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Aethelred stormed down the hall furiously, startling a few innocent servant girls as he passed. He scoffed to himself, thinking that they should be thankful that he wasn’t demanding one of them tend to his bed. Alfred had demeaned him again, and chose to believe the bumbling oaf Uhtred. Why he put so much trust in that useless Dane he’d never understand, and he couldn’t take any more humiliation. He needed to break something, to rip a tapestry or destroy some ancient record. Choosing the beloved chronicle room for his tantrum, he almost threw the door off its hinges as he forced his way inside. A few monks whipped their heads up, terrified at the rude interruption.
“GET OUT, ALL OF YOU!” Aethelred screamed, slamming his fist against the table. The timid brothers murmured words of apology, scrambling from their work. The parchment was still wet with ink as Aethelred approached their little tables, sneering at their efforts. One had even smudged his letters in panic at his arrival. Good, at least someone was still rightfully petrified. Without any further contemplation, Aethelred took the parchment in both hands and tore the offensive document right down the middle. He hadn’t even bothered to read it, but marvelled in delight at the thought of Alfred discovering it. As soon as he’d started, he couldn’t stop. Pages lay on the floor, weeping in blotchy black as their brothers and sisters were butchered. After Aethelred had torn all of the individual works, he looked to the bookshelf. He ran his soiled hands over one, thoroughly coating the cover with ebony ink. He was about to throw it, when someone cleared their throat.
“I hardly think that destroying Alfred’s legacy will solve anything, Lord.” Aldhelm stepped into the light, crossing his arms. His face was stoic as usual, and his voice thick with rationality. Aethelred was not in the mood to be rational, and he laughed dryly at his sentiment.
“I do not care what you think, Aldhelm. Alfred can go and hump Uhtred for all I care.” Aethelred threw the book down, kicking it gracelessly. He expected Aldhelm to roll his eyes, or perhaps reply with a sarcastic remark. Instead he strode over to his side, admiring his destruction.
“If you continue to allow Uhtred to provoke you, it will be your undoing. Perhaps I can offer a reprieve?” Aldhelm plucked one of the torn pages from the floor, calmly smoothing it down. It was behind repair, but he seemed determined in his motions. Aethelred watched with a raised eyebrow as Aldhelm retrieved the other piece, laying both of them on the table.
“Instead of falling apart, you simply-” Aldhelm paused, edging one corner of the parchment towards the other. They connected easily, hardly showing the crack down the middle. Nothing was stopping the parchment from falling away, and yet, Aldhelm had fixed it.
“-play their game. Uhtred’s pride will be his downfall, and the King will soon see that. He suspects Uhtred’s loyalties, even as we speak.” Aldhelm reassured him, his tranquil composure rivalling that of Alfred himself. Sometimes Aethelred couldn’t understand his motives, and how he managed to stay so placid and serene when his own insides were burning with rage.
“Even if Alfred’s lips are flat against Uhtred’s arse? How am I to be sure that you speak the truth?” Aethelred glared at him, still suspicious.
“Have I ever lied to you, Aethelred?” Aldhelm returned his distrustful gaze with his own, but Aethelred was taken aback by his question. Aldhelm didn’t usually address him by name, if ever. It rolled too easily off his tongue, sleek and graceful yet full of indifference. By bringing up the question, his animosity towards his friend only grew.
“I don’t know, Aldhelm?! Have you ever lied to me? It’s hard to tell when you are always so pragmatic!” Aethelred growled, shaking his head.
“That’s a problem, Lord?” Aldhelm seemed confused, raising both of his eyebrows. But even through his confusion, he wouldn’t break his composed stance. He perched on the edge of the table, eyes following the enraged actions of his Lord.
“Yes! You’re always so calm! Do you have emotions, or do you just live through others?!” Aethelred panted angrily, slapping a pile of books. The books clattered to the floor, and the crash didn’t phase Aldhelm at all.
“You learn a lot, living through others. I simply bide my time, and use my emotions wisely. A little rationality wouldn’t hurt you.” Aldhelm shrugged nonchalantly, unaffected by Aethelred’s childish attempts to insult him.
“You want me to be rational? How’s this for rational?!” Before he knew what he was doing, Aethelred was nose to nose with his advisor, yanking him forward by his collar. If nothing else would gain a reaction from Aldhelm, he felt the need to take matters into his own hands. Plunging his tongue down his throat, he felt Aldhelm tense in surprise. He held onto the fabric tightly, clanking against his teeth as he kissed Aldhelm harshly. It was rushed and grotesque, leaving the other man to pull away and cough.
