homebound. (earinor & akira)

Cecil was right, Garret and Francis were forces to be reckoned with and if not anything else it would be two against one with Edward knowing that he couldn't best his older brother and that he couldn't hurt the crown prince, he couldn't even attempt it, it went against so many things he knew. Cecil was his top priority, but the rest of the kings family came in a close second place. At least with Logan they'd be two against two, if he didn't betray them and at the same time, Edward felt like he needed to stop Logan from attempting to fight Cecils brother. Edward didn't comment on Cecils explanation that made pretty obvious that he was getting tipsy. Logan only nodded in an understanding way as if to say that was what he had thought from the start. Garret was very protective of his brother and Francis was at least as protective of Garret than Edward was of Cecil. He was older, stronger, more experienced and so many more things. Edward knew that he had a long way to go and he knew that he should maybe trust Logan more and ask him for some training, but he didn't. Cecil was naive, he was too trustworthy and Edward had to balance this out, at least he felt like he needed to. "Tame them? Well I could have killed them for you though... I wouldn't say no to some trophies."; Logan nodded and Edward found that he was very easy to predict. Or was that just an act?

Cecil summed up what he heard from Logan too and the blonde anwered with a somewhat hurt expression. "That sounds mean. I can read and write and know about politics too you know?!", he told Cecil, but he laughed still. Was this guy ever in a bad mood? Maybe tomorrow when he had drunken way too much booze for waking up early in the morning. Cecil was still confused about the hiccup, looking at Edward somewhat expectendly and he decided to chime into the fun a bit more. "I'm not the one who cast a spell with a spoon.", he shook his head with a short smile. He watched the prince dry his hand and let go of Edwards instead. It wasn't like he needed permission to eat around the prince, even when it was odd to eat on the same table as him. Edward was getting used to it and nodded with another smile. After making sure Cecil didn't need any more help and he took the fabric back to wash it later, he started eating too. "Uh... I... I sure hope so... though...", Edward then answered a bit more silent. He didn't protect him today - twice. Logan showed him how unfocused he could be when fighting and Edward didn't pay enough attention to catch Cecil or do something else to avoid him bleeding. Edward would need to wash those clothes too, but that wasn't what bothered him at all. "... I wasn't very good at it today..." "Come on!", Logan immedietly complained.

Whatever it was that seemed to bother Eddie so much all day long, Cecil was about to blame it on Logan - he might be naive, and maybe the slightest bit stupid, as well as unable to hold his alcohol very well, but even then, he was merely trying to make amends. Eddie couldn’t protect him all the time and take care of him like some sort of bodyguard, even if he kind of was one. The thing was, Cecil already felt like he asked for too much too fast and that he, without a doubt, was making too many mistakes, even if he was the weakest if his siblings and also the most naive - even if Maeve came in a close second place, Robin didn’t treat her as if she was the most perfect yet frail flower to ever grace the surface of the earth with her beauty. Cecil nipped on his drink, unable to lift the entire mug by himself, but it didn’t matter much, as long as he could tilt it just the right way and make it seem like he truly could hold his alcohol. However, he was no master of deception and therefore, he most likely failed instantly. „What use is a dead beast? I’m sure they’re like, suuuuper fluffy and really great and useful, better not kill it but make my brother jealous with what we have and he doesn’t.“ Sure, that would be mean, but it would also show that he had capabilities as well, even if it meant that he had to enlist others to do his bidding and wasn’t allowed to make he slightest bit of noise during their little stealth mission.

„I didn’t mean to insinuate you were and imbecile or anything like that!“, Cecil blurted out, his eyes widened and his brows raised, almost as if the words he’d said had had an opposite effect on Logan than he’d formerly intended. „I didn‘t mean to offend you, I’m sorry for that!“, he yelped, almost like a hurt dog that had taken offence to the curt response he’d received from somebody that he hadn’t meant to hurt at all. His eyes followed the trail to Edward, who gave a weird answer and Cecil couldn’t help but shake his head in offence. „With a spoon? That was ages ago, and also, don’t tell me you truly believe in magic?“, he asked, his interest piqued and his senses somewhat on edge. Another hiccup would do him in, and yet, Eddie claimed he had the capabilities to hurt someone with a soup spoon by simply hexing them. Or did he? Maybe it was a joke, but even it were, Cecil was not understanding any of that and had no time to even respond properly to the stark accusation. Would they burn him at he stake for being a spoon witch? Who knew. Cecil leaned his head against Edwards shoulder to rest for a bit and lug at the mug with the accursed fluid that made him all warm and cozy. Then, however, he took offence one more, as his knight was playing down his feats - and maybe, Logan already took offence on his behalf as well. „We can all have bad days!“, he claimed, almost offended over the entire situation. What else was there, if not the striking realisation that something was amiss? „You’re doing the best job, always, so tomorrow, I‘ll protect you so you can rest! Then you are the prince and I’m your knight in shining armor!“, he suggested. Though, maybe it would lead up to Logan protecting both of them, given the fact how useless Cecil could be.

"Depends on the beast I suppose. Maybe we can catch one, but from what the storys tell there are some as big as houses.", Logan grinned. He probably was just as hot blooded as Cecils brother. He probably wanted to hunt a grand beast as well, only that he didn't have Edwards brother to hold him back the tiniest bit. Francis liked hunting himself though, he and Garrett were very different than Cecil and Edward. They both liked to have adventures, even though Francis had much more work with it, since he also had to care for Garretts needs. Edward would never talk badly about the crown prince, but he lacked the abilities to plan ahead just like Cecil did. He ran off to new adventured, without packing any clothes or food, which was probably why Francis had prepared some bags for whenever they might need them. At least Cecil had given Edward some time to pack for their trip, but they definetly didn't have enough for a long trip to the northern country. A tent, a few blankets, a lot of ointment and bandages and money, that was basically all Edward had time to pack.

