Perhaps Peter has summoned the young king by the power of his mind. It would explain why Henry has chosen this night to wander through the streets of London unguarded and in disguise. It would get Peter into a lot of trouble with the Church.
"That must mean you never sleep, then? You have one of the most exceptional minds I know." Hal steps closer, letting the awkwardness pass uncommented as to not make them feel even more distant. Peter has done everything right according to protocol, yet it feels all wrong to let the genius bow and call him 'your grace'.
"Show me what you're working on?" One hand on Peter's shoulder, a reassuring smile on his lips, Hal nods towards the desk. "Or tell me something, anything you want. It feels as if I have not seen you in forever."
He isn't sure how to act but of course Hal crosses all invisible barriers and walks right up to him, all smiles and familiar touches. It makes Peter's insides turn pleasantly and he visibly relaxes, returning that smile. They haven't been alone like this since he was crowned and Peter doesn't know what to do with himself. Knowing things don't necessarily have to change between them is... comforting. He hopes that's the case anyway.
"Nothing too special, I was just finishing the new proposal for these canon designs. I think I found a way to make them faster, without causing irreparable damage..." It's more "work" than a personal project, obviously, but even this late at night his mind can't rest. Seeing his old friend smiling and more relaxed has thoroughly distracted Peter from it though, and he follows softly: "I think the haircut suits you."
No, they really haven't seen each other in ages, have they? He takes a moment to look at Hal under the softer glow of candlelight and finds it suits him far better when he's this close, rather than sitting up on a throne he begrudgingly accepted.
"I was actually just thinking about you," he admits carefully, color rising to his cheeks so easily. "And then you appeared at my door as if by magic. Were you listening?"
So much has changed, almost everything, since the old king passed, and Hal knows he has neglected his old friends terribly. Understandable, yes, but also unforgivable. So here he is, making amends in what small ways he can.
"You have? I knew you could do it." Excitement mixed with a hint of pride colours his voice, as he bends over the designs, recalling half-drunken conversations about modern warfare and how unnecessarily brutal the current arsenal of weaponry seems. Hal is studying the drawings, reading them the way Peter has taught him when the young genius speaks up again.
"You do? I'm glad somebody does. I am still getting used to it." A soft, mildly embarrassed laugh, and then he straightens again, his attention fully on the other man.
"I cannot say what compelled me to leave the palace, only that I felt that I had to, and then my feet carried me to you. Perhaps it was magic." His hand moves as if to reach out for Peter but Henry catches it in time and lowers it back onto the desk, uncertain if it would be welcome, but also aware that they have to be more careful now. Nobody cared about young Hal's antics. Everyone is watching King Henry.
"I miss you," he admits, voice barely above a whisper.
"Next I'll be working on the efficiency, but for now I think I've made great headway." Hearing Hal's excitement makes Peter smile, feeling proud at the reaction. In a perfect world they wouldn't ever have to go to war or kill or any of those nasty, horrendous realities of the real world, but Peter learned long ago that his ideals are mostly dreams. His inventions are helping keep their kingdom safe and that includes the king. The fact that Hal feels similarly only made him want to be his friend even more, and then some.
The shy, embarrassed laughs and looks only add to Peter's fondness, and when he notices that hesitation he's quick to react, hand reaching out to brush fingers along Hal's own against the table. It's a simple touch of finger to finger, and Peter offers him a warm smile, his voice just as quiet when he speaks:
"I miss you too. Often." Here in his modest little house, no one could even predict that the king is standing in Peter's study. They don't need to know. Even when Peter is working behind the castle walls he doesn't really get to see Hal, to spend time with him like they used to.
"I didn't know if... you'd still want to see me," he admits just as quiet, gazing down at their hands. "I know you can't."
"I want to. Of course, I want to," Hal whispers fiercely, lifting his gaze from where their fingers are barely touching. But even that small brush is more than enough to remind him of the sacrifices this crown has demanded in this short time.
"But it is more... difficult now. There are eyes everywhere and I don't wish to expose you to unnecessary danger." How did his darling sister put it? They all have their own kingdoms behind their eyes? Hal hadn't even wanted this one and standing in Peter's humble abode makes him weak in the knees, wishing he'd been spared from this burden.
"I could," he whispers, bowing his head until he can feel the brush of Peter's hair against his cheek, "try to make time and come here every now and then."
