#dexm

“I’m awake, I’m awake…” He muttered, reaching his arm back and giving Alfred a sort of backwards hug. Alfred looked up, granting Arthur one of his lovely smiles and pulling him closer. He buried his face in the crook of Arthur’s neck, arms still wrapped around him and lips still resting against his ivory skin.

“G’morning…” Alfred whispered, cracking an eye open to meet Arthur’s gaze. “Slept like a rock… last night was great, hm?” Arthur’s small smile faltered at that. Well, he could only assume it was. His ass didn’t hurt too much and he’d gotten to sleep nicely during whatever the demon and Alfred had done, so it was certainly been great for him in some respect.

“Yeah, really great.” Arthur yawned and rubbed his eyes. “And I slept well too… but I suppose anything’s better than trying to sleep in a carriage, hm?” This earned him a chuckle from Alfred and before he could open his mouth to speak again his lips were captured by Alfred’s. Without thinking he returned the gesture, his arms moved so that he could turn to face him, only momentarily breaking their kiss. His lips were soft like silk and hardly chapped from the previous day’s breeze, slightly soured by the taste of morning breath. The second was short lived, broken by the growling of someone’s stomach. Arthur was fairly certain it was his own. Alfred only laughed, running a hand through his hair.

“Hungry?” he asked. “We’re supposed to go downstairs for a meal… but you know, we do have time…” Arthur felt Alfred’s hands slide down to the small of his back. He groaned and shut his eyes again, shifting so Alfred had to move them back.

“…Too early in the morning… I need something in my stomach before I can do any thinking…” He hoped that his reluctance to do anything, let alone his husband of one day, could be used as an excuse.

“Yeah, you’re right… we should probably go down and eat soon though…” He watched Arthur for a response but little more came than a slow, absentminded nod. Arthur looked content enough to fall right back asleep. “Hey, come on, I know the bed is comfy and all but we’ve got to get up soon, I’ve already sent for your Queen’s maid…” He shook Arthur gently, earning little more than another groan of reluctance.

“Alright, alright, just give me… two more minutes…”.

“You’ll have to be up by the time she gets here.” Alfred gave Arthur a final peck on the cheek and sat up, doing what he could to preserve as much of the warmth as he could. “She’ll help you clean up and dress. We’ll be expected down there to make conversation with our guests and things.”

“Okay, okay…” Guests, great, likely more people he would be expected to meet and remember. He knew that the demon had promised to take over his ‘queenly’ duties, but he would still have to know these people.

And a damn good job I’ll do at them too, likely even better than you would.

He scowled and smothered his face against the pillow, listening to the sounds of Alfred dressing himself. Why Alfred could do that and he couldn’t was beyond him. He would have to tell his seamstress that he would not be wearing any more dresses, regardless of traditions or any such nonsense. He’d have nice suits and the like made for him, like what Alfred wore. Maybe even some sort of uniform, surely they couldn’t expect him to wear a skirt if he was to be leading armies. He huffed a sigh, not even bothering himself with looking up until he heard the door open and close as Alfred left. He stared, a little surprised that he would actually just leave without him.

Well of course, he’s supposed to get there before you are anyway, don’t look so surprised.

Arthur’s eyes stayed transfixed on the door for another moment or so, slowly moving to sit up just as a small tap at the door sounded. He didn’t get a chance to reply before it opened, revealing a young female servant he could only assume to be his Queen’s maid.

/♠\

It took Arthur nearly ten minutes of arguing with the young woman to get her to let him go out in something other than a lengthy skirt. The occupants of the dining hall look startled to see him in such scandalous attire, especially for a formal breakfast. He wore a royal blue commander’s coat and white pants that clung to his legs, ending in black polished boots that clacked against the marble floor. He strode to Alfred’s side, taking time to let the sounds of his footsteps sound around the now silent room. Inside, of course, he was giddy with the authoritative power that seemed to emanate from him and those looks he got fro all of their wretched guests. He took his seat by Alfred without waiting for the chair be pulled out for him, sitting down with a small grin. His eyes flicked at Alfred. The King looked quietly flustered, as if Arthur were making a scene.

“My King?” He said softly, folding his hands in his lap. Alfred seemed to snap back to reality, blinking at him before forcing his gaze back to the table. Most of the food had been brought out already, people had even started taking helpings of food due to how late Arthur was. He was careful to take small helpings of everything, especially the things Alfred didn’t seem interested in, mostly to spite him. He didn’t care what it was, it all looked delicious, and he was starving. Countless unnamed flavors passed over his tongue as he struggled to keep his composure. The others at the table seemed to take notice, talking throughout the meal and treating it as if it were just another part of the celebration. The only exception seemed to be Alfred and a little man on his opposite side, both occasionally shooting him a look of displeasure.

