the trick is to keep breathing

(I need to write Arc and Alus more often, I felt rusty with their characterization. Still, I gave it some degree of a shot, but probably not in the way you were expecting. Either way, I apologize if this wasn't up to snuff.)
(I wrote this with the intention of Arc and Alus being aged up, but I made the mistake of referring to 3’s events directly in a way that I couldn’t decide on a specific time frame, so it’s overall ambiguously post-3. Two more things to note: Arc having a connection with Bahamut comes from the Memory of Heroes novel and part of Arc’s characterization towards the end is based on some skits that were cut from the final game. You’ll see what I mean.).

“Surely, you can do it.”
“I dunno.”
Alus’ eyes carried a type of hope that Arc had last seen during those days when Garuda menaced the kingdom and Alus was exiled.
“Arc, even if you were not the only one who could do it, I would still consider you the one who must do it.” Alus explained.
Arc sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
“It’s just, Bahamut told me to call him when I needed him. I think that he needs to want to meet you to be summoned otherwise.”
Alus paced back over to the other end of the room. The apartment had been a gift; Arc had wanted to take a closer look at the books contained in the Great Library of Saronia to see the surface world’s literature. Alus, upon learning that Arc would be in the city for a few days, promptly gave him an apartment in the district to make it easy for him.
This would occur without incident had it not been for the fact that apartments in that district are generally for key staff of the royal family. And even this would be less suspect had it not been for the amount of people who recognized Arc as well as how close he was to the prince.
The fact that Arc had started to help Alus with various projects, to the point that Alus would visit him in said apartment discreetly, certainly was doing little to dispel the vibes the two were giving off. Especially so when those meetings would inevitably drift into general conversation.
“Saronia owes itself to the dragons as much as its soldiers. The city was saved by a dragoon and his loyal dragon. If nothing else, I wish to seek Bahamut’s blessing.”
Arc shook his head. Somehow, Alus’ behavior was beginning to feel familiar.
“Your majesty-”
“Please, Arc. There’s no need to be so formal.”
“Alus, Bahamut may be the king of dragons, but I don’t think he’s the ruler of all of them. There are dragons out there that don’t answer to him.” Arc shuddered, remembering the dragons that prowled the Syrcus Tower.
“Then let this be a start. If I am to pursue peace, I must make up for all the sins that Saronia has committed in the past. Even if Bahamut is not as receptive to my apologies I wish for him to know that Saronia owes herself to dragons as much as she does to her dragoons.”
“Your highness, calm down! You don’t need to worry that much over it. Besides, you’re still pretty young. You can take your time.”
“Arc, I truly thank you for your concern. But I am not a kid anymore! In fact, I haven’t been since-” Alus seemed to catch himself and cut that train of thought, but Arc knew quite well where it was going. In a way, he was correct; Alus had always seemed smart for his age, but with his mother long dead and his father dying due to Garuda’s machinations, he had to grow up quickly in order to lead the country
“Sir Alus…” Arc tried to find the words to explain to Alus why he shouldn’t go through with this, but came up empty. In fact, it occurred to Arc that it would be quite hypocritical to try to stop Alus when Arc himself had been a dragoon at his age and even did far more dangerous things (up to and including dying). But Alus didn’t have the gifts that the crystal had bestowed the warriors of light-
Arc hesitated. He had finally realized why Alus’ insistence felt so familiar.
Memories filled Arc’s head of tantrums long past. How the taunts of his fellow kids or the arguments he would occasionally have with Luneth would lead him to act out. The memories grew newer and newer. Arc saw himself yell at Ingus and Refia, fed up with being treated as a child. The frustration came back to him.
His thoughts turned to Alus. Alus was not the type to get angry, but Arc knew that this had to be frustrating. And while Arc was able to become stronger and defend himself…
Arc strolled up to Alus and took his hand.
“I get it, Alus. I know how it feels to be told that you can’t do something. If you really want to talk to Bahamut, then we can go to Mount Jenora and give it a try.”
Alus looked excited, but a thought seemed to occur to him and he grew quiet. Arc looked at him curiously. Alus considered it for a second and decided to press his luck.
“Arc. Can you teach me…” Alus looked a bit unsure, but quickly steeled his resolve. “Please. Teach me how to be a dragoon.”
Some part of Arc saw the request coming, and yet he still felt thrown off. He chuckled sheepishly.
“We can try.”
Alus’ face lit up with excitement. Approaching Arc, he gave the other a kiss on the lips, much to Arc’s shock.
“I cannot thank you, Arc. You are too kind.”
Arc watched as Alus exited the apartment, struggling to determine a response.
“An interesting choice of mate.”
Arc blushed with horror as he recognized the voice.
“Y-you were listening in?!”
The Dragonking did not respond, leaving Arc alone with his rapidly escalating thoughts. He began to think back on moments when he thought his thoughts were private; Times when he was smitten with girls, times when he had an overreaction to one of Topapa's lectures or something Ingus or Luneth said, oh gods what if-
“I shall allow you an audience. Come to my lair. Bring your mate with you.”
“Really?” Arc asked before realization set in. “H-hey!” If the Dragonking had any further comment, he kept it to himself. Blush still visible on his face, Arc began setting his books aside in preparation to go to bed. Still, he could not help but wonder.
“Mate…”
As unamused as he was by the term in question, he found the idea surprisingly alluring.