Chapter Text
You would think someone like Orpheus wouldn't be cold. I mean, hell he grew up in the cold. He wasn't called the “Ice-Bound King” for nothing, however today it seemed like the cold was truly getting to him.
There the king sat, shivering slightly on the comfort of the camelback couch in his study. The room was quite large, bookshelves filled with novels from different regions. The king had requested them to be sent to his palace long before in the past. He was interested in not only the lives outside of his region but of how they wrote, how they made their characters and their words breathe, as if they were right in front of him. As cold as the king was, Orpheus had a soft spot for stories that captivated his eyes, which were few and in between. Orpheus’ ice blue eyes kept trailing around the room as if he was observing the room for the first time. The red ivory walls had ferns growing against them as if they were planted within them. Towards the north of the room was a lit fireplace, the mantel was ivory white with intricate designs of the different plants and smaller details looking like blueberries. The light from the fireplace caressed Orpheus’ face as he sat.
Orpheus’ hands were clenched on his lap, the tips of his fingers covered in ice. His thumb was carefully rubbing against the scar that rested on his left hand. From the outside, it looked like he was thinking about something that was deeply bothering him but in all actuality he was thinking of a way to warm up. As he sat, the door to his study steadily creaked open and silent footsteps were heard before they carefully stopped beside the camelback. The king didn't move at the sounds of the person that walked in.
A small “-Sire?” was heard by the king before he quickly looked up at you, his golden locks moved slightly as a few strands fell in front of his face. How long had you been standing there? How long have you been watching him think? Who could’ve known. Well you could but that's not the point, is it? Orpheus’ eyes filled with realization before gesturing slightly next to him, an invitation to sit. You gladly accept and carefully sit beside him. “Sire is everything alright?” You speak softly, taking a small glance at his hands. He thought carefully about how to answer your question before speaking. “I’m fine just..” He didn't want to admit he was cold but it was fairly obvious to you that he was. “Cold?” You spoke. Orpheus nodded slowly. He would never admit something like that out loud, even if it was to you.
You carefully place your hands on his, noticing how cold they were. “Sire you're freezing! How long have you been sitting here?” You spoke, taking a glance at the now dim fireplace. “I don’t recall..” He trailed off slowly. He didn’t move from your touch, in fact, he adjusted his hands to hold yours, trying to take in the warmth from your hands. You carefully rub the top of his hand with your thumb before speaking to him softly. “Sire, let me get you something to warm up please.” You slowly stood, your hands leaving his. Before you could even move away, his hands gripped yours tightly, a silent sign to not leave him. You let out a careful sigh before speaking again. “Sire please.. You’ll either catch a cold or even worse. Let me fetch you more firewood and a blanket okay?” Orpheus’ brow furrowed slightly as if contemplating to actually let you go. After a few moments he released your hand and nodded slightly. You swiftly left his study so you could collect the things you needed to warm him up.
You walk back into his study, a large and fluffy blanket in your arms and a hot chocolate in your hands.Orpheus never moved an inch from his seat but he looked more cold than much earlier. You walk over to the fireplace, carefully placing the drink on the mantel before walking back to the male on the camelback. You hand the male the blanket and he slowly takes it from your hands and places it on his lap. You smile warmly and turn back to the fireplace. You take a glance to the wood sitting in andrion. The wood looked freshly cut as if they were brought in that morning. You crouch and carefully grab a log and carefully toss it in the fireplace as it seemingly burns brighter, as if it thanked you for the ‘food’. You stand and grab the still hot drink and walk once more to Orpheus before taking your seat once more beside him. Your hands slowly reach over to let him take the drink. He hesitates before carefully taking the drink from your hands. A soft “Thank you” is heard from him before he takes a long sip.
You both sit in silence for a bit, the crackling of the fire being the only sound between the two of you. You take a small moment to admire Orpheus’ features. His long blonde locks framed his face wonderfully. His cheeks had a small blue hue to them. It wasn't worrying since he always had that on him. There were small hints of ice near his eyes that looked like stars in the light from the fire. You could feel a small smile form on your lips as you kept admiring him. I mean who wouldn’t. You begin to scoot slightly closer to him before he catches wind of what you're trying to do. He reaches for your waist and helps you scoot closer to him as now you're both practically touching shoulder to shoulder. Orpheus’ hand was still in place on your waist, rubbing small circles into your skin. You knew what it meant. He had issues speaking about how he felt from time to time so small touches and movements like this had full meaning. You carefully rested your head on his shoulder after some adjustment from you to be in a more comfortable position but still being in close proximity. No words were needed as you two sat watching the fire.
Suddenly the “Ice-Bound King” wasn't as cold as he once was before.