Chapter Text
"You must do me a favor."
"I? What could the king possibly want from me?"
Louis tried to ignore the mocking tone in his voice, looked back in his hazel eyes, unimpressed.
"As I said. A favor."
"A favor? I do not understand, I'm afraid."
He held his gaze in his eyes, trying to form the words in his head. It was the only way, the only option to get his brother to understand, that he was the king, he had the power, the power over everyone at the court, including him and his lover. That he should not try to plot against him in any way. He had to prove to him that he was in control that he could do whatever he wanted, *take*whatever he wanted and also would be able to punish him. Because no one, especially not his brother could get through with this.
The Chevalier however did not seem to understand, what his intention was, what he even wanted from him. Of course not. He probably never thought he would ever talk to him alone, yet alone ask for something like that.
"I want you to do it with me", he said, locking eyes with him. He frowned.
"Do what?"
"Spend the night with me."
He watched his face, the younger one raised his eyebrows, irritated, his eyes disbelieving, he probably thought he was trying to fool him.
"Forgive me Your Majesty, I'm afraid, I still don't understand what you want from me."
Louis gritted his teeth, he couldn't be that stupid. He was reluctant to say it any other way, but that seemed to be exactly what he wanted.
"Sleep with me."
There was silence then the Chevalier burst out laughing. Louis blinked, feeling anger rising. Did he laugh at him? There was no laughing matter, why wasn't he taking it seriously? Of course, it was an odd request, especially if it came from him. But he was his king, how could he dare to laugh at him? Louis clenched his fists, took a step toward him, looking up in his amused eyes.
"That was quite a joke, Your Majesty. Really funny." He said between two breaths.
"It is not a joke," he scolded furiously,
slowly getting impatient. Taking one more step towards him.
"It's an order."
His smile faded, he lowered his gaze, then looked up in his eyes again.
"I don't understand."
"Yes you do."
He shook his head, an irritated look in his eyes. Louis remained silent, watched as his gaze wandered over his face trying to figure out why he commanded that. And what he should answer. He was uncertain what to do, he could see that. Of course he was, he didn't want to. He loved his brother or at least his brother loved him. But that was no excuse. If he commanded him to, he had to obey and the Chevalier knew, that Louis was the one in control, that he would throw him into prison again if he made another mistake.
"Why?" Was the next thing he said, his voice more quiet and cautious.
"To make an example."
"Example? What could you possibly want to achieve with that?", he asked, a slightly challenging tone in his voice.
Oh, all he wanted was to prove his brother that he was the one and only man that ruled this palace and his people. So that he would never dare to betray him. Because that was exactly what he feared. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but one day. He could not trust him, he was taught to not trust anyone. So he was forced to take advantage of his biggest weakness.
"To have my brother under control. He will turn against me sooner or later."
"Is that so?", he murmured, adverting his eyes, crossing his arms.
"What are you proving to him by sleeping with me? That I am a disloyal as-"
"No. That only I have control. Over everything and everyone. To ensure that my brother does not ever plot something against me. It is a warning."
He shook his head, now more serious than ever.
"You can't do that to him, to me. I love him. And he would never go against you, your majesty, not without-"
He fell silent, Louis frowned. Not without what? What - or who would make his brother turn against him? The Chevalier himself? Again? He didn't know of his first attempt to overthrow him. But still, he couldn't trust him, he couldn't trust anyone.
"Without? Without you persuading him to?"
"He is not the bad guy. There are other, more evil people-"
"Do you think I do not know that?", he answered, biting his teeth together.
"I just think you should look for-"
"I do not need advice from you", Louis cut him off, his eyes narrowed and the king took a step closer to him.
"Have you forgotten, that you once were the one I threw in prison, because you were planning to kill me?"
Louis glared at him angrily, imagining for a brief moment a flash of fear in his eyes. He then lowered his gaze, perhaps he remembered his short, but horrible time in prison. The king could not help but feel a bit triumphant. Which changed more than quickly as he felt Chevalier's hand wandering slowly up his arm.
"Let us not talk about that anymore...", he murmured, his tone changed, now sounding different. He felt like he should not be the one, the Chevalier spoke to like this. Perhaps his brother.
"It doesn't matter now, does it?"
Louis did not move, remained silent and watched his eyes slowly wandering up and down at him. It made him feel wanted, he was used to that.
"No. I suppose not", he answered, letting the other one take his hand and run his fingers across his palm, it tickled, he surpressed the smile, carefully watching the younger ones face. He had a certain, willing look in his face, he knew what to do. And he was ready to.
