Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.
A/N: I just realized I never finished posting this, so here it is, the last chapter of Majestic Affair. Huge thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed. Enjoy.
"So I heard you and Robert told Her Excellency Jurgen about you two. How'd that go?" Johnny relaxed into the leather sofa, his glass of mulled wine warm in his hand.
It was good to be away from the disaster that the family home became during the winter holidays. Better to be with friends in the middle of the Swiss Alps, where the only adult over the age of twenty-five hovering over them was the cook/housekeeper who was paid enough money to keep her mouth closed about anything she might see or overhear.
He glanced at his companion, a slight smile curling his lips. Six months ago he wouldn't have considered Bryan his friend. But things had changed since then. Bryan had proven himself when Vivian had showed up again, trying to make Robert's life a living hell. And now, if anyone asked he would count Bryan as a friend.
Bryan rested his booted feet on the coffee table in the middle of the floor, his own glass of wine in hand. "She threatened to string me up and decapitate me."
The Scot laughed and took a drink. "Her Excellency did the same thing to me when I first saw her after Oliver and I got together. Out of all of us besides Robert, she had the biggest soft spot for him. Must mean she's actually accepted you, but that doesn't mean you should relax around her. The moment she thinks you've complacent she'll do something, or say something that'll put you back on edge."
"That explains Robert's ability to do that. Must be genetic."
There was a sound of footsteps on the deck outside the chalet and voices. Seconds later the door swung open to reveal Oliver and Robert. Oliver was grinning, his cheeks flushed, the pom-pom on his hat encrusted with snow. Robert's happiness wasn't as obvious, more in the brightness of his eyes and the faint upturn of his lips.
The two nobles shed their winter gear, hanging everything on the pegs in the wall. Oliver disappeared into the back of the chalet and Robert rounded the couches. He sat next to Bryan, leaning into his lover's warmth.
Fingers brushing against the soft hair at the base of Robert's neck Bryan draped his arm across his lover's shoulders, relinquishing his mug of wine when the noble reached for it. He pressed his lips to Robert's temple. "You're frigid."
Laughing Johnny stood. "That's what he gets for being willing to try to run Oliver ragged on the slopes. Did it work? Is he going to be calm enough tonight that Bryan isn't threatening to toss him out in the snow?"
Bryan accepted the fresh mug of wine from Johnny, setting it aside briefly to pull a blanket over Robert, in an attempt to warm his lover. "He wouldn't have to if you could manage to wear him out at night."
Oliver bounced back into the room and vaulted over the back of the couch, practically landing in Johnny's lap. "Oh, he makes an effort of it, but I have too much energy for my own good."
Raising his mug Bryan pressed the warm ceramic to his forehead. "What is it about the redheads in my life that makes them tell me more than I need to know about their sex lives?"
Johnny grinned, one hand moving up and down Oliver's back. "Because we figure we've got it bet-"
His words trailed off at the arch look Robert gave him and he glared at Bryan. "You asked that question on purpose didn't you, knowing I'd get myself in trouble."
Smirking Bryan held the mug out in a salute. "You caught me."
Robert sighed and glanced at Oliver who rolled his eyes. It was going to be one of those nights.
A hand touched his shoulder and Bryan looked up from his book to met Robert's eyes. His accepted the small box his lover held out to him, an eyebrow raised in question. "Now what? I have a ring, a dog and access to all sorts of expensive sports cars. I think the wooing can be done with."
Robert smiled and perched on the arm of Bryan's chair, fingers lightly touching the back of his lover's hand. "Forgotten what day it is already falke?"
Shaking his head Bryan lifted the lid off the box, not sure what to say. Nestled in the lining was a pocket knife, the handle made of jet, a falcon etched in silver. Five years and as many birthdays he had spent with Robert and every year his lover had gotten him something useful, never overpriced, never flaunting his wealth.
"I'd noticed your old blade was getting battered and decided this would be an acceptable replacement. Not to mention your abhorrence for using scissors necessitates you having a sharp blade."
Bryan smirked as he picked the knife up, thumb running over the falcon. Only his lover would try to pass off such a personal item as a mere trinket when it was obvious the blade had been custom ordered, probably from some ridiculously talented master craftsman. "I had a bad incident with scissors when I was younger."
The pressure on the back of his hand increased at his words and without looking up from the blade Bryan wrapped his arm around Robert's waist and pressed his head against his partner's chest. Robert's heartbeat was strong and sure under his ear as Robert had been in his life for the last five years.
Hand closing around the knife Bryan sank deeper into the chair, resisting the urge to pull Robert into his lap, knowing the noble would complain and raise a fuss before settling in.
Five years, strong and steady.