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People misunderstood the prince of Firene's fascination with muscles. Alfred doesn't like them. It's love — the same way he loves flowers, helping the citizens, and making others smile. There's nothing wrong with appreciating the machinations of the male body… especially those of his close friends and allies.
“Your triceps are especially well developed today. Mind if I feel them?” Alfred asked. His gaze focused on the muscles bulging through his retainer’s shirt, eyes sparkling with eagerness.
Boucheron laughed at his friend’s zeal. “Of course, Your Highness.” He flexed his arm to allow easier access.
Wasting no time, Alfred grabbed Boucheron’s arm. The appendage felt firm — hard stone wrapped in soft skin. He could feel the muscles straining under his hold, hand stroking the fibers in Boucheron’s upper arm. Truly a masterpiece. Alfred wanted nothing more than to continue worshipping it. But alas, he couldn’t keep his retainer occupied for his own selfish needs.
“My… how extraordinary!” Hesitantly, Alfred stepped away. “Thank you for letting me fulfill my desire.”
“The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness.”
They parted ways, going about the rest of their days. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of bichromatic eyes had watched this interaction transpire.
❤️🌼💙
In the training grounds, loud grunts and the swing of a lance were accompanied by the thwack of arrows hitting a ring target. Alfred and Fogado were honing their skills near each other — close, but not enough to impede on the other’s training. While Alfred was busy maneuvering his lance in graceful arcs around his body, Fogado was practicing his aim.
With one final thrust, Alfred lowered his polearm, exhausted from the extensive workout. He cringed as his tunic clung to his back, sweat soaking through it. Muscles ached from the long training. A part of him — mainly his entire body — will regret it the next day, but a chance to get stronger will be worth a bout of soreness.
Green eyes glanced towards his fellow companion. The prince of Solm was also wrapping up his training, shooting his last arrow at the center of the ring — a perfect bull’s eye. Satisfied, Fogado walked over to the target to retrieve the arrows. While doing so, he instinctively looked over at Alfred, their eyes meeting.
“Like something ya see?” Fogado said, grinning.
“Your shoulders…” Alfred tilted his head to get a better view of the archer’s physique. “They’re very broad.”
Fogado couldn’t help chuckling. “How candid of you! I like that!” Walking over to one of the benches along the wall, he set down his bow in favor of a flask. His back ached with the movement. Alfred must’ve seen him grimace, as a look of concern washed over his face.
“Are you hurt?” Alfred asked.
“Nah.” Fogado shrugged, which made the pain all the more apparent. “Just a bit sore.”
“Would you like me to help ease the pain? I happen to know some splendid massage techniques.”
“You just want an excuse to feel me up, don’t you?” At Alfred’s unshaken composure, he sighed. “Well, who am I to refuse a free massage?” Removing his shirt, bronze skin was put on display. He sat in a way that exposed his back to the other prince. “My body is all your’s, Your Princeliness!”
Steadily, Alfred placed his hands below the back of Fogado’s neck and started kneading the muscles there. Smooth skin was hot to the touch — no doubt from the earlier exertion. The plane of the Solm prince’s sinewy back held Alfred’s full attention, unconsciously rubbing the expanse. All the while, the recipient moaned in pleasure, tense muscles relaxing over time. Both nobles thought the same thing.
‘Amazing.’
Tucked away in the far corner of the room, a sword cut down an innocent training dummy with excessive force.
❤️🌼💙
After a rather rigorous mission, Diamant found himself heading toward the bathhouse. Usually, he’d try to get more done in the day before cleaning up, but he felt he’d earned this early break. It’d been a while since he allowed himself to relax. Stripping down to a towel around his waist, the Crown Prince of Brodia walked into the steamy sauna.
As he lowered his body into the hot water, he groaned at the soothing feeling. The sound caught the notice of the only other occupant in the room.
“Ah, good evening Diamant,” Alfred said. Perspiration framed his forehead, suggesting he must have been in here a while.
Diamant nodded in return. “Good evening.” Slipping further into the water, he sighed, closing his eyes as he rested his arms on the ledge behind him. Only the sound of splashing water alerted him to the other’s movement.
“Your body is really well-defined.”
Cracking one eye open, he watched as Alfred shamelessly ogled his pecs and abdomen, drinking in the sight — not helped by the water accentuating the bare skin. If it wasn’t for the sharp gleam in his eyes, Diamant would have worried the Firenese prince was at risk of overheating with how flushed his face was at the moment. He could have sworn a bit of drool slipped out the corner of his mouth.
Just then, the Divine Dragon walked into the sauna. The man paused as he took in the sight of Alfred practically leaning on Diamant. A scowl, unlike anything Diamant’s ever seen, marred his face.
