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Chapter Text

The Prince Switch

These days

6:30

Time to get up and greet the day, at least if he wanted to get the groceries and catch the bus on time while still looking fabulous. He was already up though, it had become a nasty habit of his to get up in the middle of the night and stay awake. It’s just that he was waiting for someone. He knew deep inside that they would never come back, but he thought it was worth trying. Maybe they’ll realize they love him and come back to their little blue apartment. He eventually got his eyes off of the window, his body off the couch and finally into the shower. He wasn’t going to be late just because his heart refused to move on.

~POV switch~

“It’s six thirty your Grace, you should still be in bed.”

The Duke didn’t answer though, he just kept staring out from the porch and into the garden. His mother used to carry him around the garden, singing absurd songs that didn’t quite suit a noble. “Your Grace, please, you have a big day today, you might as well take a nap for a while to get some energy.” The Duke still didn’t answer, he was always numb in the mornings, a little numb in the evenings as well. He remembered when he used to be bursting with life. Getting into trouble with the staff and speaking out of place in meetings. But after what had happened three years ago, he wasn’t the same anymore.

~POV switch~

7:00

The brunette was finally out of his apartment and running down the sidewalk. He wasn’t the fastest person in the world but he certainly had enough resistance to go for miles on end. It took many months for him to get this strong, but when your job requires you to get fresh ingredients from the farmers market in a route buses don’t travel, all while not owning a vehicle of transportation, you exercise enough. After running for three exhausting miles, he finally made it. He breathed heavily as he made his way towards his family’s stall. “Tired already? You usually can take a few more miles before you’re this sweaty.” A voice from up ahead taunted him. He was too fatigued to make out the person but he guessed it was his sister Veronica. Thankfully he had enough muscle memory to locate the water fountain nearby. As he wetted his face with cool, icy water, an older woman came up from behind him and smacked his back. “AHH! Mamá! Why would you do-“ “Ay ya mejor cállate mijo! Te quedaste despierto otra vez, verdad?! Eso es porque eres tan huevón esta mañana! Menso..” (“Oh please, hush up kiddo! You stayed awake last night again, didn’t you?! That’s why you’re so lazy this morning! Idiot..”) The blue eyed boy steadied himself before talking to his mother, her brown eyes looking him up and down. “Mama, perdóname. Es un mal hábito, lo sé, voy a mejorar lo juro.” (“Mom, I’m sorry, forgive me. It’s a bad habit, I know. I’ll get better, promise.”) His mom sighed and shook her head,“De repente te vas de casa, consigues un trabajo que no implica la granja y luego sales con alguien por dos años solo para que se vayan y te destruyan emocionalmente…hijo, estoy preocupado por ti. Por favor, déjame ayudarte.” (“Suddenly you decide to leave home, you get a job that doesn’t involve the farm, and then date someone for two years only for them to leave you and destroy you emotionally… I’m worried about you. Please, let me help.”) Lance didn’t respond, he couldn’t, this was his battle and his battle alone. He was an adult now, he had to face his problems by himself. His mother saw he wouldn’t respond. She ‘tsked and walked away, muttering things to herself in Spanish. He wanted to go after her and comfort her, but a hand went on his shoulder, sturdy and firm. His father’s. “Mijo, mejor toma tus cosas y vete con tu hermana. Hablaré con tu madre, pero ponte las pilas y pon tu vida en orden, eh?” (“Son, it might be best if you take your things and leave with your sister. I’ll talk to your mom, but you better get your life together, alright?”) “Si Papá..” (“Yes Dad..”) His father gave him a firm pat on the back and went in the same direction his mother went in. Lance upsets his mother a lot these days.

~POV switch~

His blue eyes stared at the digital clock as servants rushed to get him dressed. He watched as it changed to seven o’clock exactly. The sound of the tower’s bell were heard and it made everyone kick into gear. All except the Duke. He didn’t bat an eye. “Your Grace, we must hurry if we want to make a good impression. The Royals appreciate punctuality.” The Duke rolled his eyes and took the coat one of the ladies were having trouble with.

His feet led him towards the portrait hall, his trusty advisor/nanny behind him. He passed every painting and only stopped to face one of a woman dressed in all pink. “You have her eyes. Or at least used to.” Cold blue eyes bore holes into white skin, “Used to? I still do.” The trusted advisor was unperturbed by the Duke’s icy glare, “The Duchess’ eyes were warm and alive, you used to be like that. Now you live to live and are unsympathetic as a storm.” “Well what else should I live for? My father was the only other person that made life worth living, now that he’s gone life is meaningless! I’m only here to make alliances and smile and wave! If that’s my only purpose then what’s the point of having sympathy?! What’s the point of having fun!…when there is no one to have fun with..” The duke’s voice went quiet at the end, his voice near shattering like ice. His stormy gaze went calm for a moment, he promised himself he wouldn’t do this. He shed enough tears at his parents funerals.

