homebound. (earinor & akira)

Edward shook his head with a smile. He'd stay in his clothes for now, there was no need to dress up for a carnival, much less for a knight and even more useless when he wore a hood all the time anyway. "I swam quite a bit yesterday, even though it ended up as a race. Don't worry.", Edward answered the prince. He swam plenty, each of them had the opportunity to swim, only Logan went in three times. Edward liked swimming and water in general. Even the sea, albeit able to be dangerous and wild, was spreading some calmness. There had been a lake near the castle to which Edward sometimes went alone, mostly at night before going to bed. he'd float in the water and look at the moon, having some time for himself in which he simply wanted to do nothing. Moving in the water, swimming, racing Logan even was nice too however and Edward felt better afterwards. They'd have more opportunities to swim, of that he was sure and maybe he'd be able to teach Cecil how to swim some day.

Once Logan rudely started to undress in front of all of them again, Edward stepped towards the prince and took position in his line of sight. Logan didn't mind either way. "First some fish, then some more and afterwards desert, how's that sound?", Logan asked almost excited sounding himself. "You should eat something else but sweets first too.", Edward chastised the prince. If he could, he'd live off of cake alone. Once Cecil mentioned their weapons Logan shook his head. "It's not uncommon to wear swords, especially this far up north. I always bring mine, it's a part of me!", Logan announced and Edward shook his head as well. "I'd feel safer having it with me. Besides, no one will see it under this cape anyway.", Edward voiced his own opinion, but he started to untie his armor anyway, to find some middle ground. He hopefully wouldn't need it.

Still, it wasn’t fair. If Eddie and him looked like any other person, neither of them would have to be worried about being seen or spotted, even in a large crowd like out there - but they weren’t more than two weird souls, hanging out around each other and spending the rest of their days by one another’s side. This was like a dream come true, even if it had always been meant like that, and despite the realization that Eddie needed some time for himself, Cecil also knew that that knight if his was rather willing to do his bidding if only he looked at someone the wrong way. “I’m always worried about you.”, he admitted to Eddie, who was now blocking his view on Logan - he that wasn’t what he had in mind, he actually wanted to peek at the blonde and he did so, by spying around Eddies figure and then settling himself behind him again. Fuck, that was embarrassing - didn’t it bother Eddie? It was weird to consider that his knight just accepted Logans weird antics, stone faced as he could be, and rather protected his sire, that didn’t even need any protection - at least not right now, when he was simply clinging to the idea that he, of all people, wanted to see it all, no matter how blurry.

“I think I’ll pass on the second round of fish or I won’t have any room for dessert, but I’ll gladly wait for both of you!”, he chuckled. Eddie made him pout for a second, but he accepted it - he didn’t have the healthiest of comfort foods and what was worse, he also wouldn’t be able to survive by his lonesome, unless a cake of dirt and leaves was nourishing and available to him. “Mh, but … candied apples … and … I mean, I want some fish anyway …”, he mumbled and crossed his arms. Like this, he had a nice view on Eddies ass - he wouldn’t slap it, that just embarrassed both of them, but the thought was a nice one; would Logan do that to someone he liked? Maybe he should ask, but that kind of behavior wasn’t appropriate anyway - it didn’t matter if he was a prince or not. “Okay! Can I bring something too, then? A knife?” That was a like a small, Cecil-sized sword and therefore, the perfect fit for him. But what would he even do with that? Threaten someone and then run for his life? Incite a bar fight and not participate in it himself? Whatever the case, he wanted to feel important too and finally came out of his hiding spot, which was behind Eddie. “Are you dressed yet?”, he questioned Logan with closed eyes.

"You don't need to worry about me, ever.", Edward answered his prince. That was his role. He was supposed to be worried about the prince, about their journey and all the dangers they might encounter and the prince was supposed to have fun. Edward looked at Logan, then behind himself at the prince. Edward wasn't sure if he needed two fish. Maybe that was why Logan was stronger than him, because he ate appropriately and Edward didn't. He knew that when he trained and moved around a lot, he ought to eat a bit more than the prince but he rarely did. he almost always skipped desert too, unless the prince insisted on feeding him some cake. Edward wasn't weak, or as thin as the prince, he had muscles to show too, but not as many as Logan sported. Edward had always remained a bit more slender, but when looking at Francis, his older brother, he was the same and he ate enough. William was slim too and he was a picky either, almost as if he believed he was a prince himself. He trained, when he had to, but not any more than that. There was no use comparing himself to Robin.

"You'll get a candied apple if they have some. Promise.", Edward told the prince, he didn't need to worry. He could have all the deserts there were actually, he just needed to ask for them and eat up. "You don't need a knife.", Edward then was quick to answer and shortly after the prince stepped to the side. Logan was done changing clothes and smiled. "I am and... here.", he said, pulling a knife from a belt on his hip, together with a leather sheath. He elegantly flipped it in his hand, so the hilt was pointing towards the prince. "Only pull it out when you need it, never run with it, don't point the sharp end to yourself and don't stab me.", Logan instructed him, then looked at Edward. "If push comes to shove, it's better he has something to defend himself with, isn't it?", he asked the knight who avoided his gaze like he did so often. "I won't let it come to that..."

