The shadow crept ever closer to the sleeping King. It slunk forward right next to the bed. It watched the King for a moment and suppressed a shudder of fear. He would be glad to be rid of the king. The man raised his dagger and brought it down to strike a deadly blow.
Berwald slept peacefully for only a few moments until he felt something strange. His eyes flickered open at the presence of fear in his bedroom. He saw a figure standing over him, brandishing a knife.
He swallowed and waited until the man moved to strike.
The figure lunged at him, he rolled away with a shout. The dagger plunged into the mattress, but the man quickly forced it out and after the King.
Meanwhile, Berwald rolled and grabbed for his sword at the far end of the room. Just as he dived, the man lunged at him again. The King cried out in pain as the dagger drove its way into his right arm.
Berwald hissed in pain but ignored it in favor of grabbing his sword. Finally his hand closed around the handle and he brandished it in front of him.
The man and he stood in silence for a moment, before the King spoke, "Why 're you doin' this?"
The man laughed hysterically, "You don't deserve to be a King. You are just a selfish Bastard who sits in his castle and wallows in his own people's fear." With that proclaimed the hooded figure dove for him again.
Berwald had no desire to hurt the man, so he rolled to the side, wary of his injured arm. The man banged into the table and groaned.
Suddenly the doors to his chambers opened and Alfred and Tino exploded into the room, weapons ablaze.
"Berwald!" Tino cried at the sight of blood.
Alfred growled with fury and attacked the hooded man without mercy. The skilled warrior took down the would be assassin easily and posed to strike the killing blow.
"No! Don't!" Berwald cried, standing too quickly. He groaned and fell against Tino as the worried knight fretted.
"With all do respect your majesty, this man tried to kill you," The words were pure venom as they spat their way through Alfred's lips.
Tino supported the king and stared in awe at Alfred. All presence of the once happy go lucky knight was gone. Tino no longer doubted why Alfred was Captain of the Guard.
Alfred's eyes were shards of ice and his entire body was coiled to strike death.
Berwald shook his head, "No, t-take him 't the...dungeons." The King's voice was weak and weakening as he lost more and more blood.
Alfred didn't miss the weakness in his King's voice. His hardened gaze softened as he turned to his bleeding friend. He turned back to the assassin, "Fine, you are lucky you have a just and kind King, bastard!" He spat.
The man scoffed, "Yeah right! The King deserves to die! He's the worst King this land has ever seen and-" He didn't finish, for Alfred had punched him right in the mouth.
Alfred held the man by the neck and turned to Tino, "Take Berwald to the infirmary, please," He said softly, "I will take care of him," he said much less kindly to the assassin.
Alfred stormed out the door with the man dragging behind him.
Tino stood in somewhat shocked silence, but was quickly pulled from his awe by a cough from the injured King.
"C'mon Berwald, you're gonna be fine," he said more as reassurance for him.
The King nodded silently and they started down their way to the infirmary.
/?/
Doctor Kiku was not a man to be messed with when it came to the life of the King.
The little Doctor was not happy in the slightest about being woken up at such an hour, he was even unhappier to see the King, practically hanging off Tino barely conscious.
Dr. Kiku ushered a reluctant and worried Tino out of the room and into the waiting area.
Tino sat there for a few more minuets before another door burst open, scaring the life out of him.
"Is he ok?! How is he?!" Mattaius shouted.
Lukas covered his lover's mouth to keep him quiet, but even he looked anxious.
Tino covered his face and sighed, "I don't know, Doctor Kiku threw me out," he said miserably.
Lukas nodded and, now that Matt had calmed, he went to sit down next to his friend. "How did you know his Majesty was being attacked?"
Tino ran a stiff hand over his tiered face, "Alfred and I were walking just down the hall aways, when we heard a shout come from Berwald's room. We ran as fast as we could and we found him being attacked by some guy with a knife. He had stabbed the King and he was bleeding... I've never seen Alfred so angry. He knocked the man out after he said that Berwald deserved to die," Tino's fists clenched in anger.
Matthaius' eyes gained a dangerous gleam, "Where did Alfred take the bastard?" His voice was a low growl.
Tino swallowed and wondered if he should tell the man. From the look in Matthaius' eyes he had better, "They're down in the dungeon."
Matthaius nodded, "I'll be back," he growled darkly and left without a sound.
