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The lake was a beautiful, clear azure shade, disturbed only by the ripples from the waterfall and the taller prince. If the waterfall that tumbled down the cliff was like Rapunzel’s hair from her tower, then Rupert figured that Amir must be Prince Charming. He was certainly handsome enough. Except, he wasn’t going to climb the tower. Er, cliff. At least, Rupert hoped not. It looked like a pretty long hike, and he did not want Amir to fall.
Where the water toppled down into the lake, it foamed clear, white, almost fluffy seeming bubbles, and the ripples gently pushed the charming flowers - which Rupert had just noticed - away, closer to the glinting rocks and golden sand. He felt a smile tug at his lips when he saw Porridge nudging and chirruping at a nodding, soft pink lotus.
“Oh… wow, ” Rupert said in awe, still gazing at the picturesque view surrounding him and Amir, “Wow, this is nice!”
“I know!” grinned Amir, “for an evil enchanted forest, the lake situation isn’t half bad.”
Rupert beamed back at Amir, “Yeah, this is- this is… pretty sweet, I have to say.”
“Told you,” Amir smirked.
“Yes… okay, you did. How’s it feel to be right for a change?” teased Rupert.
“Feels amazing ,” Amir said flirtily. Wait. Flirtily?
“Good,” Rupert replied, sounding just as sick in love.
Rupert smiled again, content settling in on his bones as he basked in the refreshingly cool lake, fighting a giggle as he wriggled his toes in the sand, feeling the mud float off him. Wow, could he get used to this?
“Hey, Fitz,” Amir called out, pulling Rupert from his train of thought (or, as he liked to call it, the anxiety express).
“Yes, Amir?” Rupert said, shocking himself just a little with how tender it sounded.
“Come here,” Amir responded, sounding just as soft.
“Uhh… Why?” asked Rupert. They were already pretty close, weren’t they?
“Just- come here.”
“Um… okay.” Rupert waded through the water carefully, which splashed and parted way for his legs as he made his way towards Amir, stopping a foot or two away.
“Is this better?” Rupert murmured gently, glancing back up from the water to look at Amir.
“Closer,” Amir whispered, voice sounding slightly thick.
“Closer?” repeated Rupert.
“Just a little.” hummed Amir.
Rupert took another step closer, and okay, they were pretty close now, forget whatever he thought earlier. Rupert was pretty sure he could count Amir’s eyelashes. He squinted a little, trying to discern one lash from another. Alright nevermind. But still, they were relatively close regardless.
“Okay, um, how’s this?” Rupert asked mildly.
“Perfect.” Amir smiled, his voice softer than Rupert’s beautiful dog ever was, and Amir gently yet firmly set his warm, calloused hands on Rupert’s shoulders before submerging them both under the cool water.
Instinctively, Rupert squeezed his eyes shut, holding his breath, but almost instantly opened them tentatively, though he wouldn’t have been able to say why. What he saw would have taken his breath away, if the whole underwater thing hadn’t already.
Oh, wow , Rupert caught himself thinking again, face warming a bit more, Amir’s beautiful.
And he was - or at least, to Rupert. Because he was being bedazzled by Amir smiling - no, full-on out beaming , ear to ear, as his body shook slightly from repressed laughter, a small stream of bubbles escaping his mouth and rising to the surface, and Rupert stared through hazy eyes and blurry vision, trying to soak up as much of the other as he could into his brain.
Rupert couldn’t help himself from the - no doubt foolish - grin that plastered itself onto his face as he gaped at his companion, who gazed back just as loving and joyful, hair floating in soft, dark tendrils that framed his, quite frankly, gorgeous face.
The duo rose from the lake, wallowing in the water, still grinning, just as exultant.
“You’re it!” Amir crowed, splashing away from Rupert.
“Okay, you’re gonna get it now, Mr. Prince-of-the-East!” Rupert retorted, laughing along, and he dashed as fast as the water around him allowed toward his friend.
“You’re gonna have to catch me first, thief!” Amir whooped.
And the two princes laughed and splashed and played amongst the rocks and sand until their skin went wrinkly until they were both puffing from exertion until their faces were sore and twitching from all the smiles and then even longer after, caught up in their world of glee and love.
And all was well.