PART THREE- A Clay x Lance Oneshot

Clay's POV

It was our 7th meeting, and I have to say... Lance wasn't that bad. Even after the whole, um, *ahem* pencil case thing a couple weeks ago, we still only discussed the project, but after a little while, Lance asked me how I felt about graduation. One thing led to another, and soon we were talking regularly and happily about more than just our research task.

He was actually quite funny, and not as rude as I'd thought. Of course he argued with me at first about the topic of our project (" 'How the Knight's Code changed throughout history'? Really?"), and chose to do the least amount of work possible, but it wasn't bad working with him, like I'd predicted it to be. I began to like him more and more, like I did years ago.

But I was confused. Lance was nice to me and was actually an alright friend to me when we worked on our task, but outside of that he still openly teased me and called me 'Borington'. It hurt me as well as puzzled me, and I wanted to know why he was doing what he was doing. I decided we were close enough now that I could ask him. 

I pushed open the door to the library, and there was Lance, already sitting at a table. As I sat down next to him, he grinned and shook his head at me.

"You're late, Bo- Moorington," he tutted.

I rolled my eyes, but I was smiling. "Whatever. How's the diorama going?" 

"Pretty good, actually. I borrowed some of my mother's tea bags to stain some paper to look like old parchment. I tore it a bit at the edges, too. Once it's all dry and everything, I'm going to use one of my father's gold pens to write the historic Knight rules on it."

"Ok, sounds great. Um, Lance... can I ask you something?"

"You just did, but go ahead." Lance rested his chin on his hands and leaned forward slightly.

"Ok, you know how we were friends back in freshman year? Well... you were so nice back then," I blurted. "But then, the year after that, you started boasting about how rich you were, and how cool that made you. And when I stopped being friends with you because of that, you started making fun of me and calling me names. I really want to know... what changed?"

Lance's POV

I sighed. I really didn't want to tell him. I was ashamed, but I would've had to explain it eventually. It would at least make our 'new' friendship an honest one.

"I... I wanted to be popular. I wanted people to like me. My parents kept telling me how the people at school should be fawning over me because of my family name, so I guess I felt pressured to be popular and well-liked. I was friends with you, which was great and all, but..." I stopped, knowing the next part wouldn't make him happy.

Not that any of this would, anyway.

"...But...?" Clay coaxed.

"But you were friends with Jestro, who, no offence, is the school loser."

Clay frowned and punched me on the arm "The people who think that are the losers, not Jestro."

I winced. I knew a subtle insult when I heard one. "Look, you know what I mean, okay? I'm just saying he's an easy victim for bullies.
"You were friends with him, so, as far as most were concerned, you were uncool by association. My parents, and, admittedly, I, had big dreams about my social status, so..." I spread my hands, then dropped them. "And yeah. So I did all the stuff you accused me of. I pretended I thought you were weird and that I didn't want to be friends anymore. But I wish I hadn't. I missed you tons. I'm not proud of it what I did- in fact, it became the biggest regret of my life once I realised I was in love with you." 

Clay blinked at me, and I gasped as I realised what I'd said.

"Um, I mean, a-as a b-broth-"

The spiky-headed knight-to-be grabbed my shirt and kissed me.

"I'm sorry too," he sighed. "For feigning my dislike for you all these years. It was easier to pretend to hate you rather than face my feelings of hurt and desire. But hopefully we don't have to pretend any more..."

Clay smirked and pressed his forehead against mine. 

"And in case you haven't picked up on it... I love you too, Prancelot."

THE END (Of this Oneshot)