Are You Game?

Title: i wish our two hearts could be one
Author/Artist: rethira
Rating: Gen? PG-13? there's only really kissing
Warnings: none
Word count: 1035
Prompt: July 10 - Tales of Graces, Richard/Asbel: first kiss – secret meetings for just the two of them
Summary: The beginning.

Richard only hears of Asbel’s acceptance into the Knight Training Academy three years after the event. Lord Lhant has been absent at court, but it’s not something many people comment upon around Richard, so when he does, at last, hear that Lord Lhant’s remaining child – remaining child – had taken it upon himself to join the Knights of Barona, three years have already passed since he last saw Asbel. He wants to immediately jump to his feet and run down to the Academy and demand to see Asbel, but since the events in the Catacombs, Richard has been watched like a hawk.

So instead, he writes a letter – in fact, he writes a great many letters, but the only one he cares about is the one he sends to Asbel. He personally cannot slip away, but there’s no reason Asbel can’t. He doesn’t get a reply, but on the appointed day and at the appointed time, Asbel emerges from the Catacombs. Richard doesn’t run to him as he wants – that would attract undue attention – but instead motions for Asbel to follow him, and leads him on a circuitous route back to Richard’s chambers. The guards snap to attention and go with ill grace when Richard dismisses them, but then he’s free to let Asbel into his room.

Once inside, he turns at once and smiles widely, exclaiming, “Asbel!”

Asbel’s taller than he was, and his smile is not as bright as once it was, but he smiles regardless and says, “Richard, it’s so good to see you!”

For a moment, it’s like they’re both children again, excited simply to see friends at all. But soon Asbel’s face starts to fall and he says, “If only Sophie were here.”

Richard moves slightly away, towards the window, and murmurs, “Yes. If only she were.”

He asks after Hubert, and is relieved, if somewhat saddened to hear that he’s simply been adopted out to a Strahtan family – it’s a normal procedure for families such as Asbel’s, but he can quite see how it would upset him. Particularly with Sophie’s.... Well.

“You’ll see him again,” Richard says, with no small certainty. “I’ll make sure of it.”

Asbel smiles and says, “I should have been to see you earlier.”

“Not at all. I don’t know if the guards would have let you in,” Richard replies. “They’ve been... more careful since-”

Asbel doesn’t comment on Richard’s abrupt stop. “I still have your ring. I should have given it back.” He digs it out of his pocket, and truthfully, Richard had forgotten all about it until he saw it in Asbel’s hand. A valuable heirloom, that, by all rights, Richard should never have given him in the first place.

“Keep it,” he says.

Asbel leaves soon after, with promises to return.

A week later, Richard goes on a brief excursion that takes him down to the Academy. It’s been much publicised, and the streets are full of people – there’s no way for him to see Asbel even if he is there. He scans the crowd for him anyway, just in case, but doesn’t see him at all.

When he gets back to his room afterwards, Asbel’s fast asleep on his bed – the maid smiles at him as she’s leaving, so Richard at least assumes that she won’t tell anyone of his illicit visitor. He doesn’t wake Asbel up, but simply undresses himself and slips under the covers beside him. In truth, he doesn’t sleep. He merely dozes, somewhat fitfully. In his almost-dreams, he takes his eyes off of Asbel and he disappears. Just as Sophie had.

Asbel wakes up after night has fallen, and he shakes Richard into wakefulness.

“I’m sorry!” he says, thankfully not loudly enough to alert the guards. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep!”

“Calm yourself,” Richard replies. “I don’t mind. I was glad to get some rest in any case.”

“But I’m in your bed-” Asbel goes slightly pink.

Richard shakes his head and grasps Asbel’s shoulder. “It’s of no matter to me. I’m glad to see you again so soon.”

That makes Asbel smile, but he realises the time soon after and makes a hurried dash back to the Academy. He promises to come back as soon as he can, and Richard doesn’t doubt it.

Even so, it’s some two months before he sees Asbel again, and it’s a slightly battered Asbel at that. He brushes off Richard’s concern as though it’s nothing, and regales him with tales of his adventures. It reminds Richard that despite the closeness in their ages, Asbel is still very much a child where Richard is... not.

“I’m glad,” Richard tells him, over and over again. Each time they meet, even as the months pass and the seasons change. He’s glad for Asbel. That he exists, and that he’s happy. He’s so glad.

The night before his sixteenth birthday, Asbel manages to slip into the castle. He has a tiny cake and a birthday present he made himself.

“It’s a ring! Like the one you gave me – I mean, not as pretty and nice, but.” Asbel wilts, slightly.

And it’s true. The ring Asbel gives him is carved, somewhat crudely, from a circle of reddish wood. It’s been polished to a shine, and the wood is of a good sort – it won’t break or crack under stress. On the inside, Asbel has carved their names and Sophie, in remarkably small letters. It’s a feat of good craftsmanship, even if it doesn’t look it.

Richard slips it on to his thumb, where it sits comfortably, and smiles at Asbel. “It’s the best birthday present I could receive,” he announces.

Asbel ducks his head and laughs nervously, and when he glances up he’s pink and- and-

Richard leans in and kisses him, quick as can be. Asbel gasps, softly, and blushes even redder. He presses his fingers to his lips.

“You don’t mind?” Richard asks, perhaps a touch belatedly.

Asbel swallows and slowly shakes his head. “Not if it’s... not if it’s you.” He smiles shyly, and shifts a little closer – an invitation.

When he does leave, his lips are a little redder than usual, but Richard can’t bring himself to be upset about that.