Title: Ordinary Days
Day/Theme: 18th September/"Arrangement in black and gold"
Series: Swordspoint
Character/Pairing: Alec/Richard
Rating: PG-13/12
Alec was sprawled carelessly over the window seat, apparently absorbed in Advanced Alchemical Processes and Their Effects, as the light from the setting sun streamed through the glass and illuminated his profile. "Apparently", because he was stealing glances at Richard through the curtain of chestnut hair falling over his face and Richard knew it, had been wondering when Alec would say something. He was trying out a move an opponent had surprised him with a few days ago and nimbly avoiding the cat, who kept trying to rub up against his legs.
Eventually, Alec put his book down.
"You're not fooling anyone, you know," he drawled, leaning back against the window's edge. He made a lovely picture, akin to portraits Richard had seen in long galleries in noble houses. Of course, they probably had been Alec's ancestors, or close to them. The last beam of the sun before it vanished below the roofs surrounding them lit up Alec's hair, which shone like a highly polished precious metal against the shadows of the black student's robe which was, as always, wrapped tightly around him.
"Neither are you," he pointed out, smiling slightly at the smirk that tilted Alec's lips.
"No," Alec murmured, rising gracefully and moving slowly towards him. Richard laid his sword down carefully and reached out to pull Alec to him.
They spoke little, with gasps and pauses: Alec writhing on the sheets, moaning out "Richard" and "please", the only time he ever remembered his manners; Richard speaking through a mouthful of autumn-coloured hair, "Alec, beautiful Alec" and Alec's responding cry.
After it was done, they lay back on the bed, breathing hard. Alec's eyes were closed, his face as innocent and serene as an angel's. Richard looked at his lover spread out over the sheets and thought: Alec would lead a rebellion against any god who tried to tell him what to do.