Author's Note: Thanks to Liza for betaing and talking me into trying triads. :)
Written for…
Hogwarts Assignment #9. Lesson: Mythology, task 1. Task: Write about someone pretending to be a damsel in distress.
Film Festival. Prompts: princess, "I have such a deep admiration for guys who roll around with other guys."
(Writing Club) Days of the Month. Prompt: Only feature queer characters or pairings
(Writing Club) TV Show of the Month. Prompt: Blaise, orange, homophobia!AU
(Writing Club) Ami's Audio Admirations. Prompt: A character is abducted
(Writing Club) Sophie's Shelf. Prompt: Set your story in during the night
(Writing Club) Lyric Alley. Prompt: And your sad blue eyes, like mine
(Writing Club) Showtime. Prompt: Write about a secret relationship
(Writing Club) Book Club. Prompts: cold, gold, nighttime
Insane Challenge. Prompt: Sumptuous
365 Challenge. Prompt: Medieval!AU
Proposition
844 words
Blaise wiped his brow, shivering in the cold air as the sun set over castle of the infamous dragon lord. It had been a long ride from Slytherin but his timing was perfect. He could wait and rest atop the hills overlooking the castle until the lights went out and he could be sure everyone was asleep. Only then would he begin his assault.
:-:
The dragonlord looked just as formidable as the rumors told, and if Blaise was being honest with himself, he was twice as handsome. The lord, with his long orange locks shining beneath a golden crown, glared down at Blaise with piercing blue eyes.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
Blaise glanced to his sides, where guards stood a few feet away, ready to kill him at a moment's notice.
"Blaise Zabini. I come from Slytherin. The king and queen send their regards."
The dragonlord narrowed his eyes. "You've come for me."
"Not at all. So long as you return the prince to his parents, my orders are to leave you alone, your lordship."
"I have no idea what you're talking about. There is no prince here."
Blaise smiled. "I have it on good authority that there is. Prince Draco was seen riding out of Slytherin in one of your carriages, Lord Weasley. He was escorted by men wearing your crest. The king and queen are not amused, nor are they willing to negotiate with kidnappers. That's why they've hired me."
The lord scowled. "You're an assassin."
"That's a rather naughty title, isn't it? I'd call myself a hired helper. I take care of any needs my client has. You just happen to be Queen Narcissa's problem."
The lord drummed his fingers against the arm of the throne. "You're putting me in a difficult position, Mr. Zabini. I don't like have to subject my dragons to foreign foods."
"I was hoping we wouldn't have to resort to violence," Blaise said.
"I agree." Blaise turned around to find the missing prince standing in the entrance. He looked to be in good health, and his clothes were of expensive materials befitting a royal - not quite what Blaise had expected of a prisoner.
The prince walked unaided towards the lord and perched on the arm of the throne, at home in the sumptuous setting, and draped an arm around the lord's shoulders.
"There's no need to kill him, Charlie. He's harmless."
The lord looked uncertain, eyes flickering between Blaise and Draco.
"Do you understand what's happening here, Mr. Zabini?"
Blaise nodded, pieces of the puzzle fitting together quickly. "There was no abduction."
"No," Draco confirmed. "Though Charlie was kind enough to send a carriage to collect me. Of course my parents would prefer to think that I was taken instead of the truth, that I left to be with the love of my life." A smile formed on the dragonlord's face. "But I do not care if they know the truth. My only request is that, should you return to Slytherin, you inform my father that it was his attitude towards my feelings for Charlie that forced my decision."
"But any attempt to take Draco from me will end badly for you," Charlie added.
Blaise raised his hands in surrender. "I have such a deep admiration for guys who roll around with other guys," he said. "You'll find no argument from me. My only concern is in the fee I'll be losing when I return empty handed."
Draco smirked, his eyes running down Blaise's body. "I like him," he announced to the room.
Charlie snorted. "Really? Him?"
"Don't act so surprised, my love. I saw you admiring his arse when he turned around. You like him too."
For a moment the two lovers conversed quietly while Blaise watched in confusion. As flattering as it was to be wanted by two men, there was still some concern over his life.
Finally the men turned back to him, the dragonlord's eyes watching his every move while the prince smiled, explaining their decision.
"We have a proposition for you, Blaise Zabini. No more hired helping, no going back to Slytherin. You'll stay here, be paid for your service."
"And the catch?"
"No catch. The job offer is there if you want it. However, Charlie and I wonder if you might want something more - with us."
Blaise blinked. "Both of you? You want…"
"A relationship, yes. You say you have an admiration for people like us. I wonder if that's because you're one too."
Blaise pursed his lips. The last time he had admitted to such a thing, he'd been younger than the prince, telling his parents for the first time. Their reactions had him running away, become a pickpocket - the first step in a long and dangerous career that he never liked anyway.
He smiled at them, taking a deep breath. "Yes. And I … I wouldn't be opposed to staying here and seeing how things go, your highnesses."
For the first time, Charlie smiled his way. "No need for titles anymore, Blaise. Come, let's find you a room."
