“I’ll behave, I promise!” Audi joked, laughing. He followed Max around the counter, and into the back side of the shop. Looking around in awe, his grin widened, and he glanced over at Max. “Thought you said you brother was going to be back here.” He teased. “Not that I mind much, I’m very content to spend all of my time here with you and you alone.” His lips curled into a smirk, and he tore his gaze from Max and to all of the stuff around them. The tables were covered in metal scraps and half finished projects. To someone else, it might look like a disaster. But to Audi, it looked alive. It was proof that someone was actually here; way too many times Audi had felt so alone in the gigantic castle as all the rooms were cleaned so much they looked like no one ever went in them. And it made him feel like no one was there. But this place was filled with signs of life. And he loved it.
"I would go get him, but I don't want to disturb the lovebirds," He said, laughing, "Tried that once, saw some stuff I really didn't want to see. Plus I'm very sure just spending time with you would be much more fun." Max looked over at Audi again and he felt as if his heart nearly stopped. That smirk was back and it was as gorgeous as ever, causing Max to smile. "What do you think so far? Sorry it's messy, I haven't cleaned it in forever."
“Don’t apologize!” Audi insisted. “I think it’s wonderful!” Max’s smile was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, and his smirk melted into a genuine one of his own. He held Max’s eyes (hot damn he had gorgeous eyes) for a few moments, before looking around at all his stuff again. “I can’t believe you made all of this,” he said in awe. “It’s incredible!”
(I have an idea for how Max is going to find out who Audi is if you’re interested. Unless you were thinking something else, I was thinking maybe the guards could come looking for him like last time, but they wouldn’t notice them until they’re at the shop and asking Max about the Princess. Audi’s hood is still mostly up, but after the guards ask Max, they turn to Audi. They force the hood off his head, and recognize him immediately. They drag him back to the castle and Max gets to think about what just happens)
(And then after that, I was thinking about how they were going to spend more time together. So I came up with this: a war is going on in the kingdom, and the army needs more weapons. So after Max learns who Audi is, he could tell his parents or somebody about him, and they’ll hire him to make weapons. So he has to move to the castle, and they can spend more time together)
(Oh that's awesome!! Yeah!! :D)
Max felt his cheeks flush and he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, "Thanks. Half of this stuff isn't finished though." There were two projects he was clearly working on that were laid out in the one clear area of the tables, the hitch and another dagger that laid in two pieces that he had to put together again. He glanced around at the tables and ended up walking around, running his hands over the tables and picking up a piece of thin metal wire before messing with it and bending it into random shapes, "You can look at stuff, just don't touch anything with a blade or sharp edge. I don't want you getting hurt."
“Gotcha.” Audi winked. “Don’t tough the fun stuff.” He wandered around the work table, picking up the handle of the dagger and fingering the intricate pattern. He looked up and caught Max’s eye, and before he could stop himself, he was lost in them, drowning in the comfort and safety that resided in the swirling colors. He was so out of it, that a sharp yell was needed to drop him back into reality with a jolt.
“Hello?” The voice called. It was coming from the front of the shop. “Is anybody there?” Audi vaguely recognized the voice, but that didn’t mean a lot. He heard a lot of voices throughout the day, and his brain might just be fooling him.
Max chuckled at Audi's comment and shrugged, watching him to make sure that he didn't hurt himself accidentally. He didn't want to see Audi get hurt at all, and if it was because of his messy shop, he wouldn't let himself forget. He jumped a little when the yell interrupted his thoughts but called back anyway, "Yeah, I'll be right there." Rubbing the back of his neck again, he tossed the wire back on the table and nodded towards the front, "Do you want to come with?" If Audi looked for the wire he could easily spot it and the faint shape of a flower that it was being bent and twisted into.
"Sure!" Audi said happily, eyes following the wire Max tossed down. The outline of a flower made him smile, and his gaze flickered back up to the cute boy, before he followed him to the front of the shop. The sight of a palace guard, made a bolt of panic shoot through his body, and his grin vanished as he tugged the hood farther over his face.
"Sorry to interrupt your work, Sir," the guard said, polite but voice stern. "But I was instructed to talk to all shop workers until I find her. You see, the Princess has gone missing again"—Audi pulled a face at the words "her" and "Princess"—"and I just have to ask. Have you seen her, or had any contact with her today?"
