“You look exhausted,“ he agreed, voice quiet and indulgent, “but not like shite.” His mouth curled around the word, teeth coming down to worry his bottom lip as if he’d be scolded for uttering it - just as he’d always been. “Definitely not like shite.” Anton smiled, something bright and blinding and genuine, because Robert’s company seemed like a little bit of freedom and a little bit of relief all at once. He didn’t know what it was or how or why, but talking to him was so easy and yet so, so difficult and Anton was in over his head. He just didn’t want to think about it: he’d had enough fleeting dalliances and meaningless flirtations to know what attraction felt like. Hell, he was sure most of the German court knew what he got up to. But it seemed like the Scot hadn’t heard any of it - and Anton wasn’t about to scare him away with whatever his head was telling him.

“That just won’t do though,” he added - scrunching his nose at the healer, before walking past him and into the room. Turning around, he raised his eyebrows; a laugh evident in his words. “Because I always stay up this late, and I’d rather come down and drink with my new friend than stay upstairs and - well, than stay upstairs, I suppose.”

“So this is the famed cot I keep hearing of!” Anton teased, shrugging out of his blanket and hanging it on the headboard. Taking a seat on the cot and bouncing up and down a few times, Anton settled; pulling his legs up and crossing them under himself. “You know, it’s really not as uncomfortable as you keep saying, but you’re always welcome to my bed if you it ever bothers you.” He stopped short when he realised what he had said, an uncharacteristic blush resting high on his cheekbones as he rambled on. “It’s wasted on me anyway - I never end up sleeping in it.” Anton scoffed as Robert pulled a chair, patting the bed next to him. “My ego might be huge, but I’m not that large. You can just join me, you know. It’s your cot, after all.”

Smiling fondly while he listened to the healer talked on, he uncorked the bottle open with ease. “Robert,” Anton began firmly, leaning forward to cup the man’s chin to shut him up. “Stop fussing - and don’t you dare apologise for fussing, either.” Up close, he could see Robert’s eyes better; could see the weariness and devastation and just how very blue they were. “I’m sober and I’m perfectly fine and I’m not here to talk about myself. I’m actually just - ” He pulled his hand back, silently filing away the realisation that he was actually shy in front of this man - something that had probably never happened before. Sucking in a sharp breath, Anton tilted his head back and took a draught of the brandy, savouring its taste. They weren’t going to be in Bern forever; why not just tell the truth?

“I actually came down here to see how you were,” he said, tone deceptively confident as he handed the bottle back to Robert. “I just wanted to know if you were okay.”

His words a reassurance, granted it shouldn’t matter at this time of the night anyway. Did men really ever care for their looks or was it just his own personal thoughts that got the best of him? “Thank you.” is all he could say because it didn’t help the fact that he did look tired. However, it was more assuring to see him walk further in than take his way back out the door. Perhaps Robert was the idiot for being a goof in this scenario. What was this scenario exactly? He had yet to figure that out as well. Any time around the younger male and his thoughts went back on his own self. Did he look nice? Did he look presentable? Was his hair brushed back nicely? Did he smell nice? And so on... 

“Then i’m glad to have you here. I’d much enjoy your company.” and it was the simple truth. It could be early in the morning or late at night as it was now, he’d much prefer the chatter the royal than anyone else.

Robert wasn’t sure which amused him more, his words or the fact that he was now blushing at his own words. He remembered just how he had teased him a few days ago about the blush, so if the other thought he’d let it go, he was wrong. “I have to say, red is a good color on you.” he interrupts just for a moment to mention the blush that had tinted his cheeks. “--But if I did ever come for your bed, i’d much rather not sleep in it on my own.” And he had meant it; He was much to afraid to admit the meaning behind his words but he was sure Anton would have understood the gist of it. 

Again, if it weren’t obvious by now, then they were both idiots to not see that they had some kind of pull to each other. It’s what encouraged him to even say such words out loud, that and the fact that maybe the young prince would forget the words in the morning.

His hand was against his chin then, and he stopped speaking as the other had inteneded him to do. It wasn’t even offense Robert felt, but a warmth  and perhaps it was him who was blushing now? How did a gentle touch like that cause him to blush? Perhaps because he was the one with his hands full. Whether it was because he was tending to a wound, or checking for fevers, but no one ever made a move like that. Aside from a couple of people who he considered as close friends. 

Perhaps this infatuation was going to ruin him, and yet, he didn’t mind. Instead, he found himself smiling, especially when the reaction that had been elicited from Anton was sweet in a sense. A part of him wanted to reach out for his hand, but didn’t. Instead, he watches as he took a sip from the bottle. As the bottle was handed back, Robert took it, allowing the tips of his fingers to brush against Anton’s as he did so. It was not meant to be anything, yet it made his heart race and to hide how he was feeling in that moment, he raised the bottle to his lips quickly to take a sip. 

His nose scrunches as he feels the strong liquid rushing down his throat and he couldn’t help but wonder if he had taken too much of it. What a way to impress someone eh? Nearly choke on the first sip. He was mentally chastising himself just then, but quieted down as he spoke up. His words only caused him to smile and as he handed the bottle back to the prince, he cleared his throat before speaking up. “Thank you for checking in on me. If i’m being honest, i’m not doing so well, but i’m hanging in there.” if he had decided to be honest, then Robert didn’t mind either. 

