Chapter Text
Honestly, John wasn’t sure if he was relieved or sad that tonight was the final night of the masquerade. He hardly cared that the king would choose his future spouse, although he knew he should. Even so, Richard remained the main cause of his distress. Despite having almost made it through the week, John knew that he and Richard would be parted soon, and that weighed heavily on his mind. Richard had objected, but loss of interest was entirely possible. John would return home, claiming only two alliances, and his family would never let him live it down if his suitor never contacted him again. John felt queasy at the thought.
“My lord?” Molly called out, knocking on the door. “I have a gift for you.”
Surprised, John opened the door to find her holding a white box. “A gift? From whom?”
“I didn’t read the card, sir.”
John took the box gingerly, not sure what was inside of it, and headed over to his bed. Setting it down, he opened up the card and read through the single line.
I thought you might want to go out in style, and this reminded me of you.
Richard. It had to be. Quickly, John yanked the lid off to find a blue and red mask and a matching blue and red cape inside. He picked up the mask and stared in awe at it. It was encrusted in rubies and sapphires – far more valuable than John’s entire wardrobe combined. They blazed in the light, and he noticed how they would only cover up a small portion around his eyes. Tonight was the night they would reveal themselves – just after the king declared his new betrothed. He placed it on before looking down at the cape. Pulling it up, he felt the soft silk, and he gasped at the feel of it. It rippled almost like water in his hands, bending and folding into the shape he desired.
And then he found the suit: sapphire blue with ruby red, both crashing together to make sprinkles of royal purple. It was a stunning piece – something that would grab the attention of anyone around, and it was his. Carefully, he slipped into his new suit before examining himself in the mirror. He honestly couldn’t believe he was looking at himself. He seemed almost erethral, and he gave a twirl around in order to see the cape flutter and snap behind him. Without a doubt, this was beyond anything that he had dared to hope for.
“My lord, you are dashing,” Molly stated with a broad smile. “Everyone shall be envious of you!”
John laughed. “Because they had nothing to be envious about before, eh?”
“Th-that’s not what I meant, sir!” Molly exclaimed, turning red with embarrassment.
“No! That’s not what I intended to imply. I was merely stating a fact is all,” John quickly responded before grimacing. She wasn’t to know about his low self-esteem, after all.
Molly nodded before swallowing hard. “I’m still so very sorry, my lord. I don’t want you to think that I think less of you. You’ve been far too kind to me for such silly notions.”
“Thank you, Molly. Now, could you please escort me?”
Molly nodded before heading down the hall. They took more time than usual, merely because John asked for it. He had been so fascinated by the tapestries at the beginning of the week that he felt like now – during his last chance – he should give them the attention they deserved. The attention to detail was immaculate. Someone actually managed to include shading in some of the later tapestries, as it was a relatively new concept. None of them were cut nor had holes. They were probably washed fairly often. They had to be to remain in the states that they were in.
“Sir, we’re going to be late for the announcement!” Molly urged him.
Sighing, John stopped examining the stitching of one of the tapestries. “My apologies,” he murmured, knowing that being late would serve as a slap in the face to the king himself.
They walked into the ballroom, and John was baffled by what was before him. Usually, everyone was talking eagerly with anyone they could. Tonight, it seemed that they couldn’t stand to be in each other’s presence. Everyone was instead looking around, every now and again muttering nervously to his or her neighbour. John, however, began to look for Richard. He started shuffling through the crowd, murmuring apologies to everyone as he went. However, Richard was nowhere to be found.
“All please be silent for His Majesty, King James Moriarty II,” an announcer bellowed.
Biting back a groan, John turned to look only to find the back of a remarkably tall man. He looked at the floor and concentrated, hoping that hearing would be enough.
“Thank you so very much for coming and celebrating with me. Although there has been plenty of mourning for my father’s passing, I know that such occasions bring about better futures for ourselves and the kingdom,” the king stated.
John was struck by the voice. It was familiar to him, but just off enough that he couldn’t place it. Maybe he had heard the king in passing? It was implausible but entirely possible.
The king continued, “I know that you have been waiting quite some time for this announcement, so I will not prolong any further. I have chosen my future spouse. This person has proven to be loyal, kind-hearted, good-natured, and well humoured. I know that we will spend many happy years of our lives together. Therefore, please give a hearty round of applause for my new betrothed and your future ruler – John Watson!”
John’s heart stopped in his chest. He was dreaming! He had to be. These sorts of things didn’t happen to people like him. Sucking in a deep breath, he continued staring at the ground. The applause rang around him, but he couldn’t move from his spot. Why was he nam-?
Richard.
The voice – that’s why it was so familiar to him for all this time. Richard’s voice. Which mean that Richard was…
“Oh, by the Gods,” John cursed under his breath.
Looking up, he noticed that everyone was looking around, all clearly trying to figure out who this John Watson was. John stepped forward and pardoned himself. Slowly, the crowd of people began to part for him, and he located the king. It was Richard without a doubt. He was wearing a matching outfit with the colours reversed.
