Bel laughs, allowing Nico to kiss him again and again and again. "I didn't know all it would take is a few pretty words to get you to fold," Bel says through giggles. Their kisses somehow grow even more heated. Bel grips at Nico's shirt, wishing desperately that the damned garment will disappear and they'll be able to actually get on with things.
(fade to black soon?)
(Yeah sounds good)
Nico just smiled. "I don't think I can really ever hold out against you. A few pretty words is all I need." And perhaps a few whines and moans as well but he didn't say that. He sat up, breaking their contact, and pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it somewhere into the room. His trousers were next but this time he took his time. He was staring at Bel with a heated look as he slowly unbuttoned his pants and slid then down his legs. He never took his eyes off of Bel. He had his full attention. He always would have it.
Soon enough, they've both been stripped and they waste no time getting to work. By the end of it, Bel's entirely exhausted and all but collapses beside Nico. He only has enough energy for one more lazy kiss before his eyes slip shut and he's fast asleep in Nico's arms.
Bel awakens when the glimpses of the sun seep through the walls of the tent and birds begin to trill outside. He stretches, already feeling the repercussions of the night before. He would never regret their times. He thought he di once, but ever since the truth and their promises, Bel wouldn't regret anything he's done with Nico. Bel hums, slowly blinking his eyes open as he turns to Nico's side of the bed.
Nico was throughly exhausted. Bel's stamina had certainly increased over the time they had met. He wasn't complaining at all but more worried that Nico wouldn't be able to keep up with him forever. Bel had fallen asleep almost immediately after but Nico stayed awake as long as he could. He was terrified to fall asleep and dream. But he couldn't hold it off forever and eventually he slept.
He dreamt of that hole again. But instead of Nico being placed in there, it was Bel. Awful things were happening to the prince and Nico was unable to stop any of it. He just had to watch and listen. Listen to the cries and the sound of flesh being cut open. Watch the horror that was unfolding. Until he finally jerked awake. But like the pervious night, Nico curled around Bel, protecting him, and holding him tight. He didn't close his eyes again.
Bel only notices when he's semi conscious that he's being held and tightly. It's slightly difficult to turn and face Nico, but he manages. He had been hoping Nico would look sleepy, that he would be blinking awake beside Bel, but his eyes are red and bloodshot and Bel instantly feels guilty that he could sleep when Nico had been suffering.
"Good morning," he says quietly, offering a small smile as he reaches up to cup Nico's cheek. He's about to ask if Nico had slept well, but they both know that he didn't. "Do you want to talk about it?" There has to be some reason why he's holding onto Bel tighter than a vice.
Nico jumped, startled as Bel began to move I'm his arms. He had been so hyperfocused on watching the flap that he hadn't noticed Bel had woken. He blinked a few tomes, clearing his vision. He leaned his head into the palm that cup his cheek. "No, I don't." He didn't want to talk about it. He didn't want to envision Bel's broken body in that hole again. He shuddered at the thought alone.
He loosened his grip slightly but didn't let go of Bel entirely. He was still shaken from his dreams and still didn't quite trust that no one was going to come through the flaps and take him.
Bel hums, leaning up to give Nico a soft, chaste kiss. "That's okay," Bel says softly before kissing him again. He doesn't need to be a mind reader to know there was a nightmare. Despite Nico's reluctance to talk about his nightly terrors, Bel cant help but be morbidly curious. He notes exactly how tight Nico is holding him and how he keeps looking to the flaps of the tent. "Was I… In the dream?" He asks, only pulling away a millimeter. His hand slowly finds Nico's shoulder. Feeling how tense the muscle is, Bel begins gently rubbing at it.
Bel swallows around the guilt forming in his throat. He should've been up with Nico. He should've awoken when Nico. Usually he's such a light sleeper that anything would wake him up, but recently he's been sleeping through all of Nico's turmoil and it kills Bel.
