Work Text:
Long, pale fingers mindlessly played within a bowl full of small bits of dry fruits.
One got picked up and placed into an awaited mouth, which closed and munched on it with silent thoughtfulness.
The man sat upon a pillow in his royal bedchamber. He wore an evening, but still royalty, deep red with black stripes robes. In front of him doors were slid open to reveal a tiny garden. Mostly white sand, with a single large tree planted right in the middle of the courtyard. Gentle wind came in with a child-like curiosity, as it moved about the large, and very much furnished, room. Soon, it departed, but not before they ruffled the man’s ridiculously long hair. Its length was as such that when he stood, it reached his knees. However, as he sat in this current manner, it rested on the deep brown wooden floor in a lazy manner. Finally, free from its confinements of headpieces. Ones that the man had to wear to showcase his position. Dark sky basks the world into a temporary darkness. Only the full moon light the way, with its star companions wink down at the little mortals. Only a mere few candles within the room provide further light, however little it was.
Once more, another piece of fruit got picked up and munched on. When swallowed, mouth curled into an annoyed frown, as golden eyes took note of the current time from the moon’s position. It must be past midnight. Where was that idiot?
As if the universe decided to answer in turn, a servant came in. Within seconds, they were on their hands and knees, with forehead on the floor.
“His Imperial Majesty Dio, Emperor of-”
“Yes, yes, what is it?”
The blonde man cut through the customary and tedious speech like a sharp knife. It was clear as day that he had absolutely no patience for it at this time. Not once had he turned his gaze upon the servant, as if their mere presence was as worth as that of a bug. His obvious sour mood had made some sort of impact, since the servant now began to stutter and utterly refused to lift their gaze. Only fools would do so, with nothing but pain and death awaiting them on the other end. Sometimes people in the imperial court whispered that it was as if they faced Death itself. Certainly, something that the Emperor did not feel necessary to stop any time soon. If anything, Dio allowed for such fear to run amok. If nothing else than to remind everyone not to mess with him.
“T-T-The I-Imperial Cou-ourt Heal-ler J-Jonathan is h-here-”
Now that was something that was worth paying attention to. Without another thought, Dio turned to face the servant and barked orders at them.
“What are you waiting for? An invitation? Send him in.”
The servant let out a squeak. Shooting up to their feet, they bowed and shuffled backwards, visibly shaken. Not even seconds later, a tall and muscular man came in. Doors slid closed behind him without so much as a sound. Oh, what a sight this man made. The Emperor all but drank in their being, with absolutely no shame or secret of what he was doing. Long and large, with many muscles, this man certainly was a sight. No one was even close to match the way he looked, aside from Dio. Even then, this Healer still outmatched the royal head. A thing that other royalties would have taken as an insult, but not this one. Golden eyes rose to meet playful blue pair. Right then, as if playing hard to get, eye contact broke, so that the Healer could provide a small bow as customary. The Emperor did not even need to see the other man’s face, to know that he had a full blown up smile.
“Are you injured, my Emperor? Do you-”
“Oh, hush you buffoon. We can play that game later in bed. Jojo, where in Gods name were you? You were supposed to be here at least two hours ago.”
The stink filled glare sent to the bluenette didn’t even make him flinch, when he straightened his back to catch it. If anything, he raised a long sleeve to cover his mouth like some court lady and laughed behind it. The sound was deep and light, almost matching that of bells, somehow. It made Dio’s heart race at the sound. He watched as this gorgeous man move closer to the now pouting blonde. Long strands of blue wavy hair rose slightly backwards as he did so. A scene that had the Healer smile with softness, as childhood memories returned.
However, this smile changed too soon to that of grimace.
“That, Dio, I wish I can blame you for.” Jonathan sighed to his Emperor, as he planted his bum right into Dio’s lap. A huff was given by the blonde, from the sudden weight. Not caring that there was a second pillow, right next to them, empty and in place just for him. Not even caring anymore to the sight, the bluenette leaned further into Dio’s arms. Head snuggled comfortably onto a strong, red clothed chest. Blue eyes slid closed with tiresome. All playfulness now gone. “Or perhaps I can, since you do not care to do anything about it. Your concubines are at it again. I just left two that by accident tried to poison each other, rather than merely get the other sick. They were so stupid that they did not even care to check if they had the right herbs.”
Dio threw his head back with a bark of laughter. Finally leaving his bowl of dry fruits behind, he turned all his attention towards the man in his arms. Arms curled around the slight larger figure, as pale fingers ran through long blue hair. A moment of pause of silence was given, to relish in this scene. But of course, the opportunity was too good for the Emperor to ignore. A mock coo soon followed, with a pet to a cheek.
