Alfred retired to his room; Francis's warning rang through his mind. What would happen if people found out? What would Francis say? Was there anything wrong with this? Alfred felt excited, if only a little… What exactly did this mean then? What was he to expect… and what was expected of him?... A blush crept up his face. He wondered if Arthur had thought of that… then it hit him… sex… his face exploded red. Alfred turned over in his bed with a moan; it was too soon to get this stressed.
Morning came faster that Alfred had expected; he was lacking sleep, from both excitement and weariness. He loved the idea that he and Arthur could be together, even if it was only in secret. He floated through the hall way stopping at Arthur's door. He knocked a few times gently, waiting for an answer.
Arthur shifted slightly in his sleep, hearing the door open, but still not completely awake.
"Good morning Arthur. Sorry for waking you." Alfred stepped inside the room closing the door behind him.
Arthur's eyes fluttered open and he blinked a few times before smiling at Alfred and holding his arms out. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm tired… Had trouble sleeping…" Alfred admitted, stepping into the prince's grasp.
"You couldn't sleep?" He smiled and wrapped his arms around the boy.
"Just a bit excited, I guess." Alfred said.
"We're both acting like peasant girls aren't we?" Arthur laughed as he watched blush creep onto the other's face.
"So, what does the schedule look like for the day?" Alfred asked, enjoying Arthur's warmth.
"Well, first I have a meeting, and then we have new recruits coming in. I was thinking I might take a look." Arthur listed off the things he needed to do.
"I will accompany you, if you'd like." Alfred said.
"Perfect…" Arthur planted a kiss on his knight's lips.
Alfred blushed. "Yeah. Are you going to get ready?"
Arthur let out a long sigh. "Yes… I suppose I can't very well show up like this, can I?"
"That would be interesting." Alfred chuckled.
"Yes, and very amusing, until my father decides to kill me." Arthur laughed darkly, his grip tightening on the knight, before he released him and stood.
"Now that, not so much." Alfred stated.
Arthur chucked, stretching his arms out in front of him with a yawn.
"And there goes the warmth." Alfred complained following after the prince. Alfred wiped the sleep from his eye as he tried to wake himself up more. He was sure if he stayed on Arthur's bed any longer he wouldn't be waking up at all.
"Apologies, Sir Alfred." Arthur pulled his nightshirt off over his head.
Alfred blushed; he couldn't help but stare at Arthur's lean muscled body. He bit his lower lip trying to keep the blush from filling his face, he felt like a child with the way he couldn't keep himself from getting flustered at the slightest things.
Arthur turned around, rubbing the back of his neck; he glanced at Alfred and grinned. "Enjoying the show are we?"
"N-no… Well yes…" His face turned a brighter shade of red. So much for not getting flustered, he didn't think he would get caught, but of course he did.
"That's fine with me." Arthur winked. "Don't be bashful." He finished getting dressed and straightened up. "Shall we be off then?"
"Yeah." Alfred smiled, opening the door for the prince. "After you, my prince."
"Why thank you." The prince replied with an amused grin.
As they walked, the two brushed shoulders. Alfred reached for Arthur's hand, but thought better of it when Francis came into view.
He bowed to the prince. "Majesty, will you be present this evening?" Francis asked the prince.
Arthur nodded. "Briefly yes, as long as I can work around these meetings."
Alfred momentarily pondered on what Francis would say if he knew, but it was only a moment, and soon he and Arthur were at the meeting room. "I'm going to have to leave soon." Alfred sighed.
"Right then." Arthur looked around; ensuring nobody was in the corridor and planted a fast kiss on his knight's cheek before quickly entering the room.
"I'll wait out here." Alfred waved his cheeks pink.
Arthur waved back and took his seat next to Oliver.
"Enjoying your time with your lover?" The elder prince said with a large devious grin.
Arthur blinked and straightened up. "My what?... You mean Alfred? Don't be such an idiot."
