Work Text:
Theo had never been a spiritual person before he met Martin. Of course he knows the Aedra and Daedra exist, but they had never seemed to show any care for him and his most desperate childhood prayers had been left unanswered.
Therefore, his contributions to the temples, meager as they were, always served the more secular side of their daily needs. The priests in the Temple of the One had been his saving grace during his troubled youth. They’d fed him, clothed him, blessed him, and healed his wounds. Theo returned the favor as well as he could in later years by donating the spoils of his hunts, gathering ingredients, and distributing care packages and letters across Cyrodiil.
Yes, he had given up prayer long ago. Yet here he stands, a blessed Paladin of Akatosh in shining armor. A supposed chosen of the Nine according to the late Emperor Uriel Septim. He would say he doesn’t believe it, that they have the wrong man, but his new holy powers prove otherwise. He had never been a talented mage despite his Breton heritage and suddenly he can cast healing spells and shields as mighty as a dragon’s scales with ease.
”What troubles you, my friend?” Theo watches as Martin approaches him and his steely gaze softens. The fondness that warms inside his chest in the other man’s presence takes his breath away as always. Martin Septim - his friend, his lover, his Emperor - brushes his knuckles along his cheek and looks up at him with an adoration he feels he does not deserve.
Yes, Theo is a Paladin of Akatosh, sworn to uphold the God’s desires, but his full devotion falls upon Martin. Warm, tangible, and something precious to protect with his life. His beliefs have always been secular and so they remain.
”Thinking of the Gods,” Theo replies and cups Martin’s hand against his cheek. He leans into the touch and lets it ground him as it always does. Martin breathes out a tired chuckle and they share a long look. There’s too many things for Theo to say and not enough time to make Martin understand. He hopes a look is enough.
”The Gods are all we seem to think of nowadays.” Martin’s voice is but a murmur and Theo longs to hold him and chase away that harrowed look on his face that he was never lucky enough to see him without. Instead he just nods with a pained look, remembers his station, and steps back to bend the knee before Martin.
”What do you require of me, your highness?” Theo sucks in a sharp breath and looks down at the ground, his ears burning red. Jauffre is a fair Grandmaster and knows about his relationship with Martin, but doesn’t tolerate it in public. Perhaps the only reason he tolerates it at all is because of the crisis they all face. When Martin replies he can hear the exhaustion in his voice. Theo reminds himself that they’re both new at this. Two men playing at being Paladin and Emperor.
”Please, stand.” Theo follows the command smoothly and he catches just the smallest hint of a smile on Martin’s lips. “Come.” Martin leads Theo through the halls of Cloud Ruler Temple in the direction of his private room.
”You’re sure…?” Theo’s hesitation is cut off when Martin shoves him back against the sliding door to his room and leans up to press a kiss to his lips.
Theo melts, gauntleted hands holding Martin’s slim waist and pulling him closer. Martin reaches around him to open the door and laughs as they tumble inside. He holds Theo and they kiss again and again and again. They strip and climb in bed and Theo’s heart almost beats out of his chest as he gazes down at Martin underneath him.
”The battle is tomorrow.” Martin whispers. “Let us find solace one last time.”