Knightkinktober Week 2 | Camp/Wounded/Scars
As they settled in, horses tied to to the trees, he could still feel the adrenaline pounding in his chest. He was uninjured, of course. When they were attacked Ser Whitlock had taken every blow intended for him. Which was his duty, he supposed...but it did not make the Prince feel any better about the blood. About the way the grizzled Knight winces when he kneels to start a fire.
"That's it, that's enough, sit, Whitlock."
The man sighs as if the Prince is annoying him. Turns his head just so, as the fire flickers softly.
"Your Highness, you don't need to-"
"I don't recall saying please. It wasn't a request."
He ignores the grumble of annoyance as his Knight takes a seat. Goes instead to the buckles of his armour, slapping away Ser Whitlock's hand when he goes to stop him.
"You will sit. I am going to look at the wound."
And at least he's obedient. He does. He lets the Prince work through the layers, let's him pull back the damaged chest plate and discard broken links of chain. He barely winces as the Prince picks the stray cloth threads from the wound. Holds still as he presses a cloth to it. Cleans it.
He can feel the man's gaze on his head, but if he has any complaint as the Prince wraps it he doesn't voice it.
"You're a stubborn old man, Whitlock. Telling me that it doesn't need tending. That it is fine. Riding this far out with it like this."
The man has no comment to being scolded. At least he has some sense. The Prince's fingers carefully tie off the bandage. Examines his work.
Gets...distracted, by the myriad of other scars. Former wounds taken in service to the crown. In service to him.
He swallows. The guilt is almost nauseating. Why must this man bare such wounds, just for his sake? His fingertips wander across a particularly red scar. He hears Ser Whitlock's breath hitch. He trails down gently to another one and the man catches his wrist to stop him.
"That's enough, my Prince. You've tended the wound."
He brushed the Knights hand off again, not even sparing the man a glance of apology.
"I don't thank you enough...all these scars, for my sake."
His rests his head in the Knights lap. Looks up at him with heavy eyes. With a deep sigh, Ser Whitlock brushes a hand through his hair.
"You know you do not have to. I would earn many more, for you."
It's a hush silence that falls over them, beyond the flickering of the fire. The Prince's fingers brushing gently over different scars. Tracing them.
And maybe that's it, isn't it? What makes it worth it. Why he would take many, many more for the sake of this lovely thing in his lap. Because he wants to thank him. Because he feels bad. Because he feels so strongly.
Strongly enough to be serious about a thank you, at least.
The Prince turns his head towards Whitlock's codpiece. Undoes the straps with gentle fingers.