Tiring and a bore...

That's what all this sword training was. Why had the advisors scheduled his dueling lessons outdoors today, when the heat was beating down on the courtyard. Ah, yes- probably father's doing, wasn't it? Always looking for a way to toughen up his prized eldest son. Foolishness, all of it. He thought to himself. Jude had never needed any of this- the silks, the stuffy collars, the far too heavy jewels stitched into formal wear. Just cool fall breezes and the smell of warm food.. home.

Home.

His eyes slid down the length of his sword to the soft braided cord hanging from the handle, a soft smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. This castle may not have been as home as his late mother's little cottage, but there was one other place that made Jude feel like he belonged- loved. His darling. Truly, Jude felt no greater sense of home than when they lie with their bodies against one another.

A shame, it was- the circumstances of their births. He would have liked to parade them openly, show the kingdom what true love looked like, wrap them in his finest silks like the treasure they were, like the treasure they deserved to be seen as. No, instead they were sneaking about, stealing moments behind pillars in the great hall or ducking into private rooms at events or between lessons. It wasn't right- but he couldn't deny that their secret was also a little exciting.

Come to think of it, Now was about the time that the servants changed over from the East and West wings, wasn't it? His darling would be coming through the halls nearby not too long from now. The perfect time for a break from training.

With a dramatic little flourish, Jude parried his opponent and sent their sword flying, digging in to the sand around them and wobbling like a metronome as he grinned cockily, shrugging to the swords master with a chuckle to himself. "I win, Leonard." He declared with his usually cocky charm , sheathing his own sword as he was already back pedaling towards the West wing. "That means we take a little break! I'll reconvene with you after lunch." He called to his trainer, the older man squinting at him knowingly before shaking his head in exasperation and waving him off.

Yes! Nothing between him and his love now. Jude slipped into the castle, relishing the cooler air between the stone walls out of the sun. His feet were light as he dipped between ornate columns and supports, peering around in search of his darling prize.

He spied a group of maids and servants heading down the hall with fresh linens, smirking to himself. They were probably over there. He crept up towards the passing workers.

Jude lay in wait as they passed one by one, hidden in the shadow of the doorway to some unused drawing room, patient, until.. there they were, his darling. Radiant as always, even in uniform, bringing up the rear of the little gaggle with thankfully empty hands. His fingers twitched as they passed, before sneakily shooting his arm out, wrapping gently around their beautiful waist and drawing them back into the quiet privacy of the drawing room with him.

A breathy chuckle rumbled in his chest as he shut the door behind them, his face buried in the soft downy hair at the nape of their neck, pressing kisses against their skin reverently as he murmured. "There you are, love." He said against their shoulder, loosening his grip to let them turn around to face him.

How terribly I missed you, he thought, reaching up to cup their cheek, thumb rubbing over delicate bone. "Dueling practice was quite boring, so I thought I might come see you in lieu of subjecting myself to it any longer." He said instead, leaning to press a kiss upon their lips before he glances about the quiet room, mischief in his grin as he peered back to them. "We have all lunch." He announced, a breathy chuckle on his lips. "We shan't be disturbed."