Archive of Our Own

"Sire."

A light blond man called out to his King as he stepped into the chamber.

The King turned his head to look at the person who had entered, though he could already tell by his voice.

"Oh, it's you."

The knight closed the door behind him and leaned into a bow to greet the king.

He opened his mouth to speak but before he could bring anything out, the king had snaked an arm around his waist, pulling him closer.

"Andrew, how many times do I have to tell you to stop being so stiff? Let loose a little, please."

A characteristic grin appeared on his face, nothing unusual, of course. Antonio was known for his joyous expression, it was one of the reasons it was so hard to dislike him, it cheered everyone up, even the seemingly upset Andrew.

"We've known each other for so long too, doing it in public is one thing but we're alone now. Why would anyone but you step foot into my bedroom?"

He... had a point. Andrew frowned slightly and scratched his left cheek. He couldn't be too careful, he thought. But Antonio didn't seem to share the same sentiment. He was suspiciously touchy even in public, Andrew was surprised rumours hadn't started yet. 'The King and his right hand are having an affair'.

Something like that would be problematic for a ruler though Antonio never seemed too concerned with it. Andrew couldn't wrap his mind around that man's thought process.

"Sorry... force of habit."

The blond replied with a sigh, his gloved hand reaching up to gently caress the cheek of the towering King. He always felt like he had to tread carefully, so it was rather difficult to turn that switch off.

Antonio pulled his 'protector' closer, brushing the light blond hair out of his face to inspect him.

He thought Andrew was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. And there was something about all of those scars on his body; all of those scars that were inflicted because Antonio needed protection, he selfishly felt loved and cherished, for Andrew got hurt for his safety.

But... no more. He didn't want him to get hurt again. Add to the many scars he had.

That's how he felt, and he knew that Andrew felt that way too. He had been noticing a change in behaviour, it started years ago and just got worse over time. Antonio used to watch Andrew train, he enjoyed seeing him work out like that, his somewhat fragile-looking Andrew always had been a good swordman.

But he stopped wanting to watch, he noticed his unstable hands, the panic in his eyes. It hurt him.

He wanted to help him, take his mind off this. But he never knew how, up until recently.

"Why don't we go for a ride today? Just you and me. I want to show you something."

Antonio suggested, holding on to his lover tighter and pressing Andrew's face into his chest. With a soft sigh, Andrew nodded, tightly wrapping his arms around the man. Fully taking in the comfortable and safe feeling of Antonio's large stature holding him close.

"Andrew?"

The knight looked up, his crimson eyes gazing at the man in question.

Antonio leaned down and pressed his lips against Andrew's. A sly grin showed up on the king's face before he left the chamber, leaving Andrew scurry after him with blushing cheeks.

"Antonio...!"

Calling out to him did the trick, the man turned around, his long hair swaying with him. Reaching up, Andrew held Antonio by his collar, pulling him down to his level and locking their lips into a kiss.

He pulled away quite quickly but Antonio's wandering lips found him once again, he wasn't planning on letting him go just yet. He held Andrew's waist, pressing their bodies together as they continued their kiss...

Finally, they parted and Andrew's hand gently patted the man's behind as if to tell him to get moving. As they made their way to the stables, they intertwined their fingers.

They mounted their horses and went on their way.

It really was a nice night, it wasn't too cold and all the stars above were visible. Not a cloud in sight.

Neither of them spoke, there was no need. It was a comfortable silence.

Andrew just silently followed Antonio, he was the only one who knew where to go after all.

However, this dreamy moment was interrupted by yelling. Just two men were charging at them. Bandits?

"Should we fight?"

Antonio interrupted Andrew's thoughts.

"No... not yet. Let's keep going for now. They'll give up."

But it didn't seem like they were going to give up. The king knew that, but it seemed that Andrew insisted on not fighting them, or even facing them.

So without notice, Antonio stopped his horse to face the men instead.

"What are you-"

Andrew stuttered, quickly making his horse come to a halt and jumping off. What was he thinking!?. His eyes met Antonio's for a brief moment, the raven-haired man smiled and moved in front of him, drawing Andrew's sword out of its sheath to threaten the bandits

Antonio didn't seem too bothered about putting himself in danger like this. But why? Andrew just stood there dumbfounded, his hands gripping the man's attire. 

What are you doing, Antonio? Are you a fool?

He prayed this wouldn't turn into a fight.

"I recommend fleeing now."

Antonio spoke, it felt uncharacteristically threatening, but it was clearly effective. Before he realised, the two men ran with their tails between their legs.

