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The morning air doesn’t smell any better than the night’s here at Trosky Castle. The ground, the gates, the way the chamberlain talks as if he were the lord of this castle himself, it all reeks of shit. The one place he can escape from it is up on the wall. Hans has to hang nearly all the way over, bu there he can finally spell fresh air. He tries not to think of the drop as he breathes in deeply for his life.
“Hans?” A question followed quickly by a hand grabbing hold of the back of his hood and a shout, “Hans!”
Henry yanks him back with a sudden effort. Henry lets him go the moment he’s away from the wall, sending Hans stumbling back for a second before he catches himself.
“Henry!” The lord’s nose once again fills with that horrendous smell. Oh, he can’t wait to get back to his castle. “What were you thinking?”
“What was I thinking?” Henry’s concern bleeds into frustration. He throws a hand out towards the wall. “What were you doing?”
“Getting some fresh air.” Hans strides past Henry and returns to his spot. “I swear this is the worst-smelling place I’ve ever stayed at.”
When he doesn’t hear a noise to mark Henry’s agreement the lord looks to his page. Henry was looking about like a man afraid of getting caught with his hand in some wench’s pie. He looks Henry up and down. “Don’t you agree?”
“I’ve stayed in worse places.”
“By all means the sight is glorious and this is very well the biggest castle I’ve ever seen! But!” He holds up a finger and slices the air with it for emphasis. “Even the old woman’s hut smelled better.”
“Bozhena’s herb garden probably helped.”
“Indeed.” Hans nods. Then he face looks confused. The lord tilts his head. “So where have you been staying that this place smells like an upgrade?”
“What you think I’ve been staying in a barn somewhere?”
Hans smiles teasingly. “I mean you did grow up on one.”
“Near one.” Henry retorts before going pointedly quiet. He folds his arms over his chest and tilts his head back. “I never said here, smells better.”
Well that’s not an answer. Why would he avoid the question like that? Unless….
"Wait.” Hans pushes himself off the wall. “No.” He stares at Henry. “Henry, have you been staying with that old woman?"
Henry quickly looks away. Perhaps to avert his blushing face from the eyes of god.
Hans is baffled. It may be better than a barn but they had burdened that poor woman enough! "Oh God, you have. Henry you can't just keep leeching off the poor dears."
"I'm not leeching!” Henry retorts, his neck a fierce shade of pink. “I already paid Bozhena back. I gave the reward you promised her and more."
"You did?"
"Course. It's my duty to uphold my Lord's promises."
That is so incredibly sweet of him. How long had he been running around trying to get that together? Loyal to a fault. Perhaps God had shone some grace down on him when Lord Radzig agreed to send Henry along. “Surely none of that was also repayment for staying with her even longer.”
Henry scoffs. "And I saved Pavlena."
"Who?"
Henry uncrosses his arms. "Her daughter."
"You saved her?” Hans squints and thinks back on his visits to Trokowitz butcher. Had there been any gossip about a young girl in trouble? No, none that had been gossiped over while he passed through. “When did that happen?"
"She went to visit her sweetheart in town. Only then her sweetheart died protecting her, and she was kidnapped." Henry shrugs "So I went and got her back ."
He states it so casually, as if it’s what any one would do. Perhaps if said soul was in love, but most people don’t go risking their necks for strangers and passerbys. Could that be why?
"Henry." Hans stares at him. Closely he studies Henry’s face. Aside from the slowly vanishing blush that had sprouted up across Henry’s neck, there was no other signs of infatuation. No far off gaze, his body still carries tension in his shoulders, and not even an ounce of smugness at having been rewarded with spoils.
"What?" There is an edge of nervousness in his voice. A squeak not usually there.
Hans pulls back like a horse rearing its head. "Please don't tell me you have feelings for the woman!"
"What?” Henry’s face scrunches up like he just smelled a repugnant cowpie. “No! It's not like that!" He vehemently shakes his hands.
Hans gladly lets those hands brush away his thoughts. "Surely not."
"It's not!" Henry insists. "I just helped them out is all. They helped us."
"Yes because you wouldn't help a stranger who cried out to you from the side of the road." Hans says sarcastically.
Henry averts his gaze.
