Sunset Respite

It was late afternoon, and the sun was setting in the windows.

'Prince?'

Heine stepped into the Prunksaal — the palace library — with the intention of finding one of the princes.

'Prince Bruno?'

He slipped down the aisles, through the scattered velvet chairs and polished tables, and ascended the stairs to the second story.

Amber and orange sunlight streaked across the floor, and Heine couldn't help but smile. Prince Bruno was asleep in one of the aisles, leaning against the bookshelf with an open book in his lap.

Heine padded over and carefully dropped to one knee at Bruno's side. 'Prince?'

The prince's eyes flickered. '…Kai?'

'Not quite, Highness.'

'Mm…'

The prince was still half-asleep, and likely to remain so even if Heine continued talking to him. 'Are you all right?'

'…Tired.' Bruno licked his lips and his eyes flickered open for a brief moment. '…I've been working since last night. … For the university conference… and… things.'

Heine gently took the book out of Bruno's hands. If Heine weren't so small, then perhaps he would have been able to carry Bruno downstairs and back to his room — but luck was not favouring him in that regard today. 'Come on, Prince. It's not good for you to sleep like this. You'll hurt your back. Can you come to a chair, at least?'

'…Mm…'

Heine helped him up and gave the prince his shoulder to lean on as they walked, as Bruno was likely still half-asleep and they didn't need him taking a spill. They reached one of the reading armchairs on the landing, and Heine carefully set the prince down like a doll with fragile limbs.

Heine carefully removed the prince's glasses, folded them, and placed them on a table. 'I'll come and wake you up later for dinner, Prince.'

'…Mm-hm.'

Heine smiled, then paused. Then he removed his coat and draped it over Bruno like a blanket, to protect him from any drafts, then slipped down the staircase again with one last glance over my shoulder to see that the prince was sleeping peacefully.

'Sweet dreams, Prince.'

And Heine left the prince to catch up on his well-earned rest.

The End

A/N: Reviews welcome, and thanks for reading!