Halcyon [Mister + Assi] - R-18

Arthur nodded, “That sounds fine.”

He held Alfred’s hand, stroking his thumb across his knuckles. His expression was warm, loving even.

“I’d like that,” his voice was quiet, simply able to enjoy the other’s company without saying much. He tugged on Alfred’s hand and began to lead the way back to where they’d come from.

He was quiet for quite some time, happy to just be close to him. But then he spoke up.

“How did you discover all of these places?”

Alfred just quietly followed Arthur, not minding being led for once. It was a nice chance of things and it was lovely just following behind him. He felt calm with Arthur's hand around his own smaller one. It just reminded him that the other prince was older than him.

He just couldn't get rid of the expression that Arthur had given him. Was he like that with anyone that he had kissed? Or was that with just him...? He had no idea but there was a selfish side to him that hoped that it was all for him.

"Well...I've been here for a long time. I really do like exploring, you know. When I was younger, I wanted to be an explorer or an adventurer." He smiled at the thought before shrugging. "But I can't of course. I'm stuck here."

“You could become a knight?” Arthur suggested. “I know that it means going into battle… but it also means travelling… sort of.” He cleared his throat. “You needn’t worry yet. You’re still young and your father has plenty of life left in him. You have time to live.” Whereas Arthur’s father was much older and much more likely to die sooner. Arthur didn’t feel ready to be king.

“When I was a child, I wanted to be a historian,” he smiled somewhat. “Or a potion specialist… or a storyteller.”

He gave Alfred’s hand a gentle squeeze, reminding himself of just how much younger Alfred was than himself. It was only a couple of years, but they were totally different physically. Although Arthur was lithe, he was taller and more muscular than Alfred. But he doubted that it would last for long. Alfred looked as though he was about to burst out of his current clothes. He would grow quickly.

Alfred paused for a moment before nodding, understanding where Arthur was coming from.

"Yeah...but I don't think I'll be able to travel all that much anyways. My dad probably doesn't want me to travel the world just yet, you know. I still have a lot to learn before I become a king, after all."

The thought saddened him a bit and sometimes he wished he didn't even have to become a king. He looked at Arthur curiously.

"A storyteller?" He asked. "Are you good at telling stories?" He did so love stories, though he was a terrible listener at times.

They were completely different physically wise and Alfred was still a bit lanky but he was going to get his growth spurt at some time. Sooner or later it will happen and he would definitely become worthy of a man. But for now, he wasn't all that bothered by the fact that Arthur was bigger.

Arthur gave Alfred a sympathetic look; he understood. No sane man wanted to become king. “You’ll have time, lad. I’m sure you will.” Arthur had more or less finished his studies by that point – he’d refused to continue going to lessons after he became betrothed to Madeline. He already spent a lot of his own time reading about things, so he didn’t see it as necessary.

He flushed a little and nodded once.

“Uh, yes, I suppose? I’ve never had any complaints…” but he’d never really told anyone a story before. He’d spent hours telling himself stories as a child, alone at night when he should have been sleeping. Even in the daytime whilst playing in the gardens – some of the servants had thought that there was something wrong with him.

“You like stories?”

Alfred was more than happy to playfully swing their arms as they walked back slowly to the pond. He hummed a bit and he had to admit, it was weird being called lad by Arthur. Especially when he was only a few years older than him. Not only that but well...they had been kissing.

Being called that made him feel younger than he actually was.

But he didn't make any mention of it. Instead Alfred just nodded, shrugging slightly.

"I don't know. Maybe I can one day...probably not though. I'll try though!" And just the possibility of it all made him more enthusiastic.

He wanted to go travelling, especially after Arthur married. A part of him told him that he needed it so he could forget about Arthur and well...not being with him anymore. He would have to go back to Albion, so far away from Columbia and he wouldn't even have his sister anymore.

The thought of it was quite saddening, if he had to admit.

He decided not to think about it too much though on it and instead he shifted his mind back to the story telling.

"I love it!" He hesitated. "You should tell me a story one day."

Arthur hadn’t really thought as he said it. It was just an endearment in his eyes. He let Alfred swing their arms, although he thought that it was unnecessary. But he wouldn’t ruin Alfred’s fun.

“You should definitely try. Do what I have been unable to… I think it would be a great shame if you didn’t travel,” he said honestly to Alfred. “It’s so important to learn about other cultures and other kingdoms.” Arthur had been to one or two other kingdoms with his father for appearance’s sake, but not enough to have really learnt anything.

He spluttered at the prospect of sharing one of his stories with Alfred but thought it rude not to respond.

“I… I suppose so… what kind of stories do you like, so I shall remember?”

Alfred just paused for a moment though he kept on walking. He sighed a bit before finally nodding.

