Re: The King's Concubine [Kingy/Angel] - R18

[King of Spades]

They were walking at the feet of some cliffs and large rocks, having heard rumours of hidden caves that were perfect for bandits. But for some reason, those lawless people were driven away from the forest and were forced to hide in the city, which was naturally a bad idea. So, what prompted them to flee the forest, therefore risking to be captured by the soldiers?

Many believed that the shadows were resting in the caves of this forest, feeding on animals on days of bad human hunts. And Alfred was desperate, so he was even willing to consider mere rumours in order to find Arthur. Grabbing the wand tightly, he concentrated on the warmth and the soothing feeling that seemed to seep through his skin, alleviating the pain even just for a tiny bit. "He is near, I know it Jeff."

Jefferson nodded, shouting out orders to the soldiers, telling them to be thorough in this particular region. They had to find the hiding, even though they had to turn every single leaf and every single rock.

"Have you noticed?" said one of them suddenly, making Alfred and Jefferson halt. "No bird songs, not a single insect around this area. Even the vegetation seem to have suffered."

The other soldiers promptly secured the lanterns onto their belts and searched the area for any openings. Meanwhile Jefferson had forced Alfred to sit and lean against the cool surface of the cliff. The king was suffering, sometimes even losing coherency. Jefferson felt Alfred's cheeks and forehead, frowning at the obvious fever. But he knew that his king wasn't to be stopped at the moment. Not until he had his angel back.

"You love him, don't you?" He asked carefully.

Alfred blinked those blue eyes, his vision became clear for a moment. "All I know is that I want him back by my side."

"Then you love him."

That magical word felt so foreign to him and yet so right. It was strange and yet it seemed like the last puzzle piece in their relationship. Maybe Jefferson was right. He was in love, and unfortunately his love was food for the vampires. But Alfred would rather die than letting them torture Arthur any longer. Love had made him selfless, thought Alfred in mild amusement.

He was about to say some more but was interrupted by the news of a discovery. A small opening to a grand cave.

[Angel Arthur]

The deepest part of the cave was filled with the sound of Arthurs panicked gasps as he tried to keep his breathing under control. His vision swam as spots appeared in his sight from the lack of air he was getting and his arms strained against the bonds holding them to the cave wall. A sob escaped his mouth as tears started falling. He was probably going to die here, in the dark, unable to see and defenceless with his arms tied and no wand to use.

Almost slipping back into unconciousness Arthur did not notice that his halo was glowing brighter than before. The spell he managed to put onto the wand in the palace gardens was reacting to the close proximity to him, both the halo and star shining far brighter than before, the wand also warming up more in the kings hand.

Four shadowy figures condensed in the middle of the caves chamber, facing towards the tunnel that led towards the exit with their backs to Arthur. Nothing was said as the four remained stoicly silent just watching the tunnel.

After shouting more orders out Jefferson led Alfred into the cave opening, along with four of the soldiers. The rest were ordered to stay outside the cave entrance to make sure nothing got in or out. Two of the soldiers that entered the cave carried a sun beam lantern each.

"Caves like this should be filled with bats and spiders. There really is no wildlife around at all. The shadow vampires must have scared them all off or killed them." said one of the soldiers carrying a lantern. The other frowned and looked to the first.

"Stop your talking, we have sun beam lanterns with us. We will be just fine."

A shril, loud and terrifying monsterous scream suddenly filled the cave from further down the tunnel. Echoing off the stone walls and reaching the group. The soldier that had just finished talking gasped and jumped before tripping over a slippery rock. The man lost his grip on his lantern and dropped it. The lantern smashed and the sunbeams, no longer being magically contained with the lantern, disipated making the cave look a small bit darker now they only had the light of one lantern.

Jefferson managed to look unfazed by the scream made and sure his king remained standing after the echos died away leaving behind a deathly silence in the tunnel before he turned his head to look over his shoulder. "Do not break that last lantern!" he barked. They needed the lantern to stay alive.

Arthur had jumped and pushed himself back into the cave wall on insticnt despite not being terribly coherant when one of the shadowy figures let out the scream. His breathing that he had managed to get control of became panicked again as he gasped for air. His eyes were wide with panic and tears as he stared at the figures still facing away from him.

[King of Spades]

The piercing screams threatened to make Alfred lose his consciousness, the demon within him rejoiced at the closeness to its brothers and sisters. Not wanting to handicap his best knight, he let go of Jefferson and stood on his own, blue eyes staring into the darkness looking for the glimmer of an angel, any sign of hope. The wand in his hand was practically burning hot, indicating the immediate presence of Arthur. But it was dark. How could you see when your enemy was the endless dark?

One of his soldiers suddenly screamed and fell to the fround, now laying there motionlessly. Everybody stared at the body in disbelief. How? It was then that it dawned on them. Fighting a single shadow with one lantern was one thing, but even a ray of sunlight forcing its way through the crack of a dark cave couldn't break the endless, dominant black. There were too many shadow vampires. One single lantern wouldn't do any good.

