Chapter Text
Dear Daniel,
I hope you’re doing well. It sounds like you have some very bright, energetic students this year! The drawing you sent of your cottage is beautiful, I love the garden you’ve started. How is your friend you mentioned last time? I hope he’s doing better.
You’ve no doubt heard all the news by now: The queen in the east is dead, and the new king is working hard undoing the damage she did. He’s quite nice, actually.
Markus is setting up a permanent headquarters here in town, though I think he’d like to return to the Manfred estate sometimes.
You should probably hear this from me so it’s not a shock later: If you haven’t heard, after the Reaver disappeared, he turned up on my doorstep in bad shape, so of course I took him in. I didn’t know who he was at first, but I think you know what I would have done if I had. He’s taken the name Rook, and he’s a big help around the inn (we have so much business now that the war is over!). He rarely uses any magic these days. He’s adjusting to living a normal life, and it isn’t always easy, but he’s making great strides. He’s kind and thoughtful and sincere, and beginning to develop a sense of humor you’d appreciate. He tries to stay out of politics entirely, but both Connor = his brother, the king – and Markus keep trying to get him involved. I don’t think it’s always intentional, they just value his opinion and experience. Rook is more interested in creating than destroying, and it’s like he’s living for the first time. I love him more every day.
I hope you’ll visit soon, I want you two to meet. As busy as we are, I’ll always have a room for you. I taught Rook to make the shepherd’s pie we used to eat so often, and if I know when you’re coming, we can make that. If not, dinner will be a surprise!
North sends her love and would love to see you too. Her exact words were, ‘Tell that moron I need another chance to trip him in the mud.’ She’s doing well. Has she written to you at all? I know she prefers to talk face to face.
I miss you, and hope to hear from you soon. So much has happened, and it would be good to be together again.
With love from all of us here, especially me,
~ Simon
“Talks with Markus are going well – he’s being pushed into a more official leadership role rather against his will.” Connor smiled slightly. “He’s rising to the occasion masterfully, though.”
“I’m aware,” Rook said patiently. “Did you get that new wolfhound you were talking about?”
Connor’s face fell. “No… She’s just a puppy, and I hoped it would be just the push Sumo needed to be more active and playful… but he hated it. I had to send her back, I couldn’t do that to poor Sumo.”
Rook smiled slightly. “What did your kennel master think of her? Hank, you said?”
“He said she was a fine dog, ideal for her age and breed, but that Sumo wouldn’t put up with her chewing on his legs for too much longer before he bit off her face.”
“I have to say, I sympathize,” Rook muttered. “Are… are you doing well? Keeping your head above water with all the work? Taking care of yourself?”
“I’m… doing my best. I dismiss someone every week, but it’s slowed down quite a bit since the beginning.” He sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I might as well just get rid of them all, but I hate to not give them a chance to change.”
“You’re too trusting,” Rook said flatly. It sounded too harsh to his ears, so he added, “…I admire that.”
The wide brown eyes took on a mischievous gleam. “I suppose a marriage to an innkeeper wouldn’t hold the political clout to bind our lands together. It’s a shame, because having people like Markus and Josh to rely on personally would be fantastic.”
Rook’s steely gaze bored through Connor. He didn’t speak.
“Sorry, I – that crossed a line, I’m sorry. I was joking. …Though sometimes I think it would make life easier.” Connor smiled at him a little uncomfortably. “And how is your shining beacon of light?”
“Stop,” Rook muttered. “Simon’s doing very well. The treaty is making his dream a reality, business has increased dramatically.”
“I hope you find time to spend with each other.” Connor’s smile was fond and a little wistful.
“Yes,” Rook mumbled, reddening and looking away. “He… wanted to invite you to dinner one night. If you can find the time.”
“I –“ Connor opened his mouth, then closed it again. His shoulders drooped. “I’d like that, and I’ll… let you know when I can drop by. It might not be for a while.”
“Well, you’re welcome any time.” Rook paused. “I realize your position is vital to the Empire, but… be sure you take time for yourself as well. You can’t rule if you don’t keep yourself in good condition.”
“You’re one to talk,” Connor snorted.
“It isn’t my strong suit, I know. …But it’s something I’m learning, and I hope you are as well.”
“Thank you,” the elder brother murmured with a faint smile. “I’ll try.”
“So when are you marrying into the royal family?” North asked, stealing a smear of icing from a cake and licking it off her finger.
“We haven’t – hey!” Simon pulled the cake out of her reach. “We haven’t really talked about that.”
“Would that make you a prince too?”
“No, it doesn’t work that way. I – if it happened – I’d be the prince’s consort. He never officially abdicated, and now Connor won’t let him. …But I would only be a prince if the country accepted me as that, and things are still kind of tense there even if they’re worlds better than they were.”
North shook her head, taking a handful of candied nuts behind Simon’s back. “Go hang out with them for a day or two, they’ll love you,” she said dismissively. “You’ll be a prince in no time.”
“That’s not… I mean, I’m not really interested in that. And Rook avoids that kind of thing too, it all makes him uncomfortable.”
“He’s just an uncomfortable guy,” North said with a shrug. “Deal with it. You’re still on a first-name basis with the king.”
“Habit,” Simon mumbled. “Rook does it, so I’ve picked it up too.”
“If he’s gonna be sticking around, he should try to hang out and talk to the locals more. …I mean more than you, me, Markus, and Josh. People still look at him like he’s about to explode.”
