bakerstreet | Companion to Royalty

Companion to Royalty

Companion to Royalty Meme

There's one truth you must know of royalty: though power may lay in their hands, the crown is a cage. Whether you've always been noble, came into this position recently by complete surprise, or a simple person caught in the fray, you're realizing that leaders actually lead very little - even down to choosing who they spend their most intimate moments with. From eternal bonds of matrimonies to the distractions provided by courtesans, the people behind the throne make the rules. They cannot risk losing control of their most elevated and strategically placed pawn with a match gone wrong, which could create a domino effect and doom possibly thousands.

So, what part do you play in this game?

Lifetime Royal: This is what you've been raised to do.
Sudden Royal: You just learned of your position, which has been secret from you your entire life, or you unexpectedly inherited the job.
Spouse: You're to be married to nobility.
Concubine or Courtesan: For the royal, you're to be a sexual diversion.
Unaffiliated: You're either a lower-ranking noble or a peasant, but you're free from all the machinations of the shadowy cabal...for now.

How willing are you?

Completely Willing: Either you love the person you know you'll be matched with, or you're excited about the possibilities.
Wary: There's no choice in the matter for you, so you may as well approach this situation cautiously.
Unwilling: You didn't want to be matched up with someone. At all. Ever.

What path will you follow, once you're set upon it (there is, after all, little choice for the chosen ones)?

Prepared for This: Either you're a royal and have been one since birth, or you knew you'd marry or sexually entertain one.
Make Up for Lost Time: This life wasn't the one you lived until now, but times change. You're important or will be a companion to a very important person, like it or not.
A Sacrificial Token: Somewhere along the line, your people royally pissed off someone in a key position. So, in an attempt to smooth out relations, you've been given away as a gift to the highest power, either as a spouse for a political alliance or as a concubine or courtesan.
Pomp and Circumstance: All proper, this arrangement. You're to be married, as you've been promised to each other by your respective families. Consummation on the wedding night is key. Perhaps it's encouraged that the two of you act as if this is really a love match, to add insult to injury.
Genuine Love: Speaking of love matches, congratulations! You're one of the incredible few who gets to marry for love, so your lovemaking should be all the more enthused.
Only a Plaything: Heavy is the head who wears the crown, so you're expected to take on some side entertainment even if that's not your preference. Or you could be the courtesan...such a pretty, perfumed word for what the role really is...
Volunteered: You wanted this position, either of spouse or concubine. Your reasons are your own.
Cruel: You're powerful. You can do what you want to this person, a mere ant in comparison to you.
Forbidden: Even the most powerful can't have everything they want, such as someone who's promised to or with another; taking them for your own would create strife and destroy alliances, even to the point of tempting war.
Work Your Way Up: There's always a right tool for the job and you find no shame in using your own special tools to better your life.
Give Me an Heir: Whether you're legitimate or a concubine used as a surrogate, you must help in continuing the royal line.
Mutual Benefit: Both of you are comfortable with this arrangement because you're either compatible or it takes the pressure off of you otherwise.
Want to be More: Though you've been relegated to courtesan, you want to be there one and only spouse...no matter if that role is already filled or not.
Growing Affection: It may have started as all puppet strings and power plays, but now, you lo- care for them.
Loved Before: Before you became so important and powerful, before you became the focus of all the world, it seems, they were there with you. They were with you then, and you want them to be with you now. They ground you and they care about you for you.
Because You're Normal: They're outside of all the court's nonsense, and that's appealing to you. It's like a breath of fresh air.
WILDCARD

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Laurent startled when Gansey called him marvelous. Cheeks flushing, he stared for a moment, still not used to this kind of honest flattery. "I don't understand how you can. I don't want to disabuse you of the notion, and yet I can't stand the thought of you being deceived."

Sitting up, Laurent ruffled his own hair to try and get any stray grass stems out of it. "But I will believe that you mean it, and I'll do my best to..." Laurent grimaced, not sure what he could offer, since he certainly didn't believe himself capable of unselfish goodness. "To be worthy of a place at your side." It felt inadequate, but Laurent wasn't about to let anyone else take that place from him.

He started packing up the basket again, eyes on it rather than on Gansey. "Shall we go?"

