Ryn jumped slightly at the sudden voice, but his face quickly turned from confusion to a warm smile.
“Oh, no, I slept wonderfully. Thank you,” he replied, still tugging at the fabric. He couldn’t say his heart didn’t flutter at the sight of the man.
Ryn suddenly became more conscious of his own looks. The shirt was draped slightly off of one shoulder, and his hair was a total mess, the strands going wherever they pleased. His golden eyes reflected the minimal morning light, making his skin look slightly lighter.
He slyly readjusted his shirt and ran a hand through his hair, trying not to look like it was on purpose.
It was extremely late when Rio came back to the room, the sky was lit with dim light as the sun made it's way up. He had collapsed into his bed and was out cold until Dawn the falcon started screaming at him to wake up. He groaned and literally rolled out of bed, grumbling about stupid birds as he went into the washroom to freshen up. He emerged, having taken a bath, with a towel around his waist and his clothes in his hand. Rio shuffled through the closet looking for something that wasnt white and found the perfect outfit. He removed the cape and the fancy collar piece, opting instead for a loose white vest-like shirt he left unbuttoned. Rio folded the sleeves up and ran a hand through his hair, giving it a bit of a style before walking outside the room to get some breakfast.
Arien himself looked like an absolute mess. His hair was everywhere, and the bags under his eyes didn't help. He had changed into sleep clothes at some point, a plain white shirt and shorts pants, which meant at some point he had been in the room naked with Ryn, and he had a sleepy smile now. He rubbed his eyes a bit, also running his fingers through his hair.
"I'm glad you slept well! And breakfast should be coming in soon."
A guard managed to spot Rio as he made his way through the halls. It was the one he has attacked, this time with back up and weapons.
"Looking for breakfast?" He snarled. "You aren't supposed to be out of your room yet."
“Right,” Ryn nodded, trying to keep his eyes away from Arien as best he could. Instead, he kept them locked on the door, seemingly lost in thought.
“How do you think Rio is?” he asked suddenly, after a long moment of silence. “I didn’t see him last night. Did he leave?”
With that, he looked back over to Arien, unable to keep his heart from jumping as he awaited a reply.
"I don't recall being given instructions such as those. I am a guest of the king, not a prisoner, or did you not understand that last night?" He asked, his lip turning up into a smirk as he leaned against a nearby window. The smell of fresh baked bread made Rio's stomach whine a bit, it had been a long time since he had been able to eat fresh bread, his normal diet consisted of fruit and vegetables, and what ever cheap nuts and eggs he could purchase.
It was because of his appearance that many people refused to let him work with them, he would simply scare people off. He was only surviving by doing hold jobs such as getting wood from the forest, lifting heavy things, or building things for people. That had been his life after he had escaped his punishment at the guild, that had been his life before he was invited into the king's home and as much as he would deny it, a small part of Rio urged him to relax so they could stay long.
"I saw him out in the gardens last night," Arien said after a moment. He was still tired, running his eyes a little again. "He was still there when I went to sleep, I believe. He might be in his room, or out and about. Maybe looking for breakfast." Arien shifted a bit, turning fully to face Ryn. He gave a sweet smile again.
"Actually, you're neither. You're the king's sex toy, and that means unless he tells you otherwise, you're to stay by his side at all times. Just in case he needs you." The guard pointed to the bracelet on Rio's wrist.
"Besides, your breakfast is already on it's way to the king's rooms. I'd suggest heading back."
"Again you are wrong. The king did not tell me to come here to become his concubine, he brought me here so he could watch me at all times so I don't try to kill Ryn." He shrugged and stretched his arms. "I'll go inside when the food arrives, till then I'm going to stay out here." He said turning to face the window and try to figure out which way the kitchen was so he could visit it later.
"If that was true, then you wouldn't have that bracelet." The guard fumed a bit, but fell quiet. Eventually, from the right, came two servants, each carrying trays of food for the king and his concubines. They passed by Rio and the guards.
"That's your cue to leave," the guard said, snapping a bit.
Ryn kept his eyes locked on the foot of the bed in front of him, his hand clenching and unclenching the side of the pillowcase. He had stopped hugging it due to feeling extremely childish, and just let it rest in his lap before him.
“That’s good,” he said, his voice holding sort of an unusual tone. Relief mixed with a minuscule sense of dread. His eyes rested still at the bed, but his mind seemed elsewhere, going through possibilities already of what he could do to make a friend out of Rio, if that notion was possible.
Arien watched Ryn a moment, thinking. He shifted so he was sitting on the side of the bed closest to Ryn, that gentle smile still on his face. He stayed quiet, letting Ryn think. He saw how Ryn had let go of the pillow, but he had been quite cute while he had been doing it.
Arien looked up when there was a knock at the door.
"Ready for breakfast?" Arien and, looking at Ryn again.
