Chapter Text
This story began like many fairytales– with a babe and a bitter, old enemy cursing the sweet thing. Prince Daniel Fenton of the Western Kingdom was the first born son to King Jack and Queen Madeline, destined to become King with his sister Jasmine as his advisor until she married her betrothed, Prince Jason of the Eastern Kingdom. Their lives were scripted from the beginning, as most royals were, but the bitter Grandfather and advisor of King Jack hated that Prince Daniel would get the throne.
So, as they celebrated the birth of the first born prince, they were oblivious to the looming Lord Vladimir and his dastardly plans.
“Oh, what a sweet thing,” the ladies of the court cooed as the lords stared at the small, bundled babe with detached curiosity.
“Vlad!” Jack had beamed at the sight of his advisor, “Do you have a gift to give to my son too?” The night had been a lavish party with abundances of food and drink, sparkling and perfect until the very next moment crashed it all down.
“Yes, yes I do,” the bitter man spoke as he walked closer to the babe, his cane hitting against the floor harshly as he eyed the Prince with disgust. “You see, your foolishness that has hurt those closest to you will soon hurt him too,” a silence fell over the once chittering crowd as green flames burst from the ground and trailed throughout the throne room, blocking the King, Queen and other guests from the Prince.
“Vlad! What is the meaning of this!?” Jack yelled out in alarm, his eyes widening as he saw the cane in his advisor's grasp elongate into a staff more befitting of a wizard. His hair, once flat, rose into a horn-like shape and his teeth sharpened underneath the candlelight.
“You have turned me into something not even I know,” Vladimir started simply as he leaned over to stare at the child, “So, I will return the pain and isolation your foolhardiness forced upon me to your child.”
Vladimir reached down and pressed a hand to the rosy, chubby cheek.
“Listen well, all of you who have forsaken me! This child will be loved, and loved well, but on his fourteenth birthday he will endure through the same hardship I did. This hardship will cause the child to sleep until no one remembers his name, this castle will rot and he will wake to a world he does not know, but he will only be awoken by true love's kiss,” Vladimir laughed as he pulled away from the babe.
“Seize him!” Queen Madeline yelled, enraged as Vladimir cackled before disappearing from his place with a crackle of lightning.
The Queen ran over to her child once the flames disappeared, her wide eyes staring down at her son's innocent face and her heart ached. She knew Vladimir, perhaps more than Jack, and knew the man did not believe in true love. His heart, which only yearned for her, became twisted and bitter at the thought of not having her and would scoff at the idea of true love– a reminder that it was the Queen's fault for not returning his affections, even if she truly only saw him as a close friend. Her heart only beat for Jack and the more that became clear, the worse Vladimir became and after his accident he became worse, not that she dared bring it up with her husband. Her heart ached at the thought that this could have been avoided if she told Jack that her son would not fall asleep for who knows how long until true love's kiss broke him free if she confronted the man years ago.
“Our son…” Queen Madeline nearly sobbed openly, “He will be alone for a long time if we cannot find someone to break the curse.”
“We will find a way to break it,” Jack promised as he placed a hand on Madeline's, “We have to break it.”
“And if we cannot find a way?” Madeline asked, “We have to hide him, for Vladimir surely speaks of his accident!”
Vladimir's accident was a tightly hidden secret, for the experiments the King, Queen and Advisor often carried out would scare their people. When studying the world beyond death, which they had not named for fear of giving it power, they came across a substance of green that ate at anything it came across. Vladimir had unknowingly pricked his finger on a sharp instrument covered in it and before any of them had known it, collapsed and was covered in gut wrenching boils.
“We have to block off the laboratory and dispose of the green samples,” the Queen quickly whispered to her husband, unwilling to let another overhear them as it would raise unwanted questions.
“I shall see it done,” Jack answered grimly, “We should keep Daniel far away from them, too, and he should not return until after his fourteenth birthday has passed.”
“But who would take him?” Queen Madeline hissed as she picked up her baby, trying to make it seem like a normal concerned conversation rather than the plotting it actually was.
“My father's advisor lives in the woods outside of the Kingdom, he will not let any harm befall our Prince,” Jack offered, causing Madeline to hum.