"It's okay. I know I'm the smartest on this table!", Logan grinned full of himself. Edward didn't argue, not with someone like him. He probably knew more in certain areas anyway, but that didn't make him smarter. Either way, Logan had a big mouth and probably not enough to back it all up, but enough to make it believable. "Do you?", Edward asked Cecil instead if he believed in magic. "How else did you get rid of your hiccups?", Logan asked laughing. Edward did, in some way maybe. He believed in their gods at least and in miracles. He believed that thy should visit a shrine before they crossed the border. He probably didn't believe in any other form of magic though and neither did Logan. The prince seemed confused and the alcohol didn't seem to help him. In the end he leaned against Edward and the blue haired knight looked at the hood that covered the white fluffy hair. "Are you tired? Do you want to go to bed?", he asked with a smile, taking a peek into Cecils mug to see how much of it he had emptied. Edward let his head hang shortly after. "I shouldn't have bad days...", he answered, then shook his head, looking almost as if he was in pain. "No, my pr-... No. I will take care of you. I don't need to rest." Logan leaned back, apparently finished with his food. He ate fast. "Loosing against me is no shame you know?"

“As big as houses? No, I want a small one, one I can keep like a pet, that sits on my shoulder and cuddles with me. Someone like Edward, but Edward is no pet, he’s my friend. And a bit too tall for my shoulder.”, he giggled. Not only did he enjoy the extra bit of attention Logan offered him, he also liked being together with the two of them - Edward was calm and reserved, while Logan seemed rebellious and open-minded, thus, neither of them fit together very well but Cecil was the chain link that kept them together. It was almost odd, unbelievably so, and he reminded himself of the fact that, despite everything, he was someone that could hardly hold his own. By now, his head was spinning and his throat hurt - it burned from warmth, even, and the hiccups, while gone, were still not a thing of the past as he wanted it to be. “Eddie, can we get one of those beasts?”, he mumbled and looked at him, with glassy, red rubies for eyes - with a puckered bottom lip, trying to win Edwards favor; he didn’t want more and not once had he desired an answer like ‘yes’ more than he did now. Or had he?

“The smartest? Yes, sure! I’m sure Eddie knows more!”, he tried to argue. Cecil didn’t mind small conflicts, but in reality, he’d never argue that Eddie wasn’t killing him, some way or the other. Right now, he was on edge because of both the alcohol and the change on situation. What was happening? The world was spinning, kind of … “Magic? Yes, it sounds interesting! I wish I could use some, at least I’d be somewhat interesting then.”, Cecil chuckled. What else could he want? A hug? Someone to carry him to bed? It all sounded like it was going to be Edwards turn - he rubbed his face against Edwards shoulder and snuggled up to him, someone that had to do all the things for him that he couldn’t. Maybe the snuggling was enough payment? “Logan magic, duh!”, he chuckled. “Bed? Bed sounds good … could you carry me? No, no … uh, I’ll carry you!” Cecil got up and immediately fell back down onto his ass onto the bench they had sat at again. That was fun! But also his ass hurt … ouch. “You can have as many bad days as you want! And you need some rest, so come on, come on, upstairs to bed with you! Both of us!” Then, he looked at his mug again. Wow, there wasn’t even a dent on this drink and yet, his head was spinning already. “I know! But next time you’re mine! And now it’s time for bed!”

Cecil was quite obviously drunk. He usually talked a lot without thinking, but now it was a lot more apparent. It wasn't necessarily bad, but Edward wondered if he truly should have allowed him to drink some beer. Logan raised an eyebrow, he defiently had something to say about this, but he kept his mouth shut. Edward looked at him, seeing some displeasure and he probably took offence because Cecil said Edwards name and the word pet in one sentence. Edward was fine with it, even though he wasn't sure if he truly was the princes friend. He was his knight, a servant, he did all he did with joy and pride, but still. He wasn't worthy to be Cecils friend. Cecil looked at hime with big pleading eyes and he tried to put on a smile. "Wouldnt a bunny or something like that suffice?", he asked the prince carefully. Edward would be the one caring about that animal, wouldn't he be? "And if it is small and sweet, maybe it doesn't want to join us on a journey." Cecil would pick up every animal he could find, they were lucky they didn't meet a cute frog yet, weren't they? But he picked up Logan which was probably worse.

"Why not ask us a few questions then? A quiz?", Logan asked as if to start a battle of sorts, one without weapons this time. Edward wasn't sure what to think about that and he wasn't up for loosing again, he wouldn't take it well, that much he knew. Besides, Cecil was tired and needed to go to bed. "You are already interesting.", Edward assured the prince. He was always looking down on himself, for no reason. Cecil cuddled up a bit more and Edward didnt quite know how to react. It wasn't odd for the prince to come a bit to close to someone that was a mere knight, but right now he seemed even more out of it. "N-No, I'll carry you.", Edward refused Cecils plan, but he already stood up. He seemed unable to stand, that's how drunk he was. "I... yes, of course.", Edward simply nodded and got up himself to take all their belongings and put the bags around his shoulder. Then he offered Cecil his hand to help him up. Once he got out between the bench and the table the sat at, Edward already picked Cecil up. Logan sighed loudly. "Fiiiiine... you're like two grandpas. I thought we'd have some fun today!" Edward just looked at him shorty, without saying anything, instead he secured Cecil on his arms. "Good night.", he politely stated, then took their keys from the table and fought himself through the crowd of people to some stairs that led to the rooms. He quickly found the number stated on the key, opened up and kind of kicked open the door. Then he went in, closed the door with his foot and quickly let Cecil down on the bed further away from the door. Afterwards he put the bags on the floor. "Do you want to wash yourself before bed?"