“That’s… he’s not really one for… mingling. But he’s trying to be more of a presence here. Cooking and serving food and greeting people. He’s getting better, it just takes practice. …And Connor and Markus tried to make him the official liaison between nations, which he declined, so instead they made him the unofficial one. And he knows, and he hates it.” Simon chuckled. “But it does mean learning to talk to people in different situations. He’s… still not entirely comfortable with it, but it’s something he really wants to get better at.”
“He’s okay,” North admitted. “I was ready to break his kneecaps at first, but he’s not so bad.”
Simon laughed. “Please don’t break his kneecaps. He’d just keep walking around and do more damage.”
Rook slipped in quietly through the dining area, and North looked up.
“Hey! We were just discussing whether I should break your kneecaps.”
“We were not,” Simon said adamantly.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.” Rook’s face was entirely serious.
“Simon’d just whine about it and probably try to carry you everywhere,” she muttered, rolling her eyes.
“Exactly.” Rook rubbed his hands gently up over Simon’s shoulders. “Please don’t trouble him.”
“You’re both ridiculous,” Simon huffed, grinning and leaning back into Rook’s touch.
“Connor sends his greetings, and hopes to stop by to visit at some point.”
“What’s he like?” North asked. “Weird and formal like you?”
“Not quite as much – he’s far more comfortable with… people, and speaking. My combat skills exceed his, but he is better at…” Rook trailed off thoughtfully. “…at talking to people, understanding them. At being a human being, I sometimes think.”
“Not that last bit,” Simon murmured, reaching up to squeeze his hands. “And you’re getting better at the rest. You’re too hard on yourself.”
Rook pulled Simon gently into a hug. Words were difficult to find, but this at least he knew was good.
“Okay, you’re being sickening, I’m leaving,” North announced.
“You don’t want to stay for dinner?” Simon asked, melting into Rook’s arms.
“Nah, not tonight. See you two later.” She waved carelessly as she left.
“Does… this make her uncomfortable?” Rook asked quietly, tensing slightly.
“No. …Her shoulders get stiff and her voice gets… it sounds clipped and harsh, when she’s uncomfortable. She’s just teasing us, don’t worry,” Simon murmured, reaching back to clumsily touch Rook’s face.
Rook nodded, leaning in to rest his cheek against Simon’s. “I’d like her to… approve of me.”
Simon chuckled. “She does, she just doesn’t show it the same way most people do. But this is really friendly, for her. Um… Daniel’s the same way sometimes. Or he can be really warm and sweet. It kind of depends on how he’s feeling.”
“Have you heard back from him yet?”
“No, my letter probably just reached him in the past day or so. I’m hoping he has a school break coming up soon so he can come visit.”
“I hope he likes me,” Rook murmured, hugging Simon a little tighter.
“How could he not? You’re wonderful.”
“You’re blinded by your feelings,” Rook murmured into his neck.
“Mm, maybe, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true.” Simon turned his head to kiss Rook’s cheekbone. “When you relax and let people see who you really are… you’re easy to love.”
“Now you’re absolutely blinded by your feelings,” Rook muttered, blushing deeply and closing his eyes.
“What makes you think you’d be hard to love?” Simon asked, leaning his face into Rook’s. “You’ve made nothing but friends and allies since you got here, haven’t you?”
“Because of my magical and political power, yes.”
“Okay, that’s the allies. How about the friends? Me, North. Josh.”
He frowned slightly. “I don’t think Josh qualifies.”
“He played chess with you, and I’ve never seen him so involved in a game. He invited you to try those other games I’ve never heard of next time. Next time means he wants to spend time with you socially.”
“…I suppose.” They were quiet for a moment, just enjoying each other’s warmth, before he spoke again. “We’re friends, then, you and I?”
Simon gently pulled away so he could face Rook. “We absolutely are. Um… but I think we’re… maybe something else too. I’d… I hope so, anyway. …Being friends doesn’t mean you can’t be other things too.”
Rook looked at him for a long moment. His expressions were still sometimes hard to read, but Simon could see uncertainty behind the flat stare. “I… have no experience in that area,” he murmured. “Either friendship or… anything else. Are you – forgive me if this… shouldn’t be mentioned, but are you talking about… a romantic relationship?”
“It probably should be mentioned,” Simon murmured, blushing and chuckling self-consciously. “We should… it would help to be sure what we’re talking about, I think.”
“I agree,” Rook said, visibly relaxing a bit. “Is… is that what you were talking about?”
Simon’s eyes darted up to meet Rook’s. “Yes.”
The fleeting shadow of a smile flitted over Rook’s face. “Good,” he murmured softly. “I… I don’t know much about any of this. I know I say that a lot, I feel like my knowledge base is entirely made up of useless things. But I want to learn, and… to get better.”
“I’m not exactly an expert either. But I like the idea of learning together.” Simon smiled back, stepping forward to lean into Rook’s shoulder. “At our own pace. …We can ignore what North says.”
“And Connor.”
Simon laughed. “Him too?”
“He… was talking about marriage alliances today.”
“As if I matter at all!”
Rook pulled him closer. “You mean everything,” he reminded him softly. “And I don’t want to be a political alliance. I want you. I want… warmth and comfort and… quiet moments. Peace. This.”
“I want this too,” Simon sighed, leaning into Rook. “Just you.”
“Just you,” Rook echoed into Simon’s hair.