The door to Dexter and Hunter’s room bore both the Charming family and the Huntsman family crests. Darling knocked as hard as she could. Since she was still wearing the gauntlets, the sound was astonishingly loud and echoed down the hall.

Her brother’s voice, however, was quiet and hoarse.

Dexter: Come in.

She threw open the door.

Darling: Dexter, I have the most amazing news.

She’d run all the way to the dormitory, which hadn’t been easy in the suit of armor. But she’d needed to get to the room before Hunter.

Darling: You won’t believe it.

She closed Dexter’s door, tossed the book bag and gauntlets onto the faux-fur carpet, then whipped off the helmet.

Dexter was lying on his bed in his pajamas. His jackalope, a jackrabbit with antelope horns, Mr. Cottonhorn, was lying next to him, also in pajamas and wearing identical black-framed glasses. Dexter’s mouth fell open.

Dexter: Darling?

Mr. Cottonhorn dropped his book.

Darling: Surprise!

Then her smile faded.

Darling: Oh, you look terrible.

Dexter’s nose was swollen and red, and little blue spots had sprouted all over his face.

Darling: What’s the matter with you?

He tried to sit up, but he fell back against the pillows with a groan.

Dexter: Turns out I’ve got princely pox.

Darling: What’s that?

Dexter: Apparently it’s a form of pox that only princes can get. Most princes get it when they’re babies, but lucky me, I’m getting it now.

He sneezed.

Dexter: Hunter doesn’t have to worry about catching it, because he’s not a prince.

She stepped closer to get a better view of the spots.

Darling: Do those things itch?

Dexter: Uh-huh. The doctor said it’ll take a few days before they go away and I feel better. I’m taking medicine, but it makes me really sleepy.

He yawned and pointed to a bottle of prince pox potion. The label read: CAUSES DROWSINESS. DO NOT OPERATE ANY DRAWBRIDGES OR ENGAGE IN HEROIC ACTIVITIES WHILE TAKING THIS MEDICATION.

Darling: A few days? Well, that means you might be well for the tournament. That’s good news.

Dexter: I don’t know if it’s good news or bad news. I’m dreading that tournament. I couldn’t care less about being a knight.

He frowned at her.

Dexter: Are you going to tell me why you’re wearing my armor?

Mr. Cottonhorn’s ears twitched. He seemed to be waiting for an explanation, too.

Darling: Oh, right.

She smiled again. Wouldn’t Dexter be proud when he heard her story?

Darling: Well, this morning, I went to the blacksmith’s to get the suit for you, as a surprise. But as you know, there are a lot of pieces, so I figured that wearing it was the easiest way to carry it.

Dexter: That was nice of you but…

He sneezed again.

Dexter: Mom and Dad wouldn’t approve. You could get into trouble.

Darling: Don’t worry. I wore the helmet the entire time, so no one knew it was me. In fact, they thought I was you. And I had Y/N with me to cover for me.

She glanced out the window.

Darling: I’d better change before Hunter gets back.

She started to take off the pieces of plate armor, setting them on the floor next to Dexter’s bed. Mr. Cottonhorn adjusted his glasses, picked up his book, and went back to reading.

Dexter: How come the suit’s still covered in scratches and dings? And that helmet doesn’t look new.

As she slipped into the dress and adjusted her necklace, she told him about Betty’s dad and the bunion.

Dexter: No new helmet for a few weeks?

Dexter sighed.

Dexter: Well, it probably doesn’t matter. I’m going to fail the jousting lesson anyway. I can’t joust blind and I certainly can’t joust if I have princely pox.

Darling: Maybe you can.

Then, after sliding into her shoes, she sat on the edge of his bed.

Dexter: Huh?

Darling: Like I was saying, when I walked through the village, no one knew it was me. I kept the visor down the entire time. Even Dare thought he was talking to you.

Dexter scratched his forehead, looking a bit puzzled.

Dexter: You talked to Dare while you were wearing my suit of armor? Didn’t he recognize your voice?

Darling: Well, he and Y/N did all the talking. You know how he is. And then he walked me straight to Hero Training.

Dexter: He did what?

Dexter managed to sit up this time, his eyes so wide they looked like they might burst through his glasses. For just a moment, he reminded her of Hopper Croakington II, son of the Frog Prince.

Darling: That’s the amazing news I wanted to tell you.

She jumped to her feet.