“You do realize this is supposed to be a formal meal, don’t you?” Alfred whispered, eyebrows knitted in slight annoyance. Arthur looked up, chewing and swallowing whatever he’d just shoved into his mouth.

“I don’t see what that’s got to do with me, I’m trying to be polite.” He replied.

“Perhaps by commoner standards. What happened to those other clothes they had for you?” Arthur glared up at him. So he knew about that…

“I didn’t wear them.” He hissed back. “It’s degrading. I am not a woman, I will not wear women’s clothing. You said it yourself, I should have been the one in that uniform yesterday.” Alfred was mortified.

“Of course I said that, but I didn’t mean the exact one I wore! It’s traditional Arthur, we can’t break the traditions that have served us for so many years.”

“And what if we do?” Arthur’s fingers clenched around his fork. “Traditions may be safe, but they’re so silly. What’s the point in any of that?”

“You’re starting to sound like a Diamond, Arthur.”

“Is that meant to insult me?” His teeth gritted together.

“Of course it is, how many good Diamonds have you met in your life?”

“I can think of one.” At this Alfred stopped. Arthur waited for some retort but when none came his eyes flicked in Alfred’s direction. It shocked him to see such a stricken look on Alfred’s face. The man stiffened up and returned to his seat. A few people around the table had noticed, but nobody seemed too phased by their bickering. Some would probably pass it off as a ‘rough patch.’ After all, they were married; surely the two were in love by now.

\♠/

Arthur was grateful to be allowed a little time in the gardens after breakfast to cool his nerves. The morning air was chill and crisp, the sky still dusky as the sun hadn’t risen over the barricade of the castle walls yet. This was a different part of the garden than where the wedding had taken place, a wilder part, where trees grew taller and wildflowers had overtaken the planters. Even the proud fountain in its center spewed water at an odd angle in some parts, and little sprigs of weeds popped up just beneath it where the water leaked. The statue atop it was that of an armored knight on a horse, both the horse’s single lifted leg and his sword lifted in the direction of the setting sun. Arthur took a seat at the fountain’s rim turned away from it, the perfume of gardenias steadily cooling his temper. Honestly, Alfred was being so stubborn. He couldn’t just go back to being the kind, sweet man that he’d been just the previous day during their wedding?

Maybe he just has an unusual way of showing how he cares for you.

“Oh, gag…” he muttered aloud. There was no way any of what Alfred said was out of care for him. He was merely being pig-headed about the Diamonds, and likely about his hanging around with Francis. “Who does he think he is, leaving me alone all night and then getting mad when I indulge myself in dancing with another man? How was I supposed to know he and Alfred didn’t get along?”

“You could have always asked.” Arthur’s eyes snapped open. On the bridge of his nose sat a sunny golden rose, ever so slightly mellowing the flowery scent of the garden. He reached to pick it up but from under its petals he noticed a pair of bright cerulean eyes that met his gaze, and a soft chuckle that came from their owner. Arthur took the flower and sat up, putting on a smile.

“Francis!” He beamed, patting a spot on the fountain beside him. Francis gladly took it. Today he looked different than he had, no longer dressed in stiff formal clothes that so contrasted his actions. A gold vest, white collared shirt, and black trousers, comfortable but nothing less but fitting of a king. His long hair was tied into a small ponytail that rested just at the base of his neck, low enough to be tucked into his shirt. Not that anything would ever look badly on Francis, for goodness sake, the man was perfection.

“Beautiful morning, isn’t it?” He said finally, easing back a ways. “I have to say that these gardens are the only reason I accepted the offer to stay overnight, they’re the only beautiful thing here. Lily agrees with me.” Francis let out a heavy sigh, gazing out at the flowers. Arthur’s words caught in his throat at the mention of this ‘Lily’ person. He paused, eyes darting around for a few moments before he cleared his throat and sat up.

“Ah, who’s Lily? I don’t believe I’ve met her yet.” He said stiffly, folding his hands in his lap. Francis glanced up at him, surprised.