“I know but … you’re my friend. How could I not worry for you? It’d be the same as if I insisted I didn’t care when I almost killed Logan with that arrow.”, he confessed. When he was younger and his sight had still been fine, he’d never have made a mistake like that, and yet, it only took some pampering from his siblings and his father, as well as Edward and his family, and he became incredibly spoiled. Hardly anyone said no to him and even Eddie softened up over the years and indulged him whenever he wanted. Wasn’t that some sort of evil curse? “Pinky promise?”, he chuckled as he asked Eddie and nodded, sounding all happy - but he also guessed that his knight already knew that he wouldn’t finish any of the meals he ate. Why was that? Well, he never had had much of an appetite and at home, he always tried to eat a bit of everything and not just one thing, which resulted in a lot of wasted food and Garrett helping him out, while Xander was almost sleeping on his plate and his father only sighed whenever Maeve decided that she was done with being a fine lady and wanted to act more like her brothers. All in all, the royals of Azenad were better left alone during dinnertime, unless they wanted to see how dysfunctional they sometimes managed to be.

Cecil had opened his eyes again and looked mighty proud upon seeing a dressed Logan, despite doing nothing to contribute to any of that - Logan simply looked good in his opinion and the clothing he wore fit him quite well. As he watched on, and wanted to argue about the knife he hadn’t received, he realized soon enough that there was no use and he didn’t want to undermine his friends skills, be it because Eddie seemed rather fragile today, or because he didn’t want to have another disagreement. Logan, on the other hand, had his own idea of how these things were supposed to go and as his eyes glimmered, like that of a child, he simply nodded his head in agreement, not really listening. Would he hurt himself? Possibly not, but the question was: Would anyone hurt him if he strayed away and had to piss by his lonesome? Who knew - he just knew that he didn’t want to have either Eddie or Logan helping him. “I won’t stab you! That was an accident!”, he complained and took the knife from Logan, trying to make it fit on his own belt, somehow, even if he was making it rather hard on himself - eventually, he got the hang of it, though, and he hid it behind his cape, too. “No need to fight! Let’s get going, I want to see things! And I want to try stuff … hm, let’s play some games!” Before anyone could say something else, he grabbed Eddies and then Logans hand and made a beeline for the door.

Edward didn't know what to say, he simply smiled thankfully and then he nodded. "Yes pinky promise.", he said. They had enough money, though Edward didn't bring all, only a part of it and he appreciated the cape hanging over him like that, that would make it even harder for pocket thieves to still anything from him. Edward was observant, yes, but sometimes the prince got all his attention, especially in a big crowd or when he got any funny ideas. Logan was the easier looking target anyway, especially since he looked kind of flashy with his long, wavy blond hair and the white, kind of fancy shirt. It wasn't anything too provocative, but it was a bit more than just a simple white shirt he wore under the armor that usually blocked any sight on it anyway. For pants he wore a tight pair in a dark blue color and his brown boots he always wore. He'd catch someones eye eventually, other than the two hooded figures, although they might have looked a little bit suspicious like that. As if they were the thieves, but that was too obvious an attire, wasn't it?

"I know, I know!", Logan laughed, he simply wanted to tease the prince a bit. He was neither angry nor resentful and before they could argue about giving the prince a knife, he already had grabbed them to leave the inn. Edward didn't mind holding the princes hand, actually he wanted to keep it, especially around so many people. He held onto him almost a bit too tight. Logan however wasn't used to go hand in hand with someone, but he let himself be pulled out, only then did he remove his hand from the princes hands. With him being so small they could have looked like his parents. Logan pointed in the direction of the shore. "We should start over there, there were some booths, I'm sure we'll get some good food there.", he suggested and already started walking. Edward meanwhile tried to shield the prince from all those people, while also trying to not lose Logan. He had he prince walk in front of him, through the wedge Logan caused by walking in the front of their little group. it didn't take long for the air to smell like grilled fish and lemon sauce. Some people that walked past them already had some fish on a stick and happily ate away.

“Yay!”, he celebrated. Cecil liked pinky promises, they were silly yet lovely and while Eddie made it hard on him often enough, he never had any bad intentions with that - he tried to be earnest and loving, and he - in turn - tried to soften his friends mood, even if he could understand if he’d grow frustrated with him at one point or another. Right now however, he was holding onto him and he didn’t want to tell him that the squeeze kind of hurt, no, he took it as if his life depended on it - as if the fact, that Logan let go again left him vulnerable and in need of assistance, right then and there, and Eddie was the only one that could help him. “To be fair, you’re an easier target than a bird! You’re bigger and not airborne.”, he called Logan out and tried to justify his murder attempt. Worrying wasn’t something one should do on a long day of festivities, which was why Cecil himself didn’t dare do anything and instead, behaved as if he’d been born as a stickler to rules and as if he always obeyed Edward whenever he said something - he even squeezed his knights hand by himself again, to assure him he was there.

