Chapter Text
Within four days, Dirk had arrived at Prospit with his guard, stepping out of a royal purple carriage into bright Prospitan sun. He wore his shades gladly, making his way up the steps to the throne room. "Your majesty."
The queen smiled at Dirk, bowing her head and extending her hand for a greeting. "Welcome, Prince of Heart." She had on a long flowing dress, shimmering in golden silk. Her hair was tied up in an extravagant bun, jet black hair with some white strands that were very fitting. She was elegant and kind. "Please make yourself at home; we can discuss what I need to tell you later on.
In the meantime, I think there is a young prince very eager for your arrival." She motioned for a maid to walk towards them. "This lovely lady will lead you to the music room where the Page is taking his piano lessons. Dinner will be out at 6 sharp. I hope to see you both then." The Queen smiled again, bowing her head. The maid looked at Dirk with a smile and slightly skipped, leading him out of the main room.
Today
Dirk bowed and kissed her hand respectfully, nodding. He followed the maid silently, only 2 of his guard staying back a bit behind him. As soon as he heard music he smiled, quietly entering. He walked up behind the prince and leaned down, murmuring, "So beautiful..as always."
Jake didn't hear anyone entering so he was pretty shaken when he heard a voice right next to his ear. Hitting the wrong note, it caused a terrible chain reaction of loud noise. Quickly turning his head, Jake's excitement got the better of him. "Dirk!?" He lunged at the other royal, almost causing them both to fall over. He gave Dirk the biggest hug he could muster up, hopefully not breaking any of Dirk's ribs while he was at it. "I didn't expect you to come so soon."
Dirk chuckled and hugged Jake tightly, kissing him lightly. He squeezed him tight and hummed, looking down at him. "I couldn't stay away from my prince, now, could I?"
Jake smiled, kissing him back sweetly. He let go of Dirk and held one of his hands, taking in the sight of such a stunning human being. "Its so.. so great to see you again." Jake shut the lid on the piano key board. "Would you like to take a look around then?"
Dirk nodded, squeezing Jake's hand. "Show me around, dear." He squinted a few times from all of the brightness, shades barely keeping a headache at bay.
Jake placed a kiss on Dirks cheek. "You'll get wrinkles." Tugging Dirks hand, Jake led Dirk out a separate door from the one they entered. Walking down a long hall, they had flowers of different colors hanging on the window ledges. "Let's start with the kitchen because I could really go for a snack right now." Jake pulled Dirk to a flight of about six steps,
the kitchen being slightly under ground. He grabbed a bread roll out of a small basket, then threw an additional one at Dirk. One of the maids picked up the basket and bowed her head to the two royals with a smile before shuffling off upstairs. The Prospit royals treated their staff with much respect and grace, making them very loved. Jake made quite a few friends among the younger workers in the castle, so he was never too worried about being home schooled.
Dirk smiled and ate the bread, looking around. Everything was so..bright. It was beautiful in its way, but so was Derse, if you looked at it from a different perspective. "Where to now, your Highness?"
Jake stuck his tongue out at Dirk in return to being called your highness. He placed a finger to his chin and tapped it. "Hmm, well if you can stand the sun long enough, why don't I show you the garden? My grandmother planted it all by herself and she's tended to it for many years now; It's rather astonishing." Jake took a bite of his bread roll then moved to stand by the stairs, waiting to see if Dirk was up for it.
Dirk nodded and followed Jake, his shoulder-cape fluttering slightly behind his steps. He then took Jake's free hand, still munching on the delicious bread.
Jake smiled and led Dirk outside. Jake opened the gate to the garden, letting Dirk walk before him. There were many plants, most of them being exotic and uncommon. Large Venus fly traps, multicolored bushes, everything looked unreal. "Her Majesty tends to experiment with different plants a lot, these being the outcomes. Breath taking, isn't it?"
"Very." Dirk smiled a little. He was otherwise occupied with his mind, trying to figure out what he was going to do. He hadn't told Jake, but an incident happened at the castle, and it was really gnawing into Dirk's mind and spirit the longer he thought about it.