Oliver's grin widened. "Then, why do you blush like a bride?"
"Because of the sheer stupidity of the idea." Arthur looked away.
"I think you like the idea." Oliver suggested.
A larger man made a grunting noise, silencing the entirety of the council member's in the room.
Arthur pressed his lips together and rolled his eyes. "Ridiculous." Then he fell silent as it began.
The man spoke about the happening's around the country. There was an attack at the east country side of their vast country. They discussed strategy, they did not yet want to take on the task of a war, and they were not prepared for such a task. Instead they discussed sending troops to help the people and protect them. They were on the defensive. Francis explained ideas that they could take on. Generals argued about what was to go on about this. But so far only three out of the twenty council members believed they should go to war. To wage war with the other country would be a disaster.
The meeting lasted for hours before they dismissed the members. It was defiantly a tedious subject; they didn't get anywhere, they had only spun around in circles.
Alfred waited outside the door as promised. He smiled at the prince as he exited the room.
Arthur nodded and smiled formally at Alfred. "Thank you for waiting."
"It is my duty, not that I mind. How did the meeting go?" Alfred asked quietly.
"It was necessary but, extremely mind-numbing; nothing was done, not one thing. All we did was argue." Arthur sighed.
Alfred tilted his head to the side. "What exactly was the conference about?" Alfred said. "What is happening?"
"Well… There is another country… and… I still don't quite understand it but… well we want them to like us… but that's not working thus far."
"Are we going to go to war?" He asked his face full of worry.
"No that's what we're trying to avoid. With any luck, they'll calm down… I'm not even sure what they want exactly yet."
Alfred rubbed his temples. "Land most likely, recourses; it is always about greed. So many people fight and lose their lives over it. They kill for the greed of their leaders."
Arthur shushed him. "We can't talk about it outside the meeting room."
"Sorry. So it is classified information at this point in time?" Alfred questioned.
"I don't know… but the new recruits can't know, nor can anybody outside the select few in the castle."
"… You seem tired… Do you still want to help train the recruits? Maybe we should do it another day?" Alfred asked. "I can imagine after such a long meeting, relaxing would be a good idea."
"No, I can spare some time. I don't want them to be strangers."
Alfred glanced around to make sure no one was near, and then he took Arthur's hand in his own. "If you are sure you're sure you are up to it."
Arthur smiled faintly and squeezed the boy's hand.
The two entered the arena seeing Gilbert instructing young boys, most seemed to be between the ages of ten and fifteen. They were so young.
Gilbert noticed their approach and had all the boys' line up for Arthur to inspect. He greeted the prince with a bow. "It's good to see you my prince. Are you here to help with training?"
"Yes, how many this year?"
"About thirty. There will be more boys coming next week." Gilbert explained.
"… As opposed to the five all those years ago… Strange… but necessary I suppose."
"It would be best if we didn't speak of such matters at the moment." Gilbert advised.
"Yes, especially to the new knights, they'd get scared."
Gilbert nodded. "Shall we get started then? These boys have a lot of training that needs to be done." Gilbert walked down the line of boys inspecting their stances and correcting them when needed. Arthur walked beside the knight, with Alfred trailing behind.
He nodded. "Alright… Well let's start with a question. What are you here for?" He stopped and addressed all the boys.
There were many different answers, all self satisfying. Arthur addressed each one, each time his frown grew more and more. He stopped at the last boy and asked once more. "What do you want out of joining the royal guard?"
The boy looked up at the prince, Arthur was hoping for a good answer. "I want to bring honor to my family." The boy said.
Arthur let out a sigh and then turned to address all the boys. "Being a part of the royal fight is not only about strength, but heart too. Your heart will bring you strength. It will make you fearless, but also kind and honorable."
Alfred watched as Arthur lectured to the young knights. He too was disappointed by their words. They were not promising. For one to only want fame and honor. They have yet to teach them, so there was a chance they could learn grace. That's what Alfred hoped at least.
