Abraxas watched the sky lighten from the owlery. He heard footsteps behind him but ignored them as he shivered for the hundredth time.
"Maybe you wouldn't be so cold if you'd come to bed last night."
"My Lord." Abraxas stood, bowing quickly. He kept looking at the ground as he straightened. "My apologies, I didn't mean to be this long."
Tom sighed. "We aren't in a meeting now, 'Brax, you don't need to be so formal."
Abraxas turned back around to look at the birds flying over the Forbidden Forest. "Sorry, my Lord."
"'Brax?" Tom stepped closer, reaching his hand but stopping just before he made contact. "Abraxas?"
"Yes, my Lord?" Abraxas kept looking ahead, missing the look of irritation that flickered across his boyfriend's worried face.
"Look at me, Abraxas." Tom waiting until he did before continuing. "Tell me what's wrong."
"Nothing's wrong, my Lord." Abraxas wanted to look away, but he was caught in Tom's eyes. "Or rather, my Lord, nothing is wrong, unless you think me being forced to get married this summer is wrong."
Tom reached out, his fingers locking in blonde locks. "How long do we have?"
Abraxas shrugged, blinking away tears. "I don't know, Tom, Mother hasn't told me any details."
"Well then," Tom whispered as he stepped closer and squeezed Abraxas' hand with his free one. "We'll just have to make the most of the time we have left."
Abraxas tasted salt as they kissed, unsure which of them had lost control first. The sun finally appeared over the Forest as they got lost in each other.