He was tempted to tell Laurent that he already was. Gansey wasn't so perfect, so high and good. He was full of faults that Laurent had simply yet to see. Like how he was impossibly stubborn and often told he was too controlling. He often said things without thinking, which was why he always was trying to police himself, lest he offend without realizing it.

But there were better things to do. He nodded, sitting up and stretching his arms over his head, "Let's. I'm excited about this next part." This was the surprise—he hoped it would cheer Laurent up.

Standing, he folded the blanket and tucked it back inside the blanket before nodding toward the stables. "It's in the back. Follow me."

He offered his arm to Laurent again with a gentlemanly bow, exaggerated, to seem the pinnacle of a prince.

He lead the way to the back of the stables where there was a cherry mare. She was snug in hay and surrounded by water and food; this one was in no state to ride, clearly, from the swell of her belly.

"This is Butternut," he explained, taking an apple from the basket to the side to offer it to her. Pleased, she huffed happily and stole it from his palm. "She's due to foal any day, now. I was hoping to give the foal to you. You could raise it, and eventually ride it, as your own. If you wanted." He wasn't sure how Laurent felt about it, but it was something he wanted to offer. And Butternut was a sweet, beautiful mare.

Laurent's smiles returned as Gansey offered his arm, taking it gladly and starting to really enjoy his position at Gansey's side.

"She's lovely," Laurent said, kneeling carefully by Butternut's side and offering his hand so that she could get his scent. He loved horses, quite a bit more than he liked people, and he was happy to sit by the horse, murmuring softly to her as he ran his hand over her back. "What a beautiful horse. Is she yours?"

He was charmed by Gansey's sweet offer, and how earnestly Gansey seemed to want to please him. So far, he was doing an admirable job, and Laurent was hopelessly infatuated. "I'd be honored."

"She is," he said with a nod, watching Laurent pet her with fondness, "though she's a little old for heavy riding now. These days she enjoys her days wandering around and eating. That's the life, no?"

The horse huffed again in agreement, nudging her nose against Laurent's arm. She seemed to like him. Maybe because he called her beautiful—even horses loved to be flattered. It was a sweet image. How could someone who pet a horse so tenderly be a cast-iron bitch? Laurent said he did not want to deceive him. Gansey was not convinced he was being deceived.

"This was actually a surprise. I guess she still likes to get a little randy with the stallion." He gave Butternut another pat and she gave him a look. Like, excuse you, she was still young enough to have some girlish fun.

Laurent laughed at the jesting and the evident fondness between the two of them. "She seems pleased with herself." He combed his fingers gently through Butternut's mane, soothed by being around animals, and finding himself losing track of time as he doted on the horse.

Glancing up, he found Gansey watching him, and blushed with embarrassment to have become distracted. "Shall we go?"

Patting the horse one last time, Laurent brushed the straw from his tunic and strode out of the stall, composed once again, though not with his former iciness. Gansey was so skilled at stripping away Laurent's defenses, and Laurent wasn't entirely sure what he was without them.

Gansey was happy to let Laurent dote on the horse for as long as he wanted to. It was something he could easily watch all day. He would have, had Laurent not realized himself before the entire day could pass.

"Certainly." He gave Butternut one last affectionate rub before heading up the stable stalls, checking out which horses were there for riding. They could take any of the horses out. Most of them would adore a nice ride; the rest of the royal family only rode for show or when they were feeling particularly ambitious. Gansey cycled through the horses so they might all have some fun.

He settled on a pretty white filly and her brother, a handsome white and brown colt. They were both energetic and clearly excited at the prospect of a ride.

"Star and Sky," he introduced, letting Laurent examine the horses for himself.

"Which would you like to ride?"

Laurent was still five horses down by the time Gansey made his decision, having to stop and say hello to every horse they passed along the way. He finally caught up, not meeting Gansey's eyes about his blatant weak spot for horses, and greeted both of the young horses happily. "I'll take Star," he said, delighted by the beauty of the horses. "Which are their saddles?"

He needed no help saddling his horse, at least. Laurent had served time among the military of Vere, even though there had been no active wars since he was a child. He had been trained to fight and to command, and he'd made it his business to know how to care for all his own gear, which included his horse.

After the time he'd almost been thrown from his horse because someone put a tack under the saddle, Laurent took care that he was the only one to saddle his horse, always checking the gear for tampering before he put it on his horse. The habits remained, even though he had no reason to fear the same threats in the Raven Kingdom.

