Chapter 11:

The smell of delicious foods normally had Ludwig's stomach rumbling and his mouth watering but now he found that his appetite had become rather non-existent. The thought of food made him think of Feliciano whom he hadn't seen since their argument earlier that afternoon. Ludwig had steamed, settled and calmed since then and naturally, he had asked around if anyone had seen their cheerful Jack pass by, however none that he had spoken to had answers for him. That had him worried. Feliciano didn't just run off without a word to anyone – that just wasn't him.

He could barely focus on anything with the worry consuming him. People were scurrying about, bobbing backwards and forwards, asking him this and that yet each time he couldn't really remember the question they had asked. Mostly they revolved around his unexpected guests and he knew that that was where his main focus should lie but he had to know where Feliciano was. He needed to know. The nagging was urgent.

Although he was fairly certain Feliciano would not leave the castle, the guilt of shouting at him and not being able to apologise immediately before the Jack had run off was eating him up. Ludwig hated shouting at the Feliciano. He knew Feliciano hated when he shouted and he tried his best to keep his voice under control for his sake. They had some of the most peaceful discussions in this palace all because of Feliciano.

His aimless wondering brought him closer to the castle kitchens. The servants and chefs here were busy preparing foods for Alfred and Arthur, dashing around him and curiously glancing in his direction as they silently questioned just why their King would be so close to the kitchen quarters so late in the afternoon, especially with the new arrivals to tend to. Ludwig had to wonder himself. He was hardly ever seen in this area of the castle and was a little baffled as to why his legs had brought him here in his deep thought wondering.

He ran a hand over his face in exasperation, about ready to turn back and head for his chambers when he heard humming over the banging of several pots and pans. Familiar humming. It was a tune that he knew – a tune that he heard all the time and repeatedly asked to stop. Relief washed over him like he had been doused in it and he found himself rushing through the doors and into the kitchens where his Jack was dancing around with several chefs, cooking with them and helping in preparing the foods.

He had flour smeared across his face and in his hair but Ludwig didn't care because this was Feliciano in his element. Feliciano was where he wanted to be and was where Ludwig knew deep down he would be. When Feliciano was upset he loved to cook. He always had before he was a Jack. Why would that ever change?

Ludwig stood in the doorway for a few minutes, staring at his Jack and simply taking in the sight as he drank in his relief. He hadn't run away from him, he looked fine and he looked happy as he twirled a chef around to scoot past her. She giggled as she span off into another part of the kitchen and Ludwig could faintly hear her singing the same tune as Feliciano was. In fact, most of the kitchen was lowly singing the same song as they worked away. Ludwig had never known the kitchens so happy.

The King jumped when a poor serving girl crashed into his back, sending both herself and the golden plated tray she was carrying to the ground with a thud and incredibly loud crash. Instantly he turned to help her too her feet, wishing he wasn't built like a wall that knocked almost everyone over as the woman scrambled to get her footing and bowed with a bright red face as she spluttered her apologies.

Ludwig gave her a kind smile and told her not to worry, that he was in the wrong for standing in the doorway to the kitchens and handed her the tray. She was young, clearly startled and looked at him with wide eyes as she shakily took it and scuttled off into the kitchens with the tray clasped tightly in her arms.

"Luddy- I mean- Ludwig?" Ludwig turned back to see Feliciano staring at him with a wooden spoon in hand. The confusion on his face was obvious as he watched the serving girl rush past him before his eyes returned to his King. "What are you doing down here?"

"Never mind what I'm doing down here. What are you doing down here?"

"I'm helping prepare the feast for our guests. Is that a crime?" Feliciano's eyes narrowed slightly at him, almost with malicious intent, however Ludwig gave him a stern look that warned him not to argue here in front of their cooks. The chefs and waiters watched the two royals but said nothing, continuing with their busy work and getting the food ready. Ludwig could see that it was almost done and it really did smell divine, his appetite returning now that he knew Feliciano was safe and well within the castle walls.

"It is not. How is it coming?" Ludwig asked with a soft smile, walking into the kitchens and over to Feliciano's side to peer into the pot he was stirring. Feliciano stiffed as if he were worried his King was coming over to scold him once more before brightening tenfold, rocking on his heels and lightly pushing Ludwig's shoulder back so he could no longer see into the deep pot.

