Jack was gentle with him, carefully easing away from him as his knot softened after making love. Perhaps a little too attentive as he helped David from the pool, drying him off, fussing over him. It felt good, though, and something about it seemed to calm Jack, which gave David some unexpected ideas to ponder. 

There was a door from the pool directly to Jack's rooms, thank god, and Jack kept one arm around his naked body as he took him through it and into the bedroom of his apartments. "David..."

"Jack. Do you love me?"

"More than anything."

"What would you do for me?"

He felt a shudder run through his friend, Jack's arm tightening around him. "Anything," he murmured, soft and rough.

"Do you trust me?"

Jack let out a long breath, pressing a kiss to his hair. "Yes, David. I do."

"Alright." David tugged him over to the side of the bed, sitting on the edge. "Will you tell me what you're afraid of?"

Jack swallowed visibly, taking both David's hands in his own and staring down at them. "So much," he muttered, shoulders tensing. "....five wives is five too many as far as I'm concerned. Even if you were one of them - and fuck what anybody says, I just - " his mouth twisted, and he shook his head. "It's so dangerous for male Omegas to have children, I couldn't forgive myself if I hurt you...."

"I know the spells to prevent it," David assured him, trying to ignore the shiver of heat and the slick between his thighs at the thought of it.

"But if I have wives we have to have - to work the hereditary magic. That's the commitment. That there won't be any preference for the heir being born from any one of the Five countries of Unification, and I - " 

Jack closed his eyes tightly for a moment, brows knitting together, then looked up at David desperately. "I can't go through life pretending like you're not the most important person in my life, David. I can't marry five women - I can't spend my life with all these other Omegas when I just want to be with you. I can't stand the thought of you just being an afterthought, that I'll always be stealing time just to be with you, and I can't bear the thought of you stuck in a tower with me, away from everything that makes you you!"

It was obvious how much he'd thought about this, agonized over this. While David had been off fostering, focused only on whether or not Jack would want him, Jack had been wrestling with how to do right by him. It was hard not to be incredibly touched by it... and it made his decision feel easier than ever.

"I have something I'd like to propose," he started, stroking the backs of Jack's hands with his thumbs. "Because I think it'll be easier for us both if we have something to aim for. But I also want you to know, Jack... even if that doesn't work, we'll figure it out. We have time to figure it out. As long as we're together. Isn't that what matters?" Not the 'what'. Just the 'who'.

Jack let out a long breath, but nodded. "Okay. Alright. You're right."

David smiled, squeezing his hands. "Alright. We're going to come to an agreement, then, you and I. You said you needed me, right? Someone who will look at you, and care for you, and love you for being you. Someone who won't kneel to you as King. Someone who will just love Jack."

Jack lowered his gaze, the thick fringe of his golden lashes brushing his cheek, and nodded.

"Alright," David said again. "Then I'll be that person for you. But in return, when we're alone I'm in charge. You'll do whatever I ask, Jack, and you won't question whether or not you ought to. You won't feel guilty about what you should or shouldn't be doing. The only thing that matters will be doing what I want you to, in gratitude for what I give you."

Jack swallowed visibly. "Yes, David," he said, voice thick with emotion. "But we won't have much time alone."

"We're alone now," David replied. "And I want you to kneel for me, my love."

Eyes still lowered, Jack slowly slipped off the bed and sank to his knees. David moved closer, wordlessly urging Jack to lean against his thigh, and Jack obeyed, closing his eyes with a long exhale.

David ran his fingers through his hair, stroking the back of his neck. "This is how things are going to go," he said, low and firm. "You're going to teach me to use transport circles. When you go back to Aquilla you're going to take the King's Tower, and you're going to give me access to the circle so that I can come visit you in private. We're going to attend the Collegium together, and I'm going to continue my Offensives training, so you can tutor me alone. Then, by the time we've finished our standard studies, we're going to determine a way to convince Aunt Meredith to let you reinstate the ancient position of Archmage of Imperial Interests from before the Unification, so you can appoint me to it."

Jack looked up at him. "But the Unification removed the need for a royal ambassador."

"Not an ambassador," David corrected. "A spymaster in ambassador's clothing. Someone who can go where you can't, form relationships you can't, and make sure the king understands what his leaders need and what problems might arise before they happen. Let me serve you as your eyes, your ears. Your right hand."

Jack's lips parted. "...you'd do that for me?"

"I want to do that for you," David told him. "Give you something no-one else can. If you have to be stuck in that tower, Jack... I'll be your freedom."

Jack caught one of David's hands again, pressing a trembling kiss to the back before leaning his cheek against it. "...I'd be very grateful. If you're sure."

"It's not entirely altruistic, my love. If I'm your right hand, I'll have access to you whenever I please."

Jack's breath grew heavier against his skin, free hand caressing his thigh, over his hip. "Someone will figure us out."

"No. No one would dare suspect the king. Eventually you will take wives, and have children. I will have more than enough casual lovers to explain the boundless power I'll have access to. And you will allow me that, Jack."

Jack gave a soft, huffed laugh. "I couldn't keep you from it even if I wanted to."

"You could."

"I think it would be extremely suspect if a King were interfering with his friend's empowerment."

"I don't mean as a King. I mean as an Alpha." David trailed his fingers down the back of his neck. "You're going to Claim me, Jack. You're going to make me your Mate."

~~~