Jefferson shouted an order to retreat. He grabbed the king to drag him into the safety of the daylight but the young monarch refused to move an inch. He was still staring into the dark, trying to find Arthur.

"Arthur..." he whispered.

"Your Majesty! Please, we need to escape."

"I can't," said Alfred. "You know I can't. I need to find Arthur and bring him back to the castle and spoil him and tell him how sorry I am...and...and I just want to hold him in my arms again..." His voice was heavy with unshed tears.

"We will come back, I promise! But first we need to call for reinforcement," reassured Jefferson. But Alfred still refused to move.

The king shook his head. "No reinforcement. Only I can end this."

Jefferson's eyes widened in horror. "NO you-" he was cut off as he was suddenly attacked by a blow of a shadow and hit his back against the cave's rough walls.

[Angel Arthur]

When Jefferson hit the wall the remaining soldiers jumped into action. The three of them pulled out swords and circled the king in a protective barrier facing outwards. He may have said no reinforcements but the king was still the king and they were to protect him no matter what. They had not been ordered to leave the king after all. The remaining lantern was firmly clipped to the soldiers belt; it was all they had and while it barely afforded any protection against numerous shadow vampires it was better than no light at all.

No light meant they were all dead.

A large shadowy formed down the cave tunnel, unable to condense into a proper form because of the sun beam lantern it stayed a whispy almost human shape. There was no denying that the swirling vortex of shadows was powerful. The soldiers tried to get the king to move away. They had to retreat.

"Our little kig has arrived." the voices from earlier spoke, the four voices echoing, "You truely are a foolish child if you think you could defeat us. That you think you will get your little angel back. Arthur is ours now and there is nothing you can do to stop us from hurting him or keeping him with us."

As if to prove the point another scream echoed up to the group. Unlike before this one was one of pain.

"The angel is ours."

One of the figures turned and faced Arthur. The angels breathing hitched as the figure took quick steps towards him and knealt down infront of him. Wide green eyes stared at the red ones the shadow had before a hand was placed on his chest.

Arthur screamed. It felt like he had a hundred daggers slicing into his skin. His body arched away from the wall as it twisted to try get away from the pain. His throat was raw from the screaming and once the pain stopped Arthur took a deep breath, coughing and slumping against the wall.

[King of Spades]

Alfred's heart shattered at the sound of Arthur's painful scream. In one swift motion he was already lunging himself against the protective circle of his men, trying to fight his way through them in order to follow the lead of Arthur's voice. Panic rose in him as he could not imagine the horror that the angel had to live through; and any second could be the last.

He couldn't play with chance and luck. He had to act now or Arthur might disappear forever, never to look at Alfred with those vibrant eyes again. But what could he do? They were pretty much powerless and without means to break the shadows enough to reach the captured angel.

"ARTHUR! PLEASE ANSWER ME! I-I'll save you, promise!" His voice sounded broken and desperate, it echoed within the high ceiling and the stone walls of the cave. Alfred resisted the urgent pleads of the soldiers, begging him to not risk his own safety any further. The pain in his body felt like thousands of daggers slowly digging in his flesh, but the king remained unfazed.

"Using me as a vessel was a mistake," he said. Alfred's lips formed a small smirk. This plan wasn't even a plan— it was a blind experiment. But desperate times called for desperate measures. He would no longer let himself be played at by these monstrous beings. He was a king, for fuck's sake, and not a toy.

"I'm Alfred the King of Spades— and all of you shall disperse upon my word!"

And he promptly grabbed the lantern that was hooked around one of the soldier's belt, ripped it off violently and threw it to the ground, where it was shattered in thousands of pieces. A light ball ignited for a very brief second, and just before it could go out, the wand in Alfred's hand was being rapidly thrown against it, where the magic reacted. Instead of dying, the light pretty much exploded at the centre of the cave, and suddenly it was as bright as the day. The guarding legion of shadows was split into seven broken patches. Alfred promptly took the chance while it lasted. He could see Arthur on the other side. Not wasting any time he quickly dashed over to where his lovely angel was kept.

His legs hurt along with the rest of his sick body as he was brought closer and closer to his destination. Alfred extended his hand, reaching to touch the cheek of his weary angel. The moment his fingertips touched Arthur's cheek, the light died down and behind them the shadows had regained their formation.

"Foolish human!" The voices boomed. Disgusting laughter filled the place, ridiculing the king. "You're with your angel now, and now what? You've only made yourself an easier target!"

Alfred didn't respond. All he did was bury his nose against Arthur's shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent.

[Angel Arthur]

When the cave exploded in light Arthur clenched his eyes shut at the sudden brightness. A moment later he opened his eyes just in time to see Alfred running towards him and a few soldiers looking stunned further away before fingers touched his cheek and it became dark again.

