Neo squeezed his eyes shut and kept them that way, but his mind kept running through wild situations irrelevant to the situation. His arms ended up underneath his pillow, where he squeezed the cooler sheets there. He remained stretched out like that, squeezing his eyes and clenching up as he went through his thoughts until the noise of his door opening made his eyes open from his loud thoughts.
Nikolas crawled into bed with him after standing by his door, but Neo's back was turned on his door, thank the stars for that. As the other king relaxed and got comfortable, looking up he would see Neo's icy eyes watching him in his bed.
With no sense on how late it was, how long he was up for, and how Nikolas possibly thought it was okay to just come into his room like this… Why was Neo okay with it? Why did his chilled body welcome the warmth of the other next to him without regarding who Nikolas was.
After a few moments, Neo stirred a little, pulling his arms from underneath his pillow and tucking them against his chest, in some sort of fetal position. His quiet voice left his lips after: "What are you doing in here, Nikolas?" His tone wasn't any sort of angry, just neutral and tired-sounding despite not actually falling asleep. "I know I said you could join me, but it was a joke. You didn't have to." He gave a slight, disingenuous laugh.
Nikolas paused, and gave that a bit of thought. What was he doing in here? "Yes, but I do love to barge in where I'm unwelcome, do I not? Perhaps this is me, just being who I am." he snaked an arm around Neo's cold body, his own body heat slowly warming the two up. He adjusted the covers so they would fit around the both of them, and curled up so his chest was snug with Neophyte's back. "I think we should both be sleeping now, dear." he yawned, began to massage Neo's shoulders slowly until his hands faltered, and with that he started to doze off. "Neophyte, dear…" he yawned, "… do me a favor, and don't snore."
With that he fell asleep, body giving in to its urges for once in that long, lonely night. He was a dead sleeping, Neo could probably do anything to him and Nikolas wouldn't wake until it was too late. Nikolas had considered the possibility of something happening, which is why he had assured his kingdom that if he was back in three days' time, there would be nothing to worry about. If he wasn't, though… well, he'd prepared his heir for war, not to rule. The aftermath would be messy, likely.
Neo listened but said nothing, letting his confusion mull his thoughts. If anything, Neo should be concerned as to what he might wake up to since he didn't have an heir set up right now. His plan for one was none. Heirs were a weakness, a fault in the system of autocracy. Surely someone of Nikolas' degree in power would know that, but it wasn't time to point out such details to him. He didn't move away, allowing his larger body to be spooned, and his neck forced his head down to relax. Ah, the mortal coil of sleep overcame concerns even if he woke up to a knife to his throat.
He had no plan, somehow, in this confusing time. Though the confusion stifled everything else but sleep, and his lids fell shut to the warmth the other brought to him and his bed. The last thing Neo felt was a sense of satisfsction– as if introducing someone else to sleep with him in his home room was a triumph.
And that next morning, sun filtered through the white linen on the windowpanes. Neo's tired body relaxed completely against his company, and despite the request of the other, he was snoring softly from where his head was turned away. Sleep was the only few moments of peace Neo got, so he often slept in. He had spent too many early mornings fighting for this position it seemed.
Nikolas was halfway on top of Neo, having rolled about in his sleep due to dreams he’d never admit were nightmares. He hadn’t woken up yet, merely sleeping peacefully, bare chest to bare chest with his body wrapped around Neophyte’s like a vice. He shifted a little in his sleep, yawning a little as he woke up, feeling a sore pain on his side. Oh, right, he had another knife with him. That he’d slept on. Well, that would hurt for the next week or so, but Nikolas didn’t care much for that. Mostly, he was focusing on watching Neo sleep, having shifted off the top of the snoring man and now had resumed his holding of him, arm wrapped loosely around his waist. He liked to watch the sleep of those that were close to him, liked to see them in their vulnerability. It was one of his many vices, yet another to drown out the little virtue he had.
He got up after a while, entering the bathroom to take a quick shower before Neo awoke. He removed his cloak, pants, and everything else on him, including several various weapons and poisons, before stepping into the large walk-in shower much bigger than his palace’s comparatively spartan one. He took his sweet time getting his hair wet and then clean, then took the time to lavish in the warm water. If Neo were to kill him in here, at least he’d have the dignity of a lavender-smelling corpse, judging by the label on the shampoo.
Neo stirred awake at the sound of water hitting the floor in his bathroom, sitting up slowly from the warmth of his pillow and rubbing his hand through his hair. He always instinctively woke whenever he heard the shower, for to him that was the sign he overslept. His husband showered in the morning but woke up after Neo.
When he's done he'll want me to set his clothes out for him, came a thought to his tired brain. He stood up from the sheets, the linen falling away from his skin. He stumbled over to his dresser and grabbed out some clothes, but allowed himself a few moments to grab onto it and support himself as his exhausted, pounding and aching head stopped his whole movement.