Was Eddie his pet? No, far removed from it, but even then, Cecil wanted to smash his head against the table that they sat at and just pass out like that - he’d be able to be lugged around like a piece of cloth afterwards, by both Edward and Logan, and thus, him being drunk probably posed no real problem. After all, he was a lightweight, one of many in this inn if he looked at the people that lined the tables and had passed out for the time being, all the while a mixture of alcohol and sweat droplets fell onto them, all thanks to their bar mates, or whatever one would call them. Cecil wasn’t sure, he was too tired to seriously consider thinking about it anyway - and what was worse, he wanted nothing more than to sleep for the night, even if he’d babbled about fun and enjoyment just before that. Whatever else would he do, right after his apparent intoxication? “A magic bunny, with wings would be nice though!” One that liked him, and carrots, and maybe a bit of Garretts blood so he wouldn’t think about touching Cecils fluffy companion and friend, whom he’d love for more than just one sad, tiring night. “So, what about something like an unicorn then? It’s not small or sweet, and it has a large horn on its head that it can use to defend us with!”, Cecil proposed. That sounded stupid and maybe a bit insane.

“Uh, sure! What’s the … hm, I can’t think of anything. I’ll come up with something. Later.”, he yawned. There wouldn’t be a later and truthfully, he was already too tired to even make amends at keeping himself awake. Whatever he staggered through the room or not wouldn’t matter much, after all, he had someone to support him and his mistakes - someone that would carry him, despite being asked not to in the end. For a moment, he looked at Eddie, rather dumbfounded, and he wondered if their current situation was due to him or Logan. “I’d be more interesting if I looked less like an albino sheep and more like my brothers!”, he argued, but he let himself be helped up and then, found himself whisked into Edwards arms. Cecil liked the sound of that - being interesting for Eddie was nice, it always would be and therefore, he clung to him like he was drowning without him and would continue to if he kept averting his gaze. “Grandpas? As if! Go get some beauty sleep, noble knight, and meet us tomorrow when you get up! Bye bye, Logan!”, Cecil mumbled and buried his face against Eddies chest. He was warm and comforting, and Cecil enjoyed being with him - so much, that he eventually only looked back up when he felt a soft mattress beneath him. “Hmm, nooo, but I want you to sleep with me … in here. Pretty please? And also …” The prince sat up and rid himself of his hood, as well as his shirt before he fumbled with his pants - all of this was getting rather annoying. “Eddie, you can’t stay awake, just come sleep … I’ll read you a bedtime story!”

Edward was no pet, but even if he were, he wouldn't mind. He acted like a loyal dog already and Cecil praised him way too often. Logan didn't like that dynamic, Edward could tell, but the truth was, that he wouldn't even know what to do, if he wasn't the princes royal knight. He wanted to go where he went and he wanted to do what helped Cecils goals, that was all. Logan was different, independent since he was young - somehow. There was still something about him, something about his style of fighting and how he spoke sometimes, something that seemed familiar, but Edward couldn't put his finger on it. Cecil probably didn't notice, he already adopted him and he would carry around some stray animals at some point, of that Edward was sure. It didn't matter if human or beast, Cecil wanted them all to be his friends and Edward knew, that he alone wasn't enough, so he'd let him. Logan seemed like the kind of person that would catch a unicorn for him too, just because it was a nice challenge.

Whether they'd have a quiz tomorrow or not, Edward didn't know, for now the prince needed to go to bed. He needed some sleep, today had been exhausting, he got hurt, they had a wild chase and he drank alcohol for the first time. Hopefully he didn't have a headache the next day. "That's not true.", Edward mumbled while putting Cecil down on his bed. "You're interesting because you are different. I look the same as every Dryden, I get put into one pot with every member of my family.", Edward smiled and tried to cheer Cecil up. He hated his looks and the knight didn't understand why. While Cecil was already getting rid of his clothes, Edward rummaged through their belongings to find some sleeping garments for the prince. "I will sleep, don't worry. You don't have to read a story, you're tired.", he answered, offering Cecil the clothes he had found while averting his gaze at the same time. "Let me lock the door...", he then mumbled apologetic, because he had to leave Cecils side for a moment. He walked back to their door to lock it shut, just in case. He was thinking of dragging something in front of it just in case, but he didn't and came back to Cecil. He put the key on his nightstand, then found some ointment and quickly put some of it on the princes nose and cheeks, before he even could say anything. He put it away again without rubbing it in and afterwards put his sword away, leaning it against the wall. He also shed the hood, freeing the long blue hair and put it together with Cecils clothes away so it wouldn't wrinkle. Then he looked at his leather armor. It wasn't exactly comfortable to sleep in, but it would be better, in case they got attacked by someone.

Edward was his, in some odd way, mainly because they’d been selected for one another - they belonged to each other, whatever they wanted or not, and in reality, there was nothing aside from unbound loyalty that he experienced. Whatever else would happen to them if all of this kept up? They’d have too much fun from here on out, that was all Cecil had ever wanted, but even then, he knew that eternity might not be something for them - in fact, it wasn’t and in reality, he wouldn’t turn old, but he still wanted to believe in stupid theories and asinine assumptions, just to make Edward happy - to give him purpose and show him that not all effort was naught, simply because the two of them wouldn’t be together forever, despite the fact that destiny bound them to one another - made them one. What was he even thinking about? His head was spinning, Cecil was saying loads of nonsense all of a sudden and he wanted to blame the alcohol for it, but even then, he wasn’t sure - he didn’t want to think too much about it. “Drydens are beautiful, though. I like your hair and your pale skin that doesn’t burn to crisp just because you bask in the sun. But that sounds like I’m talking about some sort of dog, not you, not Eddie - you’re beautiful, no one else.”

