elijah's raven hair brushed his neck as he pushed open the gate, the metal hinges creaking at the strain. how long had it been now, since he'd started coming here? he found himself falling more and more each day. at this point, he was hopeless. there was no stopping this.

he looked up as he heard footsteps in the grass. he smiled softly, pulling his lover into a kiss the instant they were near enough. "it's been too long, little bird." he hummed, his golden eyes like pools of molten honey as his lips brushed theirs.

dating royalty was probably unwise. especially since the king wasn't aware. especially since he was a general. it was overall a bad idea, but dear god he could never do anything different. if they had never met, perhaps he'd be happier. living in blissful ignorance. but when he imagined it, he could only see himself alone again. that would make him even more miserable than having to hide a relationship from an entire kingdom.