Arthur flinched at the touch when it suddenly turned dark expecting pain to burst through his body again. When Alfred buried his face into his shoulder Arthur remianed frozen from a moment before sagging aginst the wall and turning his head enough to rest it against Alfreds hair. Arthur breathed in the smell of the soaps Alfred used to bathe and sighed at something familiar finally being near. The position hurt his arms but his tired body didn't care.

"A-Alfred?" he whispered, voice quite and hoarse from screaming.

"You have left yourself, your angel and your knights open foolish boy." the voices cackled "You will pay for your mistake."

Another soldier screamed and dropped to the floor. His sword hitting the stone with a clang of steel before it was picked up by one of the shadows. The two remaining soldiers pressed themselves flat against the stone wall of the cave unable to see very well and Jefferson woke up from being knocked unconcious. For the benefit of the knights the cave became just light enough, from a number of the shadows leaving, to just see where Alfred and Arthur were and the shadow vampire swiftly moving towards them while holding the sword.

The voices rang out again mockingly echoing off the walls. "There are other ways we can sustain ourselves using the angel. If we kill him we can take his halo to feed us. We do not specifically need his body. It however is a shame; we will need to eventually find another food source. Which shall be no problem as you have no means to get rid of us, our king, our vessel."

The shadow vampire had reached them and forcefully pulls Alfred away and throwing him to the side. Arthur's eyes widened and he stared up at the sword no pointed down at him. Shutting his eyes tight he turned his head away waiting for the blow to come.

[King of Spades]

The already severely weakened king fell to the ground, scraping his elbows on the rough surface. All the surge of strength, which he had forced himself to muster, suddenly disappeared and the never ending pain kicked in again. He grabbed onto the fabric of his clothes and writhed in agony. But he had no time for this. Not when Arthur was in such danger.

Alfred's eyes widened as he realised what the vampires were trying to do. They wanted to feast on Arthur's energy until he was empty— and they were going to do it now. Alfred gasped and hoised himself up with effort. That was when one of the larger shadows loomed above Arthur, the top of said shadow took a bizzare shape, almost like a head with a largen grinning mouth. Long silhouettes of fangs appeared and neared the angel's neck, becoming solid and sharp as it buried itself into Arthur's skin.

"NO!"

[Angel Arthur]

Having been waiting for a blow from the sword Arthur was not prepared for fangs to peirce into his exposed neck. His eyes shot open and mouth opened in a silent scream. He could feel his life energy being sucked right out of him, flowing through his body to the bite in his neck and causing his body to slowly become limper in the chains still holding his arms to the wall.

Arthur blinked slowly and focused on Alfred as the other lifted himself up. His vision was starting to swim and darken around the edges as his energy continued to be sucked right out of him. His halo was starting to lose it bright glow and his eye colour was dulling as he remained focussed on Alfred.

Arthurs' mouth moved as he mouthed Alfred's name.

[King of Spades]

Arthur was dying. His life essence being sucked off of his body.

At first he just wanted to have Arthur back, so that they could go back to spending their days together. A life without Arthur could never be the same, Alfred had thought. He hadn't been ready to face the loneliness and the grief of loss. But in yonder moment of desperation, a second between Arthur's life and death, he realised how selfish he had been. He wanted to save Arthur to keep himself from sadness. His wish included the number two. Even though reality could only allow one survival and one solution.

He didn't want them to be together any longer.

He wanted Arthur to live. To be alive and to have the chance to find freedom.

"Your Majesty!" Shouted Jefferson from the other side of the cave. "You need to escape from here! Now!"

Alfred's weary knees propped himself up and he turned his head over his shoulder, looking back at his loyal knight with a sad smile. He was foolish to think that they could go back together happily. It was sad that they couldn't, but at least one deserved to live. The king hoisted himself up and blew a shrill whistle at the shadow vampire, at the same time grabbing onto the sword that had uselessly been hanging onto his belt.

"Oh human! None of your pretty and bejewelled blades could ever pierce us!"

"Indeed...after all...swords can only pierce through flesh," a grin spread across his features.

The sudden distress of the shadows was heavy and almost graspable in the air, one by one starting to understand Alfred's point. The young king let out a light chuckle and drew his pretty and bejewelled sword. It was a king's sword, more ornament rather than a warrior's instrument. But it was a weapon nonetheless. "I think now I know why you chose me as your vessel. True, I was the only newborn at that time, but that wasn't the point. Other bigger cities had other newborns to offer. But that night, I was the only king's child to be born. And it had to be a royal birth, for a commoner vessel was too worthless and would have been killed by the people in an instant."

He approached Arthur and the shadow with heavy steps, the sword's tip grazed the ground as it was carelessly being dragged along. "But you know, I think you forgot that one possibility of a king sacrificing himself for his people. Kings gotta be selfish, you thought. And I tell you one thing— even a king is replaceable."

"You wouldn't do that!" the shadows began to panic.

"Yeah...you're right. I was talking big. After all, I never bothered to save my people earlier— I am just one of those selfish and power crazed kings. No, I'm not doing this for my people. It's all for Arthur." Blue eyes looked upon the angel that had been brought to him as birthday present. He really wanted this to end up with the two of them. But sometimes, even kings couldn't get what they want.

