As soon as Seth looked up, Franz knew he'd been spotted. He also had a feeling Seth knew of the secret feelings he tried so hard to hide. But then, Seth always had been observant.
No running now. He had to do what he came here for. Franz had made up his mind to tell Seth how he felt, no matter the consequences. He had been keeping the feelings of attraction deep inside him for a long time and it was getting harder and harder to keep them inside.
"Hello, sir," Franz greeted, approaching the general.
"Franz. How are you getting on?" Seth asked.
"Quite well, sir. I was wondering though… Can I speak to you privately?" Franz asked nervously.
"Of course, Franz," Seth replied. He acted normally, giving no hint that he knew about Franz's feelings. But inside he was feeling more anxious than he ever had in his life.
The general led Franz to his quarters so the young knight could talk while Seth put his weapons away.
Seth's room was located in the castle, part of the benefits of being a general. It was a medium sized room, and quite well furnished located in the north-west wing, near the barracks of the other knights and recruits. There was a large, ornate wardrobe, a dresser and a stand for armour along the walls. There was also a desk in front of the window, littered with official documents and quills. To one side was a four poster bed, with a large chest at the bottom.
Franz sat on the chest as Seth rested his lance against the wall and began to remove his armour and put it on the stand.
"So, what did you want to talk about, Franz?" the general asked.
"Uh…well…" Franz looked distinctly uneasy. "I…I have…um…"
Seth glanced at Franz out of the corner of his eyes. "What's bothering you, Franz?"
"I...have feelings for someone I shouldn't, sir," Franz quietly replied.
"What do you mean? Are they involved with someone else?" Seth asked, deliberately playing dumb.
"No…not really…" Franz replied slowly. "They're…in the military. A higher rank than I am."
"So why have you come to me?" Seth asked.
"I was wondering…what you would do, sir," Franz said.
Seth paused and looked out of the window. He could see Kyle and Forde walking together, talking in the grounds below. "Well, I've never…really thought about it," Seth lied. "I suppose I would just have t ignore the feelings and concentrate on other things."
"Sir, I've tried that and these feelings won't leave me alone!" Franz replied. "No matter what I do, I can't get him-" Franz froze. "Uh… I-"
"You have feelings for a man?" Seth's voice was quiet and non-judgemental. "Franz, you cannot tell anybody about this. You could well lose the position you have earned in the military and in society."
"I know…but, sir… I cannot contain this anymore!" Franz almost shouted.
"Shh!" Seth said, grabbing the younger knight's arms. "Franz, I mean it! The consequences are-"
Franz cut him off with a kiss.
As quickly as it began, it was over and Seth stared into frightened green eyes.
"S-sir, I'm sorry! Really! I-I'll go," Franz stammered, twisting away from his idol.
"Franz, sit down!" Seth ordered.
Franz obeyed, shocked and scared.
"I'll forget about this incident as long as it never happens again. No matter what you feel for me, you have to ignore it, for both out sakes!" the general said, deadly serious.
Franz nodded slowly. "But, General Seth, sir, if you don't mind me asking, why are you not kicking me out of this room and the military?"
Seth had been dreading this question though he knew Franz would wonder. The best thing he could do was be honest and clear. "Because I came to some realisations earlier, and because you are a good knight and it would be a shame to lose you," he replied. "I can pass this off as a folly of youth on your part, as long as this does not continue."
"Realisations, sir?" Franz questioned.
"I…may feel something of a similar nature for you," Seth admitted. "But that does not mean anything as nothing can be done about them. Once you leave this room, it's to be as if these feelings do not exist between us."
"Then while we're in this room, I plan on taking full advantage!" Franz said, suddenly standing up.
"Franz, what-" Seth's question was cut off as Franz seized his shoulders and pulled him down for a passionate kiss.
Startled, Seth stumbled forward into the young man, and they both tumbled on to the bed. Seth tried to pull away, getting as far as parting their lips before he stopped and gazed into Franz's eyes.
"Franz…we have to stop," he said.
"So you want to, Seth?" Franz asked, forgoing the usual titles.
Seth looked down at him for a moment. "No," he replied.
Franz wasted no time in pulling the general down again for a kiss.
This time Seth responded as eagerly as Franz, relishing the warmth. His duties to Renais had not left the general much time to spend with a warm body in his bed and it surprised him how much he missed it, now that he had Franz beneath him.
As for Franz, he was making the most of this opportunity to show Seth how much he loved him because he would probably never get another chance. His hands moved from the general's shoulders to more comfortable positions around his waist.
Seth seemed to be getting more frantic in his ministrations. His hands roamed up and down Franz's sides, pulling up his tunic to touch the warm skin underneath.
Franz moaned at the touch. He couldn't help it. Seth's hands just felt so nice and, along with everything else – the kissing, the feel of the general on top of him as he had dreamt of so many times – Franz just couldn't keep silent any longer.
Immediately, he wished he had.
The general pulled away, leaving Franz gasping on the bed.
"Seth?" Franz slowly sat up to look at him, cheeks flushed and lips swollen.
"Leave," Seth replied, refusing to look at him.
"Sir?"
"Get out, Franz. That should never have happened," was Seth's reply. He ran a hand through his hair. "Forget it ever happened and move on, Franz. Get over these feelings, find a pretty girl and settle down."
Franz swallowed hard. "Yes, sir," he whispered. He stood up and straightened his clothes. "'Bye, sir," he said just before walking out the door.
Seth collapsed against the wall and slid to the floor. How could he have let himself go like that? It wasn't like him to lose control. Perhaps the feelings for Franz were a little stronger than he thought, but it was no matter now. They could never let anything like it happen again.
Sighing, Seth buried his face in his hands and tried to forget what had just happened.
A/N: I don't think this is going to go any further. Perhaps if I get another idea, but otherwise, this story doesn't have a happy ending for these boys. Thanks for all reviews and more are appreciated.