Admiring what little he had by now was the best thing he could do, and it would be the only one as well - not only was he trying to at least make amends for all the things he’d said earlier, he was also trying to sort out his fucked up thoughts, many of which didn’t work in his favor. “I think you’re you. Caring and loving, sweet and nurturing, unlike your brothers - they do what they have to do, you do it because you genuinely care. Eddie, you’re not giving yourself enough credit. I like being with you and you alone …”, he slurred and mumbled, kicking off his pants and looking at the garments he was offered instead. Clothing, sleepwear that would definitely swaddle him right into sleep - he put it on, loosely, as he missed some holes with the buttons, and he wondered for a great while if this was happening because it had to - or because he had enjoyed this world a bit too much. “I’m not tired, I’m drunk. I can still read, and I still know that you like bedtime stories.” Cecil patted the spot next to him on the bed, watching as Edward got up to lock their door and then, as he returned and took off some of his clothing, Cecil pouted in disappointment. He shook his head, grabbed Eddie by his collar sighed. “We’ll sleep. Without armor. The door is locked. Logan is also here. Calm down, will you?”, he insisted and then started fumbling with the leather straps on Edwards armor, hardly being able to keep himself up and even less able to undo them properly, but he somehow managed to get rid of a few of them. His feeble fingers clawed themselves into the shirt beneath Eddies armor as he let himself fall back, taking the knight with him. “No armor in bed!”

"My prince, I'm... I'm not worthy of such praise.", Edward answered, not caring about the rule of not calling him like that. They were alone, no one could hear them and no one would know who they were - hopefully. Logan had found them too and it had been Edwards blue hair he saw, not the princes white colored hair. If he noticed them, who else could have with all the missing persons posters around and the significant amount of money leads to the princes whereabouts would bring. A simple farmer would never have to work again. Edward was wondering if he did the right thing. The king was searching for his son, he was probably worried sick and Edward disregarded what was right and anyones wishes except the princes. Whatever he wanted, whatever he asked for, Edward couldn't say no, whether it be being out here or the fact that he wanted to bring someone like Logan. Crossing the border would probably mean that not every commoner was looking for them, but they didn't know that country, it might be dangerous and even worse than out here. Edward was worried, especially after Logan showed him how weak he truly was.

"You're doing a disservice to my siblings... we all love you and your brothers.", Edward mumbled. Francis was holding Garrett back often enough, but if he truly wanted to go somewhere, Francis followed him, making his trip as enjoyable as possible. Maybe William was different, but he too was always around Xander and Edward believed he truly cared about him. Edward meanwhile wondered if the best thing for the young prince was truly giving him all he wanted, or if keeping him in the castle would have been the right thing to do. He wasn't sure if he was able to protect him. The prince put too much trust in everyone, including Edward. "I'm fine, you should sleep, tomorrow we will probably not have a bed to sleep in, remember?", Edward smiled. The prince didn't need to accomodate for him, he never had to. Once he came back from locking the door, Cecil suddenly grabbed him with his tiny feeble hands. He made sure not to fall on the prince and looked at him. "Logan might be the one coming in here...", he told the prince, but he could only watch while he fumbled with the armor on his arms and chest. Edward could have just pressed Cecil down on the bed, but he'd never. Physically Edward would always be stronger than him, but Cecil would always be able to overpower Edward who was torn between the things the prince wanted and the things Edward thought were right. He was pulled down further, ending up above the prince, holding himself up, but his blue hair fell on the princes body. His hand softly wrapped itself around Cecils that held on to his shirt. "Sleep... I will too, I promise.", he mumbled, then he softly pulled the hand off of himself to be able to sit up. He sat on the edge of the bed and opened the rest of the straps, then pulled the armor off his body.

“You are. You’re my knight and my friend - and as such, you deserve any and all praise.”, Cecil giggled. He was drunk, he’d always be when he touched alcohol, but what was worse was the ointment on his face that itched and cooled the sunburn, the one that Eddie had put their intentionally - and the one that was supposed to keep his thin skin together. Would it hurt if he would just let it sit and rupture, tear itself apart at the seams and give up on understanding all there was in store for him? Cecil awaited his downfall in a world that wasn’t his and what was worse, he was close to it, closer than he ever expected to be - what else could he do, if not endure all the pain he’d ever felt? “I know, and you and your siblings would do whatever it takes to make me and my siblings happy. But that’s not the point. You’re my friend, Edward - and as a friend, you’re much like the apple of my eye, the only one I need and the only one I had for a long time. I know who you are and who you’ll always be to me.”, he assured his best friend. Was Eddie only that? Who knew, but Cecil was aware that they were somewhat made for one another - almost like the world was spinning and turning, and it’d never stop just doing that, for either of them.

“We have the world to ourselves tonight. And what if Logan comes in here? I’ll only cuddle you, that’s all I really want!”, he made clear. Cecil was smitten with the care he received and found that the knight was and would always be someone that, if anything, would understand how he worked - he always did, and he’d never not do that. “I don’t mind having a bed, as long as I’m with you. And also! You should sleep as well!” Again, he was giggling and again, he was making a bit too much noise - Cecil enjoyed being with Eddie, and he’d enjoy it more if he stopped being so uptight and finally gave up on his duties for tonight - it’d suit him more if he, too, unraveled a bit, something that apparently seemed insane enough to not be considered at all. Calloused hands touched his own - they were warm, strong and maybe the slightest bit dry, deserving of some ointment. Cecil touched his own face and rubbed it in, wanting to grab Eddie in return and offer him some loving, but those hands were gone already. “What’s on your mind? I can’t sleep, but I’m sleepy, but … Eddie, sleep here.” The sight was breathtaking, the blue hair felt soft and those eyes were ethereal - for a moment, he forgot how to breathe, bewitched by his own underling, who shied away. His gaze followed Edward as he sat next to him and he, too, sat up and put his head on Edwards shoulder. “Do your hands hurt? Don’t lie.”

