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Brimsley gave the letter to Reynolds, watching him closely. It wasn't for the King, nor was it from the Queen.
"Are you waiting for anything else?", Reynolds asked, eyebrows slightly raised. He looked nice in the light of the setting sun, his blonde hair appearing golden. In another setting he would had let his hand go through it and destroy the ridiculous hairdo, that Brimsley knew Reynolds spent way too much time on.
"The letter is for you", he explained matter of factly, not showing any sign of walking away any time soon. He needed an answer.
Reynolds turned the letter around, surprised by seeing his name written on it. It wasn't the most beautiful handwriting, and couldn't match the queen's in any way, but Reynolds knew that it was his.
"You want me to open it now?", he asked then, still really confused by the whole situation. Brimsley tried to hide a smile, Reynolds looked cute like that.
"I would recomment on doing it now."
"Why not just tell me?", he said and if he raised his eyebrows even further, Brimsley was sure they would fuse with his hairline. "You give me a letter, but require an immediate response, that sounds like unnecessary work, while you should be doing literally anything else."
While Brimsley usually loved Reynolds' rational thinking, this wasn't just a simple question. "Just open it or I will actually leave."
Reynolds gave him one last glare before he opened the letter. Brimsley couldn't help but see how careful he was. He took his time to read it's contents, even though Brimsley knew it wasn't much - he always thought Reynolds was better at coming up with beautiful words.
"Anniversary?", Reynolds asked then, looking bemused by the choice of words. "Is that what you call that first night now?"
It kind of was. But the date or occurrence wasn't the important thing. "It's almost been five years now, so take it more as a gesture."
Brimsley saw the hint of a smile on the other's lips. "Well, I shall come then. I can not promise you a time, though."
"Don't worry about that. See you then?"
Reynolds rolled his eyes with a light chuckle. "We see eachother multiple times a day, Brimsley. I will most likely see you in an hour when their royal Majesties will have dinner", he explained but Brimsley already turned around with a big smile on his face. He wanted this to work out, so he had to make a plan.
◇◆◇
His plan was going horrible but that would not be a first. As always the Queen had been rather unpredictable and decided to meet Lady Danbury for tea at her estate. Meant for Brimsley, he wasn't at Buckingham House, where he could prepare everything for tonight. At least the tea was only around lunch time, so they came back later in the afternoon.
Obviously, he would not leave Queen Charlotte's side, he may wanted to surprise his lover but he couldn't just leave. But here they came to the upside of the Queen's unpredictability: Sometimes she required time alone and while he may should wait infront if her door, incase she needs anything, he had important things to do.
Brimsley found it's way easily through the corridors, without bumping into someone, who shouldn't see him. By now he was too familiar with this place and it's people in it to not not know. First he walked into his room and got a blanket and candles that he had stored. He hid both of it in a small niche behind the stairs that let into the gardens. He would get it later, when he had gotten the rest of his list. For the second thing he had to wait just a bit longer.
Brimsley returned to the Queen's door and just in time when she came out, dressed for the dinner. While their royal Majesties talked about their day and flirted an unusual lot over the table, he could see Reynolds watching him from the other side of the room. Although staring might be a better word for it. Brimsley wasn't sure if he had blinked in the last minute. He tried to hide his smile as best as he could, knowing that the other was contemplating about what Brimsley had planned for today.
He almost didn't notice, that the pair finished eating and went now into their respective bedrooms.
"Brimsley", the Queen started.
"Yes, your Majesty?"
"I won't need you tonight any longer, me and the king won't want to be disturbed."
While the heart in his chest skipped a beat, he gulped. "Are you sure? I will-"
Charlotte stopped walking. "You will do what I tell you to do. And after I am in my room, you are dismissed for the rest of the day", she explained with a too sweet voice, that sent shivers down his spine. "Are we understood?"
He bowed down a bit, even though her back was still facing him. "Of course, your Majesty."
She didn't need to know about the smile that ran over his face as soon as the door closed. It was almost too perfect, to be true. This way he could make up for the time he had lost earlier.
Brimsley went down to the kitchen, where he knew was no one at this time. The servants just cleaned the tables, where the King and Queen had eaten dinner. The cooks where off taking a break and the maids prepared the Queen for whatever awaited her tonight.
Brimsley maybe should had felt more ashamed about the fact that he was stealing food, that had been prepared for the dinner. But if he was truly honest with himself: It would go wasted anyways. He grabbed himself one of the many baskets from storerooms and filled it with all kinds of nice food that was still left.
