Candlelight lined the streets, casting a faint, yellow glow around the city from the hill. The kingdom's residents had celebrated the coronation of their new king with joy.
Even late into the night, the streets were bustling with activity as they celebrated the rare occasion.
On that hill, Fennel sat against a large oak tree. His eyes stared up at the stars, which seemed to glow a little brighter than usual.
His nerves began to get the best of him as he waited for Oliver to join. Thoughts drifted onto the possibility he wouldn't be joined by the bard. The thought made the king's heart ache.
He could hear footsteps approaching. They hurried across the grass, feet taking steps towards his location.
Then Fennel felt the warmth of a familiar body directly beside him.
A warm smile adorned Oliver's face. Their arms touched as they sat under the radiance of the night sky.
"You scared me," Oliver said as he looked at Fennel. "When I realized the knock had come from the window, I nearly pissed my britches."
"I'm sorry," Fennel said with a soft laugh. "I didn't mean to frighten you."
"Why didn't you just come to my room?" Oliver asked.
Fennel frowned. "Jasper would have followed me."
"Jasper?"
"Did you notice the green-haired knight who had followed me?" Fennel asked. "He has the responsibility of personally ensuring my safety."
"Ah, that makes sense, I guess."
"If I left the king's chambers, he would have followed me," Fennel sighed. "And even if I ordered him not to, I'm sure I'd run into others on patrol, so it seemed less complicated to knock on your window."
"How did you manage to get outside without them noticing?" Oliver inquired with a raised eyebrow and a confused tone.
"I escaped through a window, of course."
"Of course," Oliver rolled his eyes. "If I pulled such a stunt, I'd have a broken leg to deal with."
The bard smiled in response to the laugh that escaped Fennel's lips. When the king had such joyous expressions, it filled his heart with warmth.
The mental image of Fennel jumping from a window was amusing.
"Did you have anything in particular you needed to see me for?" Oliver asked him.
Fennel shook his head. "No. I just wanted to be with you."
The response filled Oliver's chest with butterflies. His hand reached over, brushing against Fennel's.
The soft skin under his fingertips relaxed him. Even though the king had proposed to a woman, his touch was all the bard desired.
"Who was the woman?" Oliver inquired, brushing his shoulder against the other man's. "She seemed adorable."
Fennel frowned. The last thing he wanted to think of in the moment was his soon-to-be queen.
"Her name is Lily," Fennel explained. She was the only attendee who didn't compete for my attention. I believe her to be pure of heart. She's the type who is suitable to gently provide support to the kingdom."
"Ah, well," Oliver muttered as he lowered his head. "The two of you make for a lovely couple."
"While that may be true, I have no romantic interest in the woman."
"You don't?"
"N-No," Fenne replied with a groan. "I have a responsibility to uphold for Charoux. Marriage without love is unacceptable to me. My position on Caelus forcedme to dismiss those thoughts. To serve the kingdom, I had to sacrifice my wants."
"That's a terrible thing to think of."
"My happiness comes last," Fennel acknowledged.
The pair sat in silence, gazing at the city below the hill. It didn't take long before their fingers intertwined, and the young king leaned in closer to the bard.
Oliver took a deep breath when he felt Fennel's head rest against his shoulder. The action made his heart swell with powerful emotion.
What about Fennel? He loved him. Why couldn't he be the one to be by his side? Why couldn't he find happiness with him? He hated how close, yet far apart they were.
Even if Oliver's true feelings were as clear as a sunny sky, he would never be able to express them.
"Are you tired?" Fennel eventually asked him.
"A little," Oliver admitted.
"I'm sorry for keeping you here," Fennel whispered. "If you want to head back inside, I understand."
"No," Oliver insisted. "I would much rather be out here with you right now. Sleep can wait."
A look of surprise spread over the bard's features when Fennel moved from his position against the trees, then crawled in front of him.
