Lynn nods, visibly commiting Nico's size to memory as she looks over his chest. "And you, uh–"
"Bel." A smile and then he rattles off some precise measurements that he's used since he grew into his height at sixteen. Lynn does not move her eyes from Bel's face. After he finishes the short list, Lynn looks to the ceiling to mentally recount the message. Once she has it down, she looks to both of the men with a tight smile before saying her thanks and scuttling off.
"She was awfully nervous," Bel says calmly as he watches her rush past a guard puma posted at the top of the stairs. He laughs and shakes his head, stepping back as Nico closes the door.
Nico raised an eyebrow as the maid scurried away and through the hallway. She seemed awfully skiddish. He didn't understand why. His people were not shy to a little bit of skin. Living in tents all their lives they got used to seeing each other a little more indecent. It was just something that couldn't be helped. But he supposed other places were a bit more prude. He shut the door as soon as Bel moved out of the way.
He placed his hand on the small of Bel's back while shrugging his shoulders. "I can't imagine why?" Because it most definitely could not be Nico standing there half naked and his chest covered in scars that was intimidating. Absolutely not. "What should we do until she returns?"
"Maybe she's new?" Bel supplies as he grabs Nico's hand again. "Or intimidated by your muscles." A pause. "Or very attracted to them," he adds with a scrunched smirk. He leads them to the massive couch sitting opposite of a fireplace sharing a wall with the balcony. "And while we wait for Lynn to return, I suppose we can tell each other our deepest and darkest secrets."
Bel flops against the couch and brings Nico down with him. "Ill go first," Bel starts in a lighthearted tone. "my favorite animal is a moose." He brings his free hand up to mimic their massive antler.
Nico highly doubted she was intimated by his muscles. Perhaps the scars but certainly not his muscles. They looked too good to intimidate anyone. Or at least people attracted to him. Some men might be intimidated that he was bigger than them.
He took a seat next to Bel, practically pulling him into his lap. He raised an eyebrow at him. "A moose? Why a moose?" He could understand be terrified of them. Huge was an understatement. They were towering. They could kill a man simply by stepping on them. Nico didn't mess with them. He simply let them go about their day while he stayed frozen until they passed. He thankfully hadn't had many interactions with one but it happened on the occasion.
"I think they have kind eyes," Bel responds, leaning his head against the arm of thr couch. "And they can swim, which is impressive and terrifying." One of the main companions in his favorite bed time story had been a moose, and his mother sewed him a little plush when he was very young. "I saw one once when Val and I went hunting. He was a baby but we knew the mother would be near so we got out of there quickly."
He looks to Nico."That's enough of explaining myself and meese. I want to know something else about you."
Nico shook his head at the explanation. "We'll first off, you got lucky. And secondly, the plural word for moose is still moose, love." He placed his hand on Bel's thigh, giving it a small squeeze. He settled back into the cushion of the sofa. Something about him? He wasn't sure what to tell. He was a simple man.
He crossed his ankle over his knee, drumming his fingers on Bel's thigh. "I think you know mostly everything about me Bel. I'm not a complicated man." Not that there was anything wrong with that. He loved all of Bel's quirks. "I used to have a dog." He shrugged his shoulders. "He died a few years ago though."
"Meese," Bel corrects with a grin because it's clearly the superior plural. Mooses, Meeses, Moosi, Moose. They're all fun and Bel simply does not wish to abide by simple grammar rules this early in the morning.
Bel doubts he knows everything about Nico.He would love to, but there are a few simple things Bel wants. His favorite food, favorite hobby, best childhood memory, best missions, favorite animal, stance on grammar rules. All small, insignificant things that Bel can't wait to learn in the future. "What was his name?" Bel asks, interest piqued at the idea of Nico and a dog. The image in his mind is a sacred one–a smaller version of Nico weaving and darting through trees with a panting dog at his heels.
Nico only laughed, shaking his head. He pinched Bel's thigh for being silly. It was most certainly not meese but he wouldn't correct him again. He had a feeling Bel would only fight him on it. He moved his arm to rest around Bel's shoulders, kissing his head as he drew the prince to his side. "His name was Lucky because good things always seemed to happen to me when he was around." He imagines of his Rottweiler came to mind. He had been a fierce friend and loyal protector.
He looked down at Bel. "What about you? Did you ever have a pet?" If he had, Nico would likely surprise him with said pet.
Bel squirms a little when Nico pinches his thigh, but then laughs as Nico maneuvers him to be at his side. He rests his head against Nico's shoulder and imagines Lucky the dog. "He sounded like a great companion," Bel notes with a soft smile.
"And no, the closest thing to a pet I had was Katya, but she's… well, she's a horse and often just fir utility. She's a wonderful animal, though, and the only one my father would allow." He purses his lips. "Ive always wanted a cat."
