(I've got something I can do but it'll come when they get to their next village. If there anything you wanna do before then just jump in)
The riders fell into their formation, Laurent and Braxton at the head, Kaillas and Cassian behind, and Nico and Bel in the center. It was the best way to keep Nico and Bel safe. Nico because he was their leader and their king, Bel because he was their prisoner and Nico's lover. It was a touchy subject, something that could be resolved if only Nico talked to Bel but he seemed set on keeping his identity to himself.
The minutes were ticking by and he knew it was only going to get worse the lomger he prolonged it. Bel would likely be furious he kept it to himself all this time. While it likely wouldn't have been an issue before they had slept together, now they had and they were together romantically. Romance always made things more complicated. At least with him. It was dangerous, a constant target on your back to be associated with him. A death sentence to be romantic with him. Nico didn't know if Bel could stand a life like that, always looking over his shoulder. He wasn't ready to find out. He wasn't ready to find out the answers. He wasn't ready ti deal with the consequences. So he would stay in his little bubble where they were just Nico and Bel.
(got it hehe)
The day mostly passes without any significance. Bel rereads his mother's book, eats a few berries, and makes light conversation with Nico and the others. As the day wears on, Bel can sense something with Nico. He's tense, brooding, and clearly has something big on his mind. Bel sighs, knowing that he won't press the man for answers, but he can't help his rabid curiosity. "Are you okay?" Bel asks, lowering his voice and tapping Nico's leg with his foot. "You seem… burdened." He knows the others will be listening, but it doesn't hurt to at least try to give them a private conversation.
Nico was so lost in his thoughts it took him a minute longer than it should have to process what Bel had said. He blinked several times, as if clearing his vision. "Hmm?" He looked at Bel. "Oh, I'm alright. I'm just stressed. We've been away from home a while. I'm ready to get back."
He knew nothing bad had happened because he would have gotten word by now. Someone would have sent a rider or something to find him and tell him the news or warn him. It still didn't mean nothing had happened. Just not large enough to bother him. He was stressed currently on himself and his situation. On one hand, he had experienced first hand when he let his bear get in the way and reveal his identity to soon. The consequences were permanently on his back. But on the other, if Bel was genuine and true he was risking his entire relationship byt not saying anything. It was a battle he didn't think he could win.
"Alright," Bel answers, taking Nico's word for it. "I'm here to listen." He offers a smile and turns away, to the road ahead. Another cough surfaces and Bel decides that he might as well die if he got sick on a road like this. He rarely gets sick. He's been sick three times in his life. Gods, he prays it's just a small scratch in his throat.
Shaking his head and taking a deep breath, they continue on their way, the next village only a few nights ahead.
(skip would be good)
(Baha me rn. Allergies are going crazy rn)
(spring,,, stupid pollen and flowers ;-;)
Nico gave him an odd look. Bel had been coughing an awful lot. Well, he hadn't been coughing before and now he was. It could be the change of getting used to the forest. All different types of pollen and allergens were around them. It could set off anyone who wasn't acclimated to it. Nico was fortunate enough to be used to it and his allergies only spiked during certain times of the year. Never more than a small sniffle.
"Do you think you can hang in there with me until we get to the next village? We'll get you some tea and medicines to fix that right up." Nico would prefer a healer to heal him completely but that wasn't happening for two reasons. One, Bel was terrified of magic and the chances of him letting a mage heal him were very low. Two, there was no healer at the town they were going to. Healers were rare, or rarer, and not many places had one. Even less now did with the killings and hunting of his kind. "Hold on for two days for me." All it would take was two days to get there. Maybe less if the horses allowed.
The two days went by rather smoothly, other than listening to Bel. They slept, woke up, ate, rode, repeat. Two days and then the small town was coming in to view and the reality was that they had one more day of riding and Nico still hadn't told Bel. He still wasn't ready to tell Bel. Maybe he coukd extend their time in the town, by a day or so to give him more time. Perhaps that would work and he certainly wasn't giving excuses.
Bel has never been happier to see a civilization in his life. It feels as if a boulder has been rolled off his shoulders, his posture instantly straightening at the thought of seeing people again. Don't get him wrong, the quintet of men he's travelled with are great, Bel's just grandly missed new faces, new ideas, and new conversations.
HIs stomach growls at the thought of a warm meal and iced glass of juice. He physically sighs at the idea of a nice bed. Especially beside Nico. "Are we sharing a room again?" Bel whispers to Nico, a suggestive smile gracing his lips. He can't keep it for long, a sneeze forcing him to turn away. He groans, holding the bridge of his nose for a few moments to recover. "Ugh, I'm sorry. Must be the pollen." Bel's never had a pollen allergy before, at least nothing severe.
