Chapter 42

Est’s hands trembled as they rested on William’s chest, brushing over tender skin, tracing the faint bruises and swollen marks his own mouth had left. He lingered, as if the sight itself burned him, as if it was proof of something he wasn’t sure he deserved. His lips hovered over William’s temple, and when he finally exhaled, it came out ragged, heavy with hesitation.

“I…” His voice faltered, caught on the edge of confession. “I don’t know how to say this without sounding… foolish.” His eyes slid shut, his forehead lowering until it touched William’s. “But I need to. I need to apologize. For doubting. For even letting my mind wander when it came to you.” His throat worked, swallowing back the tightness. “I know it must have felt like I didn’t trust you – but I did. I always did. I just… needed to hear it from you. With James twisting things, it – ” He cut himself off, his voice breaking. “It made me weak. And I hate that.”

William’s hand rose, steady, soft, brushing along Est’s jaw. He coaxed Est to meet his eyes. “Est,” he whispered, voice a balm, patient, warm. “You don’t need to hate yourself for that. I know what he did. I understand. And I trust you. I always have.”

Est exhaled shakily, pressing his lips to William’s temple in a fleeting kiss before letting more of the truth break loose, halting and uneven. “I worry. Too much. About you, about us. Sometimes… I can’t stop myself from wondering if I’ve done enough, if I’ve… shown you enough. And when I doubt, even for a heartbeat, it feels like I’m betraying you. I hate myself for it.” His chest shuddered, and he pressed his forehead against William’s, eyes shut tight. “I’m sorry. For every moment it felt like I didn’t trust you. I swear I do. I’ve always trusted you. I just – ” He faltered, the words trembling on his lips. “I just needed to hear it. From you.”

William’s breath caught, and he let his hand cup Est’s cheek, his thumb brushing away the dampness gathering at the corner of his eye. “Est…” His voice was tender, but there was a quiet ache in it too. “I understand. Truly, I do. But you need to know… when you doubt me, even for a moment, it hurts. Not because I think you don’t love me, but because all I want – all I’ve ever wanted – is your trust. Your whole heart. Even your fear, even your doubts… I want you to hand them to me, not hide them away.”

Est opened his eyes, glassy with emotion. “I’m trying,” he whispered, almost desperate. “I swear I’m trying.”

“I know,” William said softly, his thumb still stroking across Est’s skin. “And that’s why I can forgive the moments that sting. Because I know you’re trying. Because I see you, every day, giving me everything you have.” He leaned in closer, their noses brushing, his voice dropping to a trembling whisper. “I feel your love for me, my darling.”

Est shuddered, the words washing over him, but still he pressed closer, as if needing to anchor himself in William’s presence. His lips brushed William’s nose, his voice low and desperate. “But don’t you see? You’ve done so much for me. From the very beginning – you changed so much. You grew. You learned to control yourself when jealousy nearly consumed you. You honored me, respected me, stood up for me. For my family. Always. And me?” His hands tightened, his voice cracked. “I’ve done nothing. Nothing worth what you’ve given me. And I – ” His chest rose and fell in sharp, uneven bursts. “I don’t even know if I’ve shown you how much I love you.”

William’s gaze softened, steady as he cupped Est’s face between both palms. “Stop,” he whispered, not harsh, but firm enough to cut through Est’s spiraling. “Don’t say that. Don’t tell me you haven’t shown it.”

Est’s eyes flickered, wide, uncertain. “I haven’t,” he whispered hoarsely. “Tell me when I have. Tell me how.”

William’s lips curved, not mocking, but tender, as if he could feel Est’s heart hammering beneath his touch. “Would you like me to tell you?”

Est nodded, barely, almost afraid of the answer. His throat tightened. “…Please.”

“You are the reason I feel safe. I don’t know how to describe it but you made me feel safe,” William began, his voice quiet, deliberate, each word like a hand extended across the dark waters Est kept himself in. “From the very first night. Even when you were a stranger. Even before I knew no more than your name. You wrapped your arms around me, and I felt safer than I’ve ever felt anywhere else. Do you know what that means for me? Do you know what it is to feel… like I could finally breathe?”