Philippe might think, Louis did not care or know about his affairs, but it was the exact opposite. He knew that he loved the Chevalier, truly and deeply and more than any of his previous lovers, he knew, that he was quickly irritable and he knew that he left his lover alone in his bedroom this morning after they had an unmistakable fight. And as far as he knew, they haven't forgiven each other yet. He had seen his chance and now acted accordingly.
The Chevalier took his hand in his, guiding him to Louis' own bed in the great chamber where he slept every night, when he wasn't with one of his mistresses. He gestured him to sit down, which he followed, sinking into the soft cushions. The king watched him taking off his coat, his vest and pushing back his blonde hair, before he kneeled down in front of him.
"Wait", he said, grabbing his hand, before he could open his belt. The blonde smiled and looked up at him, sat up and laid both his hands on his knees, nodded understandably.
"I see... So His Majesty is one for affection?"
"I- no..." He was cut off by his lips gently pressing against his. He shut his eyes, the feeling of another mans lips on his being odd, yet not much different from kissing a woman. After a few seconds, he pushed him away, wiped his mouth.
"Enough of that. I think there is still some of my brothers taste on your lips."
Chevalier smiled slightly surprised, shook his head.
"Impossible. And you wouldn't know."
"Right. Go on then."
He leaned back, Chevalier following him by crawling between his legs.
"So no kissing then?"
"No kissing."
"As you wish." He bit his lip, his hands grabbing his belt again, loosening it.
Louis watched him, suddenly asked himself how often he and his brother did it. And if it was always this way around. Certainly not.
His eyes met his, he wondered what he was thinking right now. He wasn't enjoying it, that was for sure. And he wouldn't either. But it didn't matter.
He didn't wanted it to, neither expected it to. Leaning back into the pillows, with the Chevalier climbing over him, he felt like all his talk before of being the only one in control was fake. He definitely was not now.
The blonde began to let his fingers wander down between his legs, he closed his eyes, as they began to softly stroke over the fabric of his trousers directly above his crotch.
He felt his breath on his neck, turned his head in his direction. It felt different, he was heavier of course, he was no woman and it was unusual for him to be on the bottom. But he did expect this and he didn't mind. Not yet.
"What if this gives your brother a reason to betray you?", he heard him whisper in his ear, his hand fiddling with his scarf.
"It might..."
"And? Do you care?"
"I do. And I believe it gives you a reason too."
"It does."
Louis started to smile slightly, of course it did. If his brother ever found out and he was sure he was going to. Perhaps he would even tell him. What would he say? He would hate him for sure and maybe even try to fight him. Or run away.
"Your Majesty...", he said as he managed to tie off his scarf and slowly opened the buttons of his shirt.
"I imagine this is your first time with a man?"
"Yes. I hope it will be as good as with a woman."
He smiled, Louis felt his fingers brushing a strand of hair out of his face, his other hand slowly stripped his shirt of his shoulders. He wondered how many times he had done that to Philippe.
"Better."
He closed his eyes as he felt his hand reaching down to his crotch, biting his lip. Again, it felt different to be touched by a man, he was gentle but clearly experienced. He sighed quietly, slowly growing aroused by his touches. Perhaps he had been wrong about not enjoying it. He grabbed the other man by the collar and pulled him closer, looking up in his eyes.
"You said my brother is not the bad one. Who is it then?"
He shrugged, continued to touch him, Louis tried not to moan loudly, it really felt good.
"I do not know. But I believe there are many people out there, who would love to see you dead."
"Including you", he stated, trying to hold his gaze and remain serious. As if he didn't like being touched like this by him.
"Possibly." The Blonde took his hand in his and kissed it, before he guided it to his chest. Louis could feel his heart beating, frowned. But the Chevalier smiled and let go of his hand.
"So His Majesty wants me to do all the work?"
Louis understood, shot him a devastating glare, before he slowly began to open the buttons of his shirt.
He saw him grinning, amused, resisted the urge to slap him and silently continued to free him of his shirt.
He would not simply let him get away with his arrogant behavior. Not today.
"No. He does not", he said, slightly hesitantly touched his now exposed chest. It felt soft, but he was well toned, and his muscles were hard under his fingers.
"I never thought the king would get so cautious in bed."
He glared at him. Cautious? He simply... didn't know what to do. He was no woman, he didn't know how to handle a man in bed. He never... learned.
But he *was* a man, he knew how woman handled him, that was just the same, right? If he treated him, as they treated him.
"I'm not..."
"Right, you already are hard."