Nico couldn't stop the laigh coming from his lips at the sound of the sneeze. His shoulders shook and the aligh came from his belly. There was a sort of light that returned to his eyes that hadn't been there for the past couple of days. "Well, we are far from the palace. It's possible you're being exposed to something you're allergic to that you don't have near the palace. Some sort of plant or tree."
He reached over to touch his knee softly before straightening. "And yes, we can share a room if you'd like. Maybe we can even share a bes, if you're up to it that is." Nico was teasing now. The grin and wink only further telling of his tease. "We'll pick you something up in town that will help."
"A good tea sounds fantastic," Bel muses. A few years back he went through a bout where he only focused on tea. He made tea bags and studied the steeping process and even made his own tiny garden to grow and dry different blends. He never did too much work on finding the specific remedies, though. He never really had anything to cure.
They take their horses into the stable and handed them off. The inn doesn't seem to be far, but Bel is in another foreign town without any idea of what to do or where to go. He stays to Nico's side. "I'd be happy to share a bed with you again," he says into Nico's ear.
The stables was on the edge of the village jisy as the last to make it easier for traveller's to place their horses in. The owner was a friend of Nico. Then again, almost everyone he spoke to on a more personal level was a friend. He just knew everyone.
Small blush rose on his cheeks at Bel's words. He never used to blush but here he was, doing it more times than he had done since he awkward teenage years. "My bed is always open to you as long as you want it." He drew Bel in for a hug and kissed his head.
"You two are disgustingly cute. And I hate it." Braxtoj voiced from somewhere behind them. Nico simple lyrics gave him the finger over his shoulder, laughing quietly. Part of him wanted to bite back but he knew that wouldn't go very well. For the same reasons he was terrified to share his past, Braxton was terrified to truly admit his own feelings and be happy.
Bel leans heavily into Nico's embrace and laughs at Braxton's remark. He almost wants to retaliate, say that he's seen the way he's acted with Laurent, but Bel knows it's not his place, and these men aren't nearly as friendly towards Bel as their leader is.
The six of them wrap up tending to the horses before taking to the town and finding a nice inn. It's almost midday, leaving room for plenty of day and evening activities before the night with Nico. Bel's chest feels bubbly just thinking of it. It's only been four days since their last inn, but that's four days far too long.
Nico let go of Bel, moving to his side and just simply throwing an arm over his shoulder. "We can be worse if you want us to be?" He threw a wink at Braxton who promptly flipped him off.
"Alright, inn first. Everyone needs to bathe, I'm tired of smelling you." Nico leaned down to Bel, "Not you of course. You smell lovely." There was a bright smile on his lip. Teasing and happy.
"You're only saying that so you'll get laid." "Fuck off."
Nico walked up to the innkeeper as they came into the inn and paid for three rooms on the second floor. He passed out keys and looked at Bel. "Shall we?"
Bel shakes his head at Nico's antics. The displays of affection are something entirely new to him, but he knows he'll grow quickly used to the loving touches and reassuring gestures. At Braxton's brash comment, Bel fully laughs, leaning into Nico for support. Really, Bels confident that Nico would've gotten laid regardless of what they smell like.
Bel follows right behind Nico as he buys the room and obtains the keys. "We shall," Bel answers, looking to Nivo with a heated look and a smile.
After the keys were handed out, everyone parted ways up the stairs. The men each with their unspoken partner entered each room to bathe and go about their day. They had plenty enough cpin to spend it as they pleased. Whether they wished to go into town and purchase any goods, find a brothel to spend it, or drink away at a tavern. As they long as they weren't causing trouble or hurting anyone, Nico couldn't care less what they did with their time. He had plans for himself.
He slid the key into the lock, opening their little inn room. A queen bed, two nightstands. Two doors, one for a small closet and the other for a small bathroom. It would work well enough for them. Nico placed their bags on the floor by the door and closed it behind Bel after he entered. As soon as the door shut close, Nico was spinning to Bel and kissing him. A good, ling kiss. Nothing like the chaste ones he had stolen when no one was looking.
Bel instantly accepts the kiss, the force of it practically knocking him back against the wall. His eyes slip shut amd his hands find the other man's shoulders. He only caught a glimpse of what the inn room looked like, but Bel knows it couldn't be more perfect. A bed and bathroom, thats all he needs.
Pulling away to catch his breath, he knocks his nose against Nico's and looks at his with half lidded eyes. "What do you say we take this to the bath?" He inquires. They're both sweaty and dirty, and Bel quote enjoyed their bathtime rendezvous from the last inn.