Darling: Oh, Dex, it was so much fun! We got to choose horses, and we practiced riding up and down the field. Then we were given lances, and we practiced charging at a dummy and shield. The shield had a bull’s-eye painted on it, and I hit it every time. I got a nearly perfect score. Professor Knight said I was the most improved student! He was in a good mood since Y/N embarrassed him in front of the class and I think it humbled him a bit.

She squirmed with delight.

Darling: Can you believe it? I’m the most improved! I mean, you’re the most improved, because they thought I was you.

While Mr. Cottonhorn turned a page, not a word or a sound came from Dexter. He sat perfectly still, his mouth wide open, as if a freezing curse had hit him. Was he breathing?

Darling: Dex?

Then, with a spray of spit, the words flew out.

Dexter: You did what? How could you do that? Are you crazy?

Darling frowned.

Darling: Of course I’m not crazy. Why are you so upset? This is good news. Professor Knight gave you the highest score today.

She didn’t understand her brother’s reaction. Surely he’d see that she’d helped him. Maybe the princely pox had infected his brain and he wasn’t thinking clearly.

Darling: Are you… mad at me?

He’d never been mad at her before. Her eyes suddenly welled with tears. She already thought that you were upset with her and she didn't want Dexter to be the same way.

Dexter took a deep breath.

Dexter: Don’t cry. Please don’t cry. I’m not mad. I’m just confused.

He repositioned his glasses and looked at his sister with wonder.

Dexter: Did you say that you got a nearly perfect score?

She nodded.

Dexter: You rode a horse while wearing a full suit of armor and you didn’t fall off?

She nodded again.

Dexter: And you carried a lance?

Darlimg: Yep.

Dexter: How is that possible? You’ve never done anything like that before.

She looked down at her feet.

Dexter: Wait a minute? Are you telling me that you’re just like Dare? You don’t have to practice? You do everything perfectly the first time? Am I the only Charming who’s not perfect?

He slumped against the pillows.

Darling: No, no, that’s not it. I’m nowhere near perfect. Believe me, I have to practice. I practice all the time.

She sat back on the bed.

Darling: You know how Betty asked me about my calluses?

She held out her hands.

Darling: And you remember how I started climbing out of the tower when we were little?

He nodded.

Darling: Well, I’m still doing it.

Dexter: Here? At school?

Darling: Uh-huh. And there’s more. I’ve been lifting weights and working out. And at night, I’ve been sneaking off campus and riding with Sir Gallopad.

She stopped talking. His face was turning red. For a moment, she thought he was going to get angry because she’d kept so many secrets from him. They were the best of friends. Would he feel betrayed?

But instead he started laughing. Relieved, she laughed, too.

Dexter: I thought you’d left all that behind at Charming Castle. Can you imagine what Mom and Dad would say?

Darling: I don’t have to imagine. I know exactly what they’d say, which is why they’ll never know what happened today.

After a few more sneezes, he looked at her, all joviality gone.

Dexter: I guess I’d better get used to being number three.

Darling’s heart suddenly ached. Had she hurt her brother’s feelings? Dexter was no longer second best. Now he was third best.

Darling: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…

But she had meant to succeed. When she’d sat on Sir Gallopad and held the lance, she’d wanted to be the best. She’d wanted to prove that she was equally able. But the painful, defeated look in her brother’s eyes had turned success bittersweet.

Darling: As soon as you get your new helmet, you’ll joust better than me. You’ll see.

Dexter: What if I can’t?

He swept his hair from his forehead.

Dexter: It’s bad enough that I fell off the horse in front of everyone, but now, thanks to you, they’ll expect me to be better than I am.

He sighed.

Dexter: At least we don’t have class again until Thursday.

Then he closed his eyes and yawned.

Dexter: I’m so sleepy.

She’d messed things up. Not only had she taken a great risk by wearing the armor, but in her desire to help, she’d also put more pressure on Dexter by raising everyone’s expectations. That was the last thing she’d intended.

Darling: I’m sorry. I guess I messed things up.

But he didn’t hear her apology, because he’d started to snore. Mr. Cottonhorn was fast asleep, too.

She looked at her brother’s splotchy face.

Darling: I promise I’ll make things right.

But how?

She stepped out of the room and nearly bumped into someone else. She stumbled back before she realized it was you.

Darling: Oh, Y/N...

You didn't even seem to notice her presence as you kept walking. She watched as you stalked to your own room, which was just down the hall, before you entered. Darling decided to follow, finally having a chance to talk to you about why you had been so off kilter.

Darling: Y/N!

You were about to close the door but you stopped when you heard your name. You looked back and found her gliding towards you as elegantly as ever.

Darling: Hey, do you have a second?

