"Don't you dare turn to drinking or else I will leave here and never come back. That is a horrid coping mechanism that I have first hand experience with. Let's just say my father was not the best of men, and some could easily argue the worst. Now then. Chin up. Don't go running from fear instead take it head on. I will always be here to protect you. You can't just sit and pout. You are a King To Be. And do you want the people seeing you as weak? Or as strong and fearless? It's okay to be afraid and even admit it. But it's how you handle and process that fear that shows just what type of man you are. So don't you DARE go putting yourself down like that. You are better then that and you know it."
Marius looked up at Evan weakly. Please don't leave me… I just… it hurts. I doubt I'd develop an addiction or anything, I just want… I want to be able to forget about everything sometimes and I can't… it's always there… it's always there… He sighed shakily as he clung to the other. I'm being stupid, aren't I? I'm wallowing like a dumbass and I can't… I can't do anything…
"Shhhh…" He rocked him gently. "Hush now. I am your forgetful healing love. Okay? Loose yourself in me. I'm always here for you. Okay? I'll try to be with you as much as I can my precious. So. Take some deep breaths and calm down. Try to breath and relax. You're gonna be alright I promise." He seemed to be holding something back. The secrets of his past poprocked on his tongue but he only swallowed them down. He had to be okay for Marius. Now was not the time for a mental breakdown.
Marius buried his face again and clung tightly to Evan as he trembled. I don't want you to go… she can't take you from me. I won't fucking let her. She doesn't deserve you. He growled softly and linked his ankles behind Evan's back, tangling himself up with him. You're mine and I'm not gonna let her take you away.
"She won't. I promise she won't. You're so precious when you're overprotective. But I swear you have me always, Marius. Mother would sooner kill her then have me banished and put away. I will speak with your parents once you calm down so that I may become your personal tutor, yes?" He said this with a smile and kissed Marius's tears and cheeks.
Marius nodded weakly and tried to relax, but he was still very jittery and tense. She's trying to take you from me and I'm not gonna let her… He repeated, kneading Evan's chest anxiously. Maybe I'll banish her. See how she likes it… He huffed indignantly.
"No you can't banish her and no she isn't trying to take your lover away from you." He grabbed Marius's hands and started kissing his knuckles with a soft smile, looking up into Marius's eyes. "I love you. And NOTHING will keep me from those I love. So. Do not worry and fret okay? I have a plan it's set in stone. Trust me alright?" He said gently, before reaching up with a hand and petting Marius gently.
Marius nodded weakly and leaned into Evan's hands when he started petting him, closing his eyes as he continued his efforts to relax. We should just go far away where nobody can find us and live there forever under different names and we can look at the stars, and… and we can be happy there.
"But we can't Marius. Too many people would notice. But maybe~ I'll convince Marianna to let you go on a private study tour with me or something. And we can make love and talk about the stars. Though that is far off. Someday though." He stopped kissing and kept petting Marius now with both hands, stroking his back too, humming gently as he hugged Marius to his chest. "We're gonna be okay. Just. Trust me. Everything isn't going to be perfect or go exactly as planned but we MUST make do with what we've been given. That's life sadly."
Marius flushed when Evan mentioned sex and buried his face in the other's chest. Okay… I just wish there were more I could do to make it better. I hate when these things are out of my control… I'm supposed to be king, after all, and I can't even handle a silly thing like this…
"Actually not even your father could've helped with this really, without tearing apart and ruining the whole court. And I doubt your parents would accept their son being gay. My mother of course does, we have a coded language for when speaking about my lovers. Crystal knows we're…birds of a feather, so to speak. So she is also on our side, which is a major player in this. You're stronger than you know Marius. Don't forget it." He sighed as he heard a knock at his door, and he jumped. "Darling Marius, I do hope you're alright. If you are composed and ready, I'd like to give you my gifts to you." "Oh it's just mother good. I can go with you. Mother can we do the gift giving in private?" "We'll do it in the library just us 3. I'll have them sent up there. Be there soon." She then walked away from the door and Evan held Marius closer.
Marius sighed shakily, jumping at the knock as well. We should probably go… wouldn't want to keep Miss Crystal waiting, after all… He hesitated before reluctantly slipping out of Evan's lap onto the ground, although he held his hand out as a silent request for Evan to hold it.
Evan gently smiled and took Marius's hands. "Moms a patient and understanding woman. We don't have to leave right now." He stood up and gave his lovers hand a squeeze. "I'm excited to see what Crystal got you though. I would have gifted you something but I think falling in love is a gift all in it's own." He smiled gently and opened the door, and as he walked out he cross hatched their fingers together, interlocking them tight.
Marius stuck close to Evan as he walked, glaring at anyone who dared to pass by and holding tighter to Evan's hand. He wouldn't let any of them take him away from him. Soon, they reached the library and he walked inside with Evan, nodding respectfully to Crystal when he saw her.
