"Of course tonight!" Braith lovingly flicking Neo's nose. "And we are inviting M." He said sternly before pausing to consider a location. "The palace probably. I cannot imagine having the both of you in my tiny apartment." Braith looked annoyed as he said so, remembering the way Neo had almost slammed his head through the ceiling on multiple occasions.
Neo laughed softly, also remembering how he almost gave himself a concussion.
“I suppose my dining room could do. And yes, I will tell M, Mr. Firey-Soul.” He laughed louder and flicked Braith back.
Braith caught his hand and gave him a kiss on the back of it. "I should probably stop by the farmer's market on the way over then." He stood, brushing the sand from his pants and held a hand out to Neo to assist him.
Neo grabbed his hand and stood up, kissing his hand gently in return.
“Thank you. Yes, the farmer’s market sounds wonderful.” He smiled.
Braith led the way, debating on what to buy. He had no idea what M liked to eat, but he assumed he would be similar to Neo in taste. "Tell me of work. What ails the country today?" He asked, sliding his hand into the King's as they walked. He usually began their adventures this way.
Neo scoffed as he fell in step with Braith. “What doesn’t? Just a bunch of suitors coming from al around and trying to get their hands on me. It’s so irritating. Not to mention we’re having a tiny money crisis that I’m wrangling out. I don’t need more inflation.”
Braith's head whipped around to look at Neo, alarmed, his fluffy black curls ringed with golden red flames. Suitors?! He banished the thought and schooled his face into neutrality.
"Perhaps exporting more to our neighboring countries would bring in more revenue. Decreasing imported goods would give our people a chance to get back on their feet by putting more business into local companies." He said quickly, hoping Neo hadn't caught his slip up. Braith had been learning a lot lately about their country and how it was run. Neo insisted upon it.
Neo nodded. “M had suggested that to me. I was thinking I needed a second opinion.” He looked down at Braith, into his eyes.
“And yes, suitors. I am not interested in any of them. I’m happy with you.”
Braith was pleased he had helped solidify Neo's plan of action. He enjoyed working tirelessly on politics with his lover, but the art studio where he taught classes was his true calling.
Braith's blush betrayed him. "I hope they're all female and they realize they have no chance whatsoever." He said, handsome face souring with a mock horrid expression.
Neo laughed and ruffled Braith’s hair. “Perhaps if you come and join me in the Palace, they would buzz off. You have claimed me as your own, after all. Judging by your expression, that is.”
Braith had claimed him, in his heart that is, but in front of the world? "Certainly a public implication such as that would be….catastrophic?" he asked from under Neo's hand. He would never do anything to tarnish his lover's reputation. Neo was much more important than he usually let on.
Neo ran a hand up Braith’s shirt, rubbing circles in his hip. “No one cares of our relationship… it is their King, and they’ll accept it.” He hummed softly.
"Well then." Braith said, his brown eyes bright as they stepped into the market. "I see no reason then not to go public." He said this nonchalantly, peeking over heads to see if his favorite vendors were there today.
Neo looked around, squinting in the light. He looked easily over the heads of the bustling people.
“Who are you looking for, my love?”
"Just my favorites. You know I've become a bit of a food snob because of you." Braith teased as he beelined for a vegetable stall. He began eyeing squash, completely content. He knew in his heart that this was truly what his life was supposed to be. He wondered if his family would ever visit him. Being the King's consort certainly should be a high enough position to appease his father. He snorted, ungracefully at the thought.
Neo laughed and let himself be pulled with Braith, careful to keep an arm wrapped around him. It wasn’t really all that hard to keep up, with his long stride. He paused at the stand, looking down at a pepper. Mmm…
“What are you snorting for?” Neo was pulled out of his stupor of peppery goodness.
((mood))
Braith noticed Neo's gaze and selected a few of the bright peppers. He held up a squash for Neo to inspect as he spoke, "I was just thinking of my family." He paused thinking. "I suppose family has been on my mind a lot lately."
Neo grabbed the squash and inspected it closely. “Mmm. Good. Not your family. Do you miss them?” He handed the squash back and took the peppers.
Braith tucked the squash and a few other vegetables into his bag, paid the vendor who was gawking at Neo and stepped out into the sunlight again before answering. "Yes and no. Life at home was very different than it is here." He mused quietly, taking a moment to watch the market bustle around him. His face was uncharacteristically serious, pained.
Neo ignored the rando vender and strided to keep up with his lover. “Oh? Do elaborate.” He tucked his hand up Braith’s shirt again, bumping him gently with a shoulder as he pushed the peppers into the bag.
Braith leaned into Neo's touch, the pain in his face vanishing as he looked up at him. "This place is full of life." He said gesturing to the market around them and the people who smiled and bowed at them. "My home city is very formal. The mountains cold and stern. My father…" He paused to hold up an interesting bracelet on one of the vendors tables. "–My father was the embodiment of the strict way of life there. Very strict. Everyone had to fall in line or else. Not to mention that I constantly had to hide who I really was. Affection is practically taboo."
Neo looked down at him, meeting his gaze. His soft, supportive smile didn’t waver once as Braith talked of his family. He glanced down at the bracelet with him, stopping.
“I’m sorry you had to grow up in such a place,” Neo said softly, leaning into Braith.
Braith looked up at Neo, pressing his lips into the man's cheek. "It's in the past. But there is a petty part of me that wants to invite them here so they can see my new life." He wiggled his brows at Neo, eyes dancing with mischief.
Neo smiled and caught Braith’s lips in a quick kiss. They could do more of the physical things after dinner and when they were alone.
“I’m glad you’ve perked up so quickly again.” He smiled charmingly.
Braith fluffed his hair with a wayward hand, embers catching in the light of the sun. He turned away towards he meat vendor. "This is my life now. Why linger on the past?"
He considered the cuts before him before motioning the butcher to grab the ones he chose. "Besides, I have your brother to fret over tonight."
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