Alfred didn't see Arthur later though; he didn't go to the library. He never did find the time to visit the prince. He worked until both his body and mind were exhausted. He studied fighting, strategy. Only once in a blue moon would he see the prince, and it was only for a brief moment before Alfred left to do more work.
Before either of them could comprehend it, two years had passed since that day they embraced for the first time. Alfred was fourteen, and Arthur was eighteen. It was that very July morning that Alfred was taking the oath of knighthood. Arthur awoke that morning fully aware of that fact. He breathed in and sighed. Though they hadn't seen each other much, he had thought about the young knight nearly every night. He had by then accepted his sexuality; he liked men… He loved Alfred… Some of the time he would catch himself fantasizing about the young knight… by this time he had accepted it as one of his guilty pleasures. He sighed and rolled over. But it was not to be… What would the kingdom think if they knew their future ruler was in love with a man?
Alfred stood in his room, Francis behind him. "You have done well for yourself since then." Francis placed a hand on his shoulder. "Well done, you have exceeded far beyond my expectations of you, far beyond the other children." He smiled. "Alfred, you will make a fine knight."
"Thank you, Francis." Alfred looked in the mirror; he was dressed in extravagant clothing. The fourteenth birthday is important, it is when a young knight graduates from training; it is when he finally becomes a man.
"Remember though, you aren't finished. You will be an official knight now, no longer in training, but that doesn't mean you can get to skip out of practice." He grinned. "But you can look forward to training for a specific position. That all depends on what the king thinks you can do… Assuming the prince doesn't request you." He winked.
"You think I may be able to work up to Arthur's personal guard?" Alfred questioned. That was his goal; it was his promise to Arthur years ago. Not a day of training went by that he didn't remember.
Francis thought for a moment. Alfred was quite amazing. Ivan and Ludwig turned fourteen the year before; Yao was only a few months ago, and Feliciano would be in another few months. None of them had begun training for such high positions. "Well… That depends… A guard has never been requested… but… You two are close friends... You have chemistry, I can tell… but… I do wonder something." He straightened Alfred's collar.
"What is it?" Alfred shifted, helping Francis with straightening out his clothes. It was uncomfortable, too tight; he didn't feel like he could move freely in it.
"… I do wonder… How you feel about our dear prince… I know you know by now… Loving another man it is frowned upon by most… But I want you to be honest with me."
"The prince?" Alfred paused, thinking about it. He knew he cared deeply for the prince, but was it love? He had never really thought about it. It could be… "I… Am not sure… It could be…"
"… Well… If he does request you as his guard, be careful Alfred… Don't let feelings get in the way of your judgment… there is nothing wrong with it but… you must protect the prince… and… be aware not everybody is… as open minded as I am…" Francis explained.
"Yes thank you. I will." Alfred nodded.
"Well… Do what you must to prepare… I will be waiting with the royals in the throne room." Francis gave Alfred's shoulders an encouraging squeeze.
"Right, thank you. Francis…. I am glad you didn't give up on me… Thank you." Alfred said.
"Never would I have dreamed of it." And with that, he left the room.
Alfred sighed, looking into the mirror. He looked handsome in the clothing set for him. His eyes were shinning, and he let a grin fall onto his face. He allowed himself to wonder about Francis's words. What would Arthur think? And how did he really feel about the prince? Those thoughts ran through his mind as he prepared for the ceremony.
Alfred took one last glance at himself, trying to fix his hair, but that one piece would never cooperate. "This is it." He took a deep and walked out of his room.
Arthur waited in the throne room next to his father and brother, drumming his fingers against the armrest nervously. Oliver was giving him a strange look. "What is it?" He asked his brother.
"Oh it's nothing." Oliver shook his head, giving his brother a smile.
"… Right…" He sighed and faced forward as Alfred entered, Arthur's jaw dropped. The boy was genuinely dashing. Alfred walked towards them, he held his head high. He sent a smiled towards his friend. Once he had approached the thrones, he bent down to one knee, bowing his head to the royals.