"Don't lean over it, silly. You'll burn your nose on the steam!"

The King blinked at his Jack then down at the lightly tanned hand resting on his shoulder, hoping that the steam covered the way in which his cheeks suddenly grew rather hot. Gosh, this was not professional in the slightest. Ludwig needed to leave immediately and get back to his Kingly business like King's did because he was a King.

"It's coming along great actually. Here, taste this," Feliciano smiled brightly, lifting up the spoon he had been stirring the pot with toward Ludwig and holding his hand underneath so that none of its contents would dribble onto Ludwig's garments. Had the King the time, he would have argued about how unhygienic and unprofessional they were being but Feliciano already had the spoon pressed against his lips before the thought could even form.

"Tastes amazing," Ludwig mumbled with his mouth full. It really was delightful but he expected nothing less from Feliciano's cooking. Looking over to the other he blushed upon realised Feliciano was giggling behind his hand, noticing also that some of the other chefs within the kitchens were also chuckling but turned their heads away and pretended not to have seen the King talk with his mouth full. "I-I must be off now, our guests will be down shortly and you look busy. Don't forget to join us."

"I won't and Ludwig?"

"Hm?" He stopped, looking back over his shoulder as he rushed to get out the hot kitchens. He was so close to the doors and he could feel the cool air just moments away. Feliciano's cheeks were flushed slightly but his lips were curled into a gentle smile, his amber eyes almost seeming to sparkle at him from across the kitchens.

"You have a little something on your chin."

The Heart King quickly rubbed his hand over his chin and scuttled out the kitchens, thankful to be free of the steam and loud banging and clattering of the pots and pans as he clambered up the stairs to the cooler climates of the stone corridors. Once away from the kitchens and on a quiet hallway he stopped his hurried walking and braced himself against a wall to catch his breath, resting his forehead against the cool stone in an attempt to soothe his suddenly warm skin.

That was… certainly not how he had planned his talk with Feliciano to go. He had prepared for strictly King and Jack business. No funny stuff. He had been making sure that Feliciano was alright and that they were still alright after their disagreement; that was exactly what he had been doing. A king could do that couldn't he? It was a talk, a friendly talk. He was simply being… polite. Yes.

"Um, King Ludwig?"

Oh, not now. Please, not now.

Ludwig span around like a startled animal, almost falling back into the wall when he saw Queen Kiku stood behind him with a worried expression donned upon his face. It was rather disconcerting considering that Kiku didn't do emotions all too well.

"Y-Yes?"

"Are you alright?" He asked as perceptive as ever, that worried look wiped clean from his features as if it had never existed although Ludwig could tell something was bothering him. He had known Kiku for many years now and although Kiku was not the most open book or talkative man, Ludwig did his best to spot when something was wrong. Now, was certainly one of those times.

Ludwig tried to brush his own issue off, standing straight and brushing out the imaginary creases in his clothing. He wasn't ready to admit he was trying to cool his blushing face against a stone wall all because of one conversation with Feliciano. That was not something his Queen needed to be involved with although he had a sneaking suspicion that Kiku was more aware of his feelings for Feliciano than he himself was.

"I'm fine. You needed something?"

"Ah, yes. Shall we walk?" Kiku offered, holding out his hand to the corridor ahead of them. Ludwig nodded as he noted down the slightly odd behaviour but allowed Kiku to lead the way, figuring that they Queen would already have a location in mind for them to head toward.

Their walk was surprisingly slow and silent. He had expected Kiku to speak as they walked but it seemed that was not to be the case. Most of the corridors they walked upon were void of people, many busy with the upcoming feast which Ludwig was very aware was soon to be. He'd even sent Lovino to the Spade Royals before he'd gone in search of Feliciano to tell them it would soon be ready. He knew Kiku would never miss it nor make them late and that only made him more suspicious of the conversation he wished to have. Why now and why was he so worried?