“And leave Jazz to herself? Not understanding why she's separated from her brother?" she sighed as she looked down at her son fondly.
“Jazz has responsibilities, she has a betrothed. Daniel has yet to be promised to anyone and he can learn how to run the Kingdom once he is safe,” Jack reminded her gently.
Madeline rolled her eyes. “We cannot make any decisions until after he turns fourteen. We cannot make betrothed contracts, we cannot pay dowries, we cannot make any hasty decisions until this curse is broken,” she stated firmly.
“Of course,” Jack agreed readily, looking down at his son with a painful expression, “He will need to be hidden as quickly as possible.”
“I will send the Huntsman to the once Royal Advisor's household, for he will surely know where to find that elusive man,” Madeline frowned as she stared down at her son, “He will be gone by the week's end,” she decided.
“The week's end? Is that not too soon?” Jack was startled at the thought.
“If we do not give him away soon, we never will,” Madeline stated, “Send for the Huntsman as quickly as possible, we have a Royal Advisor to find.”
And so, the Prince was sent to live with the Royal Advisor Horace, more commonly known as Clockwork as he was tick-ticking along every hour of the day.
“Oh what shall I do with you?” Clockwork was bereft of any experience with children, mostly staying to himself even when he was a child himself. “I do not know how to raise a child!” he bemoaned.
“It's only until he's fourteen,” the Huntsman rolled his eyes as he passed over the babe on behalf of the King and Queen, “You were close to the Head Knight of the Guard, correct? He's recently retired as well, and the extra protection for the child might be needed.”
Clockwork couldn't help but grimace at the suggestion but thanked the Huntsman, who quickly left afterward. The Head Knight of the Guard, or the previous one, was a proud man only known as Pariah Dark. A man who arrived at the Kingdom all those years ago, who refused to say his name and all he wore was dark armour that differentiated himself from the others in the Guard. Pariah, he was quickly called– an outcast, someone to be avoided even with the victories that decorated his past.
Should he ask? Clockwork bit his lip, startling as the babe started to cry. He left that train of thought as he fussed over the babe, desperately trying to get him to calm down. He didn't remember to pick up that train of thought until a few weeks later, when he was awoken in the middle of the night– another exhausting night, the seventh in a row. He needed help, he knew, and the thought of asking Pariah Dark filled him with dread. He only ever spoke to the man at meetings, never outside them, and how would such a stoic man react to being asked to help raise the Prince?
Clockwork knew that he, himself, nearly rejected the responsibility before realising the Queen and King weren't asking, they were telling and he knew well enough what could happen to those who denied the crown.
He sighed. He would have to go to the market outside of the Kingdom's gate and ask for him, he knew Pariah often kept an ear out for his own name and who may be looking for him as Clockwork had advised him to do so many years ago– something a Royal Advisor must learn quickly, as he sometimes doubled as a rumour mill collector and often found out who was unhappy with who, to his chagrin. The bumbling Lords’, nicknamed Observers as they did nothing to help their people but watch the rumour mill, shenanigans often came across Clockwork's desk. He would use it against them sparingly as his time as Advisor to ensure their obedience.
Fortunately, it only took a week before Pariah Dark came knocking on his door. He was startled by it at first, as he had just put the Prince down for a nap and was hoping to get some sleep as well. He stumbled to the door, opening it and blinking in shock at the sight of Pariah Dark outside of his armour and in normal, everyday clothes.
“Pariah,” Clockwork knew he sounded worn down and exhausted, and if by the narrowing of Pariah Dark's eyes, he didn't look well either.
“Clockwork,” Pariah Dark glanced behind him cautiously, “You were looking for me, are you well?”
“I have an ask,” Clockwork sighed before stepping back from the door, signalling him to step inside.
“An ask?” Pariah repeated with a somewhat dumbfounded expression on his face as he slipped by Clockwork and into his home.
“It's to do with Prince Daniel,” Clockwork decided to rip the bandage off, knowing with no doubt Pariah would be somewhat familiar with the happenings of the castle.
“The missing prince?” Pariah looked at him with confusion, “The King and Queen said he was stolen in the night by Lord Vladimir.”