Jake tilted his head and looked over to Dirk. "Is everything al-" he was cut off by one of the younger maids who was about 15 years old. She was panicked and yelling, tears welded up in her eyes. "Jake! Jake!" He turned his head and ran towards the young girl. "Isabelle, is everything all right?" He held onto her shoulders. She shook her head, breathing stuttered. "No! I-it's not, Her Majesty. S-she's..." The girl couldn't finish her sentence, collapsing to her knees in a heavy sate of emotions. Jake bit his lip and shook his head; squeezing the girl's shoulders, he looked down at her.
"Isabelle, what is it?!" She just looked down to the ground, crying out. Jake kissed her head. "Stay here, okay? I'll have Anna help you as soon as she can." And with that, Jake was off running incredibly fast down the hall to his grandmother's study room in the other side of the castle. Isabelle made eye contact with Dirk through her tears before being over come with another intense panic attack.
Dirk waited for a maid to arrive before chasing after Jake, following quickly. He sighed as he felt another headache come over him, pushing it off as he made his way to where he thought was the study. "Jake? Jake where are you?"
Jake pushed his way through a door where there were at least 5 people around the Queen, two of them being guards. Knowing something was wrong, he ran over, pushing one person out of the way. "Get back! Give her some space for Christ's sake!" Kneeling down, he held her head in one of his palms. Blood was rushing from her stomach. Realization struck Jake hard; he was angry and upset. Jade looked up to Jake with a soft smile, grabbing one of his hands. "Jake, it's okay." He shook his head. "..No.. Who did this!?" Tears welled up in his own eyes now as he looked down at his dying guardian. She placed a hand on the side of his face, running her thumb across his cheek. "You and Jane have to keep this place running.. O-okay my dear? You'll be a brilliant King. I know you will."
Her body was shaking, shock now setting in. Jake shook his head, not wanting to believe what was happening in front of his eyes. "I-I can't.. Please don't, you're strong enough! We can get you better, I promise! Somebody get a doctor! Can't you see she's dying!?" She moved her hand off of Jake's face. "Please J-Jake, don't make a scene. I'm old. You can't let hate and revenge get the better of you. I-.. Promise everything will be okay, my love." Her voice was slow and soft as she spoke, until eventually she was just... gone. Jake huffed out air as his breath started stuttering.. "J-Jade... No, please don't do this.. Don't do this! I beg of you!"
He pulled her up to his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head. Rocking slowly, he ran his hands through her hair... She was so warm...how could she be gone? Reality proved to be way too harsh for Jake. The housekeepers looked on in pain; everyone clearly lost a piece of their heart in this moment. The guards kept their straight and stern looks but it was easy to tell they were even having a hard time accepting the sudden death of a very VERY loved Queen.
Dirk came to a halt when he saw the scene before him, going pale. He slowly walked over and moved to his knees, wrapping his arms around Jake. He just sat there and held him as he grieved, kissing his hair softly and trying to be of comfort.
After awhile the guards knelt in front of Jake asking to take the Queen's body. Reluctantly, Jake nodded his head. He ran his hand lightly over Jade's face to shut her eyes, then placing a kiss on her cheek. Carefully, the guards picked up the Queen; They would take her body to the doctor right away so he can prepare it for a cremation ceremony when the family is ready. Jake slowly stood up, his mind cluttered. "Get someone to clean the blood off the floor... Also I want to request a portrait rug of her majesty to be placed on this very spot. And will someone please notify Jane? Have her go say her goodbyes to the Queen before they do anything with the body. Now if you'll excuse me, I wish to be left alone." Jake shrugged Dirk off of his shoulder and then walked out, leaving the room with loud slam of a door.
Dirk sat there for a bit, feeling hollow. Jade was his only chance of understanding..now, she was gone. He couldn't breathe, head spinning as he forced himself out of his zoned-out state and out of the room. He had to try Jake. If Jake wouldn't see him, he may lose it. Dirk knocked on Jake's door, voice pained, "Jake.."
The door opened slightly when Dirk knocked on it, clearly not having been shut all the way. Jake didn't respond; he just stayed on his bed, staring upwards, his expression glazed and being numb with no emotion.
