Prince Among Men

[helpdesk_hero]

Frankly, he hadn't expected to get this chance. At all. Didn't matter that he was the top of his class. That he learned things mostly instantly. Sure there was a lot of reasons that this shouldn't have happened. Yet here he was, two days in to an internship at the Genoshan royal palace. And David's been moving through things carefully, juggling a large pile of folders and binders. A lot of stuff went on behind the scenes he'd learned, working as he did under a minister of commerce and trade.

And as an intern his main jobs seemed, at least for these first few days, carrying things back and forth and fetching coffee. He'd networked with someone who did the internship the year before and learned that yeah, it sucked the first few days, but then you started doing cool stuff, so he had his fingers crossed.

Okay, not actually, he was too busy moving quickly through the halls, trying not to trip and drop a massive pile of reports that he was certain had only been given to him because hazing the new guy who had already turned out to be smarter than half of the undersecretaries. Oops.

The big problem, of course, is taking a corner too quick. It wasn't that he meant to run into someone, but there it was happening anyway.

Comments

[wearingthestars]

It's not glamours, by any means, but William quite enjoys seeing how the office works, even helping out occasionally, though that's mostly just in carrying or offering an extra set of hands.

And naturally, as David is the main attraction in all this, he moves to follow after him still as he leaves, not really thinking anything of it. "What now?" he asks.

[helpdesk_hero]

David was so certain the Prince was done with him that he jumps when the question comes. Jumps and almost yelps in shock. Manages to hold it in, though, as he turns to regard the Prince.

"W-what? I. It's lunch. Aren't you going back?"

[wearingthestars]

"Oh, uh-" The prince looks briefly flustered, and looks back behind him with an uncertain nod, "Yes, I...I should probably let you- ah..." he looks embarrassed then, and trails off, nodding again and taking a step back, "Thank for, ah...humoring me."

[helpdesk_hero]

"You're a prince. EVeryone will humor you," David sighs. But then he winces because WOW what did he just say? Just stupid. "I mean, I work again after an hour. But I need to get food."

[wearingthestars]

William ducks his head, unsure if that's a particularly good thing. His position makes it rather difficult for anyone to refuse him, but he doesn't want David to simply be putting up with him because he has to.

"I won't impose-" he promises, nodding to try and give David his leave.

[helpdesk_hero]

Of course it would be imposing. If Billy invites himself it's imposing. But...

"Maybe you'd, uh... want to join me? For lunch?"

[wearingthestars]

Oh. William's whole face brightens, and he nods a little too quickly. Damn. No. Too over eager.

He tries to reign it back.

"I'd like that. If...it wouldn't be too awkward for you."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I can't pay for your lunch," David shrugs as he starts down the hall again, expecting William to follow along.

[wearingthestars]

Pay. Right. William flushes a little and follows along after him as he tries to work out how he's going to get around that one. He doesn't typically carry money. But he can magic some from their account. Or...would it be too strange to just abstain? Probably.

"I can manage."

[helpdesk_hero]

"Well then by all means. Tag along. Don't, uh, just don't look at me weird for what I get."

Because he can probably easily afford a smalls sandwich.

"Don't you, like, have a chef so can cook for you or something?"

[wearingthestars]

"I wouldn't," he promises.

He nods then, and that at least doesn't leave him flustered. It's just a fact of life for him. "We could both do that, if you preferred?"

[helpdesk_hero]

What? David almost stumbles. Dammit, Prince, you keep making him so confused.

"I can't just ask a royal chef to cook for me!"

[wearingthestars]

"I can," he corrects, head lilting as though it were obvious.

[helpdesk_hero]

David blushes lightly and nods at Billy. "You're... sure you don't mind me imposing?"

[wearingthestars]

"Mmm" William nods easily, "It's no trouble. There's always some one on call. And Tommy's busy. Ah...Thomas." He gives an apologetic sort of smile. The family doesn't tend to call one another by their less formal names in public. "I don't like eating alone."

[helpdesk_hero]

Tommy? Oh god the twin princes have nicknames for them. Is this Will then? Bill? Billy? Oh that last one would be so cute.

"So it would be better for you if I were to join you for a meal?"

[wearingthestars]

If only David knew how right he was.

He smiles and nods a bit sheepishly. "I've been enjoying your company."

[helpdesk_hero]

"I haven't said all that much to you since I got to working," David points out.

[wearingthestars]

"...Apparently it's that easy," the Prince teases with a laugh and a small shrug, "Come on, we'll get some food, and maybe that will make up for being saddled with me all morning."

[helpdesk_hero]

If he didn't know any better, he might assume he was, you know, being asked out. He follows the prince, thoughtful.

"You weren't really in my way. You were... nice."

[wearingthestars]

"I think you might be obligated to say that whether it was true or not," William teases with a pointed look, but he smiles. "You were nice too. And you clearly work very hard for Genosha. I'm sure you're going to do great things."

[helpdesk_hero]

"If I ever get over coffee delivery service?" David counters.

[wearingthestars]

"Well, you do have an impressive character reference now," William reminds, gesturing to himself with a small smirk. "I think you'll do all right for yourself."

[helpdesk_hero]

"And by tomorrow you'll forget I'm even here."

It's just like that. Royals won't have that much of a memory for random people.

[wearingthestars]

"How many cute interns do you think I run into in a day?" Oh. No, that's much too forward. Too obvious. William looks immediately embarrassed.

"Through here," he instructs, bringing David along into a part of the palace that's meant to be off limits.