Work Text:
Hans had been checking in on Henry almost daily ever since he took that job at the blacksmith shop, to polish his skills, as he said. Sometimes he’d just ride by and wave, sometimes he’d stop and ask if he could be of any help, “I’m pretty bored in this city, you know”, he’d justify himself. And every single time Henry would just smile and shake his head… Except for the time he didn’t.
“Actually I… could use your help picking up something” he said putting down the piece he’d been working on for a good amount of hours.
“Oh, finally! What is it? I’ll get someone to do it right away” Hans exclaimed excitedly, making Henry chuckle. Of course Lord Capon would have to find someone to do it, all this time Henry’s been the one doing all his chores and suddenly he wasn't available anymore.
“I thought you said you were bored of staying inside these walls!” he replied brushing the hair away from his sweaty forehead, leaving a faint smudge of soot behind.
“That I am. But I am even more bored of not having a page to order around.” Capon added with an affected tone and instinctively rubbed the smudge off Henry’s forehead. It was quick, but it made Henry blink a couple times. They didn’t really discuss what happened at Suchdol, but they could both feel a slight shift in their behaviour. A slight brush of hands, a touch on the shoulder when they said their goodbyes at the tavern, a stare that lasted too long. Neither would acknowledge it, but there was something. A static.
“Very sweet of you. Now can you do it or not? I ordered a polished aquamarine stone from that jeweller in Sasau and it should be ready by now.”
“Aquamarine stone?! What for?”
“A very important commission. If you can’t do it I’ll just-“
“No! I said I’d help, it’s my duty now. Doesn’t matter how silly it is. I’ll get you that stone by tomorrow. Or get… someone to get you that stone. Anyway, I have places to be! Happy to see you are doing fine without my mentorship” Hans bowed slightly as he took steps back towards the main road. Henry rolled his eyes but couldn’t help smiling as he picked up the piece of metal again.
—
He touched his leather pouch one more time to make sure it was still there. As if it could disappear even though he's been feeling for it every five seconds.
As soon as he reached the blacksmith's alley, he smiled as he saw Henry holding up a fresh smooth blade of a longsword against the sun. His expression was serious, focused and his skin glistened under the bright light.
"Got your thing!" Hans broke the silence after a few seconds and rummaged through his pouch, fishing out the small gem wrapped in a silk cloth and handed it to Henry, whose trance was immediately broken.
"You actually did it! Thank you, it wouldn't be the same without it." he carefully picked up the gem and felt it in his palm.
Capon leaned against the wood beam and silently watched as Henry placed the sword on the worktable and almost surgically fixed the gem onto the pommel. He didn't understand who could possibly have ordered something so intricate and his ego would never allow him to ask.
"I think it's done" Henry held up the sword with both hands by the blade and studied it proudly. "Well, I suppose it's good you're here. Now I won't have to walk up the castle stairs to deliver it"
Before Capon could respond, Henry handed him the blade. Even more puzzled, he picked it up and stared at it, then back at the boy.
"I think you are mistaken, did Hanush commission-"
"No, Sir Hans" he cut him off. "It's yours. It's a gift. A thanks."
"A thanks? For wh-" he shook his head in disbelief. The sword in his hand was truly a masterpiece. The guard was intrically marked in arabesque details and the round aquamarine stone sat beautifully at the top of the pommel. At the base of the blade, an H was branded on the metal, just like Martin used to do, but when Capon turned it around, he met the words ego numquam te deorsum engraved along the lenght. I'll never let you down. One of the few phrases in latin Henry made sure to memorize.
"I didn't say anything because I knew you wouldn't let me do it" Henry said, feeling slightly embarrassed now.
"You knobhead, of course I wouldn't! And you even made me go pick up the final piece!" the nobleman replied, incapable of hiding the excitement in his voice as he softly swung the sword around to get a feeling of it.
"Well, you didn't exactly go yourself-" he started and abruptly stopped when Hans stepped closer and put his free hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Henry" Capon said softly and smiled. His hand still resting on Henry's shoulder.
"I hope you make good use of it." he replied and put his hand on top of Capon's.
Everything slowed down and went silent for a second. Hans gulped. Both men did. Henry's hair was longer now and it waved gently as a soft breeze hit them, pushing Hans to remember what it felt like grazing against his cheek.
"I will" the nobleman could barely form a sentence. He looked away and reluctantly removed his hand off Henry's shoulder. "I should go. Get some practice, get used to this"
Henry quietly nodded. He shouldn't miss the months he spent basically attached to Capon by the hip, but he did. There was a pang everytime he walked away.
Capon nodded back and started walking towards the road when a thought suddenly hit him.
"Wait, why the aquamarine?" he turned around abruptly.
"I, uh…"
The nobleman stepped close again, curious. Closer this time. Henry's wide ocean eyes stared at him, taken by surprise and unable to form a coherent answer. That's when Capon's posture softened and he opened a large smile as he realized.
"Oh. How foolish of me. You captured their color perfectly."