Work Text:
A loud knocking sound echoes through Ser Bek's chambers, the rapping of knuckles against wood cutting through the comfortable silence inside.
"Ser Bek?" called the voice of Katie "Your majesty, I do not mean to rouse you preemptively but is is quite late".
The knight groaned, turning over and cuddling closer to the warm presence in her arms. The swan mage chuckled in her embrace, turning to face the door.
"I'll get her up in a minute Katie!" Eloise called, resulting in a high-pitched yelp from the other side.
"Lady Eloise!" Katie stammered "I wasn't- I didn't want to assume that- um, right, well, thank you!" she called through the door before scrambling away noisily.
Eloise laughed under her breath, shaking her head softly "You would think at this point they would have gotten used to this" she said bemusedly.
Bek just groaned again, nuzzling against her side. Delicate fingers started carding through her hair. "Ser Bek" the mage called sweetly "Love, it's time to get up".
"Noo" Bek protested, squeezing her grip around her midriff "Let's just stay here".
"I'm taking down those blasted curtains Bek, you seriously never wake up without sunlight" Eloise griped, trying to wriggle out of the embrace to no avail. She finally gave up, leaning against the headboard in resignation "Bek" she said shortly "I've been awake for an hour and I can not leave until you let go".
"Good" the knight mumbled sleepily, any irritation completely flying over her head "You have to stay with me forever. I decree it".
Eloise sighed, laughing under her breath "I already told you you need not decree my affections darling" she chided gently, twirling a strand of lighter hair around one finger "But as much as I love you, you have to wake up now".
Ser Bek grumbled but finally complied, untangling the blankets around her form and releasing her embrace around her betrothed. The shirt Eloise was wearing - one of Bek's own - was completely creased from her grip. Bek blinked, awareness bleeding into her eyes as she took in the mage beside her. "I hope I did not hurt you while we slept" she said worriedly "Was my hold too tight?".
The mage shook her head "Of course not, you're very gentle with me" she replied softly "The only problem is that I can't exactly escape your strong arms Ser Bek" she finished with a tease, running a hand over the knight's bicep and delighting in the flustered blush she got in return.
"I thought you liked my strong arms" Bek grumbled, cheeks red.
Eloise laughed "I do" she promised "Just not when they're keeping me trapped when I really need to leave".
Bek leaned forward and kissed her in apology, thrilled with the fact that she could just do that whenever she wanted.
Eloise smiled fondly but quickly moved away "Right" she said sharply, tone shifting "As lovely as this is, we both really do need to go now. You have to do your duty and monarch and I will be returning to my kingdom".
They settled into a familiar routine, Bek donning the armour she had polished the night prior as always, while Eloise grabbed one of her dresses from the closet. Eloise helped braid one of her feathers into brown hair and adjusted Bek's crown with practiced grace. She kissed her betrothed goodbye before flying out through the window; Ser Bek watched her until she was hardly a speck amidst the bright blue sky.
Bek sighed wistfully, turning away from the window to head downstairs. She really was very late and no doubt would get an earful from Cam if she delayed any more. Predictably, her right hand was busy scribbling away in his books again, he looked up at her when she entered, ink staining his face from his quill.
"Ah- Bek! You're here!" he greeted happily "Good, good. I wanted to go over some of these decrees with you, our past monarchs wanted them unchanged I know but considering we're reworking the traditions around here a little I thought it would be good to review them at least".
Bek nodded, barely keeping up with him. He always spoke faster when he got excited, it had hardly taken two weeks of her being queen for Cam to drop formalities altogether, tossing out his own comments and suggestions and ignoring it completely when she abandoned her duties to sleep in or go riding with Garnet.
She couldn't complain, it was oddly comforting to have Cam's familiar attitude as they attempted to get used to the breaking of a centuries long tradition - having a monarch for longer than two weeks hadn't ever happened in Bek's time growing up in Red. It was simply too dangerous for someone to hold a crown for longer without placing a target on their backs or going mad with power.
