Work Text:
Sterling had been traveling back and forth between the goblin kingdom and its close allies consistently for the last two months. Meeting after mind numbing meeting coupled with meaningless deliberation had started to take a toll on the Elven man. In addition, not being able to travel and see Rooke in nearly three months was not doing him any favors either. After the months of deliberation an agreement had been made and a new treatise had been drafted. This treatise would allow for equal trade between the allied nations and a hopeful outlook for continued peaceful negotiations. However, Sterling silently wishes to return to his previous position of General. He made the decision to take up the newly available role in the kingdom as diplomat created by Rune’s departure to live and reign in the Fae kingdom alongside Sage, as it also allows Sterling the flexibility to work while also living in the Fae kingdom with Rooke. Well, until now. As, Sterling finally arrives at the Fae palace the fatigue has rendered him all but dead.
Sterling sits, lounging on the rather large couch in Sage’s study reading a poetry book he found on the side table, which likely belongs to Rune. He moves to lay out across the couch and stretches out till his feet touch the distant arm of the couch. With a heavy sigh he adjusts his head and sets back to reading.
Rooke, having not seen Sterling since lunch, is just finishing up with his duties for the day and goes back to his room expecting to find Sterling hiding out there. However, when he opens the door, Sterling is nowhere to be seen. Rooke is exhausted from a long day working in the gardens and helping prepare for the garden party that is planned for the weekend. So, he thinks for a moment and decides to head to the second most likely place he would find Sterling: the study.
Sterling has been staring at the same page for the better part of the last hour as his mind wonders elsewhere. His eyes flick to the door when he hears the latch pop open. Rooke quickly slips in the door. Starling’s gaze softens as he watches the Fae quickly make his way to the couch. Sterling starts to sit up, but is interrupted when Rooke quickly speaks, “No, no, no. You stay.” “Move your legs,” Rooke says swatting at Sterling’s feet. He hastily obeys and pulls his knees up expecting Rooke to sit down, however, Rooke proceeds to wedge himself between Sterling and the back of the couch. Sterling threads his hand into the hair at the base of Rooke’s neck as he settles his head under Sterling’s chin.
“Hey Roo. You done for the day?” Sterling asks. Rooke hums affirmatively and releases a breath he has been holding for a while. As Rooke stills, Sterling tilts his head to rest his chin against the top of Rooke’s head. Sterling lets his eyes close as he begins to softly run his hand along the length of the Rooke’s arm.
At some point both had fallen asleep, and neither seemed aware of Sage and Rune now standing over them contemplating whether they should take a picture to immortalize the one moment in history the two were not causing chaos. Unfortunately, when Sage opened the door to go get his camera Boulder shot through the door between his feet and lunged for the couch. The bobcat proceeded to use Sterling’s chest as a springboard as he leapt up to catch the last rays of the sun in his favorite spot, the back of the couch.
During the sudden assault, Sterling woke gasping for air and unintentionally awoke Rooke with his flailing. Rune and Sage falling into a giggling mess leaning on each other for support. “Welcome back to the world of the living,” Sage says between gasps. Sterling and Rooke both sink back into the couch. Sterling rolls over and attempts to pet Boulder, but a stern slap from the bobcat makes him quickly change his mind.
Now obscured from view Rooke peeks his head up just enough to make eye contact with Sage and flipping him off for ruining the nap. Still smiling, Rune and Sage turn to head out the door. “If you guys don’t have better plans. Feel free to come join us for drinks,” Rune says before he makes it out the door. “Tell them I am making snacks!” Sage yells to rune already out in the hall, as if it is not clearly audible to the others as well. “Uh, and Sage made snacks,” Rune adds.