Edwards gaze shied away. He didn't deserve that much praise and trust, he truly didn't. Logan hadn't tried his best when fighting him, he knew that. That one blow knocked Logan off his feet, but it was a dirty surprise attack that a knight such as Edward shouldn't attempt in the first place. Logan didn't want to hurt them on that meadow, nor did he intend to kidnap Cecil, he probably would have done so already, if he wanted to. They were lucky it was him that found them and no one else. Edward was rusty, since they went on their journey he didn't have much time to train and the prince wouldn't let him in the evening either. He was tired too, though he slept good last night, he wasn't sure if he could today, with the threat that was Logan looming over their hands. "You shouldn't put too much trust in me...", he mumbled, looking at his useless hands. He needed to be stronger to protect the prince. His gaze slowly moved towards Cecil. He was drunk, but the words he spoke he would have also spoken when he wasn't, Edward knew as much. Whenever the prince called him his friend, maybe even his best friend, he didn't know what to feel. Had he been jelous of the attention Logan got, another person who caught Cecils eye for once? Or was he just weary of that man that wanted to accompany them for no good reason?

"That's not... what I meant...", Edward mumbled. He doubted Logan wanted to cuddle, he might want to steal Cecil away and bring him home, or sell him. He could, if he wanted to, especially when Edward put down his armor and his guard, when his sword just leaned against the wall a step away from him and all he had was a knife. That was not enough against someone like him. "I will sleep... don't worry about me.", Edward answered. He still wanted to do something else too, but maybe he could when he woke up early, before the prince did, which usually wasn't that hard. "I just hope I'm doing the right thing...", Edward answered, even though he wasn't sure if Cecil even wanted an honest answer right now. He took off his boots when the prince sat up and put his hands on Edwards shoulder. He always came close, but Edward never knew how to react. He didn't deserve that much attention, but puhing the prince off was hardly an option. "No. Maybe if we would have fought with real swords, but the sticks weren't strong enough to withstand a lot of strength, I'm fine.", Edward answered and then looked at the prince. "What about you? Any pain from riding this much? From... from falling down...?" Edward reached out his hand to wipe away some resedues of the ointment Cecil had rubbed in himself. He should look out for some herbs, he didn't know if there were any across the border after all and at some point, they needed to make more ointment.

Edward was the only one he had - the only one he needed. Cecil knew as much, but worse than that, maybe he should try to rely on himself more - Eddie hardly could protect him for the rest of his life, much like he couldn’t always be there for him. It was a disaster if he thought about it like that, and it hurt him for inexplicable reasons as well. What else was he supposed to do? Not only could he not listen to his own drunkenness, he also knew well enough that he didn’t have all the time in the world to convince Eddie to come to bed with him - the night ended somewhere, and they needed some good rest before it did, lest they’d find themselves exhausted during the ride on the next day. “Why? Eddie, look here.”, Cecil demanded and turned himself to his side, before grabbing the knights face between his own, pale hands that never failed to show some kind of contrast, even against normal skin. That was odd, wasn’t it? Like this, Cecil felt like he could see every blood vessel that snaked itself around his muscles and nerves and whatever else their was - it wasn’t important. “You’re more than enough. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. You lost once, to some hotblooded mercenary. And? You’re still the best knight I know and you’ll always be.” Rubies stared at aquamarines and Cecil smiled - he wasn’t sure if Eddies face was a droopy mess, but it looked all messed up, he couldn’t even read his expression.

“Alcohol sucks.”, he blurted out and then, finally, let go of Eddie - he still smiled, content, admiring the strength that he’d never possess, as well as basking in his knightly glory - whatever else would he do? Cecil wasn’t good at being anyone, definitely not a knight and much less a competent ruler; therefore, it was only right that either Garrett or William got the throne, even if neither of them seemed particularly interested in the crown. As long as he had Edward, he’d survive anything. “You’re still jealous of him, aren’t you? I’ve never seen you react like that before, except once when we were kids, I think. You’d defend me with tooth and nail, with your life, Eddie - I owe you mine in turn, but I’d never prefer Logan over you, you have my word.”, he assured his knight and then let himself fall onto his mattress, looking at the ceiling above them, unable to see any stars that he’d grown to love so much, yet had lost sight of, at least for tonight. “You are! You’re showing me a world I won’t be able to see all my life.” Cecil squinted, but his eyes didn’t focus and everything moved and spun around instead. Grandpas, huh? Maybe they were, old and oddly enticed by one another after all the loss they’d had suffered and the lives they’d have lived. “You needn’t apologize, you’ve done your utmost. Eddie, you’re my sword and while I can’t be your shield, I’m your crown - the crown you deserve for your bravery, and the one that will protect your head and give you dumb orders.”, he explained. Assurance was the first thing the two of them needed - Edwards insecurities were worse than his own, but even then … was that bad? “No, I’m fine, but your hands felt dry and I figured that might be uncomfortable. We could use some ointment! Speaking of which … no, actually, I’ll sleep now. Good night, my knight in shining armor.”