The king warmly smiled as he sat on his knees and leaned forward, his hands resting against Oliver's thighs.
The bard's tail and ears wiggled. It was impossible for him to hide his excitement over the sudden action.
Fennel's tail also swished.
"What are you doing, Fennel?" Oliver asked with a small chuckle.
"I don't know," Fennel laughed.
"I see you're far from tired," Oliver said as he leaned forward, smiling at the man in front of him.
"I am tired," Fennel admitted.
"Then come here."
Oliver reached out. His hands moved to the king's waist. He pulled him between his legs and leaned back, delighted when he felt the smaller body rest against his own.
Fennel purred as he nestled against Oliver's chest, his hands curling up next to his own face.
Oliver's hand gently stroking the back of his head caused his scalp to tingle and his body to shudder. Fennel's green eyes closed as he allowed his body to relax against the taller man.
Oliver sighed contently as he felt Fennel's tail wrap around the wrist he had around the man's waist. Normally, people would perceive this as an act of seduction, but in that moment, Oliver saw it as a sweet and loving gesture.
"Thank you," Fennel whispered, his heart beating rapidly.
"What for?" Oliver inquired, moving his hand to the top of Fennel's head to scratch behind his feline ears.
"Ah," Fennel purred as his tail wrapped tighter around Oliver's wrist.
"What is it?"
"It feels really good," Fennel admitted as a blush spread across both his cheeks.
"I'm glad," Oliver said with a grin.
Fennel pressed his ears against the touch of the man's hand, rubbing them against his palm. He had never felt such an amazing sensation in his life. It felt special because Oliver was the one performing the act.
Perhaps that's why he enjoyed it so much.
The king felt so free whenever he was with the bard. He could freely express his emotions without fear of judgment.
Every time he was with him, the world felt right.
"What are you thinking?" Oliver asked as he trailed his fingers down to the feline's shoulders.
"N-Nothing," Fennel mumbled.
The bard's touch was featherlight as he moved his fingertips down to Fennel's upper back. "Are you sure?"
"No," Fennel sighed. "I'm not sure."
Oliver wouldn't press the subject. If the king felt the need to speak on something, he figured he would. After all, Fennel had opened up to him in ways he hadn't with others.
Meanwhile, Fennel tried to think of a way to express how he felt. He realized that, as a newly engaged man and ruler of the kingdom, he shouldn't reveal certain things, but his rapidly beating heart yearned for a deep connection.
Fennel moved his tail. He led the hand attached to the wrist, it wrapped around to his chest. As he did so, he sensed Oliver shifting against him. He felt the action had surprised the silver-haired man.
"Oliver, do you feel it?" Fennel whispered.
Oliver flattened his palm against the king's chest. Oliver's cheeks flushed as he felt the rapid beat of the other man's heart in his chest.
The bard couldn't help but smile, closing his eyes as he felt the quick rhythm against his palm.
"May I tell you something?" Fennel asked, opening his green eyes to gaze up at the bard. "I'm sure it is something I shouldn't ever say, but it feels right to tell you."
Oliver managed to breathe out the response, "You may tell me anything. I would never judge you."
The king pulled away from Oliver's embrace. Fennel stayed seated between his legs, turning just enough to face him directly.
Oliver noticed the feline's eyes glistening; an honest stare came from them, which lit the bard's soul. He felt whatever Fennel would say, would change his world forever.
"I have a confession: I may be king, but I fell in love with you the moment we met on the hill. Everything about the moment was pure magic."
"My king," Oliver whispered. "The way you feel is mutual."
Oliver tenderly rested his fingers under Fennel's chin, his eyes gazing into an emerald oasis looking back at him. "I can't hold back any longer."
Their foreheads touched.
Fennel blushed deep scarlet, wondering if the handsome bard's sweet lips would bless him with his first kiss.
"You can't wait for what exactly?" Fennel asked with a barely audible voice.
"To show you the love you deserve."