He let out a shaky sigh, his rapidly beating heart was hurting his chest and breathing seemed a bit painful.

Antonio gave him his sword back with a grin, Andrew quickly reached for it and it gripped it tightly in his hand to conceal his unstable and shaking hands. After fumbling a little he managed to put it back in its sheath.

"Come join me, why did we have to take two?"

Antonio reached his hand out. He wanted him close to him now. To just hold him. He had sensed his anxiety and this was all he could think of to support him at the moment.

A bit dazed, Andrew looked up at the man.

"Hmm..."

It was barely a response, but enough for Antonio to understand, scooting back he made place for the other and pulled him onto his horse.

Keeping Andrew in a loose embrace, and with the now unoccupied horse running along with them, he set out to the place he had in mind.

Maybe it was a boring destination to others. But he thought it was special, and it would be especially beautiful in the moonlight.

"Close your eyes."

Antonio purred, leaning over Andrew's shoulders to make sure he was obeying him. They were close, and he didn't want to ruin the surprise.

They finally came to a halt and Antonio hopped off, tying both horses to a nearby branch on a tree so they wouldn't lose them. Then, he lifted up Andrew with ease and carried him off the horse.

Still holding him, he walked the last short distance.

"Could...could you- I know how to walk."

While he wasn't struggling, Andrew still complained a little in an attempt to be set down, but Antonio didn't listen.

"Just let me do this, Andrew..."

Keeping his eyes shut, Andrew buried his face in the crook of Antonio's neck. He seemed serious about this... what did he have in mind?

"Okay, open them!"

And on command, Andrew opened his eyes. A field.

They were standing in the middle of a field, he had no idea this existed.

"Pretty, right?"

Setting the other down, he looked at him expectedly. One of his hands placed itself on top of Andrew's head; gently patting him.

Andrew opened his mouth but no sound came out, he wasn't sure what to say.

Hundreds... no, maybe thousands of lilies were stretched across the land.

Memories came surging back as he stared at the flowers that reminded him of his Mother so much. How would she feel... knowing how many people he had hurt, how much bloodshed his very own sword had caused. Was she disappointed in him? Or... did she understand, that this was only option to survive. At least it was before. But not anymore, he was in the position to just stop. But he didn't want to betray the man he loved.

"It's... beautiful."

Something wet fell on his cheek, rain? Andrew held up his hand, he didn't feel anything there and yet the droplets continued rolling down his cheeks

Antonio's hand wiped away the tears dropping down Andrew's cheeks. And with a soft smile, he went down on one knee, taking the man's hands in his own.

"All these years ago, you pledged your loyalty to me. And now, here... I want to pledge my loyalty to you. I know you'll protect me, but I also want to protect you. So please... let me keep you save from now on. I don't want you to hurt anymore, so would you... perhaps consider retiring?"

Tears blurred Andrew's vision. What was he... he wanted him to stop?

"Then... what will become of me?"

Would he be cast aside? Would someone else take his place? But he didn't like the thought of someone else being with him almost every moment of the day. It was supposed to be him.

"I'm not throwing you out, Andrew. You fool. You'll keep living with me, if you want, I can give you a different position. Something where you won't have to touch a sword ever again.

But... you don't need to have one. It's my castle, if I want to keep you in my room then I'll keep you in my room."

His words earned a snort from Andrew. His eyes closed and he smiled. Dropping down on his knees, he opened his eyes again, crimson hues staring at the man who pulled on his heartstrings every single day.

Andrew squeezed in Antonio's hands, leaning in a bit closer.

"I want to retire. I have been wanting to... but I guess you already found that out by yourself. I'm sorry... for keeping it a secret.

Anything sounds better than doing this for even longer. Even if I have to stay in your bedroom the entire day. If you're with me, maybe it won't be so boring. I want to stay with you. But not as your protector... I want to stay with you, as your..."

Andrew felt the heat going to his cheeks, what was he saying? He dropped his head but Antonio lifted it up again, both of his hands on his cheeks. Staring right at Andrew's beet-red face with a smile.

This silly man made his heart leap with joy. To everyone else, Andrew was deadpan. But that was so far from the truth. He was adorable.

"As your... lover."

It took all the courage out of him but Andrew finally finished his sentence. They had been messing around for quite a long time already but never had he really said it out loud like this.

The confession even brought a blush to Antonio's face. His heart leapt out of his chest. This was all he ever wanted. If he had to, he'd give up everything just to live a quiet life with Andrew.