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Even as the sun was setting it seemed to burn. Laurent sat perched on the windowsill watching as Ios was bathed in reds and oranges. The bay turned inferno under the light of sunset. 

It had been a month since claiming Ios. He watched Damen recover while arguing with the Kryos. He explored the sprawling palace Damen called home, learning its secret passageways and library. For the first time in years he didn’t have to think ten steps ahead. He was safe in the arms of his lover. But with safety he found himself thawing. 

It had begun long before Ios in the quiet moments with Damen. A silent trust that grew without his knowledge. Now that trust had spread. Laurent found himself smiling at dinners and council meetings. It was still a smile laced with venom, but still a smile. The Cast Iron Bitch of Vere had grown a heart. He hated it. 

What was worse is that heart was taking him away from his duties. He was King of Vere, no matter what the council might think. He needed to go back to Arles. Damen was alive, without the threat of bleeding out. But Lauent couldn’t leave. Their state craft was better when they were together. Laurent hadn’t laughed so much since August had died and

…

And Damen made him happy. He couldn’t lose that. Not after everything. 

Laurent was pulled from his reverie by the sound of the chamber door opening. Damen walked in, all Akleion strength and soft smiles. 

‘Sweetheart,’ he said, dimples appearing like clockwork. ‘I was wondering if you could look over the new tax code I’m working on with the Kyros. I’m hoping it can lay the groundwork for us to end slavery.’ Laurent felt himself smile. He watched as all the kingly grace melted out of his lover. Hair mussed and exhaustion finally breaking through after a day working to keep his country peaceful. 

‘Maybe tomorrow. We need to talk of other things, Lover.’ Laurent watched a small line crease Damen’s brow. 

‘What things?’ Damen said, coming closer. He reached for Laurent sensing something off. Laurent let him draw their hands together. The touch grounded him. This was why he was fighting now. For this man, king he once called enemy. 

‘Arles,’ his voice soft as the salt breeze. ‘I’ll need to go. Soon. Sooner than I’d care to admit.’ He looked down, unable to watch the minute shifts in those beloved brown eyes. ‘I don’t want to leave you, for this to end. But we will have to be apart for a while.’ He traced Damen’s gold cuff with his thumb. The painful familiarity of the metal grounding him. 

‘Laurent,’ Damen said his name like a prayer. Warmth enveloped him, rough hands cradling his face. Damen smiled softly and held him. Laurent buried his head in Damen’s neck breathing in his scent. ‘I know love. I’m so sorry this will take time.’  They stayed like that even as numbness crept into the arms. To hold one another the simplest pleasure they would miss. Finally when Laurent wasn’t sure he could feel his hands he pulled back. 

‘I should leave in the week. I’ve already been gone for far too long.’ He could hear the desperation in his voice. Ask me to stay. Keep me here forever.

‘Let me hold you for tonight then.’ Damen said, turning towards their bed. 

***

Coming back to Ios felt surreal. The past year had been long. Ousting every contender for his throne and getting Vere back to serving its people had involved many a sleepless night. Damen had written. Long flowery letters on Laurent’s charms, apparently innumerable, and asking for advice with the situations in Akleios. He sent his own proclamations of love and political problems, each one lovely responded to. They hadn’t seen each other. Kept apart as two kings cementing their rule. Only one blissful week in Acquitart could be spared. The memories of those nights keeping Laurent going through the twists and turns of his own court. 

Under the early sunrise Laurent felt his anticipation build. No longer would he jump at shadows. No longer would he be parted from his lover.  For one glorious month he would celebrate the alliance he had created without truly knowing. He heard boots behind him on the deck. Turning he saw Jord, a slight smile crossing his face. 

‘Your Majesty, the captain says we have an hour before we arrive at port.’ 

‘Thank you Captain.’ He made to dismiss his soldier and thought better of it. ‘Are you looking forward to being back in Akleios, Jord?’

A subtle shift crossed Jord’s face. Laurent narrowed his eyes. ‘Not as excited as you, your Majesty.’ Laurent laughed. 

‘Well that is fair, but am I not wrong in assuming there is someone you wish to see at the capital?’ Laurent watched as his stoic captain went red. Laurent had noticed Jord sneaking into the city all those months ago. 

‘Possibly, if he’ll still have me.’ Laurent smiled, turning back to the waves. At least he wasn’t the only one a bit heart sick on this ship. He wouldn’t dane to unite himself with Lazar in that predicament. 

As the port grew closer banners of red and blue became clear. All of Ios seemed to have turned up for their ship. Such excitement at a Veretian visit was new, but hopefully it would last. 

 Straining his eyes Laurent searched for a face he missed dearly. 

The early morning light picked out golden laurels nestled in brown curls. Laurent was home.