"Yeah...you're right," He mumbled. "I mean...after you marry Madeline and all...you're both going to be gone from the kingdom. I guess I won't have all that much to do," He admitted. The thought actually saddened him. Maybe he did need to travel to keep his mind off of those things.

Soon enough he smiled and tapped his chin in thought.

"Scary stories! But I also like adventure or any kind of story really. As long as it's not boring!"

Arthur hadn’t considered that fact. He immediately began to feel sorry for Alfred. He would be loosing a friend/lover and a sister. Arthur would merely be losing Alfred.

“They’ll be showing you fair maidens for you to choose who you want to marry,” he said simply, although the thought made his chest feel tight. “Also, you can always… you know, come and visit Albion. Actually, I would really like it if you did,” he admitted. “It gets quite lonely there sometimes and Maddie and I won’t be ruling for a few years yet.” Hopefully this all sounded positive. He didn’t want to offend Alfred by letting him know that he didn’t really want to marry his sister.

“Scary stories?” Arthur scoffed, smirking a little. “I bet you’d cry like a girl.”

Alfred hesitated at that and in fact, he almost seemed to grimace at the very thought of being presented all those maidens.

"Yeah...I guess," He mumbled, glancing away. He really didn't want to lose Arthur if anything nor did he want to lose Madeline either. Couldn't they just stay over here forever?

He didn't want them to marry either. He...didn't want to get married off just yet. He felt like he couldn't breathe when he thought about it.

Though at least Arthur would invite him over. But...after he had consummated with Madeline...would he really want to be with Alfred? Even as a friend? They were only close because they had nice kisses, right? They both said they would stop it after the marriage, it was just something to take their minds off of the stress for right now.

It couldn't continue on.

Alfred laughed at that.

"No I won't! I don't get scared easily, you know!"

Arthur sighed softly, looking straight ahead as he tried not to cloud his thoughts with things yet to come. He wasn’t going to worry about them until the time came. He would marry Madeline, and probably cry when he was alone for the loss of Alfred, someone so dear to him. He would continue as he had done before, attempt to father some children, change Albion for better and hopefully satisfy his life with chess and books, and his children, of course.

But that was the future. A future he dreaded. This was now.

He could just see that Alfred was upset by the prospect of it all, like himself. He kissed his cheek quickly, trying to be some form of comfort before he dropped the subject.

“Hmm, I doubt it. I bet you scream like a girl, too,” he teased.

Despite how upset he was, Alfred was actually comforted a bit when the prince kissed his cheek. He needed to take his mind off of everything else for right now. This was now and he had Arthur for now, even if he still felt like he was betraying Madeline for it. But...this was his own few moments of self satisfaction. At least a few more weeks before he had to fully give up. It was only one small dirt mark in his relatively clean track record and what would continue on being clean.

He wondered if Arthur was dreading the future like him. Maybe he didn't mind either way.

He huffed softly.

"I don't scream like a girl! If anything, you would scream like a girl if I told the story!"

“Oh really?” Arthur challenged, grinning. He leaned a little closer to Alfred, finally arriving at their destination. The mountains were just as spectacular as before. He let go of Alfred’s hand to sit on the ground, admiring the view. He leant back on his hands, looking up at Alfred expectantly, silently asking for him to join him on the floor.

“Prove it.”

Alfred gulped quietly when he heard the challenge and he knew that he wasn't all that great of a story teller. He soon sat down next to Arthur, looking down at the other prince before laughing a bit nervously.

"...Uh, it's not dark! So it can't have its full scary effect until it's really dark, you know!"

He really had to learn how to stop boasting.

"But if it was dark, you would definitely be scared."

“Mhm, sure,” Arthur gave Alfred a toothy smile; looking smug. “You’re daft, Alfred. You do know that, don’t you? Utterly thick-skulled and witless. A total shambles, in fact.” But he had a lovely smile and laugh, the sweetest disposition and an endearing laugh.

“You’re not a bad kisser though,” he lied, trying to give at least some positive despite his jokes. He gave Alfred somewhat of a smouldering look, eyes all dark and green and filled with affection.

Alfred huffed and rolled his eyes, pouting over at the other. "Keep on saying that and I don't think you'll get any kisses from me," He pointed out flatly though he was pretty certain that they both knew that he could never do that. And he wasn't even really offended about it.

He felt a bit prideful though hearing that he was actually a rather decent kisser.

Despite his threat of not giving Arthur any kisses, Alfred couldn't help but gaze at those lovely green eyes.

Arthur saw that as a challenge and smirked. He was quick to leap atop of the other, pinning him down to the ground by his shoulders. He shouted in victory, although it wasn’t exactly a fair fight, considering that Arthur had given no warning whatsoever.