They stopped on an outside corridor in the centre of the castle overlooking the large courtyard below. The sun was clearly making it's decent within the sky, casting red and orange hues across the open expanse of sky they could see beyond the castle towers. Ludwig had always enjoyed watching the sunsets, especially as they cast his home colours across his castle. No matter where he was he always knew that he could look upon a sunset and be reminded of home. Leaning against the stone wall, Ludwig could see that a few of his knights were training out on the courtyard; some were duelling on the gravel, some sparing on the grass and others pretend boxing all under the watchful eyes of his head knight.

The sounds of swords clashing, grunting, orders being given and the occasional battle cry echoed up to them but they weren't overly loud that Ludwig would not be able to hear Kiku. It was just the perfect amount of noise that should people pass they wouldn't catch onto their conversation. This must be of importance. Ludwig did question why Kiku wouldn't take something of such need to the privacy of his office, where they could talk freely and loudly without interruption however he realised rather quickly that his office was at the other side of the castle. They simply didn't have the time.

"I couldn't help but notice upon the arrival of our guests there seems to be some tension between them."

"Is that so?" Ludwig watched Kiku's face as he observed their knights below. He, himself, was unaware of any tension between the Spade Royals but then again he had originally mistaken them both for criminals, welcomed them both to his castle and then sent them away to the guest chambers almost immediately. He had barely even looked Queen Arthur in the eye before shoving the pair of them out the doors in order to speak urgently with Feliciano.

The meal this evening would be his first time speaking with them properly since their arrival within his kingdom. It made him feel as if he were not being the most gracious of King's. He hadn't even checked up on them.

Having a Queen like Kiku at his side was most helpful when it came down to situations like these. When he was too busy (or too distracted as the case maybe) to see things in close detail, Kiku was a vital component to the structure of Hearts. He was silent but clever and remarkably observant in ways that others were not – picking up on the minutest details without needing much to go on. Ludwig sometimes feared his ability to read people with just a single glance of observation. He also happened to share a rather close relationship with fellow Queen Arthur, which was proving to be useful in their current situation.

"I worry Ludwig," Kiku sighed through his nose. "I foresee that if this built up tension is not resolved before they leave the castle walls then they will fail in their mission to reclaim their home. If their differences cannot be put aside before they leave Hearts I fear that Spades will be a lost cause."

Ludwig paused for moment.

"You had a vision?"

"The minute I saw Arthur."

"I thought you said they had stopped?"

Kiku turned to face him and Ludwig could see that not only was he worried but he was also scared. It unsettled Ludwig greatly, his stomach twisted into knots upon seeing the uncertainty dancing within his Queen's deep brown eyes. Kiku hardly gave up his emotions easily, preferring to handle them of his own accord or keep them hidden until the time was right when he knew they needed to be shared. He knew it unwise to keep things bottle up and away from his King. They had had many discussions on Kiku keeping away his feelings and so far Ludwig was proud of Kiku for delving so much trust into him to openly show his emotions more.

"They had."

"What did you see?"

"It was strange. Inconsistent, as if the fates had not yet decided." Kiku frowned as he leant forward against the stone wall, resting his head in one hand as he remembered the images that had come before him. "They were flashes, all of different moments. As if I were being shown several versions of what could happen however they blurred by so quickly I could barely catch a glimpse of them. Alfred was screaming, so loud, and then Ivan. He was laughing. He was holding something… the Staff of Clubs and the Staff of Spades too I think. They were important; I saw them both very clearly. He… Ivan hit Arthur with the Spade Staff. Matthew and Yao were also there, in chains, beside Ivan."

Ludwig felt as though an unseen force was constricting his throat, tightening its grip unbearably tight around him and slowly suffocating him as he watched the colour drain from Kiku's face simply from reliving the memory. His eyes had glazed over and when he finally blinked back to the world and turned Ludwig's way those eyes were panic stricken. This vision had Kiku shaken. Ludwig could understand. He could barely begin to imagine what it was like seeing possible futures, never mind those that were unkind to friends and family. Kiku had said many a time that the gift was both a blessing and a curse.

"Ludwig we cannot let them leave on bad terms."

"We won't," He assured, although how he was going to make that happen the Heart King wasn't entirely certain. He couldn't magically make another person's personal problems go away but if he didn't at least try and convince them to settle down and speak with one another than the consequences would be far greater than just the loss of the Spade Kingdom. "If Ivan tastes the glory of ruling two kingdoms there will be no telling for the plans he will make afterwards."