Nico wasn't distracted by the first kiss, keeping his eyes in the flap. But the second kiss certainly did. His eyes shifted down to look at Bel, almost returning the kiss but not quite. He was too shaken by it. It would take him some time to come out of this. It was always the ones of the people he loved suffering in his place that messed him up the most. And Bel, well seeing him there had screwed with him a lot. He wasn't letting Bel out of his sight today. Perhaps it was a good thing there wouldn't be many meetings. Today was the day they would finish packing and leave.
Nico's lips parted as Bel began to rub his shoulder. It felt heavenly but he didn't say that. He didn't want to answer Bel. He didn't want to say yes, Bel was in it. But Nico had promised no more lies. So he simply nodded his head in answer before looking back at the flap of the tent.
It's clear to Bel that Nico is in another place mentally. He's shaken and paranoid and waiting for an attack at any moment. There won't be an attack. They're safe in Nico's home where everybody adores him. The only possible enemies to Nico could be Bel's siblings, but they care for Bel too much to try anything. Bel should've been awake earlier. He doesn't even know how long Nico's been awake. "It's okay," Bel says, grabbing Nico's face with both of his hands, directing Nico's sight to him. "Hey, I'm okay."
To try and get his mind back to the present, Bel kisses Nico. It's a slow, tender thing. "We're okay. We're safe." He says between kisses. Nico hasn't spoken once since they've woken up. He's skittish, eyes stuck to the tent and arms trapped around Bel.
Nico's gaze was torn from the flap of their room as Bel grabbed his head and turned Nico towards him. He was looking down at him, almost looking panicked. Didn't Bel know that someone was going to try and take him from him? He was on edge, twitchy. His hands were itching to wrap around the weapon he had by his bed side but that meant letting go of Bel and he wasn't ready to do that. He had his magic if all else failed. No one was taking Bel.
But then there were lips on his. Soft and gentle. It took a moment before Nico finally started to respond to it. He kissed him back, almost melting into Bel's grasp. He was safe. They were safe. Everything was okay.
The panic in Nico's eyes kills Bel. Nico should know where they are. He should know that they're safe and nobody will hurt them here. It would be a lie to say that nobody would ever hurt them. Bel's fully aware of the lives they now live and the enemies they may have. Nico's like this because somebody hurt him. The man is dead. Miran told him that he killed Ronan himself. Bel has never been more grateful for a corpse.
Only when Nico has relaxed, Bel pulls away and looks deep into Nico's eyes. "We're safe," he repeats one last time, bringing his bottom lip between his teeth before he speaks again. "Can you say something?" The silence has been unnerving. The silence from Nico only makes Bel more jittery.
Nico was slow to open his eyes once Bel had pulled away. He just needed a moment to gather his thoughts before looking at Bel, facing the reality of the situation. He took a deep breath before finally oncoming his eyes, looking at Bel with guilt. He hadn't meant for that to happen. He let go of Bel to sit up and rub his face, running a hand through his tangled hair. He swallowed hard before turning to look at him. "I'm sorry I scared you," he finally said.
He looked forward, refusing to look at Bel. He couldn't. Not after that. It had been a long time since he had let a nightmare control him like that. He didn't like the way it felt.
Bel watches carefully, shifting as Nico suddenly sits up and rubs at his face and hair. Bel will braid it back for him today, keep the blond locks out of Nico's face and hands. "Don't apologize," Bel whispers, sitting up to gently place a hand on Nico's lower back. "What happened to you was never your fault." He scoots closer, pressing their sides together. "You're recovering, Nico." With his other hand, he reaches to grab Nico's cheek, turning it back to face Bel.
The prince delivers another kiss. "Do you want to get ready? Or… do you need a minute?" Before facing his citizens, before being shoved into meetings, before being stressed with the tasks of the day. Bel was going to ask Treya this morning if she could work on the tonic now instead of later. Bel isn't sure that he can see Nico like this for much longer.