Edwards face was grabbed by the prince. The soft and cold hands always felt odd on his skin. It felt nice, but at the same time he felt like he got too much attention from him, only because he was a weak excuse of a knight that should keep his thoughts to himself, instead of fishing for Cecils reassurance. Keeping eye contact was hard for him, it always had been and even though his face was held in place by Cecil, his gaze moved to the side, trying to avoid the princes. The prince meanwhile seemed a bit unfocused anyway. "I should never lose. I'm supposed to protect you...", he answered ashamed of his own weakness. He didn't think he was particularily strong, but to lose against Logan in such an embarassing way, because he didn't pay attention, because he didn't protect the prince properly, felt awful. He failed in his duty, he was weak and the prince would die if this continued. Edward didn't even want to think about that. Maybe it was better to bring him back home, maybe he should write a letter to his brother to let him know where to find them.

Edward turned his head a bit away when Cecil let go of him, claming that alcohol sucked. He'd drink again, wouldn't he? Edward didn't take one sip and he wouldn't in the future either. Then the prince pointed something out Edward didn't want to believe. "I-I... no, I'm not!", he blurted out in his defense. Did he make the prince feel like he couldn't have any friends? "I'm just... not trusting him. You can talk to and invite whoever you want. You can prefer other people over me i'm just not trusting him... not yet. I'm sorry." The prince decided to take Logan with him and he decided to trust him, natrually Edward was supposed to treat Logan as a friend too, but he just couldn't. At the same time he wasn't sure what incident Cecil was mentioning there. "I apologize if I misbehaved...", he added apologetic. He probably didn't act like a knight should. A sneeky gaze fell upon the prince who lay down on his bed. "I don't want you to get hurt though...", Edward answered and stood up to softly roll the prince from his blanket, so Edward could put it over him. He wrapped the prince into it and made it as comfortable as he could for him. "Doing my best might not be good enough...", Edward mumbled more to himself than to the prince. Then he sat down next to him, figuring that the prince wouldn't sleep otherwise. He'd wait a bit until he actually fell asleep. He wanted to do some things and then he would go to bed himself, just like he promised. "You don't need to worry about me. Good night, sleep well."

Edward was his, and his alone - not a a pet, not a knight, not a belonging - Edward was a friend, one he’d cherish more than anything else and one that was with him until the end of time, at least it would seem like that. “Yes, you are. But you haven’t had a real fight in ages. Those things take practice, I know that - I mean, I was a match for Xander when I was maybe six or so, but that’s not the point! You did your best!”, he sighed. Eddie was such a worrywart that Cecil himself was now trying to roll closer and hug him, but he’d been swaddled by his blanket, much like a newborn that couldn’t do anything but lay there and gaze onward, to cry and scream if he wanted, but he wasn’t like that, not in the least - he was supposed to be an adult. “You’re not? Eddie, that doesn’t sound very convincing. Listen, you can be jealous of him and you can distrust him, but … you’re my first and my best friend, nothing will change that, do you hear!?”, the prince yelled, not angry or fed up, but loud enough to be understood and to be heard. Then, he freed himself from his cocoon and shook his head, brushing through Edwards hair, who simply sat there.

“You haven’t misbehaved. You’ve simply felt things, which is perfectly fine, okay? You’re always be the one I can and will rely on the most - and there’s no shame in that.”, he assured him. His eyes wandered elsewhere and he sighed, then forced his way out of their bed and walked over to their belongings, before he started rummaging through them and looking for something. Cecil crouched there, then fell onto his ass and still searched through their clothing to find something specific. Once he’d located what it was, or rather what it should be, he pulled it out from within whatever this knapsack was. “It’s good enough. Or would you rather train with Logan? Eddie, you’re doing good - nothing has happened to us, and Logan was just at the wrong place. There’s nothing to blame you for. I can’t tell you to stop that, but look.” He got up and continue his lightfooted journey back to bed, before he offered Edward his own shirt - one he was supposed to sleep in, if anything. Still, they looked much different from his own clothing, and yet, what else was left for them to do? There was no way in hell that he’d get Edward to wear his clothes. “I always worry about you.” Cecil sat back down on the bed again, next to Edward, and roped him into a hug - he pressed Eddies face against his shoulder and patted his back. “Let it all out if you’d like.”, he mumbled; his patting turned into stroking. Edward did so much for him, he needed a break as well.

"Would... would it bother you if... I were to train a bit more?", Edward asked. He felt awkward standing up right now and do some situps, or take out his sword to do some swings. Whenever they made a break to eat or sleep, the prince wanted Edward to join him. He didn't know when he'd have time to train, nor did he have a partner or an instructor anymore. Back in the castle it had been different. Edward never slept in the princes room and in the mornings he'd get up early to have his training sessions. Then he ate breakfast and afterwards joined the prince for the day. He ate dinner once Cecil went to sleep. Sometimes he'd study something then and afterwards went to bed in his own quaters. It had always been like that, but now it was very different and Edward couldn't, nor did he want to leave the prince alone for a bit. "I-I... I don't want to be...", Edward stuttered embarassed, looking away. "You don't belong to anyone, I have no right to be jelous and I'm really not... I just don't want you to get hurt..."