“--And just so you’re aware, I will be sharing the cot beside you, however, a face to face conversation is much easier at the moment. Then you’ll come back tomorrow whining about the backache.” he added teasingly. 

“I think the same but if they notify me of any changes then could I call upon your help?” Alessia asked, flickering her gaze up at him. “I think some acknowledgement of your worthy task  is needed. You can not save everyone but you still are going out of your way to see that everyone has been treated or in need of further treatment. You may not think of such but you will not be able to sway my thoughts on it,” she promised him. “Oh, they are all well. I have pestered my brother enough that he knows not to lie to me but if you spot me struggling to pull someone to the infirmary then that has changed.” The princess attempted a joke but it was still the truth because she force Anton or her father down to seek help if she found out they were hiding any illnesses or injuries from her. “Are you in the infirmary? I have been spending my days down there helping with the children during the day. I do not recall seeing you there, Robert, but mind you that my mind has been distracts with my own thoughts.”

“Yes, please do so, i’d be more at ease knowing that you trust me enough to take a look, although it would be great reassurance knowing you don’t have to come down here because of any injury.” he added which was only his way of letting her know he’d prefer her to be of health than anything else. Her words, once again brought on a rush of pride of sorts, and it was obvious with the smile that was now forming as she spoke. “I appreciate your kind words. Truly. I forget that sometimes a bit of acknowledgement is nice, so thank you.” he added with a bow of his head. It was never for the gratitude, but to hear it-- well it only encouraged him to study further and hope to be a better physician in the future. “Ah yes, boys are notorious for avoiding such things, but please drag him down to the infirmary if you have to. Mind if I ask what your brother’s name is? And do you have any sisters that need to be taken care of as well?” he asked. With so many faces, he wasn’t sure who he had helped and who had passed him by that night. It was the deaths that he remembered vividly; “I am, but the past few days i’ve been making round’s the castle. A few people I know of-- friends, needed me.” In all honesty, he had been keeping personal tabs on a few specific people which probably explained why she hadn’t seen him. He was only ever in the infirmary if he had to pick up medicine or to have a quick look at the patients there. “I ought to thank you too, kids are frightened more easily than adults, so it’s kind of you. I’ll be in the infirmary more and perhaps we can work together?” he suggests, but only because it would be nice for him to see her take her mind off of their reality.

“If you are sure.” He mumbled a reply, looking over to her hesitantly before shrugging off his cloth-like shirt, exposing the gash across his chest. “Be gentle with me, please?” Jehan did not feel like a king in his words, he felt vulnerable and hurt, but he was not afraid the other would take advantage of this, though this thought offered him little relief. “I am glad you’re okay, and your son?” The king asked, looking up with a soft smile he only rarely gave. “My problems of weeks ago seem…little compared to the events we just witnessed. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d have lost Giselle or Ade or…Ana, she is so distant now. i do not know what to do.” He rambled, playing with the hem of his trousers. “I would rather you not repeat this, if that is okay.”

When he agreed to letting her take a look, Amelia smiled and walked towards him after he had taken off his shirt. It amused her to see that he would request such a thing, but in response she just nodded while a smile played across her lips slowly. She did grab the tray of medicinal supplies the physician had left seeing that the king did not wish to see one. She was glad that he had; “Take a seat.” she instructs softly while grabbing something to clean his wound with. “Fortunately he was able to run and I found him unharmed.” physically yes, but mentally? She wasn’t sure how he was settling emotionally or mentally after witnessing such horrors.

While he spoke, she dabbed the cloth into the glass of water she assumed the king wouldn’t have wanted in the first place before she began cleaning around his wound. As per request, she did her best to be gentle. “I’m sorry I cannot help, but I can always keep an eye on them, and come to you if I have to.” After the attack, she’d be crazy to let the princess and the queen wander off alone. So yes, she would inform the king if anything seemed wrong, apart from the obvious. Adelaide wouldn’t be happy about it, but when it came to her safety, she didn’t care. As she began dabbing the ointment across the wound, Amelia gazed up a him for a moment when he requested that she keep this to herself. “I promise, you can trust me.” she’d never given the royal family a reason not to, and she wasn’t going to betray his trust either. They may never have been as close, sure, but he was her King and she would never betray him, not after how kind his family had been to her and Abel. “Have you eaten yet? I can send someone up with some food.”

“I don’t want to see anyone else today, if that is okay.” He mumbled his reply, feeling defeated as he looked at Amelia. The man felt a strange way towards the other, he knew she was wary of him, and he understood why, but it did not stop him from feeling comfort whenever she was around. Her kindness and concern seemed genuine, rather than someone who was simply kind to gain favour in court. Sitting against one of his cushioned armchairs, Jehan rolled his head back against it and looked at her. “You were not hurt, I pray?”

While she would have argued with him, she had to remind herself that he was her King. Not a little boy, so all she could do was nod in response. However, being the way she was, she couldn’t help but speak out anyway. “Then i’ll take a look at it when ever you’re ready.” she could do the simple basics, make sure the wound wasn’t infected, change the bandage if she had to. She did have a preteen to look after who usually came home with bruises and scabs from falling so much after a playful day. When he asked about her, Amelia hesitated before speaking up. “Fortunately i’m fine, thank you for asking.” once she had smoothed the sheets of his bed, Amelia turned to look at him. “How are you doing? Would you like to talk? I promise I won’t chime in, but i’m a good listener.”