“That was unpleasant, Lord.” Aldhelm wiped his mouth, rubbing saliva out of his stubble. Aethelred sighed deeply, rolling his eyes.
“That’s all you have to say?! That was unpleasant? Aren’t you furious? I would be.” Aethelred was still astounded by Aldhelm’s ability to remain nonchalant, but something had changed in his roguish eyes. There was a mischievous sparkle, and he looked as though he was accepting an unwritten challenge. He rose from the table, running his fingertips along Aethelred’s jaw.
“If I may?” Aethelred shivered as the soft digits ran down his chin, pleasantly ticklish as his thumb pressed against his prickly skin.
“What?” Raising his head slightly, Aethelred felt enveloped in Aldhelm’s shadow. He was so close, it was strangely comforting. Of course, Aldhelm whispered in his ear all the time, but this was different. His lips were slightly parted, tinged with a little pink dishevelment from their previous encounter. But he was melting under the intensity of his gaze, feeling targeted yet treasured. It was a very peculiar feeling. Aldhelm was not a woman, but he was surprised that the lack of breasts and soft curves was not unpalatable to him. Instead he was backed against the wall, smothered with a broad chest and impressive muscles. His strength was to be admired, that was certain.
“Would you like me to teach you how to kiss properly, Lord?” Aldhelm whispered softly, hot breath brushing his ear.
“Who said I needed to learn anything, Aldhelm? It’s not my fault if you- ngh…” Aethelred was cut off mid sentence, startled by Aldhelm’s indulgent embrace. He kissed a lot slower, with a much more practised elegance. His lips were rough, and he hadn’t taken the time to fully appreciate the drag of his plush instrument. He was so used to blushing maidens being pliable and yielding, that he was stunned by Aldhelm’s battle to overpower him. He refused to let Aethelred lead, nibbling gently along his bottom lip. Aethelred moaned loudly at the first wet pull of Aldhelm’s tongue, then opened his eyes in shock.
Did I just cry out like a whore?
Aethelred let his eyes fall shut, worried that he’d find Aldhelm too charming should he keep looking at him. He was starting to surrender to the heady feeling, praying that his knees wouldn’t buckle at Aldhelm’s passionate kisses. He supposed he deserved it after riling his advisor up like he had, but he would never have expected such a fierce rebuttal. His hands fell to Aldhelm’s shoulders, but he gasped as they were pinned above his head. Aldhelm pulled away, eyebrows raised.
“Did I say you were allowed to touch me?” Aldhelm growled, the noise almost bringing Aethelred to his knees there and then.
“You think you can control me, Aldhelm? I will not be your whore.” Aethelred’s voice was weak, almost shrill as Aldhelm pressed himself closer. His grip tightened on his wrists, and Aethelred found himself almost wanting to submit.
“Then pray tell Aethelred, why are you hard?” Aldhelm teased, and Aethelred could hear the smirk in his voice. He glanced down, spluttering in outrage as he noticed his raging erection against Aldhelm’s leg.
“Bastard!” Aethelred broke out of his grip, shoving him backwards. It was less than a minute before he was pulling Aldhelm back, allowing his tongue to invade his mouth. He desperately pulled at his hair, cursing internally.
Fuck this man and his mysterious ways
Aldhelm continued his ardent onslaught, seemingly ignorant of Aethelred’s comfort. His own hands were yanking his curls, putting a delicious strain on his head. Not content with making his head spin emotionally, Aldhelm seemed to be on a mission to steal his physical reserve too. Just as he was about to buckle, Aethelred sought a little friction against Aldhelm’s knee. That seemed to halt Aldhelm in his movements, and he broke from him.
“No! No, touch me.” Aethelred demanded, although he wasn’t above begging in his current predicament. Aldhelm grinned, lips curling upwards like a machiavellian minx.
“Perhaps next time, Lord. For now, you need to work on your technique.” Aldhelm brushed himself down, turning his back. Aethelred was furious, tearing at his cloak as he headed towards the door.
“ALDHELM! You cannot leave me like this!” Aethelred frowned, seeing the telltale smug grin of his advisor before he left the room.
“Consider it a lesson in restraint, Lord.” Aldhelm smirked, knowing he’d well and truly silenced Aethelred for the day.