Nico turned his head to the side to look at Bel. He gave him a small, sad smile. He wished he wasn't like this. He wished he was normal. Someone who didn't have terrorizing nightmares that didn't go away when he woke up. Someone that could sleep soundly. But fates had been cruel to him and this had been the hand he was dealt. He's done his best to deal with it but there was not much he could handle, even for Nico.
He leaned forward to give Bel a sweet kis. Something small and quick but enough to show his love for Bel. "I'm okay. Let's go take a bath." Together. He climbed out of bed, still in the nude from the night before, and strode into the bathroom. He turned on the facets to start their bath, keeping it a nice warm.
Bel smiles as he accepts the sweet kiss. "Alright," he whispers as he pulls away. The contact lingers, Bel a tad hesitant to pull away so quickly. Well, it won't be long before they're snuggled together again. Nico rises and quickly makes his way to the bathroom. Bek shrugs and stretches, sliding out from beneath the covers. He's at least thankful that they were conscious enough to clean up afterwards, sleeping on soft blankets and sheets. Nothing is worse than a crusty night's sleep.
The roar of the faucet echoes from the bathroom, masking the heavy cough that suddenly racks through Bel. He grips the nightstand to keep himself upright. As he pulls his hand away, he notes in slight horror the small specks of blood that come with it. The healing mage must not have cured him–no, Bel ran off before she could cure him. Already knowing Nico's poor and shaken state, Bel wipes the blood onto a dark blanket where the stain wouldn't be noticeable. He wipes at his mouth and blinks the moisture from his eyes and then steps into the bathroom where Nico's awaiting.
Nico was sitting at the edge of the tub, hunched over, as the water slowly filled up, the steam pouring coming off it. He was tired and his mind was hurting. He just wanted a good night's sleep but it didn't look like it would happen anytime in his near future. He turned the facet off as soon as the tub had filled and he waited for Bel to show, trying not to nod off on the side of the tub.
His eyes blinked open as Bel entered the bathroom. He could tell almost immediately that something was wrong. He wasn't sure what it was yet but he was going to find out. He was up off the tub and striding over to Bel, arms circling around him. "Hey, are you okay? What's wrong my love?" He was asked softly, a hand cupping his cheek.
Bel supposes he's never been the greatest of actors, despite his brief crash course with the court jester. Either that, or Nico is far too perceptive, especially when it comes to Bel. He smiles, allowing Nico to embrace him and hold his face. "I'm just worried for you," he says gently. It's not a lie. And his cough won't be a secret for long. He'll tell Nico when he's more stable to know. Hopefully his internalized fear towards Mages will diminish, only for a few moments for a healing spell to take place.
"Let's get in," he tilts his head to the tub. The damned three-in-one sits at the bathside menacingly and Bel's considering taking up soap making just so Nico can have something substantial. He slowly pries himself away from Nico, their skin slightly sticking together. The prince wastes no time stepping into the water and reaching out his hand for Nico to take.
Nico wasn't so sure Bel was telling him the truth but he wasn't quite ready to try to pry it out of him. Instead, he gently kissed his forehead. "You don't need to worry about me, love. I'll be okay." He didn't like it when people worried about him. That was his job to do, not the other way around. But he kept the distance off his face as Bel pulled away from him and sat in the tub. Nico followed suit, taking the prince's hand to step in.
Nico sat down in the tub, settling Bel against his chest. They were back to chest and he had his arms wrapped around Bel's body, stroking his belly softly. He propped his chin on his shoulder with a quiet sigh. He was so tired. "Did you sleep alright?" He asked. At least one of then should be sleeping well.
"I'll always worry about you," Bel says softly as he settles into Nico. "You live a dangerous life and you spend your nights alone and plagued by nightmares–" He pauses, knowing if he'll continue, he'll get riled up. He's not in the mood to be angry at the world this early in the morning. Instead, he sighs and leans his head against Nico's shoulder. At least the water is warm, relaxing.
"Yes," he says quietly, guiltily. "I slept well." The sleep after sex always seems to be Bel's hardest.The sun had woken him instead of Nico's suffering. "I can get Treya on the sleeping tonic today, I promise." There might have to be a few batches of brownies to accompany his request, yet Bel's prepared to do much more than bake to get Nico's rest.