"Mmm… Fuck me, what the hell is wrong with my head?" He asked out-loud to himself, rubbing his temples with his big hands. "First I sleep in, then this headache…"
Nikolas shut the water off and wrapped his slim waist in a large, fluffy towel, drying off his long locks with a smaller towel and letting it sit around his shoulders under his hair like a scarf, catching water droplets sufficiently. When he got out, he was delighted to see Neo clinging to the dresser, evidently in some sort of distress that he would have to save him from. He walked over, using the end of his cane to lift Neo’s chin delicately, then bringing his face over to look him in the eyes. “Good morning. I take it you slept well?” he crooned, removing the cane before Neo could shatter it as he likely would and had in the past.
He then moved over to support Neophyte, heaving the larger, heavier man up and directing him towards the bed. “You need a glass of water, and to lie down, I think.” he diagnosed, using a pitcher on the bedside table to pour some water into a cup for Neo.
Neo blinked a couple times at the appearance of Nikolas, struggling to comprehend why he appeared in a towel, freshly-showered, looking refreshed… and delighted? How had he appeared so suddenly? Neo could barely remember, and his mind wasn't joustled much at all to be bothered to remember why.
"Oh, shit, why–?" His headache and general stupidity due to his exhaustion prevented him from saying much more. He allowed himself to sit but glared beadily at the other. He must have drank too much at the party last night, and it was only really hitting him now. It was coming back to him slowly in waves as he woke up more, rubbing his eyelids and holding his head.
"I don't need a drink. You should get dressed or something." He pushed a hand out from where it was supporting his head, and his statement was coming from a pretty ironic place, since he was pretty much as naked (if not more) than Nikolas.
“You’re hungover, my love. I don’t think that dehydrating yourself will make it better.” he said, placing a hand on Neo’s outstretched one and grasping it firmly, comfortingly. “I’m not trying to kill you, alright? I’m only trying to keep you from killing yourself. I know last night must have been a lot, but…” Nikolas didn’t try finishing that sentence, it would only end in hurt for them both. “I’m sorry. I don’t have any good clothes, might I borrow some of yours?” he said instead, changing the subject and moving to rummage through drawers and closets, not waiting for an answer before he started piecing together a simple outfit of ill-fitting gray slacks and t-shirt, quite uncharacteristic for Nikolas’ usual sense of style and flair.
Neo looked up from his other hand when he was squeezed, blinking a couple times. Certainly when Nikolas hit his head last night, it must have completely changed his disposition. At the mention of the previous night, and as Neo drank his water silently, he remembered the attack in the greenhouse, watching Nikolas slip on his clothes.
"Right… um, thanks for the water. And sure you can… oh, alright, help yourself, I guess." He drained the cup and set it back down with his long arm's reach, glancing back over at Nikolas. "You can go ahead and make yourself comfortable, but didn't you say you wanted to leave soon?" His eyes were drawn to the too big clothes, sagging comfortably around the thinner stature of Nikolas making him look… cute? Something about looking at him like that just warmed Neo's cheeks that a slight shake of his head couldn't get rid of. It simply didn't feel wrong to think of Nikolas like that anymore. Neo was more than able to adore Nikolas for the small goods that he found through all of the vices.
“Of course I want to leave soon, you… imbecile.” Nikolas noticed the way Neo was staring, and stopped. “That doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy my time here while it lasts. Now, I need something salty. What do your people happen to serve for breakfast, again?” he asked, retrieving some clothes for Neo and throwing them at his face, not particularly gently but also not to wound, either. He then gathered his own clothes from the shower, once more fastening his bear cloak over his shoulders, but leaving the weapons, it was unlikely Neo would make a move at him right now. Not with a war on their hands, at least, not with that at all.
He tugged on the edges of the cloak, hands shaking as he leaned on his cane for support. He didn’t hurt as much as last night, but things still weren’t particularly comfortable for him standing, and he hoped to find that Neo perhaps wanted to sleep in more than get up just yet.
Neo removed the clothes off of his face and looked down at his lap with a slow sigh, giving another couple shakes of his head. "We can have whatever you want made. I usually just have granola in the morning, but the chefs are accustomed to making whatever you want." He stood up slowly again, pulling on his pants and buttoning up the shirt he was given, swiping his hands down the front to make sure it wasn't wrinkled. He tried to look his best whenever he dressed every day, even if he was just doing office work. It was just another habit he happened to pick up. He ran his fingers through his hair and crossed the floor of his bedroom, rummaging around in his dresser for a belt and slipping it on through the loops of his pants, which were drooping around his waist.
"I'm just gonna freshen up in the bathroom, you can go down to the dining room if you don't need my help getting down the steps." He looked up at Nikolas as he reentered his room from the bathroom.
Nikolas shrugged. "I think I'll wait for you." he said, sitting down on the bed and humming to himself a folk song passed down to him from generations of Ballasts and their people. He muttered something, probably a curse, in his mother tongue, then resumed his humming, thinking to himself about what he could possible do with his Neo today to relieve him of his boredom before he had to be sent off. He checked his wounds, then tightened the belt of his slacks, using a small knife to pierce a hole in the belt so it would actually hold his pants up properly. He put the knife away before Neo could see, however, he didn't want the king to be too upset with him over the sheer amount of weaponry he still carried on his person.