He could feel the monster within him trying to take over his body once again, it practically went berserk the moment he raised the sword.

One last smile for his angel. "I really wish we could have spent more time together."

The shadows roared and shrieked— all of them shot up in his direction to somehow stop him, but the sharp blade was thrust through the king's flesh, piercing his heart and spilling the royal blood. Alfred's eyes were wide and he wheezed as he dug the sword deeper. Alfred groaned and fell to his side, sword buried deep in his chest and eyes slowly losing their life, tears stained the once rosy cheeks.

[Angel Arthur]

Alfred was approaching him. Why was he approaching him? Why did he have a sword in his hand? Arthur followed Alfred’s movements as he moved closer and even though it felt like he had cotton in his ears making everything fuzzy and hard to understand the words were clear with Alfred standing closer.

The intention became clear when he raised the sword. Unable to do anything chained to the wall Arthur watched in horror as Alfred stabbed himself, the soldiers and Jefferson all yelling out at the same time as the shadows shrieked in pain. Their vessel was dying and without it they could not survive.

Each drop of blood leaving Alfred’s body caused the shadow vampires to twist and writhe as they started to dissipate. Each passing second Arthur was forced to watch Alfred die right in front of him unable to do anything as the chains holding him to the wall slowly weakened. Watching someone stab himself to save you was enough to wake Arthur up from the drowsiness he was in and each second was agony knowing he could be helping Alfred. Knowing that any minute the man who actually cared for him by not treating him like a sex slave, protected him against his own court, allowed him to fly when really he should have been grounded and, Arthur realised with a heart wrenching jolt, the man that he loved would die, right in front of him.

Arthur felt tears run down his face, leaving wet trails down his now extremely pale skin.

Feeling the chains holding his arms growing weaker Arthur gave a tug breaking them. In an instant he was stumbling to Alfred’s side almost falling over from weakness before skidding to his knees. Jefferson and the remaining soldiers were already at Alfred’s side. Jefferson kneeling at the king’s head, supporting it on his bent knees as he held both sides of his head and talked to him to try get a response. The two soldiers meanwhile were frantically trying to stop the blood escaping the wound in the king’s chest all the while knowing that it was worthless. Their king had stabbed himself through the chest, piercing his heart. There was no way that they would be able to save him.

When everyone felt Alfred go completely limp between them the shadow vampires let out one final screech before they completely disappeared. With the king dead they had no link to this world and died along with him. A choked sob left Arthurs mouth. His whole body hurt, more than it did a moment ago when he was having his life energy sucked right out of him. More importantly it felt like he had had his heart ripped right out of his chest. All he could feel was coldness and Alfred laying dead next to him was too much handle.

A wail tore through the cave and echoed off the walls. It took Arthur a moment to realise that the desperate sound actually came from him and suddenly he was being pulled away from Alfred. The soldiers had moved and grabbed him by his arms and were trying to drag him away from Alfred’s body. Arthur kicked and screamed trying to get back to Alfred, he had to get back, try to help him, anything! He could not just leave him there.

Arthur vision turned white while the cave suddenly glowed with blinding light. Once the light cleared and Jefferson and the soldiers were able to see again they were met with the sight of Arthur, dressed in a long flowing pristine white toga with a golden rope belt tied around his waist. The dirt from the cave had disappeared from his skin leaving him clean looking and practically glowing with an ethereal light, which gave his halo an even brighter glow than it was already giving off. The most striking thing to look at however was his face; the usual scowl or carefully guarded expression was set in a caring smile with bright green eyes looking more vivid and intense than ever before. Gracefully, and much softer than anyone had ever seen him walk before, Arthur stepped across the cave to kneel down beside Alfred before lifting a hand only to place it on a pale tear stained cheek.

“You sacrificed yourself to save me and in doing so saved the lives of many others. Your people would have continued to live in terror of the shadow vampires for years to come.” Arthur whispered, but the echo behind his voice made it easier for the words to be heard, “You once thanked me, for calling you a good king, that day on your ship. Only a good king, a good person, would sacrifice themselves like this to save another and many more beside that one. For that I give you another chance at life. However, I cannot guarantee that your recovery will be easy or even be successful.”

Jefferson and the soldiers watched in wonder as Arthur easily pulled the sword out of Alfred’s chest, wiped the blood away and sheathed it back onto Alfred’s’ belt before carefully placing a hand on his chest and closing his eyes. A golden glow grew around his hand before slowly starting to encompass Alfred’s entire body. When the glow disappeared the sword wound had become a fresh jagged red line over Alfred’s heart and the very faint rise and fall of his chest was just noticeable.

Arthur smiled as he lost the ethereal light surrounding himself, murmuring a quite “Long live the King of Spades.” before his eyes rolled backwards and he dropped to the floor unconscious.

