Viktor sipped from his wine glass, lowering himself onto the edge of the bed. His attention focused on the changing screen. The silhouette of the shorter man could be seen carrying out his current task.

"I'm not sure about this, Viktor." Heine called, tossing his shirt over the top of the panel.

"We talked about this,Heine. It's the only way you and I can have our time together. The King's personal guard is the perfect cover. We'll still have the escorts of course, but you'll be the one to travel with me, when you're not teaching the boys ."

"Viktor-"

"Your choice to give our love a chance and be not just a teacher but a second father to our boys,requires a little creativity. This was the best I could think of. I you have doubts, but you have to trust me."

" I do. I just don't want you to -"

"Everything will be fine,Heine. Have a little faith in my plan." Heine stepped into view,straightening the red vest. Viktor smiled, reaching out to him. "Come over here." The shorter man made his way over to the king,allowing Viktor to pull him close.

" Do you know how beautiful you really are?"

" I think you should invest in a pair of -"

"Don't be that way. You've always been beautiful,this uniform looks good on you."

" are you absolutely sure about this? "

"I've never been more sure. I know you're still adjusting to this life, but I want you to know that you don't have to worry. I want you to enjoy this ." The king kissed Heine lovingly.

"I do. I stand by what I said earlier, I love our family. my greatest joys in life have always been being with you and watching all of our little ones became who they are. You gave them that chance and -"

" What kind of parent would I be if I didn't make sure all of my children had the means to find their own path in life? "

"Speaking of our little ones, I received a letter from Marie this morning." Heine said,as Viktor nuzzled him softly.

"How is she?" the king asked.

"She's doing very well. She sends her love and wanted to tell me she's going back to university to expand her degree."

"That's wonderful. Did she mention what she's studying?"

"She wants to be the first female surgeon in the kingdom." Heine replied sitting beside Viktor.

"Really, our little ones certain are ambitious. They must get it from you. By the way,I've been meaning to ask you, Saturday is the annual festival and I usually try to make an appearance,would you be interested in going with me?" Heine sighed.

"You know I don't care much for festivals. I assume that's what prompted you to come up with the personal guard idea?" Viktor chuckled.

"My desire to be with you gave me that idea. It's been such a long time since we had the chance to just be..us."

" We can be 'us' right here. Against my better judgement,I agreed -"

"Did you take your medicine today?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"I was thinking if you were feeling well, you might want to join me for dinner tonight. Just the two of us and after that, we have the evening to ourselves. We could find some way to entertain ourselves,I'm sure. "

"It seems you already have an idea of two."

" I might. We'll say...seven,in my room. You can give me a full report on our boys' progress. "

"Or I can tell you about it now and -"

" Come now,Heine. Where's the fun in that,You don't want to waste a beautiful evening do you? "

"And if I... Don't agree to this little meeting?" Heine teased. "If it's just the report you're asking for -"

" Did I mention that my heart is terribly fragile and -" Heine shook his head with an amused grin.

"Is that the excuse you're using, Viktor?"

"Is it working?"

" Has it ever worked with me? "

"No. You always knew better. Must you be so cold,my love?" when the tutor didn't reply,Viktor leaned on close to him. "That's all right, Hiene. I have ways of warming you up." He said softly,kissing Heine once more,gently leaning him back to lie on the bed. No longer concerned about the consequences, Heine allowed the king to deepen the kiss.

after only a few minutes, the shorter man gently pressed a hand to Viktor's chest causing the king to break the kiss.

"Heine -"

" We can't do this. " Heine informed him. Viktor nodded.

"I understand.I hope you know that I never would've taken it that far if I would have known I was going to hurt you."

" You were gentle,it was my illness. "

"It didn't help you either."

"You cannot blame yourself for something like that. You did exactly what you have always promised me, you took the pain away."

"Years later." Viktor said with a sigh. "After adding to it."

" I don't recall saying no. I only meant right now isn't a good time. Unless you want to put off the meeting. "

"You would trust me to -"

" If I didn't,it wouldn't have happened. " The king smiled,and with one last kiss,he got up,straightening his jacket. Heine sat up.

"I'll see you at seven?" Viktor asked.

"Yes." The king made his way to the door and stopped.

"Heine?" He called over his shoulder.

"Viktor?"

" I'm glad you decided to stay. I love you, so very much. "

"I love you too,Viktor. After all this time and until forever ends." After the king was out of sight and the door closed, Heine stood,he had so much to do and not much time.