“You still have me..” His Grace turned around in a flash, “You’re just a servant! Nothing more than a man who follows me around telling me what to do and gets paid! You might have been a friend of my mothers but you have never been family to me old man!!” Coran stood before him with a pained expression. He had taken care of the duke since his mother passed away on his 6th birthday. He promised Melanor he would. Coran then returned to his professional persona, numb as the duke was in the morning. “Very well Aluro.” “That’s ‘your Grace’ to you, Mr. Wimbleton.” Aluro said as he walked out of the portrait hall. Aluro always snapped at everyone these days..

Chapter Text

The Prince Switch

Candy shop vs Bakery

Lance hitched a ride with his twin Rachel nearly every Monday and Tuesday. However, since Rachel still had work to do on the farm and Lance’s job was on the other side of the city, she dropped him off at the nearest bus stop. Along with four crates that every passenger seemed to stare at. 

Then they came to a screeching Mclain stop. ‘Mclain as in everyone in the family drives like a maniac’. “Here we are, now get your butt out I gotta go milk Kaltenecker since someone doesn’t do it anymore. Gosh her pouch must be dragging on the floor by now.” After Lance was out of his sister’s old pick up truck, he scurried over to the back to get his crates, yelling out instructions as he did so, “And don’t squeeze too hard, Kalty is sensitive this time of year. And have you been taking her inside? Protecting her from the cold? It is December and if you leave her outside sh-“ “She won’t give any milk, I know, I know. Look, the farm needs a few extra hands so if you want to take care of your cow then.. you know..” Rachel said coyly. Ever since Lance left the farm, Mama has been trying to lure him back. He was the first ever Mclain to ever work on something that didn’t involve the farm. Lance sighed, he didn’t want to start this conversation again, it always ended in an argument. Thankfully the bus came right behind them, “Oh uh, bus here, I’ll have to get back to you on that.” He then ran with the carts onto the bus. Of course the bus didn’t take him exactly to work, so when the bus stopped, he had to walk the rest of the way there. 

He had a bit of trouble with the crates on his first month. His cocky attitude got him that. He believed he was strong enough and insisted to his boss that he was the closest to the farmer’s market. Everyone at work told him that he wouldn’t have to do it alone, but he insisted that he was fine and he worked like this all the time on the farm. Or at least he did. When he started going to school in high school he slacked off, and it took him this whole year of carrying crates and running to get him back into shape again. Not like he was fat or anything, he couldn’t gain any weight with this cursed lanky body. He didn’t understand where he got it from. His mother was wide and curvy and his father was firm and strong, goodness knows where he went wrong.

“Do you need some help with that?” A man with bright white long hair and mocha skin came to his side. “Nah, you might break your back, old man.” Lance teased. This was Lotor, Lance had been ‘friends’ with him since high school. ‘Friends’ as in mortal enemies that were fighting to impress the same girl. In the end the girl chose another guy, so they called the ‘war’ off and saw they had a lot in common. They went to college together and ended up working nearby.

“How many times must you ridicule my hair colour? Many say it compliments my eyes and aura.” Lotor said in his usual, formal, British accent. 

When Lance first got to work he was greeted by this huge mop of shiny white hair so he assumed it was an elder trying to get the door open. He tried being a gentleman for what he assumed was an old lady, but then was met with a familiar face.

“As many times as I need to for you to get rid of it. And all of those people think you’re a girl then when you speak they realize their mistake and get embarrassed and shy away.” Lance said as he stabbed his elbow into Lotor’s ribs. Lotor recoiled in pain and ‘tsked at L’s rough behavior, “Alright then, we’ll see who’s old,” With that said, Lotor grabbed two crates and ran down the street towards the bakery Lance worked at. All Lance could think of was ‘It. Was. On.’

The race reminded him of what had occurred with the bakery and the next door candy shop Lotor worked at. 