Alfred and Arthur each took groups of the many boys, teaching each about stance and balance, how to move and block attacks. They were at it for hours, until the day turned to dusk.
Arthur returned to his room, they needed manpower, hopefully what they needed would come with time… but he was currently disappointed. "This is the first time I have hoped children were lying."
Alfred was sitting on the inside of the prince's room by the door. "I know what you mean. The children seemed too full of themselves."
"Our kingdom has been fortunate enough to have very good knights, but in other countries knights don't have a good reputation. I'm afraid unless they change; those children will become the bullies of the royal city." He began to undress. "I was worried about such a large group."
"They couldn't block out the bad ones." Alfred sighed and looked up seeing the other as he undressed, he blushed. "Sorry." Alfred averted his eyes, feeling too embarrassed to stare. "We will have to try to set them straight.
"With the best of luck, we'll do just that." He sighed and looked at Alfred with a grin. "Don't be so bashful… You're adorable."
"Adorable?" Alfred shook his head, face still red. "That's not true!" He complained.
"It definitely is." Arthur chuckled, still lacking a shirt; he suddenly knelt in front of Alfred between his legs. "You blush all the way to your ears…"
"I don't." He protested; he was beginning to feel Arthur's heat against his own skin; it felt good to be so close.
Arthur planted a kiss on his lips. "Silly. It's not a bad thing."
Alfred wrapped his arms around the prince's neck pulling him closer, deepening the kiss.
Arthur gasped slightly from surprise but smiled and wrapped his arms around his knight. "You're so strange." He muttered against the knight's lips. "One moment you're shy as a bird, the next you're the one directing me."
"I-I just like feeling close to you…" Alfred explained, leaning closer to the prince.
"Well, I certainly don't mind it either." Arthur began to place a few open mouthed kisses upon the knight's neck and collarbone.
Alfred bit his lower lip holding in a soft moan, his body tensed up.
"Do you not like it?" Arthur muttered pulling away from the boy. "Tell me if you're uncomfortable… I'm sorry; I'm being awfully forward, aren't I?"
"No… You're fine; I'm just not used to this… But as I said… I like being close to you." Alfred pulled the prince closer to prove his point and then placed a kiss on the man's lips.
Arthur stuck out his tongue teasingly. "Oh anxious are we? If you like it then just say so."
There was loud knock at the door.
Arthur jolted and stood, pulling Alfred up as well and moving to his dresser. "Yes?"
Francis stood outside the door, with a worried expression. "May I come in?" He called to the prince; he was already reaching for the door.
"No, I'm getting changed. I'll be out in just a moment!" It was a lame excuse. Francis had seen him half dressed multiple times.
"Alright…" Francis pulled his hand away; slightly annoyed, he tapped his foot and waited.
Arthur finished getting dressed and came out. "What is this about?" He asked, smoothing his hair.
"There is another meeting being called, your presence has been requested." Francis saw Alfred standing in the background, his face slightly flushed and closed rumpled. He frowned at the boy then glanced back at the prince. "We need to be quick."
Arthur dismissed Alfred with a nod and cleared his throat. "We were just talking about our new knights."
"Of course, your majesty." Francis nodded making room for Alfred to leave the room.
Arthur paced toward the throne room. "Should I be worried?"
"We are all worried, sire." The older knight said solemnly.
"… Then, I am… I'm afraid of the magic factor, honestly."
Francis motioned for Arthur to follow him. The two walked down corridor after corridor until they reached the large doors of the meeting room. The two stepped in and took their seats. The mood of the room told him everything. This was not good news. Everyone had a look of grieving on their faces. The king stood and addressed the counsel and they began.
Hours passed before the meeting was dismissed. Arthur was exhausted and sitting in his chair as the whole room had drained of people, except for himself and Francis.
"Are you feeling alright Arthur?" Francis asked.