You looked into your room before you shrugged. You held the door open and let her in. She slipped into your room while you closed the door behind you.

You were one of the few students who didn't have a roommate. Being from Neverland and being a pirate, no one could match well enough for you to be able to share a room. So, you had more space to use.

Your bed was pushed against the right wall while fishing net cover the left. A single barrel full of ice and drinks sat in the corner while a ship's wheel was hanging down from the roof, acting as a makeshift chandelier. You also had a painting of the Jolly Roger hanging next to the door which was a gift from Cedar.

Darling had been in this room about a dozen times by this point, but she will never get tired of it. It was just so refreshing in comparison to the royal style of most of the rooms. It just felt exotic.

To you, it felt like home.

Y/N: So, what's up?

You reached into your drink barrel and grabbed a bottle of Fairy Berry Soda and a Cold Cola for Darling. She accepted the drink before sitting down on the bed.

Darling: I just wanted to check in on you. I mean, you seemed to be in a bad mood so....

You sighed. You figured she would ask about it. You did cause two scenes after all.

Y/N: Right. Yeah. Uh, sorry about all that. It's just been a rough.....day.

Darling: Is this about what I asked you last night?

You made a face which told her that she was right on the money. But, if that was the case, then why were you so angry? Why were you poking and starting fights?

Y/N: It's complicated.

Darling: Why?

Y/N: Just is. I....I rather not talk about it.

Darling frowned. She wasn't used to seeing you like this. She was used to the wisecracking, swashbuckling, charming pirate.

Darling: Can we? Please? You're making me worried.

Y/N: Well, I'm sorry for that. But it's not that easy.

Darling: It never is.

You groaned. She was right.

Darling: Why did the question bother you so much?

You knew there was no use lying now. And it was just the two of you. Might as well put it all out there. All or nothing.

You took a deep breath and rubbed your chin before frowning. You then looked to Darling. Here you go.

Y/N: Because when you asked that question I thought about me and you. Because I've been hopelessly in love with you since the day I first met you. Because you're ambitions are so large that I envy them. Because you're so courageous and adventurous that it gets me excited to explore with you. Because when I think about the time we spend together I can't help but imagine a future where we can be together and be happy.

Darling felt her heartbeat speed up as you finally told her the truth. She felt her cheeks grow hotter as she watched you set your drink down.

Y/N: But that future will never come because you're a princess who deserves the world and I'm just a seadog who'll spend the rest of his days growing old and bitter. So when you asked me that question, I felt hope, and then it was pulled away by my own mind. I don't deserve you and you deserve to be happy.

Darling couldn't believe what she was hearing. You were speaking from the heart and she didn't know how to react. She had dreamt of this moment more times than she would ever admit, but this wasn't right.

Darling: Y/N...

Y/N: I love you.

She almost felt her heart stop.

Darling: What?

You shrugged.

Y/N: I love you. There. It's out there. Can't take it back.

You let out a sigh.

Y/N: That actually feels good. Aw, man. That feels real good.

You smiled slightly. You felt like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. But, you realized that Darling was quiet. You looked back to the bed to see her looking down at her drink.

Darling: You jerk.

You raised a brow as she stood up. She tossed her drink down on your bed and marched over towards you with clenched fists.

Darling: You're a jerk!

Y/N: What?

Darling: Do you know how long I've waited to hear you say that? And you finally do and this is how you do it?! Seriously?! What the hex?! Is this why you've been picking fights all day?!

She had to look up at you when she stopped nearly against you.

Y/N: W-Well, kinda?

Darling: And this whole time you've loved me?! And you never said anything?!

You nodded.

Darling: You're a jerk!

She was crossed between wanting to punch you and wanting to kiss you. Before she could do either, you grabbed her shoulders.

Y/N: I know. I am a jerk. I'm a pirate and pirates are jerks. That's why you deserve better.

Darling: Like who? A prince? They're jerks too.

You couldn't really argue that.

Y/N: Yeah. That's fair.

Darling: So?

You looked down at her. She was nearly a whole foot shorter than you, which always made you smile, but now she looked different somehow. She looked much more fragile. More exposed.

Y/N: So?

You were nearly a foot taller than Darling, which always annoyed her, but now you didn't look the same. You looked more at ease. More conflicted.

Darling: Are you going to kiss me?

Your eyes grew a bit wide. Your gaze began to move from her eyes to her lips. The way they parted slightly, the way they looked so small, so soft, so kissable.

The two of you stayed that way for a moment longer. Both of you were unsure about what to do.