The king stood and approached the young boy. He drew his blade from its sheath, placing the flat of the sword to Alfred's right shoulder. He said a few words of wisdom and advice. The ceremony was finished quickly and the king gave Alfred permission to stand. "Sir Alfred Jones. You are now a knight, you are to serve the people, the kingdom, and its rulers. You are a protector of the peace. You must not allow yourself to become corrupt." He went on. "I have decided, after much deliberation, to have you train more thoroughly under Francis. You have proven yourself to be an asset to this country, with both wit and strength. You are hereby an official knight of the palace, and you will also help train the new recruits." He looked around. "Unless somebody believes he is better qualified for another position?" There was silence. "Alright then, I dub thee-"
"Father, wait." Alfred was surprise to see it was Oliver who had spoken. "I believe he may be capable for another position." Oliver winked at his brother. "Arthur has yet to receive a personal guard. He is getting older, and will be needing protection. I mean yes, Alfred will need more extensive training, but don't you think it would be a good idea?"
The king looked at Alfred thoughtfully. Arthur's heart beat quickly. The thought hadn't struck him. They had made that promise but… "Yes… I think that's a great plan."
Alfred bit the bottom of his lip, stopping the grin from forming on his lips. "Thank you, your majesty."
Arthur too was fighting a grin as he looked over to his brother. Oliver sent another wink over to him. The king finished off the ceremony setting the rules for Alfred, and that was it. He was in training to be Arthur's personal knight.
It wasn't until another two years passed that Francis dubbed Alfred ready to be Arthur's knight. Now he was sixteen, and over the last two years he figured some things out. Francis's words hadn't left him. How he felt about Arthur. He was sure he knew. Even though he hadn't seen Arthur much over the last four years, when they did meet, it was as if they never left each other. Alfred wasn't able to get the prince off of his mind. He promised himself, however, that he would never act on those feelings; he couldn't do that to the prince.
The prince was to fill Alfred in on his duties, so they were now looking forward to a full day together. Alfred couldn't help but be excited, even if their meeting was fully work based; he still wanted to see the man.
Arthur was excited too. But of course he would never show it. He wouldn't push the boy. He knew his feelings weren't exactly normal… He pondered on this as he headed to meet Alfred that morning, but before he reached the room he saw his brother. "Oliver."
"Good morning brother." Oliver said with a cheeky grin. "You seem excited, going to meet your lover?"
"Lover?! Oliver that's…" Arthur gulped. "… Oliver… I have a question…"
"And what is that?" Oliver cocked his head to the side.
"… Erm… Two years ago… when you suggested to father, Alfred train to be my knight… Why?"
"Well, I figured you and him were friends. I know you two have been busy and unable to see each other. So I did it for you. I wanted my little brother to have his friend back." Oliver smiled.
Arthur blushed. "… But… is there more to it?" The young prince did wonder if he could confine in his elder brother his secret, he wondered if he had already figured it out… but he wanted to make sure. If he didn't know, he wouldn't tell, but if he did know… He wouldn't lie.
"Well, there is also the fact that it gives me the ability to poke fun at you. I get some great reactions." He chuckled.
Arthur blushed. "You're awful…"
"I'm your brother, I'm supposed to be." Oliver said with a grin.
Arthur smiled faintly. "Shouldn't it be the opposite? Well… If that's all there is to it… I suppose I should meet Alfred."
"Yes, I will see you later." He winked. "Oh, I will be stopping by in a moment to help you and Alfred." Oliver walked away with a wave.
Alfred stood in the meeting room, once more he was dressed up in formal attire. He shifted his weight nervous to be meeting Arthur again for the first time in a long time.
Arthur entered shortly, shutting the door quietly behind him. He smiled at Alfred. "Good morning. It's nice to see you again… Sir Alfred."
"Right, yes it's nice to see you too…" Alfred tugged on his collar, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the formalities.
They merely stood there looking at each other for a long time until Arthur ran to the younger boy and hugged him. "Congratulations Alfred!"
Alfred smiled, wrapping his arms around the other. "Thanks."
Arthur sat down and pulled his knight down next to him… HIS knight… "Tell me what's been going on? How is your… Well… You know…"
"I have been spending my time training is all. I did make that promise didn't I?" Alfred said. His voice had become deeper, and his body more toned and muscled.
Arthur smiled. "I'm glad… I missed you though."