"He won't stop. Ivan thinks that getting rid of Alfred will fill the void his sister has left behind but it will not. If Spades is lost he gains its control and once he gains that power he will not stop until he has the Four Kingdoms on their knees. Spades is the most powerful of the Four Kingdoms Ludwig. With it he could-"

"It won't come to that." Ludwig cut him off, placing a firm hand on his shoulder in some attempt to calm him. He didn't want to know where Kiku's thoughts were taking him – he couldn't deal with that right now especially with the possibility it wouldn't happen.

He was well aware of what Ivan could do with the Spade Kingdom in his control, he didn't need for Kiku to voice his own concerns aloud and make them real when they needn't be. For now, he had to believe that Alfred and Arthur would be strong enough to defeat Ivan for the sake of themselves and everyone else.

Kiku's vision was greatly unsettling he had to admit and seeing his Queen so rattled had him on edge but he had to remain calm. He couldn't alarm anyone else to this news, especially Alfred and Arthur themselves. It they were to know their own fate were in the balance and had not yet been decided they would only try to change it for the better and, in turn, make silly mistakes.

"We must tell no one of this. Your vision must remain secrecy. I will speak to Alfred as soon as he is fit and well. May I ask that you do the same with Arthur?"

Kiku nodded at the instruction and Ludwig gave his shoulder another firm squeeze, his Queen smiling ever so slightly before taking a breath. Ludwig had hope. With time and a little encouragement, Ludwig was positive that not all was lost just yet.

"If the fates have not yet decided then what you saw is just one of many possibilities. Alfred and Arthur have many chances before they leave to change their destiny."

XxXxXx

Succulent chicken, golden turkey, steaming vegetables, colourful salads, vibrant wines and a mouth-watering smell that would make any stomach growl whether empty or full was waiting for them got down to the great hall. The great hall was just as beautiful as the throne room, if only a little less grand. In the centre of the room was a long, large table surrounded by far more chairs than they needed and decorated with rose gold plates, chalices and cutlery.

Had Alfred not been so hungry he would have stopped to appreciate it a little longer than the mere few seconds his grumbling stomach would allow. Of course, food from the woodland had been sufficient for the past couple of days but it wasn't enough for a man such as himself. This was the kind of food he needed: the food fit for a King. So he not so subtly raced into the room, took the chair a servant was kindly holding out for him (he hoped it was for him anyway because he sat in it nonetheless) before delving into the food.

His arms flew out in all directions, pulling food toward his plate and at the same time stuffing it into his mouth. He mumbled his thanks to a woman filling up his cup beside him and only stopped his desperate food shovelling when he heard stifling laughter.

Blue eyes flickered away from the delicious food in front of him to across the table where the Heart Royals were sat. Alfred's face flushed hot immediately. He hadn't even acknowledged their presence; ignoring them in favour of the food but they didn't seem to be bothered by the matter, each one trying to smother their laughter with their hand as they watched the Spade Royals opposite them.

Alfred took a brief moment and cast his gaze to his side to see Arthur frozen dead in his tracks with a bread roll stuffed in his mouth, another in his right hand and a chicken thigh in his other, several items of food piled up on his plate. His cheeks were bright red, as were his ears, as he dropped his chicken onto his plate so he could slowly remove the bread from his mouth. Green eyes darted over to Alfred only to widen in absolute horror.

Ah, yes.

Alfred remembered that he himself still held a turkey leg to his lips, a chicken thigh grasped tightly in the other hand and a mountain of food piled so high on his plate that the plate was surely going to crack under the weight. He made a small noise that sounded like a gurgled complaint as he lowered the food from his mouth, placing them where he could on the plate as he wiped his greasy hands on the red napkin he'd been provided with, smiling apologetically at the Heart Royals.

He was certain that in that moment the pair of them looked like stragglers Feliciano had felt sorry for and had pulled off the street.

"A-Apologies…" Arthur stuttered and Feliciano couldn't hold back his laughter anymore, bursting into a fit of giggles. He bent over in his laughter, pressing his face into Lovino's shoulder to try and suppress his loud laughs but it didn't work and only made Lovino struggle to hold back his own. The Ace was doing his best to keep his hand pressed firm against his lips to hide the smile and hold the laughter but was making himself red in the face in the process.

