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Bruno buried his face in his hands and sighed. His eyes burned and his body ached. Exhaustion was setting into his bones, but he didn’t have time to sleep. There was too much at stake from him, for his followers, for his kingdom…
“Up late again I see.”
The deep baritone startled Bruno’s thoughts and he reached for his sword before relaxing. There was only one person who spoke so freely to him.
“I couldn’t sleep,” he admitted. His brain refused to relax and it kept him tossing and turning. He’d wandered into the forest and sat by a little creek hoping that it would relax him: it hadn’t.
Leone sighed and took a seat next to him. He stared off into the darkness for a while, an unreadable expression on his face. “What’s keeping you awake tonight?”
Bruno itched to move closer to Leone. He wanted to enjoy the warmth of the other…and the way Leone smelled always seemed to put him at ease. But he kept himself still, knowing that Leone was still a little uneasy with close contact.
“Everything and nothing…the usual,” Bruno laughed lightly.
Leone picked up a stone and studied it, like he was trying to read its mind before he tossed it into the creek. “You can tell me about it. I’ll listen.”
While Bruno appreciated the gesture, he didn’t even know where to begin. His thoughts were so muddled and wrapped within each other that he felt like he couldn’t share one without completely telling another. Bruno stared up at the moon and sighed and gave it a shot.
“I guess I’m frustrated. And scared.” Bruno glanced at Leone only to see him staring back, eyes fully focused on him. It made him blush. “I know I’ve been taught to lead, to inspire those around me, but I never wanted to convince people to want to die for me. I know I should be proud that people believe in me that much…but it leaves a filthy feeling in my soul.”
“They—we’ve chosen to follow you because you are willing to fight with us, lead us into battle instead of hiding behind the lines. They’re also fighting for their homes, their lives. You’ve just made it easier by giving them someone to believe in. You’re a good man.” Leone’s voice softened at the last statement.
“I—” Bruno smiled slightly. “Thank you, Leone.” Compliments from his partner always made him feel giddy and helped push the dark thoughts away.
“Anytime.” Bashfulness was evident in his voice. Leone cleared his throat and looked to the river, but a bit of pink could still be seen on his cheeks.
They sat in the peaceful darkness for some time. Bruno felt his muscles finally relaxing, but his mind was still ready to keep turning for hours. He worried about the injured in the tents that fought beside him. How was it fair that they were hurting and he was sat here under the stars?
He started to twist the ring on his finger.
Next to Bruno, Leone sighed and moved closer. Ever so carefully, like he was worried that Bruno would break into pieces, Leone pulled the young prince to him. “You need to stop thinking so deeply. Everything is going to work out.”
Taking a risk, Bruno laid his head on Leone’s shoulder. The other only tensed for a moment before relaxing. “How do you know?” Bruno asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Leone squeezed him gently. “I know you—your drive and passion. You won’t stop until you’ve made things right.” Leone tensed again for a moment before he lowered them to the ground, so Bruno was resting on his shoulder. He kept a tight grip on Bruno’s waist like he was worried the other would try to leave.
They had slept next to each other on the ground, but anything this intimate before. There was a moment of electricity from their bodies touching, but it quickly changed into a comfortable feeling. Bruno felt exhaustion hit as he was overwhelmed with Leone’s scent: forest, dirt, and something else, it was so perfect and comforting.
Now that they were settled, Leone intertwined their hands and rested them on his chest. Bruno knew it was a risk to fall asleep in the middle of the forest, but everything was a risk now. He felt selfish cuddling like this under the stars when there were so many that needed him, but for a few hours, he wanted to be selfish. His eyes grew heavy, and he snuggled closer to his new favorite pillow.
“Sleep well, my Bruno,” Leone whispered in his hair.
It was the last thing Bruno heard and he fell asleep smiling.