Work Text:
Alfred F Jones III was many things. He was the Crown Prince of Spades, a meticulously trained from birth future monarch who had all manner of education, from rhetoric to etiquette. He'd had dance lessons, language lessons, hell, he even endured swordsmanship lessons with the knights!
All of that training flew out the window the day Arthur Kirkland, Fifth Cousin to the King of Diamonds, walked into the Palace of Spades. Alfred learned a few things about Arthur that day. How he was the fourth son out of five lined up to be the heirs of their parent's noble lineage. How he'd had just as many etiquette lessons as Alfred, and perhaps even more history lessons than the very historians working in the archives. How he was an excellent equestrian, and had been champion of many a tournament in Diamonds, even besting King Francis himself. How he had the most stunning emeralds for eyes Alfred had ever seen.
How he had been selected as the future Queen of Spades and was Alfred's fiancé.
Both being only around 17 years old, the wedding would obviously be postponed a few years until they were of age, as well as another few years to give Arthur time to receive additional tutoring for politics and other such required lessons for future monarchs.
That left Alfred with his current predicament.
Here they were, engaged to be married, and yet neither had spoken more than a few words with the other for almost three full months. Aside from pleasantries at meals, Arthur seemed to avoid Alfred at all costs, which stung just a little bit. Sure, this whole thing was arranged and they didn't have to fall in love, but Al liked to think he could at least be friends with his future Queen. That was made all the harder by their schedules, especially their lessons, which took up most of their time.
Alfred refused to give up, however, and was once again attempting to find his fiancé while they had their hour long 'independent study', which was just a fancy way of saying 'nap time'. At least, that's how Alfred typically used it. Today, however, would be spent a little differently.
Alfred's pace quickened as he turned a corner, trying to find his way to the central gardens. After asking around, some of the staff mentioned that they had seen the future Queen tending this particular garden in his free time. Alfred never would have guessed that gardening had been Arthur's hobby, but it wasn't like he had much information to guess anything about Arthur, other than he probably really liked horses. Which, hey, Alfred loved horses, so they already had something in common!
Curious blue eyes peered through the columns lining the central gardens, straining to spot any sign of Arthur being there. A flash of blond caught Alfred's eye, and he felt his pulse quicken.
Arthur was kneeling in the grass, looking absolutely stunning in the blues and violets of Spades attire. Sunlight filtered through the leaves of a large tree at the center of the garden, its ancient branches stretched out over many of the flower beds, sheltering them from the harsh rays. Oh but that didn't shelter Alfred from the way the light shone upon his future Queen's hair. That wasn't all that had his attention. It seemed his Queen was speaking to the flowers, words as sugary sweet as honey, encouraging them in their growth.
Something compelled Alfred to move in that moment, almost like he'd been pushed. He wasn't sure what caused it, but he stumbled forward, nearly fell on his face, then quickly stood up straight once more as he realized his little slip up had caught Arthur's attention. After an awkward cough, Alfred bowed to his fiancé, cheeks red from embarrassment.
"Uh, sorry about that. I swear, I'm usually way more coordinated..." Alfred caught Arthur hiding a smirk behind his gloved hand, and felt heat rise all the way to his ears.
Arthur appeared to whisper something, but Alfred couldn't tell what it was. Was he gossiping about him with the flowers? Ha. That was actually kinda cute. Still pretty embarrassing, but cute.
"So... it's, um... I didn't know you, well- I mean I wasn't aware..." Alfred muttered out some words before he composed himself, "Do you like the garden?"
Silence stretched between them, but only for a moment as Arthur appeared to consider his words. He then looked right at Alfred when he spoke.
"It was a dreary mess before I fixed it." Arthur crossed his arms, "One would think the royal family would take better care of their gardens."
Oh Alfred liked that. There was a fire in Arthur's green eyes. A challenge. 'Prove me wrong' was written so clearly across Arthur's face, that Alfred felt like he couldn't resist. Every etiquette lesson was screeching at him to take it in stride and not instigate a fight.
Too bad he was never good at the practical application of those lessons.
"Was it? I hardly noticed a difference." Al quipped, a slight smirk on his lips.
Arthur bristled almost like a porcupine, and he stood to press a finger to Alfred's chest as he spoke.
"You obviously cannot appreciate the subtle art of gardening, so your opinion on the matter is void!"
"At least I don't sit here talking to a bunch of plants!"
"I was not talking to the plants, I was-" Arthur covered his mouth, then turned away from Alfred, "I do not have to explain myself to you!"
"What, was it some kind of imaginary friend? Aren't you a little old for that?" Alfred felt something tug on his hair, but shrugged it off as nothing but the wind, "It's okay if you talk to plants, you know. I think I read somewhere that they grow better when you do."
When Arthur didn't respond, Alfred shifted awkwardly on his feet, trying not to make so much noise. He couldn't stand silence like this.
"Hey, uh, look. Sorry, I guess I just wanted to get a reaction from you... I didn't mean to insult you or anything." Al ran a hand through his hair, messing up the way his mother had styled it that morning, "I kinda have a habit of not watching what I say, and it drives my tutors up a wall."
His Queen-to-be's shoulders relaxed from their stiff position, one eye peeking back over a shoulder to look Alfred up and down.
"Well, I suppose I can accept your apology. After all, we are... well, y-you know." The redness on Arthur's cheeks made it clear what he was hinting at, but oh, Alfred once again could not resist.
"What? Sorry, I didn't catch that." Al was grinning as he spoke, a teasing lilt to his voice, "Could you say it louder?"
"Why you insufferable brat-" Arthur threw his arms up, "I cannot believe I am engaged to such a dolt! And honestly, look at your tie, can you even dress properly? And- why are you smirking?"
Oh yeah, Alfred had a good feeling about this marriage now. Maybe they really could be friends one day.
"-even the fairies could never be so dense as y- would you stop giving me that look, of course they are real!"
Deep down, Alfred sincerely hoped they could be more.