PruAus Week 2016 ; Day 2
Prompts : duel or dance + bonus! Historical event : Second Schleswig War : Prussia and Austria versus Denmark !
Rating : K+
No warning
Disclaimer : characters belong to Hidekaz Himaruya + A Well Respected Man belongs to The Kinks, I just borrowed and modified their song's title.
Well Respected Men
Vienna, 1864.
Pain. Sweat. Short breath. His whole body was tensed. His hands were shaking. They were so close. Gilbert's sword against his chest. And Gilbert's smirk so close to his own lips. God knows how Roderich wished he was able to punch him in the face.
"I won," the albino stated with pride and some teasing.
"You cheated, is what you did!" Roderich replied, outraged. "You asked for a fencing duel and you cannot even respect the rules!"
"Come on, Roderich! You know damn well fencing won't help you kick some Danish asses! There's no rule on a battlefield, only the art of fighting. I won."
"I did understand the first time, thank you very much."
"Oh no. Are you... Is your pride hurt because I won?" Gilbert asked with a proud grin.
"Ah! How could a barbarian soldier hurt my pride?"
"Barbarian? Is that so? Alright, Roddy. Show me what a gentleman you are!"
The Austrian put his sword away and wiped the sweat off his face with his handkerchief.
"Follow me to the music room."
Gilbert obliged. He walked a few steps behind the musician and entered a huge room with plain white walls, golden moldings and large windows offering a wonderful view of the manor garden. There Roderich sat, in front of a polished piano.
Gilbert remained standing, a few feet away from the pianist. Without further argument, the pale fingers started to play. Gilbert recognised it as a concerto by Mozart. He smiled while listening to the music, staring at Roderich whose hands were relentlessly moving across the black and white keys. It felt like nothing else existed but the piano, the music, and Roderich.
The instrument fell silent way too soon to Gilbert's liking, but Roderich faced him again with an inquiring look.
"So?"
"Brilliant. As always."
"You must admit that music is a true art, unlike fighting."
"I never said it wasn't!" Gilbert replied. "By the way..."
The albino took a few steps under Roderich's violet gaze and took the flute that was waiting for a player. His usual smirk still on the lips, he started playing, producing a cheerful melody and staring at Roderich's incredulous expression.
When he finished his little masterpiece, he asked:
"So?"
"...Surprising."
"I won?" Gilbert asked hesitantly.
"..."
Roderich could not fight these puppy eyes forever...
"Yes, you won, Mister Perfect!"
"Don't be such a sore loser, Roddy. I love you too."