Est blinked hard, his jaw tightening. His hand moved over William’s, pressing it against his chest, desperate. “I… I never thought… never realized.”

“I always did,” William said, his forehead pressing against his. “Even when I was afraid, even when I was reckless or jealous. I carried that feeling with me every day. And when I faltered, when I doubted myself, when I thought I’d fall apart – you were there. You steadied me. You’ve never let me go.”

William’s eyes glimmered, unwavering as he continued. “I’m a prince, Est. I’ve trained with a sword, I know how to fight, how to protect myself. But you gave me something I couldn’t fight for on my own. A safety no weapon, no crown, no army could give me. You gave me peace, Est. You gave me a home. That is everything.”

Est broke then – his lips trembling, a harsh breath slipping out of him as he lowered his head, pressing it to William’s shoulder as though he couldn’t bear the weight of being seen so clearly. “I’ve been so afraid,” he confessed, voice muffled, raw. “Afraid of failing you. Of not being enough. Every day, I’ve wanted to give you everything, and every day I’ve thought I was falling short. That no matter what I did, it would never measure up to what you deserve.”

William’s arms wrapped around him, gentle but sure, holding him close. “Est.” He waited until Est lifted his head, until their eyes met, wet and glimmering. “Trust me. Trust what I’m telling you now. You’ve never failed me. Not once. You’ve always been enough. More than enough.”

Est swallowed hard, the words carving their way into him, his chest rising and falling against William’s steadying hands.

“You’ve always shown me,” William went on, voice softer now, full of warmth, of patience. “Even if you don’t realize it. Every time you looked at me like I mattered. Every time you held me when I was shaken. Every time you stood beside me when no one else did. That’s how you’ve told me you love me.”

Est’s breath trembled as he pressed their foreheads together, his fingers digging lightly into William’s back, as if grounding himself in him. “I love you,” he whispered, broken and reverent. “I love you so much I can hardly stand it.”

William smiled faintly, soft but sure, brushing his thumb across Est’s cheek. “I know. And I love you too. Always. You’ve been my safety, Est. My anchor. My home.  And it’s everything I need.”

Est let out a shaky laugh, part relief, part wonder, his lips finding William’s in a slow, trembling kiss. “Gods, Will,” he whispered against him. “You undo me. Every time. You undo me.”

“And still,” William murmured softly, his smile brushing Est’s lips, “I’ll always put you back together again.”

William’s mouth still lingered on Est’s when Est finally drew back, breath uneven. For a moment, they simply stared at one another, foreheads pressed together, the silence heavy and sweet. Then Est let out a faint, disbelieving laugh, brushing his fingers along William’s jaw. “It must be past noon by now,” he murmured. “Strange that none of the attendants have come to disturb us.”

William’s lips curved into a grin, his eyes still dark with warmth. “That would be because I gave very strict instructions that I was not to be disturbed. Not until I call for them.” He leaned closer, whispering with a mischievous tilt of his smile. “A rest day. For me.”

Est huffed softly, half fond, half exasperated, but before he could reply, a low growl sounded between them. William stilled – then laughed when Est raised his brows.

“You’re hungry,” Est said, amused, brushing his hand down William’s chest. “So much for a rest day. Should I call for food?”

William made a face, but nodded with a sheepish smile. “I suppose that would be wise.”

Reluctantly, Est slid out from beneath the sheets. He pulled on a loose robe, belting it quickly, and padded toward the ensuite to call for the attendants. His voice, low and composed, carried through as he summoned the attendants to bring their midday meal. When he returned, he paused at the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, watching William sprawled among tangled sheets, hair messy, eyes still shining with laughter.

Something tightened in Est’s chest. How could a prince, a man who commanded armies with a glance, look so young, so utterly his, in this moment?

