Bel looks to their conjoined hands for a brief, puzzled moment before finishing his order with the waiter. After he's gone and when Bel fully realizes the intense stare Nico's giving him. It takes Bel only a moment to put the pieces together. While the looks the waiter had given Bel were clearly just friendly customer service, Bel knows that Nico could easily see that a different way. Why not take this opportunity for a little teasing?
Bel smiles knowingly, but waits for Nico to finish their itinerary for tomorrow. "Thank you," he says before leaning across the table. "Are you jealous? Of the pretty waiter?"
Nico narrowed his eyes as Bel leaned across the table. "Oh, so you think he's pretty?" Despite his words, there was a gleam in his eyes and lift if his lips. While he was jealous he wasn't going to outright admit it. And it was fun teasing with Bel.
Nico leaned across the table so their noses were almost touching. "He can look at you all he wants, but at the end of the day, it's my name you'll be moaning, not his." And with a wink, nico was settling back into his chiar.
"Of course I think he's pretty," Bel says flippantly. "He has beautiful eyes." Bel can't remember the color of the waiter's eyes. Nor the shape or tilt, but it's fun to mess with Nico. He has more quips brewing in his brain, but Nico's possessive comment shuts down all active thought.
"I didn't strike you for the possessive type," Bel whispers with a small smile before returning back to his sear. Only a minute later, the water reappears with a small basket of mozzarella sticks that they certainly did not order. He quickly explains that it's on the house before disappearing towards the kitchen.
Nico narrowed his eyes and a sound almost resembling a growl came out of his mouth. He didn't like Bel complimenting the waiter like that, even if he knew Bel was just poking at him. "I think you like being possessive of you. And I think, if you don't want to get punished later, you'll behave." There was a twinkle in his eyes. This so called punishment would be something they would both enjoy, of course. Nico couldn't possibly do anything to hurt him (other than hiding who he was). He would cut if own hand off before ever hurting Bel.
Nico blinked in surprise as mozzarella sticks appeared at their table. He gave Bel a pointed look that clearly said, See, I was right. He does like you.
Bel's mouth falls open at the comment, something curling deep within his gut at the thought. Of course Bel knows it won't be anything bad, but the curious and slightly aroused side of him definitely wants to know what Nico has in mind.
"Are you threatening me, Nico?" He practically purrs. He reaches for one of the free appetizers and takes a bite. "I'm not going to turn down free food because that waiter likes me and you don't like it."
Nico grinned smugly at the look on Bel's face. He only reached for a mozzarella stick after Bel had taken one. "It's not a threat, my dear, it's a promise." He winked at him. He took a bite of the food in his hand. "Free food is free food, I'm not telling you to turn it down either. But you better watch how you talk about him."
His hand snaked under the table to grab his leg. He pulled it up onto his lap, stroking his calf. "The more you misbehave, the more I get to have some fun later. So you should watch yourself, or don't, it's all up to you."
Bel laughs, hiding his smile with the back of his hand. He represses the shiver that rolls down his spine at the idea of later. Of course they were going to have fun later regardless, but this added element does give it a little more spice.
"We'll see where the day takes us," Bel responds with a sharkish smile before going to his water for a sip. He takes another stick and eats it quickly but stops after, he has to leave room for the sandwich he's waited a decade for.
Nico's expression softened as he watched Bel hide his smile. Had he been sitting right next to him, he would have grabbed Bel's hand and pulled it away from his face. He never wanted him to hide those pretty smiles. But he decided to keep his thoughts and hand to himself, for now. He gently placed his leg back on the ground, but not before giving his ankle a tap.
"I suppose we will," there was a twinkle in his eye. Yes, tonight would be fun. Tonight would be different. Bel had been eased into everything and now it was time to get into some other things. It was time to explore what he liked and didn't like. And Nico would help him figure it all out. He still had a day.
For the remainder of the time spent waiting for their meal, Bel practically gets lost in his thoughts. Tomorrow he would wake up and be on his way to the home of the Lisais to face their leader. Bel would be a liar if he said he wasn't at least somewhat terrified of talking to the leader. His throne had been ripped from him by Bel's own father. Bel wants to continue telling himself that his father is not a cruel man, but he doesn't want to repeat the lies.