Dirk walked over, kneeling beside his bed. He buried his face into the sheets, gripping the, tightly as he tried to fight back a wave of pain. "Jake..w-e need to talk.."
Jake continued to stare up; he didn't have the energy to move or do anything really. "Continue."
"I...there's something wrong with me.." He panted, feeling a burning building up in his insides. "Ever..ever since that attack, and after you left..I've been having these weird...sensations.." Dirk cried out at a ringing noise he heard, pushing away. "No..I..I've got to.." He quickly left, dashing down the hall. He couldn't tell Jake.
Jake turned his head and sat up. "Dirk?" Jake lulled himself off the bed and ran out into the hall. "Dirk! Wait a minute!" Jake chased him down the hall. Jane was actually running towards Jake's room at the time to talk about what had happened with their Grandmother, but she and Dirk had a head on collision. Jake called out, still trying to catch up. "Jane! Please, grab him!" Jane was quick to put Dirk in a head-lock. "No one told me this asshole was here! What in gods name has been going on?!" Jake caught up and sat on Dirk's legs, not allowing him to move. "Can we please discuss this later, Jane?"
She huffed, letting go of Dirk's neck. She sent a harsh punch to his ribs and stood up. "You both are heartless pricks, you know that?"
She stormed off and Dirk was caught between a rock and a hard place. All the situations that have manifested in the last hour have become extremely overbearing. Jake clenched a fist into the fabric of Dirk's shirt, clenching his teeth just so he wouldn't yell. "This isn't what I need right now, and as much as I care for you, I am this close to ripping out your throat, so please, for god's sake, please, just stop. Stop, and tell me what the fuck is going on."
"Nothing." Dirk was antsy, but he slowly calmed down. "Nothing, dear." He kissed Jake's forehead softly. "You should go lie down..you've had a hard day."
Jake pushed Dirk against the floor again and huffed. "No." He shook he head as his grip in Dirks shirt grew tighter. "No. You tell me. Right. Now. What's going on?"
Dirk looked up at Jake and nuzzled him softly. "Have I ever told you how much I love you..?" He pulled Jake down to hug him to his chest, burying his face into Jake's neck. He was shaking slightly. He needed comfort, not an confrontation.
Jake let the fist he had in Dirk's shirt go. He held onto Dirk, motionless. He sighed and kissed Dirk's head. "Why can't you just tell me what's going on?"
"I just can't, Jake.." He curled closer, hugging him tightly. He whined softly, squeezing Jake tight. "I'm so tired.."
"Dirk?" Jake sat up getting off of Dirk. He placed the back of his hand to Dirks forehead. "A-are you okay? You seem really hot." He picked Dirk up off the floor. Surprisingly he was too heavy. "I-I'll take you to the doctor.. O-okay?"
"No..just take me to bed..." Dirk nestled into Jake, hugging him. He felt drowsy. "It's normal..happens a lot.." He burrowed his face into Jake's neck, shutting his eyes. "Please.."
Jake seriously didn't want to risk Dirks health, seeming he looked incredibly unwell, but he didn't want to upset him either. He nodded, carrying Dirk to his bedroom. Jake set him down on the bed and tucked him under the quilts. "I can get the doctor to come see you... A-are you hungry? Maybe some soup will do you good.. I can get you some more blankets. Do you want some tea?" Jake leaned over the bed, keeping a hand on Dirks head, running his thumb over Dirk's forehead. "I just want you to be okay."
"Just lay with me." Dirk patted the bed and pulled Jake into him, cuddling against his chest. He sighed and rested there, slowly calming. "Jake I think there's something seriously wrong with me, and not anything modern medicine can fix."
Jake kissed Dirks head, taking off his own robe and letting it fall to the side of the bed. He then helped Dirk unhook his own from the shoulder cuff. He slipped under the covers and pulled the other male close. "I'm not sure what you mean by that my dear."