Edward looked at the loud prince that stood up anyway, although he said he'd sleep. when the prince stood up, Edward did too, but he didn't interfere. "What are you doing...?", he asked, wondering why he didn't just tell Edward what he searched for in the bags. All the talk about Edwards weakness made Cecil rely less and less on him, he should have kept his mouth shut. "My prince...!", Edwards let out, taking another step towards him, but the prince already fell. At least he didn't hurt himself. "I rather won't... train with him I mean...", he mumbled, being forced back on his ass. He was handed a shirt Cecil wanted him to wear as it seemed, but before he could stand up to change his clothes out of the princes sight, Cecil already sat down next to him again. The princes feeble arms wrapped themselves around Edward as best as they could and in turn the knights breathing staggered for a moment. His head was pulled down on the princes shoulder and he gulped. A hand was stroking his back and made him want to jump up. This was not how it was supposed to be between a knight and his prince. Maybe the other way around, but Edward didn't mean to make Cecil worry and care about his knight. "I'm fine, really.", he quickly answered, slowly sitting up again and carefully removing those feeble hands from his body. "You wanted to sleep, remember? Lie down...", he mumbled, then quickly got up to vanish behind a little wooden wall that seperated the bedroom from a little washing corner, in which Edward got quickly rid of his sweaty shirt and instead put on the one Cecil handed him. He should wash their clothes, but Cecil wouldn't let him and thus he quickly came back, with a different shirt and he put the other next to Cecils folded clothes.

“No, I should give you more time to train anyway. You mustn’t listen to me all the time, we can take breaks to train some if you’d like.” Cecil shook his head and any and all color he’d have had in his face before had disappeared - the one advantage that came with looking ghastly pale was, that only his expression could rat him out, but not the color of his skin, aside from the occasional sunburn. He swallowed - it felt painful and sad, but it wasn’t his turn to be pained and sad. It was Edwards, something that the knight seemingly didn’t want - he’d read him wrong and that was fine, he couldn’t know everything. “You can be jealous. What’s bothering you? Logan, by himself? The fact that I just accepted him as a friend?”, he smiled, he didn’t find time to wrap his head around the situation and if push came to shove, he could chalk it up to being drunk talking anyway. Would Eddie forgive him? Surely. “I can see and hear that, but I’m your prince, your friend - am I not? I’m yours, you’re mine and you’re allowed to be jealous. I think I’d be jealous if you’d rendezvoused with Logan or something like that.” The thought was a silly one, but who knew? Maybe a night with Logan would help make Eddie unwind? No, he’d just be more tense it he wasn’t there or protected.

“Your prince has a name. And he wants to do something for you, okay? I’m not as forlorn as I look, not the sheep that I resemble.” Those white locks were getting somewhat long and still, he wished for them as dark as the night, and his pale skin to be much deeper and richer in color, just like his siblings … even Edwards hue would be acceptable. He had a silly thought that he swallowed down. “Then we’ll have to ask any and all mercenaries we spot for some training - does that sound good? And if they recognize us, we’ll book it. Are you okay with that?”, he wondered aloud. Maybe Logan was still their best guess and as much as Cecil loathed to admit it, Eddie could probably learn a whole lot from that dude. Whatever else would he do? Nothing, they had limited resources and while they could lie through gritted teeth, someone would eventually recognize them for who they truly were. “You’re fine? … Alright …”, he mumbled and looked after Eddie, disappointed. Then, Cecil looked at his hands, the one he’d just put on Edward … maybe he was a monster, one that shouldn’t touch or care for its knight, one that better kept its hands to itself, in case something truly awful would happen otherwise. “Sleep? Ah, right. If you want to train before bed, I won’t bother you. And you’re not bothering me, so go ahead please. Good night, Eddie!”, he mumbled and tucked himself back into bed, crawling up to the cool wall that his bed stood against and leaning his forehead against it … he wanted to sleep, not be a monster, that was right.

"We don't need extra breaks.", Edward assured the prince. Just maybe a bit less braiding of his hair. While Cecil ate, Edward could work on his body, though he didn't quite fancy having the prince and Logan watch. Actually, Logan would probably just try to join which would be embarrassing too. "I... nothing. I don't know. Don't worry about me...", Edward mumbled. He wasn't sure if he was jelous or how he felt about Logan and why. He just didn't want him around the prince, especially not up close. He hurt him once before and it would happen again. He was no good company for a young prince, but Cecil chose him as a friend, so Edward couldn't do much about him. "I won't. I just... you already got hurt today... I don't want that to happen again and I want to protect you...", Edward mumbled. Logan was dangerous in many ways, but now they were following his directions as he led them to the coast Cecil wanted to visit. That didn't seem smart at all and yet, there was nothing to be done about it.

"You don't have to...", Edward simply answered. He knew that the prince could search their bag on their own, but why would he bother himself with such a mundane task if he could just ask Edward to get him whatever he wanted? Edward could care for himelf and for the prince at the same time, Cecil didn't need to bother with Edwards wellbeing. "N-no! Please!", Edward refused shaking his head. he wasn't sure if Cecil was playing him, or if he was serious. "I can train on my own.", he added. He didn't want any other mercenaries on their tail nor did he want to train with any of them and besides, it sounded like Cecil thought Edward would be bale to learn something from every single one of them. Was he so weak? Well, he just told Cecil he was... After changing into the clothes the prince picked out, Edward came back to the princes bed, but sat down on his own. "Good night...", he softly spoke, watching as the prince got into bed and kind of his himself. Did Edward do something wrong? He didn't know, but he watched over Cecil until he was sure he fell asleep - it didnt take long. Then he started to get some things. The prince would want to try more things, especially with Logan around and thus, Edward was taking his time sewing the prince some gloves that should protect his thin skin if he truly wanted to use a bow, or any weapon really. It didn't take Edward long to finish them. For now he his them in their belongings until Cecil would need them. It was late, he promised Cecil he'd sleep and so he lay down in his own bed, trying to do just that until the next morning.