[King of Spades]

The citizens rejoiced once the news arrived, marking a new age of freedom and peace. They held many celebrations that lasted well into the night, all of them relishing the abolition of the night curfew. The Capital was filled with laughter, music and dances. Women wore flowers in their hair and were driving the men crazy with their renewed zest of life. Years of fear of the night and terror ended and brought a new spring and gave them a chance to regain normality.

Hannah was one of them. She was a sixteen year old beauty with flowing hair that was as red as fire. Like many of the younger people she had never seen a life that wasn't limited to the daytime. For the first time she was able to move around freely during the night. She was scared at first, not being used to this new freedom, but the streets were brightly lit and people were still celebrating, so she felt at ease. In fact, the euphoria was contagious, and she soon joined the dance and drinking. Her parents couldn't care less about her whereabouts, they too were busy being happy in the middle of the cheering crowd.

She was beginning to feel light-headed but was still up for more dancing. Her feet were gracefully touching and leaving the ground in an upbeat rhythm, following the flutes, tambourines and lutes. She continued to whirl her body until she was caught by two strong arms. Hannah looked up and met the smiling face of a handsome young man. Judging by his outfit he was a royal guard.

They danced and laughed together until they felt exhaustion flooding their body. And because both were filled to the brim with happiness and euphoria, they soon ended up in a liplock and later in a fisherman's abandoned hut, where they heatedly began to undress each other.

Hannah was expertly moving atop the soldier— it was her first time but she felt confidence and lust like never before. "Say," she said breathlessly, "I heard our king is the hero in all this. Where is he and why doesn't he come down celebrate with us?"

The soldier helped the girl riding him with his hands. His cheeks were flushed in pleasure but his expression turned grim and sad.

"His Majesty is...he hasn't woken up since then."

Hannah stopped her movement and stared.

Soon everybody else were informed about their king's state of unconsciousness, and the celebrations died down, leaving a bitter taste in their mouths. Three days had passed and the king was still in deep slumber. His consciousness was trapped in the depth of a big darkness and he couldn't find a way out. He couldn't even dream.

[Angel Arthur]

What should have been a time for celebrations through the whole kingdom was infact spent in tense waiting. Waiting for news that their king, their hero, had woken up. Five days passed and still no news of King Alfred getting any better, still laying unconcious in bed in the palace infirmery. Well wishes from citizens flooded the castle since the news broke, offical letters from Clubs, Diamonds and Hearts were also received, all wishing for the speedy recovery of the young monarch.

Then there was the concubine. Despite the bitterness flooding the whole nation rumours were abundant of what went on and the fact that King Alfreds' concubine was also unconcious, laying in another bed of the infirmery made fantastic gossip material.

Arthur could feel something on his face. His eyelids practically burned and with an irritated noise he blinked his eyes open only to shut them again with a hiss when a completely obnoxious ray of sunlight hit him right in the face. Arthur turned his head to the side to avoid the bright light and cracked an eye open to take in his surroundings. White bed, white walls, a curtain rail with blue coloured curtains hanging off them running around the bed and a table with a number of medical looking instruments. A moment of blankly staring at the table Arthur figured he was in the palace infirmery.

Just as Arthur worked that out the curtain was pulled open and a doctor appeared. The man looked startled to see Arthur awake before quickly stepping over and checking Arthur over and asking mundane questions on how he was feeling and checking vital signs.

Arthur answered the questions the best he could before finally getting annoyed. "While I appricate all this I am tired, feel like I have been hit by a carridge and really really want some tea. You have also forgotten to tell me how long I have been out for and where exactly Alfred is and wether he is okay."

The doctor, while suprised with the familiar way that Arthur adressed the king (no one ever referred to Alfred by his name apart from his parents), explained that it had been six days since the incident and about Alfred's current state and how he had yet to wake up. Worried Arthur scrambled out of the bed, collapsed onto the floor when his legs didn't catch him before being helped up by the doctor and lead to the bed the sleeping king was in.

"Alfred..." the whisper of the name was quite in the room and Arthur reached a hand out to touch the other cheek. It felt cold under his hand and Arthur ran his fingertips over the soft skin. "Alfred. Wake up, please."

[King of Spades]

The angel just sat there and kept whispering his name, not minding the hours ticking away. All the doctors had retreated for the day and promised to be back in the evening, but they also urged him to find some sleep. But even in the middle of the night Arthur was still sitting by the edge of Alfred's bed. A few days ago they were forced to feed Alfred artificially, he looked thinner and paler now, not at all like the brimming young man he used to be.

Alfred's body was exhausted. It practically had to process all the illnesses and physical pain that had been caused by the shadow vampire. The monster had kept him alive, but now that it was gone, his body was forced to come by on its own— the illnesses might have been unreal, but his nerves still received and reacted to the pain. It was like a recovery from several deaths to life. And nobody really knew if their king was going to recover at all, it required a miracle to shoulder and survive such sufferings.