"Me too. I'm sorry it took so long, maybe it I hadn't lagged behind at the beginning, things wouldn't have been so busy." Alfred stretched his hands out in front of him. "And what about you? How has it been?"
"…I'm not sure… I've been… Thinking a lot… Preparations… I need to be ready to take the throne at any time now."
"Because of the assassination attempts" Alfred asked.
"Yes… I worry…" Arthur expressed.
"Your father, he has Francis and the rest of them to protect him." Alfred attempted to comfort the prince.
"Yes I know but… Something is happening… I wonder who's sending them… What if we're on the brink of war…?"
Alfred looked at his friend. "Do you think that could be true? I mean it would make sense. Eliminate the rulers…"
"… It worries me… but don't worry about that, are you excited?" He changed the subject, unable to stop himself from smiling about the fact that Alfred was his new personal guard.
"Yes, it's going to be great… though, I will still have to train."
"Obviously… Well… Let's… ehem… Run over your duties, shall we?" Arthur started.
"Yeah, good idea." Alfred smiled.
Arthur laughed dryly. "To be honest, I am not too sure myself. I've never had a personal knight."
"Well I guess we can start with, when I am on duty, when I should be training, and when I am free to sleep and do other things." Alfred started. "And then, when I'm on duty, where should I be positioned."
Arthur blushed, aware he didn't really know the answer to that. "I suppose it would be mainly at public events, whenever I leave the palace maybe?... You'd have to ask."
Oliver entered the room. "Hello." He said simply. "I am here to help give Alfred a brief over view of his duties, as I told you earlier." He winked. "Seeing as you don't know what you're doing."
Alfred frowned. He had been able to avoid contact with the elder prince since that incident. "Hello, thank you for coming to help us." Alfred tried to smile to hide his discomfort. He couldn't help but be afraid of the prince; he could get away with anything and have no punishment.
"What have the two of you gone over?" Oliver asked.
"We have only just started." Alfred stated.
"Of course. You will still train when Arthur is in confines of the palace. The biggest change is that you will need to guard him at night, considering the assassination attempts as of late. Guards will rotate watch through the night so you can get your sleep, but from now on you will be staying in the tower in the room across the hall from Arthur rather than with the rest of the knights."
A blush exploded on Arthur's face. How was he going to keep to himself with the very knight who piqued his interest when he was across the hall from him? No less contain himself?
"Makes sense." Alfred kept his voice serious. "Once I am assigned a room, I will gather my things and make the move."
"Absolutely. What's wrong Arthur?" Oliver turned to Arthur.
Arthur shook his head. "N-nothing." He looked at Alfred. "I suppose this makes you my official stalker." He said with a chuckle.
Alfred looked straight back at Arthur, his prince, his friend and duty. He cracked a smile. "I guess it does." The two boy burst into laughter.
"You just make sure to do your job." Oliver said with a smile.
Alfred cleared his throat. "Yes of course." He tried to keep a sober face, biting on his cheeks to keep his smirk from showing.
"Well you two have fun." Oliver tapped his brothers shoulder and whispered something in his ear before leaving, leaving his brother with a red face and a glare after his brother.
Alfred looked at the older prince as he left. "What did he say? Your face is flushed."
"Ooh… nothing. He's being an idiot… He likes to tease me…" Arthur said.
"About?" Alfred questioned, he never did like being left out of the loop.
"Erm… Nothing it's an inside joke… Come on." He stood. "I think I'll help you move to the tower. It will be difficult on your own with all those stairs."
"Well I don't have very much, but thank you. I can't have the prince doing this kind of stuff." Alfred lectured.
"Oh please Alfred… I'm your friend… Let's do ourselves a favor and not worry about status…" Arthur said.
"I guess… If you're alright with helping." Alfred smiled shyly. "Thanks."
Arthur smiled. "I'd love to."
"Thanks." Alfred smiled. "Well is that it then?" He asked as he stood up.
"I suppose." Arthur smiled as they exited. "So Alfred… Tell me what you think about…." He was just trying to make conversation, but he wasn't too sure what to say.
"About what? What do you have in mind Arthur?" Alfred asked as the two boys left to find out where Alfred's new room would be.
"You tell me?" Arthur laughed. "We're already friends, but we should get to know each other better I think."
