Keith's heart was beating wildly and it felt as if it would burst from his chest as Lance leaned in closer.
"Close your eyes" He said his voice soft and low sending a chill down Keith's spine. The King closed his eyes quickly overly excited for what he thought was to come. He heard rustling and felt his hand be lifted and something placed in his palm. He frowned slightly having expected a kiss but smiled again when Lance told him to open his eyes. He looked down and in his hand was a soft knitted pair of socks. The wool dyed a beautiful red and Keith's smile widened. He had been hoping to have gotten a pair of Lance's famous knitted socks. Keith felt them and admired how soft and squishy they were.
"Wow.. They're beautiful Lance. Thank you." He said looking over at the blushing boy next to him.
"You like them? I'm glad." Lance said with a small nervous smile. Lance scooted closer to the King closing the gap between them.
"Want that second one now?" He asked looking over at Keith who just felt his stomach explode with butterflies yet again. Keith just nodded and closed his eyes more than ready. It didn't take long before he could feel the lightest touch of Lance's lips on his own and Keith was quick to lean in stealing the kiss. Lance was so unsure but it drove Keith mad. He just wanted to kiss him forever. Keith cupped both cheeks as he kissed the boy beside him. Before either of them knew it Lance was flat on his back and Keith was gazing down at the red faced boy beneath him. A blush crept up the back of his neck realizing their position and he hurried off allowing Lance to sit up.
"I'm sorry. I got a little ahead of myself." Keith stammered his whole face red now. He scratched the back of his neck shamed he had allowed himself to get so reckless. He didn't want to scare the poor boy off. Lance just sat up with a lopsided smile,his hair sticking out every which way.
"No apologies needed Your Highness. I quite enjoyed myself." he almost giggled. Between the nerves and the alcohol he hadn't minded whatsoever. Keith just smiled a bit and held out a hand to help him up. Lance gently took his newest trinket and held it out for Keith before turning his back to him.
"Could you help?" He asked and Keith smiled and gladly looped the chain around the boys neck clasping it before leaving a soft kiss on the back of his neck.
"There. Now you can look down and remember just how cheesy I was tonight." Keith teased and Lance just shrugged.
"I absolutely love cheesy Keith so it will be only happy memories." The two boys just stood staring at each other with stupid smiles before a oft knock came on the door. Keith was snapped out of his trance and remembered just how late it was. Thomas called from the other side of the door.
"Your Majesty? Are you ready for bed?"
"Just a moment!" Keith called back. Keith held out his arm for Lance. "Shall I escort you to your chambers for the evening?" Lance took his arm with a grin.
"If you insist. I'd surely get lost anyways." Lance replied and allowed Keith to lead him out of the room. Thomas stepped to the side and bowed.
"I'll be back shortly. You may ready my room. Thank you, Thomas." Keith said as they passed and the boy hurried in to complete his tasks. The two boys walked in a comfortable silence through the now empty halls. They passed a few people, mostly guards as they crossed the castle towards the McClain's chambers. Lance's free hand was resting on his new sword admiring the smooth cold metal of the hilt knowing his mother would not be so pleased. He would deal with that later. Soon they arrived outside the door to Lance's room.
"Will you need anything tonight? I can send someone?" Keith asked reluctantly releasing Lance's arm. Lance just raised an eyebrow.
"I can undress myself. Thank you though." He said and Keith just rolled his eyes.
"Of course you can. " He smiled. He hated how his mind took Lance's words and now he could only think of what Lance will be doing behind that door very shortly.
"Well. I will leave you to it then.. Um. Goodnight." Keith said. He turned to head away but Lance stopped him.
"Hey! " He called taking his hand. The boy leaned in kissing him one last time lingering for a few seconds.
"Merry Christmas." He said.
"Merry Christmas Lance." He watched as the boy disappeared behind the door and practically floated back to his own chambers wanting to sleep so the new day could come sooner.
"WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP" Lance was jostled awake by his three siblings who were now jumping on his bed wildly shouting. Lance shot up thinking the castle was on fire but soon remembered it was just excitement for Christmas and calmed down.
"Good Lord you frightened me" He mumbled falling backwards and snuggling back into the warm covers. He groaned as the children just bothered him more until he was dragged up from bed. He groaned and followed the noise out to the living area of his room and saw that Maria was already dressed in a gorgeous velvet gown.
"Merry Christmas Lance!" She said scooping him into a tight hug and leaving kisses all over his face.
"Morning Mama" Lance just mumbled rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Staying up past midnight with the King was probably a bad idea as he was exhausted. He yawned and flopped himself down on one of the plush arm chairs by the roaring fireplace and sighed happily. He could really get used to this.. The three children were soon rounded up to get dressed leaving Lance alone and in peace and quiet. It only lasted a few moments as a knock was heard. Lance sat up curious and invited the visitor in. Three women walked in holding a pile of what seemed to be Lance's outfit for the day. Man he was really being spoiled.
It wasn't long before Lance was fully dressed in clothes far too fine for him but he had to admit he looked good.
"Breakfast will be starting soon so come to the dining hall when you're ready." One of the seamstresses said as they were making their way out. Lance gently touched the trinket around his neck and couldn't help but smile at the memory of last night. He was nervous to see the King as always but more so excited now. What a change to have happened.
By the time Lance had made it to the dining hall loud voices of cheer were heard as everyone from court was eating and drinking and celebrating the holiday. Lance looked around trying to spot his family and felt an arm creep around his waist.
"You look stunning as always." Keith said quietly into his ear. Keith was lucky he had spoke or he may have accidentally been punched creeping up on him like that.
"You can't sneak up on someone like that" Lance hissed glancing back at the King who was just grinning smugly.
"Sorry." He said with no sympathy in his voice. "Shall we? I'm starved." He said and Lance had to agree and the two walked into the hall. Keith's arm slipped fro his waist to grip his hand uncaring of the lingering gazes. No one seemed to mind much as they just continued on with their morning. Keith walked to the end of one of the long tables and motioned for Lance to take a seat next to his own chair. Lance happily sat down seeing his family already seated. They were of course already digging in to the delicious foods around them. Lance piled up his own plate of foreign foods and happily conversed with the people around him. After breakfast was over Keith stood up silencing the room.
"Good morning and Merry Christmas to all. As you are aware there are many festivities and events in the castle today so please enjoy yourselves. This evening we will be sending off lanterns to mark the end of another great year together. As well as to celebrate those who could not be with us today." he glanced at Lance who just kept his eyes down. His whole family wishing Sophia could be here. It was the first holiday without her and it was hard to bear. "I will also be riding into town and spreading cheer so any and all is welcome to join. Until then, be merry." Everyone applauded and Keith took his seat again and the room resumed their morning. Keith leaned over taking Lance's hand in his own leaving a kiss on the back of it.
"You okay?" He asked and Lance looked over and smiled a bit.
"Yes. I just wish we could all be together is all." He said and Keith just smiled hoping to brighten the mood. He looked round and got the McClain family's attention.
"I have gifts for all of you. If you're ready for them?" Of course the children jumped up and were bouncing with excitement and Lance beamed thankful for Keith to have stopped their sorrow for a little while. "Come on then!" He called and all six of them made their way out of the dining hall. He lead them into the crown room where there was a large pile of beautifully wrapped boxes. Everyone oohed and aahed and Keith had them all sit before passing the gifts out. Maria was gifted 2 new dresses as well as shoes. She was also informed that the castle would be sending weekly packages of food to last them through the winter and she immediately broke down into tears relieved her family wouldn't go hungry again. Next was Veronica who also got new dresses but also a few new dolls that were beautiful carved and sewn, full of jewels and small outfits for the doll as well. She squealed and immediately ran off to play with her new friends. Luis and Marco were given a few outfits but also a new pair of overalls for playing outside to keep their clothes nice. Marco was given a slingshot and Luis a small practice bow. The boys were beyond excited and Maria was already warning them of the dangers earning a laugh from everyone. Next Lance was presented with a large box of clothes as well and he was reluctant to accept them after the gifts last night but Keith insisted.