"Wha? Oh, no I was just… Lost in thought… it's late… I should go to bed."
Francis decided that he was going to have to speak with Alfred, but he also knew he would have to beat Arthur to the knight's chambers, so he hurried away and found the boys door wide open. "Alfred?" He called in.
The young knight stood up, greeting his master. "Yes? What is it?"
"First of all… Is there anything you'd like to tell me?"
"What do you mean? No?" Alfred shook his head; he wasn't planning on outing himself or the prince. Francis could assume all he wanted.
"… How have your responsibilities with the prince been going?"
"They have been going well." Alfred said. "It seems like all those years we spent apart never happened. Still friends."
"Of course…I'm glad for you but… your duty is to protect the prince. If he is making an unwise decision, you must act as his guardian not his friend… or anything else…"
"Right… I understand…" Alfred looked anywhere but towards Francis."
"… I'll ask you think once… how do you feel about the prince?" Francis asked.
"He is a good friend, nothing more." Alfred lied through his teeth.
"… Of course… Well… Think clearly… Arthur has a duty he can't be distracted from. He has a kingdom to rule and produce an heir for…"
"I know!" Alfred was very close to yelling, feeling anger boiling up. He paused to think about what he was doing. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have raised my voice…"
Francis cocked an eyebrow at him. "If there is one thing I can't stand, its liars Alfred… I won't accuse you… But I will warn you… Don't let your emotions interfere. If it isn't like that now… I have seen the way you two look at each other… Don't let it go too far… It's not morals… It's duty.
Alfred nodded. "I understand." He hid his hands behind his back, they were shaking. He had always looked up to Francis, and to be disappointing him now was hard. He was trying to keep himself strong and not just tell Francis everything.
Francis looked at him for a long time. "The prince will be back soon… Off to your duties then." He turned and left.
Alfred slumped his shoulders. Damnit! He thought to himself as he walked across the hall to Arthur's room.
Arthur was collapsed on his bed, mumbling to himself.
Alfred knocked before he entered. "Arthur?"
"Yes?" Arthur mumbled.
"I'm here. Do you want me to come in? Or…" Alfred stopped and leaned against the door with a sigh. Should he do this? He wondered. Arthur had his duty, and he couldn't help him fulfill that.
"Yes come in."
"Hey…" Alfred stepped through the door.
"Hello love." Arthur smiled faintly.
"How was the meeting?" Alfred stepped over to his prince.
"I'm worried… A war may be coming."
Alfred looked at him, all his previous thoughts left. "A war?"
He sighed and looked into Alfred's blue eyes. "Are you feeling alright?"
Alfred nodded. "I'm fine."
"Good." He sighed, "I'm exhausted… say… do you want to… sleep in here tonight?"
"Is that alright?"
"… I hadn't thought about it…" He sighed and buried his face in his pillow.
Alfred placed his hand on Arthur's back in a comforting manner, rubbing his hand back and forth massaging the prince's tense muscles. "I'm sorry Arthur, are you alright? You seem so tense." Alfred frowned as he continued the motion.
"…Yes… I'm fine." He muttered, closing his eyes at the pleasing feeling of Alfred's hands rubbing his stressed back.
Alfred glanced at him. "I don't believe you. I can feel it. Things are getting bad aren't they?"
Arthur moved to face Alfred and wrapped his arms around the boy. He would admit the thought crossed his mind, they may be moving a bit fast. But he couldn't bring himself to care. "Not at all."
"I'm sorry." Alfred frowned. "Things are going to be difficult for the people. I hope things will blow over and we won't have to deal with this war…"
"… I don't know if I can stand that."
"You will be fine." Alfred gave him a squeeze. "Everything will be alright."
Arthur grinned and hummed. "Keep saying it like that and I might believe you."
"Well, I do hope I'm right." Alfred said in a wistful tone. "Arthur?..." Alfred contemplated if he should talk to Arthur about Francis.