~Le past~

“Lotor??! Is that you? You look awful! What happened to your hair?!” Lance screamed in horror, letting the door he opened close. Lotor’s eyes went wide open, “Lance?? I thought you were working at the downtown bakery??” Lance and Lotor stood there facing each other with incredulous looks. Eventually, both went out of shock and embraced each other in a tight hug, “Good to see you again.” Lotor said softly. “What is this love fest thing going on over here? Hey hair mop, I’m not paying you to hug guys, I’m paying you to make out of this world chocolate! Get your white haired * beep * over here!” A voice from behind them called out. It came from a short young lady rocking a textured undercut pixie. Did all of her employees have strange hair styles? Was it some sort of requirement or theme of the shop? After a rude introduction starting with Lance saying “Do all of you have weird hair?” and the young adult answering dryly, “Well your hair isn’t all that, now is it?” insults were thrown and a massive battle commenced. It was only until a big umber skin-colored man came out of the bakery doors did the fighting stop, “What’s going on out here? Lance?! Mrs.Kate?!” 

The situation was this; Mrs.Kate frozen on top of Lance, about to punch him and Lance frozen pulling at Mrs.Kate’s hair, along with Lotor frozen pulling short freckled white legs, trying to get his boss off of his friend. Lance broke the silence and spoke first, “Hey Hunk, I can explain.”

Lance began explaining, telling his side of the story about how Kate attacked him and threatened him, then Kate told her story about how she needed to knock some of Lance’s cockiness and confidence out of him. In the end Hunk told both of them to apologize while Lotor stood off to the side awkwardly.

Lance and Kate were on thin ice with each other since then. One sarcastic retort from an all out war. And that war begun indeed. 

It started in the pantry. You see, the pantry was what connected the bakery and the sweet shop, it came in the contract that if these two business would continue to be separate, they would have to share the pantry. That pantry was their downfall. 

One February morning, an employee accidentally put salt in the sugar Korken jar that belonged to the bakery and that led to some..problems with the bakery. They would have been sued if it wasn’t for Hunk’s famous chocolate peanut butter fudge and caramel delight. Lance and the others came to the conclusion that the candy shop was trying to sabotage them; since Hunk was friendlier and took the time to know his regulars, more people went to the bakery than the candy shop. Lance proposed the idea of retaliating by hiding the candy shop’s cornstarch. Hunk immediately refused the idea, “Guys, fighting back won’t solve anything, anyway, we aren’t even sure if they did this on purpose.” The employees reluctantly agreed to Hunk’s wishes.

That was until Lance heard Kate and an employee of hers; Narti talking in the pantry. “Narti you need to get the orders right, if not, the inccident with the salt might happen again.” “I know, I know, but weren’t you the one who said to do it?” “Yeah, but you added too much in the wrong one and they almost figured out what we did.” After hearing this, Lance reported back to the rest and they all decided to get them back, without Hunk knowing of course. One prank led to another until it was an all out prank war. Treats were ruined, recipes were copied, and cleaning up was a nightmare.

One day Hunk found out when he saw them scheming in the bathroom (they had nowhere else to scheme). Hunk forced his employees to make peace with the candy shop and that the candy shop set the record straight. He hosted a meeting in the pantry and one by one they apologized, admitting their pranks as well. Although, it got a little under control.

“Look, we only frosted your walls because you added salt in our sugar Korken jar! We nearly got shut down!” “We didn’t add salt to your sugar!” “Yes you did, Lance heard you talking about it in the pantry!” “Oh please, Lance has been out to get Mrs.Kate since day one, he’d say anything to ruin her!” “Guys, how about we all calm-” “Not true! I heard your boss and that girl Narti talking about putting salt in the sugar!” “Yeah, you snoop, for an old recipe we recently had to change.” Mrs Kate eyed one of Hunk’s employees. She knew it was her. “It’s saltwater taffy. One of our regular customers asks for extra salt in her taffy order, so we do it. But last time Narti added extra salt to the wrong order and the other customers complained about it, we convinced them that the recipe didn’t change and it was only a bad batch. We try to keep it secret that we do special things for our regular customer; Mrs. Arusian, because if word got out, they’d all want custom made candy,” Kate explained.

Turns out the sweet shop had a Korken jar that they filled with sugar and salt. Narti had mistaken the bakery’s sugar Korken jar with the sweet shop’s and added the salt in there. “Narti makes mistakes like that because she’s blind” Kate had said, “But I wouldn’t have anyone else as my taffy confectioner. She makes the best saltwater taffy in the world! You’ll have to excuse her for making mistakes like this.” When Hunk realized this, he decided to make a braille label for all of the containers so she would have an easier time identifying them. The candy shop took this as a peace treaty, so no more pranks, no more stealing, and no more cleaning off frosting from strange places.

~Le present~

“HA! I Guess you’re the old man now..” Lotor panted out as he leaned against the bakery’s window. Lance was too out of breath to shoot a retort. Too tired. Lotor noticed this right away and got worried. Not only did Lance’s family know he was resistant when running, all the employees in both shops knew about it as well. 

