She did that annoying thing where someone touches the tip of the nose. His scrunched and a scowl appeared, crossing his arms. “Really. That’s all the thanks I get for leaving your uncle in pieces at the bottom of a swamp? Where is the Southern hospitality, Bo?” 

The arrival at the palace had been planned as a surprise. Peering through the open door to Aaron’s room, Maddox’s unexpected visit might be even more startling. The king was passed out on his bed at four in the afternoon with a small puff of a dog nestled at his side. No bottle in his hand or silken eye mask shielding the light from a window. Just Aaron breathing quietly in deep sleep. After removing his shoes Maddox eased slowly into the bed beside the man to prevent disturbing him, a faint smile on his lips. Rolling on his side he draped an arm over Aaron’s stomach and closed his eyes, realizing a short nap wasn’t such a terrible idea. 

The time away had changed her, but nothing like the scant few months since her return. Malle’s brand of survival required careful planning, a shrewd eye on her goals, the careful one-two step of diplomacy and democracy, encapsulated in wide, brown eyes and a shy smile. There wasn’t any place for that, leading a country. It required poise, circumstance. Force, at times, and she’d begun to consider the ramifications of that. She was out of her element, treading water. Hoping for the best.

How is Jacob?

She froze, smile still fixed. Only the slightest tightening of her joints, the curling of her fingers against her palms, the way her shoulders tightened into a line just a little tighter, just a little smaller. Mercifully, he spoke.

Malle listened only halfway, nodding where it seemed polite. Her gaze fixed upon his lips, the words formed never reaching her ears. How would she know? She wasn’t to know. They weren’t like that, they didn’t matter. He was – and she was –

A final, polite nod, only the barest smile offered to the server as a drink appeared for her companion.

“I wouldn’t know.”

Her words had the finality of a book snapping shut.

“You had ideas, you said?” She was agitated, a little, and upset, though mostly at herself. Malle looked at him. “I’d be interested in hearing them.”

It wasn’t a surprise to hear Jacob had gone off the grid so to speak. Nor was it his business to push when Malle shut the topic down quick. He filed it away-- Jacob wouldn’t be found if he didn’t want to, but it wouldn’t stop Maddox in trying to track him down. 

After a thank you and nod to Malle, he moved on. “You have the ideas. But I do have a service that perhaps down the road might be of interest to you.” 

How to make a long story short? Prison gave him the time to research. Roman’s money and Early Cleary’s know how in shipping were helping him get started. Wales wasn’t the most difficult market to break into but clans were woven into the fabric of the shipping industry and didn’t particularly care for outsiders. 

“After my time in prison I wanted a change. I’ve started a small import/export company. Being queen and an economics major I won’t bore you with details you already know, such as why Wales presents such opportunity for a small company like mine.” 

He took a sip of his drink. “I’m also working with people I’ve known a very long time. Before I went to work for Roman. People I can trust.” Since he sure as shit couldn’t trust his former pirate boss. 

“One of which is a very gifted tech geek.” Aka - a fucking brilliant hacker. And a friendly ex, as it turned out. “He’s been keen on researching our clients as well as competitors. Oh, what’s the word for it... doing a bit of oppositional research.” 

Because Maddox had few clients so far and others were willing to pay for more under the table jobs currently. 

Mina wasn’t sure what she expected out of the night but it was not to be speaking to Maddox about her childhood. Or about Aaron’s feelings about being King of Germany. Odette was sleeping soundly and speaking to someone like this was more helpful than she expected it to be. She was thankful that he wasn’t telling her to shut up and move on. 

It was clear from his questions that he cared about Aaron. She had a feeling that he was asking for information Aaron himself wouldn’t give to Maddox. None of it was national secrets but Mina knew better than anyone how Aaron avoided conversations he wasn’t comfortable with. His mind was second nature to her but she could imagine how it could be confusing at times for the pirate. 

