Chapter Text
Charles just stares at the blonde boy, unable to look away as the Dutch family steps further into the castle.
The announcement from a guard: “Please welcome the Dutch Royal Family to Monaco!” goes in one ear and out the other, completely irrelevant when the prettiest boy Charles had ever seen is just standing there, bathed in sunlight that illuminates his hair and perfect face.
Arthur looked like he was about to sob out laughter at the sigh of Charles’ flushed cheeks.
Charles’ mother stood to great the Dutch king, meanwhile Arthur was staring at his brother while laughing his ass off.
And, Charles knew siblings would tease crushes, but this seemed overdramatic. And also, Arthur believed Charles was in the state he was for Victoria, not her devastatingly handsome brother.
“Charles, Arthur!” His mother’s voice snapped Charles’ out of his trance. “This is Jos,” She gestured to the tallest man; the father of the two. “Victoria,” She smiled at the woman dressed in pink. “And Max,” She pointed at the tall blonde boy.
Max
Yep, that name was going to be echoing in Charles’ head for eternity.
“C’mere, boys. Come and meet your future family-in-law!” Charles’ mother summoned the boys with a flick of her hand.
Charles stumbled forward, trying to calm his red face as he shook hands with Jos. Next, Charles felt uneasy while kissing Victoria’s hand. Then, he felt a strong hand gripping his. Max shook Charles’ hand, grip warm and soft, gorgeous blue eyes boring into his.
Charles’ flush immediately returned, a stammered jumble of noises escaping him. “N-nice to uhhh… meet you, Max.” The name rolled off his tongue perfectly, like a sacred prayer.
Max giggled, lips twitching up.
Oh that giggle and that smile. Charles wanted to sink into the ground as a flustered wheeze escaped his suddenly dry throat.
“Nice to meet you too, Charles.” Max’s voice rolled out with a chuckle, Dutch accent thick and oh so alluring.
Fuck, that accent…
“G-good. Thanks.”
Victoria seemed completely uninterested in Charles, instead picking at a stray thread on her dress.
Charles was doing the same; completely ignoring the other while keeping his full attention on Max.
“S-so… what do you think of me marrying your sister?” The question was stupid, but Charles just wanted to keep the conversation going.
“I mean, I want her to be happy,” Max began. “and if she’s with a boy as pretty as you, that shouldn’t be hard.”
Charles nearly combusted on the spot. A strangled noise escaped him, Victoria’s frustrated huff at her brother’s words going completely unnoticed to the flustered Monegasque.
”P-pretty?” Charles squeaked. “I—you’re prettier.”
FUCK. WHYDIDISAYTHATWHYDIDISAYTHATWHYDIDI—
A blush similar to Charles’ spread across Max’s face, leaving both the boys flustered and staring.
“ARTHUR, WE’VE TALKED ABOUT THIS!” The sharp voice of the Monegasque queen shook Charles and Max out of their shared trance. She’s glaring at her youngest son, who is… attempting to eat a piece of wood chipped from the floor..? “No eating parts of the castle!”
Max snorts. It’s adorable. Charles dies again.
“Is this… normal?” Max asked, hiding his obvious grin with his hand, but his eyes shimmer and crinkle endearingly at the edges.
Charles could only stare at the Dutch boy’s pretty face before forcing himself to respond. “You’d be… surprised.” He let out a weak chuckle, glancing over to where his mother had approached Arthur, scolding him with wild hand gestures.
“D’ya got a garden?” Max’s sudden question caught Charles off guard.
“Y-yeah… why?” Charles looked back to Max, immediately getting lost in the oceans that were his eyes.
“Wanna escape this mess?” Max offered gently, face flushing a slightly deeper pink.
Almost gasping, Charles nodded. “Y-yeah. That sounds great.” He scanned the grand doors for an escape, before Charles got another idea. “Follow me. And don’t worry, we don’t need to sneak out.” Charles grinned, leading Max to the front entrance.
Charles told a story to the guards of how his mother had instructed the boys to get to know one another, and go to the garden to do so. The men bought it surprisingly easy, letting the two young princes by without restraint.
While Charles is still confused about the storm of emotions inside him, he’s also kind of thrilled. Thrilled by the feelings, the circumstance of everything, and mostly, Max.
As Charles and Max exited the castle, the Monegasque knew that this trip to the garden would either be a huge disaster or wonderful experience, but either way, at least he was with Max.