A/N: Just a quick little Henry/Eva bonding! I know a lot of these are about Eva, but I promise to write some more about Liam, too. Eva's just… easier to write about, since she's got two older brothers to protect her :)
Listened to 'Circles' by Passenger while writing this, among a few other Passenger songs. Enjoy!
Eva rolled her eyes in boredom as she sat through yet another meeting, something she was required, as a princess, to do. She just wanted to go practice sword fighting with Liam or Henry. Her eyes drifted over to where her parents were sitting, smiling a little when she noticed how her mother was staring at her father. She could only wish and dream for a love like theirs.
"Meeting adjourned." Her grandfather finally said, causing a wide smile to encompass her face. She scooted out of her chair and hurried down the corridor to meet her brothers.
"Henry, Liam! Where are you two?" Eva giggled as she ran through the corridor. She hurried down to her room, looking out to see them sparring down in the dirt.
"You two are idiots." She called down to them, leaning on the ledge of the balcony.
They stopped their sparring for a moment to look up to their sister with smiles.
"Finally done with the meeting?" Henry teased, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
"Finally." Eva grinned, "Mind if I come spar with you?"
"That actually works out perfectly, because Grandpa is taking me out hunting soon." Liam smiled up to her, squinting in the sunlight.
"Come down, Eva, so I can teach you how to spar like a man!" Henry teased again, causing her to narrow her eyes. Eva walked to her sword that hung on the wall, pulling it from its sheath and hurrying down the corridor again.
"Don't run with swords, please!" Her mother called after her as she darted past her.
"I make no promises!" Eva laughed, skidding around the corner and running out into the sparring grounds.
"Ah, look who's shown up. The beloved princess." Liam grinned, taking a sip from his canteen as he leaned against the fence.
"You know damn well I'm not 'the beloved princess'." Eva smirked, crossing her arms over her chest, "I'm the daughter of the Savior and a pirate-of course I'm not going to be prim and proper."
"Eva, I have no idea how you're going to find a suitor." Liam chuckled, clapping her shoulder as he walked by. Eva rolled her eyes, jumping the fence with ease and twirling her sword.
"I'm with Liam on this one, sis." Henry chuckled, earning a raised brow in response.
"Oh? And why is that?" Eva asked, "Enlighten me while I whoop your ass."
Henry shook his head with a smile before drawing his own sword.
"Well, for starters, you're, as Killian says, a 'spitfire'." Henry grinned as she whipped her sword at him, "And I think most guys are intimidated by you."
"I'll take both of those as compliments." She grinned, spinning to meet his sword once more, "I'll find a suitor-just you wait."
"Oh yeah?" Henry chuckled, deflecting another slash. Eva hit his sword a few more times before the two were caught together.
"Yes!" Eva beamed, using the leverage she had over Henry to knock him over. She pointed her sword at his neck, causing him to laugh.
"So, is this the trick to fighting like a man? Falling on your ass?" Eva smirked, taking her sword from his neck and offering her hand. She helped him to his feet, smiling as he brushed the dirt off his clothes.
"Soon, you're going to need someone stronger than Liam and I to train with." He smiled, slightly out of breath.
"Like who?"
"Probably Mom or Killian." Henry grinned, moving to grab his canteen.
"I doubt either of them would actually try to hurt me, like you and Liam do." Eva smiled back, sitting beside her half-brother on the fence.
"I know-shit." Henry sighed, realizing his canteen was empty.
"Hold on." Eva smiled, concentrating as she waved her hand, "There."
Henry looked down to see his canteen full again, making him laugh and shake his head.
"You are something else, Eva." Henry chuckled and took a long drink from his canteen.
"Henry?"
"Yes, Princess?" Henry smirked, then let it fall when he noticed her expression.
"Do you really think it'll be hard for me to find a suitor?" Eva asked softly. Henry simply pulled his lips into a tight smile as he wrapped an arm around his younger sister.
"Of course not. Any man would be incredibly lucky to call you his." Henry replied, "You're beautiful, incredibly talented with your magic, and I'm sure you'd give other princesses a run for their money."
Eva couldn't help but laugh at that, settling her head on Henry's shoulder.
"I just don't want to be alone for the rest of my life." Eva sighed.
"You won't be. You're only fifteen-you have so much time to find your True Love." Henry smiled, "I promise, kid. I'm still single, but I'm happy. I know she's out there somewhere, so right now, I'm just waiting."
"Waiting sucks."
"Yeah, but it'll pay off. I promise." Henry replied.
"You're sure?"
"Why would I lie to you, Eva?" Henry asked with a smile, tightening his grip on her shoulder.
"Thanks, Henry."
"Of course, kid. You're my little sister." Henry chuckled, "Liam and I have to keep a watch on you, you know."
"Oh, do you?"
"Of course. We couldn't have any scoundrels chasing after our lovely sister."
"Oh, shut up you pretentious ass." Eva laughed, shoving him away, "Besides, I think I've made it pretty clear to Mum and Papa that I want to be a pirate."
"Yeah, I'm sure they'll just love that." Henry chuckled.
"I think last time I ran away, Mum was actually pretty upset." Eva sighed, "I just want to be able to explore outside of the kingdom-what if my True Love is waiting out there, and I can't get to him?"
Henry offered a half smile, his hand coming up to grasp her shoulder.
"True Love always finds a way. That's what Grandma always tells me." Henry replied, "I know it feels like you'll never find it. But, he's out there, I promise."
"Thank you, Henry." Eva grinned and pressed a kiss to his cheek, "You're the best."
"I try." He shrugged, "Now, I've gotta go take a shower and get ready for tonight."
"What's tonight?"
"The ball, Eva." He laughed, "Don't tell me you forgot."
"I did." She giggled, "I need to go get ready, too, then."
She hopped off the fence, grabbing her sword and hurrying towards the castle again.
"You're a hot mess, Eva!" Henry called from behind her, causing her to give him a not-so-nice gesture.
Boys are just dumb, she decided.