Chapter Text
"Robby, you're not getting any younger," Dana, Robby's royal advisor, said for the millionth time.
He leaned back on his throne, crown nearly slipping off his head. Jack stood beside him, knight gear on as he "guarded" the castle. He held back a chuckle behind his mask. Robby flicked his metal chest plate.
"I'm not a damsel, Dana," Robby said. "No one is vying for my hand in marriage."
She scoffed. "I beg to differ. There are plenty of nice women around here who would love to marry their king."
And that was the problem really, the women part. Robby looked at Jack, who knew this better than anyone, considering the nature of their relationship.
"I'm sure there are," Robby hummed. "And I'm sure they'd love an old man like me for a lover."
"Robby, please. She doesn't even have to be nobility. Anyone. Anyone."
Robby looked at Jack. He put his hands up and shook his head. Well, there went Robby's chances for a loving marriage. Loveless it was.
A month later, a competition was hosted for Robby's hand in marriage. The challenge was simple, an archery contest, as it was Robby's favorite sport. It he had to marry a woman, she may as well enjoy what he did.
Robby caught wind that the winner was some pretty blond from the middle of nowhere. He didn't think too much about it, instead finding Jack in the castle to tell him.
He found the knight at the training grounds, watching his subordinates and yelling orders. Two in particular, Shen and Ellis, seemed annoyed with him, but kept sparring with one another anyway. Robby padded up beside Jack and tugged him into a dark corner, the kind of place where they usually did their talking.
"Kinda early in the morning, no?" Jack grinned, a calloused hand finding Robby's.
"Shh. Your replacement is moving in today."
Jack laughed. "Be nice to her. It's not her fault."
"Yeah, yeah. Same to you."
"Me? I have no qualms with this arrangement," Jack grinned.
"Yeah, you're a freak. We're all aware."
Jack kissed his cheek. He squeezed their hands, revealing that maybe he was a little more nervous about things than his carefree attitude was letting on.
——————————————————
Robby sat in the throne room, nervously tying his hands together and bouncing his leg. He looked out one window and saw Jack, still sparring with his knights. Out the other window was a crowd and a swiftly approaching carriage, holding his new wife.
He heard the heavy doors open, the sound of townspeople talking, and some kind of commotion.
Around the corner walked Dana and two other palace workers. Between them was…the winner. Face covered with a white veil and wearing common clothes. She lifted her head nervously, facing Robby.
Dana padded over to Robby and took her place beside his throne. Robby leaned over to her.
"Is that the winner?" He asked, knowing the answer.
"Yes, is there a problem?"
"Well…uh, is that not a man?"
Dana snickered. "A man born female."
Robby put his face in his hand. "Jack is going to fall over laughing."
Robby's new bride, or groom, better put, looked at him nervously. Robby felt bad, noticing how the poor thing was practically shaking behind the silly veil.
"What's your name?' Robby asked, trying to look as least threatening as possible.
"Gra-"
"I mean, what do you like to be called."
He swallowed thickly. "Dennis."
Robby smiled and stood up, walking over to him, his boots clacking on the stone floor. Their height difference made it so Dennis had to look up at him through the thin veil. Robby could see his giant, baby blue eyes through the fabric.
Dennis lifted his hands to move the veil out of his face, but Robby gently guided them back down.
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to wear that just a little longer. It's a tradition."
Dennis nodded hesitantly, and followed him to the ceremony room.
——————————————————
The pews were empty because that was how Robby wanted them. A local priest looked between the two nervously as he read aloud the script. Dana and Jack stood on either side of them. Robby couldn't see Jack's face, because he was behind him, but he hoped he wasn't upset.
They had been doing whatever it was that they were doing since Robby was a prince and Jack was still just a knight in training. Robby would watch him spar from the tower, and Jack would stare at paintings of the prince in every hallway.
Now, Dennis's hand was in Robby's as they both muttered "I do"s unconvincingly.
Dennis seemed sad, Robby decided. He held his head low, so the veil hung and he could see the floor through unencumbered vision. He shuffled every once in a while, but didn't complain. They got married in regular clothes, because there was no one there to see it, anyhow.
The kingdom would have probably liked to see the marriage, but Robby wasn't going to lose any sleep over not allowing it. He didn't want to be wed in the first place, let alone throw a giant party about it.
"By this ring, I wed thee," the officiant droned, "to be forever bonded in matrimony, by my honor."
Robby took the ring handed to him in one palm, and Dennis's cold, shaking hand in his other. He slipped the perfect gold band onto the young man's finger, watching his face sadden by the second. Dennis did the same for him, but hesitated just a fraction.
"I now pronounce that you are wed. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. You may now kiss."
They didn't. Jack clapped. Dana returned to work.
Robby sighed and led Dennis up to his chambers.
——————————————————
Robby's bed chambers seemed pretty standard to him, but Dennis paused in the doorway and looked around in vague amazement before stepping in. He seemed particularly impressed with the height of the room, how it stretched toward the heavens and allowed the light from the highest points in the sky to beam in its many windows.
"Now is, traditionally, when the marriage would be…consummated," Robby hummed.
Dennis's head snapped up to him, face flushing under the veil. He took a step back.
Robby put his hands up. "I won't make you do it. I was just saying, so you'll know what to tell the other advisors when they ask."
Dennis seemed relieved. He spoke the first full sentence Robby had heard from him, pointing at the veil. "Can I take this off yet?"
Robby motioned for him to come closer, which he did with hesitant steps. The king lifted his calloused hands and pulled he veil back, replacing it with the dainty crown picked out for Dennis.
God, Robby knew he would be beautiful, but it was absurd how well the veil hid it. He had these haunting, terrified eyes and wonderful blond curls. His pale, perfect skin contrasted with Robby's old and wrinkled hands, tanned with age and use.
"Do you want to be here, Dennis?" Robby asked, softening his voice.
Dennis held his gaze with his own, sharper and too knowing for his age. "Who wouldn't?"
Robby looked out the window toward the knight's ward.
He hummed. "You can sleep here with me, or you can have your own room. Whatever you want, all you have to do is ask, alright?"
Dennis nodded. "Can I ask something now?"
Robby waved in acceptance.
Dennis cleared his throat nervously. "I'm sure you've figured it out by now, but I'm probably not the kind of…woman that you were hoping to marry. I ask that you respect that, and don't try to change me."
Robby listened to how his voice shook, despite his strong words.
He ran a hand through Dennis's curls. "I won't. And you seem perceptive, so I'm sure you've noticed something between me and our head knight, Abbot. I ask that you don't tell anyone."
Dennis nodded. They shared the bed that night, and lied about their consummation to the other advisors in the morning.
Robby decided that it may not actually be all that bad, although Dennis shivered beside him and likely didn't get a second of sleep.