Work Text:
-“How it’s going?”- It was the question done by Marcus, sitting in the same pose for hours. It’s something normal by this point to stay in the same position for paintings, since he is importante, his image must be registered somehow. Even though they are boring sessions, it’s less bad since he has Nathan as company.
Nathan had the same expression as always, concentrated, so Much that he didn’t even notice the question his friend made, gently applying the ink to the canvas.
-“Nathaaaaaaaaaan”- The pronlogated calling finally got his attention, letting out na embarrassed laugh, in spite of the fact that they have been friends for a while, still happens of them feeling shy towards each other.
-“Ah, sorry, what did you ask?”-
-“How it’s the painting going? I’ve been in here for hours...! -Complained as he stretched his legs, already numb for staying in the same position for too long – “May i take a look?” -.
-“Of course!”-
Nathan smiled as he saw Marcus excitedly walking closer to take a look at the painting. It’s not done yet, but its possible to distinguish the monarch sitting legs crossed on the background, his green eyes being the most noticeable thing compared to the rest.
-“You always paint my eyes first, do you like them?”-
-“I think they are very beautiful, i love green, did you know that?”-
Marcus agreed with a nod –“I did, so do i”- he answered, going back to look at the canvas. His hand resting on the shoulder of the redhead sitting on the stool, his fingers discreetly playing with the red locks of his friend’s hair –“You are very talented…it’s very impressive how you can recreate the moment with just a few strokes”-.
-“It’s not all of that, it’s the only thing I can do anyway”- He said with a melancholic tone.
-“You know how to do many things, you just need to believe in yourself”-
-“But…”-
-“Nathan”-
-“…”- Nathan sighs, retracting his shoulders, relaxing and leaning his hand on the touch of his friend, making Marcus’ hand move to his cheek with a soft caress- “…I think I need to value my work more, it’s just tiring sometimes”-
-“I know how it is, when I’m tired of working on a poem or story, I move to another, you could do that! Draw an animal, a landscape, I don’t know, you could make so many things”-
-“But you are my muse”- Nathan interrupted him, with no sharp intent, his voice sweet and quiet
-“What?”-
-“It’s true, you’re my inspiration! When I don’t know what to paint, you always show up in my mind, every time. You’re…incredible…”-
Marcus didn’t know how to react, just stare at him with wide eyes, his face already red. He is used with compliments, but this one is different, it makes his heart race.
-“Really…?”- He continued to caress his cheek.
-“Really”- He took his hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing it. His cheeks as red as his “friend’s”. Both of them were in embarrassing but at the same time comforting silence, it continued for a few seconds until it was interrupted by both of the boys laughing, astonished, but happy.
-“Wow, i…uhm…” Marcus couldn’t hold back his laugh, even though he was trying to stop-“I’m not laughing at you! I’m laughing at the situation, I wasn’t waiting for that”-
-“O-oh, I see…but you…?”
-“I liked it…I’m very happy”- They touched foreheads, smiling at each other. Nath was leaning in, still looking at those green eyes he loves so much, unfortunately the moment was cut short by a knock at the door from a maid calling for Marcus.
-“Your Majesty”- She bowed to the monarch –“Your father requires your presence for an important discussion."
Marcus nodded. When he was about to leave, he turns around to give the redhead a tight hug and a small kiss next to his eyebrow before leaving this time. Nathan sighs with a smile in his face once the door closes, now looking at the painting with a different view, even more gentle that it was.
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At the night of the same day, Nathan was in his room drawing, he was lucky that the diplomat got his room for him just for him in the palace. While he was scribbling, he got startled by a knock at his door, as soon as he opens it, he is greeted by Marcus, a smile forming at the sight of his majesty.
-“It’s late, your majesty, shouldn’t you be sleeping?”-Asked with a smirk, it’s fun to annoy him
-“Hey!” – Marcus also laughed-“ You don’t need to call me that”-.
-“I know, I just like to annoy you”- He sat on the bed, the other sitting next to him right away –“So, how was the conversation with you father?”-
The question instantly made the prince sulk, it was clear the sadness in eyes. He leaned back on the bed, taking a deep breath.
-“I…My father made an arranged marriage for me with Princess Zoelle from England and…and I can’t refuse”-
-“What?!”-Basically screamed, he couldn’t believe it despite knowing something like this would happen one day, it was expected but it still hurts.
-“Y-you don’t need to worry, I can…I can fix this, we will find a solution, i…”-
-“But what about…”-
-“I WON’T let you go” -His voice was shaking, revealing how afraid he was-“I won’t let that happen…”- He affirmed this by yanking the brooch with the blazon of his family, a golden rooster, off his blue coat, placing it in the palms of Nathan, pressing against his chest-“You won’t leave my side…”-
Nathan nodded, rubbing the tears from despair away from his eyes, pulling him for a tight hug. After what felt like hours they finally let go of each other.
-“And…how are you going to do that?”-
-“ I’ll have to think better about it…but you are the priority, ok? Forever, alright?
-“Alright…forever, you and i…”-
They stayed in silence, just enjoying the company of each other. Both of them didn’t know what would happen in the future, but they were sure that they wouldn’t let go of each other, never.
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21st-Century (XXI)
-“Nathanieeeeeeeel”- Marc snapped his fingers in front of Nathaniel’s face to call his attention. Both of them were in the art room, it’s where they always meet since they are from different classes.
-“Ah, sorry what did you say?”- The redhead letting out na embarrassed laugh, he was so focused that he didn’t hear what his friend said.
-“How it’s going? You’ve been in that panel for a while now”- He tilted his head to the side –“May i take a look?”-
-“Of course!”-
Nathaniel smiled, handing him the paper so he can see. It’s not done yet, but its possible to distinguish the two heros in the background, the green eyes of Marc’s persona it’s the only colorful thing on the page.
-“You always color my eyes first, do you like them?”-
-“I think they are very beautiful, i love green, did you know that?”-
Marc agreed with a nod –“I did, so do i”- he answered, going back to look at the page, leaning closer to him. The proximity feel weirdly familiar, making Nathaniel lean closer to his “friend”.