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aru-loves-krishnaxarjuna · 3 days ago

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KaJu

Pt.4 -> Masterlist

Arjuna and Subhadra departed for Dwarka in the next morning before dawn, while Karna departed for Anga Pradesh. As the new-found brothers had both left together, they exchanged subtle tensed glances between themselves, but they didn't speak any words to each other as they left.

Arjuna was reminded of how they’d left at dawn for Panchal three months ago. That day seemed so far behind him now. Unlike that day of his battle, the weather today was comfortingly chilly…but he was still tensed, lost in the trail of his thoughts about what Karna had told him…

The whole 3-day journey to Dwarka, Subhadra had sensed Arjuna's tension, and had kept him distracted from his thoughts by talking all about Dwarka and her brothers.

"Uh… Excuse me, Rajkumari Subhadra-" Arjuna tried to ask.

But Subhadra interrupted. "Oh please! Quit with the formalities. Just call me Subhadra."

"Oh, I- okay…so Subhadra," He slightly hesitated, "Can you tell me more about…Vasudev Krishna?"

"Oh! Ehehe!" She giggled a little. "I am afraid you have to talk to him yourself to find out more about him. He's not that…explainable in words, and I can't give you any satisfactory answers about him, Rajkumar Arjuna."

Arjuna didn't really understand what she meant, but considering she was the sister of the person he asked about, he knew that she definitely knew him better than most and what she said must have been true, so he didn't ask much.

The three days of journery passed mostly uneventful, but not unpleasant. Infact, Subhadra was really kind to him…but Arjuna being Arjuna, he kind of struggled to talk as he only trusted and talked to people who he knew thoroughly and vice versa.

The next morning, as they drew closer to Dwarka, Arjuna was in awe and surprise; Dwarka was a really very beautiful kingdom, and there was not a doubt about that. Even the outskirts were long, stretching, green, luscious fields, the scenery was beautiful and everything was picturesque…a beautiful river was running through them, and rows of hills on the horizon, soft in the distance. To say he was in awe and captivated was an understatement.

He saw huge the towering gates which guarded the entrance of the city, blocking it from view, when they were slowing down. As they came to a full stop, Subhadra stepped out eagerly. "Wait for a few minutes", she told him, "I have to talk to the guards for a moment."

Arjuna could only nod in response as he gazed around, momentarily forgetting all his worries about his family, and taking in everything as he got off his horse; the sky was a mesmerising blue hue, a few clouds in different shapes here and there. He was so mesmerised in admiring the scenery that he didn't hear someone approach him from behind.

"Hey, you!"

Arjuna turned around and he blinked in confusion…until he took in the former's appearance and his own breath hitched…

This boy, who was older and taller than him by maybe two or three years…he was so attractive that Arjuna would have lied if he said he wasn’t affected…he had bluish-dark skin, dark curly hair, and lotus-shaped eyes (just like Arjuna himself), but the latter's eyes were multihued, and his hair was clearly a lot longer than Arjuna's, whose was only till his shoulders. That boy was taller too, and clearly more charming and handsome and beautiful from all wa– uh anyways…

As the young man neared Arjuna, the latter got a whift of the scent of Parijat flowers from him…and a deep connection, as if their souls were connected, which he couldn't understand, let alone explain.

"Hm", the older boy exclaimed thoughtfully. "I've been watching you. I know who you are."

Arjuna finally broke out of his daze and shook his head a little to break out of his completely, before answering his question. "Ah, what? You do? Really?"

The man nodded, "Yes, really. I know you and I know everything."

Arjuna just blinked and then…a really awkward pause followed. All he was could murmur out was an, "…eh?"

A momentary look of amusement appeared on the man’s face, and the next moment, he burst into a fit of laughter and slapped his palm to his forehead. Arjuna stared and blinked confused and innocently, not knowing how to react.

"Oh my, I was joking and you literally didn't even understand!"

Arjuna tilted his head slightly to the side, confused out of his mind. Had he been rude or something? "Oh well…then I am sorry-"

"You are? You didn't even know I was joking!", cried the man incredulously, before covering his face and laughing helplessly.

"Oh…you were?" The expression of the younger boy's face was so serious and innocent that the older one was laughing even more uncontrollably. When he gathered himself a little somewhat, he came closer to the other one, a mischievous smile on his face.

"You're Pandava Kumar, Arjuna, from Hastinapur, right?" He asked.

"Ah, yes. But how did you know?"

"I told you I know everything."

"I thought you told me you were joking…"

"I am joking now as well!", he said mischievously. "Many people know the kingdom of Hastinapur and its residents. But I was bound to know anyway. Why wouldn’t I know who my sister is travelling with?"

Arjuna took a pause to process that information. Sister…?

That was when he realised that the boy in front of him was dressed in silken robes, immaculate jewellery, that only royalty could wear, and a sleek, elegant crown framed the top of his head, and was decorated with a vibrant and beautiful peacock feather. Arjuna's gaze then flicked to his attractive waist, where a tiny satchel hung from his robes, carrying a golden flute.

"Wait, so…you are–…?" But he got interrupted.

"Bhratashree Krishna! There you are." Subhadra exclaimed as she returned back to Arjuna, and turned her gaze back on the younger male. "Well, I see you finally met with my brother."

