heliodorianwings | And the sunlight hurts my eyes

[Hendrik snickers when Jasper finally retaliates with that kick, but he remains a good distance away. Well, at least he's paying attention.]

Have a good swim, Jasper.

[And he's going to walk off to grab one of the young knights goofing off in the sand, hauling him out bodily into the waves while the other young men holler and laugh.]

[There are chuckles and howls of laughter. Jasper listens to the young knights snicker, regarding them enviously for a moment before fears of jealousy prompt him to swim across and stride onto the beach. He squeezes water from his hair and grimaces as damp shorts cling to his waist.]

Oh, you are far too eager to drop people in it.

[There is more yelling and laughing as other knights join in on basically piledriving each other into the waves, and Hendrik drags himself out with a chuckle before long. He stretches as he pads up the shore, hair in disarray and sticking to his neck and shoulders.]

Already finished?

Not yet.

[One hand grasps his hair; the other wrings out water that splashes his heels. He stands with his back turned, trusting his friend to do the right thing, expecting him to do the opposite.]

I intend to outlast you till the evening, friend.

Outlast?

[Hendrik laughs, his voice growing louder as he gets closer. The sounds of the other knights wearing themselves out make for an interesting background noise while accompanied by the gentle waves.]

This is hardly a competition, Jasper. You make it sound like we are at a bar.

[Jasper rolls his shoulders, his hair falling between. The closeness of his companion becomes less and less important as he steps closer and closer.]

If you look behind you, you might well see we are.

[There is a beachside hut close by, serving all manner of beverages, cocktails and seaside food.]

[Well, he's now close enough that he can reach out and put his hand on Jasper's head -- specifically the crown of his head, scrunching up hair close to the scalp with practice-weathered fingers.]

What? Have you just been waiting this entire time to not seem like you have been waiting for sweets?

[Unsurprisingly, he doesn't understand what's up with his friend.]

[Weight presses down. Fingers scratch his scale as they scrunch his hair, pulling at his roots. His right arm lifts to search - and rises more than before, highlighting how different they became over a handful of years. Divided by time and more than one foot in height.

It hardly surprises anyone that he scowls. So many changes to adjust to since returning from his studies...]

Do you not think the men will gossip if I just up and leave?

Hm?

[Jasper's scowls are hardly unfamiliar, but they really don't have any place during this break time. His hand doesn't move, as if anchored by Jasper's own hand.]

Why would they? Some of them might even stop to join you.

[Fingers lift and pull, finding no purchase against a hand clamping down. He releases it furiously, pulling his arm forward instead, before thrusting back with the hope his elbow finds a stomach. His movements are serene not stern - a gentle exchange between friends.

Does he connect? Hendrik is stupidly tall, with a ridiculously long reach. But he tries.]

Oh, that sounds wonderful.

[An elbow to the stomach is still an elbow to the stomach -- or somewhat lower, given the height difference. Hendrik grunts and releases Jasper's hand to instead protect his stomach; having to take a moment to find his voice.]

You should-- You should do what you want to do. The only recommendation is not being thrown into jail.

[And that was only a recommendation.]

Jail? What man do you make of me, Hendrik? I am hardly some blind drunk fool.

[The grunt is enough to keep him satisfied, satisfied that he is the centre of attention. Should Hendrik mention his fondness of drinking, well, he is still close enough to learn his lesson.]

I am just saying what has been said to everyone.

[Maybe it's because of the elbow to the stomach, but Hendrik's starting to sound just as exasperated as Jasper.]

Very much so.

[Jasper bites down on frustration, scrunching his toes as sand traps between them. Uncomfortable.]

Do you not think I will remember to behave myself after a drink or two?

[Or after several hours.]

I do not know, Jasper. Will you?

[He might be a little surly at this point, but he gives himself a shake and scratches at his drying hair with a sigh.]

Have fun. When was the last time we had a break? The Princess' birthday?

[The words cut through his ego, leading him to shake his head. Memories of drinking in celebration - with his family - keep him silent. He smiles at his friend but cannot help feeling the outsider as he heads over. His hand is outstretched, hopeful of a friendly shake.]

His Majesty's if that.

[Hendrik meets him halfway, clasping his hand while the other comes down to clap Jasper on the shoulder.]

Precisely. Too long. You get so wound up and I swear that you would actually complain about needing a vacation if you did not like glaring so much.

[Jasper rolls his shoulder, shifting only to find fingers clamped onto his muscle. He sighs in resignation - defeated without conceding.]

I would literally have nothing to complain about if you actually got on with dragging me into the ocean. How long have I been anticipating your threat, now?

[Minutes? He recalls it easily.]

[The comment prompts Hendrik to raise a brow, and then laugh. The hand that had clapped down on Jasper's shoulder moves away as if in defense.]

You were expecting me to haul you into the water like one of the new recruits?

[As if they aren't barely out of the new recruit years themselves.]

Please, Jasper, I like having my hair intact. I know you would make me pay for the disheveling.

[Freedom. Jasper steps back immediately, taking a bigger look at the overall picture, at a friend who has grown much in the past six years. The frown darkening his lips fades, replaced with a neutral expression that cracks in the corners. A hint of a smile.]

True. I would not deign to speak with you for the rest of this vacation, if only that.

[He certainly isn't passive about showing his displeasure.]

And that would be tragic, given I do want to share a drink with you.

[The idea of carrying off Jasper has Hendrik laughing again, his relaxed state all the more evident when he reaches over to give the other young man another pat -- this time on the back.]

Well, that is a load off of my mind. I thought you were immensely stressed over something.

[Brows furrow and eyes widen in confusion. Jasper looks around the beach, towards young men enjoying themselves, without reservation towards each other's company. He presses lips together and looks at Hendrik. He smiles but hardly knows what to say.]

Only work. There is much going on these days, you see.

[While he doesn't catch that confused look from Jasper, he does see his friend's eyes wander back to the knights playing and chatting in the surf. Maybe Jasper just wanted to be included somehow? Sometimes he doesn't understand how he thinks.]

There will always be more work! The worst thing you can do is stress over it.

[It's a simple mindset, but it's what's worked for him somehow.]

My dear Hendrik, are you telling me to take it easy?

[Jasper shakes his head in amused disbelief. His gaze lingers on their comrades, chatting about everything but something he cares about. Their interests are different. Their personalities more so. Really, it is charming that Hendrik believes he might listen at all.]

Since when did you become my physician?

[Hendrik wrinkles his nose a bit at that "my dear Hendrik." He's still not used to it, given it wasn't something Jasper would throw out there when they were children. But it's clearly an endearment, even if he doesn't know why Jasper picked it up.]

Do I need to be a physician to tell you to relax?

[He goes quiet for a moment before flashing a cheeky smile.]

How about this? If you stress too much, your hair will go gray.

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