He was almost out the doors and off to the place that he had chosen, when he remembered that he had forgotten something important in his room. He looked around for a moment, the sun already disappeared behind the horizon and tinted the sky in a mix of blue, purple and pink. Hopefully Reynolds had not been dismissed yet. Brimsley put the basket to where he had hidden the other things and hurried back in. No need to risk it and get caught with a bunch of stolen food.
Carfully he took the bouquet out of it's vase, which stood in one corner of the room and left. It was one he personally commissioned and paid for. He liked the combination of the rare blue flowers with the light roses and the accents of yellow.
Brimsley decided to go another route this time, knowing that the guards would see him if he went to the main door again. He used another one, a bit further hidden away. It was mainly used by the cooks, who received the deliveries.
He did hope that Reynolds was still in the castle, or where ever the King was. Brimsley got all his things (which was harder to balance then you would think) and made his way into the gardens quickly. It was quite a long walk, to be honest, but Brimsley wanted to make sure they wouldn't be disturbed at any point. Not only would it ruin his plan, it would most likely also cost them both of their positions.
He had chosen a small clearing in between of some trees, that were blooming around this time of year. It looked quite lovely already but he hadn't got all these things for nothing.
Brimsley really wasn't good at this, planning a romantic picnic and even buying flowers, for God's sake. But he had been with Reynolds for quite some time now and he didn't want it to end... not now, not ever, if he was truly honest with himself. He was a prick, had kept important secrets and sometimes he was just a little insufferable. But Reynolds was also caring and could be sweet, always wanted the best for the King and Queen and Brimsley.
Brimsley had spread the blanket on the floor, prepared the food, lightened the candles. He picked some flowers out of the bouquet and placed them carefully around his little set up. It looked overly sappy and still, he hoped with every fiber of his body that Reynolds would like it.
As if on cue the familiar voice appeared behind him. Brimsley turned around, a single rose remaining in his hand. He couldn't help the smile on his lips, when he saw the other.
"You like it?", Brimsley asked, his voice a little too hopeful. But Reynolds just stood there, frozen into place.
"Brimsley-", he cleared his throat and took a few steps forward, examining the picnic. "Did you do all this?"
He was more offended by the sound of disbelief then the actual question. "Who do you think did?"
Reynolds quickly seemed to notice the shift in his voice and finally looked at him. "I- I didn't mean it like that, you..." Brimsley was sure he hadn't seen him like this ever before. He was actually at the loss of words. If Reynodls would had come out of the shadows, he probably would have seen the blush on his cheeks.
"What is it?", he teased and took a step closer to Reynolds. Brimsley might be hopelessly in love but he still could very much enjoy this.
Reynolds gulped, his eyes going back and forth between the blanket and Brimsley. "You did not have to...", he started.
"I know. But I did it either way."
"We could be found-"
"I will take the risk."
He looked almost helpless in the faint glow of the moon and candles. "Why?"
Brimsley closed their distance easily and let his hands wander over Reynolds uniform up to his face. He brushed a loose strand of hair back and looked up to him with a smile. "Because I wanted to do something special. Because I love you, which is kind of embarrassing, considering that you are you...", he explained with a gentle voice. "And because we never get the chance to be selfish and live just for us."
Brimsley served the crown, this empire, he always would stand next to the Queen and would either go down before or with her. But he still was a human being, who fell in love.
"If you hadn't insulted me, I might have been even more impressed but I guess you are still you, no matter how grand the gesture", Reynolds said, his composed nature slowly coming back. Brimsley chuckled and took his hand to guide him to the blanket. They sat down silently.
"So, you are telling me I should just pack everything up?"
"That is not what I said...", he stopped for moment and picked up a blue flower. "I do not want your efforts go wasted. It is quite nice."
"Quite nice?"
Reynolds looked away and mumbled something.
"If you are going to avoid my eyes the whole evening, I will pack up everything", Brimsley threatened light-heartedly. Reynolds knew he wouldn't but still.
"It's perfect", he answered as their eyes met. "I guess for once you really have outdone yourself."
He tried to hide the grin on his lips, but failed terribly as Reynolds' ears flushed. "Shall we eat then? I'm actually starving for hours", Brimsley then admitted, the smell of sweet desert teased him since he had arrived. Reynolds chuckled and got out of his jacket to pull up the sleeves of his shirt.