He ran after Logan, through a flock of people, making his way further in, as if all they were doing was to run through a human maze, filled with ever-shifting walls that weren’t acting in his favor. Eventually though, they did reach a stall with food - delicious smell of fried fish wafted from it, complimenting the sea breeze around them, and Cecils mouth was watering against his own behest. He’d starve out here if he didn’t get anything to eat just yet, but then again, he wasn’t all that hungry and wondered if Eddie would eat a fish and a half if he didn’t want his own anymore. Whatever the case, he bumped into Logans back - and yelped. “S-sorry Logan!”, he called out and buried his face in the blondes back as he held onto the fabric with his other hand. There were too many people here for Cecil to be comfortable and he pulled Eddie closer - he’d rather be sandwiched between his two friends than anything; he felt rather anxious and lowered his head. They’d have fun, right? Then why was his heart pounding like that and dread filling his throat? Whatever did he do? “I’m hungry … seen anything good yet?”, he inquired, trying to speak above the people around him so that Logan would hear. Why was he so tiny compared to this dude?

"I probably taste worse than one though.", Logan laughed against the noise of all those people around them. He had no problem with a crowd of people, mush less did he have a problem finding a way through them and if there was none, he just squeezed through them. There was nothing like that on a royal court, much less around a prince and Edward couldn't shield him from all those people, simply trying to find their own way to their destination. Once they stopped, because Logan finally found food he liked, Edward came closer, moving his body to shield the prince and using his free hand to hold people off on the other side. Cecil started to cling to Logan as well, but he didn't even react to the little shove that had accidently happened. "Yeah fish! I'll get us some!", Logan grinned backwards and over the crowd. The fish here must be good, because a lot of people were screaming their orders. Edward meanwhile noticed the princes changed behavior and softly peeled him off of Logan. "We're waiting over there.", he told the mercenary, nodding into the direction of the shore and Logan nodded back, after receiving some money from the knight.

Once that was agreed on, Edward softly pushed Cecil in one particular direction, staying very close to him, with Cecils back almost touching him and one arm over the princes body from behind. He led him to a place a bit more quiet, at the end of a small landing stage. There he found some unattended crates on which he heaved Cecil so he could sit a bit and was taller too. There were people here too, most of them ate the fish from that booth and looked at the waves and the sinking sun. Some of them seemed to be couples, but there were also parents with their children, equally searching for a place a bit more quiet. "Everything alright?", Edward asked the prince, trying to take a look under that hood of his to catch a glimpse of his face. "Those kind of things are different in the castle, hm?" They were, not necessarily in the soldiers quarters though, especially not when someone asked his girl to marry her and she said yes. Edward mostly didn't pay much attention to it, but he'd been around, unlike the prince who seemed a bit overwhelmed.

Better now then never, huh? To be fair, Rhys had never been one for the trade of thieves and he usually had cleaner methods of acquiring his money; this, however, was a wholeass mess and a half. Coming here during a festival warranted work or rather money to earn, but as it seemed, there was none for a sprout of Fye - despite the fact that he could solve just about anyones problem with the right ingredients. Still, stealing wasn’t beyond him and the fact that he had amassed quite the haul already left him rather confident; despite the little handicap he’d given himself by leaving his glasses behind at the inn. He passed a couple and snatched the young girls satchel, finding few coins in them, and yet, he slid them in his pockets and abandoned the piece of fabric to diminish any and all evidence that would lead back to him. Rhys approached one of many food stalls, not because he was hungry, but rather because someone stood out to him - blonde and tall, and dressed in quite the boring clothing. That, however, wasn’t what attracted him to the figure - it was the money he lunged around and the fact that he was preoccupied with something else, which was to stand at the very back of a disorganized line. Before long, he decided to run into this guy on purpose, or rather hit his shoulder as he passed him, and snatched his sachet - a quite heavy one at that - for himself. “Sorry, I’m pretty blind without my glasses.”, he nonchalantly answered and then tried to move past that brute - that shouldn’t be too hard, even without glasses.

Being swooped off his feet like that hadn’t been Cecils intention, and yet, as Logan sunk into the background of their conversation and their minds, Cecil let himself be helped upon the crates and sat there, swinging his feet ever so slightly and trying his utmost to comfort himself. As he looked down upon Eddie, which was a weird position to be in, he tried to smile at him - he wasn’t good at lying or telling others off, but then again, even if he were, his companion would see right through him, wouldn’t he? “Yes, don’t worry. I’m just not used to this … it’s new to me, and kind of weird if I’m honest.”, he lamented. All the pushing and shoving, the fast-paced environment, none of these things were to his liking and he’d never experienced them before. If there was an event in the castletown, practically none of them attended in person, aside from on their balcony, in case someone would get crude ideas or bring shame upon their family; they always watched and sheltered them regardless, didn’t they? Even his siblings, but now, things were different and Cecil was allowed to have fun. “There are less people and if there’d be more, they’d just make way … but this is just overcrowded and full of strangers. But I’m fine. Do you want to play some games after we eat?”, he asked, grinning at Eddie and grabbing his hand to hold it again. It was comforting and he needed that kind of support right now.

