Work Text:
“I fell in love with a sorcerer before I knew their name.”
After the long war has ended, a tragic 3 month war, Micheal finally has returned home. A handful of men on their horses trotted through the castle gate led by their commander, a beautifully handsome young man with a face so unique most men and women were attracted to him. He sat straight on the horses back, as his red cape and dark curls fluttered in the wind. Once inside, Michael heard the whispers of the townsmen that gathered all around, cheering for the returns of the soldiers. The men dismounted their horses and Micheal stepped inside of the castle, running through the halls and into the throne room. Kneeling down in front of the king.
“Your grace..” Micheal said in a steady voice.
“Rise..commander” motioned the king with an open hand.
“I believe we have lost many men in the battlefield..” raising on his feet.
“Commander, you may rest now..i’ll have the sergeant take care of that”.
“As you command your grace” Micheal bowed in front of the king, his leg armour squeaking under him.
As he left the throne room and down the stairs he took a moment for himself and took a deep breath, his posture finally relaxing and lifting his left arm sleeve checking out the large infected cut he got during the war, he made a sour disgusted face and resumed his walking down the large palace halls. After taking a shortcut that brought him directly into the main street, he walked past taverns filled with people that either gave him a face or just nodded their heads at him, he saw hardworking shop owners running around in and out and children playing with different toys and running. He took a turn on a very narrow street and reached a small building that had two doors. Micheal stood for a moment, taking a breath and not quite remembering which was the right door that he needed. He tried the door from the left opening it and for a few seconds realising he had the wrong entrance, the one that led to a brothel. With a shocked face he closed the door and sighed.
“not that one…” he though to himself.
Opening the door to the right he found himself in a small cozy room that smelled heavy of lavender and sweet fruits and decorated from every corner with plants and candles glowing dimly, ornamented with suns, moon and stars and mauve satin curtains covering the area around the bed that protected a dark silhouette who laid on the bed. Micheal took half a step and lifted up the satin curtain.
“Excuse me?” Micheal said in a low tone.
“Oh my-“ the other boy looked at him startled and the soft harp that was playing in front of him by itself suddenly fell to silence.
“I’m so..sorry..i- i didn’t mean to interrupt” Micheal looked the boy all over and then at the harp. He took a moment too long to examine the man that was sitting in front of him, he admired his straight shiny chocolate brown hair and his emerald green eyes and his pink plump lips.
“May i help you sir?” said the young man lifting a soft hand from one of his closed books.
“I’ve..heard that you are the-“ Micheal didn’t even have time to finish his sentence and the other man was already on his feet.
“Yes please.. show me what i could help with” the man said with shining eyes.
Micheal lifted his sleeve showing the disgusting cut to the other man. The other one took a look at the wound and said.
“Take a sit on the bed, i’ll be back” and took his leave to the other room.
Micheal sat on the bed comfortably taking in all of the delicious smell and the cozy atmosphere while looking around for a moment. After some time the young man came back, only then Micheal has noticed his peculiar outfit composed of a violet robe with silver embroidered stars and a pointy hat with the same color. The young man took the commanders arm while sitting next to him.
“I forgot to introduce myself..i am William Byers but most of the people know me as..” making a pause and saying into a smaller voice “the cleric”.
Micheal nods his head “I am Micheal Wheeler, the commander of the kings guard”.
“My apologies commander..”.
“For what?” Micheal looks confused.
“For not treating you sir with more respect”.
Micheal chuckles and William smiles, starting to disinfect the wound, patting gently with a sterile compress. Micheal forming his hand into a fist and frowning his brows, looking away from the sorcerer, feeling embarrassed.
“Does that hurt?” William asks in a soft voice.
“No..” Micheal says in an uneasy voice still not turning his head towards the other boy.
William chuckles softly and beginning to sew his wound. Micheal trying his hardest not to make a sound.
“Did you get this while in the war?” William asks while concentrating on the wound.
“Yes..i didn’t have time to take care of it”
“Don’t you have a doctor with you while at war?” William asks confused.
They both turn their heads towards each other in the same time, the distance between their faces was so small they could feel each other’s breathing.
“We..we do yes..” Micheal whispers not moving his head.
William turns his head back to the wound and smiles.
After closing up the stitches, William applied a yellow florally balm around the wound having a pleasant look on his face.
“And you are all done my sir” he looks up at the taller man.
“How much do i owe you?” putting his hand inside his pocket.
“Well..i won’t charge you anything..after all my sir you do fight for the lives of the people” William said while taking his supplies back to the other room.
