"It was…" Bel pauses. "Interesting." He hardly allows himself a moment of hesitation before he continues. "My uncle was killed or… or he just died of causes–I don't know. The King of Blakkast. I wasn't close to him, so I… I'm not too upset, but my cousin took up the throne, and I'm not sure if I should be worried." He shakes his head. Taking a few steps forward to meet Nico. "I don't want to think about them. I'll think about them tomorrow or whenever but not now."
Grabbing Nico and closing the door in one quick motion, Bel smiles and drags the two of them back to the bed. "Where were we?"
Nico gave him a small look of sympathy. He knew what it was like to lose loved ones. Even if they weren't close it was still family. That look quickly vanished as Bel grabbed him and dragged him back to the bed. Nico laughed happily and sat back as the bed hit the back of his knees.
He wrapped his arms around Bel and crushed him to his chest. He kissed him almost wildly. He had been waiting patiently. Not just today but for a week. He had been biding his time. Waiting for the right opportunity and yet it wasn't even him that had made it. It had been Bel.
He had been so unsure if Bel felt that way towards, towards men in general. He had recieved Nico's affections but it could have been written off as friendly he supposed. But Bel was the one to kiss him and now they were here and he couldn't be happier.
As Nico presses them together, Bel suppresses a laugh as they fall back to the bed. Of course he knew that the other man was attractive since their first encounter (well probably after that when Bel wasn't scared shitless of potentially being killed), but Bel had never considered actually finding himself in the arms of another man. Marrying a powerful queen or countess was in the books for him, but those books have been burned and Bel's writing his own.
Half of him wants to know exactly how long Nico has been harboring these animalistic feelings. Clearly there's been quite the amount of repressed emotion, Bel's lips might as well be bruised from the sheer force Nico delivers.
"Shall we?" He whispers when he breaks away from the kiss, finding the hem of Nico's shirt as he playfully tugs on it.
(fade to black?)
(Works for me.)
Nico was quick to pull his shirt off Bel tugged on it. He only let their lips be separated for a moment before he tugging Bel back to him. He was quick to take over but gentle and firm and careful with Bel. He would make sure this was enjoyable. Bel came first to him. Nico was a second thought.
As the morning came, Nico laid on his back with Bel wrapped in his arms. His blinde hair was a mess and a tangle on the pillows. It would take him awhile to comb it out eventually. His eyes fluttered open at the beginnings of dawn. Call it a habit, but he was an early riser and a late sleeper. Most of the time, he was running on only a few hours of sleep. Not good, but, he couldn't change it.
He pulled Bel closer to him, rubbing his back so he was careful not to wake the sleeping prince in his arms. He kissed his head and smiled at the thought of last night. He wanted a hundred more nights like that.
After the events, it didn't take long for sleep to overtake Bel. He's content and full and mindless and happy. With a small candle flickering within a lantern and Nico wrapped around him, sleep comes easily, comes naturally.
His sleep is dreamless and deep, not once rousing through the night. He only begins the wake when there's a kiss pressed to the top of his head. With a small noise, he turns and presses his face into Nico's shoulder. He closes his eyes tighter, the light beginning to seep into his vision. It's warm and comfortable and Bel wants to stay here forever. Beneath the blankets and wrapped around the man he certainly has some feelings for.
(Full of what?? ;) I'm sorry that was bad haha)
Nico smiled wider as Bel made a sleepy noise and turned into his shoulder. He gave him a small squeeze, trying to not chuckle and jostle his little prince. He ran his hands up and down his back, nuzzling his face on the top of his head.
"Go back ti sleep," he murmured. "We'll leave in a few more hours. You'll get a proper breakfast this morning." Sure it would be nothing like food he likely had at the palace, but it would be good and warm and certainly not rabbit meat. It was a good reprise to the food they had been eating. They would restock on dried food before they left, maybe some bread as well. But that was a thought to think about Katerina. He had a handsome and lovely man and his arms. His focus should be wholly on Bel.
