#i want to keep doing it but it may be infrequent well see

HAPPY JonaLot Week 2021! Today’s prompt is Childhood, and I opted to write from the perspective of them as children. I am going to be pushing the envelope with some of these prompts, some more shippy/romantic than others. Despite this, I hope you enjoy each story.

Summary:Jonah knows from a young age that his first and foremost duty is to protect the future King of Hearts that he serves. But the sentiment is returned.

Pairing: Jonah Clemence/Lancelot Kingsley

Count:703 words

Rating:General

Warnings:None.

You are the last line of defense between a threat and your King.

Jonah had been proud of his accomplishments about befriending Prince Lancelot at the party a little over a month ago. He spared his parents the more pitiful details and intentionally picked out a longer sleeved shirt to hide the bruises on his arms.

So, you should not cling to the Kingsley heir so much. It’s unsightly.

But while his parents had first been full of praise at the sudden friendship, thankful whenever Lancelot offered to spend time with Jonah when he came to headquarters, they now treated it with a distasteful scorn.

You shouldn’t have to depend on him for protection and curry favor by groveling at his side.

Jonah never saw it that way, but he figured that if his father said it, it must be true.

…

Their conversation had taken place in the carriage as they rode to Red Headquarters for work. Jonah had been brought specifically at Prince Lancelot’s request, which thrilled him to the core. He kept that feeling locked down, not letting it show as they drew closer to the white and red building. I’ll have to remember to ask Prince Lancelot if he can ask to invite Luka next time, too.

These get-togethers had become a regular affair as Jonah came to observe his father during some of his less intensive duties. Lancelot had already started doing the same two years ago, and was brimming with advice for the future Queen of Hearts.

It was a slight opposition to the demeanor Prince Lancelot had showed at the party. There, he shone with regal confidence, telling off the bullies and protecting Jonah in the same swift, decisive maneuver.

Behind closed doors and over a luncheon or tea break, he spoke at length about all sorts of topics that initially had Jonah’s head swimming. Politics, agriculture, economics, and battle tactics were all fair game. And the future Queen had been doing his best to keep up – and thought he was doing a rather fine job of it.

The conversation he and his father had in the carriage only proved to make him all the more grateful that he was studying so hard.

…

And so, he brought that confidence and pride in with him, recounting his father’s speech to Lancelot. He parroted his father perfectly, even standing from his chair and standing tall for emphasis.

But after he had finished, Lancelot tilted his head to the side, appearing confused.

“What’s the matter, Prince Lancelot?” Jonah asked, smiling to keep the concern out of his tone.

“Why… should you protect me?” Lancelot asked slowly, sounding genuinely curious.

“What? Isn’t it obvious? Because I should be your last line of defense! Father says that we should be ready to give up our lives if it means protecting the King we serve!”

Lancelot set down his teacup then, looking up at Jonah. “That sounds backwards. The King’s duty is to protect his people.”

Jonah’s eyes widened then. “W-What?”

“Let’s look at this way.” Lancelot held up two fingers. “I had two options the night I saw you being bullied. The first is as your father says – that you should protect me. In that case, I would hold back and evaluate your strength for myself to see if you are capable of protecting me.”

“Which sounds fine.”

“But I do not think that is the correct answer,” Lancelot said, choosing his words slowly. “I know I made the right choice protecting you. A King should be sure of his ability to protect his people, and that includes those closest to him, such as his Queen. I would rather see you fight at my side than throw your life away to protect me, Jonah.”

At that, Jonah was at a loss for words.

As his mind kicked and struggled, he was briefly struck with a bout of inadequacy – ignoring his youth, sneering at himself for not being good enough.

But once again, his King protected him.

“You are fine just as you are, Jonah. And I’m looking forward to helping Cradle move forward together.”

Resisting the urge to cry with a loud sniffle, Jonah nodded once. “Of course, my Prince!”