Neo shut the door behind him as he slipped into the bathroom, doing his usual such as brushing his teeth, washing his face and relieving himself. He took a few pills with water he cupped in his hand and splashed it into his face, inhaling softly as he looked up into his mirror. Water dripped down his long nose and across his thin lips, licking it off as he stood up straight again, slicking his hair back with a wet hand. He steeled himself up as he looked into his mirror, shaking his head at his reflection with a slow sigh. He was a king who sacrificed everything for his position, including family, friends, fame… He couldn't throw that all away for one man who probably had it out for him in some way or another just for his kingdom. No, that's simply what Neo didn't deserve. He deserved a man who would meet him in stride, with smirks down at their enemies… enemies they overcame together with mental strength and leadership second to none. Determination that was gripping, yet with a personality that the people could relate to.
Shit– He was describing Nikolas, wasn't he?
Nikolas had no want or need for a partner, but suddenly that was all he could think about. He just wanted someone who would be just as ruthless as he was, a challenge to overcome and to conquer with a great show of strength. Someone who was his matched equal, but not so much as to be a real threat. Neo was none of these things to him, he saw the man as a prattling idiot who could barely lace up his boots. But still, he couldn't help but wonder if that assessment was at least a little skewed by bias, at least regarding their former relationship. It hadn't ended on good terms, and he was starting to think that maybe he was underestimating the new king. Perhaps, if he were to arrange something, he could test his theory… but no, Neophyte simply wouldn't allow it. He called, "Neo, dear heart, you've taken long enough!" just to hear the answer. Dammit, he already missed that cold, cruel voice, the one that made him shiver with delight and fear every time it crossed his ears.
No, I am not describing him, Neo snarled to himself, giving another shake of his head and gripping the sides of his sink. Nikolas was a threat, with nothing on his mind but blatant control that even a toddler could see if it tried hard enough. His manipulation tactics were good, but easy to see through with a stern eye and a prepared mind. The call from the other room snapped him out of it, and he splashed another handful of water into his face before turning off the tap and drying it off with a towel. He'd go out and be cordial for now, but unlike last night, would not allow his defenses to go down. That was the fatal mistake he had made in their previous affair together.
"Sorry, I am right here," Neophyte huffed as he stepped out of the bathroom, shutting it behind him after flicking off the lights. "Impatient to see me, I suppose?" He glanced up at the king helping himself to his bed, with a slight knowing laugh in his tone. "Would you like me to carry you as I did last night? Is that why you waited so patiently?" The Neo that had appeared before him just minutes earlier, with his soft adoring eyes and red cheeks, was replaced by a sharply dressed, steely-eyed man who looked down through eyeglasses on Nikolas with a foot tapping out in front of him.
Nikolas stared at Neo for a long, long time, saying nothing. If this was how it was going to be, then so be it. He'd just have to give Neo the silent treatment for the rest of this visit. There was no point to trying to engage if Neophyte was simply going to be a child about things, at least according to Nikolas. He got up, slowly, then started to walk out of the room, moving as speedily as he could to avoid Neophyte. Nikolas just… didn't have time for Neo and his pettiness right now. Admittedly Neo probably didn't have time for his pettiness, but that was a Neo problem, not a Nikolas problem. Nikolas moved down the stairs, having memorized the way around the place by rote. It was useful, to know your way around a place. Nikolas, long ago, had had spies placed in Neophyte's castle to find anything useful about the place for Nikolas, and while he'd since had them removed, the information was fresh in his mind.
He entered the kitchens quietly, startling a few of the staff members there. Fortunately, his face was quite recognizable, so instead of getting beat over the head with a rolling pin he received some food, a breakfast of saltine crackers and sardines, it was what was most often available in his kingdom and he didn't like breaking from routine. The staff assured him they could make something better, but Nikolas declined. It was simply his preference, this way.
Ah, that was the other fatal flaw in his relationship with the other, Neo realized as he looked down on the silent king, his arms crossed tightly against his chest. Emotions were fickle and up in the air which was something Neo was really quite tired of dealing with within his relationships. His husband had been "borderline" so to speak enough. He shook his head after the other, confident he couldn't see it as he went down the steps.
He had other things to do today other than taking things personally. He followed Nikolas after a few moments downstairs, but turned his feet towards another section of the castle that homed storage areas, and Neo's personal office where he dealt with affairs outside of his bedroom. If a noble or another queen or king demanded privacy, he took them to his office, which was out of the way and hard to see.
He pushed open his office, which was actually a good portion of the floor. It was large with a main dark desk in the middle, with several chairs surrounding it at the sides and in front of it. Several overflowing trash bins, filing cabinets, and tinier office desks for nobles were held in this room, but none of them were present at this time. Neo shut the door and turned on the lights, hoping someone else would deal with the Nikolas issue on their own as he settled down into his comfortable leather chair. A stack of neatly placed papers waited for him, for laws in deliberation, economic things and issues, as well as civilian complaints he liked to keep an eye on. This was more like what he was used to. Just putting his nose down to the grindstone and watching carefully.