"I feel...dark inside me. Not anything related to Derse, but..as if I'm not alone. I'll black out for periods of time and wake up in strange places.." He sighed. "I'm scared of what it means, but, overall, i'm worried for the sake of our kingdoms."
"Should we take you to a Priest?" Jake ran his hand across Dirks back trying to comfort him but he seriously had no idea how to help and it was really upsetting that he couldn't do anything. "Don't you have a younger brother that could watch Derse for you while we try to get you better?"
Dirk shook his head, leaning against Jake. "Just me..end of the line.." He sighed heavily and kissed his collarbone. "I don't know anymore.."
"Do you think whatever the shapeshifter did when it stabbed you happened to poison you?" Jake held Dirk protectively placing small kisses in his head. "I care for you so much, and I just don't want to see you in pain like this. You don't deserve it."
"Maybe..I mean, I don't know.." He lay his head back, tired. "I just want this thing gone, because i have waves of pain where it feels like I'm losing myself.."
"Are you sure you don't want to see the doctor? Maybe a piece of metal broke away and it's just somewhere in your side right now." Jake rolled onto his back, the sun starting to set so the sky was baby pink and bright orange.
Dirk nuzzled into Jake's chest, shaking his head. "I guess we can see a Priest, but no doctor.." He sighed and kissed Jake's collarbone once more, shutting his eyes and relaxing.
Jake nodded his head. "We'll see him tomorrow." Jake placed a kiss on Dirks lips before sliding out from the quilts. "My dear, I should probably talk to Jane. I know she's very upset right now about a lot of things, and I still have yet to even out all of the bumps that happened before. I'll be back, you just get some rest, okay?" He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed as he slid off the bed.
Dirk nodded softly and curled up in bed, turning over onto his side. He wrapped the sheets around him and shut his eyes, drifting off to sleep.
Jake walked into Jane's room. She was sitting on her bed clearly crying. He walked over to sit by her side, pulling her into a hug. "I know you're in pain right now... I'm devastated too-" She cut him off. "Clearly you're so upset that you decided to play tag with your goddamed boyfriend in the halls!" Jake shook his head. "N- no, its not like that.. I just... he's not my boyfriend, Jane."
She huffed and crossed her arms.
"Yeah, right. That's exactly why you hold hands and flirt... and kiss.. Don't you have any decency?! You know that's against the rules right? You weren't raised like this! Grandmother had high hopes for us and this is how you treat her! You're worse than mother! Everything she did was strictly for her own personal wishes and thanks to that she ruined my life! She deserved to die. So did your dad, and so did mine! And you know what? So.... so do you! But not grandmother...all she was her best and she was amazing and she never did things for herself! I hate you all except her! How dare you, Jake? How could you do this?!"
She rolled her eyes then rubbed them.
"The rules in our scripture is to not love out of wedlock! and.. you... you do that but also with another man? You're disrespecting our culture! Grandmother raised us to be great and you defied her every wish and want!" Jane pushed Jake way "Get out... Get out right now!"
Jake was so taken back he had no idea how to reply.. He was hurt. Did his own blood really feel this way? He clenched his teeth and shook his head again.
"No.. No I'm not leaving." Jake pulled Jane into his chest and kept her there no matter mow much she screamed and kicked. You can sure bet she tried her hardest to hurt Jake just so he would let go.. But he didn't. He kept her there, keeping his voice hushed. "Jane please... Don't say that. I know you don't mean it. I know you're upset.. More than upset..Words cannot describe your feelings, though, I'm not blind to see that. Jane, I love you. Grandmother loves you and so did our mother. And everyone will continue to love you no matter how much you try to push us away. I care for you so much, and I am very very grateful for how you have protected me over the years... But I-... I will never be sorry for falling in love with someone who I truly want to be with. You're going to have to deal with it, hate it in silence, or grow to respect it. But I will not stand for you disrespecting anything about The Prince of Heart."
Jane couldn't reply... It was the first time Jake had ever stood up to her like that. She stayed there and didn't move, just crying... She probably sat in that same position in his arms for at least an hour. When she finally spoke her voice cracked "I- I am so sorry... I didn't mean.. ANY of that." She started tearing up again because she truly was upset with herself that she even said those things to the little brother she loved so much. He rocked her slightly in his arms, petting her side softly. "Shh, It's okay. I know."
