"I'm still not sure I'm comfortable with you going out in the open like this," Alfred said from atop his horse.

Tino nodded his agreement, from his own horse.

Both knights sat on either side of King Berwald as they rode to their neighboring kingdom. Berwald sighed, "I know, but Matt and Lukas insisted." Berwald sighed again, "'Sides, it would be rude ta King Ludwig if we refused."

"I still don't like it," Alfred grumbled under his breath.

Tino sighed and steered his horse closer to his lover. "How are you?" he whispered low enough for Alfred not to hear.

Berwald sighed again, "'M fine," when he saw Tino critical face he sighed, "I'm alright, still a little shaken but... 'M okay," he said. He turned to Tino and gave the smaller man a small smile, a smile only he was meant to see.

Tino returned it tenfold, happy to see his love smiling again.

Berwald was still sensitive when it came to the evil sorcerer so the three of his friends refrained from mentioning it as much as possible.

At the moment, the trio and three other trusted knights were almost to their destination, only about another two hours or so.

Berwald was nervous, but only Alfred and Tino could tell, to the other knights he looked totally relaxed. The other three stayed a ways behind, whether out of fear of the King or wanting to protect him from attacks from behind they didn't know.

/?/

"Welcome to my home King Berwald," King Ludwig said with measured politeness. King Feliciano remained somewhat behind his husband, fidgeting and bouncing from one foot to the other.

He made a nervous squeak when his husband turned to him expectantly. "Y-Y-Yes it is a... very nice to s-s-see you again," he said, shivering and shaking.

Berwald's eyes flickered for a moment, reflecting a deep sadness at causing the smaller man so much fear. The sadness was quickly replaced by an air of calm confidence that was needed of any King.

"I must thank you for your invitation, your Majesty. It was most gracious of you," Berwald said with a deep bow of his own.

"It was my pleasure, now if you would like, I can show you to your rooms where you may rest before the negotiations," Ludwig said and gestured for them to follow him.

Obediently they followed the King.

Tino walked behind his lover, watching the regal way he moved. Berwald's shoulders were broad and his chin was held high, but not in an arrogant way. His air was of pride and power, his presence demanded respect.

Tino felt frustration burst through him when he saw that nearly every one they passed shook and quaked with fear as Berwald passed.

Tino looked to his right and saw that Alfred was just as upset as he. The taller knight's fists were clenched and his jaw was ridged.

It was only a short ways to their rooms, which were a few steps from each other.

"We will be having dinner in three hours, please do not be late," King Ludwig said stiffly.

The Kings nodded to each other and Ludwig left the three in the corridor.

Alfred yawned widely and stretched until his shoulder popped.

"I'm goin' to bed, I'll be at dinner," With a suggestive smile to the other two, he went into the room across from theirs.

This left the lovers by themselves in the empty hall.

Tino turned to Berwald and smiled, he leaned up and kissed him. Berwald, needing to feel his lips, swept him up and kissed him more fully.

Tino squeaked in surprise but smiled all the same.

They pulled apart with a gasp and stared at each other for a moment.

After what seems like eons Berwald sighed, "I will see you in a few hours." He spoke softly and kissed the smaller knight's head.

Tino nodded and smiled and watched his lover retreat into his room.

Dinner was a cordial affair that was mostly quiet.

Berwald and Ludwig whispered about politics and trading agreements. How things were run in their kingdoms.

Tino spoke with King Feliciano, about their simpler pasts and about their lovers.

"I do not understand why I feel such fear around King Berwald?" Feliciano whispered.

Tino sat back and sighed, "Many people fear him. And they do not know why. He is not evil or cruel or mean," a small smile ghosts its way across his face, "On the contrary, he is very kind and loving." He turned to Luciano, "You need not fear him anymore."

A thoughtful look crossed the other King's face, "Perhaps you are right, I have seen how willing he is to help his people, and I have seen how he is around you. He loves you dearly."

The dinner ended with everyone wishing each other a good night.

The Kings parted with a nod and they went their separate ways. As soon as they were alone, they linked hands and Berwald leaned down and kissed his lover's hand. It was a ghost of a kiss, barely there but it still left a tingle of warmth on Tino's hand.

Suddenly there was a laugh.

It was high and shrill as if it belonged to a child.

"Who's there?" Berwald demanded.

His question was only answered with another laugh. A shadow flitted around a corner and Berwald shot after it.

Tino was stunned for only a moment before he too was following after them.

Berwald, however, was much taller and was gifted with longer legs. Each stride was like two for poor Tino, who quickly lost sight of his lover.

Tino slowed to a jog and looked around still trying to find the taller man. With a frustrated sigh he cursed and picked a random hallway to go down in the maze.

Then he heard the strangest sound, the laughter of a child but also, the laugh of his lover coming from down the hall.

He jogged towards the voices and rounded a corner, he balked at what he saw.

King Berwald was on his knees, one hand on the blond head of a child, only about ten years old.

"So I steal from the kitchen and everyone just thinks I'm a ghost," He said happily.

Berwald's eyebrow rose in interest, "A ghost, huh? Can ya go through walls?"

The boy laughed, "No silly, but I can be very stealthy."

Berwald smiled, "My name is Berwald, what is yours?"

The boy's chest puffed out proudly, "My name is Peter and I'm nine years old," he exclaimed.

Tino had to cover his mouth to keep from laughing out loud.

"Do you have a home Peter?"

"No," his voice grew sad, "My mama and papa died when I was little and I've been running around this castle for as long as I can remember."

Berwald sat back on his heels and thought for a moment, "Peter... are ya scared of me?"

Tino felt sad at the fact that his lover even had to ask that question of someone. Even someone so young. To his surprise though, Peter just laughed.

"Nah, I like ya, your like one of those big but kind giants from the stories," he said.

Berwald's smile was blinding, "Would like to come and live in my castle? With me and my knight Tino?"

Peter's eyes lit up at first, but then they darkened into suspicion. "Why?"

Berwald looked down at the ground, his eyes drawn in sadness.

"It's lonely in my castle cause," he got really close and motioned for Peter to get closer too, as if he were telling a secret, "I'm curse."

Peter drew back with a gasp and his hands flew over his mouth. He thought for a moment then frowned.

"What's your curse?"

"Everyone who meets me, instantly fears me, 'lways," he said.

Peter looked on in awe for a moment but his expression quickly turned to confusion, then suspicion, "But I'm not afraid of ya?"

Berwald put his hand back on the boy's head and ruffled his golden hair.

"I know, it's strange, yer the second person I've ever met that's not 'fraid of me," he answered.

"Who's the first person?"

Berwald's eyes glowed, "A man I love very much. He is a knight and he is kind and brave and just...wonderful. If you choose to come live with me, you'd live with him too and another man who can sometimes be loud and annoying, but he is kind hearted and loving. Then there's the idiot, he means well, but that doesn't mean to much. Then there's one who seems to be mean, but he's really nice. They are all my very close friends and they mean a lot to me."

Berwald held out his hand, "So what do you say?"

Peter looked down and his shoulders began to shake. Instead of taking the hand, he threw his tiny arms around Berwald's neck and sniffled out a "Thank you!"

Berwald chuckled and patted his back.

Tino could not hide and longer and stepped around the corner. His eyes filled with love and pride.

The boy around Berwald's neck went slack and was snoring in seconds.

Tino went up to the King and kissed him softly.

"I love you," he whispered so as to not awake the newest edition to their family.