Archive of Our Own ^beta

Being a Knight was an honor. Everyone saw it that way. But, frankly, Kendall didn’t care much for the title. If anything, it was confusing. Knight Kendall Knight. That’s far too many “Knight’s” in one name. But it surely came with its advantages. Status? Sure. Respect? Well, yes. But unsuspecting closeness to the prince? Now, that was a luxury that was worth more than gold. Especially since nobody was allowed in the prince's chambers while Kendall was “guarding the door,” and based on the long line of locked doors that led to the prince’s, a guarding knight was frankly unnecessary. 

So, Kendall got to fall asleep and wake up next to Prince Logan every day without a worry.

Parting, however, hurt worse than a dagger to the heart. 

Logan’s arms squeezed tighter around Kendall’s waist as he quietly tried to leave without waking his lover. “So soon?” Logan asked, voice low and drowsy with sleep. “It feels earlier every morning.” 

Kendall slumped his weight back on the bed and threaded his fingers into the prince’s hair, who had nuzzled himself into the crook of Kendall’s neck. “I know,” he whispered, placing a long kiss to his head, deeply taking in his scent as he buried his face in his dark, soft hair. “Lord, I know. I wish I could just lie here with you all day. Forever.” 

Logan didn’t miss the crack in Kendall’s voice as he spoke and couldn’t help but shake his head fondly. “You’re so emotional, Kendall. I really do love that about you, but it’s far too early for tears.” He begrudgingly removed himself from the warmth of Kendall’s neck and pecked his cheek. When he released his grip, Kendall stood, and so did he. 

“Please, my love, stay resting,” Kendall tried, like he always did. But he knew it was useless. Every time, Logan would just shake his head. He didn’t want to have to wake up again—at least, not without Kendall’s chest pressed to his.

“I like watching you get ready. Put on a show for me,” Logan smiled as he ran his hands down Kendall’s arms.

“I'm a knight. Not a jester.” 

“I don’t have one of those. Multitask.” 

Kendall fluffed one of the prince’s pillows. “I promise you, your dreams would be much more interesting than watching me dress.” 

“Hardly,” Logan assured. “I want this time with you. Let me have it.”

“Yes, your highness ,” Kendall chuckled as he saw Logan’s face cringe at the title.

As he grabbed his underclothes, Logan looked at the pile of metal plate armor on the floor and frowned. “I hate that you have to wear that.” At Kendall’s raised eyebrow, he continued, “It’s heavy, and it can't be comfortable. Seems hardly tolerable.”

“Mmm, yes, you would think I’d be much more muscular by now after always carrying it around.” He joked. 

“That’s not what I meant. You’re beautiful,” he said so earnestly. Kendall felt a blush paint his cheeks. “It just looks…both hot and cold at once. I wish you could be comfortable while you work.” He lifted a sabaton. “The shoes look so silly, too.”

“Yes, very pointy.” 

“And I just can’t see the merit in it. Surely it would be more reasonable to have rounded shoes. They would be easier to walk and run in. If I had a say, I would certainly make some changes to the uniform for logistical reasons. I’ve heard some kingdoms have the beak of the shoe removable, so why have it at all? The poleyn part too. The metal makes the bend of the knee slow, doesn't it? It scares me that if you had to run from danger, you might be slowed down, not just by the weight, but by the faulty mechanics of—" Logan suddenly felt a hand running down his chest. He shivered. 

“Shhh, too many thoughts. Too early, dearheart. You save your genius for where it matters.”

“This does matter. The only good thing about it is how it takes a lot longer to put on than to take off. I get a nice view for longer in the morning without having to…wait long come nightfall. ” 

“How depraved.” 

But he was right. It took quite a bit of time to get on. Piece after piece, Kendall dressed himself, with Logan’s help and wandering hands.

Finally, Logan grabbed the helmet. The last piece before Kendall was off for days—that would feel like weeks—until he returned. Before he could put it on him, Kendall grabbed Logan’s waist with one gloved hand and cupped his cheek with the other. 

“So forward,” Logan teased as their noses brushed before he slotted their lips together. His arms wrapped loosely around Kendall’s neck. Kendall knew how to make him dizzy in the best way. Gripping him like he was ready to rip off his clothes, accompanied by a kiss so soft and slow, Logan felt all the thoughts in his incredibly clever mind leave his head.

“I love you so much it hurts. I’ll think of you every second I’m away.” He kissed Logan's lips again, hastily this time. 

“Can’t have anyone else falling for those eyes,” the prince whispered as he placed the helmet on his head. Kendall squeezed his hand before he began to leave. “Farewell, Knight Knight,” Logan said with a repressed snort. 

Kendall rolled his eyes, not that Logan could see, and let out a contented sigh. “It sounds so ridiculous.” 

“Keep me in your heart while you’re away,” Logan called out. Kendall stopped at the door.

“Likewise. And don’t fall for the next knight watching your quarters while I’m off.” 

“He will probably be too occupied actually guarding my stupid, overly protected door to try to bed me, let alone gain the courage to make eye contact. I wouldn’t worry about it, dearest.” He met Kendall at the door and pressed a kiss on his gloved knuckles before brushing them with his thumb. Kendall smiled at how backwards it was to have the p rince so vulnerable towards him. He doubted he would ever get used to that. “I’ll miss you so much. I already do. Come home safe to me.” 

Home.

“I will. Always.”