Logan grabbed the money Edward gave him for their food. It was way too much, but he probably didn't look carefully and just wanted to get out of there, whether it was because of himself or Cecil, Logan didn't know. He put the coins he wouldn't need away and waited in what was supposed to be a line, though it was pretty unorganized. Logan didn't mind occasions like this, nor did he mind a lot of people around him, despite traveling around alone most of the time. He looked around a bit, at the crowd and eventual bedmates, he needed one after all - that was, until he was shoved again. Logan felt a slight pull, almost unnoticeable, but noticeable for him, he didn't crawl out of his families mansion just yesterday. This thief had picked the wrong target. Logan turned around, grabbing the wrist that held his money, maybe a bit too hard. He was a mercenary, seldom asking questions, but he still thought of himself to be an honest citizen, earning his money the right way, instead of stealing it. He wore somewhat of a smile. "No problem, if you'll just give me my money back.", he answered to the lied apology, with a voice that didn't sound all too friendly, despite his facial expression. That however soon changed as he looked at the somewhat familiar face.

The prince looked a bit more happy on his crates. There was no shoving and he was finally not too small, if he stood up, he'd be taller than anyone around. "We don't need to stay out here for long if you don't want to.", Edward suggested. They could just go back to their room and spend the night there if all of those people were a bit too much for Cecil. There was no shame in it and Logan was able to entertain himself. "If you say so. But you don't have to lie to me, if that's not the case." Edward smiled, he didn't want the prince to play strong for anyones sake. If he didn't feel like staying, they didn't need to. "Play games? Did you forget about your candied apple?", he asked, letting the prince grab his hand for comfort. he even put his second hand around the princes too. He knew he hurt his feelings in the morning and he felt bad about it. He wanted to act like he always did and comfort the prince, hoping he didn't entice anything inappropriate. He was unsure about a lot of things lately, things he had to adjust to, because they weren't in the castle anymore. For now however, he acted like he always did, grabbing the princes hand to show him, that he wasn't alone and never would be.

Getting past this dude should have been remarkably easy, but for some reason, it was anything but that. Not only had he failed to slide away undetected, he also had to acknowledge that yes, he made a mistake and yes, that blonde, handsome hunk had actually ensnared him with but a grab for his wrist - it hurt, tremendously, but Rhys failed to hear any bones snap and he knew that he had limited options, as far as his predicament went. What was he to do? Lick this guys boots and promise him that he'd never steal from anyone ever again? Unlikely, if not a completely atrocious assumption that made him foster displeasure for any and all living creatures that were, quite frankly, stupid enough to fall for his schemes. "Your money? What are you talking about?", he feigned absolute ignorance and was, if anything, not even lying if he'd claim he couldn't even see where that damn sachet of money had even was - not only was he as blind as a mole, he was about as vocal as one and bit his lower lip once the pain in wrist worsened and his gaze drifted upon the face of that blonde idiot, which immediately lightened up as he stared right back at him. What the fuck? Was this dude an idiot? Or just horny for a nameless thief? No ... that was ... "Here, of all places!?", he growled. Logan of Farley - what a loser! And all that aside, he had red hair - how the fuck did Logan even ... no, wait. Maybe he hadn't made that connection yet. Rhys janked his wrist free, or at least he tried to. "It would be nice if you let go.", he urged the blonde with a glare.

This was better than those stalls and all these people - Eddie had an eye for good spots, Cecil had known that and he also knew that his knight wouldn't fail him, no. However, he wasn't all that sure if he was simply allowed to accept being treated like this where everyone could see. Was this what friends did for each other? It almost seemed that way, but even more than that, it became so awfully obvious that there wasn't anything to be ashamed of either. "No, no. I want to have fun, we both should have some fun. Together, with or without Logan, out here. And I should learn how to deal with crowds.", he insisted. There was nothing wrong with wanting to become someone he currently couldn't be, and there also was nothing wrong with just being one of many people that couldn't deal with the outside world they had strayed away from for so long. "I'm not lying, that never works on you anyway.", Cecil chuckled and squeezed the hand that held his own, while he put his other one on Eddies remaining one. They were sitting, or well, standing here like this and he couldn't help but smile happily, while he patted the hand beneath his own and held the other one close. "Oh, right! But games too! I should eat, though, you're right. And I wouldn't want to miss out on a candied apple ... do you want one as well?", he offered and looked at Eddie, who made his heart pulsate through his chest and robbed him of his nerves - he felt the pounding in his throat, or his head, or both, and yet ... "You can be honest, you know that."[/b]

This little rat tried to flee and Logan had none of that. His grip grew harder, so hard that not even a slimy little thief would be able to squirm out of it. He denied having stolen anything, but Logan knew a thief when he saw one and he was so close to getting his order, he needed his money now. "The money you took when you bumped into me. I'm not an idiot.", he told the much smaller figure who tried to evade him, but once this little idiot looked up, he seemed even more familiar, but Logan couldn't quite put his finger on it. Red hair? He didn't know many redheads. It was a color not worn by many around Ylisse. This guys skin color was dark though, he must have been far away from home, he looked like he came from the south, far past Azenad and Othidor. That guy growled something and suddenly his expression changed too. Blue eyes lay on him, looking at him from head to toe. "I'll let go once you give me my money back, I can do this all day, you know, but that'll cost. I bet you've stolen some other things, maybe I'll take them too, for you wasting my time.", Logan grinned and then finally it clicked. "Wait a minute!", he yelled out and suddenly his second hand reached out for those dark cheeks, squeezed them and put this little guys had closer to his. "Rhys? Where are your glasses? No wonder you didn't recognize me right away!" His hair was different, the glasses were missing, but that was the little guy he talked about just an hour or so ago! He let go again - of the cheeks, not the arm. "Amongst thieves now? What became of your dream of becoming a knight, huh?" Logan suddenly laughed, honestly this time.