Mounting up, he patted gently at his horse's neck, waiting for Gansey to lead the way out of the stables.

No doubt the horses appreciated such attention. Gansey merely smiled, not inclined toward teasing him for such sweetness, pointing out where the saddles were.

He was pleased to see that Laurent knew how to saddle up his own horse. Gansey felt that if you rode, you should at least know how how to put on the gear, whether or not you always did it or usually let the servants take care of it. While he had never had such a bad experience, he didn't like not knowing how to do such things. Between the two of them, the horses were prancing and ready to go, clearly quite thrilled at the prospect of a nice, long ride.

Gansey let, opening the gate and then mounting Sky, giving the horse a firm pat on the neck. "There's a main trail," he explained, pointing along the flat lands where there was a worn, beaten path from many rides, "that the rest of the family often goes on when they decide to ride. It has some lovely scenery. Farm houses and such. Usually I go toward the woods," he gestured toward the thickets, where there was a much fainter path.

"Would you like to ride both?"

As they left the stables, it became obvious that Laurent was happiest on horseback. He sat beautifully, holding the reins in a light hand, smile wider than it had been since his arrival in the Raven Kingdom. His energy encouraged his young, high-spirited horse, but he kept her easily in hand, enjoying the interplay of enthusiasm and communication between himself and his horse.

"Very much so," Laurent said, shooting Gansey a challenging grin. "Will you race me to the woods?"

His eyes sparkled with playfulness, and he didn't wait for a response, touching his heels to his horse and giving her her head.

Star sprang off at once, eager to be allowed to run, and Laurent only needed the lightest touch to control her. Glowing with delight, he glanced back over his shoulder to make certain Gansey was following.

Gansey didn't even need to usher his horse along after the other man. When Sky saw Star springing off down the trail he followed instantly like a bullet out of a gun, a reckless youth, and it made Gansey bark with laughter as he leaned forward into the ride. He could only reflect that happiness; what better feeling was there? No court, no one to entertain, just being free and riding to one's heart content? Or the horse's content.

Right behind Laurent, he veered off slightly so that he might come up beside him and hopefully pass.

"And what do I get when I win?" he called back, teasing, over the sound of the horses thumping against the ground. Sky snorted and pushed, trying to get ahead of his sister, clearly unafraid of the cluster of trees and winding paths of the forest.

"Something good, I hope."

Laurent was a rider of the first caliber, though he was handicapped by not knowing the horse nor the trail, and his horse not knowing him.

"If you win! Anything you please," Laurent called back, wanting to offer a kiss but not yet being certain if Gansey desired him in that way. They could negotiate the details of it once they'd stopped, and Laurent was confident that he could make clear that a kiss was the suggested bounty.

He pressed his horse hard, exulting in the speed and freedom, trying to retain command of the path so that Gansey would be disadvantaged in trying to pass on the rougher meadow terrain to the side of the path.

Much as Sky wanted to pass his sister, there was no room to get around without passing on the meadow. There were rocks there—Gansey wouldn't want to chance hurting the horse, so he followed behind closely, waiting for the perfect time to sidle on up beside Laurent and possibly pass.

Laurent was an excellent rider. There was no doubt about that; even though he didn't know the land and have never taken Star for a ride before, it seemed effortless to him. Dazzling to watch, truthfully. It made him a little less inclined to pass; why, when he had such a nice view from behind?

However, the thought of anything he pleased was pretty enticing. So he put up a good fight, trying to pass and scanning the ground for a clear spot that Sky might not stumble on an unknown stone. It was where there was a curve that he ushered the horse forward, sliding alongside Laurent and flashing him a grin.

The forest was close—he turned his focus forward, leaning up and into the ride.

They were neck and neck as they galloped up toward the trees, and Laurent who drew up first. He didn't want to risk injury to his horse by pushing her headlong into the trees when he didn't know the land, and he wanted to know what Gansey might ask for if he won. Pulling up the slightest bit to let Gansey have the road as they entered the narrower trail into the forest, Laurent slowed his horse to a walk, taking his place again at Gansey's side and grinning at him. "You're an excellent rider," he said, some of the highest praise he could offer.

He licked his lips, intentional this time, wanting to make sure they were on the same page. "I am yours to command, my prince."