William caught the weight of his gaze and tilted his head. “What are you thinking of?” he asked softly.

Est shook his head, moving forward, unwilling to give voice to how rawly he wanted to keep him like this forever. He sat on the edge of the bed, brushing a hand down William’s arm.

A knock sounded at the chamber door before William could pull him closer. Est stood, pressing a fleeting kiss to his temple before striding to open it. He took the trays from the waiting attendants himself and set them on the table, dismissing the servants with a brief word.

By the time he had lifted the teapot and begun pouring, his voice low and steady, “Come, my prince,” William had already slipped from the bed, bare save for the sheet he let fall behind him. But instead of taking the seat opposite, he circled the table and slid easily onto Est’s lap, straddling him.

Est startled, nearly spilling the tea, his hands instinctively gripping William’s waist. “Will…” he warned, half sigh, half groan, “if you start this again, we’ll never eat. We’ll be distracted all over again.”

William leaned close, his lips brushing the shell of Est’s ear, his voice a husky whisper. “That is exactly my intention.” His breath tickled, his words sending a shiver down Est’s spine. “We’ve been apart for far too long… and I want every moment alone with you. Every single one.”

Est’s grip on his waist tightened, his self-restraint thinning with every brush of William’s mouth. “You’ll be the death of me,” he muttered, but there was no heat in the words – only surrender.

William smiled against his ear, his whisper low, aching with need. “Then die with me. Slowly. Beautifully.”

Est groaned softly as William settled onto his lap, warm and bare, the weight of him grounding and undoing all at once. He tried to gather his composure, reaching for the teacup he’d just poured, but William leaned forward, lips brushing his jaw in a fleeting kiss that made his hand tremble.

“William,” he warned again, a little rougher this time.

William only smiled, innocent in appearance and anything but in intent. “I’m hungry,” he murmured, deliberately shifting so his body pressed closer, the thin robe Est wore doing nothing to disguise the heat between them. “But not just for food.”

Est exhaled through his nose, torn between sternness and laughter. “You’ll drive me mad.”

“I thought you already were.” William plucked the cup from Est’s hand, taking a sip himself before placing it back down. Then, instead of moving to his own chair, he reached for one of the small plates on the tray and set it on the table, only to pick up a piece of fruit and hold it to Est’s lips. “Eat.”

Est gave him a look, but parted his mouth obediently, taking the offered bite. William’s expression softened with satisfaction, as though he’d won some small battle, then he leaned forward to lick the juice that clung to the corner of Est’s lip. The deliberate slowness made Est’s breath catch.

“Tease,” Est muttered, voice hoarse, setting down the teapot with care, trying to remind himself that they had gone without food long enough, that this was necessary.

William, warm and bare on his lap, had no such restraint, “Always,” he replied with a grin, and popped a piece into his own mouth.

Next he plucked up a piece of bread, tore it, and brushed the soft edge along Est’s lips before sliding it into his mouth.

Est chewed slowly, trying not to react, but William leaned in as though testing his patience, his lips brushing the corner of Est’s mouth to steal the crumb there. “Mm,” he hummed against his skin, “tastes better this way.”

Est groaned softly, half warning, half surrender, and reached for a slice of fruit. He pressed it against William’s lips, firm enough that his prince had to open his mouth and take it, had to suck the juice from Est’s fingers. William closed his lips deliberately slow, tongue brushing Est’s knuckles before letting go.

“Gods, William…” Est rasped, his hand tightening around the curve of William’s hip.

William only smiled, sinful and satisfied. “Feed me again.”

They took turns, one morsel after another, each act more deliberate, more intimate. William slipped a berry between Est’s lips, then leaned forward to kiss him, tasting the sweetness on his tongue. Est broke a piece of pastry in half, held it between his teeth, and William bent to bite the other end, their mouths colliding in a kiss that made the flaky crumbs scatter.

“Messy,” Est muttered, though his hands were already sliding beneath William’s thighs to anchor him closer.