"Noooo." Hans watches as Henry grimaces. Knowing this is Henry, Hans asks, "Henry, no! How many times?"
Henry covers his neck as it turns a deeper shade of red. He rubs at his skin, leaving trails of scratches. "Uh,” he drags his hand down, leaving lines in his skin. Does it change easily, or is it because Henry has such strength? “I lost count."
"You!” Hans inhales sharply. The pure, sheer, well he can’t even think of a word. Flabbergasted? “You lost count!"
Unsure of how is he should react, Hans lets his body take the leads. His shoulders shake, and he leans over the wall again. A boisterous lab tears free of his ribcage. Surely, this is the only way.
Henry's head falls back as he groans. "Let it go Hans!"
"I most certainly will not!" He buries his elbow intot he wall’s divet. He turns just enough to face Henry, leaning into the wall. "God Henry, you are truly incapable of leaving someone to their circumstances. Was there anyone who couldn't take advantage of you while I was away?"
Henry scoffs, actually scoffs, to his face! He crosses his arms over his chest again, and rolls his eyes. "And who's fault is that, sir?"
Hans humor runs dry. "What was that?"
"Nothing."
There’s some truth to that statement. More truth than Hans cares to consider. If he had stayed by Henry’s side then his page may have had more direction. A reason to say no to the calls of aiding others. The distractions. He could retort with how he had been focused solely on their mission of getting into the wedding. As far as Henry knows that is the truth, but it doesn’t feel right.
Even if he had been there, Hans would not have stopped Henry from helping. No one could. Whatever lessons his parents had imparted, either through their blood, or experiences, Henry will always give aid when he can. Now as he watches Henry’s face fall, Hans’ deepest wish is that he had been there to help Henry.
If that had been the case neither would have had to be alone.
“I’m sorry-” Henry starts, making towards Hans.
"No,” Hans raises a hand, stilling his page. “no you’re quite right. Besides I have more than thrown my fair share of grievances back in your face."
"It's not a grievance. Not really my lord."
There it is again. Hans turns away, throwing his other arm back on the wall. "I hate when you do that?"
"What?" Henry’s voice rises. It’s usually amusing how easily Henry’s emotions show. Still there is a matter at hand that needs to be settled.
"When you call me, your Lord, instead of telling me to shut up. Sometimes I wonder if Uncle Hanush and I corrected you too much." Back then Hans had wanted a friend. Someone who wanted to be around him too. Now he has that, and when they’re away from castles Henry treats Hans as he would anyone else. Here, within this horrid smelling walls, Hans is still the true-born noble, and Henry treats him as such.
The way it should be.
“I’m sorry?”
Henry’s voice acts like a rope tying itself around Hans and bringing him clear from his thoughts. “It’s nothing.”
“Now who’s lying. Hans?” Henry’s hand finds his shoulder. The other man pulls him closer, back away from the wall that makes him so nervous. Protective, exactly what any lord would expect from his knights. That’s all there is to it. Nothing more. Henry’s eyes look at sad as mutt’s when three days have gone by and he’s had nary a chance to roam free. How soft does Henry’s face feel?
Hans smiles. Henry returns the grin. “I know what will cheer you up.”
“Oh?” This time Hans’ crosses his arms. “What would that be Henry?”
“Some time in the baths!” Henry pulls his arm away. Fleetingly Hans wishes Henry had placed it around both of his shoulders instead. He’d have return the gesture holding Henry by his waist. They could walk the way their arms around each other.
He’ll have to settle for a simple stroll together. Hans inhales. He can not allow anyone to see the way his own face warms up at the mere thought of Henry holding him. Best to keep up appearances.
“Are you trying to say something, Henry?”
“Course not, my lord. Just that the baths smell fresher than the walls.”
Hans steps closer, pointing at Henry. “That better be all.” He steps past Henry and looks around. Even the baths smell terrible compared to Rattay. Maybe Henry could pop the lock on one of the chests and find them some decent liquor though. He looks back over his shoulder. Henry’s grinning like a fool, but hasn’t moved. Hans waves him over. “Come along Henry. The baths await!”
They walk together, and Hans can’t deny, he is happier with Henry by his side. Even if it does nothing for the smell.