I stood there like a statue as she shed her armor in front of me. The moon shone bright behind her, clothing her with an ethereal glow. But not even the dim glow of the night could hide the scars that littered her skin. In fact, it made everything bigger - her body looked like a war zone with harsh lines and frightening shadows.
She tried to cover what she could with her hands. I looked her straight in the eyes and held her wrists and pulled her arms away from her body.
"M-my king. I-"
"Richard. I told you to call me Richard, did I not?"
"But your Majesty..."
"Are you going against a direct order from your king?"
"N-no, Ri-richard."
"You don't have to hide, Nicomaine. This is just me."
I started to trace her scars with the tips of my fingers - gauging her reaction as I lingered on the one across her collar bone. I noted how her breath hitched before they came heavily through her open mouth.
I loved seeing her like this - I realized. Vulnerable, submissive, pliable under my touch; a stark contrast to the knight she worked hard to be.
I brought her wrist to my nose - breathing in her natural scent, thankful of the river for washing away the musky scent we have both acquired during the day. Still, looking into her eyes, I followed the jagged lines on her skin with my lips - hoping I could erase the pain she must have went through. After all, these 'war medals' as they liked to call it, were a product of wanting to protect me.
I pulled the string that held her undergarments and carefully took her robes off her shoulders - letting it float in the calmness of the river. I held her gaze - compelling her to tell me no, telling her without words that she had a choice whether or not we continue this. Her small nod was all I needed.
With the stars as our witness, we filled the night with sighs and breathless moans, grunts and hungry kisses. One night when we were allowed to forget the war we were in, when we are allowed to be equals and to free of the burden of our titles.
A night as just Nicomaine and just Richard.
A/N:
I honestly do not know what scar worship is but this is what comes to mind when I read the prompt so...
Also, please be gentle with me; hindi ako marunong magsulat ng ganyan 😅