“A lie, to keep him hidden,” Clockwork cautiously revealed, “But I cannot mind him by myself, I am too overwhelmed by such a thing and as much as it pains me to ask, especially with your recent retirment…” he trailed off, not knowing if he should continue.
“You want my help,” Pariah finished with a sigh. “I am… not the best at minding children, but I can see you are at your wits end, my old friend.”
Clockwork slumped in relief. “I will show you to him before I go to sleep, I fear this has drained me far more than I possibly realised it could,” Clockwork said as he started up the stairs, uncaring of his heavy footfall and slanted walk.
“How old is he?” Pariah asked as he reached out and placed a hand on Clockwork's back, steadying him.
“One year and a month old,” Clockwork shrugged, “The celebration of his birth was held off until he was less sickly.”
“So he is a sickly child,” Pariah sounded worried as Clockwork guided him to the Prince's room where the Prince was fast asleep in his cot.
“It is one of my worries as well,” Clockwork admitted as Pariah stepped around him to get closer to the Prince, “I can only hope that no bad sickness befalls him before his body is ready to fight it.”
“Hm, we can only hope and I know of a herbalist who often visits the market, I will ask for her wares the next time she visits,” Pariah hummed as he stared at the Prince fondly before turning to Clockwork, “Go, sleep. I will watch him.”
“Are you sure? I have yet to explain how to care for him,” Clockwork tried, only to get cut off by an amused huff.
“I helped my mother raise my siblings and while I am not good with children, I know how to keep them alive,” Pariah soothed him. Clockwork sighed in relief before nodding, barely having any energy to do that before he walked to his bedroom and all but collapsed onto his bed.
Afterwards, things started to change. Pariah Dark was often around, to the point that Clockwork cleared out his old work room, putting old paperwork away and burning things neither Pariah or Daniel should come across. It became Pariah's room and sleep became easier, with them taking turns on who would answer Daniel's cries during the night. The cupboards were filled with herbs and foods that would help Daniel's growth and their meals were now more luscious and luxurious, Pariah's excellent cooking capabilities surprised Clockwork as he had never heard of Pariah's cooking before.
Clockwork would sometimes notice how close Pariah got to him, but often put the thought away. Pariah would stand close behind him as Clockwork held Daniel, staring over Clockwork's shoulder to look at Daniel. He noticed the way Pariah would brush against him, steadying him when he stumbled and would often take care of Daniel with a soft smile on his face.
He put it off his mind mostly, putting all his energy in caring for Daniel even if he was ill fitted for his new role. He had to get used to calling the Prince “Daniel,” as he knew it wasn't safe for the Prince to know his role until he was older.
The first time Daniel got sick, at two years old, Clockwork nearly fainted with panic. Daniel was crying, his face red and splotchy and covered in a mixture of tears and mucous. He could feel his heart breaking over and over again with each new cry, even with Pariah steadily standing by his side.
“I don't know what to do,” Clockwork felt the back of his throat click as his frustration built. His throat felt dry and warm, narrowing in his panic and causing him to take gasps of air instead of breaths.
“It's okay,” Pariah placed a hand on Clockwork's shoulder, “He's okay, he just has a small fever. You caught it in time, we know what to do to help him through this.”
“He's crying,” Clockwork snapped, “How can you just stand by and not feel anything!?”
Pariah froze for a second before sighing, his grip on Clockwork's becoming firmer before he took his hand away.
“I will ignore what you just said,” Pariah started slowly, as if he was trying to find his next words instead of the steadfast surety he always carried, “For both of our wellbeings. Go rest, I will take care of the boy.”
“I can't leave him,” Clockwork insisted, “He's my charge–”
“He is also mine,” Pariah cut him off, “I was chosen by you to care for him. Do not say things in your panic which may cause reaching our goal to become harder.”
“Pariah,” Clockwork frowned, “I doubt you truly wished to spend your retirement caring for a child, even if it was I who asked.”
“My wishes changed because you asked,” Pariah stated bluntly, “Do not dismiss the choices I have made because of how you perceive our arrangement.”