~Le Past~

Lance had heard Mrs.Kate talking to her mom on the phone, “Are you gonna make it for my birthday?” … “Oh, that’s fine..No, No! I know how important your work is, this can save tons of lives! You have to stay there… don’t worry about it, Matt will celebrate with me anyway. You and Dad should focus on work.” “Ok, love you too Mom. Bye.” Lance knew her brother was out of town. No one was going to celebrate her birthday, so he decided to throw her a surprise party. 

“Surprise!” Kate was shocked out of her pants, “Gah, what are you guys doing?! This was the emergency you told me about Lotor?” Lotor stepped up from the rest of the employees and said, “Mrs.Kate, you’ve given us a chance when no one else would. We’ve messes up so badly that most bosses would have fired us but you kept us anyway. You know some of us struggle with money and give us a little extra in our paychecks. So we wanted to give something back. Also Lance heard you talking on the phone that you were going to spend your birthday alone.” Kate had watery eyes, “That little snoop, where is he?” Suddenly Lance came bursting through the door, “I’m here, I’m here! Is she he-yep, * pant * yes she is * pant *.” Turns out Lance ran across town and back to get the one ingredient Hunk was missing to make Kate’s favorite cake. “But that would have taken you hours! I know you don’t have a car.” “Yeah, I ran the entire way, but I have a ton of endurance. Oh, and Happy Birthday Mrs.Kate!” Kate had a genuine smile on her face, she went to hug him. “Call me Pidge.”

~Le present~

After that day everyone knew about Lance’s resistance abilities (and he was now Pidge’s friend). It was a mystery as to why he was so tired, it was only a couple of blocks. But Lotor has known Lance since high school, he knew what was up. “You stayed up all night again, huh. You know they aren’t coming back right?” Lotor tried to be soothing, but it had been months since Lance had been dumped by Griffen and he was a bit exasperated. Sure, they had been together for two years, but Lance should see now what a jerk James was. (Lance thought it had been enough time to say ‘I love you’. Turns out James is a jerk and is afraid of commitment.) He should see that it wasn’t his fault and get over it, he should also see that there is someone (Lotor) who cares about him and Isn’t afraid of commitment. 

“Yeah, I know he won’t come back and I should move on. It’s hurting my mom seeing me like this, but Christmas is just around the corner and you know how special it was to us. We met on Christmas, it was our favorite holiday and we always did something spectacular. I know he’s gone, but when I look around all I can see is him It almost feels like he might be at home, making hot chocolate, waiting for me with a smile that always seemed to make my knees weak..” Lotor sighed, “Maybe you should make new memories to replace the old ones… And his teeth were crooked, how could his smile make you feel anything but disgust?!” Lance snorted and punched him playfully on the shoulder, “Come on it was cute!” They both went into the bakery bantering playfully. 

“Ooo~ Are you two flirting with each other?~” “Morning to you too Mrs. Rizavi,” “F-fl-flirting!? * scoffs * Can’t you see we are bickering about James’ cute smile Nadia!” Nadia Rizavi, she has coffee brown skin, a tall skinny figure, hair that she once dyed blue (and it shows), and is a sucker for gossip. “Oh please, you two might as well be high school sweethearts, and James’ smile Isn’t all that like you say it is.” Lance was about to say some thing but Nadia passed him and went closer to Lotor, batting her big brown eyes at him, “But his is, and sugar, you know you can call me Nadia,” Did I mention she also liked flirting with Lotor? Lotor chuckled nervously, “Um, I think Lance and I should get these crates to the pantry.. excuse us heh heh” Lotor then scurried away to the pantry while Lance rolled his eyes and trailed behind him. “Me-ow,” Was the last thing Lance heard Nadia say before the pantry door closed shut. “Scaredy cat,” Lance taunted. Lotor huffed, “She knows I don’t 'feel’ that way..” “It’s about time ya got here! Gimmie two honey jars, we just got an order for 50 of our dragon suckers and ten of them should be honey flavored.” Lance handed the two jars to Pidge, “Why so stressed?” Pidge sighed, brushing away a few strands of hair with her arm. “You know how Hunk and I decided to link our businesses?” Lance nodded. “Well since then, Hunk has been nothing but nice to me and my crew. So much so that we all feel like a part of his family..” “Yeah, Hunk has that affect on people. He says you feel like a sister to him.” “Well I missed his birthday last time- ” “He said not to sweat it.” “But I feel awful! I’ve been trying to make it up to him and I think I finally found a way to redeem myself, but if it doesn’t arrive today I’m ruined!!” Lotor lifted an eyebrow, “Why does it have to arrive today?” Pidge shook her head, “* Sighs *Nevermind, if it doesn’t come I’ll think of something else. No use in getting your hopes up. Now come on Lotor, Narti needs some help making the suckers.” “On it boss.”