Not too often or it'll rouse suspicion, but they are at the brink of a war with France, and the young king needs advanced weapons.
The temptation is strong with Hal here in his home, standing close and whispering words Peter has wished to hear for a long time. It would be irresponsible for either of them to continue the secret relationship they had before Hal became King, but that doesn't mean the desire or feelings ever went away.
His eyes remain fixed on their hands, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he tries to keep his emotions in check. Peter's always been more emotional than usual, and this surprise reunion isn't helping any.
"It's dangerous, like you said. I don't want to get you in trouble either." And they both know Peter would be the one more cruelly punished, if anything. Even so, it's obvious he wants to ask the young man to stay, his finger only tightening around Hal's in their simple touch.
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"That must mean you never sleep, then? You have one of the most exceptional minds I know." Hal steps closer, letting the awkwardness pass uncommented as to not make them feel even more distant. Peter has done everything right according to protocol, yet it feels all wrong to let the genius bow and call him 'your grace'.
"Show me what you're working on?" One hand on Peter's shoulder, a reassuring smile on his lips, Hal nods towards the desk. "Or tell me something, anything you want. It feels as if I have not seen you in forever."
no subject
"Nothing too special, I was just finishing the new proposal for these canon designs. I think I found a way to make them faster, without causing irreparable damage..." It's more "work" than a personal project, obviously, but even this late at night his mind can't rest. Seeing his old friend smiling and more relaxed has thoroughly distracted Peter from it though, and he follows softly: "I think the haircut suits you."
No, they really haven't seen each other in ages, have they? He takes a moment to look at Hal under the softer glow of candlelight and finds it suits him far better when he's this close, rather than sitting up on a throne he begrudgingly accepted.
"I was actually just thinking about you," he admits carefully, color rising to his cheeks so easily. "And then you appeared at my door as if by magic. Were you listening?"
no subject
"You have? I knew you could do it." Excitement mixed with a hint of pride colours his voice, as he bends over the designs, recalling half-drunken conversations about modern warfare and how unnecessarily brutal the current arsenal of weaponry seems. Hal is studying the drawings, reading them the way Peter has taught him when the young genius speaks up again.
"You do? I'm glad somebody does. I am still getting used to it." A soft, mildly embarrassed laugh, and then he straightens again, his attention fully on the other man.
"I cannot say what compelled me to leave the palace, only that I felt that I had to, and then my feet carried me to you. Perhaps it was magic." His hand moves as if to reach out for Peter but Henry catches it in time and lowers it back onto the desk, uncertain if it would be welcome, but also aware that they have to be more careful now. Nobody cared about young Hal's antics. Everyone is watching King Henry.
"I miss you," he admits, voice barely above a whisper.
no subject
The shy, embarrassed laughs and looks only add to Peter's fondness, and when he notices that hesitation he's quick to react, hand reaching out to brush fingers along Hal's own against the table. It's a simple touch of finger to finger, and Peter offers him a warm smile, his voice just as quiet when he speaks:
"I miss you too. Often." Here in his modest little house, no one could even predict that the king is standing in Peter's study. They don't need to know. Even when Peter is working behind the castle walls he doesn't really get to see Hal, to spend time with him like they used to.
"I didn't know if... you'd still want to see me," he admits just as quiet, gazing down at their hands. "I know you can't."
no subject
"But it is more... difficult now. There are eyes everywhere and I don't wish to expose you to unnecessary danger." How did his darling sister put it? They all have their own kingdoms behind their eyes? Hal hadn't even wanted this one and standing in Peter's humble abode makes him weak in the knees, wishing he'd been spared from this burden.
"I could," he whispers, bowing his head until he can feel the brush of Peter's hair against his cheek, "try to make time and come here every now and then."
Not too often or it'll rouse suspicion, but they are at the brink of a war with France, and the young king needs advanced weapons.
no subject
His eyes remain fixed on their hands, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he tries to keep his emotions in check. Peter's always been more emotional than usual, and this surprise reunion isn't helping any.
"It's dangerous, like you said. I don't want to get you in trouble either." And they both know Peter would be the one more cruelly punished, if anything. Even so, it's obvious he wants to ask the young man to stay, his finger only tightening around Hal's in their simple touch.