Kiku, sat opposite Arthur, wasn't laughing as outrageously as the Jack and Ace sat at his side but his shoulders were still bouncing up and down with gentle giggles and his lips curled into a soft smile that Alfred through suited his face as he watched Arthur try to hide in his chair. Ludwig shook his head at Arthur's apology, covering his mouth to hold in his own laughter. Alfred assumed he didn't want to come off as rude by laughing at them.

"Please, eat all you can. I imagined that you would be hungry," he said through chuckles but Alfred could see the horror permanently plastered on his husbands face. He could practically hear Arthur wishing for the ground to open up and swallow his chair whole. With Arthur's capabilities, he wasn't 100% certain that Arthur wouldn't just up and apperate out the room.

"Thank you, it's been a rough couple of days feeding off only berries," Alfred smiled, elbowing Arthur to try and get him to eat again. It didn't take too much convincing; Arthur quickly had the bread roll back in his mouth again. Alfred was thankful that Arthur was just as hungry as he was and not making him out to be the pig, the two of them devouring everything in sight as he made his way through the mountain atop his plate.

Through scrumptious bites he made light conversation with the Heart Royals, unbelievably grateful when the kept their conversations strictly light-hearted and casual – not a peep of Ivan's name mentioned whilst they ate. He smiled, laughed and ate until both his jaw and stomach hurt. He almost felt like things had been returned to normal, as if he were simply on a business trip to the Heart Kingdom until Ludwig finally addressed the elephant in the room that had hovered since Alfred had sat down.

Arthur was practically dozing in his chair; leant toward Alfred and almost snoozing on his shoulder. His head was just about to tap onto the King's shoulder when Ludwig asked about the night of Ivan's attack – a blunt but valid question. Immediately he sat up at the mention of the name that haunted him, rubbing his eyes to wake himself, as the room around them fell silent and all other conversation fell away with it.

Alfred felt his full stomach twist in uncomfortable ways and was at loss for words on how to truly answer Ludwig. What had happened on that night? One moment he had been mulling over their plans of attack should there been war with the Club Kingdom and then next alarm bells rang and Ivan was in his throne room attacking him with murder written in his eyes. Very soon after, Alfred had found himself on a hill top far away from the fight he should have been leading.

When he didn't answer, Arthur took it upon himself to do the talking. Ludwig almost looked surprised that Alfred had been the one to remain quiet, his pale blue eyes lingering and forcing the Spade King to drop his gaze and look down at the other end of the room as Arthur explained.

He hated hearing this story. Over and over again he had heard it like a broken record. All he wanted was for it to be a distant memory but every time they met someone the story would be repeated right before him. Every time he closed his eyes for longer than a minute Ivan was there in the darkness, lurking, bringing that deadly sword down upon him. Alfred had been seconds from death with no escape, he had been staring it blankly in the face when Arthur's terrified face had appeared out of nowhere, fingers grasping tightly at his coat before he felt himself fall and Ivan's figure disappeared in a flash of blue.

The Spade King kept his head turned away from Arthur the entire time he spoke. He could feel Arthur's eyes burning into him, watching him, and Alfred had to say that he almost felt a sense of guilt when Arthur's voice cracked when speaking about rushing into the throne room and escaping with Alfred. To anyone else, it was heroic what Arthur had done. Yet to Alfred it was only prolonging the inevitable. Just how many more lives had they put at risk since escaping and running away?

Arthur failed to mention how his plan of escape was kept secret from the King although there was a great sense of implication, especially since Alfred was sat in his chair facing away from Arthur and remaining as silent as possible. The Queen didn't mention their argument on top of that hilltop. Instead, he went into the details of explaining apparition to Feliciano.

After that, no one quiet knew exactly what to say.

There was an awkwardness that seemed to lie across the table like a blanket and Alfred wished that he could just stand and tear it off. He wanted things to be fine and normal for more than just ten minute intervals. He wanted to have a simple conversation with people that he considered friends and not have them teeter around him. He wanted to sit down and be able to look his own husband in the god damn eye with have that horrid feeling of distrust tug on his hair every single second of the day. Alfred wanted things to go back to how they once were before Ivan had wormed his way into his home and ruined his life.