"Well I have been training nonstop. But really, I am still me. I can't say I have changed too much." Alfred said. "And what about you?"
"Things have changed a lot for me." Arthur explained.
"How so?" Alfred tilted his head to the side.
"The way I look at things…"
Alfred looked at the prince with a puzzled expression, "What kinds of things? I don't get what you mean Arthur."
"I don't know… I almost feel like… I think more like you now… You said something awhile back… A long time ago… It didn't make sense then but… now it does."
"What did I say?" Alfred asked.
"I can't remember… anyway…" Arthur cleared his throat as they found Francis.
They asked him about Alfred's new room. In return, the captain sent one of his underlings to show them the way. They were escorted to Arthur's floor and shown an empty room. It was a room very close to Arthurs; only one hall down, much closer than a few floors away. Once they knew where to go, they made their way back to Alfred's original room.
Arthur sighed and they began their errand. It was simple enough and everything was soon settled. They finished moving the small amount of Items Alfred owned. Arthur smiled. "Well that was simple enough."
"Have I told you how much I have missed you?" Alfred asked.
Arthur grinned fondly. "I don't believe you have."
"Well I have. Finally, I have met my goal; now all I have to do is protect you." Alfred smiled, "I will succeed."
Arthur smiled. "I'm proud of you… Hah… I hope you don't mind standing guard outside my room at night."
"I don't mind, though it would probably get a bit lonely." Alfred smiled sadly. "But I will be fine; it is part of my job."
Arthur frowned. "Lonely?... I'm sorry." He looked away. "Well… we'll practically be forced to keep each other company now… I'll try to stay awake and talk to you… I would feel awful knowing you're out there all alone."
"But you need your sleep, and wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Alfred stammered.
Arthur shook his head. "Oh no, that wouldn't be any trouble at all… I'm not worried… We've slept in the same room before…" The boys looked at each other for a long time before blush crept onto both of their faces. Arthur sputtered. "We were only children." Damn, he was twenty years old now, no need to act like a school girl.
"That was a very long time ago…" Alfred said, glancing at the prince.
"Y-yes well of course… Even for me… It was barely expectable… At my age… Alfred… What… Do you think ah… Never mind."
"Alright? I'm sorry I over stepped my bounds back then, I shouldn't have done that." Alfred said looking down at the ground.
"Oh… No you didn't… It wasn't a problem… and I didn't mind." Arthur said.
"So what were you trying to say earlier?" Alfred asked.
"Uhm… nothing… Well… It's been awhile… Let's see how you have improved shall we? Would you like to spar with me?"
"I must say, I have improved tremendously, I am not the same bumbling boy I once was, my prince." He said with a cheeky grin.
"Oh stop it with the titles. Just Arthur is fine." Arthur smiled as they left the room.
"Just because you're my prince, doesn't mean I will go easy on you." Alfred said with a cocky grin.
Arthur grinned. "Nor will I." He tapped the underside of Alfred's chin, noting the stubble growing there. "As long as you've got control of your strength?"
"Yes, I have had control over that since four years ago. That was my first goal to work towards." Alfred stated taking a step back from the prince; the closeness was unfamiliar to him.
"After the promise?" Arthur looked away as he travelled down the spiral staircase, hoping he hadn't made the other uncomfortable…
"Yes, after then. I wanted so much to be able to protect you. You were my goal."
Arthur rounded a corner looking away from the boy, blush on his face. "You know… I never considered that might have been a turning point or goal for you… I thought about it from time to time… But it seems you truly took it to heart… I'm glad."
"I was so afraid that night... I thought you might die… and I couldn't do anything about it." Alfred said.
Arthur sighed. "Well… That doesn't matter now… Besides… If it gave you motivation maybe it was a good thing."
The two entered the arena; Alfred went to retrieve two practice blades, one for Arthur and one for himself. "Are you ready?" Alfred said with a large grin plastered on his face.
"Thank you, and yes… I must admit my ego isn't quite letting me be one hundred percent confident with this one… You're strong… and if you've improved as much as Francis said…"
"It would be embarrassing if you won, if a knight was weaker than his liege." Alfred frowned at the thought of losing to the prince.
