The room was noisy as they approached and Quatre found himself clinging even tighter to the men on either side of him.
Milliardo smiled down at him lovingly before straightening, his cold and aloof appearance needed for this public affair. Soon he'd step away from Quatre, leaving the boy to Treize's defense as he made his way through the party, only to steal longing glances at Quatre and corner the boy whenever possible for a stolen kiss.
To his right, Treize wound an arm more tightly around his waist, pulling him closer. This was the day Quatre was to be presented to the American court and the boy had studied more than he thought possible.
Just then, the curtain drew back and the man with their invitation spoke loudly enough to be heard over the quieting crowd.
"General Treize Khushrenada and his husbands, King-apparent, Prince Milliardo Peacecraft Khushrenada of Saank, and Sultan Quatre Raberba Khushrenada of Greater Arabia."
Between them he was small, Treize a form to be reckoned with and Milliardo a public king already with his aloofness. He was only a boy standing between two men, which is what the crowd saw as they descended the stairs to the gathering floor. But he was more than that, he was Sultan, and husband to the general of America's army, and also the lover of the King-apparent to the Kingdom of Saank. He was small now, quiet and graceful, and he'd continue to be that way--until the time was right. And when it was, when he was ready to begin, his husband and lover would stand by him as he made his presence felt in the American court.
He looked up at Treize and smiled at him, feeling his bond mate brush warm lips against his temple. Then he turned to regard Milliardo and was surprised when the blond bent and whispered in his ear. "We're planning on spoiling you rotten once this terrible party is over with, you know. Lovemaking and chocolate." He drew back in time to see Quatre shiver with delight before ruining his image for the remainder of the party by bursting into laughter.
Quatre smiled, folding into Treize and finding love and comfort in all the right places.