Randomness

It was four turns, five hallways and a set of stairs from his chamber to the East Wing, and he counted every second, his own fear and panic growing along with his Queen’s. If someone—or something which seemed like a much likelier possibility these days—was hurting her, he would rip them apart with no hesitation.

In his head he ran through all the possibilities of how the attacker could’ve gotten in. The main entrance was guarded by two wolven at all times with Atlantian guards stationed along the hallway just outside. The windows were kept locked at night and more wolven were posted underneath them, but apparently it hadn’t been enough.

Kieran reached the hallway that led to the Royal Chambers, too focused to notice that neither the Atlantian nor wolven guards had moved from their post or seemed to think anything was amiss. He burst through the double door into the living space and then through another set into the bedroom, skidding to a halt.

Poppy shot off the bed, going for her dagger only to freeze and meet Kieran’s gaze as she realized who had just burst into her rooms.

Kieran looked around, teeth bared and claws unsheathed, but there was no one there. Only Poppy standing next to the bed eyes wide and bloodshot, from…. Were those tears?

“What are you doing?” She croaked, breaking eye contact and looking behind him. He knew without having to look that there were several guards searching the chambers for whatever threat Kieran had thought there was.

He shifted, only remembering he was naked when Poppy’s eyes dipped below his waistline and then quickly back up, her face red. Had he not been fearing for his Queen’s life mere seconds ago he probably would’ve smirked and made an inappropriate joke, but instead he stepped forward, reaching for Poppy.

“I thought you were—”

There was a scuffle of boots behind him and he cut off, turning around. Over ten guards stood in a small semi-circle around the bed, waiting for instructions.

“Go back outside,” he ordered, trying to look as dignified as possible despite the fact that he could feel his cock hardening from the chill, “It was a false alarm, everything’s fine.”

He shifted so that his body blocked Poppy from their curious gazes and watched as they filed out, resuming their posts. Once the door was closed and everything was quiet, Kieran turned around, scouring Poppy for any injuries even though he knew it was not physical pain that plagued her tonight. Once he had properly assessed her, he cleared his throat and crossed his arms.

“I’m sorry about bursting in here. I didn’t mean to scare you, but I felt something through the bond and I thought you were—” Her eyes filled with the barest hint of tears, but she quickly blinked them back. He frowned and continued, “I thought someone had found a way in. I thought you were hurt.”

“Oh,” she stared at the ground, reaching for one of the smaller blankets that covered the bed and wrapped it around her body, “Well I’m fine. I just had a nightmare that’s all. You can go back to your rooms.”

“Absolutely not.” He said it before he could stop himself. Poppy’s brown furrowed and the expression on her face was a combination of embarrassment and confusion.

“What do you mean, “absolutely not”,” she was angry now, “I’d like to go back to sleep now, Kieran, and I am your Queen. Get out now.”

“Tell me what’s wrong Poppy.”

“No.”

“Why not.”

She sniffed, avoiding eye contact, and hugging the blanket tighter around her. Then she said something almost inaudible. But, his ears picked up on it and immediately his annoyance shattered to nothing but dust.

“I don’t want you to see me like this.” she’d said.

Kieran stepped forward, taking the blanket from her with an aching gentleness even he didn’t recognize. He smoothed out the shirt she was wearing—Casteel’s shirt by the size and smell of it—straightening it so it better covered her shoulders. The covers on the bed were thrown around and hanging off the side, and so he fixed those too. All the while, Poppy’s emerald green eyes were fixed on him, a million questions in her teary gaze.

When he was done, he took the corner of the covers and pulled it back, better positioning the pillows so that they weren’t falling off of the bed.

“What are you doing?” Poppy asked, her voice still hoarse, but sounding stronger now.

Kieran didn’t respond, only held out a hand for her to take hold of, and pulled her gently towards him until she was kneeling on the bed.

“Wolven form or human form?”

Poppy raised an eyebrow, and he repeated the question patiently, tugging her to lay down.

“Human form…” she finally answered, though it was tentative. He was surprised. As much as she talked about the wolven being fluffy and warm, he could’ve sworn she would pick wolven form. He didn’t say anything however, only nodded and pulled back more of the blanket so he could maneuver himself underneath it.

“Wait!” Poppy practically shouted, throwing a hand out to stop him. Kieran paused, raising his brows.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

Poppy glared at the kind of insult and crossed her arms. She looked adorable when she was angry, but he refrained from commenting on it. It probably wouldn’t make the night any better for her.

“You’re naked,” she said, gesturing to between his legs, when his cock was still fully on display.

“Yes,” he confirmed, “I am.”

To be honest, Kieran had forgotten he was naked. He rarely had clothes on at night, preferring to sleep naked, so getting into bed completely bare wasn’t unusual for him, and wasn’t something he really thought about.

“I’m not sleeping with you while you're naked.”

“I think being naked is the only way to sleep with someone…” Kieran said, smiling a bit when Poppy turned red.

“I don’t want to sleep beside you while you’re naked then.”

Kieran sighed, getting out of bed and walking to the closet. He rifled through the several large drawers until he found a pair of pants that would fit him. Casteel’s legs were slightly longer than his, and he was leaner as well, but it wouldn’t be too much of a problem. Pulling the pants on, he let them rest on his hips. He had to tighten the drawstrings a bit, but they fit well enough that they wouldn’t fall off while he was sleeping. Hopefully.

He stepped out of the large closet, his eyes immediately finding Poppy’s. They were teary again, and a droplet spilled over as she saw whose pants he was wearing.

“Sorry,” she whispered, bringing her hand up and wiping away the tears, “I just… I just really miss him.”

Kieran walked over to her, climbing onto the bed and holding his arms out. She was hesitant at first, but eventually fell into him, wrapping her arms around his torso. There was no sobbing or even much crying, they just held each other for several minutes rocking back and forth. Though it was unclear who was doing the rocking. Kieran could feel his eyes start to grow damp, and when the tears started to spill over, he didn’t stop them, letting the liquid drip down his cheeks.

He’d spent so long holding in his feelings. Trying to stay strong for Poppy, and for himself, but he knew he would need to let them out eventually. Gods, he missed his friend. Casteel had a way of making every situation seem completely manageable, and without him… Without him the whole world seems dull.

Poppy pulled her head back, and gripped Kieran’s chin, guiding him to look at her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as well.

“We’ll get him back,” Kieran choked out, when Poppy didn’t say anything, “We’ll get him back if it’s the last thing we do.”