"Somewhere where I could disappear, go unnoticed. I feel that I have had too much attention on me for too long. I really don't care where I go, just anywhere that I wouldn't be some crowned prince." Dan replied, his voice quiet at times but not super quiet.
"Yeah. That'd be nice. But there are some things you guys take for granted. Food, water, essentials to live. Maybe not you, but the rest of your family, certainly. No offense." Chris had a peaceful look to him and he nodded once. "Do you ever think about it? Running away, I mean."
Dan smiled and nodded at the fact people take it for granted. "No offense taken, and yes. I have thought about it frequently. A small portion of the guards even know it. They have even offered to help me leave also. What about you?" Dan asked back with a smiled and a relaxed posture.
"No friends. No family who really cares what I think. No one who would really care, let alone help." He said it like a list, but he didn't seem to mind talking about it.
"Why haven't you ran away? If you don't like your life that much. Why not just run?" Dan asked sighing and thinking about running.
"Because my family enjoys my company, even if I treat them like they're only hindering me. I don't like it when they're upset or sad, so I stick around." Chris smiled sadly, and he looked to the treetops and the clear blue sky, occasionally dotted with clouds.
"Yeah. But if you're not happy, what is the point. I bet they wouldn't be sad if you ran away because you wanted to be happy." Dan replied to him. "Though I could never run. Being a prince kinda restricts my options." He said and sighed.
"I can see that. Do your parents not care about what you want, or are they just dumb?" Chris turned to look at Dan, his face concerned. I wouldn't do that to a person like him! He's nice, and caring, and-wait, why do I care so much?
"They just don't care in general. Say it is for my own good, keeping me locked up. But how am I supposed to get experience like they say I need if I am bound to home." He said quieter. "Though. You have options. You could leave."
"I could. I don't think I will, though." Chris noted, giving Dan a soft, friendly smile.
"Yeah. I understand." Dan replied and sat on the ground.
"What's on your mind?" Chris crouched down, tilting his head a little.
"Nothing much. Just wanted to sit. What about you?" He asked.
"I don't know…life, chaos, figuring out what I'll do, who I am," figuring out if I like you as more than a friend, "that kinda stuff. It's not a lot, I know, but It's important nevertheless." Chis sat next to him and scooted away once he found that they were barely an inch apart.
Dan noticed him scoot away and looked at him smiling. "It's alright, I don't bite." He said then started picking at the grass.
Chris chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I figured. I'm just, letting you have your personal space, that's all." Chris' cheeks were close to flushing, but he swallowed and looked down, waving his hand in the grass. He tried not to pay too much attention to Dan, but he could feel his eyes gravitate towards him, despite his continuous efforts to look away. We're just friends, Chris. Just friends, nothing more.
"Is something wrong?" Dan asked smiling at Chris. "Your cheeks are quite red." He said noticing the visible difference in coloring.
"U-uh, no! Of course not! I'm fine!" Chris bit the inside of his cheek, and he winced. "I'm not used to people, that's all." His voice was unconvincing, but Chris hoped it would slip by.
"I hope you know I'm not Stupid. You're not even convincing." Dan said to Chris as he picked out more grass. "If you must, lie? Just at least be more convincing. If you aren't lying, then don't sound like you are."
Chris winced at the comment, but made sure to look away so it didn't show. "I'm fine, really. You just startled me, that's all." Chris said dryly.
"Oh? and how did I startle you?" He asked getting subtly closer so he could see Chris's reaction.
"Just-by the question." Chris' eyed darted down and he started hyperventilating. What is this? Why am I nervous? Why can't I just stop?
Dan backed off and looked at him concerned. "Hey, it's alright." Clearly he was panicked by Chris hyperventilating.
"It's-it's fine. Things like that don't happen usually. So…yeah." Chris traced circles in the grass, still a little damp from the rain the day before.
"Um, are you alright?" He asked quietly. Then started picking at the grass, content with the peace and Chris's company.
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