"Farewell, ambassador." he replied, watching as Sabbas walked away. He smiled a little bit, then cleared his throat and turned to go to his own quarters, mind spinning as he thought about everything that had just happened. This morning…oh, it was so fascinating that this had happened, despite his own fear, despite his own worries, despite his own concerns. Sabbas had made a move and it had worked.
Sabbas spent what seemed like an eternity sitting around while listening to the French ambassador go on and on about state affairs. The two did speak about the soiree that Beaulieu wants to have at the end of the week. While the Spaniard was all for partying, he wasn't in the mood for parties or anything related to the matter. His mind was preoccupied. He just could not seem to get past the sensation of those arms delicately wrapping around him. The feeling of Edward's presence lingered within his heart.
(Do you want to do a timeskip?)
(hnnnn I liiiiive)
(and yes, a timeskip would probably be good. Do you want to do that or should I?)
He went back to his own quarters and stayed there for a little while, taking the time to just think and process what had happened. It seemed like so much, and yet at the same time, he knew that it was barely a beginning, barely a start. It would blossom into something more, yes, but this was a beginning and it felt like so much. It felt almost too much, and it was a lot to process. He sat on his bed for a long time, head tipped back and eyes staring at the ceiling as if studying it.
(I can do it! Should we skip to them secretly meeting at night or something?)
(ooh that sounds good to me! Maybe they set it up through notes sent back and forth?)
(Good idea! I'll write one as soon as I can.)
(alright!)
(askzgzkfla sorry for the delay)
As soon as reasonable, Sabbas decided to write a letter to Edward. The moment he picked up the quill, he forgot what he wanted to say. He spent an hour repeatedly taping the tip against parchment till he needed a new copy. Thankfully he had an idea for what to write, but by the time he signed off, he realized that somehow everything was in Spanish. His third attempt his best one; he prayed that it was good. He prayed for quite awhile after sending it.
Unto His Majesty, the King of England,
Edward…Edward…Forgive me for starting this off with your name, but just writing it down makes my heart go still. My mind has been filled of nothing except for you and those moments we shared together. My fingertips yearn for your delicate golden hair. My eyes miss the sight of your blue eyes. I know you are a fine yet busy king, yet I must write you to say that I wish to see you again. Do know I am more than willing to wait for as long as need be. Write to me when you are available. I look forward to your response. I look forward to seeing you again when the time is right.
Yours truly,
Sabbas
(difhgbjh right back at you haha)
Edward responded to the letter as soon as it was sent, his heart fluttering as he read through the words that Sabbas had written to him.
Unto Ambassador Sabbas Valiente,
I am available tonight, if you would like to meet tonight? Underneath the stars, perhaps, or in my chambers? If not, then we shall find a time tomorrow or the next day. As soon as possible, as I am already finding myself missing your presence. That silver tongue and your lovely hair, your eyes. I should like to see you again as soon as we are able to do so.
Yours,
Edward
His eyes lit up the moment he saw the parcel in the messenger's hands. Sabbas read the letter over and over again before dashing over to his desk to write a response.
Unto Edward,
I am more than willing to meet with you tonight in your chambers. Frankly, if you were to ask for me to meet now, I would drop my quill and rush over to wherever you are. Nevertheless, I was eager to respond to you as I am eager to see you again. The stars are nothing compared to the light in your eyes. Oh how I look forward to seeing them, and you, very soon. The evening will be wonderful, but it will be much more so because of you.
Yours truly,
Sabbas
(hndgbf sorry for the wait)
Unto Sabbas,
Unfortunately, my schedule for the day is full, and no matter how much I would like to see you, I must also attend to the duties and requirements of my crown and throne. Tonight, then, come to my chambers. I shall ensure there is no one outside of the door who would cause trouble.
Yours,
Edward
He normally had a guard outside of his doors at night, but he would find a way to send them away. He could not have anyone knowing about Sabbas's visit, not at night.
Unto Edward,
Very well then, my dear king. You are too kind. I look forward to seeing you in the candle light tonight. In the time that must pass before then, do best to not strain yourself from your kingly duties. I shall do my best to arrive to your chambers as soon as soon as dusk falls.
Yours,
Sabbas
Sabbas immediately went about his work after sending the letter. Most of his "work" was simply just meeting with people or going through letters from home. His mind was buzzing the whole time. It was a miracle he was able to read through and respond to his correspondences. When the sun was setting, he dismissed his servants for the evening. After an hour, Sabbas made his way to the king's chambers. Once he had gotten lost, but continued to stroll along till he wandered up to the doors. There wasn't a single guard in sight. Gently, he knocked on the door and quickly stepped inside.