"What is it, love?" Arthur took a long exhale, realizing that Alfred's hair smelt like heaven.
"Well… Francis came by my room today… He talked to me about… us…" Alfred said.
Arthur opened his eyes, heart stopping. "… Us?"
"Yeah… I told him nothing was going on… But still… He said I have a duty as your guard, not your friend… And he also mentioned an heir…: Alfred mumbled, feeling uncomfortable at the thought.
"…He's not stupid… I wonder if he knows…"
"I think he does… Though he had no proof. Damnit Arthur, he brought back the fears that I had to start with." Alfred said in a low voice. "I just… I just want to be with you… Is that such a bad thing?"
"No… Francis is pretty open minded about these sorts of things, but… it's… Because I am a prince… I think he'd be fine with it, otherwise.
"I know… He told me a long time ago… I wish things were not so complicated." Alfred said.
"Me too… but… Francis is my friend too… He wants me to be happy but… his duty tells him otherwise in this case… I don't care… Maybe it's childish, but I want to be with you too… If this means we have to sneak around, fine."
"Yeah… I know what you mean." Alfred sighed. "I never wanted to disappoint him…"
"… Me neither but… I …"Arthur blushed. "I think you're worth it, even if I do… Not that we shouldn't be careful.
"Yeah…" Alfred mumbled.
Arthur looked at his knight for a long time before sighing, and kissing his forehead softly. "Nobody said it would be easy."
"I know." Alfred pulled the prince closer. "I'm sorry things can't be." He buried his head in the crook of Arthur's neck. Closing his eyes.
The prince sighed. "… People will start getting suspicious if the other knights come for their shifts and you're in my room… or bed."
"… Do you want me to leave?" Alfred mumbled, his breath tingling Arthur's neck.
"Hmm, you don't have to quite yet…. Right?" Arthur asked.
"I don't have to yet." Alfred sighed, enjoying Arthur's warmth.
Arthur hugged his beloved knight to his chest. The boy was his same height now. He sighed sadly before feeling incredibly gloomy and under pressure, therefore groaning and hugging Alfred close, wrapping his legs around him too.
Alfred blushed but welcomed Arthur's contact. Snuggling next to Arthur, he fell asleep, forgetting the fact that he should be awake on duty watching over the prince. Being in Arthur's arms was so comforting; relaxing even, it was hard not to forget. He could feel all his worries slip away as he fell deeper into sleep.
That was his mistake, the next person on guard duty was Gilbert, and he was training Feliciano and Ludwig, so they were taking a watch together.
When he arrived, he didn't see Alfred standing guard. The first thing he thought was that Alfred may have been called inside for some reason. So Gilbert knocked on the door. No answer. That lack of answering was cause for alarm. He forced the door open.
Arthur jolted in his sleep at the noise but he was so deep in exhausted sleep, he didn't stir any more.
Gilbert slammed the door open, making a loud bang, forcing Alfred out of his sleep.
His eyes widened when he saw the two boys tangled together. He stuttered and watched Alfred's open eyes find his. Neither of them moved for a long time until Feliciano began peeking around the corner. "What's going on?" Gilbert shut the door behind him so the young knight wouldn't see. "Alfred." He muttered.
Alfred struggled out of Arthur's arms, falling out of the bed and standing at the ready. "G-Gilbert!" Alfred gasped out.
Arthur grumbled and woke, finally beginning to wake up. "Alfred? Where did you-" He was cut off by a yawn.
Gilbert cleared his throat and Arthur's eyes went wide as he slowly turned to look at the man.
Thank you for sticking with us. Cliff hanger dun dun duuuun. Well we hope you enjoyed your read. We will update soon. Thank you so much for reviews, favorites, and follows! Each are motivation for us. So thank you!
-Through the Loop
p.s. Be sure to check out Where the Lines Overlap by the-other-happy-one.