(alksdjf im hitting you with a chair)
"M already awake," Bel mutters, curling into Nico even more. They're snuggled together, beneath a few blankets and Bel is too tired to remember if he put clothes back on. Slowly, he begins to blink his eyes open, squinting at the low and bright light of the morning. He rolls slightly away from Nico to stretch, feeling the pull of his muscles and pop of his joints.
Once done, he rolls right back into Nico. "Good morning," he says quietly, blinking up at Nico with sleepy eyes. There's the sound of footsteps outside and Bel internally cringes at the thought of someone hearing. "Do your friends… know?" He asks once he finally forms a coherent thought. "About… us?"
(Hahaha well deserved)
Nico hadn't bothered to dress last night. His lover was naked so he might as well have been. He was too tired to bother, anyways, unless Bel had requested it. And he hadn't, so in the nude it was. "I'm sorry for waking you then," he murmured into his hair. And he was sorry. He hadn't meant to wake him. He knew now that Bel was a light sleeper and to tread carefully.
Nico let go of Bel while he stretched momentarily and happily took him back into his arms, tugging until Bel was fully on top of him. No funny business, no wondering hands, just comfort and affection to. "Oh my sweets, they knew about it before you even knew about it. I promise they won't say anything to you. If anything, they're going to make a few lewd jokes about me and that will be it. I'll make them stop of you're uncomfortable at any time."
"Don't worry about me," Bel says. "That's the best sleep I've gotten in weeks." And yes, that's including his bed back in the palace with the thick mattress and feather down blankets. His light sleep has been an issue in the past. When the night shift maids scuttled up and down the halls, Bel sat awake wondering when they would finally stop. The second his candles turn out, Bel's awake to relight them.
At the thought of Nico's friends knowing… well, almost everything about them, Bel groans and buries his face into Nico's chest. "Gods–wait, how long?" Bracing himself with hands on either side of Nico's shoulders, Bel lifts his torso up. "How long have you harboring feelings?" It can't have been too terribly long? They've only known each other for a little over a week–did Bel just practically sleep with a stranger? No–no. Not a stranger. This is Nico. Bel trusts Nico–He trusts Nico with his life.
Nico laughed quietly as Bel hid his face. He hadnt meant to make him embarrassed but gods did he look adorable. Nico made a small oomf noise as Bel braced himself on his shoulders. He wasn't heavy. Nico just hadn't been expecting it.
Now it was Nico's turn to blush. He turned his head to the side, embarrassment flooding him. He didn't want to answer that question. It had a crush for far too long. Almost instantly, at least after their initial day. Even so, he had found the prince attractive. "Umm, let's just say a while." He hoped Bel didn't push.
Bel won't lie, finally seeing Nico lose his collected composure is at least a little satisfying. Bel has been flushing badly the past few days, he supposes a small amount of payback is hardly the proper penance.
"How long would a while be?" Bel inquires, still holding himself above Nico. A wash of embarrassment and dread floods him as he thinks of what a while could be. Their relationship hasn't even lasted three weeks. Bel grimaces. "Please don't tell me you decided you wanted to bed me when you found me in the midst of a panic attack in a wrecked carriage."
Nico laughed then, turning his head to look at Bel who was still hovering above him. His hands moved this thigh and hips, stroking him softly. He found he liked touching Bel. Just touching. There didn't need to be anything sensual about it. He wanted Bel. Not just to bed him.
"No, that thought didn't come until later. I hadn't wanted to bed you, as you put it, until later in the week." And that was honest. Nico had never seen him as just a playmate or a quick rump. He saw Bel was someone he wanted to be with, have a relationship with. In a quick movement, he turned so Bel was beneath him and Nico hovered over him instead. "I've been thinking about how kind and adorable you are. I've been thinking that I could spend my life with a partner like you. The bedding is just an added bonus."
A brief shudder rolls down his spine as Nico begins to touch. Bel manages to recover, putting his mind back at the task of figuring exactly when and why Nico had caught feelings for Bel. However, before he can deduce so much, Bel squeaks as Nico suddenly switches their positions. Now with his back pressed against the mattress, Bel feels there's no escape from Nico's stare.