“I can’t just leave without paying for your service, William” Micheal left two silver coins on the bed as William was in the other room.
William felt his heartbeat fasten a little as he heard his name being called by the commander then returning into the room.
“I shall take my leave then..” Micheal bows in front of William.
“Please.. come back in a few days so i could take out your stitches my lord..” William nods.
“Goodbye then William”.
“Goodbye my sir..”.
Micheal opens the door and before leaving he turns to William.
“Call me Micheal”.
The door shuts behind Micheal, leaving William starring at it, after a few moments William finally moves his feet around to get on the bed, his knuckles feeling something cold on the bed and picking up the two silver coins and humming happily to himself.
Micheal walked down the same narrow road where he came from at first and through the people of the street and back at his house, a small old house made of wood. He walked the steps up the second floor where his room was and unlocking the door, stepping inside and closing the door behind. Taking a moment to breathe slowly and gather his thoughts while taking off his armour for the first time in several days. Taking each piece off and putting it on the stand in the corner of the room and then taking his under layer shirt and taking a peek at his stitched and clean wound imagining William touching his arm, he imaged it so vividly like it was almost real..too real, he felt the heat of his palm and fingers on his arm, his sensitive touch and then..his lips..he felt William’s plump lips kissing his arm so tenderly, he almost felt his straight beautiful brown hair brushing against his skin. Micheal shakes his head and closing his eyes, his black curls messing at once, he thought to himself..how could he think of such a thing? indeed in his head he did find William quite good looking but how could he? he was a knight after all.
Micheal needed to shake off those weird thoughts so he decided to take on a comfortable pair of clothes that he almost never wore because most of the time he just wore his armour and a pair of beat up boots and headed to the brothel that was next door to the Byers house. Once he got in front of the door he took a deep breath and went in. After maybe like an hour and a bit he finished his business with one of the most attractive women he found and paying her a large sum of silver coins that he had in a drawstring bag, he stepped out of the door, his forehead trickling with sweat and his curls damp and messy, his clothes that were once clean now slick with different substances like alcohol and body fluids. He felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him as he stepped out and thinking he would have to walk like this all the way home, hoping he wouldn’t have to meet anyone he knew along the way but since it was past midnight his worry eased off. Until just as he was walking a few steps from the door the same next door swung open and William stepped out. The two made eye contact a few seconds and suddenly William was the one to speak first.
“Commander?-“ he looked confused
“Shhh!.. don’t call me that..” he got closer to the smaller man but then got away realising the state he was in.
“Didn’t know you..”
“No!..god no.. no i don’t..do this kind of thing”
William looked up and down at Micheal examining him and then feeling his own cheeks starting to burn.
“Well then..good night..”
“Goodnight” Micheal said while practically running down the street and disappearing into the darkness and once again leaving William starring.
The rest of the night was such a horror for Micheal, thinking he left such a bad impression in front of William, he though all of this while showering and letting the cold water run all over him so he could let loose of all the bad smells and textures he had on his body. After he was done he just quietly went to sleep, knowing he had a patrol day tomorrow which was always stressful for him.
The next day Micheal woke up tired as always, the light didn’t even shine yet but he had to get ready. The man got on his feet starting to dress up into his armour and taking a cloth and beginning to polish his armour pieces then putting his belt that held his heavy sword. He always had trouble when putting his cape because he didn’t have anyone to help him with it, for a moment he though how sweet it would be if William was there to help him put his cape but Micheal quickly snapped out and went to the downstairs kitchen. He grabbed a yellow beautiful apple and popped it in his mouth as he locked the door to his house and quickly combing his messed frizzy curls with his fingers and taking a bite of the apple.
As he headed to the castle to listen to the tasks he had for the day he noticed that not many people were on the street but he just though it was nothing and only the early hour of the morning. Once he got to the castle he heard murmuring and loud voice talking from inside, Micheal went up the stairs and noticed in the throne room a big commotion, people gathered around, all kind of people from commoners to soldiers and grand meisters. Micheal tried to make his way through the wave of people and notice what was happening. Once he got close enough he saw the impossible, William was sitting on his knees in front of the king, he was held restrained with thick ropes and two big soldiers around him. Micheal felt the urge to just shout out for William but he knew he just couldn’t, the king got up from his throne and spoke clearly.
“William Byers..I the king sentence you to trial by combat for practicing magic in a violent way”
Micheal felt his heart sink he knew it couldn’t be true, he knew that William wasn’t a violent man, he knew he was a healer he only wanted the good for everyone. he looked only at William’s back that seemed to rise and fall quickly in panic. The king spoke again.