“Your fault,” William whispered against his mouth, then licked a smear of honey from Est’s lower lip. His voice dropped, velvety-dark. “Or perhaps my reward.”

At one point, Est caught his wrist, holding him still, eyes dark. “If you don’t let me eat properly, you’ll regret it later.”

William tilted his head, feigning innocence, though the smirk tugging his lips betrayed him. “That’s a promise I’d like to test.”

The food blurred with touches. William stole from the plates only to press every taste back onto Est’s tongue with kisses. A grape rolled across Est’s chest when William deliberately fed it to him too slowly, letting the juice spill over his collarbone before lapping it away with his tongue. Est’s breath shuddered at the feel of it, his hand clenching helplessly in William’s hair.

“Will…” he warned again, but this time the word was raw with want.

William only shifted against his lap, rolling his hips ever so slightly, enough to make Est curse low. “You said I’d regret it later,” William whispered at his ear. “But tell me honestly, Est… do you regret this?” He sank down against the hard line of Est’s cock, rubbing slow and deliberate. “Or do you want more?”

Est’s composure snapped for a moment – his teeth caught William’s jaw, sucking hard enough to leave a mark. William gasped, his laugh turning breathless. “That’s an answer,” he teased, though his eyes were blown wide with heat.

“You’re testing me,” Est muttered.

“I’m feeding you,” William replied, wide-eyed innocence ruined by the glint in his eyes. “Don’t I deserve a reward?” He reached down and tugged his robe wider, baring a collarbone marked with Est’s teeth from earlier. “Maybe here?”

Est’s composure cracked. He grabbed William by the waist and pulled him flush, mouth descending on the offered skin. William gasped, arching, his robe slipping open further to reveal his chest – nipples still swollen from Est’s earlier attention, his skin littered with fading red trails.

Est groaned against him, voice hoarse. “You don’t know what you do to me.”

“I do,” William whispered back, threading fingers through his hair. “That’s why I keep doing it.”

William reached for the bowl of cream with deliberate slowness, scooping some onto his thumb and bringing it to his lips. He licked it slowly, eyes fixed on Est. “Sweet,” he murmured, smirking.

Est froze, one hand hovering mid-pour, the other tightening on the arm of the chair. “William…” His warning was low, gravelly.

“What?” William asked, tilting his head in mock innocence. He leaned back slightly, letting the robe slip to reveal more of his chest. “Was I not supposed to?”

Est’s chest rose hard. “You know exactly what you’re doing.”

William grinned. He dipped a finger into the cream again, but this time dragged it down the center of his own chest, just below the hollow of his throat, smearing pale sweetness against flushed skin. “Oh no,” he breathed, feigning clumsiness. “Messy.”

That was the last thread of restraint. Est’s hand shot up, fisting in William’s hair and yanking him down into a rough, hungry kiss. The table rattled as William gasped, clutching at Est’s shoulders while the soldier devoured his mouth. Est licked into him, claiming every sound, every shiver, before tearing away just far enough to trail his tongue down to William’s chest.

He didn’t just lick the cream away – he sucked, hard, leaving William crying out, his back arching as Est’s teeth scraped, his tongue swirling over the sensitive spot until the prince was trembling.

“Est – ” William’s voice broke, hands tugging at his hair. “God, you – ah – “

Est only growled in reply, mouth closing wetly over one nipple, teasing it until it was swollen and raw. He pinched the other between his fingers, rolling it, tugging, before switching sides, sucking until William was writhing in his lap. Every whimper, every gasp was swallowed by another rough kiss, Est’s hand keeping him pinned close by the back of his neck.

“You drive me insane,” Est muttered against his skin, biting lightly at his nipple before soothing the mark with his tongue. He pulled him back down for another kiss, lips crashing together, teeth clicking. “Do you enjoy torturing me like this?”

William’s laughter came out broken, breathless, as he ground down in Est’s lap. “I love it,” he confessed shamelessly, voice cracking as Est tugged at his nipple again. “I love watching you snap – watching you lose control because of me.”

