
"I dub thee, Sir Wallace Robert West, Royal Guard of my son, his young highness, Prince Richard Wayn."
"I thank thee, His Majesty."
Once the ceremony was over, Wallace was directed to accompany Richard everywhere, and sadly the first place was achingly boring, his language lessons. It seemed as though the prince took no interest in his Latin but when it came to Romanian, he spoke fluently and swiftly.
"Now, to please summarize today's lesson your highness."
"În timpul lecției de astăzi tutorele regal ma cu latina plictisit, apoi a încercat să "învețe" limba mea natală mine, în ciuda mea având cunoștințe mai mult decât el însuși." (During today's lesson royal tutor in Latin bored me, then tried to "teach" me my native language, despite my having more knowledge than himself.)
The tutor sighed, dismissing his highness to fulfill other duties, which for that particular afternoon weren't very high.
Wallace stood beside the door when directed, he didn't think it'd be so boring, that is until evening hit and Richard sat silently in his quarters.
"Are you leaving, Sir Knight?"
"Aye."
"Where to?"
"My beloved."
"Beloved?"
"Aye. ."
"She'll have to wait a bit longer."
"Tis a man."
"Odd no?"
"I don't believe so, your highness." He sighed. Robin stood away from his desk, walking over to the other, his hands tracing up his sides. "Prince Richard I-"
"Look into my eyes. . ." He whispered, glancing up into green orbs illuminated by candle light.
"Your highness. . ."
"Call me Robin, Sir Knight. ." He grinned, tracing the other's face, Wallace's expression looked surprised, but a soft smile soon took over.
"Call me Wally."
"Wally-Hn..~" Once again, both Robin and Wally's lips held close again, their hands caressing every part of each other.
"But Richard. . We can't be together."
"And why not?"
"You're of age to marry, and I am neither prince nor princess, as am I not even a nobleman."
"And?"
"It's forbidden and-we're both men.."
"You hadn't a problem last night!"
"Keep your voice down. . please."
"But Wally, I fear I've already fallen for you."
"As have I you." And again, Robin found his lips pressed to Wally's, tears streaming down his eyes as he pulled him down onto his bed. "My prince, we can not-"
"Damn the rules." He sighed, allowing the red head to kiss down his neck. "Be silent. . ."
"This sort of sin will have us damned as well. ." Wally whispered, kissing at the prince's neck uncontrollably.
"Worry not for I'd only see hell as a pleasure, for the heat of satan's lair would be but a mere burn compared to the happiness in my heart of spending eternity with you."
"Robin. . ." He whispered, his voice breathy and hot. "We can't. . ."
"Please, Wally. . ."
"Not yet. . . We shall, for I'll fight for you as I promised in my oath, but now is not the time to. .lay with each other. Not yet, but soon I promise. Until then my beloved I will see you on the morrow." He smiled, once again taking place on his knee to press his lips to his beloved's hand.
"And I shall you."
"I'll count the hours my love."
"And I the minutes."
"It's all eternity without you. I love thee dearly, with a love that made that of Romeo and Juliet mere affection."
"How cliche." Robin smiled, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as Wally pressed his to silence the other.
"Sleep soundly, my love."
"I shall." Robin sighed happily, climbing into his bed as Wallace left the room to his new quarters across the hall, the space closest to the prince of course. In his bed he sighed happily, though his happiness was stricken with worry in his chest, knowing that the fight for his beloved would be exhausting in heart and in health.