Cecil had never been good with falling asleep on command or generally being asleep in his own right - he often tossed and turned, acted like he was being haunted, even in his dreams, and when all else failed, he wondered if Edward would ever be as enduring of him as he'd been so far, accepting every little movement that he made, every single night. There was no shared bed this time, nor was there any option to make it one - they both had picked their own and for that, Cecil wasn't even mad. In fact, he much rather enjoyed the moments he spend together with Eddie, but on the other hand, he was sure that a bit of distance was something that both of them would profit off of. However, it wasn't long until he found himself, roused from his sleep, staring into everloving darkness - there only was Edwards breathing, shallow and tired, far away, and Cecil himself tried to steady his own. His heart was beating in his ears, which were ringing, and his skull felt like it was splitting - his eyes were unfocused, and all he wanted was to blame it on the beer - he felt like throwing up, and yet, he did not, afraid of waking the knight that deserved his sleep, afraid of waking somebody that should sleep for a considerable amount of time now.

Dreams plagued him during the night, of open meadows and forlorn words, of a world he didn't quite understand, and of a revelation that wasn't his own - Cecil thought about taking the blame for it, thought about making the detour and crushing his own bones on the way back, pleading with his father to not punish Edward, but it was the same, over and over again - his father, merciful and dutiful, wouldn't stop cutting down his knight, and as he awoke, he gulped, was bathed in his own sweat, and greeted by the sun. For whatever reason, it was either early, or he was just blind, and he made his way to the bath, were he immediately found himself at a loss. What was he without Edward? No, he'd wash himself, somehow - he'd not wake his knight, and as he did, his shirt hurriedly unbuttoned and white locks sticking to his forehead, he swallowed the bitter pill of realization. There was no home for them, something Edward was surely afraid of and something that he didn't want to accept - Cecil wanted to go back home eventually, and yet, he worried too much - he was the tired and lost one, the one that lost himself in his own idiocy as he hugged his own body - he needed a moment, just one, to wash and dry himself, and to walk back to the main room to change his clothing - nothing would happen, Edward surely hadn't taken note of whatever happened ...

Edward had a light sleep and he was glad he did. He needed to remain on his toes, even at night and even though it wasn't a door or a window opening that woke him up, he still did. He heard the prince toss and turn in his sleep and wondered if it would have been better to share a bed with him. Much as in the dining area the night before, Cecil was probably scared. Everything was new for him and even though he didn't admit it, he had been a bit overwhelmed yesterday with all those strangers and the smells and noises down there. Edward never knew what was right. Should he rremain in his place as a knight? Keep them strictly seperated as he was a servant and nothing more? Or should he hug the prince if he looked like he needed it, even though his body started to feel weird and he had troubles breathing when the prince came awfully close? Edward didn't know what to do. He would have welcomed Cecil in his bed if he wanted to come over, but he didn't and so Edward just stayed awake and waited until the prince fell asleep again, making sure he didn't hear any sniffling.

The next morning Edward woke up when the prince got out of his bed. The young noble vanished so fast that his knight had the feeling he wanted to be left alone for a bit. Edward remained still, trying to listen to everything but the prince that needed some time for himself. They had been together so much, it was no wonder. Only after a short while Edward quietly got up to find fresh clothing for the prince and a fresh towel as well. The clothing was spread out on the princes bed, ready to be worn and the towel was in Edwards hand, spread out and ready to be wrapped around the princes body once he left that little area and turned the corner. Once the prince finally did Edward smiled at him, offering up the towel and even to wrap him into it. "Good morning.", he smiled with only as much as a small nod, because he knew that the prince didn't want him to bow or fall to one knee. He didn't dare ask him how his night had been, nor did he want to push him in either direction. leaving him alone in this room was something Edward didn't want to do anyway, even if it was only to get some breakfast.

Hiding something or anything from Edward wasn't always something he excelled at - when they were younger, sure, it had been easier and he had much more fun, just trying to make do with what little resources he had. Hiding from Edward behind a tree was the best strategy he could exert, and yet, nothing of the sort existed out here, and Cecil himself was the one that had to ask himself if this truly was what he wanted - if this was what he could and would do until the end of his life if his knight kept him an arms length away from his feelings; and to be frank, he didn't have an answer for that, he'd never have one and he'd never ask for one. His eyes fell on two hands, covered by a towel instead, and he sighed - maybe in relief, maybe in embarrassment, but whatever it was, he took the towel and gifted Edward a smile, something he deserved and something he would need from here on out. Cecil himself felt embarrassed, merely because he'd been acting like a douche yesterday night and he was swiftly punished by a bunch of nightmares for it - that was how that worked, no? Garrett always claimed that dreameaters only came to those that had hurt another, and in this case, he'd probably hurt Eddies feelings, as much as he could. "I'm sorry.", he blabbered and looked at Edward.

Right now, he wanted to hide from the world, but instead, he took that towel that had been designated for him and tugged on Edwards hand. "I didn't want to be mean to you yesterday, I- ... listen ... you mean a lot to me, alright? And I won't let anyone hurt you! But if you're jealous of Logan, I can't help you with that.", he mumbled, all the while he let go of Eddie again, only to dry himself off sufficently and then, let go of the towel just like that. He wrapped the knight in a hug, despite the fact that his skin was cold and while smooth, probably not nice to touch. He held Edward close to him, almost as if he needed it instead of his knight, but he didn't. "We're friends, and friends tell each other if something is bothering them. So ... Please, Eddie, trust me when I say I did not mean to hurt you and trust me, when I claim that I care about you. You need a break, from everything, just for a while ... you look tired, and you wake every single time I'm having a bad time or move too much in bed, isn't it that? You're always on your toes before I can tell you to stay." He sighed, then rubbed Eddies clothed back. He pulled his aquamarine friend with him, back to the bathroom, and then looked at him expectantly. "Go wash up, take your time. I'll get you some clothes meanwhile, and a towel. Okay? And also, don't you dare ... did you even sleep well?"