Edward waited and waited for Sabbas to be able to come, doing his best to fill his time with other things. Dinner, and meetings, and even spending a bit of time with Marie. But then he was back to his chambers, ensuring that the guards were gone for the night so that Sabbas wouldn't run into any trouble, and there was no one to catch them. He was dressed now in just casual, easy clothes, his crown set aside. He just looked soft and tired and sweet. None of the royal trappings, none of the decorative anything. Just Edward. Not his majesty, the king.
The door clicked shut behind him. Sabbas took another step before stopping. His eyes instantly landed on Edward. Almost every muscle in his body stopped as he stared at the king. He wanted to walk over, wrap his arms around Edward's wait, then rest his chin on his shoulder while whispering compliments, but he couldn't. Whatever suave that normally possessed him wasn't there at the moment. The corners of his lips tugged up into a small grin. It wasn't until his heart thumped did it grow into something bigger.
Somehow his legs and feet started moving again. They didn't stop until he was right beside Edward. He breathed, "Never have I been so eager to see the sun set below the horizon only to find myself with someone who's much brighter."
Edward smiled as Sabbas approached, reaching out to take the ambassadors hands. "Ah, and myself, the same." he responded softly, rubbing his thumbs over Sabbas's knuckles. "It has been…oh, it has felt like a long time." even though it had only been a scant few hours, it had felt like so much longer. Had felt like decades. An eternity. When really, it had only been a few hours. And yet, now, despite all that waiting…he didn't know what to do next.
He wouldn't have dared to move his hands the moment Edward took them. If Edward wanted to hold them forever, he wouldn't say no. He loved the feeling of the king's thumbs brushing his knuckles. "Indeed, it has been an eternity." Sabbas wasn't sure what to do or say next. This has never happened to him before. All of the excitement about seeing the king again had barely left any room for him to consider what to do when they met. He couldn't get over his hands being held by Edward or the sparkle that always shined in his eyes. Sabbas moved his head so he could kiss the king's left cheek. "Let us spend an eternity then to make up for the time we have spent apart."
Edward's cheeks flushed faintly at that kiss, and he ducked his head for a moment, a soft smile pulling at his mouth. He was not used to this sort of affection being shown to him, not so freely. Nor the flowery words that Sabbas gave him every time they saw each other. "Yes. Let us– let us do so." he stammered out, blush intensifying just a little bit. To distract himself, he glanced around the room, as if he were not already deeply familiar with every small detail, every painting on the wall and every piece of rich fabric that draped every piece of furniture in the room.
Seeing Edward blushing made him giggle. If Sabbas spoke what was on his mind, he for sure would cause Edward to turn as red as a rose. It was feasible to think such things though. The king was alluring. Not just in beauty, but in his heart and intelligence. A strong leader nonetheless. Sabbas's heart was drawn towards him. He just wanted to caress the king's rosey cheek. His eyes followed where the king was looking. For a while, he took a glimpse at each of the paintings. "Which one is your favorite, Eduardo? Could you tell me about them?" He asked while moving behind him. Sabbas wrapped his arms around Edward's waist while resting his chin on the king's shoulder.
Edward knew that he blushed easily, but this felt almost ridiculous. When Sabbas came behind him and wrapped his arms around him, his cheeks felt aflame, even as he leaned back into the Spaniard. "They are, ah, mostly of my ancestors." he replied. "Past kings and queens that have ruled over England. My own portrait shall likely be added some day, though not just yet." he of course had an official portrait, but it did not hang in this room. It was hung somewhere more visible, an obvious representation of himself. "I…do not really have a favorite, as they are just my ancestors."
His eyes scanned all of the portraits. While he took a moment to appreciate the details of each painting, his attention wasn't entirely fixated on them. He hummed softly while nodding his head. Staring at them reminded him of when he was back in Spain, looking back at the portrait of Edward. His arms gave a light squeeze. "They all look lovely. Yours is the most beautiful though," He mused. "Perhaps we should get you some paintings of landscapes or flowers or scenes from tales of long ago…That way you will have a favorite or two."
(sorry for the wait!)
"Perhaps we should. But, this room is not only mine. It was my father's, and it will be my…my son's." he left unspoken the if. If he had a son. If he ever had a child to begin with. If he could bring himself to lay with his wife the way he should. The way he needed to, in order to continue his family line. He exhaled, pushing that aside and leaning back into Sabbas instead, closing his eyes and just leaning his head on Sabbas's shoulder. He did not want to think of that for now. He did not want to think of all of that, not while he was with Sabbas.