But Alfred was strong. He had a will to live. Arthur had given him another chance to live, and he was going to fight his way through.

A little bit closer— the light was getting closer. He could find a way out of the darkness, back into the arms of his angel.

Alfred's hand stirred.

Then slowly, his eyes fluttered open, revealing brilliant eyes of blue, tired but alive. His body felt light and the lack of pain was almost a foreign feeling to him. A heavy smell of herbal medications assaulted his nose and he pulled a grimace. Why was he kept in the infirmary anyway? He deserved his amazing bed, where he should be treated with fruity-smelling stuff instead, and when he woke up he should have been received with a warm smile of a lover.

Lover...

[Angel Arthur]

When Alfeds hand moved Arthur stared down at it with tired eyes from lack of sleep. He had not let go of Alfreds hand since the doctors left for the night; it was comforting to hold onto too. The movement was the first Alfred had made at all and Arthur felt relief wash over him that Alfred was responding in some way. Then he caught sight of brilliant blue eyes open and Arthur smiled widely. "Alfred! You're okay!"

Shakily Arthur stood from the chair he was sitting in and sat on the very edge of the bed placing a hand on the kings cheek. "You're in the infirmery right now. Is there anything... I could get you or do?" His thumb slowly traced over Alfreds cheek, not liking how thin his face looked or how pale the usually tanned skin was.

"You had me so worried. Everyone was scared." he whispered, moving to sit more comfortably on the bed and using his other hand grabbed a hold of Alfreds. The relief that Alfred was awake at last was astounding and Arthur felt like he could kiss Alfred. He just didn't know wether Alfred could handle something like that right now after just waking up and Arthur swore he himself looked a complete mess. Days asleep in one bed certainly did not do Arthur any favours. He probbaly needed to brush his hair badly and clean up, the tired look on his face did no good for him either.

[King of Spades]

Alfred's eyes were heavy and he had a hard time keeping them open to look at the Angel by his bed. He would have smiled if his lips weren't so dry making every single twitch hurt like a bitch. At least he could close his fingers around Arthur's hand, sharing the warmth of being alive. It was unthinkable that he had experienced dead and was brought back to life— and he could cry in happiness. He hadn't wanted to die, all he wished for was to live with Arthur, to make things right between them, to fix the mistakes he had made. And now Arthur had given him a chance. Alfred brought Arthur's hand close to his lips and kissed it tenderly.

Struggling to open his mouth, he tried to speak to the angel. He had just managed to let out one raspy noise, when people barged into the room. The physicians had wanted to check on their king and were surprised to find him actually conscious. Promptly, they had rushed to examine the royal patient, and both Alfred and Arthur were seperated in the process. It was all happening in a blur, all the people fussing around him until he was eventually taken away to be cleaned. Alfred could only see a flash of green eyes when he was brought out.

The bath was actually really refreshing, it felt as if the illness was being washed out of his body. He was treated with several scented oils, first with herbal ones and in the end with flowery ones to give him a more gentle fragrance afterwards. Though while he was being spoiled, his mind kept drifting back to Arthur. He wanted to meet him, to finally talk to him, to touch him...and to tell him those important things untold.

Alfred closed his eyes. "Send for Arthur once I'm done," he said to one of the servants, who answered him with a dutiful nod.

At least he wasn't brought back to the smelly hospital room and was now contentedly lying on his comfortable bed, waiting for Arthur to arrive. He didn't notice how he was nervously playing with his thumbs. He could do this. He was just meeting Arthur like the days before, no big deal. Except it was a big deal!

[Angel Arthur]

While Alfred was being fussed over and taken for a bath Arthur was escorted for one himself by a man who looked to young to be a physician. While he was not left alone, due to being unconcious himself for a few days, the man hardly spoke leaving plenty of silence over the sound of the bath water for Arthur to think.

Alfred clearly cared a lot for him if he risked his own life to come find and rescue a mere concubine like Arthur. Even kill himself to make sure that Arthur survived.
The moment Alfred plunged the sword into his own chest replayed in Arthurs head. The way his eyes widened, the blood dripping from the wound and then how he fell to the ground. Arthur shuddered and went pale, startling the physician enough for him to race across the room to check wether Arthur was okay.

Once he was deemed well enough by the man he was taken up to the Kings bedroom by a servant. Pushing the wide doors open Arthur stepped into the room and looked at Alfred who was on the bed looking like a nervous child. The image was imensly strange considering the mans status and standing but Arthur found it sweet that he could still get nervous. At least Alftred looked a lot healthier now he had been bathed.

Arthur smiled and moved closer to the bed "You sent for me, Alfred?"

[King of Spades]

He mentally slapped himself for his ridiculous paranoia. He wasn't stupid. He knew that they had mutual feelings...most likely, so there was no need to be nervous. Oh but he was. How do you innocently say I love you to someone who was your birthday present?

"A-Arthur. Come closer," he said in a still somewhat raspy voice, not yet used to talking after quite a time. He moved aside to give Arthur some room to sit on the bed.