"Now. There is one more gift. It is outside though. A little too large to bring inside.' Keith explained as he lead them to the stables. Lance's jaw dropped seeing the prettiest bay standing adorned in boys.
"You didn't.." he said and the kids ran up to the horse scouting excitedly. The horse snorted but allowed the children to hug, pet, and climb all over her for the next hour or so.
"I can't believe this.. It's just.. too much.' Lance said as Thomas gladly lead the horse giving the children rides around the courtyard. Keith just shrugged.
"I have to keep you around somehow." he joked and Lance just looked sideways at him.
"Trust me. You bribing us with amazing gifts is a good place to start." He joked back and they both watched the children enjoy their newest gift.
"Have you decided on a name?" Keith asked
"I think we decided to name her Kova. The younger ones came up with it. It has a nice ring to it." Lance replied. Maria was calling out now that the children should come inside and warm up as the air was near freezing. Lance had been hoping for snow all day but none yet. The horse was brought in and made comfortable before everyone returned inside the castle to defrost. They sat around the fire exchanging stories of past holidays and family and soon the younger two were snoring softly on the furniture and Veronica was still playing with her dolls. Maria was happily knitting humming softly as her fingers worked the soft yarn.
Lance was content watching his family safe and warm but looked over feeling Keith gently poke his knee. Keith looked at him with a small smirk and a look that seemed a little too mischievous for anyone's good.
"Wanna go on a ride?" He asked quietly and Lance glanced at his mother and smiled as they two snuck away.
"Okay. I changed my mind." Lance said and was stopped as Keith gripped the back of his riding cloak.
"Oh no you don't. Come on. You scared?" He challenged and Lance just swallowed hard looking at the now saddled horse. He just nodded quickly.
"Yes. I am scared" He admitted and Keith threw his head back laughing.
"Come on. I won't let you get hurt. Kova is gentle. She let all your siblings ride her didn't she?" Lance sighed knowing he was being ridiculous. She was just so tall. One of the stable boys bent to help Lance mount Kova and Keith showed him where to place his feet and hands for the smoothest mount. It took a couple tries but Lance was finally propped upright on the back of the horse and was actually not dying. Lance grinned pleased with himself but Kova snorted and shook her head sending Lance into a panicked fury. Keith cackled as he brought Red up to stand beside his nervous companion.
"Calm down. They can sense your unease. She has you. Now, you just have to trust her." Keith said and leaned over making sure Lance's riding cloak was secure and snug so he would stay warm.
"You ready?" he asked and Lance just shook his head. Keith chuckled and started off out of the courtyard and Lance gently urged Kova forward. He shrieked as she started forward excitedly wanting to catch up to Red.
"Stay calm. Stay calm. Stay calm." Lance chanted as he was bent over gripping her leads and mane for dear life. Keith raised an eyebrow at the pitiful display of horsemanship but kept Red at a steady walk. Lance took a deep breath and sat back up and adjusted in his saddle and started feeling a bit more confident after a while. They stopped at he gates and waited for them to open before proceeding.
"We are going for a short ride. We will return soon. If anyone asks, we uh.."Keith thought of a good excuse. "Actually, if anyone asks tell them I'm taking my partner on a ride because I say so and I want to." he told the gates guard and they just bowed. Keith smiled and glanced over at Lance who just grinned back. Keith was the King. He could take his boy out for a ride whenever he damned well pleased.
"Ready?" Keith asked and Lance just groaned as Keith trotted away. Lance sighed and started praying to the Gods as he nudged Kova into a trot.