For a while they just sat and ate, only the sound of a near fountain and crickets filling the summer air. Well, at least until Reynolds finally seemed to realise. "Is that the food that was served today?", he asked and raising an eyebrow at Brimsley
He smiled and ate another grape. "I'm surprised you remember. I recall you just staring at me through the whole dinner."
"Brimsley, did you steal this?" Reynolds' voice shocked.
For once he didn't feel particularly bad about going against the rules. He probably would be scared much more, if they were anywhere near the palace, but he doubted that anyone would find them here at this hour. "I merely took advantage of the situation."
Reynolds huffed, eyes wandering around, as if someone could watch them. "I can't believe you."
"Tell me that, without taking another one of the strawberries", Brimsley noted and pointed at the bowl of strawberries, that now was almost empty.
"They do taste good, wouldn't want anything to go wasted."
He laughed. "That's what I thought."
The time passed easily like this - limbs comfortably spread over the blanket, eating fruits and bread and sweets, stealing glances and talking about everything and nothing. If Brimsley could have stopped the time here and now he probably would have. He lived for the crown but his heart lingered for these moments, when he had no duties to attend. When he could admire his lover all he wanted and be close to him without thinking about what came next or worrying about them being seen together like this. Hands touching, clothes messy, loud laughter and talks of sweet nothings.
The moon and stars were high above them, when Reynolds shifted and sat up straighter, face suddenly changing to a more serious expression. "I do have something for you, too", he said then.
Brimsley raised his eyebrows in surprise. He hadn't expected anything. "For me?"
He nodded slowly, took his jacket and searched for something. "It certainly isn't a whole picnic but... it hopefully will be of use." Reynolds took a dark red napkin out of his pockets and gave it to him. Whatever it contained was heavier than Brimsley thought. He spared a little glance at the other, whose eyes were fixed on the gift. Slowly he unwrapped it and a small golden clock was revealed. A pocket watch with a chain attached to it to be precise. It looked simple, little engravings adorned the rim, but lovely none the less.
"A watch?", Brimsley asked carefully.
"Open it."
He did as told and opened the watch. The dial looked normal, but there was something else. Inside the lid were words written in a familiar handwriting.
'Great love can make miracles.'
Brimsley remembered these words really well. A lot had happened since then. He still liked to believe in it anyways. He smiled softly, his thumb brushing over the engraved handwriting. "Thank you", he almost whispered. "It's quite nice."
A smirk appeared on Brimsley's lips as Reynolds groaned and fell back on his back. "I hate you."
"Do you?", he challenged.
Reynolds looked up to him, a smile tugging in the corner of his mouth. "Yes, you are impatient, officious, stubborn...", he listed but Brimsley was lost in his deep voice and distracted by Reynolds' hand, that wandered up his thigh to his waist and pulled him closer. Brimsley closed the watch and leaned forwards, face hovering over the other's.
"Your actions are contrary to your words, my love", he managed to say, the heart in his chest fluttering.
"I don't know what you are talking about", Reynolds answered, eyes focused only on him.
He cupped Brimsley's face gently and their lips found together easily. First long and deep, as if they needed to save this moment for as long as they could. Then soft and short with knowing smiles on each their faces. But not long and their kisses became more heated and desperate, food long forgotten. They may saw eachother every day but that certainly didn't stop him from wanting. He wanted to talk to Reynolds at every opportunity, he wanted to hold his hand and know that he was there, no matter what, he wanted to kiss him whenever they liked to. Brimsley opened the buttons of Reynolds' shirt as his lips travelled further down his neck. Kisses and gasps and soft touches filled the night.
God knows, how long they went on but when Brimsley laid on Reynolds' chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, he noticed how far the candles had burned down. It was also getting quite cold, despite the summer air.
"We should go", Reynolds said as if reading his mind.
"Yes", Brimsley agreed, not wanting to move and just enjoy the other's fingers drawing circles on his skin a while longer.
"You will have to get up for that", he noted, making no attempt to stand up either.
"What if I don't?", Brimsley challenged instead.
The next thing he knew, he was onto his back, Reynolds kneeling above him with a smug expression on his face. "It does have it advantages, when you learned how to fight."
Brimsley's face was hot, and he knew he was staring right now, but good God... Reynolds looked breathtaking like that in the dim light, shirt unbuttoned and hair all messed up.
"Did you forget all of the things you have learned, Brimsley?", he asked further.