"I...thank you for saving my life." Well, that was a good way to start, wasn't it? "I'm glad you seem to be fine. And...and..."

Alfred took the angel's hands and moved them to his cheeks, where he turned to nuzzle into the palms. "When you were gone I thought about a future without you. And that's when I realised how such a future was not mine. So I ran into the shadow, holding a faint hope that somehow, somehow a miracle would happen, and that I wouldn't have to die." He was now clinging onto Arthur's hands and kissed the beloved angel's skin.

"But in the end I knew that I couldn't have both your and my life. So I had a new last minute dream, you know. You, alive and free. I saw you flying away and finding your happiness."

He stopped for a moment, fighting the tears that threatened to fall. "But...you've made a miracle possible— and...and can I be selfish again and wish for a future with the both of us together?" Alfred raised his head and looked at Arthur with pleading eyes.

"'Cause I love you so damn much, I don't want you to fly away."

[Angel Arthur]

Arthur sat on the bed in the space Alfred created when he moved over, folding his legs under himself and still smiling. Listening to Alfred talk brought a tender smile across the angels face and made his eyes water. It was the sweetest thing he had ever heard someone say. He was just a concubine, someone for Alfred to get plreasure from. He never imagined that real feelings would ever come into this.

"Alfred... What I did... it was because you have so much more to do as King. Your people love you and a man who can sacrfice himself to save hundreds of others is a wonderful thing. EVen if it was just so that I can live. It was an incredibly selfless thing to do."

Seeing Alfred on the verge of crying made it harder for Arthur himself to hold back his own tears. "You idiot, of course I'd stay here. This place is my home now. Has been my home for weeks now." Arthur closed his eyes, hoping that the tears would go away "But I think, I think that I love you too... I never believed I would fall in love before, and never imagined it would happen here."

He swallowed to try get rid of the lump he could feel in his throat and opened his eyes again, looking right at Alfreds own eyes before flinging himself forward onto him in a hug.

[King of Spades]

He was surprised to find himself in a tight embrace- suddenly he was surrounded by Arthur's heavenly scent- usually the angel wasn't one to initiate physical contact, and this exception made him happy. Holding Arthur was his most beloved ritual; his warmth had become his treasured shelter. He wanted to protect his shelter and place of comfort.

Alfred buried his face into the angel's neck, taking in the familiar and addictive scent, and left small kisses here and there. Long fingers carressed the skin where the wings began, also occasionally rubbing the feathers. Alfred was extra careful not to be too forceful as the wings were a spot that could easily make sensations too overwhelming. He wanted Arthur to feel safe and relaxed.

"I adore you," Alfred whispered. "Body and soul."

Slowly, he sought the other's lips and tasted the sweet flavour of a kiss. Oh, how he had missed this.

[Angel Arthur]

Arthur breathed in Alfreds own smell, the scent of the flowery oils and the herbal ones hidden underneath calming him as he continued to hug Alfred. Letting out a sigh at the kisses being laid across his neck and melting into the light touches being made to his wings. It was a lovely change of pace to have his wings touched with such gentleness and Arthur felt comfortble for the first time in a while.

The words Alfred spoke made him smile even more and Arthur moved forward to meet Alfred half way for the kiss. He kept the kiss slow and sweet, moving his hands up to Alfreds face and cupping his hands over Alfreds cheeks and gently rubbing his thumb across the cheekbones.

Pulling away from the kiss just enough to speak Arthur whsipered "I love you. I can not thank you enough for looking for me." before kissing Alfred again. Having believed he was going to die just being able to kiss the man infront of him was amazing. Alfred was amazing.

[King of Spades]

Alfred shook his head and smiled. If someone should be thankful, then it was him and not Arthur. He wrapped his arms around the angel and deepened the kiss. It was as if he hadn't kissed the other for ages and their contact made him shudder, every fibre of his body craved for Arthur. And he wanted Arthur to know that. Arthur should know how much he was loved.

Gently, Alfred pushed Arthur to lay down on the bed. He looked down with eyes full of adoration and lowered to give him another kiss. He nipped at Arthur's lower lip with nothing but gentleness, a change from the usual passionate bites. His hand trailed down the other's neck to his shoulder, where he worked to remove the white toga.

"Let's make love," he whispered.

[Angel Arthur]

Arthurs breath hitched at the gentleness that Alfred was handling him with, used to far more fast and passionate movements than the current slow tender ones. He could only nod to Alfred's suggestion to make love, far to stunned that something like this was happening.

Sitting up enough for Alfred to slide the toga off his shoulder Arthur started on Alfreds own shirt. Undoing the buttons slowly and pushing the fabric down as he did so. It was new to be undressing each other so carefully, and Arthur hardly ever undressed Alfred as he had the habbit of undressing the both of them. It was nice and Arthur turned to plant a kiss on Alfreds cheek before going back to the clothing.