He was about to tell the Firenese to mind his business — to be more courteous of the newest occupant; however, seeing a certain someone tense as Alfred leaned further in, he decided a little teasing wouldn’t hurt. He knew all about the Divine Dragon’s crush on the prince of Firene. Surely, getting him a bit hot under the collar will push him to confess.
“You know, you can touch if you want. I don’t mind,” Diamant told Alfred.
The blonde glanced up, breaking his gaze from the ripped abs. “Really?” he asked.
“Mmhmm.”
Without hesitation, Alfred placed his hand against his midriff, feeling the valleys of solid muscle. His skin jumped at the new sensation. While it was somewhat awkward, it wasn’t horrendous. It felt nice actually, to be appreciated for his hard work and endless training, even if it was all physical — by a fellow man, no less.
Having seen enough, the fuming spectator marched out of the bathhouse, much to Diamant’s slight amusement. Now, it was up to them to make a move.
❤️🌼💙
Alear plopped down on the chair across from Chloé. With a thud, he hit his head against the table, groaning. The Lance Flier barely glanced up from her novel, already guessing what the fuss was about.
“Careful there, Alear. We don’t need you knocking yourself out for another 1,000 years,” Chloé said.
He turned his head so he was looking up at Chloé, face still smushed against the table. “All the guys…” Alear said. “He makes eyes at all the guys except me. Why?”
She couldn’t help but find his pouty expression adorable, internally cooing. This was exactly the plot of one of her previously read fairytales: The main character being jealous of his love interest’s other possible suitors, before making his intentions clear by confessing his feelings. Feelings reciprocated, the two end up together and live happily ever after. Chloé sighs, the thought heartwarming.
“Perhaps he thinks you are unobtainable, so he draws his attention elsewhere,” Chloé suggests. A story where both parties fancy each other, but believe their own feelings to be unrequited? Painful to experience, but makes the happy ending all the more rejoiceful.
Alear makes a noise of disagreement. “But Vander is married, and I’ve seen Alfred gaze at him in the baths before.” He sniffs as if about to weep. “Maybe I’m just not his type.”
“That’s not true. I’m sure if you make your feelings clear, he’ll only have eyes for you.”
A deep blush forms on his cheeks, his face matching the crimson strands atop his head. “W-what!? What feelings!?” At Chloé’s unamused look, Alear relents. “Okay, so I may have a tiny crush on him.”
‘ Tiny is an understatement,’ Chloé thought.
“But I can’t just tell him that! What if he doesn’t feel the same? O-or what if he refuses to speak to me anymore? I can’t risk that!” Before Chloé could assure him that will not happen, Alear makes up his mind. “If my muscles are what’s keeping me from attracting Alfred’s attention, then I’ll just have to make them bigger! I’ll train non-stop till I’m the largest man in Lythos- no, in all of Elyos!” Fire in his eyes, he rushes off, no doubt in an attempt to get stronger.
Chloé looks at the suddenly empty space before sighing, returning to her reading. While living a tale of romance was exciting, having to experience such naivety can be exhausting. Surely, the world of fiction wasn’t this complicated.
❤️🌼💙
“Alear’s been awfully busy as of late, hasn’t he?” Alfred asked. He sat with Boucheron and his sister Céline in the pavilion. His cup of tea was left neglected, the prince’s thought’s occupied.
“Don’t fret so much, brother. I’m sure he is alright,” Céline said in an attempt to cheer him up. “Why don’t we go to the training grounds and watch the guys exercise? I heard Diamant is leading the drills today.”
“Or you can feel my arms again, Your Highness. I’ve been working on my biceps recently,” Boucheron said.
“Hmm.” Alfred’s lack of interest in either activity had Céline and Boucheron worried. Normally, he would be ecstatic at anything with muscles, but he was too concerned right now.
Just as Alfred was thinking of going to search for Alear, the aforementioned person came into view along with his steward. He was hauling what looked to be an entire wagon of… rocks?
“Ah, look at him — hard-working as ever! That’s the Divine Dragon for you!
Upon closer look, Alfred’s worry only elevated. Alear was panting hard, sweat dripping down his face. His skin was flushed a concerning color. He looked like he could barely take another step.
“Divine One. I cannot in good conscious allow you to continue. You must rest.”
Panting, Alear refused, enduring another step. “Not… yet. Just… another-“ Without warning, Alear collapsed, heading face-first toward the ground.
“Alear!” Alfred rushed over to where he was, heart stopping at the sight.