Fingers suddenly snapped in front of her face. "Bek" Cam griped "I lost you there. Pay attention".
"Sorry" Bek apologised, when she was nothing but a knight it was easier to get lost in thought, no one saw her face behind her visor and she didn't have to pay attention unless someone was being attacked anyway.
Cam was patient though.
"No worries" he said easily "Did you go for your morning ride yet? It might help clear your mind before we go over the decrees".
For all that Bek was unobservant, even she could notice the slight tension in Cam's shoulders as he mentioned the book, the slight unease in his posture as he clutched the leather bound cover in his hands.
"No, that's fine" Bek said eventually, a ride would be nice, but her friend looked like he needed someone right now "We can look over the decrees".
At first, nothing seemed wrong. They laughed over the first few decrees, reminiscing fondly on Cam's ridiculous decree for cough medicine, the handwriting of all the past monarchs littered the pages. Katie's rambling scrawl, Cherri's neat cursive, and Cam's own writing appearing for both his reign and Kitty's. Bek nearly convinced herself everything was fine until they reached the decree for potion making, and Cam's hands began to shake.
Sausage's messy penmanship was hardly intelligible, blots of ink splattered across the page. Cam's gaze was locked on the paper, unseeing.
Bek laid a gently hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly.
Cam met her gaze, blue eyes flickering with gold. "Do you ever miss him?" he muttered, avoiding her question.
Bek's grip stiffened. She had known Sausage the longest out of all of them, had served him dutifully as a knight commander for him, and despite everything, the two had grown together for years. He was the first person to welcome her back after returning from the Academy. She still had his horse in her care
Cam was trembling across of her. Sausage had saved his life, she knows. Far before she had met either of them. He was the reason she had someone dependable to call a friend.
"I wish he didn't have to make the choices he did" she answered honestly. She clapped his shoulder "Now come! That was all the decrees and I haven't had my morning ride yet. You're welcome to join me".
Cam laughed lightly, dropping the subject "I suppose I haven't taken Lily out for a stroll in a while" he conceded, brushing off the book and placing it back on the pedestal.
"I'm so glad I decreed everyone must have a horse" Bek said brightly, making her way towards the stables "Perhaps we'll stop by Blue on the way, I've been meaning to speak to Graecie".
"Oh, about hosting another Masquerade next month?" Cam asked, falling into step beside her "Cherri said they'd love to visit for it if we do have one".
"Ah, excellent" Bek said, opening the fence for Garnet to trot into the grounds "Then we shall confirm it today perhaps".
"Maybe we'll be partners again for this one" Cam snickered, carefully leading his own horse - a lovely cream coloured mare - to stand beside Garnet.
Ser Bek rolled her eyes "I'd rather be paired with my future wife, thank you" she muttered under her breath.
Cam pouted at her, playful sadness in his expression "I thought I was your best friend though" he whined petulantly.
"I tolerate you" Bek joked back. She helped him mount his horse, he was still new to riding, and his flowing robes didn't help at all. She mounted Garnet with a familiar ease, tension dissolving from her shoulders as she settled into the saddle.
"Hey, Bek?" Cam asked from beside her. She hummed, turning to him.
"Do you think we can visit Sausage after we're done riding?" he continued quietly "I need to replace the flowers on his grave".
Bek smiled "Of course" she promised. She shifted her grip on the reigns, excitement surging through her "Now come! We ride!" she declared, spurring Garnet into action. Cam laughed from somewhere behind her, the air filling with the sound of hooves colliding with dirt as they two raced out of the Red Kingdom gates.
The smell of pollen, the wind in her hair, the rumbling gallop of her beloved horse - despite everything, all of their hardship and struggles, Ser Bek- no, queen Bek, was proud of the world all of them had worked tirelessly to create. Both kingdoms, despite the continuing of their petty feud, were thriving.
"Bek?" her friend called from behind her, the knight jolting as she realised she had stopped running a while ago "Everything okay?".
"Just fine" she said breathlessly, patting Garnet absently "Just, grateful we have such a beautiful place to call home".