Patton twirled, watching his dress fan out around him. He was waiting for Logan to arrive as they’d promised to go together. All he could do right then was kill time.
He thought back to growing up, how he’d despised wearing dresses his mother had put him in for formal events. As he’d grown older and understood why he didn’t like being a ‘she’, he finally cast off the dresses and vowed to not wear them again. After a few years, he’d started to miss them. Not for what they meant as a gender identifier for society, but the way they looked and felt. He liked the way they flared out around him, the not having to wear tight fitting pants or a jacket that felt weird. So, he just didn’t wear a formal suit. Instead, he wore dresses in shades of light blue, pink, lavender, light brown the color of soft dirt, yellow the color of sand, grey the shade of doves, and green that’s as light as sunlight through a leaf. He loved the way he felt in them and still wore trousers when he wasn’t feeling fancy.
Today was a specially made dress. He’d heard the Charming twins each had a signature color that they wore -- and would be wearing at the ball. His dress was made to match that. His top, with flowy sleeves that draped from his elbows, was made of a material that faded from a light pink at the top to a dark red in the middle, gathering into a black at his waist. His skirt, a floor length piece that trailed behind him slightly, picked up from the black and faded into a dew-touched-grass green at the hem. He loved it.
Logan’s knock at the door startled him from his consideration of his gown. Patton glided over and opened it, twirling for his brother’s approval. “What do you think? Isn’t it lovely?”
Logan leaned against the doorjamb. “It’s magnificent. I’m sure they both will appreciate it.” He held out a hand. “Are you ready, brother?”
Patton smiled, always getting a thrill when Logan called him that. “Yes!” He took Logan’s hand and let him lead the way to the ballroom.
As they approached, Patton tensed just the slightest bit. He was worried the two people courting him wouldn’t want him anymore when they spent an evening with him. Logan patted his hand. “You’ll be fine, Pat.”
Patton looked at him. “How do you always know what I’m thinking of?”
“You’re my brother, I’ve spent my whole life learning how to read your body language.” Logan gave him a smile that quirked up on one side. “You’ll do great. You’ve nothing to prove. If they don’t like you by the end of the night, that’s their loss.”
They arrived at the ball together, meeting up with their father briefly at the beginning before Logan went to stand by the stairs to wait for the smith he’d shown interest in during their visit to the village. Patton hoped that match worked out well as they seemed suited for each other.
He stood by his father for another while before the king caught the eye of a dignitary Patton knew as Nico Flores and went to talk to him. Patton had to smile as he thought of his father thinking he’d snuck love letters quietly past them.
He wasn’t alone for long as both the Charming twins approached him. Looking around, he locked eyes with his brother right before the Smith arrived, drawing the other’s prince’s attention. They bowed at the same time. Roman put a hand on his decorative sword. “May we have a word?”
Patton nodded and allowed them to lead him to a secluded corner. Patton took a deep breath. “So, how have you two been?”
Remus smiled. “I’d appreciate it if we skipped the small talk for now, my dear. Have you been receiving our letters?”
Roman nodded. “We both write on the weekly but get no response.”
“I’ve been writing almost on the daily and have yet to get a reply from either of you.” Patton responded.
The twins looked at themselves and nodded. “Then it must be the route.” Roman said.
“But there was no sign of bandits when we passed on the way here.” Remus replied.
“We might have to take a different approach to it.”
Patton waved a hand. “Hello? Still here.”
Remus nodded with a smile. “Right. How have you been?”
Patton shrugged, putting on his fake smile. “I’m doing fine! How are you?”
Remus narrowed his eyes and gave him a look that said he’d be asking about that later. “We’re both as fine as we can be.”
“Is there a reason you’ve been avoiding our letters, even when they did arrive?” Roman asked, seemingly oblivious to his brother’s suspicion.
“It’s just-” Patton cut himself off. Both of these men were nice and sweet and he really didn’t want to hurt them.
“Just what?” Remus’ face had softened slightly but his eyes were still analysing Patton’s every move.
Patton leaned back against the wall. “I want to be courted.”
Roman looked stunned. “Courted? Have we not been doing just that for the past year?!”
Patton sighed, a wistful look entering his eyes. “I want moonlight trysts, long walks through castle corridors, naps in meadows and talks that last for hours. I want someone who will fight for me, who will compose poems to my virtues. I want someone to understand so deeply that even just looking at him, I’ll be able to tell what he’s thinking and feeling. I don’t want someone to just tell me of his triumphs in tournaments or what happened during his day. I want to know his thoughts on the matters that concern him.”
