Hakon wasn't given to merriment, but it was one of the merriest days of his entire life. Ajax got on with people in a way that he found enviable. The lad charmed people, persuaded them, convinced them, performed for them and serenaded them, and they responded in kind with ready smiles and free drinks. He was the benefactor of the overflow of goodwill Ajax received, and the youth kept pushing beer and wine and mead toward him while he played, Normally, he wouldn't drink a quarter this much, but he was not so rude as to refuse the hospitality of strangers, so he drank until he couldn't feel his face, and then his legs.
Ajax actually had to help him upstairs to their room, which he would have been embarrassed about if he wasn't so warm and happy. Numb, but not unpleasantly so. Ajax helped him out of his boots, which was good because when Hakon had tried he'd just stared mutely at them for a minute, looking at the knotted leather ties with consternation. Normally, he could do this without even thinking about it, but now, even when looking at them, it was confusing. He tried undoing them, but just made a new knot, somehow.
He removed the rest of his outer clothes without Ajax's assistance, then found himself in bed. Ajax moved to stay on top of the blankets, which Hakon found amusing. His honor was being protected by a scoundrel. Then Ajax asked a question that punched a hole straight through the wall of ice Hakon had forcefully put between them.
Did you fall in love with me?
His first reaction was to get angry at the question. What possible reason did Ajax have for asking this? Was it not obvious that this had been so? The idea of blustering at Ajax held no appeal even while sober, though, and trying to articulate his thoughts while he was drunk was too hard.
So instead, he told the truth. "Ardently. With vigor. For you," he frowned, trying to stop the words, but it was too late, "for you there were shonnets. Or there would've been. Would've learned how."
He cuffed Ajax on the forehead, but with no force, a playful, soft bonk.
"'n afore you think I fall eashily," he slurred, "No. I don't. Jus' you. An' Heinrich. Two boys I was stupid enough to love. Others, maybe, if'n things'd been diff'rent. But they wern't."
Strong arms wrapped around Ajax.
"Get under here, lad. You'll freeze."