“It wasn’t that he didn’t want it,” she said softly but loud enough to be heard. “I think it was more that he thought he had a while before he had to be. He learned from Father what not to do. What to do isn’t always clear and it’s hard on him. When we should have been recovering from the island, he had to turn around and be king. He didn’t want those circumstances but not the title. I know he’s going to be good. He’s already done a lot of positive things for Germany. I think it’s harder on him than he’s willing to admit even to me.” 

She looked at Maddox for a moment, small smile on her face. “You care about him.” She let the words settle for a moment before speaking again. “You don’t have to tell me if that’s true or not but I can tell. And I can tell he cares about you. He wouldn’t let just anyone in the castle with Odette and I here.” 

At first Maddox saw the obvious similarities between brother and sister. Except Mina’s frustrations bubbled to the surface easier and she could speak frankly about them. It wasn’t the typical empty-headed and inane bitching he was used to royals doing on the island either. 

What to do isn’t always clear and it’s hard on him. 

Mina described the situation with clarity. Her brother moving from one trauma and coming home to another as well as unexpected demands to suddenly run a country. Mina’s horrors as well remained. Seemed like the only person who got off easy was Roman. In death he didn’t have to be held accountable for anything. Bastard. 

He smiled back at Mina. “I do care about him. A lot.” Easier to say to her and a sleeping baby than Aaron. “What about your mother? Was she not a protector of you as a child, from your father? Are you not close at all?” 

Coming here was a risky endeavor. Worth it, to support Aaron, but risky all the same. Though she had been careful to avoid the media and forgone extra adornments that might have marked her as anything other than one more random guest who was just lucky enough to receive an invite, there was always a chance of running into someone that might recognize her. It wasn’t her country, though, and that seemed to be in her favor. All eyes were on the future king. That left a little bit of wiggle room for Lecia to skulk around in.

When the past did inevitably catch up with her - while she was working so carefully to avoid dripping liquid chocolate onto her nearly while dress - it caught her by surprise. She stared across the fountain. Several drops of chocolate hit the table runner, and quickly dried there. She tried not to let the shock show on her face. Lecia had not expected the past to be so… recent. 

“I do not think so. I think you are thinking I am someone else by mistake,” she said. She had all but forgotten about her chocolate dripped strawberry. What the hell was he doing here? She chewed on her bottom lip, and glanced across the room. Redundant question. She knew the answer.

“My name is Louisa. You are a close friend of Noel?”

“Louisa.”

How interesting. Maddox did not need to worry he would bump into the ‘date’ he dumped at the pre-party. He only needed to ride in on the train of her very expensive gown. Glamorous galas were being thrown all around the country, and her after coronation plans were Dom Perignon on a boat instead of the stuffy formal affair where the king was present. 

But Lecia... Of course she would be there as a member of Aaron’s island princess harem. Why would a princess need to hide in plain sight? It was then he noticed she lacked the accoutrements of the heavily bedazzled royals around. No discernible entourage either. He also had known on the island there was talk of a betrothal in place for the two. Or arrangement or.. something? Honestly, Maddox hadn’t paid attention to much then. 

Unless it was an unusual occurrence. As their conversation had been at the time. His interest was piqued. But if she chose to stay out of his business he would return the favor. They could pretend. “My apologies, Louisa. I’ve only just met Mr. Fielding but he is delightful. We get on quite well.” 

Aaron had obviously divulged some halfway reassuring information to “Louisa” at some point, since she lacked the coiled rattlesnake charm held in the burned villa. But he decided to offer more. “I’m not big on coronations but this one I didn’t want to miss. The king was kind enough to accommodate me at the last minute. And if I didn’t take him up on the invite it would be downright criminal, wouldn’t it?” Ha. “What about you... Louisa? Enjoying the chocolate?”

Cheryl hardly thought it was part of her job description to escort Aaron Herzog’s side piece through the castle, and she wouldn’t have done it had the almost king not been so… insistent. She could have easily sent one of the staff in her place and the king to be would have been none the wiser. But Aaron Herzog could be very convincing, and damn it if Cheryl wasn’t awfully curious why he wanted her to be the one to escort Maddox Keyes. Be nice to him, he’d said.

“Right this way.”