"You don't have to deal with them if you don't feel like it.", Edward smiled and looked over to that booth they left Logan at. He spotted the tall guy with his blonde hair, he moved further ahead in line, it couldn't take much longer anymore. Cecil wanted to be fine, he was always like that, but that didn't mean it was the truth. Sometimes he lied to himself without noticing it. "If you want, I can carry you through huge crowds on my shoulders.", Edward suddenly suggested. It was odd, he'd never feel comfortable in a crowd like that or around many people on his own, but with Cecil around his own fears always moved to the back of his head and he probably seemed much stronger than he actually was. It honestly didn't bother him to protect the prince from getting squished, it would only bother him if he were alone. He was lost without him. "No thank you.", Edward smiled about that candied apple. He actually didn't like sweetness that much, maybe the prince would find something else for him. "I am. You go and enjoy one later."

This was Rhys, wasn't he? He seemed a bit different though. Maybe life hadn't been too nice to him, but that wasn't Logans fault. He wanted to be a knight, so Logan left him with some noble family he protected once. They had had many enemies for some reason, but Logan didn't ask and they were in need of someone capable. Though... this new Rhys didn't look like much of a fighter either. "Come on, you'd steal from an old friend? Give me back my money, this is getting old. You know I'm stronger than you.", Logan sighed unsure why Rhys behaved like this. Hadn't they be friends? More than that eventually, not much more though. "I know how to break an arm, it would be if I wanted to, but I don't want you crying infront of the guards I'm calling if you don't give me back my money. I'm hungry and it's almost my turn." Logan hadn't seen this little guy for... about nine to ten years? "Are you mad at me?", he asked unprompted and unsure why Rhys was so mean, maybe because his wrist hurt. The pulling would only hurt him more, if this continued, he'd break his own wrist. "I don't know many people from south of Orthidor, believe it or not. Anyway... then how about you give me my money back and I'll take you out on a drink, for old times sake. Want some fish?"

Edward looked at the prince who worried way too much again. "You're not too heavy. It's a good training, isn't it? I ought to train more, right?" After all he needed to be able to protect the prince and right now he wasn't his best self. He needed to be stronger than Logan and Francis and other people that they might encounter. "My hands and feet are fine. Riding all day long isn't more exhausting for me than it is for you." What much more did they do anyway? besides that little hand to hand combat he had with Logan yesterday. Did he let him win? it didn't seem like it, but he couldn't slack off, only because he bested that guy once. Did the princes expression change all of a sudden? Why? Edward could only smile at him to tell him that everything was alright. "Spicey apples?", Edward chuckled, he doubted they had something odd like that. "I don't need desert.", he told the prince and shook his head once more. "I don't mind at all. It might help us see where we are going too, right?"

This was annoying, but what could he do? Logan would never let go of him and for whatever reason, he still saw that little, naive puppy in his eyes that had begged him to take him on a journey after he'd been rescued by the great Logan of Farley, knight-extraordinaire and had been shoved into the fellowship of a maniac that hadn't had any need for a noble knight, but rather for someone to taste their wretched food - each and every bite was disgusting and he assumed that their cooks were just shit at what they did, but as it turned out, that wasn't the case and he almost died because of it, to the point where looking at his food made him throw up and he lived off of some berries for three weeks in a row. "You also got old. Hah. And yes, I know that, but tell me something new.", he commented, quite snarky at that. What was he going to gain if he spent the rest of his evening with Logan and not robbing some idiots? And the thing he'd taken from him was rather heavy and seemed well-filed too. "Crying? Look, I might cry if some people run after me because I escaped from their estate and I was nothing but a mere slave, but I'm too old to cry over broken bones.", Rhys sighed and janked on his wrist once again, hearing a distinctive crack and pulling it out of Logans grip - shit, that wasn't his wrist, that probably was his entire hand and it hurt, but it could be worse. "Mad is an understatement.", he argued as he grabbed his now freed hand and tried to soothe it by holding it in his own, as if that would help in any capacity. "How about I keep your money and I invite you out for a drink? And for some food? Also, what about those two hooded idiots? Are they your new vassals?" Oh, how stupid Logan was.