Bel's snapped from his trance when a hand touches his shoulder and the food is placed in front of him. With a little overly friendly smile, the waiter asks if they need anything else and Bel turns to Nico for an answer–Bel not even addressing the waiter's light hand on his shoulder.
Nico was quiet, leaving Bel to his thoughts. He enjoyed the rest of the mozzarella sticks and sipped at his water. As the food came, his eyes narrowed and anger flared as the waiter touched Bel's shoulder. He wasn't going to make a scene. Not yet.
"No I think we're fine, love, aren't we." He was still going stake his claim, however. This waiter needed to know Bel was taken and he was with Nico. He reached across and took his prince's hand across the table.
Bel would have to be blind to not notice the change in Nico's demeanor as the waiter reappears. It almost makes him laugh. Of course, Bel has no feelings at all for the fairly handsome waiter, but it is fun to watch Nico squirm a little bit.
"I would love another glass of water, thank you," Bel says. The waiter nods and scuttles off, but not before sending Bel a longing look. As soon as he's gone, Bel's leaning across the table and squeezing Nico's hand. "You are jealous, aren't you?"
Nico only turned his narrow gaze to Bel. "I'm just not inclined ti sit back and watch as another man flirts with you. That's all." He wouldn't admit it but he certainly was jealous. He planned to spend the rest of their time together reminding Bel that he was Nico's and only his. He didn't share. Not the people he wanted to be with.
That, of course, might very change the moment Bel learns who Nico is. He might very well have to sit back and watch him fall inove with another man. Something he would hate but if Bel chose that, he would let him. "Just keep it up, Bel. You'll only get yourself in more trouble." He sent him a wink.
"It's not my fault he finds me attractive," Bel retorts with a smile before giving Nico a quick peck and leaning back in his seat. Ignoring the promise of what's to come, Bel gets his hand back from Nico's grip and begins to take his sandwich. The first bite is everything he's ever asked for and more. With the bread and the meat and the vegetables–Bel hums. Who needs an elite palace chef when he can just get sandwiches everyday? His company is also much preferable to his siblings and father. As much as Bel loves them, Nico doesn't force Bel to walk on eggshells. Nico's no royalty–he's just… Nico.
Bel's taking another bite and notes the different flavors to try and recreate later. Once he has his spice kit recollected, Bel is going to spend hours in a kitchen and finally make himself a proper sandwich. Gods, no more caviar for the rest of Bel's life.
Nico seemed to calm down at the small kiss, any anger simmering away. Not that he was ever truly angry, especially not at Bel. His gaze softened and he pulled his hand back simply because he needed it to eat his sandwich. He picked it up and took his first bite. Despite the terrible waiter, the food was very good.
Nico noted the expression Bel was making and took a sip of his water before speaking. "What are thinking of over there? What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"
Bel takes a moment to properly chew his food and swallow before answering. "Wondering how I can make this at home." Wherever home is. "I'll have to reassemble my spice collection granted you all pawned off all my hobbies." He laughs a little, proving that he's not too mad at the prospect. Cooking has been his more recent hobby, one that he picked up about six months ago when the cook finally let him into the kitchen. (Bel had Miran by his side when he requested, so that could be a majority of the reason why the chef finally folded.)
Before he continues, Bel takes another bite of his sandwich and reaches for another mozzarella stick in the middle of the table. "I tried to cook a lot, but I was never really allowed to. My siblings found me over a stove in the dead of night more than I'd like to admit." He laughs a little and shakes his head at the memory. The waiter returns with Bel's glass of water, intentionally leaning in far too close and lingering a touch on Bel's shoulder.
Nico smiled gently. "I'll buy you a new spice rack. You can cook as much as you would like. And I'll eat it all, even if it's gross." He gave him a playful wink. Nico could do the basics. He knew enough to survive on his own. But he couldn't do anything nice. They had a community kitchen where everyone got their meals made three times a day. If anyone wished to cook something else they had to provide it for themselves.
He laughed softly. "I'm sure that was a lovely sight to see." He coukd almost picture Bel in his pajamas, messy hair, trying to cook over the stove. However his amusement disappeared as soon as the waiter appeared. He was done being quiet. "Do you not know how to leave a taken man alone? Apparently not. Let me spell it out for you, he is taken. He doesn't want you. Keep your hands to yourself if you would like to be able to use your hands."