When the shirt was off the scar on Alfreds chest became clearly visable. Stopping his movements to carry on undressing the other, Arthur brought a hand up placing it over the scarring. His face clearly showed his upset as he gently touched the area, thoughts that perhaps right now was not the best time to be doing this. Shuffling down Arthur kissed the area before glacing back up at Alfreds face.

"Are you sure you want to do this right now? We can continue another time." he said while looking right into Alfreds eyes; love and worry showing in his own. His hand was back to slowly running over the scar, hinting on the real reason for the question, as he also lent up to kiss Alfred again. "We can wait."

[King of Spades]

The scar looked like the wound was inflicted years ago even though it really was only a few days old. It was completely healed, but there was an odd sting when it was touched. It wasn't necessarily unpleasant, and he supposed that it was going to remain that way for the rest of his life. He didn't mind though, it wasn't a high price for a second chance to live.

"It's okay. I want this." He smiled lovingly and let his fingers run through Arthur's blond locks. A chaste kiss was planted on Arthur's forehead. In fact, he was now showering the angel's body with kisses; some were small pecks, others were lingering and deep.

Alfred's tongue licked Arthur's adam's apple hungrily. And despite being very eager, he never let the animalistic desire take control over his actions. So everything— the licks, the strokes, and the languid grinding were almost unbearably slow and gentle. Pleasurable to the core but not enough.

The king wanted to make sure to make his body worship last. Arthur should feel his love. He took the nub of Arthur's nipple in his mouth and sucked. His eyes closed in blissful indulgence.

[Angel Arthur]

Arthur had to admit the scar looked perfectly fine and Alfreds lack of reaction to a touch and reasurance that he was okay was enough to put himself at ease. He would have said something else had he not been distracted by the licks and touches Alfred was showering his body with; the slow movements a completely foreign feeling to him.

Panting softly, Arthur arched into the sucking on his nipple while trying to keep the steady grinding going between them. He reasoned it must have been the foreigness of the touches that had Arthur already fully aroused, pushing slightly harder against Alfred and feeling the urge to touch just as much as Alfred was doing to him. Not seeing a problem with it he reached down and ran his fingers through Alfreds blonde hair, the strands just as soft as the day he washed them in the bath, and gently tugged to try get Alfred to come up for another kiss.

He whined quietly instead when it looked like Alfred was far more determined to carry on showering his whole body with licks and kisses. Arthur could practically feel the love radiating off of Alfred and that coupled with the ever increasily, foreign, tender touches still being showered across his whole body brought slight tears to his eyes. Arthur wasted no time in blinking them away and going back to touching the other moving his hands across Alfreds head, shoulders, upper back and wherever else he could reach just to satisfy the need to touch aswell.

[King of Spades]

Arthur's small frustrated mewls made him smile into the angel's skin just above his belly button. He enjoyed his concubine's- no his lover's erotic touches very much, but tonight was all about him worshipping Arthur's beautiful body. He had never been the most articulate person, so all the love he had needed to be conveyed somehow. And that's the reason why Alfred wanted Arthur to really pay attention and feel every tremor of the king's all-around and yet fleeting ministrations. So that he could realise how this moment of passion was not just mere sex— it was a love confession.

Both hands rubbed Arthur's sides until they actually settled around the moving hips. Alfred's gaze lingered on Arthur's prominent arousal. The rock hard erection made his own penis twitch in excitement and impatience. However, Alfred had to remain collected. He wasn't going to let lust dictate him tonight. This was all about Arthur.

Blue eyes shot upwards for a moment to cast a small glimpse of his beloved, who surprisingly wore a vulnerable expression, as if he was completely undone and his very being depended on Alfred.

Then he was slowly lowering his head and brushed the bridge of his nose at the base of Arthur's penis before he let his tongue glide over the shaft. Alfred made sure that the texture, every detail of his tongue, could be felt, so he added pressure to the lick. The king tasted his angel and a firework of thousand sensations exploded, let his body tremble in want. He was damn sure that he didn't taste like honey melting on his tongue the last time he had given Arthur a blowjob. It made Alfred want to devour more of Arthur's cock, to have it deep inside his mouth. So he did just that. First, he was circling his tongue over the tip, and then he took deep breath.

Arthur's cock was hot and pulsating with precious life. The more he swallowed the length in, the more could he taste the intensity course through his body. Alfred moaned in delight and began to bob his head in an agonisingly slow pace. And because the taste was so sweet, he kept sucking and slurping, wanting more of the delicious experience. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on making Arthur feel good, on making him feel like he was on top of the world.

He released the leaking penis with a loud pop to catch some air, he closed his fingers around the shaft and began a stroking motion while he himself was panting and moaning in arousal.

This love was suffocating and at the same time liberating him. He felt trapped and yet free. Do you share the very same pain of happiness? The overwhelming feeling that makes you think you're dying, but in truth it was carrying you higher and higher in life? I want to be with you at the peak of life, Arthur.

His swollen lips opened again as he took Arthur's length in his mouth for a second time.

[Sponsored content]