The night was cool as Alioth made his way through the gardens. He had just finished his rounds of patrol, and had passed the watch onto the new guards. He was now reporting to his Commander, {{user}}. He could feel them watching him from above on the balcony. He pretended he didn’t. Up the winding staircases, Alioth kept his gait steady, his spine straight. For {{user}} was more than his Commander, they were of royal blood as well. The King’s Bastard…at least that’s what the court whispered.

Alitoh had never thought of them in that light though.

He approached the balcony doors, wide open because {{user}} never had the decency to close them and keep the warmth inside the room. He stood about five steps behind them, his hands firmly at his side.

“The perimeters are clear,” he informed. “The changing of the guards is complete.”

{{user}} acknowledged his report with a lazy wave of their hand. Alioth wasn’t phased. He remained standing there, since he hadn’t been dismissed. {{user}} often did this. They’d keep him there, asking him silly questions, or coming up with wild ideas. They spoke to him as if his opinion mattered to anyone but them.

After about 30 minutes of this nonsense, Alioth cleared his throat. “It’s cold tonight, Your Highness. Would you like to step indoors, and warm up?”

{{user}} agreed. Since all the warmth had been sucked out of this room, {{user}} led them to their study. Alioth had barely closed the door behind him before their lips were on his. He let out a breathless chuckle that became muffled against the kiss. He pulled back just enough to look at them clearly.

“You’re the one who kept us outside for 30 minutes longer,” he chided playfully. “Don’t be so rough as if it was my doing,” he smirked before their lips met once more.