"Oh yes, I was entirely lovely deprived of sleep and smelling of chives," Bel jokes, taking another bite of his sandwich. He's nearly done with it already. Maybe he'll order another for the night. The waiter returns and gets entirely too close to Bel. While it had been amusing at first, now it's just getting bothersome. Nico's outburst shocks both of them.
The waiter makes a face and strides away. Bel watches him leave with wide eyes before bursting into a fit of laughter. "Gods, you were really bothered–" He shakes his head and takes the last few drinks of his old water before setting it near the edge of the table to trade it for his new one. "We should get out of here."
Nico took a couple of breaths to calm down before looking uo at Nico. He shook his head. "The man didn't know how to back off. It doesn't take a genius to tell you're in a relationship. Gods." He shook his head. "Finish your food quickly and let's get out."
He wanted to get out of there. He wanted to lock them back in their little inn room and prove to Bel who truly had his heart and body. It was Nico. It would only be Nico. And someone had been playing with fire. It was time to teach him a lesson.
Nodding, Bel grabs his sandwich and stands, gesturing for Nico to follow as he takes the last few bites of his meal. "Don't forget to pay our tab–" Bel reminds. Though the waiter had been… less than satisfactory, the food was still very good and Bel knows the hostess and the chef at least deserve their pay.
From the corner of his eye, Bel catches the waiter at another table giving the attractive young woman the exact same treatment he had given Bel, except she doesn't have a partner sitting right across from her.
Nico took a couple more bites before dopping the rest of it on the plate. He found he had an appetite for something else now. He dropped more than enough coins to cover the bill and he still left a small tip. He couldn't not leave something even if he didn't want to.
He reached over to grab Bel's free hand as he led him out of the restaurant. "Is there anything you want to do before we go back to the inn? Because I promise you we won't be leaving for a while."
Bel's mind temporarily races with everything they could do. The market, the performances, the venders, the carts, the animals, the people–all of it quickly fades away in favor of the curl of anticipation deep inside Bel's gut. "Nothing I can think of," a lie, but Bel knows that they're both eager for the same thing.
He squeezes Nico's hand tightly and nods towards the door. "Please, lead the way."
Nico brought the hand up to his lips to kiss gently. "Good. I'll bring you back here another time when I can. We'll stay as long as you want and see and eat everything until our stomachs are sick and we can't move." Nico only hoped Bel would allow him to keep that promise. If only Bel didn't hate him by the end of this.
Nico led him on the path back to their inn. As the building came into view, he paused for a moment, bending down and picking Bel up on his shoulder before he was racing back down the street laughing. His mood had begun to lift but he knew as soon as they entered their inn room the whole mood would change. They both knew that. Nico was almost vibrating with anticipation.
Bel's happy to be dragged along by Nico towards the inn, just barely catching glimpses of people's lives all around him. A few people send him weird looks, but he just shrugs. Bel can't be bothered by people he doesn't know. "Oh, I look forward to–" Bel's sentence is harshly cut off with a yelp as Nico slings him over his shoulder like nothing more than a sack of potatoes.
He laughs as Nico takes him to the inn, only setting him down right when they get to their inn door and frankly, Bel doesn't care if any of Nico's men saw. (He probably will later, but not right now. Not when they're so close.) Right up against the door, Bel presses a kiss right to Nico's lips, something quickly turning increasingly heated.
Nico couldn't help but laugh. His hand was firmly holding Bel's rear while the other held the back of his knees. He opened the door to the inn and stepped inside without hitting Bel's head. He walked passed several patrons and workers and maybe Kaillas. He wasn't quite sure. He wasn't exactly paying that much attention.
It was only when he reached their door that he finally set Bel down. He made quick work unlocking the door and pulling them both in before Bel assaulted him with his lips. He pressed him up against the door, caging him in with his hands. He kissed him passionately.
Instead of feeling threatened and cornered like he probably should be feeling pressed right up against the door, Bel can't help but love the feeling. He's safe. Nico would never hurt him. The kiss only deepens and soon enough Bel's shirt is being pulled off. He only notices because they have to separate to fully pull it off.
"I'm surprised you haven’t worn me out yet," Bel mutters against Nico's lips.
