Work Text:
During the somber eternity it had taken for his heart to heal he quietly vowed to never love again. He guarded his feelings, keeping them hidden and locked away under many layers of gilded steel. Yet the large hands pushing him back to the cracked and blood splattered floor tore away those defenses as if they were made of paper. Ornstein could barely hear anything over the pounding of his heart and the harsh rasp of his breath, his thoughts scattering like autumn leaves as he met the other man's dark brown eyes.
In the sunlight his armor shown brilliant and golden much like his own. He felt like he was looking at a nightmarish reflection of himself, of everything he had worked so hard not to be. Yet he found himself drawn to this man, the one who was reviled by all. As their lips met his conscience screamed for him to stop, yet his heart begged him to continue as it reveled in feelings that had been nearly forgotten. The sweet coppery taste of blood had him wondering if it was his own or his partner's, then his eyes widened as the executioner quickly backed away from him with a perplexed expression.
"Ornstein, what in Gwyn's blessed name are you doing?" Smough's voice boomed through the sanctuary. Something that sounded like an apology in his head came out as sputtered gibberish, his face growing red with shame as reality came crashing in. An undead had come seeking the Lordvessel and during the fight he had been wounded, somewhere between then and now Smough had slain the undead and began tending to him.
"That blow to the head must've done more damage than I thought it did." Smough replied shakily as he got to his feet, as he moved to allow Ornstein up the knight saw the lower half of his visor bloodied and crumpled on the ground. He couldn't help but wince as a burning pain shot up his leg, but he hid his discomfort as he limped out of the room without looking back. Once he was back in the privacy of his chambers did he allow himself to think about what just happened. He stared hard at his flustered expression in his mirror as he set his helmet aside and began to clean his bloodied face.
He had no idea what had come over him, or why he acted like he did. He had no excuse for that moment of vulnerability but he knew an apology was in order.
.................
Love was something Smough was unfamiliar with and the thought of romance was never a possibility for someone like him. Now as he sat in the dark gloom of his dungeon surrounded by blood rusted torture devices and dusty iron shackles he found himself pondering the answer to a question he never asked. When he pushed Ornstein to the ground it was to make sure he didn't injure himself further, the blow from the great club that struck him could've easily broken his neck.
At one time he would've taken satisfaction in seeing him half conscious and laying in a pool of blood. But that was before he'd been forced to work with him, and before seeing the never ending punishment he endured to protect the Lordvessel. He always thought of him as proud, arrogant, and distant. But that was before realizing it was all an act, a persona fashioned to shield his true self from the world. With a long sigh he ran his hands through his dark messy curls and reached for his cloak. Maybe a walk would help him forget about everything. He made it about halfway down the street when he saw Ornstein coming from the opposite direction. He could see how he wasn't putting all his weight on his left leg, not wanting him to worsen his injury he went to meet him.
"Good evening." Ornstein greeted with an awkward and uncomfortable expression. Smough returned his greeting while motioning him to sit at a nearby bench tucked into an alcove. "You should really get that looked at." Smough said as he took a seat next to Ornstein. The knight was quick to dismiss it as nothing more than sore muscles, but experience told him he likely had a deep tissue bruise.
"I wanted to speak to you about earlier." Ornstein said quietly. "Oh?" Smough replied with raised eyebrows. The knight let out a long sigh, his cheeks turning pink as he involuntary fidgeted with his gauntlets. "I'm sorry." Ornstein said softly. "My earlier behavior was out of line, I have no excuse for my actions."
"I don't want your apology." Smough replied calmly. Ornstein looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock, this must've been horribly embarrassing for him. "I didn't find your actions out of line, so your apology is unnecessary." This time it was Smough who couldn't meet the other man's gaze. "I found it rather pleasant, even if it was unexpected."
"What?" Ornstein sputtered, his confused expression would've been comical in any other situation. "I found it pleasant." Smough repeated. "While I am unfamiliar with such things, pain and sorrow are something I understand quite well." Ornstein flinched at the warm calloused hand that came to rest on his cheek. "I can feel your loneliness, your grief, your pain." Smough's face softened as the slightest hint of sympathy flickered across it. "You are a proud, insufferable, ass. But even that doesn't justify the miserable fate that's been forced on you." He paused as he noticed Ornstein leaning into his touch, he idly wondered how long it had been since anyone had touched him like that.
"I'm not the best when it comes to consoling another, but I want to ease your pain. I want to make this wretched existence more bearable for you, but only if you're alright with this." Smough said as he removed his hand and let it rest in his lap. Ornstein frowned as he looked out at the deserted city, the unsettling silence was nearly deafening. The sun setting in the distance gave the pristine white buildings a warm glow and made his armor appear to smoulder with embers.
"You are everything I hate, but I do not hate you." Ornstein said with a frown. "You are one of the few that see me as I am, and understand how broken I am. In the past I wasn't as kind to you as I should've been, and I am wrong for not apologizing for it. Yet despite this you still look after me and treat me as a friend. I see myself as undeserving of being anything more than friends." Ornstein met Smough's gaze as he took one of his massive hands in both of his. "I would be lying to say things haven't been difficult, or that I'm not lonely."
"So I accept your offer, I'm open to the idea of a relationship with you, but only if you are alright with it." Ornstein said with a painfully awkward smile. Smough couldn't help but laugh at the situation he found himself in. "At least we agree on something for once." Ornstein shifted in his seat then winced as his leg ached at the sudden movement. Smough noticed this and stood up from his spot, "It's getting late and you're still hurt. Allow me to help you to your room."
Ornstein nodded his head and made no protest as Smough carried him back to his chambers. As he worked his way out of his greaves he noticed the large, ugly bruise running from his ankle to his upper calf. "That's going to take time to heal, I'll have to notify the Dark Sun that you'll need time to rest." Smough said as he helped Ornstein to sit on his bed. "He already knows, I saw my illusion waiting in the sanctuary on the way outside earlier." Ornstein replied.
"Alright, then let me get the medicine chest and I'll help you tend to it." Smough said with a shrug. As carefully as he could manage he applied an ointment for the pain and checked to make sure there wasn't any broken bones. Then he helped Ornstein into bed and stoked the fire in his fireplace to help ward off the chill of the night. "Is there anything else you need before I leave?" Smough asked.
"Uhm, yes actually." Ornstein muttered. "Would you mind staying with me for a while?" He asked as his face turned red again. "Just until I'm asleep, in case I need to get up again." He added very quickly. Smough couldn't help but laugh at Ornstein's sudden coyness, but he agreed to his request. After setting his cloak aside and kicking off his boots he climbed onto the bed. Ornstein visibly relaxed the moment he got comfortable and carefully tucked his arm around him. Smough quietly laid there holding him in a gentle embrace while being mindful to not brush up against Ornstein's injured leg. He couldn't help the warm fuzzy feeling in his chest, nor could he hide the beaming smile on his face.
Once Ornstein was sleeping peacefully he set off for his chambers, as he passed the kitchen he realized it would be a long walk for Ornstein with his injured leg. So he made a mental note to get up extra early to cook breakfast and take it to him. Back in the dark, cold, dungeon he made his evening rounds, then he cleaned his armor and got ready for bed. For the first time in a long time he was actually looking forward to tomorrow.