“Because of you?” Est’s voice was dark, rough with hunger. He yanked William closer by the hair, kissing him hard, hand sliding down to grip his hip, dragging him firmly against the ridge of his cock. “Always because of you. I can’t stop.”

William’s answer was a moan against his mouth, hips grinding, chest heaving. “More,” he begged, nails digging into Est’s shoulders. “I want more – always more.” His hands threaded through Est’s hair, tugging him forward, lips colliding in a kiss that was half hunger, half demand. The taste of him – spit, sweat, a faint trace of cream – made Est groan against his mouth, shoving his own tongue into William’s, deep, claiming, punishing.

“Gods, Will…” Est rasped, one hand clutching his hip, the other gripping the back of his neck, pulling him closer until their bodies were flush. “You’re – so fucking – insane.”

William moaned into the kiss, grinding down, nipples brushing against Est’s chest, teasing the swollen buds he’d marked earlier. He swiped his thumb along one, then rubbed the other against the ridge of Est’s cock through his robe. “You like this, don’t you?” he whispered, teeth grazing Est’s jaw, voice thick with need. “All this? You love it when I make you lose control.”

Est hissed, tugging at his hair, pulling him down roughly, mouth closing over one nipple, sucking, biting, teasing until William arched violently against him, moaning. His other hand wrapped around William’s back, holding him flush, cock throbbing against the wet heat of William’s.

“Ah fuck – Est, yes – right there – harder – ” William gasped, fingers tangling in the collar of Est’s robe, pulling him into every sloppy, needy thrust. His cock pressed against Est’s thigh, slick and eager, hips rolling.

“You’re fucking filthy,” Est growled, nipping at the shell of William’s ear, tongue dragging down the column of his neck, across the hollow of his throat, teasing the cream-slicked skin. “And I love it. I love how desperate you get.”

William laughed breathlessly, grinding harder, smearing a slick of cream along his stomach. “Then taste it,” he demanded, leaning forward, pressing the smeared line against Est’s mouth.

Est didn’t resist. He took the cream into his mouth, sucking, licking, biting just enough to make William arch and cry out. Then he dragged William’s face back up for a bruising kiss, tongue wrestling with his, one hand sliding between them to cup the heat of his cock, stroking with sharp, demanding movements. His hand slid under the robe, down William’s belly, wrapping around his cock slick and eager. William arched, crying out, head falling back against Est’s shoulder.

“Est – please – “

“Not yet,” Est rasped. With his other hand, he spread William’s thighs wider, grinding up into him through the robe. His cock slipped free, hard and leaking, pressing insistently against William’s hole.

William trembled, gasping, his hands clutching at Est’s forearms. “Don’t tease. Just – take me – “

“You’re mine,” Est groaned, voice guttural, raw, as he positioned himself, cock hard against William’s slicked entrance. “All of you.”

William’s breath hitched, eyes wide, lips parted in a moan. “Please – take me – fuck me – ” His hands gripped Est’s shoulders, then chest, nails dragging down, leaving faint red trails. “I need you – don’t hold back – please, Est.”

Est snapped, shoving in one long, smooth thrust. There was no resistance – William’s body opened around him easily, swallowing him down inch by inch until Est was buried to the hilt. They both groaned, the sound muffled against each other’s mouths. William cried out, back arching, nails raking over his shoulders, chest heaving.

“Gods – so easy,” Est panted, clutching William tight. “You’re still wet, still stretched for me – fuck, Will, you’re – “

“Perfect,” William finished for him, gasping, writhing in his lap. “Fuck me, Est, don’t stop.”

The chair rocked under them as Est obeyed, thrusting up hard, his hands gripping William’s hips so tight they’d leave bruises. William clawed at the arms of the chair, at Est’s wrists, his cries spilling out with every movement. His robe fell away completely, his chest flushed and shining, nipples raw from earlier, his cock bouncing with each thrust.

