Nico gave his dinrk order to the waitress, a small smile in his lips as he ordered. He got a strawberry lemonade. His smile dropped though as he noticed Bel. He waited until the waitress walked away before he squeezed his hand.
"Oh my dear, it's okay. You can relax. No one is expecting for you to be posh and proper here. You can relax." Had he been sitting next to him, Nico would have kissed him. But he wasn't and they were in public and he needed to behave. So he settled for stroking Bel's knuckles instead.
Bel smiles sheepishly, looking down to the table as he squeezes Nico's hand in return. "I'm sorry; it's a habit." One that he got into at a very young age. Sit up, sit straight, look people in the eye and don't talk unless spoken directly to. Another reason why Bel eats so quickly, the dinner table easily one of his least favorite places in the palace.
The waitress quickly returns with their twin glasses of strawberry lemonade. Bel thanks her as she scuttles off to do whatever waitresses do.
"It's okay. It's nothing to apologize for. I just want you to know it's okay to relax. No one has these impossible expectations of you. I just want Bel." Nico bent his head to kiss his hands softly bhe released then only to sip on his lemonade.
"Did you decide what you want to eat? Order whatever you want. Order the whole menu if you want." Nico wasn't exactly sure if he had enough money to cover the whole menu but he coukd start a tab, if Bel truly wanted to. Everyone here knew he was good for his money.
"Thank you," Bel responds, tapping the table with his free hand, still not quite looking at Nico. He wants to be just Bel too. Bel without a burden or a crown or a precarious position with his family and kingdom in the balance. "I'm still getting used to it all. Hard to erase habit."
He takes a few more looks at the menu, deciding on a moderately priced stake with just a small garden salad for a side. It shouldn't take him long to eat, but it's still enough that Nico won't be offended or concerned. "Yes, I do know."
"And you can take as long as you need. I'm here for whatever you need." Nico smiled at Bel, even if he wasn't looking at him. He sipped at his lemonade more, finding he truly enjoyed it. He might even try to take a glass to the inn with them.
He nodded. "Alright, good." He flagged down the waitress when she was available and looking their direction. She walked over, a notepad in hand.
"What can I get for you this evening?" She asked. Her voice was soft and kind, despite being a waitress. Nico smiled up at her, always friendly, and perhaps a little oblivious to the woman's affections and flirty smiles.
Nico looked at Bel, nodding, allowing him to order first like the gentleman he was.
Bel jolts when he's addressed, not expecting to go first. He clears his throat and straightens. He has to quickly re-find his menu choice, even though he already knows what he's going to get. Blame his lack of socialization as a child to lead to awkward social situations. "I'll have a steak–eight ounce, please, medium rare–but instead of the two sides could I just get a side salad?"
He smiles and slides the menu towards the waitress and sips at his lemonade.
Nico gave Bel a reassuring smile as he ordered, nodding along. He was doing great and he wanted Bel to know that.
He didn't bother looking at the menu. He knew what he wanted. He had been thinking about that juicy steak since he had decided on taking Bel out for a date. "I'll take a ribeye, med rare. I'll have the mashed potatoes and green beans with it." He handed the menu to the waitress.
"Of course. I'll get that right in." The waitress gave him a flirty smile but Nico was already looking at Bel like a lovestruck puppy.
Bel watches the waitress leave before turning back to Nico, momentarily taken aback by the lovestruck look. He smiles and hides his blushing, laughing face with a hand. Usually when he's being intensely stared at at the dinner table was when he had zoned out and missed a pointed question from his father. There had been quite the heated lecture and a pointed dismissal. That had been about a week before Bel was shipped out to Irgeven, only Miran had been home and he didn't bother to see Bel out.
"So, you've been here before?" Bel asks, taking a second to lean back and study the beautiful hanging planters both indoor and out. Some deep part of Bel wants to ask with who and how important they had been to Nico.
Nico smiled and laughed as Bel hid his face. He thought it was adorable. Oh, dear Bel. He found all of the prince's quirks adorable. He loved it. Not him. He didn't love Bel, not yet anyways. But he was well on his way to it. Bel had captured his heart unlike any other.
"A time or two, with the others." His men, he meant. But not just the ones he was traveling with. He had other friends at home that he had gone out with a couple of time. Not always this restaurant, but around. "It's why I knew you would enjoy this."
Bel smiles, finally relaxing and letting his hand fall. He stares at Nico for a few moments–his loving stare, his laugh, his smile– With Nico, he isn't a prince or a delegate or a master to walk on ice around. He's just Bel. Just a man without the heavy responsibilities of a prince, without the fierce overprotection of royalty, without the suffocating restrictions of an heir. Bel. That's all he is around Nico.