Things had been far better when he had been slaving about in the early hours of the morning worrying about plans and whether people were going to get hurt in a war that was only on the horizon. At least then he still had Arthur.

Sighing, Alfred wiped his hands once more on the napkin laid across his lap, noting the stains already smeared on it from his greasy hands. His stomach ached from all the food his had consumed and he wanted nothing more than to curl up in bed and sleep. He would have been content to sit in that chair for another hour or so and simply chat had the atmosphere in the room not dipped. It felt like it was getting closer – like the walls were slowly creeping in on him.

"Thank you so much for such a wonderful meal. We owe you all so much," Alfred thanked his fellow royals, eyes glancing over those opposite him. "If you'll excuse me I'm rather tired and I would like to head back to my chambers."

Rising from his chair, Alfred scrunched up his napkin and placed it on the table beside his empty plate. Out the corner of his eye he could see it was dark outside and that alone was enough to almost draw a yawn from him, the young King forcing himself not to do so in front of his hosts. Arthur's eyes watched him get up and he hesitated, unsure whether it was his queue to follow or not.

Alfred wasn't so sure himself. Things were complicated. Back in their chambers, as Antonio had treated them, Alfred thought that perhaps he could start to right things again. Arthur had patted his knee, small and as hesitant as it was, it was a message. The Queen wanted the contact. Alfred missed it too. Yet, Alfred wasn't sure that tonight he could manage that. Hearing that story again brought back every feeling of why he was mad with Arthur and with it his mood turned sour.

"It is a pleasure. Please, get some rest," Ludwig smiled, patting his lips with his napkin. Alfred nodded his head in a curt dismissal before swiftly making his way toward the doors. He was almost out the room when he heard the calling of his name.

"King Alfred!" He turned back to see Feliciano stood out his chair, his brown eyes wide and almost nervous to be stood in front of so many royals at one time. Alfred was confused by the sudden outburst, eyes catching that Arthur was also out his seat and stood only a couple paces behind him with his head turned to Feliciano, interested in what he had to say. So he had chosen to follow him.

Feliciano knotted his hands together and stood straight.

"Please sleep as well as you can tonight. I have men patrolling the castle and they will for the entire night. Your chambers are secure and your doors will be monitored at all hours. You are safe here. You are both safe here," Feliciano's eyes shifted over to Arthur for merely a second before returning to Alfred. "Ivan cannot and will not reach you whilst you are under our protection."

Alfred's eyes never strayed from Feliciano, those golden pools focused solely on him as if he were the only man in the room. His eyebrows were furrowed ever so slightly and he was gripping the edge of the table as if to hold his nerve but he made sure that every single word that he had spoken was understood.

Alfred had never really taken the time to notice before but Feliciano had such expressive eyes. They were large, bright and conveyed his feelings so easily then he needn't speak them. Alfred could see them without any need for further words. He gave Alfred a small, single nod of his head and after a moment of shock Alfred retuned it with one of his own, swallowing thickly.

"T-Thank you," He said quietly, lips quivering slightly as he tried to smile at the Jack. He gave the other Heart Royals a bow of his head before turning on his heal and striding out the room far faster than he had previously intended – he practically sprinted down the corridors when he was out of sight. He needed to get to the solace of his chambers. Behind him, he could hear the sounds of Arthur's footsteps struggling to keep up but not once did the Queen call out to him.

He could feel his chest tightening and his eyes burned with the tears that he wanted to shed but he refused to cry whilst a servant might see him. He was sick of the crying. He felt like all he had done so far on this journey was cry and act like a hormonal teenager. It was ridiculous. He just needed to sleep in a comfortable bed where he could be warm and safe.

By the time Alfred made it back to the guest chambers he was almost out of breath, the armed guards spotting him instantly and opening his doors for him to allow him entry. He stumbled into the room like he'd had one too many to drink, stopping dead in the centre when he saw both his and Arthur's royal blue cloaks folded neatly on the bed. Behind him, Arthur raced into the room and skidded to a halt when he saw Alfred staring at the cloaks, watching in silence as the King slowly approached the bed and ran his fingers over the fabric.

