I Won't Dream of You, You're Already Here

Fenris chuckled lightly as he carefully picked up the lamp. It was a gift from the prince from that family of lizards who loved making the best lamps out of their scales. This prince's scale was even the finest material among everything Fenris had seen in their country. "I don't receive a lot of worthy gifts. This is outstanding among most of them. Thank you, Eann."

Eann blushed stronger and looked around again. He didn't know why the king came, but he was happy Fenris liked the lamp he gave. He just realized he should probably remind the king. "Uhm, does His Majesty need something from me?"

Twitch. Clearing his throat, Fenris turned to Eann with a tamed smile. "I came to check up on you. Since you're new, you might have not seen the horrors here yet. Don't hesitate to see me if you need something I can help you with. Sadly, that doesn't include increasing allocations. However, the tasks will be redistributed soon, and your allocations might increase. I'll be leaving now."

"Good night, Your Majesty. Erm, wait… it's morning…" Eann waved, only to realize his mistake. Fenris only laughed it off and left with the lamp. At the closing door, Eann kept his squeal to himself.

Climbing the corroded steps, Fenris finally reached the seventh floor. He stood in front of the room and turned off the lamp. He knocked on the door and waited for Kanaru to rise and let him in. However, minutes had already passed. Fenris frowned and knocked again, stronger this time.

"I don't remember Kanaru being a deep sleeper," Fenris whispered as he knocked on the door for the third time. He was just wary that Eann might hear him knocking. Then, the door finally opened.

"Your Majesty?" Kanaru flinched at the person knocking on his door. He also found it strange—why was the king frowning deeply at him? "Erm, I'm so sorry. I was, uhh… sleeping."

"Sadly, I don't believe you." Fenris just walked inside when Kanaru let him in. He looked around and saw how organized the room was. He set the lamp down at a safe spot and noticed the smaller windows. "I didn't think this room was worse than the one underneath."

Kanaru hummed as he looked at the lamp the king carried. It didn't seem to be made by a professional, but it was nonetheless beautiful. He could only say that because the lines were too rough. That was only when he realized he was standing too close, enough for him to feel Fenris move under the coat.

Then, he smiled at the king after stepping back. "Not really. This room has a hatch leading outside. I don't have big windows, but I have a personal viewing deck. I don't think it's bad."

"Were you out there all morning?" Fenris only dropped the frown and looked up to find the hatch. Kanaru also flew a bit to close it. "Don't you want to sleep here?"

"I just want to enjoy the breeze outside. It's also quiet at this time." Kanaru tidied up in the background. "Your Majesty, do you need something from me? Is this about the soup? Did you… dislike it?"

"Not at all. It was as filling as I remembered it." Fenris pulled on the belt holding his coat to his body. He just realized his tongue slipped when he was done. Then again, he didn't have to explain if Kanaru didn't ask. "I went around the male living quarters to check up on the welfare of the others. It seems like those in solitary are just troublesome at best."

Kanaru didn't know why the king was stripping down to his shirt and pants. However, since the coat and jacket were heavy, he just helped Fenris with them. He would even fold them neatly at the side. It was just that Fenris also removed his socks, his boots, and his crown.

The bird prince only watched in confusion. "Your Majesty… what are you doing?"

"I'm too tired to walk back or fly to my room. I'm sleeping here. Do you mean to do something about it?" Fenris sniggered, out of his character. The king even went straight to lie down on the bed.

"Your Majesty…" Kanaru was borderline horrified. Then again, he just pouted and scratched his head. "You're surely related to Rodnir, aren't you? I'm not talking too casually toward you as well, am I?"

"Not at all." Fenris rolled to face the wider space and patted the vacant area with his hand. "It's already late, Kanaru. Sleep now. We'll be rearranging tasks tomorrow. You also need to seed the garden."

Kanaru only stared at the king. He didn't think this was a normal conversation they should be having. If it was Rodnir, then Kanaru would even have to cuddle with him, right? The prince just looked at the door and hoped to lock it. Then again, if he did, wouldn't it look like he was going to do something more?

Still, the king's safety was the most important. Kanaru went to lock the door first before taking off his boots. He went to lie down next to Fenris at a considerable distance. The bed here could host two people, just like the one in Eann's room.

However, Fenris still scooted closer and went to embrace Kanaru.

"Your Majesty, I thought you only slept with the members of the inner court…" Kanaru whispered as he blushed at the matter. The king was actually hugging Kanaru in his sleep? What was this?

"Do you want to be in the inner court?" It was a slurry answer but one Kanaru would expect from Rodnir instead. Fenris smiled as he held Kanaru closer and inhaled the scent coming from the bird. "However, it will be very complicated for Rodnir if I drag you in it. Let's just sleep tonight…"

Kanaru remained quiet. He didn't want his horror and confusion to show, but this king… sounded like he got drunk along the way. No matter. Kanaru would just wait for the evening to come. Maybe Fenris would wake up sober later.

His eyes grew heavy as he felt a familiar warmth coming from the man beside him. With his eyes closed, he could only imagine how Rodnir would hold him on a bed. Sleeping in the carriage was different, yet that was all he had.

Rolling to his side, Kanaru began squirming as if getting into a more comfortable position. He cuddled with Fenris without another sound, but his mind dreamt of someone else. Then again, everything was so familiar as if he didn't have to imagine another person.

"I will summon political storms if it means I get to do this every night…" Fenris whispered, making Kanaru open his eyes. Even if it was troublesome, he just listened to Fenris as the other man talked in his sleep. "At the very least, I need to have a memorable time in my immortal life… even if you will grow old and die while I continue to stay young…"

"Why are you killing me in your dreams, Fenris…?" Kanaru played along with the strange game. He even chuckled as he hugged Fenris just the same.

Fenris pulled on one corner of his lips to smile, opening his eyes and making Kanaru freeze at the picture. He then answered, "Then, I won't dream of you. You're already in front of me."

Before Kanaru could apologize fro saying his name, Fenris leaned closer for a quick kiss.