“Oh, you poor dear. To think, I have blessed you with keeping you busy with those women.”
Jonathan opened his eyes before transforming them into a tired glare, thrown straight at his lover. Not that it was seen, since he didn’t really care to leave his comfy new spot, nor twist his head enough to showcase it.
“You do not even care to know which ones it was, do you?”
Jonathan’s head rose along with a bored shrug from Dio.
“No, I do not care.” Dio began. Lips curled into a rather wicked smile. They brushed against a tanned forehead, with a hand cradling a cheek to help raise the head for better access. “Even if you do share, I do not believe I would have half an idea of who you are talking about.”
Lies, lies, lies. Both men knew that the Emperor had nearly perfect memory, and that he would remember exactly who the women were when given their names. To be fair, this was to all the women in his harem. There was not even a queen among them, as none were able to fall pregnant, much less with a son. Nor did they show any worthy skills to earn such a high position. Something that Dio was especially serious about, as he did not wish to share power with just anyone. Not that it was something to worry about, as the Emperor was still young. However, it would soon come to head, if nothing came about it sooner rather than later.
Jonathan could only sigh, unpleased with the answer, though not surprised. How unfortunate that he could not even enjoy the head pets, from the sheer annoyance he felt.
“One of these days, Dio, someone is going to get hurt or die. Most specifically, an unborn child, and I know that you greatly care for that, at the very least.”
Dio hummed, but waved the thought off. As if the words were right there in front of him, buzzing about and being an annoying set of insects.
“My dear, I have had only you in my bed for the last year. And yes, I am counting the trip around the empire that I dragged you along. If one of them was pregnant, I would know about it by now. Rest assured, if they were pregnant, with my child, they would be protected from these childish games.”
To end that small speech, Dio planted a more genuine and firmer kiss into the blue hair. In a way, to calm those wild and worried thoughts that ran amok within the Healer’s head. Jonathan blinked at what he heard, but he had nothing clever to say in return. Deep down, he knew that those words were true. In fact, it was such the case that none of the women even dared to come up with a fake pregnancy or have someone else’s child. They were smart enough to realize the backlash they would face, if they did either thing. The former wouldn’t be able to hide behind pretty little lies of being mistaken. Meanwhile, the latter would have to explain how they got pregnant when the only man they should have slept with was the Emperor. Truth be told, if anyone should be pregnant by this point, it would be him, Jonathan. That was, if he had a womb to begin with. He surely took enough seed to accomplish such a feat.
Also, Dio in general would not risk the life of his unborn child, no matter who mothered them. Not only because there was a need to pass on the bloodline and have an heir. There was also this hidden sense of protection that no one, except Jonathan, knew about.
For a moment, he couldn’t help but feel down that he couldn’t bear a child for his dear friend, lover, and Emperor. Oh, the mere thought of being fussed over and cared for by this usual sharp and hard warrior of a leader, made his heart flutter. But as reality and the Heavens dictated it, this would not be.
Perhaps in another life.
“Of course, how could I even doubt my Emperor.”
Jonathan sniffed with amusements. Finally, he raised his head enough until their eyes met for a brief moment, before lips met with a kiss. So light and soft was it, that not even a flower’s petal could compare.
It did not last long, but it felt like an eternity has passed before they pulled away. Still so close, that their breaths mixed together with each exhale. Soon, matching in their tempo. Cold gold eyes looked upon the man in his arms with a tender and soft look. Nails scratched lightly across the blue headed scalp, before they stopped upon a headpiece that held everything together. Those same eyes blinked, then did a once over Jonathan’s entire outfit. For the first time during that visit, taking note of what he wore.
“You are wearing a rather plain outfit. What, were you displeased with the recent outfit I gifted you?”
Dio asked, almost with a bored tone, but it was clear he was rather irritated. It was true. Jonathan usually wore either his Healer’s uniform or a rather colourful, but modest, robe. After all, he was still part of the aristocracy and had to showcase his position. In fact, he had worn the outfit that his lover spoke of for tonight. However, at this very moment, he dressed in earthy colours and extremely plain robe. If not for the excessive headpiece to showcase his position as an aristocrat, and being so well known among the palace, one would have mistaken him for some sort of peasant or ghost.
This had the bluenette sigh loud and long. Large, tanned fingers rose to rub both eyes. Almost in hopes that it would get rid of the mix of tiresome and headache that plagued his mind and body.
