insurmountable | everybody's challenge turning into mine / and overcame adversity

Hah!

[He spurs his horse on to catch up with the prince as they gallop away from the castle, the wind whipping his long ginger hair back as they go. The wind feels good on his face, and he can tell that Aether is having a great time as well. At first, Childe is checking that Luke and Elise are keeping with them, but after a while, he stops. He trusts his squire, and he doesn't want Aether to leave him in the dust.]

Prince! A race to the willow tree sounds like the competition we need to really make this a grand day, haha!!!

[He manages to ride alongside Aether, grinning like the devil himself.]

You won't back down from this challenge, will you? I'll understand if you don't feel that you're up to it!

[A wide grin spreads on the prince's features, as Childe rides beside him.]

Have I ever said no to a challenge? I hope you're ready to be left behind!

[Aether steals one last glance at Elise and Luke, before letting go of everything and spurring his horse forward. It races as fast as possible and the prince's heart seems to speed up as well, as if letting itself be carried by the wind. Aether grins even more, soft laugh escaping him. It's not about who wins or loses (even though he does want to win this one), but the idea that they are free to do what they want is making him drunk with happiness.

Who would've thought that fate can turn so quickly?

Aether takes a deep breath, then leans forward. He has a race to win and he's going to be serious about it. After all, Childe wouldn't be satisfied if they both don't give it their all.]

[Childe's eyes flash as Aether takes off, spurring his own horse forward as they both take off, the knight using every technique he knows to go faster to catch up. That crazed laugh, that competitive streak in him comes bubbling out as he races the prince, grass ripped up by hooves in their wake.

It felt great. This feels great. He couldn't be happier.

It's not long before the willow comes into view, Childe trying to urge his horse go to a little faster, to win this race. But Aether's lighter frame suits him much better for races than Childe's taller frame, and Aether reaches the tree first with the knight hot on his heels.]

Bested me again...

[But he doesn't look unhappy about it at all. If anything, he looks like he had an incredible time, his face bright despite his loss.]

I'm starting to wonder at this point if I need to shave some weight off if I'm to beat you, haha.

[Aether's joyous laugh rings in the air as he pets his horse to thank it for a job well done.]

Hm, I don't think you should. You're perfect the way you are now.

[A soft snicker follows, but there is no lie in the prince's words. He really thinks Childe is perfect the way he looks right now and he wouldn't change anything.

With a triumphant smile still on his face, Aether leans towards his knight.]

I think I deserve some kind of reward for my victory.

[He's mostly just joking.]

[Somehow, Aether manages to be a good sport and feed his ego even in defeat. He's not sure how the prince manages to do that, but it always makes him feel elated. Because he's right. He's great, and the prince is right to acknowledge it as so. It's just...

Special, he thinks, when it comes from Aether.]

Oh ho, I don't remember agreeing to a prize...

[He smirks, moving his horse in such a way where they stand side by side, close enough that Childe could easily reach out from.]

But since you deem it so, who am I to refuse?

[He reaches out, to take Aether's hand from the reigns of his horse and place it in his own.]

Why don't you join me under the willow tree? I think I can give you your reward there.

[He knows his knight too well by now, which is why he knows what to tell him to make the other happy. Or so he likes to think.

As Childe takes his hand Aether flashes him another grin, heart fluttering in his chest.]

I shall gladly join you then. Should we leave the horses here for a moment? I think they could use some rest after that little race.

[The wind blows through the leaves and Aether's hand squeezes Childe's. Just for this moment, they're free to do what they want and even if Elise and Luke find them here, they will surely know to give them some privacy.]

Took the words right out of my mouth.

[Dismounting, he makes his way over to the giant tree that drapes down in front of them. The branches hang so low that he has to push them aside to get to the base, a curtain of white draping over much of the tree. Even if Elise and Luke finally catch up, he figures this will give them some modicum of privacy. Not only that, but it's romantic, he thinks. A stream winds its way behind the tree, and Childe couldn't ask for a better backdrop.

He pushes the branches to the side to let Aether through, following the prince inside before he presses himself to him, not wasting any time.]

Is this what you wanted? [His head leans in, hand cupping Aether's cheek.] I can give you a different prize, if you'd like...

[It's awfully romantic, if anyone asks Aether. So much in fact that the prince can't help but be surprised that this is the place that Childe has chosen. The curtains of leaves and branches keep them hidden from the world and the soft sound of water adds some sort of serenity to the scene.

A peaceful, content smile spreads on Aether's face as Childe presses close to him, his hand so warm against the prince's cheek.

Aether doesn't respond, only smiles and leans up, hands wrapping around his lover's neck, lips brushing against lips tenderly.]

It's perfect. [He murmurs pulling ever so slightly away, before losing himself into another kiss.