Nico have Bel a small squeeze, curling around him. "Hey, hey, it's alright." He said gently. "I'm not alone, I have you." He kissed his head. "Things will get better once we get to your cousin's palace." Well, not the nightmares but the dangerous life perhaps. He had no plans to join the action until he had a solid attack plan. He wasn't going to stay out of the fighting. If he died in battle, well, there was someone else to out on the throne now in his stead. Someone who could rule almost as well as Nico could. Almost.
"Hm, good. I'm glad you slept." Bel needed the sleep. He needed to recover after their nightly activities. Noco had kept him up perhaps a little too late. But it had been so long and Nico hadn't wanted it to end. "It's okay, my love. I'm not rushing you." He highly doubted the sleep tonic would work. And even if it did, he didn't like being incapacitated in sleep.
"I hope so," Bel responds, shutting his eyes and leaning back against Nico. He could almost fall asleep again. He could but he won't. He wouldn't leave Nico alone. The water is warm and Bel is cold. "I hate that you're going through this." He tips his head to blindly kiss at Nico's neck. "I want to make it better." And he will make it better. His sister is an alchemic genius. Bel believes her capable.
Bel feels a cough rising, but manages to supress it with a clear of his throat. Maybe while he's with Treya, he can ask her for a cure. She's worked in both medicine and poison, Bels confident that she'll be able to both cure him and help Nico.
Nico was stroking his belly softly. His nose was pressed into Bel's hair and he was sighing softly. He would love nothing more than to spend his days lazing away in a tub with Bel. Unfortunately, he did have to be productive. "I know, love, but we'll get through this." Because it wasn't just Nico suffering but Bel as well. He smiled softly at the small kiss. "You already do by being with me. I want nothing more from you than just your presence."
He leaned forward, moving the both of them, so he was able to grab the soap. Creating suds, he started to wash Bel's body, taking care to be extra gentle and thorough.
Bel allows Nico to move his arms and tilt his shoulders and turn his abdomen, a content hum coming from the prince as the other begins to slowly wash him. The bar soap is preferable to the three-in-one, but it's still far from his usual standards. He doesn't tell Nico this. All he does is kiss slowly up his neck to his ear, softly nibbling at the lobe of it.
"Are we leaving for Blakkast today?" He isn't sure if he should be excited or disappointed. He gets to visit the kingdom of his mother, one that's been shut off for years. Hell get to revisit his favorite waterfalls and roam through the tall crystal palace. It also means a week's journey, one where he won't be able to be alone with Nico. The treasure at the end of the road will be valuable. A private room with a balcony overlooking the abysses and peaks of the jagged mountains.
A soft rumble comes from Nico's chest as the prince kisses his neck and ear. He let slip a quiet groan at the small nibble. Bel was trying to start something and Nico was sure to finish it. He continued to wash Bel, however, it had turned more sensual rather than just simply washing with care. He couldn't help himself, but in his defense, Bel had started it. He couldn't help the way he reacted to it.
"Hmm, yes we'll leave today. Likely around noon depending on how fast it takes to dismantle everything," he murmured in his ear. He was washing spot he had already washed now. Nico just wanted an excuse to keep touching Bel's skin.
It's Bel's turn to groan–right into Nico's ear–when he washes over something still quite sensitive from the night before. He shifts, but doesn't move away. To tell the truth, he certainly hadn't expected this to escalate, especially so early in thr morning, but Bel can't truly complain. Once his heart stops palpitating, he cracks open his eyes and stares up at Nico.
"In a week's time we'll have our own little room far from anyone else." He moves his lips to kiss right behind Nico's ear. "We could try anything we wanted. The walls are much thicker than the flaps of your tent." He smiles cheekily, reaching down to grab Nico's soaped hand and stop it from its redundant scrubbing. "Love, you've already hit that part," he says knowingly.