zer0pm:

Imagine Ardyn having a habit of placing his head upon your chest as you both are sleeping. You presume it to be a cute quirk of his to feel safe as not all people take well to figures of power especially so of those from Niflheim. In reality, however, he does this to assure himself that YOU are safe. He has long forgotten what it was like to have a living, breathing heart. So as he lies over you, he purposefully positions his ear atop where he can best hear your heart thumping. That gentle, consistent beating soothes him a comfort like no other.

You: “How is it that you can sleep like this?”

You can feel the soft rumble of a chuckle upon your chest as you run your fingers through his unruly auburn hair.

Ardyn: “There is a comfort in knowing that this is real. It is a grace I have not been blessed with for a very long time. And yet it is here…and it is mine.”

He envelops you in his arms and holds you closer, nuzzling against you where you can feel the light scratch of his stubble.

Ardyn: “I am lucky to have you, my heart.”