“Are you sure about that?” he lowered himself to be mere inches from Alfred’s lips. He nipped at his lower lip. The way he was looking at him hadn’t changed, however. His eyes were still warm pools of green.

Alfred nearly yelped when Arthur pinned him to the ground and his breath hitched and heart raced in excitement and maybe a bit of want though he quickly remembered himself. He turned his head away, smirking up at the other prince.

"...Certain. I'm not that easy!" He argued though he couldn't help but flick his tongue out so he could take a bit of Arthur's taste.

It really was a familiar taste by now though it was extremely relaxing.

Arthur chuckled softly and gently bumped his nose against Alfred’s.

“Easy? Who ever suggested such a thing, my prince?” he smiled, kissing both corners of Alfred’s lips. “Nay, not I.” He pressed his forehead lightly against his, leaning in for a final kiss to Alfred’s lips before he began to move as though he would pull away and get off of Alfred.

If the boy didn’t want it, he wouldn’t force him into anything.

Alfred knew that Arthur was going to play this game on him but despite everything, despite knowing this, he didn't want the prince to leave him just yet. So he soon grabbed Arthur's cloak and pulled him down on top of him so he could give him a long kiss once more.

Dammit...maybe he was a bit easy. Though Arthur had a way of playing him and he was always more than willing to fall for it.

Alfred knew it way too well and he never did anything about it.

Arthur gasped in surprise as he was pulled back on to Alfred but it was cut short as he kissed the other. He hummed against the young prince’s lips and kissed back, smiling. Why did this have to be all they could have? They would have been so good for each other. Some other time, some other place. It would have been perfect.

He even felt like… like this was how love should be. In all of the stories he’d heard and read, this was what love was about, right? He felt so warm, comfortable and safe with Alfred. Well. Safer than he previously felt.

He tilted his head to deepen the kiss, using one arm to take some of his weight off of Alfred, although he didn’t do so enough to take himself off of Alfred entirely. He liked being pressed against him.

And despite the fact that Arthur was proven right in the end, Alfred really couldn't bring himself to care. Not when the other was kissing him back just like this.

It was absolutely perfect.

He loved being alone with Arthur, feeling secure and almost...well...loved. He didn't know if it was necessarily love but it was definitely the closest feeling he had ever felt to it. In a way he knew that he was supposed to be hurt over the fact that Arthur didn't love Madeline, that his sister wasn't loved by her fiancé but at the same time...he...cared about him of all people. Maybe it wasn't love but this meant something...right?

Maybe it didn't mean anything but Alfred secretly wanted it to mean something.

Feeling Arthur deepen the kiss, Alfred was more than happy to give his whole mouth to the other prince as they both kissed in the middle of the forest, alone and away from everyone else.

Arthur soon lost himself to Alfred’s lips, losing some finesse as he just tried to get closer (although it was impossible considering that they were already pressed against one another). He was breathless, wanting Alfred and wanting Alfred to want him. His mouth moved against Alfred’s without much thought, growing somewhat more needy with each passing second.

He found himself thinking about tearing open the other’s robes, pushing him on to his front and –

Arthur broke the kiss, breathing heavily. He felt bad for thinking of doing such things to Alfred and looked into the other’s eyes. He was afraid of what he might try to do to him if they continued and hoped that his gaze showed that concern, despite the lustful look in his eyes, the way his lips were slightly parted, and his cheeks flushed.

He held himself at a distance, but close enough to be almost nose-to-nose with Alfred.

Alfred really was losing himself to Arthur's kisses and he couldn't help but shudder as he felt those warm lips leave his own. His lips were still tingling but all at the same time, he felt terribly empty. He wanted that warmth again but soon he looked up at the other man and gave a small smile.

Was that concern? Why was Arthur concerned? They were alone in the forest...what would they have to worry about? Especially when he knew his way back?

Not really knowing what Arthur was necessarily worried about, he soon reached up and stroked the other's hair lightly before leaning back up to kiss him once more.

Alfred really wasn't good at naming the look that Arthur was giving him but he liked it.

Arthur leaned into the touch, sighing as he felt Alfred’s fingers in his hair. His hands were small when compared to Arthur’s, soft and unscathed. Arthur’s hands were larger (just due to age) and rough from combat (one of his more important lessons, in his father’s eyes).

He couldn’t deny Alfred when he kissed him again though. He seated himself more comfortably atop of the other, inadvertently pressing a leg between Alfred’s. He began to kiss the other somewhat more ferociously.

That was when the most embarrassing thing that could have happened, happened.

Arthur immediately rolled off of Alfred, breaking the kiss. He cleared his throat, and hoped his cloak would hide the unfortunate bulge that had developed in his tights. He was red in the face although he tried to be nonchalant about it.