i don't even go here, but your fave borgias pairing (something with lucrezia maybe?) and 16. 'Do you trust me?'

It is past midnight in her brother’s rooms, and said brother is naked beneath her, his hands gripping her waist like she is the only thing tethering him to the universe, when the door bursts open.  

Cesare jerks up, and she dives for a blanket–but it is only Micheletto. “His Holiness is on his way,” Micheletto says urgently, looking straight at Cesare. “He will not be stopped.” 

Cesare swears, and Lucrezia looks frantically about the room–there are too many pieces of her toilette to possibly gather up in time–her chemise, her gold slippers, the purple gown and the sleeves she so recklessly tore off–there is no chance she can gather it up before her father gets here. She cannot leave her brother’s rooms half-dressed, either. 

“Hide in the wardrobe,” Cesare orders, coming to the same conclusion. “I shall say I had a woman, that she has left, but will–return.” 

Lucrezia shakes her head frantically–there is too much risk that her father will recognize the gown, which he gave her, the ruby-edged pearls she stupidly plucked from her hair and left in a careless pile on the floor, the net Giulia complimented her on only that morning. 

“Do you trust me,” Micheletto says suddenly. He must be addressing Cesare, but he is looking at her, familiar, loyal Micheletto, his face white with some unknown emotion. 

“We do,” Lucrezia answers him in a frightened whisper, and Micheletto gives her a jerky nod. 

“Into the wardrobe, my lord,” he says, and then Lucrezia understands. Cesare rocks back like Micheletto has struck him–like a loyal dog has bit him–but there is no time. 

“Go,” she begs, and Cesare goes, his jaw clenched tight. 

Micheletto kicks off his boots and joins her in the bed. She tugs him down over her, so his weight covers her like a shield. She runs her fingers through his hair, tugs at his clothing so he will appear a little more debauched. Micheletto’s hands settle awkwardly on her forearms, and his eyes are grave and open only a few inches from hers. 

She kisses him harshly, biting his lip so he will appear as kissed as she is, and worries. She will tell her father this is none of his affair. She will tell him Cesare has no idea, that Cesare spends the night with a mistress of his own. She will be outraged, then humiliated, then penitent. Her father will forgive her this, as he could never forgive her true sin. 

She can hear footsteps in the corridor now, and it occurs to her all at once that Micheletto will not be forgiven. Her father will insist that Cesare dispose of him, one way or another. His hands tighten on her bare forearms. 

“Trust us,” she whispers against Micheletto’s mouth  just as the door bursts open, and what she means is we will protect you.