The Chevalier glanced down, Louis swallowed, a nervousness coming over him. He avoided his gaze, slowly putting his arms around him, pulling him closer to him. The younger one looked slightly surprised, a smirk forming on his lips.
"I see..."
Before he knew, the blonde had pushed him back into the pillow and knelt over him, pulling on his pants.
Louis straightened himself up a bit, wrapped his legs around his hip, let him do his work. He closed his eyes, enjoyed how they fit together, the younger ones pelvis pressed against his.
"Is this to your liking, Your Majesty?"
"Very much."
"Your brother likes when I do this...-"
He pushed against him, Louis groaned, his fingers grabbing into the bedsheets. Yes, he liked this, it felt good. More than that. Biting his lip, he pressed back against him, felt his hands stroking over his chest, then up to his face and putting them on his cheeks, he leaned down to him.
"You want me to go on?"
"Yes...", he whispered, pulling him closer and pressing his lips against his. The Chevalier kissed him back, he felt him smiling, constantly thrusting against his crotch.
"I thought you said no kissing?"
"I... changed my mind."
"I see."
Louis' eyes rolled back, when he felt him slowly pushing inside of him, he clenched his fists, it hurt. At first. Soon he felt a wave of pleasure washing over him, causing him to moan of lust.
He withdrew a little from him, only to push deeper and harder into him.
Louis gasped and clung to him, he was rougher than any woman he was with before, but he could not say, that he did not like it. On the contrary.
"My brother likes that too...?", he asked breathlessly, the Chevalier stopped for a moment, smiled slightly.
"No. He hates that."
With every thrust he felt himself getting closer to the edge and if he would continue doing that he would soon be pushed off it. He felt the blondes warm breath on his neck, his body against his.
His warm, slightly sweaty skin on his, his firm grip on his waist and his restrained moans in his ears. He could not help himself, but liking how it felt doing it with him. With a man. It felt... more intense, more pleasuring. And faster. He already knew he couldn't hold it back any longer.
With a loud groan, his fingernails dug into his shoulders, he came, his eyes closed. He felt the younger one stop, and after a few seconds coming inside him. For a brief moment he stayed lying on top of him, they both catching their breaths, then he rolled off him in the pillows beside them.
Louis opened his eyes, feeling the pleasure slowly washing away. It was over, what he had planned had happened, exactly as he wanted. Mostly. He had done it with the lover of his brother, that would surely stop him. He cleaned himself up, then noticed the Chevalier getting up beside him. Caught him by the wrist.
"Stay."
He looked at him in surprise, Louis' gaze did not allow any objections. Slowly he crawled back beside him underneath the bedsheets. He turned to look at him, not saying a word. Louis watched him quietly, wondering what was going on inside his head. Maybe the regret was slowly overcoming him, he was regretting to not have turned on his heels, when the king had given his order. To just say no and go to apologize to his brother. And then they would have laughed together at him.
But now he would be the one to laugh.
He locked his eyes with his, slowly lifting his hand and grabbing a strand of his blonde hair, twirling it around his finger.
"I truly don't know what he sees in you."
He just smiled dryly, took hold of his hand.
"You don't have to."
Louis returned the smile humorlessly, then closed his eyes.
"Good night, then."
"Sleep well... Louis."
"Do not do that."
"What?"
"Call me by my name. I am not Louis for you."
"Oh. Who are you then?"
"Your king."
His smile faded, he shook his head slightly.
"Of course. Forgive me." He closed his eyes and Louis did the same.
"Then sleep well... Your Majesty."
____
The next morning he found the Chevalier cuddled next to him, his arm wrapped around his waist, his head resting on his shoulders. His eyes were closed, he was still sleeping. Louis frowned, it surprised him that he stayed for the whole night. He could have just left and returned to his brother. And tell him everything. But he didn't. He watched him, eyed his blonde curls, that fell into his face, his calm and evenly breathing. He wondered what his brother thought, when he woke up in the morning and found him like that. The only thing he could think was that he wanted him to get off him. Slowly he sat up, but the blonde clung to him, sighing softly in his sleep. Louis put his hand on his shoulder, shook him slightly.
"Wake up."
He frowned, slowly blinking but closed his eyes again, snuggled even closer to him. Getting even more annoyed, he roughly pushed him away, felt his hand grabbing his.
"Philippe... what-"
He stopped and Louis gritted his teeth, as he watched him blinking slowly, opening his eyes. He sat up, looked at him and his eyes widened in shock.
