A/N: The next seven stories are from my participation in Sweethearts Week over at the USUK Community on Livejournal. Day one's prompt was close to you :)

Title: Stargazing

Warnings: None

Summary: The King and Queen of Spades pause for a moment and watch the stars.

"Another treaty with Diamonds?" Arthur mumbled to himself as he scanned over the brief. The bags under his eyes were beginning to make themselves known, but Arthur refused to give up just yet. "Goodness... with this many contracts why don't we just merge the two bloody kingdoms?"

He started to read, only to get frustrated not even halfway through.

"They want us to cede more land? That Frog, I will never for the life of me understand how he became king!"

Aggravated, the Queen scrunched up the document and threw it into the wastebasket. He ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to calm down, glancing at his watch as he retracted his hand.

"Two in the morning? Good god," Arthur sighed, and started to rub his temple. "When did this job become so stressful?"

"When you made it stressful."

Arthur turned in his chair to find the King, adorned in a pair of elegant, blue, silk pajamas, standing in the doorway. He was smiling slightly, though he bit his lip as if anxious over something.

"You haven't come to bed yet. I started to worry," Alfred said as he approached. Arthur smiled tiredly at him before looking back at his stack of papers.

"Yes, well, unlike you, I take my responsibilities as royalty quite seriously."

"Hey, I take my role seriously! But that doesn't mean I overwork myself doing it."

Alfred lay a hand on his Queen's shoulder and squeezed gently. Arthur glanced up silently and blinked at his King.

"I know, love, I just..." he paused not quite knowing what to say. "I'll come to bed just as soon as I've finished with these," he assured as he motioned to a stack of papers. The King frowned, as he grabbed Arthur's arm, effectively lifting him from his chair.

"No, you're done for the day. Come on."

Arthur really would have struggled more had it not been so late. The King led him into their bedroom where he released his arm and gave him a light push toward the dresser. Arthur walked toward it almost mesmerized as the King made his way toward the massive window that mirrored their bed.

"Where are you going?" the Queen asked, as he made his way to the bureau and removed a similar pair of royal blue pajamas. He dressed quickly, fiddling with the buttons several times as his eyes glazed over with sleep.

"Just getting a little air," the King replied as he took a step out onto the balcony.

"At this hour?" Arthur called, pulling on his sleepwear.

"Look who's talking, Mr. Workaholic," Alfred answered with a slight laugh. It was quiet for a few moments, and as the Queen was about to climb into bed:

"Hey Arthur, you should come out here. It's beautiful outside."

Arthur sighed knowing his fate. If he didn't appease Alfred, the man would never come to bed. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and made his way out onto the balcony.

"What is this nonsense you wish to show me-"

The Queen squealed as an arm wrapped around his waist and pulled him flush up against the King. Alfred grinned happily as he pressed a chaste kiss to his Queen's forehead. He pulled away, grinning and watched as the Queen's cheeks brightened.

"Alfred, I am really not in the mood for your games tonight," Arthur told him, though he shyly pecked his King on the cheek.

"I know, and you've gotta get some rest, but I just wanted to show you something," the King replied just as easily and pointed up at the night sky. "Look at the stars."

The Queen did as told, and glanced up into the dark blue sky. Golden stars were scattered along the blanketed night, shining brilliantly down on the kingdom. When he looked hard enough, Arthur even spotted a few constellations in the sky as well as the slivered crescent moon. He smiled tenderly as he reached for the King's hand.

"You do realize that the stars come out every night, don't you?" the Queen inquired as he tangled his fingers amongst the King's. Alfred's hand was cold in the night, and Arthur's heat transferred quickly. The King squeezed his hand gently as he replied.

"Yeah, but for some reason I think they become ten times more beautiful when shared with you."

The Queen turned, a slight flush peppered across his cheeks, and playfully hit his husband.

"Nonsense."

"Not to me it's not," he said with a smile, and Arthur couldn't help but return it.

"A fool you are, it's amazing you became King."

Alfred let loose a laugh as he turned to face his partner. The shining stars were mirrored in his eyes and captivated Arthur. He smiled gently at his King, cherishing the sweet moment.

Of course Arthur had never meant what he said; Alfred was and always would be a terrific monarch. He was sweet and kind, but also charismatic and a powerful leader. People trusted him, they knew he would guide the kingdom to triumph, but would also stay true to it in times of trouble. Arthur would never admit it aloud, but he was proud to rule along someone like Alfred; it was an honor to do so.

"Ah, well, so be it. I'm glad that I'm a fool," Alfred answered with a soft chuckle as he squeezed Arthur's hand and started leading him back inside.

And needless to say, there were other reasons why Arthur thought of his King so highly. Arthur had definitely not been Alfred's parents' first choice as Queen, but Alfred insisted, claiming he would not take the throne unless he was permitted to marry the person he loved. His persistence had finally swayed his parents, and the two were married, and took the throne not long after.

Arthur glanced at Alfred sidelong, just in time to catch another vibrant grin spread across the man's face.

"And why is that?" Arthur answered as the King shut the door and led him to bed.

"Well don't you know, Arthur? Only fools fall in love."