"Well… I am rather skilled, hopefully more than any assassin… but we'll see, won't we?" He took a fighting stance.
Alfred stood at ready, his blade slid across Arthur's. He could already see the faults in Arthur's stance. He was off balance. Alfred grinned.
Arthur pressed his lips together and they began their duel. Gracious… Alfred was strong, the prince could feel it from the moment their blades clashed, but he would hold his own.
As they fought, Alfred could feel Arthur's strength failing. The prince noticed this too, and he was not too happy about it at all.
Alfred and Arthur fought for hours, Alfred could have taken the prince many times, but he dragged it out so Arthur wouldn't feel too bad. After a while, Alfred was beginning to feel tired himself, so he quickly found an opening, Arthur's blade fell to the ground in one smooth motion.
Arthur put his hands up in surrender. "You have definitely improved."
"I told you I wasn't going to go easy on you." Alfred chuckled, wiping the sweat from his brow. Alfred smiled at the prince, his eyes were glowing. He hadn't felt so relaxed in a long while.
"I believed you." Arthur smiled back. When had Alfred become so… beautiful? Arthur couldn't help but notice his smile and his beautiful blue eyes.
"Shall we call it quits then? I don't know about you, but I am tired." Alfred said lending his weight on his blade, which was stabbed into the ground.
"Sounds alright with me." Arthur took his sword, and offered to take Alfred's as well. Alfred gave it to the prince gratefully. The prince placed the two practice blades on the rack before returning to Alfred.
In contrast to the last four years, the two boys spent all their time together, and Arthur was more convinced every day that he had fallen hard for the knight, and he hated not knowing whether or not Alfred felt the same. Regardless, he played it safe. Two weeks passed, and nightfall came later as summer approached. Alfred would be seventeen soon. It was a particularly warm night, with a dazzlingly clean sky when Arthur just couldn't find sleep… His body was strangely sensitive. He gazed out the window at the sky. The stars twinkled. Arthur kept glancing back at the door, knowing Alfred stood watch just outside of it. He smiled and opened it. "Alfred? Come see this!" He whispered.
Alfred tensed at first; he thought that something was wrong. But after seeing the prince's face, he knew that nothing had happened. "What is it?" He asked curiosity filling his voice.
"The sky. It's beautiful. You can see every star there is!" He smiled.
"It is beautiful." Alfred said as he stepped inside the room, he could see the glorious display of stars that shone outside the prince's window, and it truly was amazing.
Arthur grinned. "This is one of the reasons I love summer." Arthur continued to sate at the black veil before them in silence for a long time. "… How do you keep yourself entertained out there?" He asked, interrupting the silence.
"Well it can be kind of boring… It is hard not to fall asleep… but then I start to worry about the things that could happen if I did… and well I begin to fear that while I am out there, someone could be in here hurting you and I wouldn't even know…" Alfred rambled on.
"Gracious. Alfred I'll be fine, that's why you're outside… But I suppose your thoughts DO have to be pretty exciting to keep you awake… But I'm sure there are other exciting scenarios you could think up." The words came out before he could think about the ways they could have been taken. "That… do not involve my death… but you're so quiet out there. Honestly, I sometimes wish you would come in and talk with me." He laughed dryly at how childish he sounded.
"I would come and talk, you only need to ask." Alfred said. "I can't just walk in here and expect you to talk with me…" Alfred paused, giving Arthur a sideways glance. "What would you suggest I fantasize about?"
Arthur blushed. "Oh… Anything…" He thought about things he could say, but he wouldn't say anything HE fantasized about… But after looking at Alfred's face, that smile placed on his perfect lips, and his eyes… Arthur couldn't help but wonder about Alfred… Maybe he did feel the same? It was a long shot… but… If he was right, it was worth trying… But he had to be subtle… Arthur cleared his throat. "Erm... Anything really… Well you're that age after all." He wiggled his eyebrows. "See any maids around the palace that catch your eye?"
Alfred's face turned red. "Well… I… Don't… Girls don't… No… Not really."
Arthur glanced at him. "I'm only teasing… but… I'm not particularly fond of the girls in that way either."
"Does that mean… Well…" Alfred stuttered.
