1598
The revelry was bright and colorful, but restrained. They both knew the rules of courtly ceremony. It would take time for all of the necessary people to say what they were obliged to, and to give gifts. Austria was sitting next to Spain, hoping that he could get all of these formalities over with.
It was a royal wedding, and an important political alliance, so there would be no shortage of people who felt the need to show their respects. It already felt like it had been an eternity since the ceremony.
The ring on his finger was an unfamiliar sensation, but it was not unpleasant. Austria stole a glance at his young husband. Spain was a promising new power, and this alliance would surely be a great boon to his ruling house. But, he was not thinking of the politics of the moment. He was looking at the tousled brown waves and the remarkably attractive green eyes. He was contemplating the Roman nose that undeniably marked him as a son of Rome.
Spain was very handsome, and no one would deny it. He was also younger than Austria by a few years, and his recent military victories had made him strong and virile.
Austria smiled to himself at the prospect of spending the rest of his life with this man. His monarch had done well in making him a match, and it would likely make him happy.
Spain sighed and leaned over as yet another person came up to present them with a gift of some sort. He leaned over and said softly to Austria, "How much more of this must we endure?"
It was so clear on his face that he was impatient with all of this ceremony. Austria couldn't help but smile at the clear impatience. He said, "Don't worry, it will end in due time. Then it's a matter of the wedding night."
He had no idea whether Spain was a virgin. But, the lack of an embarrassed blush in his cheeks made Austria guess the answer. He was not disappointed. It meant very little to be his husband's first, when he was promised night after night by the vows they had said. It would also mean that he wouldn't have to worry about nervousness.
Instead, Spain replied quietly, "All of these people don't have to be present for that part too, do they?" The question seemed earnest, but Austria couldn't help but respond, "Why? Are you nervous?"
A roguish smirk crossed Spain's handsome lips. He said, in a tone that sent a shiver down Austria's back, "Is that a challenge?"
Austria appreciated the boldness. He laughed and said, "No, don't worry. We will be alone for our consummation." Spain laid his hand boldly on Austria's knee and said, "I would do my duty either way. I just wanted to know who was going to see it."
Austria looked down at the hand on his leg, and felt himself smile at this first physical contact. They had never been so close before, and it was intriguing. He said, "I hope that this will not be just duty for you."
Spain moved his hand further up Austria's thigh, to the point of impropriety, but he was not about to complain. Austria felt slightly hot under the collar at the touch.
It was only a prelude to what would come, but he already felt excited by it. Spain's suggestive tilt to his eyebrow was enough to get him to blush as Spain said, "I promise that it will not feel like duty to you. I will make sure that you feel like my husband."
After the conclusion of a long series of formalities, they found themselves in front on the threshold of the bedroom. Austria stopped for a moment, feeling a pang of nervousness. He knew what should be done on a wedding night, but finally being alone with Spain made him feel uncertain.
But, Spain seemed have to have no such uncertainties. He said, "Are you ready?"
Austria swallowed all of his feelings and said, "I am."
Then, without prompting, Spain swept him into his arms. Austria was surprised to feel his feet leave the floor. Spain gave him a cheeky smile and said, "What kind of husband would I be if I didn't carry you to bed the first time?"
It was charming of him, and Austria decided not to object. Instead, he gave Spain him a soft kiss on the cheek, and said, "You're doing well so far."
For a moment the boyish smile fell as Spain looked at him earnestly and said, "I have never been married before, and I want to do it correctly. It's important to me, and to the church."
If his youthful teasing had been endearing, then this little show of vulnerability was even more so. He seemed truly nervous, and all the sexual forwardness from earlier seemed to evaporate as he got closer to doing his duty.
Austria put one hand softly on his face and said, "I am impressed enough already. Now take me to bed."
Spain nodded, and then stepped over the threshold, and did not even pause before carrying him over to the bed. Austria quickly found himself on his back looking up to Spain's smiling face.
He reached up and took Spain's face in his hands, and pulled the man down towards him. He brought their lips together into the first deep kiss of the night. He could feel the firm pressure of Spain's lips, and the assertive way that that they urged his apart. There was a calm dominance in his actions that Austria felt very comfortable with.
He continued to hold Spain's face as the kiss deepened, and he felt the other man's hands on his flanks. It felt like he might be trying to find the laces to begin taking off his doublet. His hands fumbled, and it seemed like he was having some difficultly.