Nico smiled softly, already starting to plan. He would have to talk with Sella or Loven to make sure it was alright with them. This was their home. But Bel wanted a cat and he would fight for a cat. He wanted Bel to be happy above all else. And just because Nico preferred dogs didn't mean that he wouldn't be happy with a cat.
"Perhaps one day we'll get one." He would let Bel get whatever animal he wished for. Nothing woukd be unattainable. Well, if he asked for a shark that might not be doable but most common animals would be.
Bel nods, sighing and suppressing the yawn that comes over him. "I would like that." Bel pictures sitting on a couch just like this, but in their own home instead of guests in another. There's a fire going, there's a sleeping cat in Bel's lap, and Nico is pressed right against Bel as he dozes. "Would you like a dog?" Bel asks upon imagining a sleeping Labrador on the rug.
Bel reaches for a soft blanket draped over the back of the couch, unfolding it with a quick flick of his wrist before febtly laying it across their laps.
Nico kissed the top of his head, smiling softly. He saw a nap in their near future, after they got breakfast in the town. And after he took his medicine. He would need to make sure Bel took that soon. "As long as the cat we have gets along with dogs then I would happily have a dog." It woukd be nice to have their home filled with a few animals. They could grow their family. He coukd almost see his men filling in for dinner, a couple dogs begging for food that most certainly would not be snuck under the table. A cat or two judging then from their perches.
"You need to take your medicine before you think about sleeping again love." Ge wasn't going to let Bel slip on that. Not at the risk of his life. Nico refused to ever see Bel like that again.
"That would be nice," Bel says softly. His nose scrunched at the reminder of medicine. He's always hated medicine. When he was a boy, Mathilde had to practically wrangle him to get Bel to take cough syrup for his colds. Looking back, Bel definitely decides he needs to grant her a raise. "I guess I'll take it," he sighs. "Where did you put the mask?"
He shifts away from Nico to look behind them. The tables are void of any of their belongings, leaving the only real plausibility to be within the bathroom. Except… Bel is sleepy and doesn't want to stand.Its a good thing he has a fiance who would do anything for him. "Could you get it for me?" He looks up at Nico through his lashes.
Nico only smiled at the irritated look on his face. "I'll be right back," he said, giving him a quick kiss before standing. He placed the blanket back on Bel before striding to the bathroom. He found where he had placed the mask on the counter and brought it back to the bedroom. He sat back down on the couch, holding the mask for Bel to put on his face.
"You have to use it love. We're not having a repeat of yesterday ever again." He would never let that happen again. For as long as he lived, he woukd make sure Bel took his medicine every morning.
"Thank you," Bel says as Nico returns, his head tipped over the headrest so he can watch Nico in all his half-nakedness approach. However, he can't decide if he actually means his thanks. "And it won't happen again, love." A sigh. "What happened to me was a result of twenty two years of buildup. It's going to take a hell of a lot to get me to that state again before I'm middle aged."
Bel sighs and takes the mask from Nico, snapping it around the bottom part of his face in a smooth movement. It clicks into place, pinching at Bel's jawbone. His nose scrunched uncomfortably. He takes the vial of pink tinted medicine and screws it into the socket towards the left side of his face. As soon as it locks in, Bels eyes narrow. "Tastes like bad lemons," he notes, voice raspy and a little warped through the mask.
Nico settled back into the seat cushions, trying not to smile at Bel's reluctance. He could tell that he did not mean that thank you. But the medicine was vital and he needed it to live. Nico would force it on him if he had too. He wasn't risking his life ever again. "But there's always a chance that it could happen again if you don't take your medicine." He raised an eyebrow, just daring Bel to challenge him.
But he didn't and Bel slipped on the mask. Nico let out a little sigh of relief. He did not want to start off his morning by wrestling Bel and forcing him to take his medicine. He offered him a sympathetic look as the medicine was locked in and created a bad taste. "I'm sorry my love. Perhaps you can speak to your sister and she might be able to make it taste better without losing the effectiveness." He remembered the little prince on the roof had said something similar about the taste. Perhaps something could be done for him too.
"It's not… terrible. Just unpleasant. I'll be fine." With a huff, Bel falls over to drape himself over Nico's lap. If Bel had to put a better name to the taste, he'd say maybe diluted dish soap that's been left in the corner of the kitchen for far too long. He's positive he'll grow used to the taste. He'll have to, for however long he's going to be living with Nico is going to be another day of medicine. Bel knows the frightening protectiveness that Nico harbors and knows that if he doesn't willingly take it, it wil be forced upon him.
"Do we want to go to the town for breakfast, or do we want to stay in the palace and eat with my family?" He asks as he looks up to Nico. "I'm fine with whichever. The town probably has more options but the palace has very talented chefs."