Cecil wasn't quite sure of what Eddie had in mind, and yet, he knew that there wasn't anything bad about it - not only was he merely being accomodated for, he also had to account for the fact that his beloved knight was doing nothing more than trying to do him a favor - it wasn't anything like before, when he thought he himself was stupid and not worthy of love, no - it truly was nothing like that. "Haha, you're right! But you really shouldn't force yourself.", he told him, truthfully, and smiled at him - he apologized in his own way, even if he wasn't sure how much that would do for either of them. Cecil hardly knew if Eddie enjoyed his behavior, and yet, he wanted to make him happy too, almost as if both of them had to pick a poison and said poison was supposed to be their downfall. In his case, that most likely was Eddie and it wouldn't be anyone else, ever - he wouldn't accept them around him and if he had to fall from grace, his knight should be responsible for it all, not some sorry sop he didn't even know. "I- Still. You do so much for me all the time, I feel like I have to impress you and Logan and make clear that I'm also able to do something and not just there to be ridiculed by others. I'm able to do other things, all by myself, too.", he confessed and then tried to avert his gaze yet again. Was that too much on Eddies poor heart? He didn't know, but he also knew that he wanted to do something for him - he was sweet and gentle, and he cared for him, more than anyone ever needed to. "Would you share one with me? I'll make it up to you.", he mumbled, shy, watching his feet dangle from the crate. "Oh, yes! I could see all the fun stuff up ahead ... but I'd also feel like a child."

"You're only a year younger than me!", Logan laughed, still having a tight grip on that wrist. Only because they were friends, didn't mean he'd let him get away with all that money he'd stolen. it wasn't even Logans to begin with and he wanted his damn food. Why was Rhys behaving like a little child? had he done anything to him? He left him in capable hands, because Logan himself didn't want to become a knight, he never wanted that. Rhys had met the wrong person in those woods if he wanted that. Now he did it himself though, he twisted his own arm and even Logan was able to feel the bones cracking under his fingers. That wasn't his fault at all. "Now you've done it.", Logan sighed. "Look, you could have just given me my money back and robbed someone else, if you don't want to spend time with me." Rhys was mad as it seemed, but why? Logan looked over at Edward and Cecil. He didn't trust this new madball named Rhys to keep a secret. "My current employers.", he explained, then grabbed Rhys by his waist, grinning at him and putting one hand under his chin to make him look up. "Rhysi... If you want to keep that money I'll order way more food and drinks than it's worth.", he whispered to his lips, but at the same time snatched his money back from where Rhys hid it. Then he let go of him as if he was a hot potato and turned around to finally place his order of four fish.

"I am not forcing myself. The only thing I'm forcing myself to is a break... you know that.", Edward replied with another shy smile. The prince worried too much, more than usual. Did he do something wrong? Well plenty, but he wished it to be like it had been before. "I know you can do things on your own, but you don't have to." This was the point Edward was always trying to make, but his approach seemed wrong. "I'm sorry. I know I should... maybe let you do a bit more on this journey, but I just want you to enjoy it, not have to work and it doesn't bother me if I do the laundry, cook, or tailor you some new clothes. I like doing that for you." He always would. it didn't exhaust him, what exhausted him was his worry, but that was his own problem. He didn't know how to fix that, how to not see danger everywhere around them even now, but he tried to relax, for the princes sake, while also keeping an eye out. "I... sure. If you want to.", Edward smiled. Sharing a desert meant Cecil could maybe taste two instead of only one. "You're not a child, but... if you don't want to, that's fine too."

“Still old enough to be too old.”, he hissed. Logan had seniority, but that didn’t change a damn thing about him behaving like a junior and it also reminded him that, no matter what, he didn’t want to trust this old, blonde geezer with even a fiber of his hair. There was nothing wrong with falling for someone, and yet, Rhys was disgusted and obsessed alike, even though he didn’t show the latter, which seemed odd in itself, but it really wasn’t. Becoming a knight had been a lofty goal, but neither of them seemed to be able to fulfill that - Rhys because he’d landed himself quite the foul job and Logan because his destiny said otherwise. “I’ve had worse. Besides, it’ll fix itself sooner or later.”, he sighed. Logan, of all people, knew of his many injuries that - while not having stunted his growth all that significantly - still hurt more than he could ever expect, especially on cold and lonely days. “Do I look like I recognize you by your ass after an entire decade? Sorry, I don’t. I’m surprised you didn’t fall for this, though.” More protests were futile, but before he could reach for the money, he was pulled into a delicate embrace - addressed with an ugly nickname and forced to look in the eyes of a man that knew no peace and stole his own, and yet, he failed to pry his gaze away and could only hear his heart beat in his chest. The warm, fuzzy feeling didn’t last long and he grumbled even more as he was let go of - Logan sucked, horribly. “You little bitch!”, he grumbled, sneaking up behind Logan to hug him, even though he couldn’t find any coin this time around. “Fuck, fine. I give up.”, he whispered and let go of Logan, slamming some silver coins on the counter as their order was ready and he grabbed it. “We should feed your employers and then you have some explaining to do.”, he threatened.