Laurent dismounted, giving Gansey a playfully challenging look through his lashes, more than a little flirtatious, as he stood on the ground at his side. "What will you have of me?"

Sky pranced happily, showing off, as Gansey pat his neck to calm him down. Laughing, he brushed his hair back, "So are you. No doubt if you were familiar with the land, you would have soundly beaten me."

There was a brook nearby where the horses could drink after their run. Gansey followed suit, dismounting from his horse to stand in front of Laurent, letting Sky cool and shake off some of the sweat. The forest was a lovely place. Quiet, with tall old trees and creeping vines, wildflowers blossoming among roots, and the gentle sound of chirping birds.

"Hmmm. What will I have of you?" His tone was light and clearly playful as he rubbed his thumb against his lower lip, as though he were giving it some serious contemplation. The look, however, was hardly lost on him. Of course he knew what he wanted. And, if he were any good judge, Laurent did not seem opposed.

"A token," he decided, resting his hands on his hips, "I think. Would you give me a kiss?'

"Yes," Laurent said, smiling wide with pleasure that Gansey had asked. "I hoped you'd ask." He stepped away, looping his reins around a low branch to let Star graze.

Leaning back against a tree, Laurent let Gansey come to him. His heart was pounding, aching for Gansey and yet half terrified of the intimacy and emotional risk. He swallowed, staying quiet as he waited for Gansey to approach, not letting his eyes show anything but invitation, though his flushed cheeks and clenched hands belied his nerves.

The horses relaxed, pleased with their run and now more than happy to graze and stick their noses in the grass.

I hoped you'd ask. Those words made his heart flutter and his stomach tumbled with butterflies. Kisses were not foreign things to him; it was true enough, that kisses were often given as tokens, as both flirtations and courtly obligations. But this was wholly different. They were quite alone in the woods. It was much more intimate with no giggling maidens watching or servants spying from afar. In a place like this, it might be possible to forget the court existed at all.

Gansey was a lot of things. Shy, however, was not one of them. So after making sure Sky wouldn't wander off somewhere he shouldn't he turned to glance at Laurent, watching him with interest, knowing the invitation in his eyes and reflecting it in kind. But, of course, it was his job to approach. So he did. Quite steadily, reaching forward to brush a few strand blond hairs behind Laurent's ear when he was in front of him. He watched the way Laurent's hair glinted in the beams of light cutting through the leaves before looking into his eyes, lips quirked in a faint smile, dimple slightly creasing beneath his eye.

Gansey was breathtakingly handsome up close. Laurent tensed the slightest bit as he reached out, brushing aside a strand of Laurent's hair.

Kisses were rare, for him. He'd never kissed anyone like this, sweet and innocent, of his own volition.

Laurent pushed those thoughts aside, treading as they did on the unstable ground of his memories and fears. He reached for Gansey, curling his hands around Gansey's waist and pulling him in closer, so that his chest brushed against his fiance's with each quickened breath.

Waves of panic rose in him as Gansey leaned in, but Laurent fought it, tightening his grip and surging forward, claiming Gansey's lips in a kiss before his terror could overwhelm him and ruin the sweetness of the moment.

He did not try to take anything more than what he'd asked for. As far as kisses went, it was innocent. Chaste. Yet lovely, and sweet. A true first kiss. His hands remained raised, fingers brushing Laurent's cheeks and nothing more, admiring the handsome shape of his face. He did not try to push for anything more. He wasn't even thinking of it; only of the kiss and how warm Laurent's lips felt against his own.

It lasted about seven long heartbeats before Gansey moved his head back, gently, giving Laurent a kindly smile. There was affection in his eyes. He could only think how marvelous a creature this man was and admire him as he deserved to be admired.

"Thank you," he said, softly, letting his hands drop so he might touch just under Laurent's chin with his curled index finger, "for the kiss." Then he let his hand drop. He did not want to overstep himself, not knowing what Laurent would be all right with and what he might not. The fact that they were engaged gave him no rights that Laurent didn't clearly allow.

Laurent didn't let go of him even when the kiss had ended. The sweetness of it soothed him, and he wanted to bask in the way that Gansey looked at him. "It was fairly won," he murmured.

The woods were so lovely and pleasant, dappled sunlight and shade, and Laurent had Gansey all to himself. His fiance. His future king.