Nico brushed his hair back as he draped himself over his lap. He smiled down at him. "And your sister could still likely make jt taste better. Would you rather have it tasting like this for the rest of your life and you maybe get used to it? Or have your sister make it taste better while still being affective?" He wouldn't risk alternating the effectiveness of the medicine. But if she coukd make it taste better then Bel wouldn't be as hesitant to take it.
"Do you think you're up for going into town?" Bel had been through a lot this past day. He didn't want him to over do it by going into town. They did need to replenish their supplies and at least buy more clothes until the rest of their things got to the palace. But that could wait if Bel wasn't up for it.
"I don't think she quite specializes in that field." Treya is a master of chemical warfare. Her potions are meant to poison and hinder, hardly to help and barely anything as simple as flavor enhancing. "I might ask though," Bel adds, hoping Nico would be satisfied with that.
"And I should be good to head into town," Bel answers. "As long as we don't have to climb anything or walk too much." It's just a breakfast rendezvous, maybe a little shopping. Nothing should tax Bel. After that, they'll return to their lovely room and sit in front of the massive mirror for hours as they untangle his locs. Bel takes another few long breaths, the bitter taste luckily fading the more he takes it. The mask is uncomfortable. Maybe when he sees Loven or Sella, he'll ask if they have one that doesn't pinch the square of his jaw.
Nico nodded his head, satisfied with the answer. It never hurt to ask. He bent his head and kissed Bel's head before straightening and continuing to brush back his hair. He was excited to learn how to do Bel's hair. He had always done Nico's. It was time for it to be the other way around.
"I'm sure it won't be too long of a walk. It's only breakfast and a little bit of shopping until the rest of our things get here." Well, he may want to spend a little more on Bel. He had very few clothes. He wanted him to have everything he needed at his disposal. Something nicer and more fit for a prince. Proper for the palace. He knew Bel enjoyed the finer things of life. Now that it was practical, he wanted to indulge Bel.
"That sounds good to me," Bel responds, leaning into the feeling of Nico's fingers in his hair. "After we dress, we can go to one little nook my mother took me to. It's the only place I can remember, but I just remember their lovely eggs. Perfect sunny side up, well spiced, a good side of hashbrowns." Bel's mouth waters just thinking about it and it reminds him of the unpleasant taste in his mouth. "I hope it's still there."
It's been a decade since Bel has last been to Blakkast. He went with his mother and siblings, saw his cousins, spent all his time marveling at the waterfalls. He'd love to do it all again, just this time with Nico. However, before Bel can get too much into his little dream, there's another knock at the door. Bel sits up. "I think it's Lynn."
Nico listened to him with a soft expression. He knew Bel missed his mother. Nico missed his own as well. "We'll see if it's still there." He joped it was. He felt like Bel needed this, returning to his roots and revisiting all the places he went with his mother. Nico had done a similar thing a few years ago. It was a good way to honor her memory and remember the good times.
He looked up as he heard a knock on the door. He instructed Bel to stay on the couch as he got to his feet. He walked over to the door and turned the handle, opening it.
Behind the door is Lynn, her eyes wide and her arms full with two garment bags. "Hi," she greets, breathless. "I uh– found some stuff and the seamstress did some uh… minor adjustments. It's not fancy gut if you want fancy you can go back and um. Fix it." She practically shoves the two bags into Nico's arms. "Just ring if you need anything else!" She looks to Nico and then cranes her head to see Bel peering over the back of the couch. "Bye!" And then she scuttles away. The guard puma watches her go with a bored look.
Nico just watched her unamjsed as she rambled. He wished she woukd just give him the clothes and leave. And she finally did. She practically ran away from the door. He shook his head, shutting it and turning to Bel with a raised eyebrow. "I think we need to ask your cousins for a new maid." This one was too skiddish. "I think she moght faint if I look at her wrong."
He walked over to where Bel was seated on the couch. He found a shirt that was tailored to Bel's measurements and held it in his hands. "Robe off and arms up."
"Oh, be nice to her–" Bel chastises softly. "She's doing her job just fine. She's just a little jumpy, that's all." Back in Araniel, Bels always had to deal with his fair share of skittish staff. They hardly talked to bel when all he wanted was a conversation and never saw him as an equal–instead a far superior being yhat could smite them if anything were to go mildly wrong. Bel's always hated that, but it's simply their instinct around royalty.
Bel sighs at Nico's demand, just a small smile hidden beneath his mask. He unlaces the tie holding the sides together and allows the robe to fall down his shoulders and pool around his waist. He sticks his arms up to allow Nico to slide his shirt over his hair. The shirt fits as well as it could without having to go into a tailor. It's a dark gray color with a few teal accents, the colors of Blakkast. "Not bad," he muses. The material is very soft.