“Yes, but if it hurts anywhere you have to tell me immediately! Much like you want me to be happy, I want you to be happy.”, he claimed and meant it. Cecil wasn’t someone that would promise a person something and then claim the other thing was actually the truth; no, he was rather laidback and lenient and lovely, too - and to that extend, he also cared for Eddie, tremendously even - and right now, he was trying his best to accommodate him, even when he claimed that he didn’t need it. “I know. Because you’ll always be ther[b]e for me and if I ever need something, you’ll still be there for me and we’ll solve the problem together, no?”[/b] A smile curled upon his lips again and he shifted on the crates - slightly to the left, before he patted the spot next to himself and looked at him, expecting a reaction. “It’s fine Eddie, and I’m happy to hear that! I just want you to rest a bit here and there and relax, you don’t always have to do everything in a day or night - come sit here a bit?” Cecil wouldn’t only feel safe, he’d also be secured and would have bad someone to lean onto. Was their relationship always like this before? No, but it definitely wasn’t bad like this. “Then, uhm, would you mind carrying me later? I’ll even buy you some festive wear or is there … something else you might want?” Was there? Cecil didn’t know, but he finally got out that he was willing to do just about anything for Eddie, not only tonight. “We could build a pillowfort in the inn!”

"Well good, then that is nothing you're angry about, so what is it then?", Logan genuinely asked. He didn't remember doing anything wrong to that little guy and it had been about nine years since they last saw each other. Logan couldn't even imagine being furious for that long. "You recognized me once I caught you like five minutes ago. You could have just given my money back.", Logan sighed. Even he had a limit, even he was able to get annoyed and right now he was. He didn't know why this guy was angry at him and why he still stuck to him now, he could have just walked away minutes ago and even still. There was a hug which was nothing more than an attempt to steal back his haul, but it was no use. In the end, Rhys was the one paying for the fish for some reason. Did he think one of them was for him? And how did this blind child even know about Edward and Cecil? Logan doubted he'd recognize them without his glasses, but he also guessed that Rhys was just after more money, which Logan seemed to possess right now, maybe because of them. "Explaining? Explain what?"

"Nothing hurts at the moment.", Edward answered smiling. Why would it? The prince worried too much, but maybe he was hurting from all the riding and the uncomfortable floor he slept on yesterday. "It really doesn't bother me and I'm your knight... it's hard to act any different.", he admitted and that included sleeping in the same tent, sitting next to him or being kissed. Still he complied hesitantly and climbed on the crate to sit down next to the prince. "I'll carry you and there is nothing I need or want.", he answered with another smile. He even chuckled a bit. "Do you want to do that?", he asked, but raised his head when he saw Logan come back and he wasn't alone. They couldn't have any more people know about them. Edward didn't even say anything, he just pulled the prince a bit closer. "An old acquaintance of mine.", Logan explained unprompted, picking two fish on sticks from this guys hand to hand them to Edward and the prince. Logan himself didn't let him come too close as it seemed. Edward didn't want to look too suspicious, but he checked if the princes hood sat right. "And now, we'll go! Excuse us!", Logan grinned, forcefully putting an arm around the stranger wanting to turn him around to walk away again.

“The guy you left me with. And that’s your fault.”, he grumbled. Baby Rhys had probably thought that Logan would be there to protect him all his life - that he’d found his one true love, at the feeble age of fifteen or something, and that it wasn’t just them being desperate and lost teenagers that could use the shoulder of one another to cry on from time to time - and then it had all upturned itself in the crudest of ways, which truly was something that couldn’t have gone worse than that. Was that all his fault? Hardly. After all, Logan was the idiot here and Rhys was mainly his victim and not at fault for all that had happened between them - at least he thought about it like that and it had grown into one of the weirdest obsessions ever, which sounded horrid as was. “I could have, but where’s the fun in playing nice? If you enjoyed that, you’d be a knight and not a sell-sword.”, Rhys claimed and was haughty by nature - he didn’t want to think too much about it, likewise, he didn’t think that would matter in any capacity at this point. They’d grown up and they’d grown apart - and paying for a meal was Rhys way of excusing any offense he could have committed; it sounded odd and maybe it was, but even then, what did he care again? “Where you were and why you are here.”, he claimed, with a mischievous smile. Rhys didn’t care - he just wanted to have Logan for himself.

“That’s good! I like hearing that.”, he chuckled. Eddies health was also important, if only for selfish reasons, but even then, Cecil was willing to sacrifice all of the money he had and all that he wore, just for his knight and to keep him in good spirits, even if the mood had soured between them over the past few days, hadn’t he? “You’ll always be you, that’s true, and I like that. You’re sweet and caring, but you can allow yourself more. I might not like being chastised or told off, but I like you regardless. And all you do and sacrifice for me.”, he mumbled as he looked up, to the sky, now that Eddie finally sat next to him and they both could enjoy their shared time. The sunlight was already waning and bright orange, almost gone and the brightest of stars probably flickered softly on the horizon, in the dark expanse that would spread over them soon enough - paper lanterns swayed in the wind and Cecil wished he could watch it all take place. “Nothing? What about me? Do you want me? As your friend?”, he asked and giggled, before he shook his head and finally lowered it - only to notice Logan and someone else as well. “A pillowfort? It would be fun, but we aren’t kids anymore.”, Cecil sighed. Was Logan going to have fun tonight? If that was his date, he probably would - and not only that, he’d hopefully not spill the beans; but he trusted the mercenary and the fact that money made most people shut their mouths for a variety of reasons. As Logan came over, he squinted more, trying to see what his new acquaintance would look like - but he made a noise of surprise as Eddie pulled him closer. Was he scared and using him as a meatshield? No, that couldn’t be. “An acquaintance? Rhys al-Kashgari, pleased to make your acquaintance.”, he told the two strangers with a smile on his lips and if he wasn’t carrying some fish around, he’d have bowed for them - whoever they were. He was intrigued, especially now that the hooded figures hid themselves even more, but he still didn’t see shit; he squinted, too. Fuck, his glasses were much-needed right now. “Al-Kashghari? Logan, you know a prince?”, Cecil excitedly asked, keeping his voice down as best as he could. Rhys interest was piqued. Before he could leave much more of an impression, Logan was already running off and Rhys stepped on his foot. “Don’t you want to introduce me to your employers? Shouldn’t you take care of them?”, he chastised the blonde and grabbed his hand to turn around again.