Max thought for a minute before shaking his head and answering the guard, "The only girl I've seen all day is my little sister, and I'm sure she's not the princess." He glanced at Audi and a small smile crossed his face before he looked back at the guard, "Sorry, maybe check the bakers? They might draw more attraction than a metalworking shop."
"What about you?" The guard nodded towards Audi, who up until that point had been trying to miraculously manifest the power of invisibility.
He rolled his eyes, before telling the guard, "No, I haven't seen the Princess."
The guard narrowed his eyes. "Why are you wearing that hood? You shouldn't have anything to hide here. Take it off, and reveal yourself!"
"No, I don't think I will," Audi shot back, tugging it further down. "We already told you we haven't seen the Princess, so why don't you listen to what my friend here said and go talk to the bakers!"
"He's wearing the hood for protection from the sun," Max said, the fib made up right on the spot as he tried to cover for Audi not wanting to take off his hood, "Before you came in he was out back loading up a cart to take, and once you leave he's going to go back to work, the hood is for protection." He automatically grew more tense as the guard asked questions though, shifting slightly closer to Audi and clearly stating through body language that he wasn't going to let the guard make him take off his hood without a fight.
Audi was momentarily distracted by how cute an overprotective Max was. But when the incredibly sweet boy moved closer to him, clearly indicating that he was protecting him, Audi knew he wasn’t going to make him do that. The guard would get his hood off eventually, he knew he was being very suspicious, and he’d rather not have Max get hurt or arrested on his behalf.
The guard didn’t looked convinced in the slightest. “So he works for you, huh?” He smirked. “What’s a lowly metalworking doing with fancy clothes like that?”
Audi mentally cursed his clothing choices. But now was not the time for that. He knew that there was only one way this ended, and for Max to be fine at the end of it he knew what he had to do.
Very slowly, he stepped out from behind Max and came to stand beside him. Looking the guard directly in the eyes, he reached up, and pulled the hood from his head.
"I bou-," Max started to argue again, glancing at Audi and having to do a double take now that his hood was off. It was the first time he had seen him without something covering most of his face and Max just took in all the new details he could see. He was even more gorgeous and he felt himself mentally falling head over heels for this gorgeous boy. "Audi, what are you doing?" He asked gently when he founds his words again, looking between the guard and him but not getting the connection.
Sighing, Audi glanced over at Max. “Saving you from getting arrested probably.” Turning back to the guard, who looked surprised, he announced, “It is I, Prince Audi. Please don’t take into account any of the lies this man may or may not have told you. He was only doing it on my behalf, and for that I am very grateful.” He flashed Max a beautiful smile.
“Your Highness!” The guard said incredulously. “What are you doing in this shop? And with him of all people?” He cast a disgusted look towards Max with his messy hair and sweat-soaked clothes.
Audi’s eyes narrowed. “This man has given me an afternoon filled with more happiness than I’ve ever had in palace! And as for what I’m doing here, it’s not exactly your place to ask is it? So I suggest you remember your place and stay out of my business!”
Audi's dazzling smile distracted him from listening fully to what he was saying until the insult from the guard. Max was used to people not thinking highly of him because of how messy he always looked but this time he met the guard's disgusted look with a glare as he listened to the rest of what Audi was saying. It made him blush as well and he was surprised that spending time with him was what Audi said was more enjoyable than the palace. He had assumed that the royal life was all happy and joyful.
“Now!” Audi scowled at the guard in obvious displeasure. “I would like to continue my wonderful afternoon, so if you don’t mind—“ he sent a glare “—could you leave? Go back to the castle and tell my parents I’ll be home in a couple of hours.”
“My apologies Your Highness.” The guard looked very uncomfortable, and it brought a smirk to Audi’s lips. “But I was instructed by the Queen herself to bring you back as soon as I find you.”
Audi let out a huge sigh. “Of course you were.” He rolled his eyes and turned to Max. “Hope you’re not too shocked by what just happened. Just please keep in mind I’m still the same person I was a few minutes ago, just now you know I have a title. I still really enjoyed today. And,” he lowered his voice, “be on the lookout for me in the next week or so. I’ll come back as soon as I can get away.” His genuine smile returned, and he savored being with this gorgeous boy beside him for as long as he could. Who knew when he would get to see him again.
