Cleric/prince Will X Paladin Mike AU
Ignore how terrible this is, but when i have an idea i need to execute it
Will doesnāt know how long heās been sitting on these firm leather couches for. All he knows is that theyāre hurting his ass. Mike - no - Willās Paladin, is sitting beside him, his head laying ever so gracefully on the table in front of him. His soft black hair falls around his shoulders, wisps of it falling onto his face, where freckles are scattered, as if Will flicked his paint brush onto his Paladinās face. Will can feel deep brown eyes lingering on him, looking Will up and down like heās an artwork to be admired. Will cocks his head slightly down in the Paladinās direction, raising his brow.Ā
āWhat are you looking at, Sir?ā Will questions quietly. Mike gives him a small grin.Ā
āWhat does it look like, my Lord?ā He asks, his words slurring. Will can feel his cheeks flush with embarrassment. What a stupid question to ask. The answer was so daringly obvious.
Rolling his eyes, Will puts his focus back on the party happening in front of him. In the background of all the commotion, Will can hear light classical music playing that seems to pique Mikeās drunken interest. Heās tapping his fingers on the table to the melody. Will watches as those around them find partners and take to the dance floor, swaying and twirling rhythmically along with the music.Ā
Will knew letting Mike drink was a bad idea, and he should have learnt that from the last time Mike had gotten drunk. The lingering taste of whiskey hits Will like a freight train. His hand reaches for his lips, remembering when soft, gentle ones were on his. The ghost touch of hands around Willās waist and his own in someone else's hair, tugging at it as their hands worshipped Willās body like he was a god.Ā
The memory crashes around him at the sound of light rustling. Will quickly shifts his head to where his Paladin had once lain his head, now desolate. Instead, Mike is now standing in front of Will, stretching out his hand. Will can help but direct his gaze to Mikeās beautiful face.
āCome.ā Mike mouths. Part of Will knew that he shouldnāt take Mikeās hand, refuse to be seen with him as more than Prince and Paladin in such a public space. But another part of Will, the part that yearned to relive that moment from months ago, riddled with curiosity, wanted to take Mikeās hand and never let it go. To hold it close to his heart and tell Mike that he was all Will wanted, all that he needed. And, of course, that fragment of Willās heart is the one that he decides to follow.
Ā Will takes his outstretched hand hesitantly. Mike pulls him up, his calloused hand gripping Willās with such forbearance that it shocks Will. How could he have so much restraint when all Will could think of was when those same, calloused hands had gripped his hips and pulled him close?Ā
A small gasp escapes Will as Mike pulls him along, guiding Will to the centre of the ballroom, right under the exceedingly large crystal chandelier. Mike gives Will a drunken smile as he pulls him closer to his chest. Willās mind races as his Paladin leans in, pulling his face down to Willās ear before whispering, āDance with me.ā
Mike places his hands on Willās waist, holding him firmly. Copying the people around them, Will place his hands on Mikeās armoured shoulders. Will doesn't dare to look at Mikeās face as they sway to the light hum of the piano, instead opting to look at the marbled floor.Ā
This is so wrong. So wrong. A Paladin and a Prince shouldnāt dance together. The only dance that either of them should be executing is through battle. Mikeās grip tightens. Itās unsettling.Ā
Will knows that this isnāt right, but he just can't help himself. The desolate place in his heart reserved for Mike yearns for its spot to be filled with touches like these, with Mikeās delicate touch on ivory skin, even if it's hidden beneath fabric.
āAre you okay, Mike ā Sir?ā The question lingers between them, neither of them daring to address that none of this is okay, that none of it should even be considered. The only response that Will manages to receive is the tightening grip of Mikeās toughened hands around his waist. Will looks up to get a visual of Mike, to try and picture what heās thinking, what heās aiming to achieve, but his face is unreadable. Well, maybe not. Heās clearly drunk. Maybe even a little ecstatic.Ā
Mike is already looking down at Will when they make eye contact, smiling that big, stupid grin of his. Willās knees go weak, and his lips part in a way that almost looks like Will wants to kiss him. Almost.Ā
His deep hazel eyes bore into Willās own, and WilI swears that he feels his heart skip a beat. No, I canāt be thinking like this! Heās my Paladin. He works for me.Ā
As if the world can read my mind, Jane shows up to dissipate the moment.Ā
āMike, why donāt you come dance with me? The Queen requires her sonās assistance,ā She gestures to Will.Ā
Jane steps closer to Mike, giving Will a look that says, you know you canāt do this. Mikeās grip loosens on Will, and he takes the opportunity to stumble backwards, away from Mike and his addicting touch. He makes his way to the edge of the ballroom. He knows Joyce doesn't need him, itās just a ploy to take Will away from mike, just as he had reluctantly told her to do just nights before.Ā
Will watches as Jane takes Mikeās shoulders and attempts to sway his body to the music. Despite her protests, Mike stays as still as a rock. She edges her face closer to his, and she says something that Will canāt make out from a distance. Mike shakes his head and mumbles something inaudible, but Will can tell just from the look on Janeās face that she isnāt impressed. She glances over her shoulder, looking directly at Will with a look of sympathy, before letting go of Mikeās shoulders, shaking her head, taking a step back, and walking off without another word. The Paladin is left standing in the middle of the ballroom alone.Ā
Itās only a matter of time before Mikeās compelling aura sets back into Will, so he uses Mikeās desolation as a chance to get back to his chamber. Just as he turns to leave, Will hears a hard voice calling his name.Ā āWill.ā
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