Austria pulled out of the kiss so that Spain could look at what he was doing. Spain did exactly that, and then let out a long breath like he was steadying himself. He seemed nervous again as he slowly worked on the laces.
Austria could guess that it was nerves because this was their wedding night. He said, "Is something the matter? You've done this before."
Spain let out another long breath and said, haltingly, "It's just that…none of my other lovers have been like you."
Intrigued, Austria couldn't stop himself from saying, "How so?"
Spain shook his head and finally managed to untie the laces and pull the doublet open enough to reveal Austria's neck and part of his chest.
He replied, "It doesn't matter. I'm marrying you."
Then he kissed Austria's newly exposed neck, which erased any idea of asking more questions. Instead, he used one hand to pet Spain's hair and said, encouragingly, "Yes, you are. Now, let's make it official."
—
Mid 17th Century
There was candlelight playing on the dark ceiling. New Spain found it mesmerizing to watch it flicker. He was laying on the bed, his mind slipping between coherent thoughts. The light on the ceiling that moved with the tiniest breeze.
He remembered having dinner with Spain and Austria, and nodding off and waking up in this bed. He hadn't slept the night before, and the long, boring dinner had made him drowsy.
He still didn't feel completely awake, even though his eyes were open. He couldn't place where Austria had gone, and he didn't care. The man's glares always made him want to wither away and hide. The bed was soft, and he was comfortable.
He was sure that Spain had carried him to this room. As soon as the thought occurred to him, he felt Spain's hand on his face, turning it gently away from the ceiling towards him.
Spain was sitting on the bed with a smile on his face that New Spain was sure he should have unnerved him, but his half-sleepy mind was not processing. Spain softly stroked his face and said, "You look happy, my dear."
Mexico responded, his voice coming out quieter than he intended, "I am comfy."
He felt himself smile. Spain's hand moved with slow determination down his cheek, and rested it under his chin. His voice was soft as he said, "Was Roderich boring you?"
Mexico wasn't sure what he was supposed to say, since he knew Austria was married to Spain, and he did not want to be rude about Spain's husband. He couldn't even remember what Austria had been talking about over dinner before he slept, so he wasn't sure if it was boring or not.
He bit his lower lip as he tried to will his tired brain to come up with a response. He finally said, "Maybe a little."
Spain reclined on the pillows next to him, and kept his eyes on him. He looked very comfortable reclining like that. New Spain couldn't name his own feelings about the moment, and didn't bother to try.
Instead, he let Spain put his arms around him and pull him closer so that he was on the pillows right next to him. It was warm, and he was comfortable enough that he could fall asleep again. The thought crossed his mind that Spain may want more from the night, but he was too drowsy to do it.
Spain's hand brushed a piece of hair off of his face, and said, softly, "Don't worry about him. He will be going back to Vienna soon."
New Spain nodded sleepily. He remembered that Austria was here for a state visit that was almost over. It had been such a trying experience, since Austria took every moment that Spain looked at him as a personal affront. New Spain felt like the man was looking for some excuse to dislike him.
Spain's thumb grazed softly against the side of his face as he stroked his hair. It felt soft enough, and New Spain felt like he could easily fall asleep again with those soft touches. He responded, sleepily, "He's your husband. I don't mind him."
It wasn't entirely honest, but he didn't want to seem like he was criticizing their marriage. But, Spain chuckled, "Yes, that is his title. I chose to marry him because he was powerful. I told myself that I could suffer a marriage to an old man if it made me stronger." He paused for a moment and stroked New Spain's face and said, "I did it for my faith, and to have the power to defend the Church. You can understand that, can't you?"
New Spain was not certain how he should respond to that. He had never questioned the marriage, but he had noticed a certain disinterest from Spain. He nodded to the question, and hoped that was enough.
To his relief, Spain did not seem to want an actual answer from him. He continued, "But, God saw my loyalty; he knew the sacrifice I made. And he rewarded me with what I really desired."
There were shifting colors in his green eyes, and Mexico found them mesmerizing. He knew he was staring at Spain's face like he was listening intently, but he was only half awake and half listening.
Spain's hand moved to tilt his chin up, and run his thumb across his lower lip. New Spain felt the intention in the touch, but he wasn't going to stop it. Spain continued talking. He was singularly talented at continuing to talk when New Spain wasn't really listening or responding.
He said, "He gave me you, my perfect little prince."