“Is there anyone in this throne room that would like to represent sir Byers in the combat?” the king sat down after speaking again.
Micheal didn’t even hesitate and took a few steps forward.
“I would!” said Micheal in a almost roar voice.
The people all around started to whisper and gasp, who would think that the commander of the kings guard would represent a sorcerer.
The king eyed Micheal carefully and said.
“Very well then..If your combat is lost, sir Wheeler.. then the sorcerer shall be burned at the stake”.
“I understand your grace..who shall i be fighting?”.
“I’ll represent the king if i may..” a strong voice raised from the crowd, Micheal recognised that voice, of course it was the sergeant.. the kings most loyal man of the whole kingdom.
“It is settled then, the trial shall take place in 2 days, until then.. the prisoner shall remain locked up”.
Micheal saw as the two guards took William away and dragged him back all the way to the prison cells. Micheal looked so angry he basically fumed, he looked at the king with a dissatisfied face and then ran to the prison cells.
He took the stairs down two at the time to get faster down and almost tripping and falling but quickly regained his balance and reaching the cells looking for William. He saw the smaller boy sitting on the cold brick floor with his head on his legs sobbing quietly.
“William!” Micheal called out and going to the iron bars
“Micheal?” he quickly scooted to the bars
The two men interlocked hands through the cold iron bars they both tried to touch as much as they could through the bars.
“Micheal you didn’t have to.. represent me..”
“No, William there needed to be someone to save you, if not me then who? how could i let you die in front of my own eyes”
“Micheal what if..what if he kills you! you would be dying for nothing!”
“I won’t die for nothing” Micheal squeezed the others hand tightly into his own “i fought all of my life for something, if it either was someone or something..William i will get you out of here i promise you”
Silence fell for a few moments
“Now you better tell me what happened in the first place” said Micheal in a more hushed voice
“I swear to you i didn’t do anything!”
“Yes William i believe you..just tell me what happened”
“After we saw each other last night and you ran off, i just wanted to go out and i got attacked for bumping into someone and spilling wine all over them..”
“So that’s all? you didn’t use magic whatsoever?..”
“No! i swear i didn’t!..those people..they lied” William cried out.
“Shh..calm down..it’s going to be ok..we will do this together ok?” Micheal nodded his head in reassurance.
Micheal touched his forehead to William’s remaining for a few moments like that in the quiet. Then they both heard the guards coming their way, both the men raising up on their feet.
“I’ll come again to see you, please try to hang on” Micheal looked at him with promising eyes.
“I’ll try my best for you, you have my blessing” said William in a whisper.
They both squeezed their hands together before Micheal was the first to let go and walk away still looking behind him at William.
Micheal went up to one of the guards and said in a steady voice.
“Bring the prisoners their food and at least have some basic respect and bring a light torch for the wall there, can’t even see myself in that dark”
The guard did as Micheal asked and he finally saw William one last time but this time in the soft gleaming yellow light.
He was going to the prison the next day but before heading to the castle he stopped by a bookshop and got a few books about different topics to give to William so he wouldn’t get too bored while in that horrid cell. Micheal ran quickly to the castle and down the halls and into the prison, seeing his beloved William just as beautiful as ever. He sat next to the iron bars passing him the books.
“Got you these so you wouldn’t get bored while having to sit here..didn’t know your exact preference in books so i got you whichever seemed intriguing”.
“Thank you Micheal..” his cheeks burning hot from the simple gesture of his knight. “I do appreciate it..”.
“Are the guards treating you alright? i can always go talk to them” Micheal frowned, looking into his beloved eyes.
William chuckled “They treat me like all the prisoners..but it’s fine Micheal”.
Micheal reached in between the bars for William’s hand and as they locked hands, William noticed the stitches he had to take out.
“I didn’t get to take out your stitches..you should really go to one of the meisters to take them out”.
“Once you get out of here i’ll want you personally to take them out” Micheal looked at the other as he said that.
They both looked at each other for a moment and smiling awkwardly. William still felt his cheeks burning hot whenever he had Micheal around and Micheal always felt his heart flutter whenever he got a good look at Williams face.
“May i?” Micheal asked lifting his free hand to touch the other’s face.
“Yes, you may..” Whispered William to his knight.
Micheal caressed William’s cheek with the back of his hand, feeling his hot supple skin against his rough and cold hand, he turned his hand over, cupping his cheek into his hand and massaging it with his thumb. William closed his eye enjoying the moment of comfort and nuzzling into the others hand. The same hand ran into his soft chocolate coloured hair and then down his neck and back to his face. Michael got closer to the other one and managed to press a soft kiss against William’s cheek. Micheal felt his face redden and turn in embarrassment.