“That would be very nice, yes,” Ryn replied absently. He couldn’t remember the last time he had a real meal. It seemed so far off, considering he had been living off of stolen bread and whatever else people who pitied him would give out.
He bit back the urge to thank Arien again, considering he figured the man might have been tired of hearing the phrase.
(I feel like Rio would end up challenging the guard to a duel lmao)
Rio looked at the guard uninterested before walking back to the room. He sat on the bed and waved at the servants who came and presented the food. Dawn shrieked, scaring the youngest of them.
The servants set the food down that was for Rio. It was a feast, for sure. The youngest servant waved back timidly, only to be shooed out the door by the older one. The kind still needed his food, after all. And Rio was welcome to join them if he wished.
Arien slipped off the bed, smiling a bit.
"Perfect." He smiled at the man as the servants came in, stepping over to help with set the food out on the table. Well, the one not covered in strategical maps. It was massive, more than enough to feed both of them. There wasn't as much variety as usual, but that's what happened during war. Now, there were local dishes galore, and plenty of those.
Rio's stomach grumbled at the mix of smells drifting towards him. He picked up a sweet meat and tossed it to Dawn before grabbing a fresh bread roll and some butter and scaring it down, that was majority of what his breakfast consisted of. There was a lot for himself to finish himself so he ate as much as he and dawn could before waiting for the servants to return so he could invite them to eat.
Ryn looked at the food expectantly, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and adjusting his shirt back when it fell down. He looked up to Arien, awaiting the go-ahead or an invitation to sit down. As long as he was here, he wouldn’t risk possibly stepping out of line.
The servants returned eventually, mostly with the intent of cleaning up. The youngest one glanced at Dawn, seeming to be preparing themselves for the bird shrieking again.
Arien looked up when the servants had left them to their food.
"You ready to eat?" He asked with a sweet smile. He pulled out a chair, motioning to it a bit. He pulled out a second chair next to it, sitting down himself.
Ryn just nodded, hopping down from the bed and tentatively walking over. He dipped his head in thanks to the servants as they left, returning Arien’s smile with a tired one of his own. He took his seat, murmuring a small “Thank you” as he cradled his hands in his lap.
"You're welcome!" Arien had perked up a bit, putting some food on a plate for himself. He started eating quietly, a silent invitation for Ryn to do the same. He paused a moment after a few bites, wiping his mouth.
"Is there anything in particular you like to eat? If it's not here, I'm sure I could ask the kitchen to make it for you next time."
Ryn served himself as well, only taking a very small portion. He wasn’t sure his stomach could handle much more, considering he had trained himself to survive on a lot less.
He was about to dismiss the man’s proposition but faltered, considering the fact that he would have to shove in his opinion at some point in time. He might as well get comfortable with this lifestyle now.
“I’ve always wanted to try berry pastries,” he said, unable to keep the excitement from his words. He was a total sweet tooth, but hadn’t had the chance to indulge.
“But it’s alright, if you can’t make it. Don’t feel pressured to do so, please,” he added quickly, fiddling with the fork in his hand.
Rio gestured for them to sit and join him. As one would, they did protest his statement but he was insistent. He could see the youngest was still a bit afraid of Dawn so he called him over. Once the child came, he whistled for Dawn to come. "She won't bite unless you attack her. You don't seem like you would attack her." He smiled, rubbing her beak.
Arien listened to Ryn with a quiet smile.
"We can definitely get you some!" He said, smiling brightly. He loved the excitement in Ryn's voice, hoping he could hear it more. He wanted Ryn to know this was his home too, now.
The child stared in wonder at the bird, giving a soft smile now.
"Oh! She's so pretty…"
“Really?” Ryn asked, eyes lighting up. He didn’t know why he felt surprised. Of course they could do that for him. It seemed these people could do anything.
“If it’s any trouble, you don’t have to,” he said, glancing back down to his plate.
Slowly, he took his first bite, mouth almost aching with how sweet it was. It was borderline hypersensitivity, Ryn unable to keep from giving a closed smile.
“The.. The food is wonderful, thank you,” he said, dipping his head.
"She is, he name is Dawn." He smiled. "Would you like to pet her?" He asked the child who nodded and reached out a hand. Rio grabbed his hand and helped him pet her head. She let out an almost cult-like purr in response.
"It's no trouble at all!" Arien smiled continuing to eat. He grinned softly.
"I'm glad you like it. I was worried there wouldn't be anything here you would like." Arien looked at Ryn, setting his fork down a moment.
The child gently pet Dawn, smiling brightly.
"Thank you, sir!" He giggled a little, staying still as he continued to give the bird affection.
“It’s quite hard to find things I dislike,” Ryn replied, stomach practically aching for more. He obliged, eating only a slight bit more before putting his fork down, pacing himself. He knew he’d feel sick if he ate too much more.
“And, even so, this is more than just good,” he continued.
