This is a story that I based off of the cover art of this story. It was made by tumblr user shkiira, and the url will be in my profile.
I will post it here before posting it on tumblr or archive of our own, so please enjoy this before everyone else gets it, lol.
It became a routine they danced around, on light feet and small glances.
Train hard in the mornings. Leave bruises on the newer recruits and himself with aching joints. Spar with Shiro until one surrenders honorably.
Then duties. Guard the upper tower, sweat in your newly polished armor until you're roasted like the potatoes he had for lunch, or the inner hallways filled with paintings and thick carpets.
Then, the subjects leave. He goes to the prince's room to stand guard until the shifts go on their way.
Lance knows how to direct them away from Keith's absences.
Softly knock on the prince's door, heartbeat flutter as you sit down on the softest bed you've ever felt, and into your prince's arms.
Gently kiss him in greeting, your stomach in knots and your cheeks burning but it's nothing new- and watch those gorgeous eyes sparkle.
It was a contrast to the hardened training, the mind numbing routines that left bruises and cuts on Keith's back and arms. Because he had his sweet prince to press butterfly kisses into each scrape, each shiner or discoloration, then flip him over onto his belly and massage the knots out of his shoulders, turning Keith to putty.
Gossip about the royals and lords, talk about Keith's life as a peasant girl on a failing plantation, the beauty of the world they lived in.
Fall asleep in his prince's arms.
Wake up before dawn, kiss the prince's forehead, smooth the covers over his sleeping form, repeat.
Smile softly though breakfast, thank Lance with a nod and Pidge with a harmless nudge. Avoid Shiro and his questioning look.
Repeat.
Smirk under his armor as he escorts Princess Shaye to the grand hall, remembering all the stories Hunk told of her and her secret lover Princess Allura of the far Altean kingdom.
Softly wish her a good luck.
She only gives him a knowing look.
Catch a glimpse of his love, stoic and beautiful, crown on his neatly brushed hair that Keith tangles his fingers in every night, adorned in the cloak of the Lioness.
Doesn't feel jealousy as he bends to kiss his fiancé's hand, both knowing the love was only for show. He had his prince all the nights, and he let Shaye and him put on a show for their parents.
He picks flowers and hides them in his bag for his prince. Black eyed susans and daisies.
Repeat.
Softly knock three times.
Present the flowers.
Be swept up into his arms, a kiss on the nose.
And fall asleep, fading smiles on their faces and under the warm sheets.
Repeat.
This was originally made to be a oneshot, but it quickly escalated to a 6k word story and still growing. The chapters will not be published in chronological order, but when I publish everything I will release a list of the chapters so you may read them in chronological order if you wish.
Please enjoy!