Lukas and Tino sat in silence for a moment, before it was broken by a sigh from the magic user, "The three of them have always been close. They grew up together, doing everything together," he paused, "Matt ran away from home at a young age, he still hasn't told me why. Alfred was orphaned at a young age and was practically taken in by the previous King. Matt and Al have spent years trying to get over the curse's fear." Lukas looked away, "I'm still trying." Lukas sighed and his face seemed to crumble a bit, "When I told them that Berwald could feel their fear, despite trying to hide it, both of them were so furious at themselves. I told them it was ridiculous to blame themselves for something that was obviously not their fault but they refuse to listen. They're both so protective about the King, they know things about him that even I don't know." Lukas turned to him, addressing him directly, "But, Berwald seems to be connected to you the most somehow. Maybe's it's because you're immune to the curse, but whatever it is, he trusts you, and likes you a lot." Lukas' eyes grew dangerous, "If you hurt him or betray his trust I will banish you to a different dimension."
Tino was saved from answering when Dr. Kiku walked into the room, looking exhausted.
They both stood and asked him anxiously how he was.
"He will recover, after some rest, but he will be fine," the Doctor answered, "You may see him if you like," he opened the door.
"You go ahead, I'll go tell Matt and Al, that Berwald's going to be alright," Lukas said and left quietly.
Tino nodded and entered the infirmary. He walked straight up to Berwald's bed and sat down in the chair next to his bed.
Tino sighed and ran a soft and gentle hand across Berwald's face, brushing hair from his eyes. The King looked beautiful when he slept, Tino noticed. All of the sternness and pain hidden in the King's face was smoothed out by calm sleep.
"You have some crazy friends, Berwald," Tino murmured softly.
"I know," came the soft response from the bed.
Tino yelped in surprise but smiled when the King chuckled.
They stared at each other for a moment until Tino bent down and rested his forehead against the King's. "Please don't scare me like that, again," he said softly.
Berwald only nodded tiredly. Slowly, the King's eyes shut but just before he succumbed to sleep he reached out for Tino's hand. "Don' leave," he whispered and he was lost in dreamland.
Tino smiled softly and bent down, he gently kissed the king's forehead and whispered, "Wouldn't dream of it."
There was a slight cough behind him and he quickly turned around.
Doctor Kiku stood, tapping his foot and his arms crossed. There was a slight smugness to his smile and one eyebrow was raised.
Tino would have jumped up and gone to talk to him, if the King hadn't had a steel grip on his hand. "I-I can explain," he whispered hurriedly.
Kiku simply laughed lightly and shook his head, "No worries, I won't tell anyone. Just don't disturb the King to much," he said and walked away silently.
The knight sat back and enjoyed the warmth of the hand in his, he sighed.
Tino had not been this happy in a long time.
/?/
"But Doctor the Ball..." Berwald tried in vain.
Dr. Kiku shook his head, stopped, then thought for a moment, "Alright fine, you may leave the infirmary for your room, but you may only be up and around for a few hours at a time, at least for the next couple of days."
Berwald smiled and thanked the Doctor, and was heading out the door before he could change his mind.
Kiku sighed with relief when the King was gone. He was ashamed of his fear of the man he respected so much but he couldn't help it and it frustrated him that he didn't know why.
Tino laughed as he watched Berwald hurriedly leave. "Don't worry, I'll take care of him."
Kiku turned to him, "See that he follows everything I have asked."
Tino nodded, "It was decided that I will be staying in the King's chambers from now on."
"Oh really?" Kiku said with a knowing smile.
Tino blushed, "For his protection, of course!"
Kiku laughed lightly, "Of course. You had best go find him before he finds more trouble."
Tino bowed and thanked the Doctor and left quickly.
Kiku shook his head fondly, "They're cute together."
/?/
"But Tino, I have t' go help with the arrangements for the ball," Berwald said like a stubborn child. He would have crossed his arms if it hadn't been for the sling his injured arm was held in.
Tino shook his head, "No, you are not leaving this bed, Doctor's orders."
He saw Berwald sigh and fall back, "'Lright." Even though Tino was trying to look imposing, he only served to look even cuter to the King.
Someone knocked at the door and Tino got up to answer it.
A young messenger stood behind a tall blond man with a slight beard. The man bowed and took Tino's hand and kissed it lightly, "You must be the King Berwald," he said with a dramatic flourish.
Tino blushed darkly and was to shocked to answer. There was a slight clearing of the throat from his left and he jumped in surprise.
Berwald stared distrustfully at the stranger. He was not sure he liked this man who had kissed Tino, even if only on the hand. "No, I am the King. Who might you be?" Berwald said with controlled politeness.
The blond man seemed confused for a moment before his eyes lit with understanding, "Oh, it is a pleasure to meet you, I am King Francis." Instead of kissing the much more imposing man's hand, he simply bowed.
Berwald returned the bow with one of his own, "Of course your Majesty," he gestured out of the room and began leading him down the hall. "I must admit your request was a bit strange, but I will respect what you have asked. But, if I may, why did you request such a thing?"
Tino followed the two and listened, entranced by the way Berwald's voice seemed to change. It gained a regal tone, almost like he had to work harder to punctuate and form each word.