In this very moment everything is perfect. It's everything he's ever wanted; holding his knight close, letting him know how loved he is.

And to think that a perfect moment like this can be real.]

[Childe's eyes flutter closed as Aether presses his lips to his own, his mouth caressing and spilling over into the prince's, lost in a haze of bliss and desire. Each brush, each movement pulls him into a heavier and heavier fog, until all he can think about is the man in front of him that he loves so dearly.

He's still in a daze when the kiss breaks, able to taste the faint flavors of tea that's left on the prince's tongue from their lunch, his eyes slowly opening to gaze back down at Aether.

That really happened, and Childe can barely hear the sounds of horse hooves coming towards them. He ignores it, thinking it's Luke and Elise finally joining them, pressing another kiss to Aether's forehead while wearing a love drunk smile across his features.]

Seems they've finally arrived... [He says dreamily, not knowing that there are not one set of hooves he's hearing, but two...]

Prince Aether! Childe! Are either of you here?

[Elise's father's voice rings out around the willow tree. That...is not Luke or Elise.]

[Aether soaks in every little affection, smiling softly at his knight, his love. Maybe there is some ounce of truth in the old tales, that love makes the world seem so much more beautiful and that everyone can find their happiness no matter the hardships. Watching the dreamy smile on Childe's face, Aether can definitely believe that.

He too ignores the sounds of hooves thinking it's Luke and Elise's horse. There's no need to hurry, surely, they can share another kiss and spent a few more moments in each other's arms before setting off again--

The dream is cut short as the voice calls out to them. Aether immediately backs away, alarmed.]

Yes, we're here!

[Maybe he calls prematurely. He's not sure if he can go to them like this - maybe his face is all red and the beating of his heart too loud to appear calm and collected. The last thing Aether wants now is to be found out.

What was the king and Elise's father doing here anyway?

The prince reveals himself from the curtains of branches and faces his father.]

Did something happen?

[The king gives him a critical look, but even if he notices something off about Aether's appearance he doesn't address it.]

Since the weather is so beautiful today we decided to go hunting. As we were passing by, we noticed your and Childe's horses... Weren't you supposed to be here with Princess Elise?

[Aether forces a smile.]

We went ahead... she is to join us soon.

[Even if the king doesn't know about the prince and the knight's romance, it still looks bad that Aether has left his future bride behind.]

[The panic that sets in his mind is almost too much in that moment. Childe feels drunk, and their voices snap him back to reality so quickly that he doesn't know how to react at first. He's thankful that Aether seems to be able to gather his wits about him a little faster than Childe is- and he's cursing himself now because he has to wait to join them or else risk the two of them catching onto what they were doing.

After all, if he messes up, he could die. It's that easy.

The knight tries to fight down the blush across his face, purposely making some shuffling noises near the tree to make it seem like he's doing something before he appears from behind the curtain.]

You can place that blame on me, Your Highness, [Childe says, knowing his face must surely still be red.] I challenged Aether to a race here, so Elise is safely with Luke. I trust no one more than him to take up such a task, and I suppose it's a good time to tell you both.

[He clears his throat, cursing the fact that he's such a terrible actor sometimes...]

I've been training Luke diligently to become Elise's personal knight, farther down the line. I've taught him everything I know, and you can expect the same results from him as you do of me. Today felt like a good, safe trial for such an occasion. Does that please you, Your Highness?

[Aether is trying not to look at Childe when the other appears, instead fixing his gaze at his father and hoping that the king would focus more on him, at least long enough so the knight could fully regain his composure. Then Childe speaks of his plan to make Luke Elise's knight. The king straightens slightly, pondering it for the moment. His gaze is almost piercing - perhaps he is suspecting something?

Aether takes a step closer, hand placed over his heart.]

I believe this is an excellent idea. Princess Elise deserves only the best and I wish for her to be always safe, even if I am not around.

[Elise's father nods slightly, clearly pleased with that suggestion, but the king still remains silent. It takes an extra moment for him to speak.]

The princess' safety is of utmost importance to me as well. However, I want to hear her own opinion on this matter.

[He glances at his son, as if challenging his intentions. Aether curses in his mind, but tries to stay calm. Elise is on their side and the king likely thinks that she has no idea about anything and would find it suspicious herself if the situation was explained to her.]

We'll wait here for her arrival.

[This is not going well.]

In that case, we will go and inform her. Perhaps she has stopped somewhere on the track and is admiring the flowers.

[The king gives a small notion of the hand as if in permission and with that out of the way, Aether gestures to Childe so they would both get on the horses and look for the missing princess.

Aether only prays in his mind that they would find her soon.]