"I'm…just a little shocked," He said, a half smile coming to his face once again as he nodded, "I'll keep my eyes open, your Highness." Max swept himself into a low bow and looked up at Audi with a chuckle, "Don't get in too much trouble, working with metal without looking forward to seeing anyone gets very boring very quickly."
Audi rolled his eyes at the title and the bow. “I’ll try.” He winked. “No promises though.” His grin faltered a tiny bit. “I’m probably going to be in a lot of trouble for today, but it’s fine. You’re worth it.” He thought for a second, before stepping up to face him. His eyes were beautiful as always, and the grin on his face made his heart scream with how much he already loved this boy. Without giving himself even a second to cower away from his decision, he swiftly pushed into his toes and gave Max a quick kiss on the cheek. Without waiting for a response, he shot him one last smirk before following the guard onto the street, around the corner and out of sight.
Max chuckled lightly and grinned, "Seeing me is worth getting in trouble?" He watched Audi carelly, freezing when he kissed him before breaking out into a childish grin. His face turned bright red and he walked out of the shop, waving to Audi as if he was a little kid again as he walked away. Hot damn, Audi had just kissed him. Audi had just kissed him. That was the only thought going through his mind, granted, it was only a kiss on the cheek, but it was a kiss nevertheless. He even had gotten to see that gorgeous smirk afterwards.
Audi mentally squealed the whole way back to the castle. He had just kissed Max! Sure it was just on the cheek, but it was still a kiss. God, he already loved that boy so much. How was it possible to know someone a week, and already love them?
His parents were having an important discussion when he got back, so he was saved from lecture for the time being. Passing by the meeting room door, he heard people discussing the kingdoms that threatened their borders. Apparently their kingdom didn’t have enough weapons because not enough metalworkers and blacksmiths were employed by the castle. This comment made Audi think for a moment, and push open the doors. His parents were very surprised to see him, but once they got over their shock he explained about Max and all the things he could do. Desperately in need of more metalworkers, they agreed immediately, and sent a messenger to go inform him. Audi was happy he was able to help his kingdom, but he was even more happy that Max would be coming to stay at the castle! He would get to see him even more now!
(Sorry that last paragraph was a little rushed I wanted to get to Max coming to the castle. Time skip to then?)
(It's alright, and sure! Question though, is he allowed to bring his family or just him?)
(I figure they want all the metalworkers they can get, so yeah. Also I want Audi to meet his sister!)
(I feel like it’d make more sense for you to start this time unless you want me to)
(Ok!)
Max was overjoyed when he heard that he and his family were being employed by the king as metalworkers. It had been a long week of slow business and as his family and him made their way to the castle, they all had happy smiles on their faces. It would take a few more trips to get all of their supplies over to where they were now working, but with them they had everything they owned that wasn't for metalworking. The few pairs of clothes they each had, some keepsakes and that was about it. After getting through the entrance though, they stood around, waiting for someone to help figure out where to go.
Audi bounded into the courtyard, a huge grin on her face. Max and his family were coming today, and she couldn’t wait to see him. She hadn’t been able to get out of the castle since the last time, and all her antsy energy was building up.
“Max!” She exclaimed happily, rushing over to him and his family. “Finally!” She gave him a once over, drinking in the sight of the gorgeous boy in front of her she had missed so much. Her gaze flicked away from him and to the people around him. “Oh, is this your family? I’m Audi!” She offered her hand cheerfully.
(Ok just a heads up I'm going to be gone for like 2-5 days from this friday night bc I'm going hunting, just wanted to give you a heads up)
"Audi!" He exclaimed, equally happy to see Audi again, "Yes, this is my family. My dad, Joseph, my brother Liam, and my little sister Ria. All of you, this is my friend Audi." Max had a bright smile on his face and he laughed when he saw just how excited Ria was to meet her.
(Okay! Thanks for letting me know! Have fun!)
"Nice to meet all of you!" She said brightly. His laugh was just as beautiful as she remembered, and she giggled happily at the excited little girl, Ria. The girl was adorable, and she reminded her so much of Max just in appearance. She already knew that she was going to love this cutie. "Alright!" She remembered why her mom sent her out here. "Your new place is just this way, if you'll all follow me!" She led them out of the courtyard, and down around the side of the castle so where all the metalworkers stayed. She stopped at the last empty house (not really a house but more like the metalworking area, with a bathroom and two other rooms), and turned around to face them grinning widely. "Here you are! Meals will be served three times a day, and if you need anything else let me or a servant know!"
