The sun was setting. The garden the historian was standing in near the edge of the eastern courtyard was quiet. The silence was only punctuated by the wind playfully dancing through the leaves, a small fountain by the garden’s forgotten wall and the overwhelming noise of the historian’s own thoughts.
It was far past when they had agreed to meet, but that wasn’t anything new. It wasn’t easy to find time at court. Maybe, had they had both been born to noble houses it would have been easy to lavishly waste their days in each other’s arms, but that wasn’t the case. Under the fiery sky of dusk the historian became lost thinking of the piles of work awaiting them on their desk back in the palace libraries. Sighing, they crossed their arms as they heard a small branch break behind them, accompanied by the looming shadow of a visitor to their sunlit pondering.
MC: Finally made it out have you?
The figure behind them laughed lightly as they effortlessly swung down, jumping off the small garden wall. A hand was placed on the historian’s shoulder, feigning the need for support.
R: Been waiting for me all this time?
A dashing face came into view, dark hair falling elegantly in front of his face as he smiled at them. Not this time. They were determined for once not to be charmed out of their annoyance.
MC: Well we did set a time, it’s not my fault you can’t keep your word.
Roman moved to stand firmly beside them, not wanting to block the view of the valley below them. He gave a playful huff of indignation.
R: And it’s not my fault that training went late.
Of course it wasn’t his fault. It’s not exactly as though he could march up to the captain of the guard and demand he be left to leave early to meet up with their favourite court official. The historian reminded themselves to stay firm, trying not to laugh at the thought. Roman turned to watch the sunset as well. It was clear to anyone that he was tired. Training must have been hard today.
R: Did you miss me at least?
He knew they had! They missed him in every moment. It was hard enough to be separated from him most of the time, let alone missing the short but valuable moments they could steal for themselves. Turning to him was second nature, born from a desire to share the endless small moments of life with him.
MC: No. I’ve been incredibly busy lately.
It was a lie. They both knew it as the historian’s head turned slightly feigning to stare at the sunset, barley hiding the blush creeping up their face. For any one else it would be hard to fluster them, but for Roman it was ingratiatingly easy.
R: Oh? And what on earth has kept our dear court historian so distracted?
The mirth was clear in his voice. Distracted or not they were sure their superiors were beyond exasperated with the endless excuses both of them tried to come up with to see each other. Many joked that it would take an actual dragon to keep them apart. Even then Roman would surely make short work of it. Even the king was bemused by their poorly hidden romance, although the two knew nothing of this fact.
MC: It’s a busy kingdom, and busy kingdoms have much to write about. Just yesterday Sir Joseph asked that I make sure to write of his exploits by the Western Border. I won’t doubt his skill but do his accolades need to be so verbose?
The historian huffed, their annoyance now transferred to the other knight. Roman smiled, he was no great fan of Sir Joseph but he doubted the man could survive the historian’s ire for long.
R: Well, if it makes you feel any better I promise to keep my great conquests to our bedchambers.
That did it. Any pretense of annoyance the historian had was now melted under the heat of their flushed face. Damn this man and his honeyed words. For a knight of the realm, he had an uncanny ability to tease reactions from them with his words. The historian looked down, barely holding on to their composure.
MC: Who said I would never deign to write down yours as well. I’m sure the court would enjoy a new chivalric romance. After all what greater conquest is there in life than one over cupid himself.
The historian spun to look directly at the knight beside them, gauging his reaction to their bold proclamation. It was now Roman’s turn to look away. Both liked to play at a more daring countenance, but it was all in jest, at least with each other. Looking back at Roman expecting a face of defeat the historian had little time to react to the mischievous grin on the man’s face before being swiftly pinned to the wall behind them.
R: Would it really be well suited for our noble dear court historian to subject themselves to the wandering eyes of the court? What of that stalwart reputation you’re so careful maintain in front of others? What would his majesty say if he saw what I whisper for your ears alone written down so boldly in darkest ink?
As he said this his teeth grazed the historian’s ear lightly, nipping it as though it were a punctuation. Slowly moving his lips down to their neck, he made sure to place himself above them, shielding his actions from any prying eyes that may happen upon the garden wall. Not one to surrender lightly the historian, with sinful thoughts of their own, manoeuvred their leg to stand between those of the man above them. Eliciting a moan from Roman, they used the opportunity to deftly switch their positions against the wall.
MC: And what if I have? What if I have dutifully written down your words, your every action, as is my nature? Mayhap I have deigned to deny my station and keep the tales of your great conquests selfishly for myself. I might be a court historian, but maybe I was meant to be your poet.
The historian held his face with tender care at those words. Roman’s eyes lifted to their own with untold emotion behind them. It was no easy task being a knight of the realm. Too often did your own desires have to fall away under the pressure of obligation. But to them he was more than a knight, he was a muse. And to him they were more than a scholar, but an artist he meant to inspire. He hoped that many of his deeds would die with him, but with their words he hoped that their love might live forever.
With little warning he lifted himself to his full height again and took the historian’s lips into his own, kissing them as though he needed the air in their lungs to breath. As they both finally paused the historian chuckled lightly, barely separating themselves.
MC: Perhaps we should withdraw to one of our chambers, lest anyone in the court find us in this position.
Roman cocked an eyebrow, matching their smile.
R: Suddenly our dear historian isn’t so bold, are they? Very well, as I could not abide such a scandal for my beloved I shall follow as you lead.
Leaning in again the playful smile turned to a devilish grin as Roman whispered once again in their ear.
R: After all, I must give you plenty to write about.
A little self indulgent cupid's chatroom moment. Who doesn't love a little medieval fantasy AU?
partially inspired by Bastille's 'Poet'