Est’s mouth found his throat, sucking and biting, words spilling hot against his skin. “Mine – mine, gods, Will, you’re mine – “

William rode Est’s lap with reckless abandon, grinding, twisting, lips brushing together in heated, open-mouthed kisses, teeth occasionally catching, tongues tangling. Est’s hands roamed: one gripping his hip, the other teasing his nipples, flicking, pinching, tugging until William whimpered and jerked against him.

“Say it,” Est demanded between thrusts, voice ragged. “Say you’re mine.”

“I’m yours!” William gasped, grinding harder, lips crushed to his in a desperate kiss. “Only yours – always yours!”

The table creaked under their weight, dishes rattling, the meal forgotten. William’s hands roamed over Est’s chest, down his torso, dragging at the waistband of his robe, brushing over slick, heated skin. Est groaned, thrusting up, bottoming every movement, cock buried deep, stroking William’s tight, willing heat.

“Gods, you feel so good,” Est growled, mouth moving to William’s shoulder, nipping, licking, marking him, while thrusts went faster, rougher. “I can’t – can’t hold back any longer!”

“Then don’t!” William moaned, clutching his hair, grinding down, rocking every inch to meet him. “I want all of it – fuck me – hard – ah – “

Est’s hand wrapped William’s cock, stroking him fast and rough to match his thrusts.

William’s orgasm hit first, sudden and overwhelming, his cry sharp as he spilled hot across his stomach and Est’s hand, body clenching tight around him.

With a final, messy, guttural groan, Est drove fully into him, holding him tight, face to face, and they both shattered together – William screaming his name, cock twitching and leaking, Est groaning low, spilling inside him, hands gripping him as if he’d never let go.

They stayed like that for a long moment, heaving, slicked together, breathing mingled, hearts hammering, faces flushed, eyes half-lidded with heat, mouths sticky with spit and kisses. William whimpered softly, pressing his forehead to Est’s. “You always… you always take me… perfectly.”

“I only take you like this,” Est rasped, still trembling, “because you’re mine. Only mine from now on. Always.”

The food on the table went cold, forgotten, as Est kissed him again and again – rough, filthy, endless – hands teasing, stroking, tugging at every part of William until the prince was a shivering mess in his lap, undone by nothing more than Est’s mouth and touch.

______

The evening sun was already sinking when Est finally slipped away from William’s chambers. He had only intended to go for an hour, long enough to greet his mother and sisters and make sure they were settled before they departed in the morning. Yet even that felt strange now – leaving William’s side after nearly two days where they had been inseparable.

His family’s guest quarters was warm, familiar, filled with the sound of chatter. His mother looked up from where she was carefully folding clothes into a travel trunk, and his sisters crowded him almost immediately.

“Where have you been since yesterday?” one of them asked, arching a brow. “We thought you were off duty. You vanished.”

Est paused, suddenly struck by how quickly his face heated. He had never been a man prone to embarrassment – soldier, guard, son – but at that moment, standing in front of his mother and sisters, he could feel the betraying warmth across his cheeks.

“I – was occupied,” he said carefully, clearing his throat. “Work… and some other matters.”

“Occupied?” another sister pressed, exchanging a look with the eldest. They didn’t tease – his family had too much respect for him for that – but the way they eyed him, curious, amused, told him they had noticed the shift. Est, usually steady, reserved, was acting bashful in a way they rarely saw.

His mother’s gaze softened. She reached out, brushing her hand against his arm. “You’ve been working hard. It’s all right if you… find a little happiness, Est.”

That almost undid him. He managed only a stiff nod, bowing his head slightly before helping them finish with their preparations. He didn’t stay long – just long enough to ensure they were comfortable and see them safely into their lodgings for the night. When he excused himself, his sisters shared knowing glances, but they let him go without another word.

By the time Est returned to William’s chambers that night, evening court had ended. He hadn’t been summoned, which was strange in itself, but also a relief; he wasn’t ready to stand behind William again with his body still remembering too vividly everything from earlier.