Then he leaned forward and kissed New Spain on the lips. He pressed their lips together firmly, and New Spain let him. He urged the boy's lips open and slipped his tongue into his mouth.
He tasted like wine and sweets. There must have been a dessert that New Spain slept through.
The older man started to leave kisses on New Spain's cheek and neck. He then put a hand on New Spain's thigh in a gesture that firmly suggested what he wanted.
It felt nice, but New Spain was in no mood to reciprocate. He only managed a tired moan.
Spain noticed the difference from the usual, and pulled away. New Spain was worried that he might look at him with confusion or anger.
When he met Spain's eyes, he saw a soft compassion. New Spain muttered back tiredly, "I'm sorry, Tony."
He was not sorry, but he felt like he should say it.
There was another touch of his hair and Spain said, "You really must be exhausted, my angel. I can wait until morning." He felt both of Spain's arms wrap around him and pull him closer.
Spain said, softly, "Come here." He eased New Spain's head against his chest, so that he was nestled firmly against Spain's chest with his head resting on the pillows.
New Spain cuddled closer and closed his eyes. Spain whispered softly, "You're more precious than Roderich."
With his head pressed against Spain's chest, he could hear his heart. The rhythmic beat was soothing. There was a hand in his hair, smoothing it. New Spain fell asleep listening to Spain's heart, with Spain petting his hair.
—-
Mid 17th Century
Spain sat down at the dinner table, where Austria was already sitting. Austria said, almost as soon, as Spain started to reach for a piece of the roasted duck in the middle of the table, "You are late again."
His tone could not have been more pointed. Clearly, he had something he wanted to say. Spain decided that he would make him wait for a response until he had food and wine. He knew it would frustrate Austria to not be answered immediately.
He seemed to think that he was an emperor and everyone would bend to his whims. Spain wanted it to be clear that they were equals and he would respond what he was ready. He took his time in taking food and waiting for the servants to bring him something to drink.
He could see the vein pulsing in Austria's temple as he waited. Once Spain was satisfied that he had both wine and food, he said, "I have responsibilities to my empire that take time. I would think that you would understand."
He knew the truth of the matter, but he wasn't going to vocalize it. He had been watching an artist paint New Spain and the session had gone longer than he expected. It was hard to pull himself away from New Spain's appealing presence for the sake of his frigid husband.
Austria scoffed as he tore a chunk of bread with his hand, "Your whole empire or one colony?"
Spain looked up and his face betrayed the truth. Austria said bitterly, "I knew it." His voice was laden with anger that left Spain with no doubt that he had heard all the rumors about New Spain, and had guessed at more on his own.
Spain felt his defenses going up. His time with New Spain was precious to him and he was not about to give it up. He said, "What does it matter if I was with him? He is my most valuable colony."
He took a drink of wine and readied himself for a fight. He could see the angry furrowing between Austria's brows. He knew that a storm was about to come. Austria said, "I am surprised you didn't bring him to have dinner with us. You have invited him into every other part of our marriage."
Spain took another long drink, and found himself wishing that he had invited New Spain. That would have saved him from this tense conversation that he had no interest in having. He imagined how nice it would be to be spoon-feeding New Spain dessert instead of listening to the prattling of his husband.
Austria continued speaking through the silence as he thought, "For a man who claims to be pious, you are happy to throw away a sacrament."
The dig was too far, and it sparked real rage. If there was one thing that he was certain of it was his faith, and he would not have it questioned over a flirtation. Austria had no room to judge him.
Spain responded, trying to keep himself in check, "I am not trying to dissolve our marriage. I understand that we are married in the eyes of the Lord. How dare you-" Austria cut him off, raising his voice to match him, "Do you remember your vows?"
The question was difficult to answer, because Spain hardly did. They had been married so many years ago, and he had said them out of a political necessity instead of real conviction.
The other man noticed his hesitation and said, "Let me remind you: You promised to be true to me to the end of your days, and to love and honor me. You are breaking your vows with this tryst of yours!"
Spain pushed his plate away. There was no way that he was going to have a satisfying meal with this conversation. He replied, "You just resent that I love someone."
Austria's gaze was ice cold as he said, "The thought of you with him makes me sick."
Spain countered, tired of holding his tongue, "Then get used to the feeling. I'm not leaving him."
Abruptly, Austria stood, and said, "I can't stand looking at you." Then he turned and walked out.