"Your Majesty, forgive me, I-"
"Enough. Dress yourself and get out of my sight-"
He barely finished his sentence, when the door opened. Covering himself with the bedsheets, he straightened himself, looked up. Noticed how the Chevalier froze, watched as his brother entered. Of all the people that could have disturbed him in this situation, it had to be him. Well, perhaps it wasn't that of a bad luck, maybe he could prove now and then to him, that he should be careful with what he did in the future.
"Brother, I need to t-"
He froze, stopped directly in front of his bed, his eyes widened by the sight of them. Louis glanced up at him, out of the corner of his eye saw the Chevalier tensing. He suppressed a smug smirk and raised his eyebrows questioningly.
"Brother. Good morning. What were you saying?"
"I..." He cleared his throat, looked between them back and forth, his gaze staying on the blonde. "What are you doing here?"
"Philippe, I can explain-"
"Explain? I hope so. Please... tell me this is not what it looks like."
Louis looked at him too, saw the upcoming despair in his eyes, the urge to explain himself, to perhaps even lie to him. Even if it was kind of obvious what had happened.
"Louis?", he said, his voice cold, his eyes met his. He couldn't help that a light smile appeared on his lips.
"It is."
His brother stared at him, his eyes with disbelief, he crossed his arms. The Chevalier next to him was crawling to the edge of the bed, reaching for his hand, he slapped it away.
"Please listen to me..."
"No. I am done with you."
He shot the king a glare, stepped closer.
"I don't want to see you ever again. Don't- No", he cut him off, as the Chevalier wanted to say something again. "Don't talk to me, don't come near me and don't try to ever tell me that you love me again."
"Philippe-"
"No."
He shook his head, then looked at him.
Louis simply looked back in his eyes, full of anger and disappointment.
"Why? Why would you do that to me? What have I done? Will you just... keep taking everything from me? You already have everything! You had my wife, you took my victory when we won the war and now? You... take the man I love from me?"
"Brother, this is for your own best."
"For my own best? To have no one that I love, who means something to me, to have a brother who takes everything, everyone from me? Why? Why would you even think that?"
"Cause it is the truth. I do not want you to plot something against me someday. I am in control of everything. This is just another proof for that."
"Proof? You really think I would- You are my brother!"
Louis bit his lip, simply shook his head. That was no reason to just trust him.
"Oh, I know, you don't trust anyone not even your own brother! Louis, I would never do anything and you know that!
Why don't you-" He stopped, breathed in deeply, shook his head and locked his eyes with him.
"Listen, brother", he began, spitting the second word as if it was a horrible curse word, leaning down to him. Louis held his gaze, trying to ignore the upcoming anger. Did he forget who he was talking to?
"Someday, when this palace is finished you will live here, I am certain of that. And perhaps you will be happy here, finally, but the one thing you will be for sure is alone. Because everyone will turn against you sooner or later, leave you, everyone you love. If you are even capable of doing so."
His glare shot back to the Chevalier, who still sat next to him, looked at him with pleading eyes. The he turned and left the room without saying another word.
Louis sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, repeating his brothers words in his head. Alone, he said. No he wouldn't. He never would.
He gazed at the Chevalier, who let his head hang down, closing his eyes and slightly shaking his head. He suddenly had the feeling that he did something horribly wrong. To betray his brother like that, to break their relationship like that. Their love.
He looked at the door that was still open, then back at the Chevalier who looked at him, tears in his eyes. Bit his lip.
"Go after him...", he said, his voice quiet and pleading, his hand grabbed his.
"Please... explain it to him... Tell him I love-"
Louis pulled his hand out of his grip, could not stand his devastatingly sad eyes anymore. He was right. He should be following him. Talking to him. Make sure he was fine. He got up, ignoring the Chevalier entirely and got dressed as quick as he could, stepped to the door, before he turned on his heel.
"You stay here and wait. Dress yourself but do not leave this room."
With that he left him sitting on his bed, followed his brother. He ran away just like he guessed, probably was in rage. Where would he go? His bedroom? To his wife? Outside? Would he ride somewhere? He did not know, chose to check his bedroom first. It was not far from his own, he simply entered without knocking. And found his brother here indeed. He laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling, a bottle of wine beside him. Did he drink? How much already? He stepped closer, his brother did not move, simply ignored him.
Well, he had a good reason for that.
"Brother..."
"What do you want, Louis? Have you not had enough already? I don't want to see you.
"I need to talk to you."
"Do you?", he just murmured, finally looking at him. Louis was shocked to find tears dwelling in his eyes as well, and he sounded like he was about to cry.
"I don't want to hear it. Leave me alone."
"No. Listen to me."
What was he even going to say? He could not simply apologize, that would not be right. He felt his gaze on him, slowly stepping closer to the bed.
