Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Written for Chelsea's Murder Mystery Game: Empty Fire Pit: Bonfire / Marshmallows

Word Count: 883


Wishing For A Future Husband


Prince Tom huffed, rolling his eyes as he looked away from his father.

"I warned you that had you not found a—"

"I don't want a partner, Father! I can take the crown without someone there to hold me back! Why must I—"

"Thomas!" King Riddle snapped. "Enough. You were warned, and now, I will intervene, as I said I would. If you act like a child, I'm going to treat you like a child, and you will not like the consequences. Do not test me, I'm not above an arranged marriage if you continue to refuse to even engage with others."

He swept from the room, his cloak brushing the floor, and Tom watched after him.

Bastard.

Tom didn't want to marry—and certainly none of the people his father had put in front of him thus far. Each and every one of the noble ladies and men had been vapid, insipid—and in a few cases, awfully smarmy—idiots, and Tom just didn't have the patience for it, especially not if he was expected to put up with the person for the rest of his life.

He sighed, closing his eyes for a long moment. As it seemed he had little choice but to attend his father's function, he supposed he should get ready. As little chance as he thought there would be for him to find someone he thought he could tolerate for the rest of his life, he wouldn't be caught unaware, looking anything but his best.

The bonfire was burning brightly in the dusk of the night, and Tom walked towards it, straightening his crown as he did. The grounds were filled with people milling around, the pool of prospects for Tom's hand had been opened to the townspeople.

All of them, by Royal decree, were there, and Tom was expected to talk to as many of them as he possibly could. He could see his Father standing close to the drinks area with his right hand and a few of the knights, though he knew he was watching Tom.

Ignoring him, Tom approached the fire, enjoying the heat it gave off. There were young children sitting on a bench, holding large sticks filled with marshmallows. Tom remembered roasting marshmallows himself as a child, and he smiled slightly at them when they looked at him.

Despite his misgivings for most people, he found children charming in their innocence.

There was a young man keeping an eye on them, to make sure they didn't get too close to the flames, and Tom looked him over. The moonlight was illuminating the bare skin of his arms, his sleeves rolled up in a way Tom never saw the nobles do.

He had the brightest green eyes Tom had ever seen, and messy dark hair that looked untameable. He noticed Tom looking at him, and even in the rapidly darkening evening, Tom could see the flush on his cheeks as he smiled and dropped his gaze back to the kids.

One by one, he helped them toast their marshmallows, pulling them back at just the perfect consistency. He paid little attention to Tom beyond that first look, clearly not there to impress the future king, and Tom found that he liked that.

He liked that the man didn't seem to care about Tom at all.

A hand on Tom's shoulder caught his attention, and he was surprised from his musings by his father's voice.

"I think you should make the rounds, Son. Don't you?"

"I'm quite happy here, Father," Tom said, jutting his chin at the man just slightly. "If that's quite alright?"

He saw his father's eyes widen slightly with surprise as he cast a surreptitious look at the man. "You should at least attempt to greet some of our guests before you return to the bonfire," he insisted, but there was an approval in his tone that Tom had rarely heard aimed his way.

"Of course, Father."

After being regaled with stories about the drama in the village, and with the need to throw people into the fire threatening to overwhelm him, Tom excused himself from the masses and returned to the bonfire.

The children were no longer there, but the man remained, and Tom let out a sigh of relief. It seemed almost like a fantasy as he joined the man by the flickering flames.

"I'm Tom," he introduced himself, softly.

"I know," the man replied. "Everybody is here for you, after all."

"And you are?"

"Nobody important."

"I think I should be the judge of that, no? Who are you?"

"Harry Potter. I'm… nobody."

"Given you're standing here beside me, I believe that makes you somebody," Tom pointed out.

Harry turned to look at him, and then smiled. "I suppose it does."

"Tell me about yourself, Harry Potter," Tom requested.

"You seemed rather taken with the young man by the fire, Tom," King Riddle said, at breakfast the following morning.

Tom nodded thoughtfully. "I would like to court him, Father. He'll be my husband and consort."

King Riddle smiled. "As you wish it son."

And Tom did wish, as he thought about the glow of Harry's skin, the sparkle of his eyes, the quickness of his wit.

Yes, Harry Potter was unlike the rest.

And he would be Tom's.


Also Written For:

Book Club: 9. Royalty!AU

Games Corner: Light Blue: Euston Road: Surprise

Lyric Alley: 2. Illuminates my skin

Showtime: 9. Royalty!AU

Trope Of The Month: 23. Surreptitious

Ari's AU Armoury: 1. Royalty!AU

Pucker Up: Molly Weasley: Royalty!AU

Treat Yourself: Face Mask: Romance

Puzzle Club: Puzzle 1: Royalty!AU

Chocolate Frogs: Bowtruckle: Threatening

NeonFae's Nibbles: Profiteroles: Drama (1) / "If you act like a child, I'm going to treat you like a child." (2) / Royalty!AU (5)

365: 7. Smarmy

Musical Yearly: 3. 70's: Bohemian Rhapsody: Is this just fantasy?

Insane: 62. Royalty!AU