“Sorry..was that inappropriate?” Micheal asked hushed
“I think it was great actually” William whispered for only Micheal to hear in that whole prison.
Both men got closer to the bars again and held each other’s hands with both hands now instead of one and looked at each other. William admired Michael’s dark almost black eyes and his roman like nose that was filled with tiny freckles that expanded all the way to his cheeks while Micheal examined William’s mole that was just above his lip, his round green eyes and his dark perfectly shaped eyebrows. Both of them looked at one another like they wouldn’t see each other ever again. Then they both pulled each other into a kiss, a kiss so tender and full of love like they waited their whole life for it. They stayed like that a few seconds not moving or even breathing, too scared to break the intimate moment. Finally they looked at each other and William pulled Micheal back into another open mouthed kiss, Micheal swirled his tongue around the others and bit his bottom lip softly. The guards were marching their way and they both knew they had to stop but they still risked it for just a few more seconds of contact. Once the guards came close enough that’s when they stopped and both got up on their feet, before leaving Micheal kissed Williams hand softly.
“I shall see you tomorrow at the duel, my knight” William whispered to Micheal, “I wish you all of the luck in the world”
“I accept your blessing my love” Micheal said the last word so wholeheartedly it made William flustered.
The hours that followed were the hardest for Micheal, after leaving the prison he went straight to training. He trained so hard all of the afternoon and till midnight that his whole body muscles were sore, once he got home he took a cold shower, his mind still not leaving from Williams face and he went straight to bed. In the morning he got woken up by banging on his door, he quickly got up and put on a simple pair of clothes knowing he would be put in all kinds of armour for today. As he and two guards walked up to the castle and inside he noticed that all of the servants were running around preparing food or having things done for the duel. Micheal was escorted to the dressing room where he was dressed up in the most exquisite armour he has ever seen. Plated in the most fine silvers and white gold, ornamented with different flower patterns and engravings. In the middle of his chest plate he had an engraved heart. Micheal really enjoyed that since it was his personal symbol. Before heading out into the fight he put on his helmet letting the visor lifted up. he went down the stairs and into the stables where his horse was ready as well. A beautiful black stallion with long hair and armour assorted to Michael’s. One of the servants got his lance and then walked towards the arena.
William was standing nervously,shifting from one foot to the other he was placed on the left side of the king but further away, he had his wrists tied with rope and multiple guards looking at his every move, he waited for Micheal to appear into the arena but while waiting he looked all around, people gathered in every corner, the whole place was overfilled with people that the ones that didn’t get a seat were standing on the sides or between other.
Finally the two opponents appeared into the arena, William quietly walked over to the edge to see Micheal more closely. He saw from the moment he entered, he noticed his gorgeous armour and was left shocked with his mouth open. As Michael’s horse turned all around to salute the crowd that was cheering ecstatic, the two lovers made eye contact and those piercing black eyes made William tremble. While Micheal was watching William, he pulled down his visor but he still had his eyes on him.
The two men got ready to fight, lance in hand and horses on the mark. The king gave the start for the duel to begin. The two horses galloped forward both knights putting their lance in front. Micheal almost got swung off his horse but he stabilised quickly. William watched with a lump in his throat trying his hardest to cast a spell to protect his lover but couldn’t because of his tied hands. The horses galloped forward again, Micheal hit his enemy in the chest but his enemy threw him off his horse, Micheal rolled on the ground hard hitting his head, his vision becoming blurry for a second. The sergeant got closer to Micheal who was on the floor and tried to get up, he felt helpless, he though that in that moment he would be beheaded. All of a sudden he felt a fresh breeze wash over him, he felt the same smell from Byers house and a pair of hands that pulled him up and into his ear he heard
“Stand tall, you can do this..” the same sweet voice he always thinks of. Micheal felt so much power that he got up quickly and taking his sword out fighting one on one with the sergeant. His moves were fast but Micheal was faster and with a swift move of the sword he stabbed him right through the heart and through his armour and pulling back his sword, letting the limp body fall down into a pull of blood. The whole arena cheered in victory but Micheal only searched for his beloved healer who was coming in a run to hug him. As the two finally reunited they didn’t let go of one another and wept tears of joy.
William finally regained his freedom. Micheal lost his position in the kings guard because of his decision in protecting a magic user, the two of them were exiled from the kingdom, even if they lost their homes they travelled around together and soon after they finally found a place to call their new home.