The man was taller than her even at six feet in heels. He had a practiced smile. He articulated. A beauty pageant contestant more than fit the bill for one of the crown prince’s many boy toys. Which had been suspiciously absent since his return. And not just absent–turned away. The crown prince had a reputation playing fast and loose and yet. Naturally, Cheryl had to wonder about Maddox Keyes.

“I was hired by the queen to be his personal chief of staff after he returned home. The queen thought I would be a good fit with my military experience. When the king passed away I was asked to stay on.”

The walk brought them down a long hallway lined with windows. The sky was overcast and the forecast called for snow. Cheryl looked sidelong at Maddox Keyes with the same even, direct gaze. “As his chief of staff I do whatever he asks of me, which includes walking a former pirate out of his room.” Like any sane person, she googled the name of the person the future king of Germany sneaked into his bedroom. “You are a former pirate, aren’t you, Mr. Keyes?” Cheryl’s stony expression cracked with a tiny smirk. “Your secret is safe with me so long as he continues to speak highly of you. So I assume this is your first time attending a coronation. Excited?” If Cheryl was completely honest, she was a little excited. Stressed. But excited. Even the brief moment she passed Aaron off to his prep team, his exuberance was contagious. “Aaron seems to be holding up well. Perhaps you had something to do with it.”

It wasn’t that Maddox hadn’t realized he’d stepped knee deep in quick sand. Impulsive would be the only description for arriving at Aaron’s party the way he did. Exposed was how he continued to feel, on many levels. 

Beyond foolish for staying, he thought while walking in time with the statuesque staff member beside him. “I see. What is your military experience?” For someone so keen on self-preservation Maddox was acting damn near suicidal. Asking for Aaron’s royal protection wasn’t an option. The woman offered the barest amount held between her thumb and index finger at her discretion and only because the soon-to-be king had instructed her. The longer he stayed on German soil the less he could get away with. More like he was royally fucked, so to speak. 

You are a former pirate, aren’t you, Mr. Keyes? The prod of a threat followed by another. Of course Cheryl couldn’t be blamed for doing her job. Or even personal prejudices which might be harbored towards pirates. OR Aaron fucking Herzog avoiding explanations for the reason why a pirate was in his bedroom.... 

All he could do was go with it. "Yes, Ms. Brandt,” he confirmed, unruffled by the stark truth. The words Aaron said in the last 24 hours floated back to him. I would like for you to stay here as long as you can. Maddox glanced out the large windows in the hallway as they walked, almost as if a hope of seeing Aaron and sending a telepathic message were possible. I want to stay, but this is why I can’t. 

He passed a quiet thank you to Cheryl. Whether or not she would truthfully keep his secret would be in the back of his mind for the next few hours. Then he smiled faintly. “Yes, it is my first coronation. I am excited but particularly excited for Aaron.” Not here to kidnap, extort, or do any further harm, I swear. “As I’ve known him he will make an excellent king.” It is why I risked my ass to be here. Stupidly, like desperately placing oneself in the line of sight of a junior high crush. Wanting something to happen, needing it to happen, no matter the outcome or failure. 

He had to be there. Maddox answered the last comment with a deeper grin. Is Aaron.. had Maddox’s sudden crashing of the party helped in some way? “I’m.. not sure I can take credit for it. But I--” 

I want to see him have all the freedom and glory impossible to have on the island. Not trapped. Not chopping fish. I want to know who Aaron Herzog is destined to be. “We’ve gone through a lot together. To see him crowned king will be rather special.” 

Hopefully Cheryl would secure standing room behind a large potted plant or shrubbery beside the nearest exit for Maddox to watch. “I’d imagine this is a busy day for you Ms. Brandt. Do you enjoy working for Herz-- the king?”

Boyfriend. It was a word for schoolchildren who held hands on the playground. Aaron wouldn’t know. He’d never had one. The times the crown prince allowed himself to be seen in public with another man were years ago when he was fresh out of university and nowhere near staring his future in the eye. Aaron could barely remember who they were. Especially not when he was in another man’s apartment (a first), sitting on his lap and facing a grin that was inexplicably genuine, paired with a challenge for Aaron to be just as honest. Boyfriend. It struck him that the word claimed a new meaning when he looked at Maddox, something affectionate and threatening to be sweet.

