Out of Reach (Xander/Niles)
There were but a handful of people Niles truly felt grateful towards. First on his list was Lord Leo, of course. Lord Xander was second.
The Crown Prince didn't question his brother's decision to name Niles his retainer. He even went as far as to make him feel welcome, offer him training, stop those that spread rumors about him personally. The latter could've have been more for Leo's sake than Niles own, but the outlaw was thankful nonetheless.
Ah, Prince Xander, what a charming man. Dream of every woman in the kingdom, no doubt. Maybe the dream of a few others more. No, oh, no, Niles would never dare, he respected the man too much. Besides, toying with him was unnecessary, as the outlaw has had the displeasure to watch Nohr's greatest warrior crumble down once or twice in the time he's inhabited Castle Krakenburg. He never meant to bear witness to such horrifying events, but as he chose to patrol the castle from the shadows, taking particular care of the areas from which people the likes of him might attempt to scurry inside, he had accidentally found the Crown Prince in some abandoned corner trying to hide.
It was a pathetic sight. For one how reveled in pain so much, Niles could barely stare. The bitter crying, the words Xander whispered to himself. He had murmured to the stone walls how much he wished for his own dead. He had then smashed his forehead against those very walls, asking himself who would take of Elise, of Leo, of Corrin, of Camilla, if he ever were to falter, if he ever were to fail.
It was sickening, but Niles felt like this was beyond him. Much as he wanted to offer his support, harsh as it could be, something stopped him. Fear of how Xander would react? The admiration he harbored towards the Prince? Was he instinctively keeping his distance? Probably all of that, maybe something more.
It the third time Niles has to watch it happen when the Prince returns from a campaign when he worries enough to go after Prince Xander after he destroys half of the training grounds in a fit of rage. He follows him through the empty corridors of the unused section of the castle as his eyes water and the curses and the reproaches flow from his mouth. He gives chase as he occasionally swims his sword at the walls until he goes completely still and suddenly rushes inside a room. That’s something the outlaw has never seen happen and for some reason it makes his heart sink.
Niles gathers his wits and knocks on the door. "Lord Xander? It's me, Niles, are you there my Lord?"
Nothing.
"Lord Xander, I'm sure I saw you enter here, if this a bad time, my apologies, but please let me know you’re alright before I leave."
Well, he wouldn't knock a second time, Xander evidently could deal with this, he has in the past. He would never do anything outrageous.
But maybe, just to stay safe, he would check through the window.
Just as Niles is about to see if he can reach this room through the next one, climbing from outside, the door bursts open, and he's forcefully pulled inside and thrown on the carpet.
"You saw nothing." Even broken he was imposing.
Intuitive, implacable Prince Xander. Of course, he knew Niles observed everything. Unsure if he should respond or even stand up, the outlaw stays where he is, looking as Xander passes by him and goes to sit on a chair close to a small table.
"My job is not only ensuring Lord Leo's well-being yours concern me as well. Lord Leo would have my head if he knew I let something happen to you."
"Never you mind then, I'll be fine."
"Will you truly be, my Lord?"
"Sure, sure. You may go now."
"No." Niles finally finds the valor to stand and take a sit in front of Xander, who turns to look at him, eyebrows raised. "If you allow me, I would like to remain here for a few more minutes."
And Xander desired the company, but he found it hard to admit. "Do as you please."
Prince Xander, Prince Xander. For a moment, Niles wants to squeeze his hand, offer words of reassurance, but he can't get too personal, right? Not with someone like him. That was ridiculous. And yet when the Prince locks eyes with him, he can't stop himself, he acts on impulse.
The fact that he wasn't dead yet must be a good signal; that Xander was desperately pushing into the kiss rather than trying to back off must be another. The Prince might be acting without thinking. He could simply be craving the touch of another, the closeness. Whatever it was, the outlaw didn’t mind; Prince Xander could take anything and everything he needed from him.