When he entered William’s chambers later that night, the prince was already waiting, lounging half-reclined on the couch, documents scattered across the table beside him. His eyes lifted immediately, and the smile he gave Est undid every wall he’d tried to put back up.

“You missed court,” William said lightly.

“I wasn’t called,” Est replied, crossing the room.

“No,” William said, smirking faintly. “Because I ordered another week off duty for you.”

Est stopped short, blinking. “Another week?”

William leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. “You look so shocked. I thought you’d like it. You’ve earned it.”

Est’s mouth opened, closed. He wasn’t sure how to answer. Before he could, William continued:

“It was only planning, anyway. Preparations for Popeya’s wedding. She’ll be married in Prince Anen’s court, so there’s much to arrange – the gifts, the escort, the logistics of travel. Boring, long discussions. You didn’t miss anything except dull speeches.”

Est inclined his head, finally moving closer, lowering himself onto one knee before William as was his habit when he wasn’t officially guarding but couldn’t stop himself from showing deference. William reached out, catching his chin, forcing him to lift his face.

“You’ll resume your duty when we travel for the wedding,” William said softly. “Until then, you’re mine.”

The words struck deep, almost as much as the way William was looking at him.

Est felt a shiver run through him, both from the weight of the words and the tender, possessive tone behind them. He pressed closer, brushing a hand along William’s chest. “And… Popeya?” he asked cautiously, trying to pull the conversation to safer ground. “How is she feeling about all this? Has she… settled into the preparations?”

William smiled faintly, brushing a loose strand of hair from Est’s forehead. “She’s excited, mostly. A little nervous, as anyone would be before such a grand wedding. But she’s been handling it well. Anen is patient, thoughtful… I think they’re a good match.”

Est’s brows furrowed slightly. “And… the travel? Prince Anen’s kingdom isn’t exactly close, is it?”

“No,” William admitted, tilting his head thoughtfully. “We’ll need to travel by road for a few days, then cross by sea for several more, and finally finish the last stretch by road again. It’s… quite the journey. The wedding party will be huge – family, attendants, gifts, staff, all of us traveling together. It’s going to be quite the procession.”

Est exhaled softly, leaning back just slightly against William. “That’s… a lot. But don’t worry, I’ll be by your side the whole way”

“Always, I know I’ll be safe in your presence, darling. ” William replied without hesitation, brushing a thumb along Est’s jaw.

Est’s chest tightened at the words, and he leaned into William’s touch, letting himself bask in the possessive warmth. “I’m glad you feel that way,” he murmured, brushing a hand across William’s chest.

William’s eyes softened as he tilted his head, studying him. “And… your family – have they left already?” he asked gently, voice low, curious.

Est blinked, slightly caught off guard. “No, but they will. Early tomorrow,” he admitted, a faint tension easing from his shoulders. “They understood I… needed some time.”

“I thought so,” William said, a small, approving smile tugging at his lips. He pressed his hand to Est’s jaw, thumb brushing along it. “You handled them well. Even if… it wasn’t exactly natural for you to be so…”

Est let out a small, almost sheepish laugh, his usual stoic composure faltering. “I’m not used to it. I’m usually… strong, soldier-like. But… being around them, with you here…” His voice trailed off, and he swallowed hard, trying to find words.

William chuckled softly, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to his temple. “I noticed. But it suits you… seeing you like this. Slightly softer, a little more human. And I like it. I like seeing you like this.”

Est exhaled, allowing the warmth of William’s hand and words to settle over him. “I… I like being here. With you. Without thinking of duty or protocol. Just… us.”

William smiled, tilting his forehead to rest against his. “Exactly. And that’s all that matters right now.”

_____

Some more smut for y’all before the action kicks up again.

ENJOY!

I hope you guys will forgive me for the late upload. (And I also haven’t proofread this chapter a second time, so do let me know if you notice any discrepancies)

Do leave me your thoughts in the comments.

Cheers!