A grin to match curled the corners of his mouth and he leaned down, hovering near Maddox’s face enough to taste the hint of whiskey on his breath. “I want you to be my boyfriend.” He wasn’t asking. Aaron knew what he wanted, and right then he was sure that Maddox wanted the same thing. The pirate slowly opened up for him like a book of texts needing multiple translations, meanings complicated in things said and things left unsaid. “And the king of Germany wants to be your boyfriend, Maddox Keyes.”

Aaron settled a hand on the side of his face, brushing a thumb along the high cheekbone, prickly stubble sharp on his palm. He couldn’t resist dipping in for a kiss, shifting his hips forward and digging his knees down into the couch cushions to bring himself flush against Maddox. He broke away, brushing his lips against Maddox’s cheek until he reached an ear to murmur: “I adore you.” Aaron was one word away from complete combustion, a bright star ready to let go, to burst into a million colors. He’d told him that once before, but he wanted Maddox to know that he adored him whether he was spread out on his bed or sitting beside him in a limousine or answering his text in the middle of a meeting.

For all Aaron did to try and make his needs known, he’d done a tremendous job failing to do so when it came to Maddox. They enjoyed their quips too much to let their guard down, or they let themselves have one too many drinks so they fell asleep pressed up against each other rather than laying awake talking. Aaron would not change anything about their nights together, except maybe Maddox was right–Aaron was unusually guarded around him. Still afraid he’d slip and reveal something Maddox wouldn’t like, even then. Boyfriend. Aaron had been the best he’d ever been even under the pressure, but it would be inevitable if he made Maddox his boyfriend that he’d fuck it up somehow. Terrifying.

Being teased about his low key clothing choices brought out a little chuckle and Aaron took another long sip of whiskey. “I will wear whatever you want me to wear. Even if it is gym shorts and a blazer. And fine, no more sunglasses at night.” Aaron loved sunglasses though. “We should try this stunt in Berlin first, it will be easier for us to sneak away. Next time you can take me to your favorite place in London.” 

Aaron traced his fingers down along Maddox’s jaw, pressing up on his chin so he could kiss him again. Lingering in the kiss for longer so he could invade his mouth and feel the soft velvet tongue against his own. He absently reached over the edge of the couch and set his glass down so his hand could work open Maddox’s shirt. His heart raced the same as it always did when he gained access under Maddox’s clothes but something different sparked inside him that made everything feel more real. As real as the heat radiating from under Maddox’s skin and the beating of his heart as Aaron pressed his hand flat against his chest and squeezed.

“I will definitely take you to Versailles so we can fuck in that palace,” he added with a smirk. His eyes half closed into dark slits to match even darker thoughts. “I am thinking you would find fucking a king there very appealing, Maddox.”

There it was. Boyfriend. 

The obvious requirement for Maddox to give another man the key to his apartment. Or (hopefully) for Aaron to drop a car costing a small fortune on someone else. As the year had progressed it seemed clear enough. No matter how much Maddox would’ve snickered if any other royal on the island used the term. Despite how they both tended to avoid any almost-slips of larger decisions surrounding what they had become. 

I want you to be my boyfriend. Aaron was as wide open as his clear blue eyes, as upfront as he had ever been, so Maddox would not cheapen it with anything other than doing the same. He mustered courage to speak and was a little scared to realize it wasn’t so difficult. “I am your boyfriend.” And in a relationship with a king. He wouldn’t think about that part yet. His younger self would be crowing about the score of the century. Locked on an island he would not be able to comprehend the traitorous notion of solidifying anything with royalty. 

