John thinks he's finally found his calling.

Life after Price had disbanded the 141 had been rough. After the war had come to a close, the King no longer had a need for the elite group of warriors he'd banded together. The knights ended up searching for work in places that would disregard their less-than-clean method of battle. They had a... reputation, some would say. The rumors of their travels and triumphs had spread far. That would have been a good thing, had they decided to keep up their lifestyle.

Price, being the King of the lands, had offered them all positions at his court. Simon had taken up the role of Grand Master, keeping all of the castle's knights up to par. It was challenging, yes, but a weight that Simon was more than willing to bear. He owed Price his life and more, and he wasn't about to forget it.

Kyle had become his advisor. The man had always had a way with words that John envied. He kept himself collected, yet knew how to joke around when appropriate. He enjoyed his role, his smooth-tongued way of talking prospering the kingdom even further.

Now, came John's problem.

He wasn't good with negotiations like Kyle. Too hot-headed and stubborn to even try and compromise, especially if he cared. That was the problem. He just cared to much. But, on the contrary, he didn't care enough about helping Simon with the knights. His mind would always wander somewhere else, boredom always sneaking in and getting it's claws on his head.

Price had tried assigning him to the stables, but he hadn't a single clue on how to get that horse to trot, no matter what he did while in the saddle. Next was the kitchen. That one was over quickly after he'd mixed up the sugar and salt, ending with Price receiving multiple complaints from the staff about how the food made them feel unwell.

John just didn't know what to do with himself. Time and time again, he'd mess up one to many times and get booted from the job. So when Price tried his last resort, John was stunned that that was the role he'd been given.

A court painter.

He was to paint portraits of the court and the kingdom, perchance their guests. Yes, it sounded fun to him, but so did the kitchen, and look where that ended. John didn't even want to think about it.

So he was beyond shocked when the first painting he made was hung in the castle's parlor. It was a portrait of Price himself, atop his favorite stallion. All regal-like and shite. He'd done it. He'd found something he was good at and enjoyed. A real fucking miracle.

He'd paint visitors to the court, tasks given to him by Price, all the like. But on his free time, he opened his services to the kingdom's nobility. On one such day, he'd set up his space in his quarters, his easel and canvas leveled and candles positioned to create the perfect lighting.

He was supposed to paint a noble, a portrait to be shown to potential marriage candidates overseas. John was rushing, trying to set up all his paints and clean his brushes when he heard the bell outside his door jingle, and he cursed under his breath while he adjusted his tunic to look presentable.

"Aye, m'comin!" He called, rushing to the door and opening it. "Welcome, I'm John. John Mactavish," he said, extending a hand. And his eyes landed on his customer and oh.

They were fucking gorgeous. John smiled, bright like the sun rising in the mornings. "Come on in," he purred, a sultry smirk on his lips as he beckoned them into his studio. "Take a seat, and I'll get started." John gestured to the stood he'd set up before wandering to his canvas. "Hope you don't mind if I talk to ya' durin' this, helps me think," he murmured, squeezing the tube of paint onto his palette. "So, what's your name?" John winked to them, beginning the first strokes of color on the blank canvas.