Work Text:
From that very first moment John had seen Simon, charging into battle sword held high on a rearing horse he knew he would follow him for as long as the gods should let him.
The first peaceful night after a long tiresome battle John sketched late into the night. Trying to recall every sharp point of Ghost's armor, the way his eyes seemed to glow as he fought, or even the way his eyes seemd to widen when John had appeared at his side blocking an enemy's blow with his ax.
John was trying to immortalize this man he so desperately wished to follow.
It wasn't long till John had noticed the favoritism towards himself. Simon had given him a large lavish room in his keep and a separate just a lavish art room after finding John's sketches.
Or even the tender way Simon had started calling him 'Johnny ' .
John tried to deny his growing love for Ghost but he couldn't help the tinge of jealousy when other lords would offer up their daughters to Simon. But burn of pride in his lungs when Simon would deny them usually with a threat attached.
But here John was after 12 years by Ghost's side and 10 years of calling this keep his home his heart still ached Simon's love.
Late into the night Johnny stood circling a painting. One of the many he had made of Simon, this one in particular was to hang in art hall of the keep. Simon asked him for something that wasn't of his horse or one of the many cats that roamed the keep.
Johnny was stumped. Simon looked as perfect as always leather clad with a dark fur cape standing strong a noble.
The doors opened letting a small gust if warm air into the ever cold art room. "You'll freeze in here, Johnny." Simon called as he walked deeper to the room. "I'll be fine."
Simon huffed at the younger man's response placing a fur blanket over his shoulders. "No matter how many pieces I see of yours you always amazing me." Simon saying gazing at the unfinished painting. "It's missing summat." Johnny says draging his hands down his face dramatically.
Simon would usually huff out a chuckel at Johnny's dramatics but this time he didn't. He was to focused on the painting.
"You." Simon said not taking his eyes off of it.
"What?"
Johnny started by Simon's serious tone.
"You, it's missing you, Johnny." Simon finally says before turing to John.
Simon's large warm hand held Johnny cheek titing his head up to meet Simon's eyes.
"You belong by my side, love." Their faces inches apart breathing the same warm air that made this once cold room rises in heat. "Ye better kiss me noo or Am gunna hit you." Johnny says quietly graping Simon's hand.
Simon's face split into a large grin laughing at the Scots threat. "Then I guess I better kiss you." He says before leaning in and pressing his lips to Johnny's.
And sure enough Johnny did belong at Simon's side. The painting was hung in the hall and by the end of the approaching winter Simon had started sighing McTavish adding it on to his title.
Lucky no one questioned why the englishman had a Scottish last name.