How had it only been a few days since he had first put this around his shoulders and over his head? How had it only been a few days since he'd handed over his beautiful royal attire, shredded and bloodied to Mary and John? Alfred could barely stop the tears as they made his vision blur.

"Do you want to talk?" Arthur asked, his voice quiet. The question would have startled him had he not know it was coming. Alfred had said it himself earlier; they would talk after dinner but he… he couldn't.

"Not right now."

"But you said-"

"Arthur."

"Alfred."

Alfred span around to face Arthur just as a tear fell down his cheek. Arthur was stood frowning at him, however it wasn't an angry frown like Alfred was used to - this was exasperated. Arthur looked just as tired and fed up as he did. His green eyes were dull and shinning with a layer of tears but unlike Alfred he forced them back as if they had never made an appearance. Instead, his eyes softened upon seeing his King's tears, his shoulders falling and his pent up breath falling in a sigh. He was upset and mad but Alfred could see he wasn't going to press their matter of talking any further.

"Didn't you hear Feliciano back there? You are safe."

A lump formed in the back of his throat that Alfred didn't seem to be able to swallow at the sound of those words and he willed himself not to break down and cry but it was such an overwhelming feeling. Alfred couldn't help but cry. Turning his head away, he tried not to think back to the kind words Feliciano had said to him. They were hardly anything more than standard procedure but Feliciano had said them with such passion, such care and such understanding that Alfred was beside himself.

The minute that Arthur saw Alfred's shoulders begin to shake with an oncome of tears, he strode across the room and wrapped his arms around Alfred as if nothing had ever changed between them. His frame locked perfectly into Alfred's; his head fitting snuggly beneath Alfred's chin, arms tightly winding around Alfred's torso and his face resting gently against Alfred's chest.

At first, Alfred did nothing but stiffen in shock at the sudden contact before his arms curled around his Queen and he buried his face into Arthur's soft hair with a strangled cry. The smell was unfamiliar and he missed the usual smell of Arthur's hair but he could barely linger on those thoughts as his tears soaked into those familiar blond strands.

"Do you hear that Alfred? Safe. We are safe," Arthur whispered, repeating it to both of them as he rubbed Alfred's back soothingly. Alfred's grip on him tightened, holding him closer as if Arthur wasn't close enough, as his chest heaved from his tears. In that single moment, Alfred remembered that Ivan wasn't out for his head alone.

He hadn't been safe in weeks; he hadn't felt safe in months. Ivan was a threat that loomed over his head everywhere he went. Every breath he took could always be his last and to have someone go out their way to make him comfortable – to keep him safe – it had him ache all over.

His legs suddenly felt weak, giving into the exhaustion that Alfred had fought off after days of none stop walking. He took Arthur down with him, the pair crashing to their knees on the floor but Arthur didn't complain, he simply continued to hold Alfred, stroking his hair as comfortingly as he could as Alfred clung to his shirt desperately.

The Heart Kingdom had done nothing but take risk after risk for him since first laying their eyes on him. They had willingly placed themselves into a war they had previously stayed clear of just to keep him from the clutches of Ivan and his men. Since Feliciano had found him wondering the woods and decided to bring them here he had been patched up, bathed, fed until his stomach hurt and kept under the watchful eye of every spare guard the Heart Castle could lend. Feliciano had said it himself; no harm could ever come to him here.

Hearts had placed themselves like a wall between him and Ivan just to keep him safe for a few nights longer.

Alfred didn't know how long he sat on the floor of their chambers crying into Arthur's arms, listening to his soothing words and gentle humming, or when Arthur convinced him to change and finally settle down into bed. All he really remembered was that the bed was the comfiest thing he had touched in days and that Arthur – his sweet and beautiful Arthur – was someone that he couldn't bear to be without for much longer.

XxXxXx

A/N: Now this is what we call a breakdown my friends! Alfred is a mess and everybody cries! Both he and Arthur are a little emotional, after all, they haven't been somewhere they consider safe in months.

To those that have been asking, yes, in the previous chapter Alfred is merely a vision to Ivan. Spade Castle was built on magical land and so magic course through the stone. The castle itself is well aware of Ivan and his intentions and is attempting to protect itself by sending Ivan mad. Sorry if I hadn't made that very clear.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed reading! Leave a review if you did!