John stepped before him and stared into his eyes. Richard – no, James, he supposed – smiled before reaching up and undoing John’s mask. John did the same. For the first time, John was able to gaze upon the man he was coming to love. His face was more boyish than John had expected, especially given how mature he was. There was also evidence of some stubble, and John couldn’t help but smile at that.
“You’ve been lying to me,” John stated before looking up into James’s eyes. “Saying you were Richard Brook. Did you know how fast my heart began to race when I realised that I knew nothing about the Brook family?”
James laughed. “It was written all over your face, but I spared you. After all, there is no Brook family.”
“Your Majesty,” a voice called out, and they turned to find Sebastian. “I believe I have fulfilled my duties.”
Nodding, James responded, “And beautifully done as well. I’ll ensure to add a bonus to your salary. Thank you very much for keeping John safe.”
“Safe?” John echoed.
Sebastian smiled. “It was my honour, your Majesty.”
“You are dismissed,” James informed him before turning back to John. Offering his arm, he said, “I believe we have much to discuss.”
John nodded. “Indeed. First of all, what task did you bestow upon him?”
“Not here,” James hissed before taking John down the stairs into the garden. “You never know who is listening.”
John sighed. “I’m waiting for my answer, your Majesty.”
“I’m sure you already have suspicions about it,” James informed him as they went deeper into the garden. “I requested for Sebastian to keep an eye on you.”
Stopping, John responded, “No. You told him to show interest in me so I would stop searching for other alliances, didn’t you? You knew that I wouldn’t get any interest, and you knew that that might make me desperate, so you thought that you would just provide me with one, right? Play me for a fool-”
“No, John!” James cut in, clearly panicked by his line of thought. “No. It was never my intention to play you for a fool. But due to my interest in you, I had to ensure that you wouldn’t wind up in an unfavourable alliance. After all, once we marry-”
“Marry?” John echoed, staring at him. “You honestly want to marry me?”
“Did you think I was just making a show of everything?” James inquired, obviously offended. “Of course I want to marry you. I told you the first night of my intentions.”
John felt his head start to swim. “I-I-I can’t be king!” he objected, staring at James with wide, fearful eyes. “I’m not fit to be king! I lack the education and the ability and… and the everything for it!”
“You are fit to be my partner,” James stated before catching John’s hand and drawing him in close. “You are more than fit to be my partner. You bring out my best qualities in a way that no one has before. Besides, John, you’re intelligent. I know that with some proper tutelage, you will be the finest king, even without me by your side.”
Sucking in a deep breath, John stared at him. “You honestly want me to be your husband? You don’t think that maybe you’re making the biggest mistake of your life?”
“I suppose that I might be, but I honestly don’t think so. You’re kind, John, and genuine – loyal almost to a default.” With that, he ran his fingers tenderly through John’s hair. “There are hard times ahead for the kingdom, John. Relations in the south have begun to fall apart, and I fear that we might be going to war soon. I’m going to need someone I can trust. I’m going to need you.”
John felt the weight of the world land suddenly on his shoulders. He breathed deeply, trying to keep himself calm. “I don’t even know how I’m going to tell my family,” he jested before laughing nervously.
“Via letter would be best. I do not want you to leave my side until we are securely married,” James whispered before stepping closer. He leaned down and kissed John softly. “Do you forgive me for the deceit? If I had had any other option, I would have done that, but I couldn’t. I had to protect my own identity first. I’m sorry.”
Relaxing, John kissed James in return. “I know. But there’s just one more thing I have to know.”
“Anything.”
“That night I was sick – you brought me back to my room, didn’t you?” John pressed. “I didn’t just dream all of that like the doctor said. You brought me back and tended to me.”
James averted his eyes. “Indeed,” he murmured. “I hope you do not think less of me. I wasn’t trying to take advantage of the situation in the bathtub. You just seemed unwilling to get in.”
“I hardly care about that,” John chided before leaning forward and kissing James softly. “That was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me, and I was crushed when I found out that it was all just a dream.”
Relaxing, James ran his fingers through John’s hair. “I was willing to do far more than that to ensure your health,” he whispered.
“I know. I will never have to fear for my life near you, will I?”
“Not if I can help it,” James commented with a smile. “I sincerely mean that, John. I will strive to keep you safe and healthy. You shall never fear for your life. I will never order for your beheading.”
John laughed. “Quite a relief to hear,” he jested. Looking up into James’s eyes, he still couldn’t believe what was happening. “J-James, I-”
“Jim,” James corrected. “Call me Jim when we’re in private. James is the king, but Jim – Jim is the man who fell in love with you.”
John shook his head. “Richard was the man who fell in love with me,” he corrected. “But I think you’ve stolen my heart anyway.”
“And I hopefully swept you off your feet as a good romantic partner should,” Jim responded before leaning down and kissing him.
John melted under the kiss, happy to be in Jim’s arms. From this day forward, he knew he would always have Jim by his side, to have and to hold, to cherish and to love, for better or for worse until death ripped one from the other’s life. And John also knew that Death was going to have to fight a strong battle to take him down. Jim was more than worth living for.