It had been three hours since Lance and Lotor had talked with Pidge about her surprise for Hunk and she’s been on edge ever since. Pidge came bursting into the bakery for the millionth time, “I heard th-” “No Pidge, the mailwoman Isn’t here yet.” Ezor, the table waitress, said. Pidge grumbled, stomping her way over to the bakery’s door, “Why now of all days does she decide to be late?? Olia is always punctual!” “Pidge, can you keep your voice down please? The customers are getting worried..” Hunk whispered as he made his way over to her. “I’m sorry, I just had something special planned for you and- THERE SHE IS!” Pidge yelled, startling an old man that was half asleep in a booth behind her. She got her short legs moving and rushed outside to greet Olia.

Eyes were all on Hunk, “Heh heh, she’s just a little exited for the mail, everyone just ignore her and go back to what you were do-” Pidge speeded back in and pulled Hunk all the way to the pantry. “P-Pidge, what is the meaning of this?” “Wait here for a moment,” Pidge said, breathless. She went to the kitchen of the bakery and yelled, “Get your butts in here! I’ve got an announcement!” Then did the same to the sweet shop’s kitchen. 

Everyone was bustling in the pantry, all asking questions until Pidge  (who was on top of a counter in front of them) banged two pots together. “Listen up! I have something important to announce. * clears throat * Hunk!” She pointed to the man, “Do I have a present for you. A few weeks ago, I sent your favorite baking show a recipe and a photo of your famous peppermint and velvet marble cake. This here envelope contains the invitation sent by the Royals that fund the competition! See the wax seal? In fact it will be held in the country’s capital, near the palace.” Everyone’s jaws where on the floor, then they began cheering and congratulating Hunk. Hunk stood there shocked, Pidge hopped off the counter and handed the envelope over to him. He carefully opened it and read aloud what was on the letter. 

“Congratulations! You have been selected to participate in this years baking competition.You will have a day to pack and enough time to prepare the kitchen. The plane tickets are covered and so is your accommodation. You will have four days to go sightseeing and you’ll go back home after the contest. Her Royal Highness will make an appearance and will award the winners personally. We hope to see you here. If you would like to withdraw or ask for more information contact this number (xxx)xxx-xxxx and one of our staff members will help you.” 

“Oh my goodness! This is huge! Oh Pidge,” He embraced Pidge into a rib crushing bear hug, “Thank you!” “Y-you’re wel * gasps for air * come.” “How many of us can go?” an employee asked. Hunk let go of Pidge so she could answer. “Five. Including me and Hunk so basically three. I have selected Lotor to go with us and the last two are decision of Hunk’s. The rest will be running the bakery and candy shop.” “Oh..um.” Hunk looked around the room of smiling faces and pleading eyes. “Well, if we want to win we have to go with presentation and taste, Ezor, you make gorgeous cake designs and are a master of fondant so you’ll come with us..and..Lance! Lance, you have great flavor combinations and have the ability to keep calm under pressure, so you will also come with us!” Hunk cheerfully chose. The rest of them went to their stations and only the ones who were to go stayed in the pantry. “Wait, when is this competition supposed to be?” “We leave Friday evening and come back on Christmas night.” “Christmas night!!? But I’m celebrating Christmas on the farm with my family! Mamá would be furious if I decided to go halfway around the world instead of spending the holidays with the family. You know she’s been mad since I decided to live on my own. And not to mention I chose a job that doesn’t involve the farm! She already thinks I’m separating myself from the family, if I left I’d be dead to her!” Lance rambled, spiraling into hole. “Oh don’t exaggerate Lance”/“Calm down buddy” Pidge and Hunk said at the same time. Pidge put her hands up and let Hunk do the speech. 

“Lance, you know that isn’t true. Look, your mom once came to the bakery to ask how you were doing. She seemed worried about you, far from mad. All mothers get worried when her baby leaves the nest, and not to mention how depressed you’ve been since, well, James broke up with you. You try to deny it but all of us can tell you’re hurt. Especially your mom. Talk to her about the contest before you make assumptions. If she says no then I’ll pick someone else, ok?” Lance breathed out an ‘ok’. 

Hunk always managed to still someone’s mind. That reason of Lance staying calm under pressure seemed bogus to him, he just freaked out about his mom being angry at him, how does Hunk think he would be calm in a baking contest???