Neo smiled warmly but he subtly scooted back a couple inches, having overheard M and Maelia’s conversation. He knew for a fact his twin was gonna do it. To impress the pretty lady.
M shifted his weight around and glanced at her. “Okay… well, you’ll have to step back. Just a couple inches, and you don’t have to let go of my hand if you don’t want.”
Braith looked confused as Neo stepped back. Was his reaction not good enough? He really needed to step up his game if he was to be getting married.
Maelia let out a happy sound and took a few step back from M, but kept a tight hold on his hand. Warming its chilled state with more of her flames.
M inhaled deeply and rose his left hand. He snapped it to the side, most like the time Neo did with his softer magic. Nothing happened at first, but a couple seconds later an extremely loud bANG! and a couple large dark pink circles painted around M’s hands shimmered into the air as Braith got thrust back into the fountains near the foot of the staircase. He landed on a soft pillow of pink magic. The small sparkles of the leftovers of the inital circles sparkled in the air majestically and floated around with the breeze.
Maelia burst into gales of laughter, holding tightly onto M's free hand. "Oh my–!" She gasped, coming up to M's side, ducking under his arm to give him a hug as she continued laughing. "That–that was–ohmygod."
Braith sputtered, shooting up from where he got dropped onto the ground. "What the hell?!" Spotting his sister's laughing form, he stormed toward her. "Why you–!!" He launched a whip of blue flame at her as she stepped away from M and it smacked her straight in the chest.
Maelia let out a gentle "oof" and stumbled back a few steps, patting her breasts. The flames sank into her skin and she was unharmed. He gaze flicked up to her brother, flashing wickedly. "Is this how it's going to then, hmm?" She asked, whipping out her own flame at him, this time it was as red as the dawn.
“Oh,” Was basically all the twins’ response. The pair could only stand by as both Maelia and Braith fought with fire as if they were pool noodles or something. M and Neo exchanged looks. M himself was still beside himself with the very small, brief hug he had recieved. It had been so long since he had gotten one with such… sincerity.
As much as they loved each other Braith and Maelia held nothing back as they battled. Their fires getting hotter and hotter. It had been so long since either of them could let off steam like this, so they took advantage of it. No matter how inappropriate the time and place.
It was hard to tell which was the better fighter, since they both fought wildly. It was obvious that Braith was stronger, while Maelia had more control. Although, both knew that they probably should be stopped before either of them lost control for real.
Neo and his twin seemed to be thinking along the same lines as they exchanged totally helpless expressions.
Should we just… lift them away from each other? M proposed lightly to his twin.
Neo shrugged. Why not?
So the pair rose their hands and clenched them into fists at the same time, as if practiced together over and over, then raised them up. Braith was risen away quicker but rougher, and Maelia was lifted away a few moments later.jj
Braith cursed out a grumpy "Hey! Put me down!" That was followed immediately by a string of mental curses and aggressive waving of his arms as he tried to maintain balance in the air.
Maelia merely crossed her arms, perfectly balanced but looking stormy, her eyes gleaming with laughter as she was pulled back towards M. "My apologies, my lords." She said curtsying once her feet touched the ground again. "Seems my brother and I are still quite….competitive." She glanced up at a grumpy Braith still in the air.
M gently released her when her feet touched the ground, his hands still sticking out tentatively.
“That’s quite alright, my lady,” He returned with a soft bow of his own.
Neo laughed heartily up at his lover and his angry thoughts. “You must calm down, dear lover! You will get hurt!”
At this point Braith was hanging upside down, arms crossed. "I'm calm" he grumbled, sounding the exact opposite of calm.
Maelia, took M's outstretched hand, walking back into his embrace with a gentle sigh. Feeling bold and following the mental promise she gave herself, she stood on her tip toes and placed a delicate kiss on M's lips. She turned away with a blush, quietly observing the King and her brother.
Neo giggled softly at Braith’s angry upside down face. “You look like the calmest, my love. I’m still not letting you down.”
M barely had time to recompose himself, hardly in time for the hug and tiny kiss.
“Oh,” Was the only thing that (again) dropped out of his mouth. He was glad she turned away from him, since his face was rapidly turning a dark shade of red. He hastily turned away from the others, looking up at a tree.
Braith sighed, "Fine. Fineeeee." He took a few calming breaths and cleared his thoughts. When he was somewhat relaxed, he looked to Neo expectantly. A brow cocked.
Maelia instantly regretted her boldness as M turned away. She overstepped. Majorly overstepped. She dropped his hand and took a few steps closer to her Braith who was still in the air, needing his comfort. Maelia felt so silly. How dare she kiss the brother of the King?
Neo giggled softly again and set his lover down, leaning over him and setting a chin on his head.
“Wonderful. Good job, dearest.”
M turned back around hastily when Maelia walked away. He wanted to call her back, but pussied out.
Braith straightened his jacket, miffed and trying to regain some dignity. "You could have just asked." He mumbled to Neo above him. Glancing at Maelia, he noticed she looked a little forlorn. "Maelia?" He asked stepping forward and casting a glance over her. "You're not hurt?"
"No! No, not at all. Just–" She straightened, refusing to look back at M. "Hungry."
Neo wrapped his arms around his lover and lifted him up in a bridal lift. “Well, lucky for you we’re going to go eat now!”
M made a soft noise in his throat, raising a hand to put it on her shoulder. He stopped. What if she pushed him away?
Braith smiled at his sister as he and Neo passed. Honestly, must you spoil me so in front of her?
Maelia, watched eyes full of longing. Her brother, who had such a rough childhood, had found happiness and love, yet she, the family favorite was…alone. She blinked turning to follow them, only to run smack into M's chest.
M squeaked softly and grabbed her bracingly so they both didn’t fall. And so she didn’t realize he was reaching for her.
“Are you okay?” He asked quickly, his voice high-pitched and squeaky.
Maelia cleared her throat. She was about to answer when she noticed M's distress. She peered at him with borwn eyes full of fire. "Are you? What has happened to your voice?"
Color rose in M’s cheeks again and he shook his head. “N-Imean yes. I’m fine. Great.” He smiled unsurely, though he really meant the last word. He felt like he was just gonna float away. But her burning eyes made her look angry…
Maelia blinked. "Ah–well. Good! I am happy you are alright." She wrung her hands in front of her, looking down. She wanted to run she was so embarrassed. How could she kiss him?! Maybe an apology…. "My lord…I…" she didn't know what to say.
M swallowed nervously, his adam’s apple bobbing. “N-don’t apologize. It’s okay. I… um…” He didn’t want to say that he enjoyed it. He did, but it’d be creepy if he did. So he just stood there like an idiot, stuttering.
How did he know I was going to apologize? Maelia stood before him, puzzled at what he was trying to say. Blush burning on her high cheekbones. "I am sorry though…" she said softly she couldn't look at him so she kept her face towards the ground.
“Don’t!” He exclaimed too loudly. He covered his mouth, his face reddening more. “I-I…” He looked at her desperately, his eyes wide.
(I love how Neo and Braith are just skipping along through life completely oblivious at this point. XD)
Maelia jumped at M's exclamation, looking up into his face with confusion. "Speak freely…" she said softly.
M covered his face and shook his head. “No— no it’s okay. I’m fine. Are you okay?”
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