It was a particularly cold morning. Alfred tilted his chin down a little to watch his sleeping husband and reached out to brush some hair away from his forehead. He hesitated to get up, not wanting to wake Arthur; the relationship was still new. They'd been married for about a year now – it was a required part of the coronation ceremony – but the relationship hadn't begun until last month. Things happened quickly for them (after ten months of marital tension), but they were still getting to know each other as lovers.
Their first month together was November: the perfect time for them to press close to each other at night. The first night they'd slept in the same bed, Arthur had insisted that he wasn't one for cuddling. However, the chill of the cold autumn air had eventually gotten to him. Alfred woke up in the morning to find Arthur practically lying on top of him.
Come December, Arthur only wanted to cuddle more. He never would admit it – he would blush whenever Alfred teased him, only relenting from his endless defensive cries until Alfred laughed it off and pulled him into his chest.
Alfred sighed blissfully, smiling slightly at the memory of Arthur's red face. He continued to play with his husband's hair until Arthur stirred.
"Al?" Arthur mumbled, attempting to burrow further into Alfred's bare chest.
"Yeah," Alfred smiled, speaking quietly. The nickname was new. It sent a warmness straight into his heart. "You can sleep, honey. No meeting this morning."
Arthur shook his head a little. "No, no," he whispered. "'M awake."
Alfred chuckled. "Whatever you say." He continued to play with Arthur's hair.
About five minutes later, Arthur looked up and met Alfred's eyes. The Queen's eyes were bleary, still sleepy, but nonetheless open and seemingly determined to stare into his husband's soul. The look of determination so early in the morning made Alfred smile.
"What?" Alfred laughed.
"Nothing," Arthur murmured, continuing to stare. After another moment, he leaned in for a soft kiss. Alfred was all too happy to meet him.
"Good morning," Arthur murmured, finally pulling away.
"Yeah," Alfred managed before Arthur leaned in for another kiss. Alfred pulled away, laughing breathlessly. "This is a good morning, isn't it?"
Arthur chuckled, leaning in for yet another kiss. "Yes, it's perfect."