[Childe only gives a meek smile to both the king and Elise's father, before stepping off to fetch his horse who has wandered to graze. With a sharp whistle, it comes trotting back up to him, neighing softly in protest.]

You can eat later, we've got an emergency...

[Stepping up onto his horse, he waits for Aether to join him before he takes off. It's fine. They'll find them, brief them on the way back, and go from there. It's fine.

It's fine.]

Do you remember where we lost them?

[He asks Aether, sounding a little frantic.]

The last I remember was right before we took off for our race. And, if I recall, Luke doesn't know these grounds as well as the two of us. They may be lost.

[Aether rides side by side to Childe, his expression not hiding any worry once they're out of the king's side.]

I think it was not that far away from the castle... We probably should just turn back and see if we can find them along the way.

[He takes a glance at the ground, before focusing on the path ahead.]

If we don't find them then we'll have to look for any tracks.

[He is praying to all the gods willing to listen that they find those two soon.]

Edited 2022-06-16 10:00 (UTC)

Let's go.

[The determination in his voice is unwavering, because they'll find them no matter what. They have to. Childe spurs his horse on, galloping as fast as it can back towards the castle. His eyes scan the treeline, and even into the woods themselves...they couldn't of gotten far.]

There!

[He spots their horse, far off the trail that leads to the willow tree. But where are they?]

Oh no...prince, tell me you're not seeing what I'm seeing...

[No where. Not a speck of them to be found.]

[Finding the horse, even all alone, is still better than finding nothing at all. Aether quickly jumps down from his own horse and kneels down to look for any footprints on the ground.]

Don't worry, they couldn't go too far! [Hopefully.

Aether takes a frantic glance around, then tries to follow the tracks.]

It... looks like they went this way!

[And off they go, searching for their two lost companions. But why did those two wander off? Did they want to give the prince and his knight some time for themselves?

Aether suddenly stops in his tracks, his eyes wide, before he covers them and turns away. His face is bright red.]

I-I... found them...

[Elise and Luke seem to be getting along really well when Aether spots them... They are lost in a passionate kiss, embracing each other closely. Just how on earth is he supposed to interrupt them now?]

[Childe quickly dismounts, letting their horses graze on the grass in the area while the two take off. He can also see the tracks on the ground, two pairs of footprints that lead off into the woods. He's behind Aether a ways, spotting a large tree that the prince has seemed to of been staring at for a moment before he turns around, embarrassed.

What a bright shade of red...]

You did? Where-

[He finally steps forward enough to get the right angle to see Luke and Elise, in a tight liplock, and even Childe's face burns a bright red as he turns with his prince.]

I'll admit, I didn't think they'd take to each other that quickly. Uhh...

[What are they supposed to do? They have to go, the king is waiting.]

Let's go together. Wait, that will probably just embarrass them more...I'll do it. Luke isn't the type to jump headfirst into things like this, so I wonder if the princess's passion overtook him...he will be less mortified if I catch him than if the prince does. As for Elise...

[He looks to Aether first, before he goes. He has no idea how she'll react, will Aether have an idea???]

[Aether didn't expect this to go so well so fast either. In a way it's good! On the other hand, right now it's all very awkward. Especially since they need to act fast.]

I don't know how she'll react... Good luck...

[He watches Childe go, while trying not to focus on Elise and Luke. Thankfully, by the time the knight gets closer, the pair pulls away from the kiss. The princess is wearing a loving, dreamy look on her face, her cheeks bright red. She's smiling in this silly love-drunk way that makes her even more charming than usual.

But she is also the first to notice that the two of them are being approached. A sharp gasp escapes her lips when she spots Childe.]

S-sir Childe! W-what...? Didn't you go ahead with the prince?

[Her hands cover her cheeks now, eyes try to look everywhere but Childe or Luke.]

[Oh good, he's glad that he doesn't have to break their kiss, relieved when they finally break. He does feel a little bad that they didn't have the privacy they wanted, but they really need to go so...]

I did, but there's something that's come up, princess.

[He gazes to Luke, concern in his eyes. The squire instantly understands what's happening, and he turns to Elise, to comfort her.]

It's okay, we just need to go right now. Something's come up, and I'll make sure you are safe and sound. I swear on my honor! Come princess, allow me to help you stand.

[Luke stands up, offering his hand to her.]

We have a few things to discuss on the way, you two, [Childe says, walking with them back to their horses. Meeting back up with Aether, he begins to explain.] The king and your father are looking for us. I may have told them that Luke was to be your personal knight, princess. Can you guys play along?

[The princess' eyes grow big, but she nods and accepts Luke's help. As they approach Aether, the prince gives her an apologetic look, embarrassment still visible on his face.]

I-I see... We're being challenged so soon, but it's okay. We'll make it through.