3 gifts sat beside her as she had pulled up a few chairs. "I am glad you two are getting along so well. Now then Marius you will have to let go of Evan for just a moment." Evan slipped his hand out of Marius's and he sat in the chair besides Crystal, then patted his lap. "I do hope you don't mind mother." "Oh no not at all dearest." She gave Evan a slight hug and put the 3 boxes in front of him. "It makes me happy that you've brought Marius out of his rock and a hard spot. Healing just like yer old mum." She then poked at Evans sides a bit making him laugh and wiggle. "Mom stop that! I need to be Marius's cushion!" To see Evan laugh, smile, and break his rather serious and set character like this was rare but joyous.
Marius climbed up into Evan's lap when instructed to do so. He still seemed to be pretty tired from crying and destroying his room, so he mostly just huddled up against Evan's chest. He closed his eyes when Evan grinned and laughed, trying to hide the flush rising to his cheeks. He normally hated the sound of laughter, but… Evan's was special. Considering his current reluctance to move, he just held out one hand to start unwrapping the presents with simple magic.
The first one was a telescope, one that stood on it's own. "So you can look at the moon and planets and stars upclose. It's quite the newest invention. I had it imported all the way from Achara, so do be careful with it." The next was a new book of star maps, pencils, and a binder to keep it all in, alongside that a book of Mythology. "Oh I do hope you like them, I know how picky you are sometimes." She said in a worried tone, constantly fretting as Evan pet Marius softly.
They're lovely, ma'am. Don't worry yourself so much. Marius did his best to smile weakly, but with his mask on, his mouth wasn't visible. However, the rare expression for him was still visible in his eyes as he looked over at Crystal. He figured he'd probably be using all of this tonight when he was sulking in the star tower about Evan being temporarily gone…
She smiled and nodded. "Well good. And please I've told you Prince, I am not one for ma'am and misses. Momma Crystal, Auntie Rose, or vice versa is just fine with me. I may be a queen but I am a humble and kind one." She tapped his nose. "Evan, I suspect Marianna will be wondering where you've run off too soon. It would be best to avoid suspicion about you and her future husband. I suggest you return to your sister soon,yes?" Evan nodded and took a breath, kissing Marius all over his cheeks. "Mom keep an eye on Marius for me?" "Of course dearest. I can show him how to use the telescope and keep him busy." "Good. I worry about him." He then slid Marius out of his lap and stood up. "Be safe and good Prince. I'll see if I can slip away tonight to see you in the star tower. Risky sure, but I'd do anything for you." He then gave Marius a small hug and left the library.
Marius flushed and huffed when Evan showered him with kisses, pushing him away a bit. Even if he'd officially claimed him, it was still a lot… he wasn't used to affection like that. Goodbye, Evan… He sighed softly as he watched the other leave, starting to quiver with anger again. He hadn't even been gone for long, but he wanted him to come back.
Crystal looked at Marius. "Darling take some deep breaths. Becoming a fiery dragon everytime he leaves isn't going to get you anywhere. Trust he will be back soon and check out your telescope and calm down. I will NOT have you loosing your head so fast. The damage to the books would be terrible, and you two Marius. Such depressive lows are worrying but you must work towards them. Evan is a very solitary creature who may at times not even want to be around you so you'll just have to learn to deal with it." She sighed as she shook her head.
Marius sighed shakily and sat down on the floor, drawing his knees up to his chest so he could hug them and bury his face in them. Small bursts of magic swirled around him as he grew more upset, still quivering where he sat. But I want him to come back…
"Dear you can't control and throwing a temper tantrum will do nothing. You are King Marius! Stand tall and be brave. I will let no son in law of mine sink to such a low." She huffed and grabbed his hands, and picked him up, before standing back. "Marius. I know you love him. But there is only so much that can happen. Reacting this way is rather childish and while I am not one to chide others children, such disrespect for him and the duties he must tend to is also worrisome."
Marius fidgeted a bit with his hands and looked away, turning his ears back. Sorry… I just feel like I'm doing everything wrong. I've never been in a relationship before and when Evan is gone I just feel really angry and I want him to come back… He tipped the brim of his hat over his red face and sighed, frustrated with himself for being so weak.
"That's love. It makes you weak in the knees and foggy in the mind. I may be 50 but I know how young love is. I've seen it and experienced it 50 times over. For one. You must control yourself and know he will be back soon. Especially if he goes off into his projects well, he can disappear for days." Evan suddenly walked into the library and turned a cold shoulder towards Marius as in walked Marianna. "And I want it to be out of the BEST fabric!" "Yes Marianna." He grabbed a few books on sewing. "Miss if there is extra fabric may I make one of my own?" "Yes Evan, yes you may." And the two walked out again and down the hall. "See? There he goes wholeheartedly into his work."