(it's okay!)
Sabbas hummed softly. His chin rested on the top of Edward's head. There is no bond stronger than royalty, lineage and power. So many things are passed through these three traits: rooms included. Over his shoulder, he gazed at the bed. "Let us not forget, it's Great Britain's along all of its glory. Power rests in this room above all." His eyes returned to the walls in front. All of the portraits hung, holding power within themselves. "No worrying for the future, mi Eduardo. We have to make it first." The ambassador removed his chin. In the back of his mind, he was beginning to plan out a painting to gift to Edward. To them, it will symbolize themselves and their relationship. To the rest of the world, it will symbolize diplomacy between the two empires.
Edward hummed very faintly. "Precisely. This room is a heartbeat for the crown. It is…generational." he said softly, then smiled a little bit at Sabbas's next words. "Yes. We…shall make the future." he finally said slowly, glancing back at Sabbas for a moment. This softness, this closeness already that…that was so comforting. He had not had something like this before, had not had a relationship this soft. And he already felt close, and almost…seen, despite how new to this relationship they both were.
The ambassador swore that Edward's eyes twinkled on their own. The king's gaze left him looking away with a burning, flushed face. Almost reluctantly, he had let go of the king. His arms came undone, only to sway at his sides as he went to stand in front of Edward. But he couldn't let his hands stay at his side for long. Whatever future they are making, even in this moment, he just wanted to spend one moment (or many, if possible) to look into those eyes. Sabbas's right hand gently held Edward's cheek while his left arm returned to his waist. He pulled the king in towards him hen whispered, "And what do you want your future to be, Edward?"
Edward smiled as Sabbas pulled him in, leaning into the touch, and reaching up to lay one hand over Sabbas's right hand, the other wrapping around Sabbas in order to hold onto him. "I have not yet decided." he responded in that same whisper, a soft smile pulling at his mouth. His future…oh, he did not want to think of it. He would rather be here, in this moment, face to face with Sabbas. His future was complicated, and he could not picture one other than the one that he had always pictured. He did not want to try. He would rather stay here, in this present. "And what is yours, Sabbas? What future do you desire?"
His heart thumped. Sabbas stared into Edward's eyes, gently brushing his thumb against his cheek. "I am not quite sure myself," He admitted. The past and present, he had those two; he controlled them. The future, on the other hand, is what he spends most of his time praying to God for. He had been doing so ever since he could remember. Whatever his future will be, right now, he was only sure of two things. One: he'd like to be alive or at least…this high noble reputation to be alive. The one where only a few know who (or rather what) he is. And second…."I desire to see you again, to hold you again…just the way we are now." That's it. That's all he wanted at the moment.
Edward was still leaning into Sabbas's hands, happy to be held like this. "I think that I am in agreement with that. I would also desire that." his smile was soft, gaze easy and calm and content. He loved this, and was so glad that he was able to be here with Sabbas. To just be held, and desired, with no other, extra expectations being placed on him.
Sabbas wished that he could capture the way Edward was smiling. His eyes watched as the corners of those rose pink lips hung up into a grin. When he blinked, gazing back at Edward, his breath hitched. With ease, he smiled back. He wanted to be in Edward's company again. It's like being in a whole new world. One where they can be themselves and enjoy each other. Just like how they are now. "I think this will be a future that we can make," He breathed. "I am not sure how when I feel time stopping when I look at you."
Edward wanted to kiss Sabbas. He really did, and that knowledge made him shiver very very faintly. He cared very much about Sabbas already, but there was still that faint twinge of guilt in his heart, still a feeling of sin that he could not quite shake. Did not God frown on men who behaved like this? He exhaled softly, and wrapped his arm tighter around Sabbas's waist, pulling him closer and doing his best to push away those thoughts. He did not want to ruin this moment. "We can." he responded in a whisper.
He wanted to get closer to Edward. He wanted Edward to get closer to him. They may be in each other's arms, but he wants him in his heart. It was beating at its normal pace, yet he swore that it grew warmer and warmer by the second. There was a feeling that began to buzz in his heart. His eyes squinted. Turning his head over his shoulder, he gazed down at Edward's arm around his waist. Sabbas licked his lips before gazing back. "Is there something on your mind, Edward?" He asked. With his hand, he brushed away a golden strand of hair. "Is there anything I can do for you at this moment?"