He shook his head slightly as he schooled his features. “My thoughts are unrealistic, I know.”
The twin shook his head sadly. “No, they’re not. You deserve to be courted like that. You deserve that and so much more.” He sighed as he put his hand on his twin’s shoulder and pushed him forward. “I’m just not the person to give it to you.”
Roman bowed and took his leave, moving to converse with a foreign dignitary that Patton didn’t recognize. Patton watched him go.
I made these collages on a whim (and to kind of show what kind of loose time period we’re playing with. Essentially, these are everyday wear for all the boys as well as something they’d wear to look fancy. I’m putting them under a cut just so it’s not such a long post.
Unfortunately, most of these images are from Pinterest instead of the usual stock image sites I use. That being said, if you find an image in here that’s yours and you don’t want it here, please contact me so I can remove it.
The Charming twins and their party, any dignitaries that wished to travel with them as well as any knights they brought with them, set off for Kiena. Along the way, they kept eyes out for any bandits on the road or any messengers. Letters had been sent ahead to accept the invitations to the ball but post was unreliable so neither were sure if they were expected and didn’t want to potentially sacrifice a soldier by sending a horseman on ahead of them.
~~~~~~
Logan and Patton had been caught up in preparations for the ball for the past few days, no servants daring to ask them questions that would slow them down even for a second.
However, the day came when the two princes could do no more. Anything else they tried to do just got in the way of either the servants or their father. So, Logan snuck into Patton’s room in the early hours of the morning.
“Hey, Patton. Wake up.” He whispered, shaking the sleeping figure.
Patton rolled over and groaned as his eyes opened, squinting against the rising sun. “What?”
“Remember when I promised to take you with me the next time I went to town?”
Patton was wide awake in a matter of seconds, leaning up on his elbows to look at his brother. “Really?” Excitement was evident in his face and voice.
Logan nodded. “Get dressed and meet me in the stables in a half hour.” He made his way out the door, sneakily looking down the corridor before exiting and going to his room to dress.
He was excited too, seeing the town was nothing new for him but he enjoyed seeing the mundane parts of the town, the townsfolk going about their daily lives. He had to admit, some part of him was excited to see the Master Smith again, especially after hearing that the Castle Smith was unable to continue his position. Father had already spoken about taking on the old castle smith’s son as the new smith but Logan knew he’d change his mind if he saw what Virgil could do.
His thoughts flowed, following whatever path they wanted as his feet brought him to the stables and he assisted the stable boys in saddling the princes’ favorite horses. By the time they were both ready, Patton came running in, only one boot on and the sock already slightly damp. Logan sighed but didn’t comment, simply swinging himself onto the horse and, once he was sure Patton was following, rode into town.
I assume that Roman and Remus have battle scars and Roman is a lot more self conscious about them
Kinda!
While neither of them have actually been in a true battle, they’ve both sparred with (and been injured by) real weapons at multiple points in their lives. Roman is more self conscious about them, he sees them as flaws and wonders if someone could truly love him with any flaws, not realizing that he can be loved for his flaws. Remus isn’t shy about them but doesn’t flaunt them either. He has the understanding that the scars are just another part of his body, nothing to be scorned or praised (this opinion on them would most likely change if the scars were from true battle. As it is, the most battle they’ve seen is a few skirmishes with bandits but neither counts it as a fair or true fight.)
Send in assumptions of the characters and I’ll confirm or deny them!
i feel like remus would get a lot of disapproval, being like he is peephole would think he’s not got to be king
Kinda!
Remus deals with a lot of pent up aggression that turns into long hours in the training courtyard. He does tend to speak before he thinks which can cause people to be frightened/disgusted/etc.
However, he does have some great ideas and while he’s not the most level headed of people he does what is right by the citizens most of the time. He’s never been known to hit someone (except Roman but that’s only when he deserves it) and has even left meetings halfway through with an, “My greatest apologies, (insert title here), but if I don’t depart now I fear that I will launch myself across this table and forcibly remove your head from your butt.” and while that phrasing is colorful people admire his restraint.
So, he’s actually quite high in public favor and small parties of people believe that he would be a better king than Roman, especially with the right prince consort by his side.
Send in assumptions of the characters and I’ll confirm or deny them!