[She tries to sound optimistic and she first grabs Luke's hand to encourage him, before she's shyly reaching for Aether's and doing the same for him. Then she realizes she doesn't have a third hand to also give Childe's a squeeze and that is enough to make Aether smile.]

Right, it'll be just fine.

[Once they're all prepared to return to the king and Elise's father, Aether turns to Childe.]

...If they ask why Elise is riding with Luke, what should we say? That it's just for horse riding lessons?

[Aether poses a good question. The knight's thumb finds his lip, thinking. He's got to come up with a plan, and quick. There's plenty of good explanations for this, he's sure. He already gave them a sort of half-ass answer already, and they bought it, sort of...]

I think we should stick with the reasoning I gave earlier. That Luke was simply charged with protecting her, and to your point, we can throw in because she lacks some horsemanship is why she was riding with him. Luke, [he says, turning to his squire,] you wouldn't mind giving the princess riding lessons as well, would you? That might give us some more...versatility, let's say, to deal with this in the future.

Of course, Sir Childe! I'd be honored!

[The squire turns to Elise, looking proud, and yet somehow sheepish at the same time. Childe laughs inwardly- wow Luke, at least learn a poker face here.]

Alright, then it's settled. Let's head off.

[Finally reaching their horses, they all mount and take off- to confront the king.]

Edited 2022-06-19 15:26 (UTC)

[As everything is talked over they all make their way back to the king. Aether can't help but feel nervous, yet he tries to look as natural as possible.]

I apologize for the wait! [He says the moment both his father and Elise's father appear in sight. The two turn to face him and their gazes quickly fall onto Elise and Luke. The king's brow is raised.]

Luke has been teaching the princess about horse riding and at some point they decided to take a small break.

[As those words are spoken, Elise quickly nods.]

Yes, that's correct! Sir Luke has been very kind to me!

[A small blush creeps on her cheeks and she tries not to look at the squire in question.

At the same time the king remains silent, expression unreadable, but Aether could swear that his father is suspecting something.]

[Childe looks at Elise as she speaks, his anxiety rising as she blushes. Elise no, now isn't the time to get all flustered! The knight tries to keep as much of a poker face on as he can, cursing her for being that adorable, really. It's working out in their favor, but this is not the time and place.

His eyes then flicker to the king, and he has the same idea Aether has- not buying it. One bit. Childe manages a small gulp, he can't let this get out of hand or he's going to be out of a head.]

Aha, yes, when push comes to shove, it's important that the princess be able to ride a horse. Luke has fine horsemanship, I wouldn't trust anyone over him.

[He nods at both of the fathers, and Elise's father claps a heavy, hearty hand onto Luke's shoulder.]

That's wonderful to hear! You make sure you protect my daughter with your life, squire, I'll be counting on you. Say, when does this young lad get to become a full fledged knight? I can tell just by looking at him that he's got the skills.

[Luke nearly jumps in surprise, not knowing what to say, so he chooses to be silent, smiling back nervously. Childe, who is sweating mild buckets, is thankful for Elise's father. Like father, like daughter, as they say. Don't they?]

That's a great question. Your Highness, [he says with a sly tone,] when does our dependable young squire here get the honor of being knighted anyway?

[The atmosphere feels tense as the king continues to be silent for another moment. Then, he finally closes his eyes and speaks up.]

I shall keep an eye on him. If he proves himself in his new duties, then I shall have the knighting ceremony prepared.

[He then glances at Childe, before addressing the princess.]

Princess Elise, if you ever feel that this squire is not fulfilling his duties or that there is something else you are not happy with, then please, do not hesitate to inform me. I wish nothing more but for you to feel welcomed and comfortable here.

[Aether is pretty sure this confirms that the king knows something is up, but he leaves Elise to decide if she wants to continue on like this or not. The princess nods quickly and the king doesn't say anything more. Once again, he gives a look to Childe, then to Aether, as if in warning, before turning to Elise's father.]

Let us go. We still haven't hunted anything today.

[Aether feels a small dose of relief. If his father will allow this madness to exists as long as Elise is happy, then it should be fine. They all want the princess to be happy, after all.]

[The king's glance feels like a sword that goes through his heart. Childe is unafraid of most things, but even he realizes the weight of a king who has their eye on you, and not for a good reason. Having to be on his best behavior isn't usually an item on his to-do list, but it is now. He has a sinking feeling that the king is onto them, even if he may not know exactly what it is yet.

But at least he's safe for now. Nodding, Childe turns to the other three, a grin on his face.]

You heard the king. We're to hunt now, so let's get going. Princess Elise, if you don't want to, you aren't required to come. But I think hunting is quite an experience, and you might even like it.

[Why he's suggesting this, who knows. Only he'll be able to tell what his true intentions are.]

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