SWpromptsandask

Today was an unusual day from the get go.

For one, it had rained.

Harsh, thundering desert rain but rain that could be drunk if it was collected in buckets and barrels, everyone putting out what they could to get water to store and use and drink.

Even a few of the more daredevil and reckless ones going as far as standing out in the rain and soaking it up.

The second unusual thing had been Fett himself, walking out without a smidgen of armor on, not even his helmet, dressed simply in his black robe and belt carrying his weapons.

The pillows Princess had left behind in the throne came in good use now, though Fett also used them with his armor on. But without any on, they were certainly a comfort by the way Fett sighed in relief after stuffing one of the bigger ones behind his back.

Court had proceeded as usual after that, not all that different except for the occasional drip of the rain coming down through cracks.

From the way Fett eyed the occasional wetness, it was clear he was making mental notes about getting it fixed as he traced the wetness to the roof above when not talking with someone.

The third unusual thing…

Was Princess himself.

When he finally emerged, a lot of people couldn’t contain their surprise.

Dressed in his usual sweet sheer getup, a nice lacy blue one this day that left so little to the imagination and yet kept the most important bits covered that was only for Fett, Princess was also dressed in bruises.

He walked gingerly over the stone floor, not his smooth roll of hips that many watched and lusted after and very carefully Princess slid himself into Fett’s waiting lap, sighing in relief as he settled his head on the other’s shoulder.

Fett smoothed his hand slowly over a thigh as he rolled his body a bit, making it easier for Princess to settle. He murmured quietly to the other, glancing at him before settling at a positive reply, his hand still on the tanned thigh in a comforting, petting motion as court finally began with everything from completed missions, petitioners and off-worlders seeking anything from alliance to work.

Now Fett’s state of dress made more sense to the regulars of the court.

It had become more and more apparent that Fett adored Princess, to some it even appeared the crime king potentially loved him as fantastical as the idea sounded, so seeing to his comfort in his own fortress by shedding his armor was not beyond Fett.

But it left many to speculate.

Someone had already died for harming Princess.

No one had died now, at least not yet and Fett would have made a public execution of it, as a warning and a threat to everyone what would happen if you crossed him.

And Princess was a mess of yellowing and black bruises and looking long enough, one could even spot a bacta patch on the back of one calf.

Had this happened while he was traveling, to see his son?

Was Princess son a slave potentially and the master of the son hurt him?

Both of those floated around a while, the latter dismissed almost as soon as it was suggested, Fett adored Princess, would grant him expensive outfits, sweets, toys and anything the man desired and allow him actions no one else could get away with and nothing would have stopped him from making Princess happy at this point.

Including either rescuing or buying his son if so and with the time it took to travel, there was no way the son was on Tatooine.

Another, cautious rumor began after those.

Djarin had just been punished after all, had been kneeling in place of the King’s favorite whore for an entire day with the King’s hand on his neck.

Was he the one to beat the throne warmer?

While Princess was adored for sure, Djarin was a favorite too in Fett’s eyes, everyone was aware that both Djarin and Shand were his right and left hands and both of them were also granted favors that others would not get.

No one as much as Princess of course, but maybe enough that Djarin could survive being violent towards Princess with a humiliating punishment?

Now that it was loose, more speculation came.

No one had ever seen Princess and the hunter in the same room at the same time, they always seemed to either miss each other or not be required at the same time, one being in the bedroom and the other being on a hunt from time to time when the other was in the throne room.

Maybe that was on purpose by Fett, that he knew the dislike that least one of them had towards the other.

Potentially both of them hated each other.

More than one person had speculated on the nature of Djarin and Fett’s relationship, the mandalorian practically a dog on a leash for Fett as much as Princess on the literal leash with a collar.

The idea had merit and once brought up, circulated with more and more conviction.

And Djarin would be more than capable to leave Princess in such a state with little injury or risk to himself in his beskar armor, even injured as he was when he returned and despite Princess well capable hands at violence, the armor would be major protection, coupled with the battle experience of the mandalorian.

Fett dismisses one of the merchants that set up stalls and homes in the new town around the palace, their tax payment taken away by a twi’lek with shrewd eyes to put into the treasury but that’s not as interesting as the sight of a shifting and grimacing Princess, the tanned man gripping the front of Fett’s robe.

The King takes that moment to pause, gently rubbing at Princess thigh. “Maybe you should go back to bed.” Fett questioned but it came out as a statement more than anything, voice low as he eyed the other thoughtfully. “Lay down and rest.” The man stated and as used to him being obeyed as the court was, the answer took them of guard.

Princess grimaced again before shaking his head against Fett’s shoulder. “No. I want to stay.” He stated, voice a tad raspier than usual but firm.

Not that many took much note of that however, frozen from the ‘no.’

Princess had been confused, sad, hesitant even violent but he had never said no before. Not to Fett, a man used to being obeyed and swift in dealing with those who didn’t in his palace and on his planet and many shifted nervously, wondering if they were about to witness more bruises be added to Princess already damaged body.

However, Fett simply huffed, as if he expected the answer before reaching into his belt pouch and pulling out something. “At the very least you need something to dull the pain, alright?” He stated seriously, staring at the other man as he held up a vial with something shimmery blue in it.

Princess eyed the vial before sighing and nodding, reluctantly sitting up a bit and opening his mouth ever so slightly.

Satisfied seemingly, Fett popped the cork of the vial and tipped the bottle against his index finger, a thin sheen on it when he removed the bottle. With care, he slowly rubbed the shimmery powder on the inside of Princess bottom lip.

That done, he stowed away the bottle and wiped his finger on his own thigh, watching with a slightly amused air as Princess ran his tongue along the inside of his lip and grimaced heavily. The gaze softened however as Princess visibly started relaxing and flopped against the other man, Fett’s arm coming up around him in a careful circle. “There we go Princess, we’ll have something to eat in an hour or so.” He murmured, voice sweetly promising.

Princess hummed at that, nuzzling into Fett’s shoulder, eyes half closed. “Elek buir’ika.” He mumbled, voice low, barely heard over the music with an airy note to it that indicated despite the low dose, he was properly drugged up.

All in all, it had been a very strange and very long day by the time the palace emptied out of those that did not belong there during the night, everyone hoping things would be returning to normal over the next day.

Well, there was one last strange thing.

Though among all the other things, it seemed almost inconsequential to those that left for the night.

Just a tiny thing among every other detail but just enough for a few to see and remember as different from the norm.

Fett had not been wearing his gloves throughout the day.

Strange things in a strange court.