"I'm not adorable," he insists, but any force with it dies out when Nico suggests a lifelong partnership. It wasn't anything Bel had truly put into consideration. He's still young and has his responsibilities and after this whole thing runs its course, he had to return back to Araniel. His father's death is due, and Bel knows Miran needs a man at his side to cool his temper. "And–" He wants to say something, to rebuttal Nico's grand plan but… "And I'm not sure if I'd be a good candidate for a spouse."
Nico realized that didn't come out exactly how he meant it to. He wasn't declaring his love and getting down on one knee. He didn't think he would ever get to that point. His life was dangerous and anyone with him would always be at risk. People didn't hesitate to bed him but a life with him, no.
He chuckled softly. "That came out wrong. I just meant that I could see a potential partner in you. That I would like explore our relationship and feelings for one another. Whatever happens, happens. I'm not trying to rush it." He bent his head and kissed his nose gently. "And one, you are most certainly adorable. Secondly, you are a wonderful candidate for a spouse. I believe one day you make a great partner for someone. Any man or woman would be lucky to have you by their side."
His face goes red when Nico softly pecks his nose. With the words of affirmation and the touch and the gifts and… Well, all of it. Bel could likely call this a whirlwind romance of sorts. Quick and easy and convenient but the more Bel thinks of it, the more appealing spending a life by Nico's side could be. It would be a dangerous one, but perhaps when they arrive back at Nico's home, it will all settle down.
Bel wants to contradict Nico, to point out his lists of flaws but he can't. His tongue is tied and his chest is heavy and he's staring right into Nico's beautiful blue eyes. "If you say so," Bel agrees quietly as he leans up to meet Nico's lips in a brief kiss.
Nico shifted his arms so he was supporting his weight on his forearms. He hovered Bel, knocking his nose against his. "I do say so. And I'm always right so you should listen to me." He dipped his head to capture Bel's lips.
"We do have a couple of hours before need to be up. I can think of a couple of ways to spend our time until then." He could think of a few different places to do such thing. Call him a man and pig, but he was attracted to Bel and they wouldn't go through a village again for another few days. They wouldn't get to be like this until then, content and happy. They wouldn't be able to roll around in bed and cuddle in every night. It would have to wait until they passed through a village. And then after that, it wasn't until they reached his home.
Nico's charming arrogance casues Bel to laugh, but it's quickly swallowed with a kiss. With every touch and kiss, Bel's growing further and further out of his sleepy state. The more he awakens, the more he feels the ramifications of the night prior. He aches, just slightly, but it's not one he hates. If anything, it's a very pleasant reminder of whats happened and what's to come.
With a hum and particularly long and passionate kiss, Bel decides that Nico is absolutely right. They'll spend a few hours in privacy and rejoin the others for breakfast and the road ahead. "Mm, lead the way," he says, voice low with morning and anticipation.
Nico grinned as he got his way. He loved it when that happened. He wrapped his arms around Bel, happy they didn't have clothes to wrestle off this morning. Nico worshipped Bel in bed before carrying it to the bath. He cleaned Bel with a rag, carrying for him, before taking him again in the water until it ran cool.
It was only when they were out and wrapped in towels, lying on the bed, that he felt sated. His chest was heaving and his eyes were shut. There was a stupid smile on his face and if his men saw it, they would judge the shit out of him right now. He had one arm wrapped around Bel and the other one resting on his chest. "If you hadn't said anything, I'd have never known I was your first. You're a natural." Nico murmured. "But I'm happy I'm your first."
The morning is adventurous and eye opening and the best Bel has ever felt, and they still hadn't ever left the bedroom. He's overheated from the experience yet he doesn't even care. His voice is hoarse and his abdomen aches and he wouldn't trade this for the world. After the bath, everything about Bel had been jelly. Per usual, he was more than happy to let Nico take control. He trusts Nico to never hurt him.
Bel's on his side, twitching every few minutes, with a towel loosely wrapped around his lower torso. He's still slick with bathwater, sweat and other things. "Mm," Bel hums. "Thank you?" His word turns up into a question as he laughs. "Yes. You've been my first for… plenty of things." Bel wants nothing more to lay here forever and only moment to get impossibly closer to Nico, but he knows he cant have all his prayers answered. "We need to get going, don't we? Aren't your men waiting?" Bel notes with a small grimace how uncomfortable riding a horse will be.