❤️🌼💙
It was dark and quiet when Alear started coming to, slowly regaining consciousness. He felt comfortable, his head rested on a soft surface — better than any pillow he’s ever slept with. Groaning, he opened his eyes. Instead of seeing the case of his pillow, however, he saw the inside of a thigh.
Following the body part upwards, his eyes met Alfred’s. They stared at one another for a few breaths before Alear jumped up in surprise. Blood rushed to his face — from the sudden movement, as well as from embarrassment. He couldn’t believe he was using Alfred’s lap as a pillow just now.
“You’re awake,” Alfred said.
Alear looked around, the familiar layout of his bedroom present. The moonlight passing through the window told him it was past noon. “I’m in… my room?” he asked.
Nodding, Alfred went on to explain. “After you passed out, Vander and I rushed you to the infirmary as fast as possible. When they deemed you just needing rest, we brought you here.” Head tilted down, Alear could barely spot the tears building in his eyes. “We were all very worried.” Alfred’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I was terrified.”
Guilt flooded Alear, the thought of making the other cry breaking his heart. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Alfred attempted to smile. “All that matters is that you’re okay now.”
The two sat in silence, having nothing else to say. But now that Alear had Alfred’s undivided attention — and no one to possibly interrupt — he just had to know… “How come you don’t look at me like that?”
Confusion crossed Alfred’s eyes. “Like what?”
“Y’know… like how you look at all the other guys.” He became dejected at the thought of his previous assumption being true. “Do you not find me… attractive?”
“What? Of course, I think you’re attractive! You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met!” Hearing him call Alear ‘beautiful’ had the tips of his ears turning red. “It’s- well… I have to confess something. I like- no, I love you.” Those words caused Alear to gape in shock. “And I didn’t want to weird you out with my obsession — you’re too important to me. So that’s why I never looked at you like… that .”
Silence permeated the room once more, but Alear’s head was anything but… Alfred loves him? Like… actual, romantic love? This wonderful man sitting across from him — cautious of his own interest because he valued Alear’s comfort more. Alear didn’t think it was possible to love him more. “Can I kiss you?”
“W-what?”
“Alfred…” Grasping onto his hand, he used his other hand to caress the Firenese prince’s cheek, feeling the warmth underneath his palm. “For the longest time, I’ve had a massive crush on you. Hearing you just now, it’s made me really want to kiss you. So… may I?”
As Alfred nodded, Alear leaned in. Meeting in the middle, noses bumped into each other. They laughed before kissing for real. It was nothing much — tame in nature. Yet, both had never felt more elated.
Alfred retreated first, exhaling. “Wow.” Alear couldn’t have said it better himself. It seemed as though a thought passed through Alfred’s head. “Wait… Is that why you’ve been so busy? Because you wanted to impress me?”
Alear rubbed the back of his neck at the simplification, now realizing his intense training may not have been the greatest idea. “Basically, yeah.” Guilt crept into Alfred’s eyes, clouding the emerald gaze. “Hey, don’t you dare blame yourself, alright? It was my choice, so don’t think you’re at any fault.”
“But-“
Alear pressed his lips against his forehead, going downwards and smooching Alfred’s entire face.
kiss “No” kiss “Buts” kiss “Mister” kiss
“Okay, okay!” Alfred yielded, laughing at the other’s behavior. He tilted his head so his lips caught Alear’s, kissing the Divine Dragon with a bit more passion. Once they both needed to catch their breaths — an unnecessary action, really — the two parted, panting. “Does this mean we’re dating?” Alfred asked.
“If that’s what you want, then yes.” Hearing Alfred giggling, he arched a brow. “What?”
“Nothing. I’m just so overjoyed my heart could burst.” Alfred said. A sheepish look crossed his face. “I guess I should stop staring at the other men now. Wouldn’t want my boyfriend to be jealous.”
The word ‘boyfriend’ had Alear’s heart soaring, a part of him still in disbelief about all of this. He hummed as if thinking. “Not necessarily.”
“Huh?”
“I know how much you enjoy a person’s muscles, and I won’t take that away from you. On two conditions.” At Alfred’s curious expression, Alear continued. “One — from now on, the list of people whose muscles you ogle and grope also includes me now.” A hand slid under Alear’s shirt, tracing his abdomen, making him shiver at the touch.
“Oh, that can be arranged,” Alfred said. “And what’s the other request?”
“I get the privilege of being the first thing you see in the morning… and the last thing your eyes gaze upon at night.”
Alfred blushed. “Are you suggesting I sleep in your bed with you? Before even a first date? How forward.”
“Is that a no?”
Leaning in, his and Alear’s lips barely touched. “Who said I was complaining?” Any other words were cut off by their lips sealing, the two falling into bed together.