Retrace bxbxb

Interlude

(A literal small bit of relaxation before the fun starts. That, and I'm cold, so Harper is cold. So that is why this chapter happened.)

The nights events were kept to a minimum due to the coming ball the next day. Dinner was waiting when the group had gotten downstairs. Rule was true to his word and they all sat down and began eating long before the other guests arrived. They gave him strange looks at first, but it seemed that the man's antics were not much of a surprise. Perhaps he was known to come down early for supper when something especially good was to be served. 

Four more people ended up arriving before the end of the evening. One couple, the names of which escaped Harper when they were announced during dinner, and the second, two men. As he stretched out in his bed, he smiled at the thought of the one young man. He had been quite reserved at first, but once his companion got caught up in a discussion, he turned his attention to Harper. Evidently, the man had been a thief quite a while ago. He'd gotten mixed up with a rather odd lawman, and, well, they now worked together on the lawman's property. The only part of the story that made Harper feel uncomfortable was the fact that the man, who happened to be siting beside him, had been promoted to magistrate after the last one had passed away due to a complication involving his massive girth. 

"Kirin is far more fair than the last magistrate was. I am so proud of the changes he has already put forth to the dastardly man's old rules." He'd said, though the words didn't do anything to calm Harper's churning stomach during the dinner. 

Dessert had come soon after that discussion, but Harper skipped even sampling the peach tarts and chocolate cake, and instead excused himself as soon as it was proper. He hadn't wanted to seem rude, but as he lay awake in his bed far into the night, he couldn't push away the suffocating sense of danger encroaching on him. 

Just because he is the magistrate, does not mean he knows you to be pretending to be a woman. Or that you have stolen anything while you were younger.

Heaving a tired sigh, that was quickly followed by a yawn, Harper rolled onto his back for the fourth time. He was about to force his eyes shut and try to sleep again, when he heard the sound of a cup being set down on a tray, and possibly a few muffled words. 

Surely master Rule isn't up this late? 

Even as he thought that, he was slipping from beneath the thick covers and taking off his night shirt in order to put on his chest wrap. He then replaced the shirt, deciding that it was plenty long enough, reaching well past his knees. Just in case, however, he did add his worn pair of trousers beneath it. 

Once he was satisfied that he wouldn't easily be found out, he carefully cracked open the door and peaked out. Rule was sitting in the further large chair along the wall between their rooms. He was just picking up a cup that was likely warm tea when his eyes rose to catch Harper's. For some reason, Harper gasped quietly and ducked back behind the door, though he didn't think to actually close it. 

"I believe we're being spied on." Rule said in an unusually quiet tone. 

Wait. He just said we're? Someone else is here? 

Harper shouldn't have been surprised when he took another quick glance out into the dimly candle-lit room and noticed Arthur in the seat closer to his borrowed room. The man's gaze was as sharp as ever as their eyes met and he tilted his head curiously. "Indeed." Arthur said as he took a sip from his own cup, then set it down on the tray that was placed on the table situated between the two lords. 

"What are you doing up so late, little Hari?" He asked, gesturing with his hand for him to come out from behind the door. 

Hesitantly, Harper took a step out from behind his door and onto the carpet runner that formed a cross in the room. His toes dug into the plush fabric, rooting him to his spot. 

"Well, Hari?" Rule asked, a grin beginning to form on his red-tinged lips. 

Is he drinking wine from a tea cup?

Harper wouldn't put it past the man. Not in the least, though his eyes didn't appear bloodshot, and neither of them looked to be even the least bit drunk. Reassured that he wasn't being lured into a trap, Harper took a few more steps closer, then gave a small bow. 

"That's quite a nice mop of bed hair you've got there, Hari." Rule taunted already, making Harper's face burn. He'd been so focused on being sure that he was dressed sufficiently, that he hadn't even thought about his actual appearance. 

I'm evidently not very good at being a female after work hours. 

Mainly, because he was normally fast asleep by such a time. 

"I apologize for my appearance, my lord." He said, not sure if it was really the appropriate words for the situation, but he figured that they were good enough. Both men were still fully dressed, though their jackets had been opened and their shirts were unbuttons slightly. 

"You never answered my question." Arthur restated, drawing Harper's attention to him. 

Since he could think of no reason to decline to answer, Harper replied quietly. "I could not sleep, my lord." He was becoming quite tired as he stood there, however, but it was a bit cold in the sitting room, even though there was a small fire going in the hearth. 

"Is something bothering you, Hari?" Rule asked as he gestured for him to move closer. 

A small shiver ran through Harper's body as he shook his head. I clearly had not dressed enough for how cold it is. The blankets are far too warm here. Not that such warmth was a bad thing, but he was used to a thin blanket and usually had clothing ready to be prepared for the morning's chill. 

"Hari, come here." Arthur ordered, his tone much less gentle than Rule's simple request. 

Pursing his lips, Harper took a few small steps toward him, but Arthur just rolled his eyes, then narrowed them. "You have three seconds before I sick Rule on you and allow him to do what he wishes." 

Memories from earlier that evening had Harper hurrying. He stopped right in front of Arthur as another shiver shook his body and he accidentally let his teeth click together a few times. Without another word, Arthur reached forward and grabbed him beneath each arm. Harper froze as he was easily lifted and settled into the man's lap. 

Arthur's hand brushed against his face as he let his head rest on the man's chest. A blanket soon found its way around his shoulders. Rule tucked it in around him, then returned to his seat and took a sip of his wine. 

"Now then, where were we?" Arthur said, turning his attention back to Rule while his arms gently found their way around Harper's shivering body. 

Rule gave a chuckle and leaned back in his seat. "We were at the part where you had decided to finally cross dress for my event." 

Arthur gave a clipped laugh and unthinkingly hoisted Harper up a little bit more so that they were both more comfortable. "I don't believe that decision has once crossed my mind." He replied. 

Harper silently listened to their conversation, smiling as they jabbed at each other like the old friends that they were. The two really suited each other. I wish I could find someone who is even half as accepting of me as they seem to be of each other. The thought was laughable considering his current cross-dressing issues, but he could hope. 

By the time their conversation had shifted three separate times, Harper's eyes were refusing to stay open. Upon the fourth topic change, soft snores were coming from him. He remembered nothing from that moment onward, yet he felt strangely safe having fallen asleep in Arthur's arms. He didn't worry even a bit, that they would try anything with him fast asleep.