"It's not like I sold you, you could have left at any time.", Logan argued with a sigh. So what happened there? He didn't know, he just introduced them and then went on his way, he never heard from Rhys again afterwards. They hadn't been that close and if he wanted to reach Logan for some reason, he could have tried harder, it was not like he was hiding. Well, maybe a little bit, back then, from his family and all, but also not really. No one would have believed him when he said who he really was anyway and he didn't do that in the first place. "That has nothing to do with being nice. I just wanted to make my own decisions.", he sighed, but it seemed like Rhys wanted to argue either way. Now he paid anyway and wanted to spend the evening hearing from Logans life. He was confused, was Rhys angry at him now or not?

"I don't need anything more and I also don't feel like I sacrificed anything for you.", Edward smiled, trying to cheer the prince up. His life belonged to him, so arguing he sacrificed his life in the castle for the prince was inherently wrong. "I want you save and happy.", was his answer, even though it was probably not what Cecil wanted to hear. "You can do whatever you want, regardless of your age." At least Edward was saved by Logan and his new friend, though this made him even more tense. The red haired man introduced himself and he looked way too interested. Cecil spoke up first, excited at. They probably shouldn't introduce themselves or they should have agreed on a fake identity. "Hardly.", Was Logans short answer to the princes question and once he turned around, Rhys stepped on his foot to make him stay. He was pulled back and sighed. "Stop bothering them. They don't need my protection in a place like this. If anything, I should keep a pocket thief like you far away from them."

“I couldn’t. It was a shitshow, but … I got out eventually and didn’t end up as a knight, as you can see.”, Rhys explained and sounded less ailed by his predicament than he’d be under any other circumstances - he didn’t care if he’d never get to be a knight, that piece of hope died with his own childhood self when it had grasped for hope again, but one thing that stayed with him was his knight in shining armor, his idol, that threw all of that glimmer and glamour away to become someone he wasn’t - someone Rhys wished he was, and yet, didn’t manage to be. “Your own decisions? How noble. No wonder you ran away from home, but I bet it would have been boring to serve some stupid prince that had his head high up in the clouds.”, Rhys teased and Cecil averted his gaze and wanted to hide behind Edward. Did he feel like that about him? Caged and without any freedom? Whatever the case, this old acquaintance of the blonde seemed nice and yet like he was nothing more than willing to bully each and every person around them - what a mean prince. “He’s scary.”, he whispered towards Eddie, but maybe that was an unfounded belief?

That also cut their conversation short as it seemed, especially since Cecil was playing the little kid right now, and Rhys chuckled. What was this? Logan escorting two siblings? It almost looked like that, but he couldn’t see their faces and Rhys wasn’t so sure - why would they need to conceal their identities if they were just some run off the mill people? He sighed. “Hardly? You just don’t feel like appreciating my glory. Come on, you can at least tell the kid the truth. And that you broke my hand.”, he quaked, grinning at Logan - he was sure to catch his fists for that, or was he? Maybe he’d be able to piss him off enough to actually get this idiot to assault him, and then he’d try to bribe his estranged family for money - if they gave him enough, he could finally settle somewhere. “You broke his hand!?”, Cecil yelped and finally let go of Edward - he almost jumped off of the crate, but then … “A pocket thief and a prince? But … do you need anything? I’m sure we can help! … Can we, Eddie?”, he looked up at his companion, sounding much more open-hearted than before. Alas, whoever Rhys was, Cecil seemed to take pity on him; that wasn’t so out-of-character for him, but still, he had a fish to worry about. “No need, I’m fine. It’ll heal in no time.”, he answered, in quite the foreboding voice. “We simply had a disagreement, but if you’ll excuse me, we have much to catch up with.” Rhys shoved one of the fried fish in Logans face. “I bid you a temporary farewell.”, he spoke with a smile and got off of Logans foot. Then, he made a motion in the direction of a stall that sold alcohol - and took a bite off of Logans other fish, to have a hand to comfortably hold the blondes with, whom he promptly dragged away. “Eddie, that prince is weird. Why would Logan just break his hand? … Should we go after them?”