“Oh? I could have sworn she was at the reception and ceremony yesterday, we all were, and she was walking out here with me before she wandered off, she should be around somewhere…” Again he sat up, giving the garden another sweep with his gaze before quickly giving up. “She’ll find her way back if I know her… but let’s talk of something more interesting, what about you then? Half the company saw that little argument between you and Alfred at the breakfast table, that was exciting, wasn’t it?” Francis tried to laugh but cut himself short when he realized Arthur wasn’t laughing along, but rather had taken to staring at the ground again. Francis tried to regain his serious, just about to ask when Arthur spoke again.

“He said I sounded like a Diamond…” Arthur grumbled, crossing his legs and flinging them out in front of him. “As if it were an insult. Can you believe him? He’s so ridiculous, I swear, I… what’s with that face?” Francis had covered his mouth in what looked like shock, eyes wide and stuck between slight disgust and laughter. Arthur caught himself staring but didn’t stop, crossing his arms.

“What? What’s so funny about that? I thought it was very rude, you seem like a wonderful man to me, and you’re from Diamonds.”

“I-it isn’t that…” Francis choked out, still laughing a little. “But… ooh, Arthur, you are so naïve… you have no idea what he just called you, do you?” Arthur blinked, fumbling with his words for a moment.

“Of course I do! He’s saying that I sounded like a Diamond, I assume he means like you.” Again Francis only laughed, wrapping an arm around Arthur.

“Arthur, you see… Diamonds are known for being frivolous and quick to try new things. I don’t think it’s bad, but here everyone seems to think that if you so much as change your socks too early you’ve been cursed by the devil or some nonsense. That’s just how Spadians are, and it seems they’ve always been that way, for as long as they’ve hated us they’ve done the opposite of what we do. But when Alfred or just about anyone here says that you’re ‘like a Diamond’, he… he’s calling you loose.” Francis snickered quietly and watched the confusion on Arthur’s face shift to surprise, then mild anger. He could easily still his laughter from there.

“H-how dare he!” Arthur crossed his arms, glowering at the castle. His cheeks were red, his knuckles were white as his hands balled into fists. “As if… I haven’t even… only… I can’t believe he would say such a thing!” He threw his hands up. Nothing had ever made him more mad, and growing up with four brothers and being the youngest of all of them there had been many, many times that he had been mad before.

“It’s alright Arthur, I can’t imagine he actually meant it like that…” Arthur’s eyes turned on Francis, flashing with rage. “He probably meant the literal sense, that you were being selfish or something. I’ve known Alfred for years, he doesn’t think of shallow insults like that.”

“Well that doesn’t change the fact that he said it…” Arthur glared down at his feet. “He’s been nothing but rude this entire time, I thought he was supposed to be a King!” Even in his little corner of the land he knew of Alfred’s origins. Francis sighed and offered Arthur a smile, wrapping an arm around Arthur’s shoulders.

“You two would be wise to learn to get along. I won’t be around forever you know.” He looked up only to be met with worry and surprise, on Arthur surprisingly. “What? I am a guest in the home of my enemy, I can’t stay here forever Arthur, as much as I would like to for your sake.” Francis straightened up, taking Arthur’s hand in his own. “If I could I would take you with me.”

“I-I couldn’t.” Arthur almost drew his hand away again. “Not to Diamonds… I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t go to Diamonds Francis.” The foreign King looked taken aback. Arthur sat up with him and loosened his grip on his hand, though he didn’t let go. “I’ve grown up here my whole life… I mean, You’re wonderful, and I’m sure your people are wonderful. I don’t think being from Diamonds is bad, in fact I think your people might be even more pleasant than ours, but… I was born and raised here. No matter how little I know, I have to be loyal to Spades… don’t I?” His fingers tightened their grip on Francis’s hand again. Slowly his peridot eyes traveled up Francis’s waist, shoulders, chin, the bridge of his nose, and finally landed on his eyes. They smiled along with his lips, brimming with sympathy and perhaps pity. With a sigh he stood, bending to press his lips to Arthur’s knuckles.

“I don’t know how that fool Alfred can call you a Diamond…” He murmured “when you are so clearly a good Spadesman.” Gently he set Arthur’s hand back in his lap, and the sunset rose on top of it. With that, he started away, leaving Arthur to stare after him. His blonde bob of hair and shining black boots slowly disappeared inside the far-off palace door. For a while it seemed that the silence of the gardens had settled back in, the trickle of water and soft whisper of wind gracing Arthur’s ears again.

“…What did he mean, a good Spadesman?” He murmured, holding the rose in his hands.

It means you’re blindly loyal and atrociously stubborn.