Nico turned his head to look at him. He was happy. So happy. He didn't want to ruin this moment. But now was the time. He should tell him. Just tell Bel. Tell him who you are. Explain things to him. It will all be alright. it will work out. But the words died on his tongue before he could speak them. He couldn't. There was that sinking fear of the las time this had happened, the last time he had let someone in. They had betrayed him. His scars on his back were burning at the memory. So he swallowed those words.
"I'm happy then, about that." Nico was happy he didn't have a bad experience. He wasn't sure how he would handle it if Bel's first had been with someone that was less caring. He would likely murder him. He nosed Bel's hair, humming softly. "We do need to get going." He made no move to get up. They could spare a little bit longer. "Not likely. They're probably downstairs nursing a hangover over porridge. They're probably happy you're keeping me up here." Speaking of leaving, Nico had one more surprise but that could wait until they were about to leave.
At that, Bel smiles, overjoyed to be spending every last minute at Nico's side. He turns, curling up right inside the natural curve of Nico's body. He feels safe and fuzzy and completely boneless. The last thing he wants to do is spend the day before the group. Bel knows it's going to be difficult for the both of them to lessen on the affection with Nico's friends as an audience. Part of Bel wonders if Nico will even have the self control to lessen the public displays of affection.
"Sounds dreadful," Bel notes. "Hangovers are one of the reasons I don't drink." None of his siblings drink. When stressed they find their own coping mechanisms outside of substances. Best to always have a clear mind and clear judgement. It also doesn't help that the smell of alcohol–especially cloaked by night–nauseates him. Humming, Bel looks up to Nico, his eyes semi-lidded and soft.
Nico looked down at his prince turned into his body. He gave him an utterly satisfied smile. Truth be told, Nico longed for a quick nap. Bel had tired him out. He felt tlike he needed an hour or so to regain his strength. But it was time they didn't have. Still, he made no move to get up from his spot on the bed.
"That's one reason you're better than us," he murmured, "We don't over indulge too often. Some other bar patrons challenged them to a drinking game and they were too stupid to say no. They won, but at what cost." He shook his head, feigning disappointment. Other than he, Kaillas had remained sober. He felt safe in knowing that at least one man was in his right mind, especially him. Kaillas was a trained assassin after all. "Ugh, we really need to get up."
It's too comfortable. It's too perfect. Bel doest want to leave the bed, even if his life depended on it. One arm he snakes around Nico's torso as he kisses the man's collarbone. "Mm. I don't want to get up," He says, pressing his forehead into Nico's shoulder. But Bel can't have his way all the time. "I suppose your men will have questions if we hide too long."
Slowly, Bel begins to unstick himself from Nico's side. He takes the towel from his waist and fully dries himself off before dropping in on the ground. When he stands, he has to use his bedframe to stable himself. His knees arent quite up to strength yet. His clothes are mixed in a heap with Nico's on the floor. Bel sorts out the garmets and tosses Nico's his. Within a few moments he's dressed and checking his reflection in the mirror.
Nico gave Bel one last squeeze before letting him go. He watched the other man drop the towel and hobble around to find his clothes. He might have laughed if he wasn't concerned. He sat up, his blind hair falling over his shoulders. "Are you alright? Was I too rough?"
The last thing he wanted was to hurt Bel. He walked up to him, his own towel falling on to the floor. He grabbed his hips, massaging them softly. Despite their nudity, he wasn't doing it sensually. He just wanted to help ease the pain. He dropped a kiss to his shoulder but Nico pulled on his trousers.
"I'm fine," he reassures, smiling as Nico comes up behind him. "I'm fine, don't worry. It's just been a while since I've walked." Bel turns to give Nico a proper kiss. "You weren't too rough, I promise." And that's the truth, despite the ache in his legs and abdomen, Bel couldn't be better.
"Get ready, the others are probably waiting on us downstairs." Bel fixes his hair in the mirror and double checks to ensure that everything is in a bag and ready to go. He looks to the bed and immediately feels sorry for the poor maid who will have to clean it. If Bel had his money, he would tip greatly.