King Francis laughed, "Well my kingdom specializes and is know for its culinary skills, so I only thought it would be my way of thanking you for your invitation. Besides, cooking is my passion!" He said with a dramatic flair.
Berwald nodded and continued down the hall in silence until they reached the kitchen. As soon as he opened the door, everyone in the room froze. "Everyone, this is King Francis, and he will be in charge of the food for the ball in a few days." All in the Kitchen bowed respectfully and welcomed the foreign king.
The charming man smiled and rolled up his sleeves in excitement. "Thank you very much King Berwald, and it was a pleasure to meet you."
"Your majesty you need to go rest," Tino insisted quickly. Berwald nodded and bowed, then excused himself quickly.
Tino moved to follow when he was stopped by a hand on his arm. He turned to the other King.
"Is he always that frightening?" King Francis whispered to only him.
Tino frowned, King or not, no one spoke about his Berwald like that, "No he isn't frightening at all. Please excuse me," he said and quickly made his exit.
/?/
Berwald and Tino had been sitting in companionable silence for quite some time now, but something nagged at the back of the knight's mind, making it hard for him to concentrate on his book.
"Berwald?"
The King looked up from his book.
"C-Can you... I don't know... like tell when someone is afraid of you?" Tino asked hesitantly.
Berwald seemed surprised and placed his book down, "Normally, yes, I can. Why?"
Tino shook his head, "I-I'm sorry, it must be horrible," he whispered.
Something flashed through Berwald's eyes, and if Tino hadn't become as good as he had at reading Berwald, he would have missed it.
The taller man looked away out his window. "Sometimes, it can be. Even those I call friends are 'fraid of me. I don' blame them though, 's not their fault." Berwald turned back to Tino and walked to him cupping his chin. "But yer different. I can't sense fear in you. I've never felt so at peace with anyone before."
Tino smiled and leaned up. The King and the knight's lips connected with warmth and passion.
Berwald's lips were somewhat rough, but they had a soft, gentle quality about them that reflected the person they belonged to perfectly.
Tino couldn't believe what was happening to him. He was only sent to protect this King, and now he believed he was falling in love with him.
Berwald felt his heart was on fire in the best of way. A thought suddenly came to him, this was his second kiss in a matter of only two days.
The King never believed that anything like this would ever happen to him. He always thought that he would be unloved, and everyone would forever be afraid of him. Tino seemed to be the one exception, he was so vastly different and just so beautiful. Berwald could just imagine himself, years from now married to this man.
They pulled away with a gasp and stared at each other for a short while before both looked away with a slight blush.
"Y-you should rest Berwald," Tino said, seeing the eyes of the King drooping slightly.
Berwald sighed, "Only if you'll be here when I wake up."
Tino blushed and nodded, he ushered the king to his bed and the taller man lay down with a slight yawn. The instant Berwald's head hit the pillow he was out and Tino watched with some amusement as the King snored softly. Tino pulled the blanket up to Berwald's chin and kissed him lightly on the forehead.
He yawned himself and thought it a good idea to nap as well. He went to the bed that the servants had transported into his majesties room. The King's chambers were certainly big enough for it.
He lay down and fell asleep, dreaming of the kiss the two had shared just moments before.
/?/
Tino's eyes fluttered open. He glanced out the dark window and saw the crescent moon directly above. It must be around midnight.
He heard the sound that had woken him again, a slight whimper.
He sat up and walked to Berwald's bed.
The King was tossing and turning in a fretful sleep. His brow glistened with sweat and his jaw was clenched in fear and pain.
Berwald gave another cry and Tino rushed to awaken him. He could not bear to see his King in such pain.
"Berwald. Berwald! Wake up!" He cried shaking the king gently, mindful of his wound.
Finally he King's eyes burst open and he sat up with a gasp, nearly knocking into Tino. Berwald gazed around him with wide wild eyes until he finally rested on Tino.
"Berwald, what-" but he was interrupted when the King threw himself into the arms of the younger man.
Berwald sobbed into Tino's bare shoulder and it felt strange with the hot tears running down his bare chest.
Tino hugged him and with one hand ran his fingers through the blond hair, with the other, he made soothing circular motions on the King's naked back.
"'M sorry Tino," the King sobbed, "Please don' leave."
Tino's heart broke and he shushed him gently. He kissed the top of Berwald's head, "Never."
The sobbing soon subsided into soft snores and Tino realized the King had fallen asleep, still clutching him.
The knight yawned and gently scooted himself and the King down so they lay more comfortably on the bed.
Berwald wrapped his whole body around Tino's much smaller frame and drew the knight to him.
Tino sighed with comfort and ease at the warmth and protection the King radiated. He too curled in closer to Berwald and closed his eyes, easily falling back asleep.