He only thought of that, royalty, when it forced its presence into their lives. All Maddox wanted was Aaron Herzog. Aaron Herzog leaning into him and to return the hot pass of the kiss. The man broke away when Maddox wanted more of him in order to say words which hammered at his chest. Hearing Aaron say I adore you surprised more than making a relationship official. The mix of sultry and sweet the sounds formed coming out of his mouth took off in both directions pulling Maddox two ways, leaving him breathless and ringing his collar (and below the belt) in heat. Ticking up his pulse with the fear of ultimately having his heart ripped out and stomped on, as tended to happen with these things. 

People grew bored and fickle, they grabbed what they wanted and moved on. But excitement sparked like static on his skin knowing he would risk it to be with this man one more day, one more hour. Next Christmas. When Aaron spoke near his ear all Maddox wanted to do was tell him. Finally, tell him. A hand squeezed firm over a shoulder, head tilting as if to trap the man’s voice in his ear, then saying in the same low tone. “I adore you too. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.” 

And then he could barely respond to the man’s ‘disguise’. His head filled with helium and floated into the rafters. They had been apart too long and the night had been filled with more than he could react to individually. He managed to bring himself back down if by a string. “Berlin it is. If you want to wear glasses with a fake nose and penciled in ‘stache I could care less. We could even rent a hotel room nearby to make a getaway to if needed. But no security detail. No limo waiting outside. Just us. And you, having a bit of fun. Because you’ve been too serious lately.”

The weight of the world was very literally on Herzog’s shoulders. Stolen nights cloistered in palaces and now Maddox’s very drafty small flat were everything. Going out in public.. even this night it had been openly royal. The thought of an evening closer to real life appealed to him. 

As did Aaron guiding their mouths together again and Maddox found the closest place to blindly leave his glass. Hungry, tinged in whiskey, but not a kiss as rushed as it should’ve been. He unbuttoned the top of the man’s shirt-- his boyfriend, now, officially --and then his hands fisted at the buttoned edge of the fabric, pulling enough to threaten strain on the next button in line. 

Aaron felt himself melting right into Maddox, utterly taken with the possessive grip the man had on the back of his head, and the comfort he took in finally being able to lean up against him. Able finally to relax and let his posture turn to jelly with no one but Maddox to judge. His eyes fixated on Maddox with unabashed adoration as he spoke about the song. There were many reasons why the king looked at Maddox in such a way and his love for music was one of them, especially when the song he spoke of clearly meant a lot to him. Aaron memorized the things that made Maddox happy in hopes of never repeating the constant misery Maddox exuded from when they first met. 

The song transitioned into something more upbeat and Aaron chuckled. “I like this part. I like all of it because you like it.” He grinned up at Maddox. “I always have good ideas! I have wanted to visit you for months, it is just…” Aaron tilted his head side to side to fill in the blank. “You do not have to tempt me into the bedroom any more than you already do with promises to play guitar.” Aaron was still quite adamant about delaying the inevitable destination of Maddox’s bed, not ready to give up conversation for the night with whatever they got up to.

When they returned to the living room and Maddox went to the window, Aaron took off his suit jacket, then dropped his pants and stepped out of them. He’d said he wanted to get out of the suit and he meant it. “I hope you do not mind if I get comfortable,” he said with a grin, well aware of how the other man reacted when he shed his clothes. Aaron joined Maddox on the couch, sitting close and watching him undo his tie and discard it, the torture of what Maddox liked to do with ties a constant reminder because he wore a lot of ties. 

“There are plenty of places I cannot go! Here, for instance. This was a Christmas miracle, you know. And for your information, this is better than Versailles for me. I mean it.” Maddox wasn’t wrong about the places Aaron could go, the king could be on a plane in less than 24 hours and go virtually anywhere. And he’d just proven that by being on a pretty white couch in a modest flat. 

“I also cannot go out anymore, like I used to. I mean, just to the pub, not–” Aaron knew Maddox would want to pry about the shadier clubs rumored to be frequent haunts of his as a younger man. “Sometimes I think I would like to go out with you and not be a king.” Aaron glanced back toward the kitchen and looked back at Maddox. “I am going to get us something to drink.”