"Finally?" Krishna asked, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow in curiosity and playful amusement.

Subhadra giggled a little as she answered with a smile. "Yes, finally. Because, Rajkumar Arjuna here, was asking a lot about you, Bhratashree."

Krishna hid an amused snort of his, as Arjuna averted his subtly embarrassed gaze from Krishna's amused ones; 'Ah, so adorable you are, Parth…' the latter thought, amused and fond. "Well, I have heard a lot about you, Parth."

"You have?" Arjuna asked, blinking in subtle surprise

"Ah! Of course I have! Even Baldau praises you, and the stories of your valour are all around, if I must say. I also heard stories of your time in your Maha Guru Drona's ashram. Your dedication to archery is admirable, if I say so myself, that you took it to the point of mastering it with both hands and even winning sleep because of that, and learning to shoot in the dark for that as well, huh? Truly admirable you are, Arjuna…"

Arjuna, who was composed and reserved with other people outside of his family, blushed in embarrassment (and an unknowing stirring feeling inside of him he didn't know of…). "Ah…you’re embarrassing me, Vasudev–"

"Oh, please! Don't be so formal with me. Call me anything you like!"

Arjuna, composing himself, now blinked again as he put his fingers on his chin and thought for a moment. "…Madhav."

Krishna was pleasantly surprised with (and loved) the new nickname. "Madhav? Why 'Madhav'?"

"Well, you belong to the Madhu Dynasty…it also means the Lord of Fortune, and…you're like Honey…in a way." Arjuna put forth all of his reasons, only adding to Krishna's growing amusement, fondness and pleasure…while Subhadra just watched back and forth between her brother and the one who accompanied her all the way to Dwarka, confused and on how it got all to this.

Arjuna honestly didn't know what was the unknown pull of attraction towards…Krishna, but he wasn’t complaining…it had a gentle feeling, the true feeling of something like…love or what…?

But then Subhadra siddenly shook her head to break out of her confusion and finally spoke up. "I think it's better if we move inside, or do you wish to stay outside and converse the whole day with your…new best friend?"

Krishna chuckled. "Of course, of course, Subhadre! And oh, I'll have to ride with the both of you. My poor legs are tired from walking around the fields all day since sunrise. I don't want to walk all the way back."

Krishna and Subhadra got on the carriage, while Arjuna went with them, on his horse. Krishna was staring at Arjuna the whole way, admiring the way the sun enhanced the younger prince's face as he stared at everyday in awe and wonder, all the while Subhadra was pouting the whole way because she didn't get to talk enough.

Then Arjuna's eyes caught the palace of Dwarka…it was outstanding! It really was a grand structure, nearly twice the size of Hastinapur's. It had been built on a hilltop that overlooked the city from the front, and the seashore from the back. The grounds leading up to the main doors were made up of a garden, with stone steps, beds of flowers and trees all around the perimeter and a lively, rectangular fountain and pool. Behind the palace, he could see a portion of some other buildings, presumably connected to the main structure.

The interior was even more beautiful…Large tapestries hung from the walls, red and purple carpeting with gold designs hid the floor from view, plants and decorations were put up in several places on the floor and the pillars. Tiny lamps hung in majestic chandeliers above. The grand hall had a staircase leading to several hallways, smaller or larger corridors, other rooms, and more staircases leading to different parts of the palace. Arjuna, honestly, found himself overwhelmed by it all, his mind dazed.

Krishna had to hold back someone if his mischievous snickers at the adorable reactions of his Arjuna. After some time, nearly evening, Krishna finally led Arjuna to a guest room. "You can stay here for the time being, Parth. And no, I am not letting you go that soon out of the Dwarka."

Arjuna smiled and nodded in response. He didn't mind, not at all.

"You should rest for today. You travelled a lot, and you must be tired." Krishna spoke. "I have to go and prepare to leave for the day after tomorrow."

"Huh? Where are you going?" Arjuna asked.

"Oh, just somewhere." He replied back vaguely. "Just a matter I have to attend to."

Arjuna understood and nodded back slightly in response. He stayed quiet for a moment as Krishna prepared to go to his own chambers when Arjuna called out to him once more.

"…Madhav."

Krishna paused, 'Oh, how I love hearing that name come out of your lips, my dear…', and then he turned around, looking back at Arjuna.

"Can I possibly come with you, Madhav?"

Krishna's eyes subtly widened, pleasantly surprised. Today was a day he was pleasantly surprised more than he ever was in his lifs. He smiled back at the other in response. "Ah, of course you can. I could use a little help."

Arjuna blinked and then shrugged slightly. "I'll help you however I can."

Krishna's fond look increased at Arjuna. "Great! It's settled then. We both will leave together in the morning of the day after tomorrow. You should rest now, Parth." Krishna shared one of his charming smiles at Arjuna again…who took notice of how Krishna's nickname for him was getting more and more affectionate and natural on the Shyamasundara's tongue, and how it rolled off perfectly…Arjuna slightly flushed but then shook his head, and quickly smiled back at Krishna…who, much to hid fondness and amusement had took notice of all of Arjuna's thoughts and reactions.

That night, Arjuna slept peacefully for the first time in almost a week, momentarily forgetting of his family's worries…

Much lines of it have been taken from @SuaveBlackSwan from AO3

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