Nico walked until Bel was pushed up against. He didn't know what Bel had done to him. He was addicted. He had been turned into an addict. He couldn't get enough of Bel, he likely never would. He had never felt this way, not for anyone, not this intense. He never wanted this to end but he knew all good things must come to an end and he was running out of time. He was going to enjoy this while he was able to.
"I like the sound of that." Nico reached down and picked Bel up, gripping him by his thighs. With Bel in his arms, he swung the bathroom door open and walked inside, managing to start the bath without dropping the man in his arms.
Being pushed up against a wall is something Bel feels he should hate, but with Nico pressed against him and their lips together, Bel finds that he enjoys it far too much. Call him an amateur in love, but Bel decides that this is all he wants. No rich queen or powerful princess–just Nico.
Bel laughs as Nico picks him up so easily, feeling the slight movement of his muscles on the back of his thighs. As soon as they're in the bathroom, Bel's leaning down and recapturing Nico's lips in a firm kiss.
(I love how bel is like planning their future and Nico is like preparing for this to be their last days in a relationship)
Nico was smiling against his lips, their teeth clashing together. He was reluctant to set Bel down but there was no way either of then coukd undress while he was in Nico's arms. So he set him down, but not after giving his thighs a tight squeeze.
He leaned over to shut the water off as it came to full. The last thing they needed was to flood the room. Nico would not be able to afford that. Well, he could, he just didn't want to. "How are you feeling, my dear?" Nico sat on the edge of the tub, pulling Bel between his legs.
(i know asldkfj i almost feel bad for them)
The kiss is nearly all smiles, making it hard for Bel to truly enjoy it. He laughs and pulls away, blinking at Nico with heavy eyes.
When he's set down on his own two feet, Bel doesn't hesitate to rip his own shirt off before reaching for Nico's. "Never been better," Bel answers, wrapping his arms around Nico's torso. With Nico sitting on the lip of the tub and Bel standing above him, their height difference has been reverse and stretched to an extreme. Bel has to laugh, ducking down to sweetly kiss Nico's forehead then nose.
Nicos eyes lit up, his hand immediately touching Bel's chest, pressing soft kisses as it was the easiest for him to reach at this height. He was slow to take his own shirt off. Before it had been a weeks worth of pent up frustrations that had him wanting Bel there and then. Now, now he had time. He wanted to take his time to explore Bel's body. It might be the last time he would have to do this.
He discarded his shirt and threw it to the side. His ran his hands up and down Bel's hips and sides. "Goo. That's very good. But I think you can get a little bit better." He had a wicked grin.
A small shiver rolls down his spine, but he represses it and studies Nico with a steely stare. His chest, his arms, his shoulders, his neck–anything that Bel can see, his eyes eventually land on it.
"Can it?" Bel replies with an equally wicked smile. "I guess you'll have to show me–" Without warning, Bel pushes Nico's shoulders and sends him backwards into the bath. Laughing, Bel strips entirely and falls into the tub next to him, capturing his lips mere seconds after Nico resurfaces and catches his breath.
Nico let out what could only be described as a shriek as he was suddenly pushed into the water, trousers and boots and all. He shook his head, sending water everywhere. He looked at Bel before laughing. It didn't take him long to take the rest of his clothes off after that.
He wrapped his arms around Bel, still laughing as they kissed. There was only one feeling he could describe this as, and it was going to hurt a hell of a whole lot more now that he knew. One last night. He just wanted one last night.
Bel can't stop his laughing, forcing him to practically draw back from the kiss. Both pressed together in the water, Bel studies Nico up and down. Yeah, he could get used to this. His heart almost aches at how… perfect being with Nico has been. Yes, the ups and downs have been tumultuous and confusing, but it's nothing they haven't been able to work out. Everything will work out fine, and Bel's excited to see where their journey will take them.
Smiling and finally recovering from his laughing fit, Bel slides forward and presses their faces together with the utmost passion.
(fade?)
(Oh sweet naive Bel)
Nico melted back into the water with Bel. He took his time, exploring each crevice and sound emitted from Bel. As the water ran cold, Nico took them to the bed to continue their time. He was slow and methodical and he was utterly high on the feeling of Bel.
Their activities had wiped Nico out. He was laying on his back, eyes closed, pretending he wasn't about to just fall asleep. He didn't want to sleep. Not yet. He wanted to be awake and soak in every minute that he jad with Bel but he was utterly exhausted. Bel just might have more stamina than he did.