Aaron hopped off the couch and went into the kitchen. He was vaguely aware of how silly he must have looked in just his shirt, boxer briefs, and socks, but it was a little cold to be wandering around in anything less. “Next year we can go back to the Grand Palais for the ballet.” He searched around and found two glass tumblers and a bottle of whiskey. “That was one of the best productions I have ever seen. I am sure the press will be onto us by then, we will just have to deal with them badgering, won’t we?” Aaron’s mouth worked into a thin line as he lifted his brow, apologetic, and he brought the two glasses of whiskey back over to the couch. Maddox might have been the first man Aaron was with who did not already have a public presence. He handed Maddox one of the glasses and then settled himself on Maddox with his knees on either side of his lap. “Are you all right with them calling you the king of Germany’s boyfriend?” he asked, taking a sip of whiskey.

The man was talking a mile a minute. Not terribly unusual but more.. buoyant. Fizzy bubbles in a glass popping at too many intervals to keep up with half the time. Maddox had only taken off his shoes in the living room while Aaron continued to get comfortable. Really comfortable, which meant pantless in socks and a deeply pressed shirt. “Good look for you by the way. Should make your next address to the country like that.” His eyes dragged up and down Aaron. It reminded him of the night they met. A man so handsome and with such an oddly boyish charm, in sync with himself and out of time with everything around him. Maddox swore he’d never touch a royal. He caved and fucked one. And then he met Aaron. 

Herzog still looked both ridiculous and ridiculously appealing. For his part Maddox didn’t care to ever be near the t-shirt/cargo shorts combo of island wear again. Every moment of the place still lived under his skin like an old tattoo of regret. And the time before the island remained hard won and bittersweet. 

Thankfully he didn’t have to dwell on anything other than the man beside him. “This place is definitely smaller than Versailles.” Maddox wasn’t complaining. He had a roof over his head. Didn’t have to take shit from anyone. Could come and go as he pleased. “But I’ve only seen Versailles in photos. The gardens. The Sun King, Roi Soleil. That’s it.”

Sometimes I think I would like to go out with you and not be a king. Aaron fluttered off suddenly for a drink. A hummingbird hovering only to zip away. He called after the man. “Why don’t we have a night where you aren’t king? Because flaunting your title has really grown old. When would you be free? Seriously, it would be fun. I could take you to London. Or we go out in Berlin. A place you used to go. A decent one, not the one with the glory holes.” Ha. Hey, it’s Aaron. “You can wear the not very clever disguise of a ballcap and sunglasses. You do realize that actually draws attention rather than hides anything, right? Plus, hat hair. Only arseholes wear sunglasses at night. Like Bono. Don’t be Bono.” 

All these years Maddox knew he dropped hints and clues for other people to decipher. He’d never met anyone who did the same. Or flippantly talked about seeing a ballet at the Grand Palais as they fumbled through his sparse kitchen cabinets. “Paris, then. Next Christmas. The gargoyles of Notre Dame and the Buttcracker. Er, Nutcracker. It’s official.”

The flash of bulbs hours before was a surprise but Maddox already a few ideas of how to get over that hurdle. “It wasn’t so bad.” Aaron climbed on top of him and he leaned back, rocking his hips once and slipping a hand under the shirt of a king to play over the sturdy side and ribs. His other hand was in the process of bringing the tumblr to his lips for the drink handed to him and-- 

Are you all right with them calling you the king of Germany’s boyfriend?

He paused for a split second. Felt a flood around his collar, a tug in the pit of his stomach that rose up and curled around a spot in his chest he’d only remembered existed this year. When he had foolishly barged his way into Aaron Herzog’s party. Maddox took a drink before answering. 

Aaron had always advertised his thoughts readily in his expressions. He’d shot right through the flat pirouetting so fast he should be dizzy, but straddling Maddox and making the suggestion of boyfriend.. Aaron seemed calm, joking, slightly ambiguous. Waiting. Maddox preferred bluntness. He should be the one to speak first, drop the hammer down and put an end to months of knowing but dancing away before the obvious could strike either. A grin appeared, small but warm. Real. “I don’t care what other people call me. As long as the King of Germany finally asks me directly and stops dicking around about it.”