His hands slipped up under Gansey's shirt to rest on his waist, still innocent but a little bit warmer, a little bit more inviting for him to stay right here, with Laurent pressed up against the tree, cheeks flushed and lips wet.

With such an invitation, Gansey was hardly inclined to move. He studied Laurent's face freely. Committing wet lips and flushed cheeks to memory. This was not a morning he wanted to forget; too enchanting, perhaps one of the few true private moments they would be afforded. Once he was king, it would not be so easy to sneak away to the woods.

He was very aware of the hands underneath his shirt. Warm, so very alive, and Gansey could feel his pulse quicken in response.

"It was," he agreed after a lengthy pause, gaze flicking from Laurent's lips back to his eyes with meaning. "It may be too bold of me to say... but I wish I could ask for another." He tilted his head, as though he might go ahead and steal one, lips lingering close, but he did not. Merely teased the idea and bit his bottom up, scraping it gently, as though he were remembering Laurent's touch.

"May I, should I ever have the chance to again?"

Laurent laughed, charmed by Gansey's sweetness and consideration. "I don't see why you can't ask for another," he teased, leaning his head back against the tree and watching Gansey through low-lidded eyes. "I think you ought to ask. I might be sorely in need of another kiss, waiting only to be asked..."

One of his fingers skimmed a little higher along Gansey's side, playful and teasing, testing out whether or not Gansey was ticklish.

He'd never flirted like this before, just for the sheer pleasure of it, and Laurent felt heady with joy. "Gansey."

Laurent would discover that he was a touch ticklish. The fingers skimming against his side were rewarded with a soft hmph of a chuckle as he glanced down, watching for a moment, before looking up at Laurent from underneath his eyelashes.

"Is that so?" The flirting felt good. Easy, genuine—he'd never wanted to flirt with someone before, not like this. It was new and exciting. Amazing. Perhaps, this was what it might feel like to fly? He felt weightless. Like he had nothing else to worry about but the divine creature in front of him.

Raising a hand, rather than tease his own lip with his thumb, he brushed the pad against Laurent's bottom lip.

"Then, I selfishly request another. I can't just kiss you once, Prince Laurent."

"So selfish," Laurent echoed, teasing. He grinned at the little noise Gansey made when he was tickled, and kept his hands where they were in playful threat of more tickling. Or more kissing.

He kissed Gansey's thumb, lashes falling shut as he did so. He was exquisitely aware of being watched, and for once he reveled in it. No one else was here to desire or objectify him. Only kind, precious Gansey.

"Kiss me," Laurent commanded, smile wide with pleasure, having forgotten all his fears after the sweetness of the first kiss.

"Gladly."

It was easier to rest his forearms on either side of Laurent's head, keeping steady against the tree, as he leaned in to obey Laurent's command. Their lips touched together again, his kiss firm yet still gentle, still wondering and amazed and delighted at it all. This time he tilted his head just enough for it to be a fuller kiss. Less unsure and hesitant. Just as sweet with just a touch of something more, because he left his lips just ever so slightly parted, keeping it from being completely chaste.

The only ones there to watch them were the horses. Horses that had better, more pressing interests, like something interesting in the grass. Birds sang cheerfully and fluttered in their nests above.

This time Gansey did not break the kiss quite so easily. Moving his lips slowly, he rolled into a second kiss, then a third. The soft sound of kisses breaking and meeting again felt loud against the quiet backdrop. Starkly intimate.

Laurent's grip tightened very briefly as Gansey boxed him in, nails digging into Gansey's hips for a skittish second, and then he slid his arms more fully around his partner's waist, pulling him close and savoring the solid warmth of him as they kissed.

Each kiss was exquisite, letting Laurent take his time and explore Gansey's mouth. He made soft little noises of pleasure whenever Gansey did something he liked, barely audible exhales and sighs.

After a minute he was overwhelmed, and he broke the kiss, nuzzling briefly at Gansey's cheek to show affection and soften the break before pushing at Gansey's waist to get him to move back so Laurent could have space. His cheeks were flushed, breath coming quickly, and he wanted space to breathe but simultaneously wanted to burrow back into Gansey's arms for comfort.

"Glad I'm marrying a decent kisser," Laurent said, using humor to give himself a little emotional space.

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