It's a sort of surreal feeling, having Heine lying beside him. A sort of giddy different from when he was first crowned king. A joy sourced by the love of his life accepting him wholeheartedly and returning himself in kind.

He smiles and reaches a hand out, fingers gently cupping Heine's cheek. Heine's eyes open and meets him with stoicism. Except he's known him for a very long time. His eyes are where he shows his heart. There's a warmth in them, reserved for only him and his students.

"I love you," he says.

Heine's lips twitch into a small smile. "I love you, too." He shifts and starts to move his arm, but stops, a strained look in his eyes.

"Is something the matter?"

"Not necessarily."

"Tell me anyway."

"I'd rather not. It's embarrassing."

"I can see that it's important to you. Please tell me."

"…I've… never done this before, Viktor."

Well, he won't tease. However, the prospect of a proper admittance is something he won't pass up.

"Never done what?"

"Shared a bed with someone. Had any… romantic partner."

And isn't that something. A man as accomplished and well-liked as Heine. Not a single girlfriend or boyfriend and he's well into his forties.

"Because of the obvious?"

He gets the glare he expects along with a proper answer. "Yes, I'm sure my appearance had much to do with it. Any public affection with me would no doubt be taken wildly out of context in the worst possible way."

"Which makes us so special."

"The king and someone who looks like a child younger than his own sons." A sigh. "I'm positive the papers would have quite a few headlines if they could see us now."

"Don't worry yourself over it. We've spent far too much of our lives apart to be frightened away by the media."

They lapse into silence and he takes comfort in the relaxed breathing. A far cry from when they first properly met— the distrust left far behind.

"…how long was it, again?" Heine muses. "Just over two decades?"

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder, as they say."

"I would argue that you're the one who did that, with your insistence on letter correspondence back and forth."

"I'd be remiss to leave you completely on your lonesome after everything that happened."

"Well, I shall admit that I looked forward to receiving them, and put much care into my responses."

He can't help but imagine twenty years surrounded by strangers to achieve his goal, with the letters of one man for company. Such a heavy weight on his shoulders, and he still put the time and effort into each word on paper. "You must have been awfully lonely."

There's a silence while Heine considers his words. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. I did miss you, but I don't think I ever felt lonely. Though I must admit that I… did once imagine what it would be like if you and I were to teach at the church together."

There's an ache in his heart. A blinding one. A longing. One that can only be quenched by reaching an arm around Heine, pulling him close, and greeting him with a kiss.

After a long moment, he pulls away. "I didn't think it possible— to be able to fall even further in love with you. I thought I'd reached the limits of how much a single person could love, yet you continue to surprise me."

"Your heart has always been bottomless, Viktor. It's part of why I fell in love with you in the first place."

"Then I shall rejoice. That we were given the chance to meet and see these sides of each other." He gives into temptation and kisses him once more. "You won't have to miss me ever again."

A low chuckle. "Never again."

He closes his eyes, content to sleep with his partner beside him.

After a moment, Heine nestles himself against him, nearly burrowing underneath him.

"Are you uncomfortable?"

"My apologies— I simply find it hard to relax in large beds like these."

"Too much space?"

"Yes, well, this is the bed of a king. I would expect nothing less."

"Would you prefer if we moved to your room?"

"I am quite happy being right here, Viktor. I only have yet to figure out the logistics of sharing an intimate space with someone who I care deeply for."

He can't help but find humor in the sentiment. "So intimate, such a large bed. So large that you cannot be comfortable with such abundant space."

"Forgive my saying so, but I would rather refrain from thinking about what you and Titania have gotten up to in this very spot."

"Oh, never mind all that." He drapes himself across Heine, pinning him down, and his lips brushing against his ear. "Shall I bed you, Heine?"

He pulls back to watch his expression. Normally stoic eyes widen and the faintest of blushes arise on his face. Then, "I have never done that, either. You will… have to show me."

Viktor can't help blushing in turn. "Never?"

"I only know enough to teach the bare basics of sexual education. I have no experience of my own to draw on, though I doubt it'd be helpful."

"Another night, when we have more time to ourselves." He leans back to his ear again. "I'd be more than honored to have the chance to teach you, Heine. All of it."

"Another night," he agrees. "For now, let us be at peace tonight with just each other to keep company."

"I would love nothing more." He moves to roll off of Heine, but a hand latching onto his arms stops him.

"I must request that you do not move, Your Majesty."

"Finally got comfortable?"

"Most definitely."

"Then I will grant such a request. Luckily, I find myself in a pleasant spot of relaxation as well."

He presses his face against the crook of Heine's neck and lets his weight press onto him.

"I bid you sweet dreams, Heine," he mumbles.

He gets a sleepy reply. "And to you as well, Viktor."