"Mean what?... Finish your sentences, you silly boy." Arthur smiled fondly.
"Well… No… Never mind… Forget I said anything." Alfred suggested, shifting his weight.
"No. Tell me…" A long silence went by before Arthur grinned. "That's an order. Sir Alfred." He nudged his knight.
"… Well… Do you like… Just forget it…" Alfred mumbled.
"Do I liiike… What?... Unicorns?... Boys?" Arthur sung.
"Boys?"
"… Well… You said there was nothing wrong with that a long time ago right?... and… yes… yes I do…" He looked away. Damn it. He didn't mean for this to be a confession.
"So you like boys?..." Alfred asked just to confirm what he had heard.
"I suppose… It would have to be a secret… but… If I find somebody I really love…" Arthur said.
"But what about the kingdom? What would you do? It's not exactly acceptable…" Alfred said.
"… I don't know… I… Wouldn't be a very good king I suppose… But… I would be happy…" Arthur stated with a sad sigh, he wanted to be a good king, but he never felt like he was good enough.
"I think you would be a great king… even if you loved a man… D-do you like anyone?" Alfred asked.
"… Well… What if I said I fancied somebody?... Then what?" Arthur asked his knight.
"I would ask who it was… but then again… that is none of my business… I shouldn't ask such a personal question." Alfred said, glancing at the prince.
"Right… Well… I suppose a more valid question is… How would that make you feel?" Arthur asked, staring straight back at his knight.
"I-it wouldn't matter what I thought…" Alfred broke eye contact, looking to the ground.
"Why wouldn't it matter?... I care about how you feel…" Arthur cleared his throat.
"I just wouldn't… It isn't my place to say anything…" Alfred kept his eyes on anything but the prince.
Arthur huffed. "No… Alfred… let's be honest with each other…"
Alfred stayed silent.
"I… do fancy someone." Arthur sat next to his knight. "And what about you?... Do you… Fancy somebody?... A boy?"
Alfred nodded slowly. "But I would never tell the person…"
"Ahh, so you DO fancy somebody?" Arthur allowed a smile and a bit of hope as he watched Alfred… sitting on his bed… oh god what was he supposed to do now? Arthur cleared his throat. "Why wouldn't you?... Well… As long as the other person is accepting of your feelings that is…"
"Because it wouldn't be good, it would only get in the way…" Alfred explained.
"Get in the way of… Your knightly duties?... Is that it?" Arthur unconsciously leaned closer.
"Well… it is more his, than my own… He has duties he needs to fulfill, and I can't help him with them…" Alfred mumbled, he was beginning to feel uncomfortable, he noticed how Arthur was closer now.
"I see… but… If you love him… If he feels the same… Wouldn't that be cruel?" Arthur asked.
"I… Forgive me… I need to return to my duties." Alfred stood up quickly and bowed to the prince before taking his leave.
Arthur watched him leave and sighed. "Good night." Maybe he had come on too strong… Arthur sighed. "Well good job, you bloody fool… you ruined everything." He curled up n the bed and let out a long sigh.
Alfred had left his watch, switching places with another palace guard. He needed to think. He returned to his room, laying down in his bed thinking about the prince. He already knew he loved the prince, he had accepted that fact, but to actually be with him? That could never happen, could it?
And yet… He wanted him… He wanted Arthur's warmth… He remembered their first hug, the first time they held hands… He needed the prince's affection… Being his knight… was just not enough. Alfred chased the thoughts away, but they kept returning. What WAS enough? He knew he loved Arthur but… Oh Gosh... He was at that age, wasn't he?
Even if it was acceptable for them to be in a relationship… What was it Arthur would expect of him? What was the duty if a… boy wife?... How could he describe that?... All of it made his head spin… but he DID need to stay awake while his prince slept, even though he had a replacement knight out there.
After a while of thinking, Alfred gave in. He was going to trade his duty, for his heart. He left his room in a hurry and relieved the other guard from his watch duty. After waiting a good while, Alfred finally got the courage to knock on the door. "Arthur?"
Arthur opened his eyes and looked to the doorway. He wasn't sure if he should answer, but he did. There was no way Alfred would believe he was asleep already. "Yes?"