Dirk slept peacefully for about an hour--but then the monster arrived. It was so sudden that there wasn't any pain. Dirk--or rather, Dirk's body--sat up, eyes black and full of darkness. He grinned evilly and stood out of bed, stretching. "Such a weak body..tsk tsk." The man walked over to the window and sighed, intaking fresh air. "Time to die tonight, Strider."
Eventually Jane had passed out in Jake's arms from emotional exhaustion. He tucked her in, walking out of the room, quietly shutting the door. He strolled down the long halls, eventually hearing talking coming from his door. Standing quietly to the side of the wall, he knew something wasn't right. Hearing the window click open, Jake knew he had to do something.. He walked into the room so quietly that there was no possible way something could detect him. He pulled out a rope, used as a belt, off the top of his dresser; getting just the right angle, he whipped it around Dirk's waist and grabbed the other end that came back to him, using it to pull Dirk off the window ledge. "What are you thinking?!" He looked into Dirk's eyes with shock.
Dirk's eyes were completely black, and he had a sharp grin on his face. "Ah, Jake, we meet at last." Dirk grabbed Jake by the throat, chuckling evilly. "My name is Jack Noir." He growled feraly. "It's about time for Dirk to die."
Jake grabbed at the hand holding his throat. "N-no, you're wrong. You've killed almost everyone I've ever been close too and I won't stand for it!" Jake choked out his words, he had no Idea how to stop them. "W-why, can't you just Kill me instead?" He clenched his teeth in anger
"Because I want you to SUFFER!" Jack growled and pushed Jake away, flash-stepping to grab Dirk's katana. He held it to his throat. "Say goodbye to your boyfriend's pretty little head."
"Hold on!" Jake put his hand up. "You think he's my boyfriend? No, I even told Jane he's not. I was just making my grandmother happy because she wanted the kingdoms to be united. I follow our scripture, but thank you. Now that my grandmother's dead, I don't have to worry about touching him again." Jake stood up slowly. "You think letting ME live will cause me to suffer? I'd suffer in the after world for eternity, watching my kingdom fall because I wouldn't be in charge if I died! There is no point to kill the people around me when you can kill me yourself! If I'm the one you want to hurt then do it!"
Jack grinned, shrugging. "If you don't care about Dirk, then you wouldn't mind watching him die. I call your bluff. Goodbye, Jake." There was a flash of movement, a flick of the wrist, and Dirk was on the floor, sword through his chest. "Now..he can die just like his brother." Dirk's eyes returned to orange, and he gasped.
Jake pushed himself towards Dirk "YOU BASTARD!" he was shaking as he lifted Dirk's head slightly. "No god please... N-not again.." Jake cried out for someone to come help, but he worried by the time someone would get here it be too late. He held his hand around the sword unsure if he should pull it out or not... If he pulled it out it might cause the bleeding to worsen... but if he left it there it would only cause more damage. Jake wanted to close his eyes, he didn't want to look... He didn't want to see the pain in Dirks eyes and he didn't want to watch another loved one die in his arms.
"Come on your Majesty.. It'll be okay... right?.. t-theres nothing to worry about, okay?" Tears welled up in his eyes as he bit at his lip and tried his goddamned hardest not to cry, but it couldn't be helped.. He was crying and he couldn't stop.. All the built up emotions came over him. Flash backs of being a young young child and watching as Jane hold their mother in her arms as she bled to death. This curse was never ending, and endless cycle of pain.. No wonder Jane grew to be so bitter..
Dirk lifted up a shaky hand, yanking the sword out. It clattered to the ground and Dirk let out an exhale of pain as he felt a slight ease of comfort. "Jake, don't cry on me now.." Dirk reached a hand up to cup his cheek, the other trying to hold pressure on his wound, but it was too weak to help.
