Work Text:
The sky glowed an eerie blood red. Perfectly white flakes of snow fell softly to the ground, contrasting the crimson scene above. The wind chilled Martyn’s face, he could tell his ears and nose and cheeks were turning a soft pink.
As the blonde glanced around at his surroundings, a feeling of excitement filled him.
Red winter was here.
And to lead Martyn through it…
Ren. Powerful, charismatic, alluringly dramatic (handsome, if Martyn was to admit it) Ren.
And there he was, standing right in front of Martyn.
“Ah, it feels good to be back, wouldn’t ye think so, me hand?” The brunette inhaled the cold air with a grin, turning to face Martyn. The king’s crown, stained with blood, shimmered under the chilling red sky, just as his eyes did with a haunting eagerness.
Martyn straightened himself up, looking into the cold eyes of his king and nodding respectfully. He knew such formality wasn’t needed, but it just felt right in a position such as this.
“Why, yes, m’lord. It is an honor to serve you once again,” Martyn replied, thanking the cold for hiding the blush that crept onto his face. He had always had a strong admiration towards Ren, but it felt more…intense, was it? when Ren stood before Martyn as the Red King himself. It made Martyn feel inspired, honored, to be in the vicinity of such a powerful man…and good looking, at that. The way his hair blew in the chilling wind, the piercing gaze his eyes cast onto Martyn, it all filled Martyn with a buzz of excitement. He wondered what would happen if he reached out at caressed his king’s ears…?
No, Martyn scolded himself, stop those thoughts of your king.
In his thoughts, Martyn didn’t seem to notice Ren holding his hand out. Martyn stared at the gesture before realizing the intent Ren had.
Ah.
Slowly, Martyn leaned down, his breathing hitching a bit. Finally, he let his lips briefly rest on the rough knuckles of his king. He quickly straightened back up, still feeling the ghost of Ren’s hand on his lips.
Ren nodded in approval, still grinning. He placed a hand on Martyn’s shoulder, eliciting a sharp inhale from Martyn. Ren chuckled at this, his ears twitching in amusement.
“M’lord…” Martyn mumbled, staring into Ren’s encapsulating blue eyes. His mind seemed to fail him in that moment. What was he going to say?
Not removing his hand, Ren mused, “Tell me, hand: how do you see me? Other than as ye king?”
Martyn swallowed.
Ren knew, no doubt.
“Well, m’lord…you are…a very…inspiring person,” Martyn spoke slowly, not breaking his king’s gaze.
A gravelly laugh escaped the king’s throat, his tail flicking back and forth.
“I be flattered, hand, but that may be said by any loyal follower of the Red Kingdom. What be ye, and solely ye, thoughts on ye king?”
Void, he knew.
Martyn sucked in a breath as Ren removed his hand from Martyn’s shoulder.
“M’lord…” Martyn lowered to one knee, bowing his head down and placing his palms flat on the cold ground, “I hope you can believe…I hold deep feelings for you, and find you to be more precious to me than any other member of the Red Kingdom and beyond.”
Ren pressed his lips together in a smile at that.
“Very well, me hand. If ye may know, ye king holds ye as close to me heart as ye yeself do,” he replied. Martyn slowly stood up, heart racing with excitement as he looked into the pressed eyes of the Red King. This was really happening. Void, it was happening. What now? Martyn’s mind raced as he tried to think of what to do. Finally, he settled. He took a step towards to his king, letting his eyes flutter shut.
“M’lord, if I may…” Martyn whispered, leaning ever so lightly closer. Ren whispered a yes before closing the distance.
The sound of giggling woke Martyn up.
“M’lord, I love you!”
“Oh, me hand, I love you too!”
Two voices called out mockingly.
Etho and Skizz.
Martyn shot up to look at the two, who were reenacting an overdramatic romantic scene that was scarily similar to Martyn’s dream. Etho was on his knees, holding his hands out dramatically. They were held by Skizz, who was fluttering his eyelashes and grinning stupidly.
“Wha-?” Martyn mumbled, still half asleep. He rubbed his eyes to make sure this wasn’t some double-dream.
Etho and Skizz burst out in laughter, doubling over to the ground.
“Oh my Void, Martyn, dude, you were talking in your sleep! Priceless…” Skizz wheezed as he flicked a tear from his eye.
“I-What!?” Martyn felt the blood drain from his face.
Did they hear all of that..?
Etho walked over to pat Martyn on the back condescendingly.
“Oh, hush, Martyn. We won’t tell anyone. RIGHT, Skizz?” He whipped his head around to look at Skizz, who was tiptoeing out the door. He froze in place and proceeded to tiptoe backwards sheepishly.
“Ah. Yeah, yeah, he-I-WE will not tell a soul!” Skizz said as he put a hand over his heart.
Martyn sighed and shook his head.
They were gonna tell everyone.