"I'm glad we're here," Bel says, squeezing Nico's hand. He hasn't once let go. He doesn't want to. "Thank you for this… For all of it."
Nico returned the squeeze. He would offer any comfort that Bel needed. He was there for whatever he needed. Always. Even when Bel didn't want him anymore. "Never thank me, my dear. I would do anything for you. Just say the word and it's yours."
It scared him how much he meant that. How much of that was true. But it was, every word. Nico was down bad and jt was going to hurt like hell when the truth was revealed. He should do it now, do it while they were safe and happy and he had time. But he just couldn't. He was terrified. Revealing himself made him vulnerable in a way he was scared too. He just couldn't.
With a laugh, Bel shakes his head. He nearly wishes this damned table wasn't in the way so he could lean forward and kiss Nico hard, but the table is not permeable and Bel remains reverently in his seat. They make polite conversation until their food arrives, relatively quickly due to the dying crowd of the late night restaurant. Bel's sure to thank the waitress as she delivers the food. He sure as hell doesn't miss her flirty wink geared towards Nico, but the other man shows to response, so Bel doesn't make a deal out of it.
Reluctantly, Bel releases Nico's hand. He needs two hands to eat. He'll make it up to Nico sometime later. Maybe not tonight, Bel still a little worn out from their endeavor, but certainly another time. "This looks delightful," Bel notes. Dare he say it smells better than the palace cook's meals.
Nico leaned back as the food arrived, not quite relaxing his grip on Bel's hand until the prince pulled away from him. His attention was on the food but mostly Bel. While it smelled delicious, he was more focused on Bel as he took in the food, smelling it. He laughed softly. "It'll taste even better."
He looked uo at the waitress then and gave a polite smile. "Thank you, it looks great." A dismissal. Nico wanted to be left alone with Bel. He waited. He would let Bel take the first bite before eating his own.
Bel's careful to slice off a perfect piece (perfectly uniform like his etiquette tutor taught him) and slowly brings it to his mouth. He hums, the savory flavor absolutely delightful. Savoring it, Bel's slow to swallow. "That's good," he says, cutting another uniform slice. Just like Nico said, cooked to perfection. He alternates between taking bites of his steak, salad and sipping at his lemonade until his meal is practically finished. It doesn't take him long to finish, old habits and the taste both contributing to his quickness.
Trying not to rush Nico, Bel takes his time sipping at his lemonade, alternating between staring at him, the restaurant, and the town outside the large window.
Ncio smiled. It was o ly then that he started eating his food, once he was sure Bel enjoyed it. He cut into his steak, eating it. He alternated between his sides and occasionally took a sip of his lemonade. His manners weren't as nice as Bel's. He had been raised in a war zone. But he had been raised well enough to know not to put his elbows on the table and how to cut a steak.
He took a little longer then Bel. He ousted his empty plate in front of him and finished his glass of lemonade. "All done? Did you want dessert?"
Bel had been lost in his own thought, jerking out of it when Nico speaks. Bel looks at their empty plates and drained glasses. "Yes, I'm done. I don't need any dessert, thank you." He offers a close-lipped smile. Bel's never wanted dessert. Sweet things have never been to his fancy and an extra course meant extra time at an uncomfortable dinner table. He knows that Nico would never make him uncomfortable, but old habits die hard. Bel isn't sure how long it will take for them to fully die. Once they are, he'll be happy to offer the first shovel of dirt.
Bel neatly stacks their utensils and plates and pushes them to the edge of the table for the waitress or busser to pick up later. "Again, Nico. You told me not to thank you, but I have to. It's been a fantastic evening–" The best he's ever had. "And it wouldn't've happened without you."
Nico reached across the table to recapture Bel's hand. He could tell the other was deep in thought. He wanted to ask about it but didn't want to pry. Instead he only said, "They have a really good chocolate cake. Nice and rich. We can take one to go if you would like to eat it later." If Bel said no, he would respect that. If he said yes, he would place the order in an instant. "What about the lemonade, would you like to take a cup togo as well?"
Nico smiled. He leaned down, kissing his knuckles once again. "I'm glad you had a good evening, Bel. It's all I want for you. To make you happy. Anything you ask for, I'll make it happen." As long as he didn't ask for pigs to fly. That might be a little improbable of happening.
Certain that this is the most he's laughed in his entire life, Bel smiles and shakes his head. "No I'm good. I appreciate the offer but dinner was enough." Bel doesn't get hungry after dinner, he's almost always content until breakfast. For how little he eats, it's surprising that he isn't constantly hungry.
"I only ask that you stay by my side." For tonight, for tomorrow, for when Bel faces the leader of the Lisais, for every event after that. "That'll make me happy."