A tear or two fell onto Dirk's cheek. "Shut up." Jake noticed Dirk struggling. He lifted Dirk's top just like the first time he'd been stabbed. He took off his own shirt, ripping it into long pieces of cloth using it as a make shift band-aid and he held pressure on Dirk's wound. "Y-you know? I'm staring to think you're forcing this all to happen just so I'll take my shirt off." He smiled slightly, trying to make light of the situation even though he was clearly trying his hardest not to sob his heart out.
Dirk chuckled softly and nodded, pulling Jake's face down to his. "Yeah, you totally found me out, English." Dirk sighed and looked at him sadly. "You adorable little cutie.." He tugged on his hair lightly, pulling him down to kiss him softly.
Jake kissed Dirk lightly, his lip quivering uncontrollably when he pulled away from the kiss. "Dirk we can't just sit here and wait.. I refuse to let you die on me. Literally." The blood seeped though the bandage slowly.
Dirk shook his head, just pulling Jake's lips down again. He kissed him for a long time, holding Jake's hand on his wound. If he was going to die, he was going to die happy and close to Jake. He felt a warmth in his stomach and a yellow glow filled the room. Jake was practically healing him. "..You're a hope..?"
Jake looked down confused by what Dirk was talking about. The wound completely healed, he pulled his hand off of Dirks stomach then took the bandage off, slowly amazed. "I don't know? I have no Idea what I did to acquire these powers.." You could see the happiness in Jake's eyes, for it was a true feeling of utter bliss. "Y-you're okay? You're not going to die?" Jake pulled Dirk up, giving him a huge hug kissing ever inch of Dirks body he could reach.
Dirk nodded, hugging Jake tightly. "Hey, but I did succeed in getting your shirt off." Dirk laughed and nestled his face into Jake's neck. He sat there for a bit before speaking. "Did you mean what you said to Jack..? About us..? I mean, I don't know why but..Jack let me see what was happening this time and I wasn't in control.."
Jake shook his Head kissing Dirks neck. "Of course not. Dirk, I love you. I love you so... so much, that it makes me crazy. All I want to do is hold you and never let you go and keep you next to me forever because I can't go for 10 seconds without kissing you or touching you." He trailed his kisses up to Dirks jaw then cheek then lips. "I adore you, and admire you. You are my everything Dirk and I honestly don't think I could go on without you and I was that close to dying with you."
Dirk nestled into Jake, sighing. "Well today has taken a toll on all of us, I think. Can we sleep now?" Dirk chuckled. It was 3 A.M. and he was exhausted.
"Of course my dear." Jake helped Dirk into bed then cuddled against him. "I do have to admit, though, I did tell Jane we aren't boyfriends, only because we haven't talked about it... and I just don't want to claim you as something in case you don't want that." Jake ran his hand through Dirk's hair in a loving manner. "But I do... truly want to be with you Dirk. That's all I want and that's all I need."
Dirk kissed Jake softly, nestling into him. "Of course I wouldn't mind if you labeled us as 'boyfriends'. Labels are labels, and, like you, I just want you to be happy with me, if that is what you desire." He kissed Jake's neck, pulling a comforter around them.
"But I want you to be happy about it too." Jake pulled the quilt over them, leaving only their heads out in the cold air. Jake kissed Dirks nose and then his lips.
"I am happy, and I will be if we choose to be so." Dirk nuzzled Jake's nose after he was kissed, tangling their limbs together and finding comfort.
After a long moment of silence when they were probably both half sleep at this point. "When I think about it... If Grandmother hand't of died... You would have, because I wouldn't have gotten my powers without being forced into a place of kinglyship... and something tell's me she knew that.. That she knew what was going to happen tonight.. so she took her own life... I mean, she wants our kingdoms to be united and if you would have died in our realm, that would have put an even bigger strain on how our kingdoms co-exist... I feel like she planned this completely because It's the only way she could get her lifelong dream of peace.."
Dirk kept his face buried into Jake, yawning. "She's very wise..I always looked up to her." Dirk closed his eyes and dozed lightly, a hand on Jake's chest.
Jake kissed Dirk's head, nuzzling into his hair. "Yeah... me too." Jake yawned after that, falling asleep with a sense of peace in his soul.