True, he wasn’t completely healed, but his bruises only ached now, and Felix couldn’t shake the feeling that he was malingering. Part of it, he knew, was worrying about who was taking care of Leo.
Leo, who he’d only seen three times in eight days in brief, strained visits under the watchful eye of the king’s now-constant guard.
And Felix understood, he did. Now that Leo was under continuous supervision, it wasn’t like he could slip along to the infirmary at will, not without someone wondering why the king was so concerned with the health of someone who was, after all, just one of the castle staff. Appreciation for Felix saving his life could only explain a certain level of attention. Still, Felix couldn’t help but think that the hours would have passed much faster with Leo for company.
Not that he’d been alone, exactly. Maester Owens checked on himfarmore often than Felix felt was necessary, especially after he’d caught Felix trying to sneak out on his second day there.
He’d had almost daily visits from his mother, naturally, and he’d welcomed her presence as she fussed over him in a way that made him feel small and safe all at once. She’d arrived at the castle the day he’d been hurt, sweeping aside the physician’s assertions that Felix was resting, and sailed into his room bringing cake and cheek kisses and comfort. She’d clicked her tongue over his injuries and made loud noises about how she hoped the king appreciated that all the men in her life insisted on putting themselves in danger on his behalf.
Felix had been quick to assure her that Leo wasmostappreciative, memories of warm lips against the bruised skin of his arse springing to mind.
His father had also been to see him daily, and although Felix had quizzed him at length about the possible identity of the assassin, it seemed that the attempt really had been a one-time thing, with no sign of the attacker and no further attempts on Leo’s life.
Felix had been more relieved at hearing that than he’d wanted to admit.
Mother Jones popped in to see him regularly, telling him they missed him and keeping him updated on the health of the horses. On one occasion he made Felix laugh until his sides ached, telling him about how Davin had spent an afternoon doubled over, clutching his stomach and wailing to anyone who would listen that he was dying from colic, a term he’d doubtless heard in the stables. It had turned out to be a bellyache from stealing an apple pie from the kitchen and consuming the entire thing in one sitting.
And Felix appreciated all those visits, truly he did…but he missedLeo.
After the previous week when they’d barely seen each other, he’d thought that once the foreign contingent left, they’d be able to spend some time together. But of course, that had all gone to hell with the assassination attempt.
The thought of it still made Felix sick to his stomach, and it wasn’t helped by lying in bed, turning the whole thing over in his mind and considering all the ways it could have ended badly.
If he hadn’t spotted the arrow in time…if Blackbird had been slower to run…if the archer had had better aim… Felix shuddered when he thought about what might have happened, which in turn made him far too aware of the depths of his affection for Leo.
It was meant to be afling.
He sighed again and got off the bed and lifted his shirt, checking the state of his side in the mirror. His bruising had faded to a mottled green-yellow, and he decided in a fit of rebellion that he’dinsistthathe be allowed to leave today. Being cooped up inside was giving him far too much time to think, and he was desperate for fresh air and sunshine and the distraction of hard work.
As he glared at his patchwork skin, willing it to heal faster, there was a tap at the door and a moment later it opened a crack to reveal Leo peering in. “Felix?”
“Leo!” Despite himself, Felix felt his face split into a grin.
Leo slipped into the room, eyes sparkling, and closed the door behind himself and locked it. He hurried over to where Felix was standing. His hands tangled in the fabric of Felix’s shirt and he pulled him close and kissed him. Felix closed his eyes and savoured it, soaking in Leo’s touch like it was the first cool rains after the heat of summer, and Felix was parched earth.
“Missed you. Missedthis,” Leo growled under his breath.
“Mmm,” Felix agreed, kissing back, his tongue probing Leo’s mouth as he explored him anew, testing to make sure everything was just as he remembered.
He would have happily stayed there kissing, but he couldn’t help the pained squeak when Leo gripped his bruised hip slightly too hard.
Leo let go like he’d been scalded, eyes going wide. “Oh gods, did I hurt you?”
Felix sighed. “It’s a bruise, Leo. I’ve had worse from the crop.”
“That’s different,” Leo insisted. “That’sfun.” He prodded Felix’s chest. “Shouldn’t you be in bed? I distinctly remember ordering bed rest. And why isn’t someone here watching you?”
Felix fought and lost the battle to keep from rolling his eyes. Perhaps it was a good thing Leo hadn’t been visiting if he was going to fuss like this. “Iwasresting, until you turned up. And anyway, aren’tyouthe one meant to be under guard?”
“Mattias is watching me. He’s outside. I confess that I’d hoped we’d have the opportunity for a little…” Leo sighed. “Never mind. You’re still injured. Back to bed.”
Leo placed his hands at Felix’s waist and tried to back him towards the four-poster, but after being confined to one room for so long, Felix was done with being bossed about like a child, and he stood firm. “Actually, I was planning on telling the maester I’m recovered and that I’d like to leave today.”
Leo tilted his chin back and folded his arms across his chest. “You most certainly are not!”
Felix widened his stance and folded his own arms across his chest, looking Leo in the eye. “I’mfine.Normal people whoaren’tkings manage to do their jobs with cuts and scrapes and bruises all the time.”
He held Leo’s gaze until Leo sighed and dropped his head. “Am I being an idiot about this?”