He had challenged Reynolds and he knew he had lost. Because he was not able to move or actually use any of the skills, that he was trained to perfect. He gulped. "I guess, I've never had such a distracting target", Brimsely managed to say, eyes still only focused on Reynolds' collarbone, where he had left some marks.
They wouldn't be seen there, at least not for anyone, who wasn't Brimsley.
Reynolds seemed a bit taken aback by his surrender, but a fond smile found a way to his lips anyways. He stood up slowly and hold out his hand for Brimsley to take it. He did and was quick up his feet, chest now pressed against Reynolds'. The other leaned forward to kiss him and who was Brimsley to object.
"Now, for heaven's sake, please close your shirt and put on a jacket, you have goose bumps already and neither her majesty nor me need you tied to your bed", Reynolds said in a stern voice and while he was right, Brimsley was freezing, he could not ignore this set up.
"Her majesty not, no. But you never complaint about me in a bed, or did you?"
Reynolds rolled with his eyes. "No, but what is it worth, if I can not be with you at the same time", he only answered and with a smile he let go to put on his blue jacket. Brimsley chuckled and dressed himself again quickly.
They cleaned up in no time, putting everything left in the basket and folded the blanket neatly together. Before he turned to leave with Reynolds, Brimsley made sure there was no evidence left.
They took their time to walk back to the palace. Neither of them being in a hurry... that made him wonder.
"Do you think their Majesties are alright?", Brimsley asked. He suddenly began to worry that they might should not have gone that far away. If there was a problem... he wouldn't forgive himself if-
"His Majesty was more than eager to see her Majesty as soon as possible after the dinner", Reynolds explained, but Brimsley could hear the concern in his voice, too.
He took a breath and ignored the anxious voices in his head. "I can not quite believe, that we were actually concerned about an heir, when they are about to... make number three."
Reynolds snorted and took his hand, both of them calming down. "I can not believe, you are questioning the King and Queen."
"I am not questioning", Brimsley stated instantly. He would never do such thing, it would be considered treason. "Just pointing out."
It was quiet for a while as they walked through the garden. The flowers were in full bloom this time of the year and decorated the spaces around the paved paths.
"Brimsley", Reynolds said and stopped. They were almost out of the garden, just one turn and they would be back in their roles as footmen. "I know what risk you took tonight. Just so you know, I enjoyed this very much."
Brimsley smiled. "I did this because I wanted to. We serve every breathing moment of our lives. We both have sworn to that. But we also deserve", he admitted. There were times when he thought about a different life, what he would do if he could spend every moment of it living for himself and not the crown. But it was hard to imagine, to see him anywhere else but here, five paces behind the Queen, next to Reynolds. "It isn't much, but I will take every moment I get with you."
Reynolds watched him for a moment. A soft gaze in his eyes that Brimsley had never seen anywhere else on him. His heart jumped at the thought that he was the reason behind that rare expression. "I fear, I fell in love with you all over again tonight", he then said, his voice gentle and loving. Brimsley might combusted just here and now.
Instead of trying to find his words, he stood up on his tiptoes and connected their lips. It was risky, so close to the palace, but Brimsley did not know how else to show what he felt for this man. Their kiss was not long nor had it the desire from earlier, but it was quiet and tender and said more than Brimsley could ever had come up with.
He was met with crystal clear blue eyes, when they parted. It was like they were apprentices again, younger and no clue about life and it's burdens.
"Shall we go?", Reynolds asked then.
Brimsley slowly let go and took the blanket that he had been holding for him. "You go first, no more risks tonight." Reynolds nodded and turned around to leave the garden. "Oh, and thank you again for the gift. It is perfect", he added because they got carried away earlier.
He could see an unusual expression on Reynolds' face. It was not pride but something close to it, either way, Brimsley cherished this rare smile. "I'm glad."
He left and Brimsley watched his figure disappear in the night. After a while he took out the small watch Reynolds had given him and checked the time. It was past midnight, but he spent just a little longer where he was right now. His fingers brushed over the engraving again. It wouldn't get easier, they both knew that.
Reynolds wasn't the only one who fell in love all over again. But what Brimsley really feared, was the feeling, that he fell deeper than ever before. He would not find another love like this, he would not want another one. It was a curse, it was blessing, he would not give it up for anything in the world. Brimsley closed the watch with a smile and made his way to the palace. Whatever might came, they would face it, they always did.