– I’m so proud of you, my love, Velannen whispered to his king.

The crowning ceremony and the ensuing day of celebrations was barely over, yet the linguist and the king were already hidden away, having retreated in Velannen’s bedroom. The court was still mourning the queen and the treason of a prince, after all, so of course the new king may not be keen on celebrating his ascension to the throne when no one was truly focused on it.

Without responding to Velannen, Malvern pulled him in for a kiss - long, loving, heart-wrenchingly sweet. He was holding on tight to the linguist, as if he was about to lose him. Even when he broke the kiss to speak, his hands did not leave Velannen’s back, gripping at the folds of his clothing.

– I couldn’t have done it without you, he finally whispered back.

This earned him an amused chuckle from the other, who held out his hand to trace the contour of the king’s cheek.

– That is nonsense. You are the brightest, most hard-working man I’ve ever met and I have every reason to think that…

He got interrupted in the middle of his sentence, Malvern kissing him again, his hands moving ever lower on Velannen’s back.

– You don’t have to praise me that much, Velannen.

The linguist grinned, pressed himself against the king’s chest, delighting in the delicate shade of red that was slowly spreading over his face.

– Why not ? he purred. You deserve all of it, and then some.

Malvern shook his head, trying to hide the smile that was creeping on his face, while Velannen’s hands wandered on the ceremonial attire he was wearing. Layers of silk, furs and wool keeping the king just out of reach, for now. He added in a whisper :

– Not to mention that I absolutely adore seeing you react to it, your Majesty.

He did not need to add anything more before the king pushed him on the bed, kissing him deeply. Slowly, their hands worked together, removing the crown from Malvern’s head, gently tugging away at each other’s clothes.

The kingdom itself may not have been in the mood to celebrate the new king’s crowning, but Velannen and Malvern certainly were.