“I would think the threat of the Queen was what swayed you,” Clockwork tried to fall into a more humorous jest, yet it still came out flat.
“I care for you,” Pariah stated bluntly, “And I care for the child we are raising together. Who, despite blood, will be our child for the next twelve years and afterwards no matter what. You are overwhelmed, neither you nor Daniel need that right now.”
“I,” Clockwork stopped himself, “I will try to rest.”
“Good,” Pariah reached up and placed a hand on Clockwork's shoulder again, this time more closer to his neck, “Sleep, my dearest friend. I will care for our child.”
“...Okay,” Clockwork whispered, “Just… wake me up if I am needed.”
“Of course,” Pariah easily agreed, “Now, please go rest. You are only doing yourself harm.”
Clockwork noticed a change in their relationship after that heartbreaking trial. Even once Daniel was healthy once more, he found Pariah's hand did not stray far from him. He did not speak of it, only leaning into it as he knew it would be dangerous to speak of the dizzying feelings growing in his chest.
Yet, he knew Pariah knew of them. Each time Clockwork leaned back into Pariah's grasp, Pariah would squeeze him slightly. They knew they couldn't speak of such things and especially couldn't act as they do in public, not without whispers following them– which, both knew already were since talk of Pariah moving out of his house was shared beneath slanted hands in the marketplace.
“Where Puh!” Clockwork's train of thought was broken by Daniel's sudden declaration. He blinked, shocked as he turned to the young, quiet child. He didn't know much about children but he knew Daniel hadn't talked– much or at all, really. Pariah had worried over it before realising Daniel preferred to communicate through drawings, which had relieved some of his own unease. Daniel was a babbler, mostly sounding out words but never saying them, so the sudden declaration shocked him to his cure.
“Puh! Where?” Daniel repeated, looking up at him with wide eyes.
“Where what?” Clockwork asked, his heart thudding thunderously in his chest.
“Where Puh!” Daniel asked, blinking.
“Where Puh…?” Clockwork muttered to himself before blinking, “Am I Puh?”
“No!” Daniel shook his head, “Clow!”
“I'm Clow?” Clockwork wondered what that meant in Daniel's tiny mind, but he didn't mind the new name. “Oh, Pariah! He's down at the market,” Clockwork answered with a smile, “He'll be back soon.”
“Puh! Puh! Puh!” Daniel started cheering with a wide smile on his face.
It was hard to imagine that this was the small, sickly child he was given and his heart ached at the thought of Daniel turning fourteen. He only had so many years with the boy, only so many years with his child before he became the Prince once more. Away from him. Away from them.
“Clow! Clow! Clow!” Daniel started chanting.
“Why, you are feeling particularly talkative today,” Clockwork mused as he walked over to Daniel and tapped his nose, getting a happy laugh out of the boy.
“Clock,” he corrected the boy gently, “Call me Clock.”
“Clowk,” Daniel repeated with a serious expression on his tiny, small, pudgy face.
Clockwork couldn't help the small laugh that left him. Daniel looked up at him with a wide, happy grin on his face before his face somehow lit up even more.
“Puh!” Daniel practically screamed with joy. Clockwork startled slightly and turned around to see Pariah leaning against the doorway with an absolutely lovestruck expression on his face. Clockwork gulped at the sight as he felt his heart melt at the sight.
“Hello,” Clockwork greeted him.
“Hello, dearest,” Pariah seemed absolutely struck by the sight in front of him if he was making such slips as saying “dearest” instead of “dear friend.”
“Oh, my dear,” Clockwork bit his lip to prevent himself from laughing.
“You cannot blame me for being awestruck by such a sight,” Pariah defended himself as he pushed himself off the door frame and into the room. He stopped right next to Clockwork, pressing against him and smiling down at Daniel.
“Hello my boy,” Pariah greeted the child before leaning down and pressing a kiss to his forehead. He straightened up again and pressed against Clockwork. “And hello my dearest,” he whispered before stepping away slightly.
Clockwork's heart ached that even in their home, they may never be able to share their love freely but… it was a start. A start he never imagined he would have.
As their relationship continued to grow, so did Daniel. It hurt his heart each year as each birthday passed was a reminder of how little time they truly had with their son.