“One of those concubines barfed on me and the outfit, so I had to go all the way back to my quarters to change into fresh clothes. But you know how long it takes to put those on, and I did not wish to annoy you anymore with my lateness. So, I grabbed one that I could put on the fastest and all but ran here. Do not be concerned over the outfit you gifted me. I have handed it over to be cleaned.”
Dio’s face twisted into that of disgust and anger. Clearly not having wanted to hear of something so… vulgar. No matter the fact that he has seen far worse in the battlefield, which consisted of anything from dismembered body parts to guts having spilled out from a deep cut. But clearly this was not something he wanted to deal with at his own palace, in his room, or at this time of the night. Then there was that anger towards whichever concubine that dared to do such a thing on his Jonathan, and on his gift, for the matter of fact. It almost tempted him to ask for her name, to see her punished. But even he knew that was rather extreme, so for now left it be. If anything, let her be poisoned and surviving it be served as a lesson. However, there would not be a next time, mark his words.
“Unless you have something entertaining to share with me, I do not wish to hear no more of those women.”
Dio snarled. Now no longer amused by the topic at hand, even though he rarely said no to gossip or drama of the imperial household. That was, as long as it didn’t involve him or his reputation.
“Then what do you wish to speak about, my dear, my love, my Emperor?”
Jonathan moved to whisper into a three dotted ear, though the question was unneeded. Slowly, he got pushed onto his back, with the most powerful man in the entire empire hovering above him. Long strands of blonde hair fell over Dio’s shoulders, and landed around their heads. They acted much like curtains, which shielded them from the outside world. Pale hand practically ripped off the annoyance of a headpiece. At long last, it allowed for equally long but blue and wavy hair to spread on the floor in a halo. Light from the full moon and fire seemed to dance across tanned skin and dark hair, as if they wished to paint a canvas. Blue eyes, so soulful, so bright, looked up at Dio with a half-lid calm look. Full lips were parted ever so, and all but entranced the man above into some sort of a spell. If he didn’t know any better, the Healer must have been some sort of a fox demon, came to seduce him until he became powerless.
There was only one way that Dio could describe the scene below him.
“Beautiful”
The word was said with an airy and breathless tone. Like someone came in and punched the air out of his lungs. Without another second to waste, he leaped down and pressed onto those lips. Deep, long, with nibbles and light bites. A sigh of content could be heard from the man underneath, before it got swallowed up by another kiss. Both pale and tanned hands found their way to each other, as they slid across the wooden floor, and intertwined over their heads.
Only when their lungs were about to explode from need of oxygen, did they dare to pull away with a gasp. But still, Dio did not dare to be far away. Instead, he nuzzled his nose against a tanned cheek. With such tenderness, that no one in this world knew he was capable of, except for the man in his hold.
How long has it been, since they were finally able to be alone, like this?
How long has it been, since they could finally rip themselves away from their workload and politics, to have such a delicate moment?
Dio was not wrong that he had taken only Jonathan to his bed for the last year. However, it was also long enough that the need to be in each other’s presence overweight that of sense of duty. Shocking, since such a thing was practically ingrained into their minds since a young age. If not for cultural reasons, then it was due to their unique positions. To put anything above duty was a big no-no. However, they could care less. Not when they were alone in such manner, away from prying eyes. There were rumours going about the real state of their relationship, but no one would dare go against the Emperor himself. Not if they wished to keep their heads attached to their bodies. Even the concubines learned of their true place in the royal household. They knew better than to drag Jonathan into their inner power struggle. Also, one would not want to piss off the Head Healer of the entire palace, that oversaw everyone.
“Let us go to bed later. For now, I wish to be in your arms.”
Jonathan whispered so low, that if Dio’s ear wasn’t right there, so close, he wouldn’t have heard anything.
“You are lucky that only you can order me, your Emperor, around like this.”
The blonde replied, which had the other man chuckle deeply. One of those chuckles, where one’s chest vibrated from such action. It pushed against the chest above him, which was not even a hair length away. It sent buzz of shivers down Dio’s spine. Blue eyes shown up with playfulness, with a sly smile.
“Would my Emperor entertain his guest further, by allowing them one more kiss?”
Oh, cheeky little bastard. Dio’s smirk widened, until it reached ear to ear. He purred dangerously.
“Oh, my dear, you will have as many as a thousand. I do not think for even a second that I will ever grow tired of your lips.”
“Oh?” Jonathan raised an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed and unconvinced. Though, it was all an act, and both knew it. “You will just have to prove that, for I do not believe you.”
“Well, the night is still young, my love. I will have plenty of time to prove to you otherwise.”