heliodorianwings | And the sunlight hurts my eyes

[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.

[Wrinkles spread across his forehead. Worries burrow beneath his skin and provoke him to scowl and frown - if only to avoid the terror in his eyes.

Once his nerves calm down, he looks towards his friend.]

I thought you were trying to lift my spirits, Hendrik.

[The smile slips when he sees Jasper react somewhat badly to what had been a joke, but he resists reaching out and shaking him.]

Oh, come on now. Do not tell me you are actually worried about that.

[The curious gaze changes mercurially; a frown becoming a scowl, anger turning dark as worrisome dark skies. He bites his tongue at calling Hendrik an imbeciele - he isn't that mad. Yet.]

I am now.

[Keep that up and Hendrik is going to have to turn a sad puppy look on him. At the moment, he just looks a little lost on how he should be reacting.]

Jasper, get those thoughts out of your head immediately. You are going to age gracefully!

[Jasper wrinkles his nose.]

Oh, yes, gracefully. With you beside me I should have no problem!

[His indignant anger - and its bemusement - hide an emotional reality at their core. That he finds this man's friendship only makes him stronger. Regardless, he should get it out of his head that appearances is the only arena where he has this man beat.

But he cannot.]

[Well, at least he's responding, even if it's in an angry way. It takes Hendrik a solid moment to realize that Jasper's words actually target him, a period of silence sitting between his friend's comment and his own reaction.]

What is that supposed to mean?!

[He's never been terribly focused on his own looks; at most, he's had to worry about keeping his hair trimmed and face washed.]

[Standing on the beach, beneath the warmth of the sun, feet in the chill of the ocean, Jasper finds he has nothing to worry about. Only this man before him and his odd way of approaching things. He wrinkles his nose and finds himself driven to smile - to take delight in having something over the other man.]

Only that I seem to receive the lion's share of attention.

[It isn't Hendrik the ladies are drawn to.]

W-- well...

[That's actually better than what he had thought Jasper was saying. After all, how can he possibly argue against the idea that Jasper isn't good-looking?]

I would think that obvious. The others notices as well.

How can they not? I am rather majestic.

[He wrinkles his nose at the thought his peers admire his appearance, following years spent gossiping behind his back, too cowardly to meet his face. What is there to worry over now, though? His star is rising and theirs are left to fall to earth.]

One would think they are jealous.

That would be rather unbecoming for knights.

[And certainly isn't a denial of the possibility that they are jealous. He can't exactly claim he's any better, dreaming away about bunny girls advertised for the casino that would be built in the city and staring helplessly at the pictures in periodicals.]

[Jasper frowns to himself. He looks towards his peers, partying on the beach, slapping each other on the back or running into the ocean. They celebrate camaraderie, friendship and connection. They cheer their freedom from work - and he frowns because that is something he cannot understand. Should not service be an honour?]

It would also be the truth.

[He cannot quite understand people at times.]

As you say.

[It's the most clipped reply that Hendrik gives, his frown faintly annoyed as he tries to figure out why Jasper's comments bother him. Maybe he's feeling a little personally attacked.

Again, he shakes himself out of the negative headspace and walks past Jasper to head towards the beachside hut to see what can be ordered.]

[Time has taught him to tell when an argument is brewing. Thoughts focus on grievances - of being ignored and cast aside - even as feet carry him towards the hut. He looks for Hendrik within the shack. Eyes glance around the wooden tables and reed walls, towards faces unfamiliar and familiar, at groups of their peers sat around in groups. Talking and enjoying each other's company.

Some notice him and wave him over. His frown becomes annoyed like his friend as he tries to figure out why they want his company. Should they want to boast about association? Maybe he will head over once he's checked the bar - there is certainly nowhere else to sit.

He heads towards his friend, finding peace in his company.]

Like the look of anything?

[Hendrik doesn't answer right away, letting his feelings drift away from whatever storminess was brewing inside of him while he looks at the various colorful pictures of drinks on display.]

...I am not familiar with these mixed drinks. They seem more to your liking, with the added fruit.

[Margarita. Mojito, lime and mint. Tequila, orange and lime. Eyes linger on a Pina colada, mixed with coconut milk and pineapple juice. Decision made, his mind settles.

He sighs in thought.]

I dare say you are right. Make mine a pina colada.

[Has he even pronounced that right?]

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