Their son who, at the age of four, started to follow Pariah to the markets and pick flowers to braid in Pariah's hair.
Their son who, at the age of five, drew so many pictures of their little family that Clockwork had to reuse one of his chests to keep them safe.
Their son, who has a soft heart that Clockwork fears for the day the King and Queen take him back, fears for the day how confused their boy will be at the realisation that neither Clockwork or Pariah were truly his father. His heart aches for his son who he cannot explain anything to or prepare for the pit of vipers that a royal court is.
He loves his son and he dreads the day he will no longer be theirs. He will love him even after he is taken away, if he is able to escape his cursed fate. The thought of his son asleep for who knows how long will break him, he knows, so he hopes that the curse will be broken quickly and swiftly– sleeping until true love's kiss breaks the spell shouldn't be too hard if Daniel falls in love, though he is hesitant to allow his son out into the world with his heart so open and kind.
“Clock!” Daniel greeted him with a wide smile, “Where did you go?”
“I'm right here,” Clockwork blinked with confusion.
“You looked faraway,” Daniel pointed out.
“Ah, my thoughts take me away sometimes,” Clockwork smiled as he reached over and ruffled the boy's hair, “It's nothing to worry about, darling boy.”
“Okay!” Daniel nodded enthusiastically before running off to the woods, where no doubt Pariah was waiting for Daniel to find as he chopped wood.
Their boy… his heart ached once more at the thought of their boy's future, but he will love him no matter what happens.
That night, as he put his darling boy to bed, he pressed a kiss against his forehead.
“Always be careful with your heart, okay?” Clockwork couldn't help but ask, “But when you find your true love, stay by their side unless the affection is unwanted.”
“Okay,” Danny looked confused but didn't object.
As Clockwork went back to his room, he was surprised to find Pariah there. Even with their affections for each other, they have never stepped foot in each other's rooms. It was their private space, separate from the stress of the day and the ever looming deadline of when their son will be taken away.
“I… overheard,” Pariah explained simply with a pained expression, “I only wish he finds his true love soon.”
“Vladimir,” Clockwork couldn't help but spit, “is a coward for putting such a curse on a child. To sleep until true love's kiss wakes him up, how cruel it is to make him sleep so young when he cannot understand love.”
“Be glad that is all he did,” Pariah sighed, “I cannot imagine what else he might have said if he had more time than what he had.”
“He'll still be a boy,” Clockwork repeated with stress, “He will not understand love nor affection, never mind true love.”
“He understands through our example,” Pariah tried to soothe him.
“Is that enough? We never told him we were courting outright nor explained why we were never like the other couples he would see in the marketplace,” Clockwork frowned as he crossed his arms. Pariah stepped forward and opened his arms, Clockwork fell right into them with shaking shoulders as he bit down his sobs.
“He's just a boy,” Clockwork choked on his tears.
“I know, my love,” Pariah sighed as he pressed a kiss to the top of Clockwork's head, “I know.”
“He's our child,” Clockwork hiccuped, “He's not truly ours, I know, but he's our child and who knows how this curse will affect him?”
“He is our child,” Pariah corrected gently, “He may not be ours by blood, but he is our child and we will be there by his side as his parents until he sends us away.”
They stood there in silence for a moment before Pariah started to guide Clockwork over to the bed. “Lay down, my dear, it's time to rest,” Pariah murmured as he got Clockwork to lay down and sit up on his bed.
“Will you stay with me?” Clockwork asked through red, teary eyes.
“I will, for however long you will have me,” Pariah confirmed before he took ahold of Clockwork's hand and brought it up to his face, pressing a gentle kiss there.
“Thank you,” Clockwork whispered as he moved his hand from Pariah's grasp to lay it on Pariah's cheek, “I love you, my dear.”
Pariah leaned into his touch and closed his eyes, as if savouring the moment.
“I love you too, my gentle heart,” Pariah murmured before he turned his face slightly to press a soft kiss to Clockwork's palm.
They just had to be a good example, Clockwork thought absentmindedly. For Daniel, for themselves and their son.
For however long they can.