"First of all, stop drinking that."
His brother sat up, taking the bottle in his hand and before he could react, he threw it at him, causing it to break in a thousand pieces shattered across the floor. The wine flooded over the floor he stepped back, so that it would not touch his shoes and looked at his brother in shock.
"Have you lost your mind?"
"Why did you even follow me? To command me again, tell me what I must do?"
He got off the bed and walked towards him, the shards crunching under his shoes.
"Because you are the king, you think you can do whatever you want. And that no one will stop you. But you are wrong."
Was he threatening him? Was this his confession? Louis felt his heart beating faster, as he stepped closer to him, clenched his fists. His eyes were cold and unpredictable but behind this facade he could see nothing but sadness.
"Why did you do that, brother? You didn't have to... You know that I love this man... Did you command him to or did he-"
He stopped and Louis could see that he was fighting with tears. He lowered his gaze, knowing he should feel guilty, feel regret. He thought he would be angry, he would run away like he always did, perhaps even try to punch him, but it never occurred to him that he would simply start crying. He never did, not in front of him at least.
"It was an order. But he did it voluntarily. I did not need to persuade him. Not much."
He stared at him in disbelief, a tear rolling down his cheek. Louis blinked, watched him without saying a word.
Because what could he say? He could not undo it and he could not apologize.
That would make all his effort, all his process undone. He had to stay stern and hard. Like always.
"I see...", he murmured, slowly lowering his gaze and head, his voice sounding husky. Why did he not scream at him, fight him or throw something at him again, he wondered. Why was he so quiet? He never was. Louis could not help, but getting the feeling that he destroyed something between them irretrievably.
"Philippe...", he murmured hesitantly, still not knowing what to say, slowly reaching out to lay his hand on his shoulder. He looked up, slightly trembling, looking like he would burst out in tears any moment.
"Don't... don't cry."
"What else am I supposed do to then?"
He hesitated, unknowingly biting his lip.
"See, you... have to understand me.
I cannot trust anyone, not at the moment and I need to have you both under my control."
"You can trust me. I have never given you any reason not to! But if this continues, you are slowly giving me no other choice!"
He grabbed his shoulders, shook his head, looked into his younger brothers eyes, he simply looked back, his lips quivered.
"You can not ever betray me, brother. I did this to ensure that."
"You are scared", he said, surprised by his own realization, looking up in his eyes, but his voice still slightly trembling. "Isn't that right? You are scared that someday you will lose all your power, all your allies and your family... and that will happen. For sure."
He swallowed, his words echoing in his head, shook his head. That wasn't true.
He was not scared and he would not be left alone. There would always be people who would support him, obey him and stay with him. Even it it would not be his brother.
He gave him another look, his brother still crying, did not seem to care about the tears streaming down his cheeks.
Why did he not stop? Why did he just continue crying? He almost could not bear to look at him. It... hurt.
"No... It will not happen. You won't leave me."
He looked up, slightly shaking his head.
"No. I won't."
Louis took a step towards him, feeling a bit relieved and handed him a lace decorated handkerchief, one with his own initials on it. Philippe looked at it for a moment, his eyes focusing the embroidered L XIV on it, then threw it back at him.
"Bite me, Louis."
He turned, but Louis grabbed his arm, stopped him.
"Philippe, wait-"
He turned around, glared at him, Louis was shocked about the sudden anger and disgust in his eyes.
"Let go of me. And get out of my room. Or I swear to you, I will hurt you."
"You wouldn't."
"Stay here and you'll find out."
His eyes were cold and full of hatred, Louis stared at him for a moment, before stepping back and walking through the shards to the door. Before he walked out of it, he turned around once more. He had to say something, anything, if he wanted his brother to forgive him ever again.
"Your... your lover wants me to tell you that... he loves you."
For a moment the anger disappeared from his eyes and the sadness returned,
then he gestured to the door, already adverting his gaze.
Louis left his room reluctantly, knowing he did something wrong, knowing he should leave him alone now, before he would do something he would later regret. He closed the door behind him, stopped for a moment and breathed in deeply. It was a mistake. He should not have done that. There was surely another way. But he just... went for the most hurtful, wicked way possible. Without even thinking about the consequences, thinking about anyone but himself. It was his own fault if his brother would ever decide to betray him. Or worse: leave him.
He leaned against the door and closed his eyes, sighing desperately. From the inside he could hear his brother crying again. It broke his heart, to see and hear him like that. It was all his fault. And in this moment he knew, it would never be the same. He knew his brother would never forgive him. And he had to be prepared for the day he would abandon him.