"Okay." Nico motioned for the check from the waitress and that was that. He took the last couple of sips he could get out of his glass before pushing it to the side along with their stacked plates.
"I'll be by your side as long as you'll have me." Which likely wouldn't be too much longer. Nico had a small pit of hope, hope that Bel would understand completely and stick by his side. But his head knew, it knew that Bel would leave him the moment he found out. He let go ofnhis hands when the check arrived and gave more than enough coins to cover the bill and the tip. "Are you all set?" Nico stood, holding his hand out for Bel to take.
"You're going to be at my side a long while, then," Bel says with a smile as he takes Nico's arm and is pulled to his feet. "Yes, I'm ready." He double checks to ensure their bill is payed in full before allowing Nico to lead Bel out of the restaurant. He smiles at the hostess right before they exit theough the doors. The night is warm, thank the gods, and there's not wven a breeze to disrupt it. Despite it being well after sundown, the town is still alive, though slowly fading.
To their right is an unoccupied footbridge that goes over a small stream, or an underwhelming river–one of the two. "Walk with me?" Bel asks, pulling them towards the beautiful sight filled with ruby and violet flowers, draping willows and a babbling stream. All beneath the moon and stars.
Nico offered his arm to Bel, allowing him to hook their arms together. Side by side, they walked outside. The lanterns illuminated the streets, giving a soft glow. There was music playing further down the road, a few couples dancing in the street, laughing. It was calm, peaceful. Nico was happy that the had remained so safe and happy. He would do everything in his power to keep it that way.
Nico turned his head, snapping out of this thoughts. He nodded to Bel, following him to look at the flowers. They looked beautiful under the moonlight. And Nico was happy Bel was able to be out at night without being terrified, even if they were in a village.
They make their way down the path, slowly and almost dreamily. At least to Bel, this all feel like a dream. He holds Nico a little closer as they move away from the main plaza of the village and towards the quieter stream.They can still hear the music and laughing of other couples enjoying the festivities.
Bel stops on the bridge, leaning over the railing to marvel at the moonlit water running out from beneath them. The sight reminds him of summers spent in Blakkast with his mother and siblings, back when he was just a boy and wasn't expected to be proper trained for a prince.
A crack from within the underbrush on the other side of the bridge causes Bel to look up, squeezing Nico's arm a little tighter. It could have entirely been his imagination, just like the cave. He remembers that it's night and it's dark and they've been far too lucky to only encounter one ambush thus far. "Inn?" Bel whispers, already backtracking a bit.
Nico wrapped his arm around Bel as they came to a stop on the bridge, holding him close. He allowed himself to relax and take in the scene before them. It was calm and relaxing. He likely could have stayed there forever. But all good things must come to an end. And when there was a rustle in the bushes, he knew it was over.
He was a little disappointed that there night had come to an end but he understood. He was proud of Bel. He had done such a good job going out so late and having dinner with him. And bel walked perfectly fine along the lantern lit cobblestone. He kissed the top of his head and nodded.
"Come on, let's get back. I want to lay with you." All nico was craving to do was lay next to Bel and hold him to his chest. He wanted to lay with him and just talk. About anything and everything. Nico would answer any question Bel might have. The prince had him wrapped around his finger.
Leaving the bridge feels odd–on one hand, Bel would've loved to stay there forever woth Nico, but on the other, Bel's a coward deep down, afraid of loud noises and the dark like a child. He rests his head against Nico's side shoulder ad they walk. He's not yet sleepy enough to fully sleep, but not with the energy nor lust for another tango. "That sounds nice," Bel muses as they make their way into the inn.
Nico's men, like the inn before, are drinking–albeit not as heavily, but still more than Bel's particular liking. The stairs are nearby and their room at the end of that hall. Bel sneezes just before they get to their door, muttering a small apology mixes with a groan. He hates sneezing.
Nico gave him a small squeeze. "Hey, you did good tonight. We went out to eat, even though it's dark out. We enjoyed a meal and took a small walk. We enjoyed it. We had fun during the night. You're doing good. I want you to know that I'm very proud of you." He hoped his words were encouraging. That they would help Bel feel better. Facing a fear was difficult and hard. And Bel was doing it one step at a time. It would take time but he was getting better everyday.
Nico's men were sitting at the bar again, drinking. They weren't as intoxicated as the time before but they looked well on their way if they kept it up. "I'll be right back," he murmured. He left his side for a brief moment to go tell the others they were staying for another day. He recieved a couple looks from them. They knew he was only delaying the inevitable. But none of them said anything.
He returned to Bel's side. He laughed softly as Bel sneezed and he kissed his head. "Oh, my dear. I'm so sorry."