Alfred opened the door slightly, for the longest time he didn't say anything. "You asked me if I liked anyone… Well… I-I do… I l-like… You…" Alfred stuttered before closing the door quickly and slumping against its wooden frame, sliding down to the ground. The longest five minutes of his life passed before Arthur pulled the door open, Alfred fell backward with a croak.
Arthur smiled. "Sorry… Be careful, silly." He knelt above the knight's head and placed a soft, quick, and chaste kiss to the younger boy's lips. "I feel the same," Then he stood.
Alfred scrambled to his feet as the prince closed the door soundlessly. "What are we going to do?" Alfred asked through the door, his voice muffled through the wood.
"Why not be happy about it?" Arthur's voice came from behind the door. He was leaning against the other side just as Alfred was.
"But you can't…" Alfred whispered.
"I can't what?" Arthur shifted from the other side of the door.
"You have the kingdom… What about a queen? Heirs?" Alfred questioned.
Arthur closed his fists and let out a long sigh. "I know… I thought about it for a long time… I tried to get rid of it but… it's honestly just… a part of me… I can't get rid of it… and I've accepted that but…" He sighed and turned around, pressing his palms, chest and cheeks against the door that separated him from his knight. "Even if I didn't love you… Even if I took a queen just like every other prince before me and was perfectly happy… The people wouldn't know the real me… I'm a political figure…" He closed his eyes. "If I would be hiding the real me anyways… why can't I at least be happy?"
"But… What are we going to do?" Alfred asked.
"I don't know… but… you're my knight… and… I love you…" Arthur said.
"I-I love you too." Alfred spoke in a tiny voice; it was barely audible through the door.
Even so, Arthur smiled to himself. "Truly?" He felt like a love struck peasant girl as he bit his lip in anticipation.
"Arthur… May I come in?" Alfred asked, standing up and facing the door.
Arthur hesitated before he stepped away from the door and said, "Yes."
Alfred stepped inside, his face a tinge of pink as he saw Arthur. "So again… What are we going to do?"
Arthur sighed. "I don't know…" He looked away. "I …if we were to… well… be lovers… It would need to remain a secret…"
"I know that. I wouldn't tell a soul." Alfred smiled sadly.
Arthur let out a long breath and grinned sheepishly. "Erm… Alfred… Have I ever told you… that you're extremely handsome." He scratched the back of his head.
Alfred blushed and shook his head. "No, I don't believe you have."
"Well… You are…" Arthur cleared his throat and sat back down on his bed, patting the surface next to him. "Either way... Is that… what you want?... To… Be lovers?"
"I- Don't know… it's just… you…" Alfred ran a hand through his hair.
"I don't want to force you… but… oh, Alfred tell me your honest opinion alright?" Arthur waited for a response, but when none came, he continued. "I want to hear… What do you want? If politics were nothing… If I wasn't a prince… What would you want?"
"I want to be with you…" Alfred admitted finally.
"Then…" Arthur smiled. "Why not?" He held out his arms beckoning his knight to come to him.
Alfred blushed, and didn't move.
"Come now, don't be bashful." Arthur grinned. There was a knock at the door, and he whispered. "Damn… Your watch is over. I'll see you in the morning, love…" He whispered as somebody asked if everything was alright. "One more kiss poppet." He whispered quietly.
Alfred leaned in, allowing their lips to brush against one another. "I will see you later." He said in a soft voice before he collected himself and opened the door. Alfred glanced at the other guard, exchanging a few words before he left.
"Thank you." Arthur called after Alfred, nodding at the other knight. "Excuse me, I had a bad dream and woke with a start."
"Good night." Arthur said to the guard before the door was closed. He curled up as the guard closed the door and he grinned like an idiot. That night was the first time they kissed.
Welcome back. Thank you so much for sticking around thus far. We are very happy. Thank you
for the reviews, favorites, and follows. We look forward to posting the next chapter.
Please R&R what do you think about the story, is it good, bad, so-so? Any corrections? Finally a confession right?
Sorry it took so long but here is chapter five, we hope you guys enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy writing it.
Again please review it keeps us writing. Also if this chapter seems a little weird... I (Iseal) accidentally deleted a bunch of it and had to rewrite it... D: Soo sorry about that...
-Through the Loop