Honey went an unbelievable shade of pink when Ari got so close, and he stammered out a few incomprehensible words when his arm went around him. He scooted closer to Rin on instinct. Since Ari was kind of attached to him, however, he ended up tugging him along as well. Being sandwiched in between two very attractive people was enough to render him speechless. He laughed breathlessly and let his head drop onto Ari’s shoulder.
“Think I had a dream like this once,” he mumbled, smiling so hard that it nearly hurt.
Arquis cleared his throat. He’d been standing the bathroom doorway for just a bit, watching the scene unfold. He came over to Rin’s side and lovingly draped the cold compress across their forehead. It was positioned so that it wouldn’t block his sight.
“I see my spot has been stolen,” he said dryly, giving Ari a look over his lover’s head. The look didn’t last long. He broke into a smile and reached over to stroke Honey’s hair.
Ari laughed, letting Honey's head fall on his shoulder. "I am sure." He replied, smiling lightly. He stuck his tongue out at Arquis. "You can go on Rin's other side, there's room." He said, laughing a little bit. "It'll be fine."
Rin smiled up at Arquis, relaxing a little when the compress was set across their forehead. "Thank you, my darling." They said in a soft tone. "You're so good to me."
Arquis sat beside them with a dramatic sigh. He pressed a kiss to their cheek, lingering for a little longer than necessary. When he drew back, there was something gentle about his expression. The worry lines on his forehead and around his eyes had disappeared, and his lips were curved with a hint of a smile. He adjusted the compress again before leaning in for another kiss. This one was on their brow, just below the cloth.
“You deserve to be treated well, love,” he murmured.
Honey watched them sadly. It wasn’t pure sadness, like heartbreak or loss, but a sort of bittersweet feeling. Their kind, gentle brand of romance, all patient and nonjudgmental, made his heart ache. Rin did deserve to be lavished with love—that he very much agreed with—and there was no one better to give it than Arquis. He just wished that he’d experienced it himself. Nobody had ever wanted a relationship with him. They wanted one night stands and affairs and an object to use. They wanted someone to replace their spouse or someone who’d let them get their anger out; someone who could take a good beating and come back for more. Nobody had ever purely loved Honey for Honey. They craved him. Destroyed him. Left him. And then came back for him when it was convenient, when they needed another fix.
His fingers skimmed up to the bandage over his throat as he remembered the man who’d left it. For a second, he swore he could still feel his breath heating the skin there, the bruising pressure of his sharp teeth.
Rin leaned his head on Arquis's shoulder, smiling a little bit. "As do you, darling." he replied, giving Rin a soft little smile. He liked this, liked being able to just snuggle up with his lover, with Honey and Ari too. It was nice like this, even though they still were not feeling their best.
Ari's gaze flicked to Honey, watching the young man trace the bandage. "Are you alright?" he asked the blond, his voice soft and quiet enough that it would not disturb Arquis and Rin's conversation.
Honey’s hand dropped back to his lap, and he forced a grin. To prove that he was fine, he shifted closer towards him, making their legs gently bump together. “Better than alright. I’m sharing a bed with three extremely attractive men. What more could I ask for?”
Arquis, not having noticed anything was wrong, let out a laugh. “Yes, you were just telling us about how much you wanted that in the hall. Though at that point I assume you were hoping to engage in a different kind of activity. One that would require less talking.”
“Less talking? Aw, nah, talking’s the fun part.” The blond winked. “Bet I could say all sorts of things that would make you blush.”
“If I remember correctly, I was not the one blushing earlier,” he fired back. It wasn’t super effective because he was already going a healthy shade of rosy red. Embarrassed, he hid his face in Rin’s sleeve.
Ari laughed. "Well, sort of." he replied to Honey's statement about "men". Sometimes Ari had a hard time with that, because it felt right, but…well, he had been "young lady" for such a long time as a kid and young teen that sometimes being called a man still jarred him. Made him feel like there was someone watching over his shoulder, ready to shout to anyone who would listen that he wasn't a "real" man. It felt nice, to have Honey call him an "attractive man", even if it had been in passing, but it was still a statement that sometimes sat oddly. He didn't hate who he was, and he knew he was a man, but sometimes these doubts crept in at the edges of his mind and made him wonder if everything he had done to transition had been a mistake. He shook his head faintly and tried to push those thoughts away and reengage with the conversation at hand.
Rin eyed Ari, keeping an eye on the young man as he flicked a quick smile to the other three. "I feel like I missed something." they remarked. "Have you been having inappropriate conversations without me?"
Honey pulled a face when he heard Ari’s response to his comment, mistaking it for insecurity about his appearance. He cupped his jaw with his fingertips and gave it a gentle yet chiding squeeze. His eyes were surprisingly serious. This was not a matter he took lightly. Self-consciousness was no laughing matter.
“Nah, not sort of. You’re real handsome. I mean that.” He finally let a smirk tease his lips, and he leaned closer until his face and Ari’s were only a few inches away. It seemed that he’d gotten his rhythm back. He looked at him through his golden lashes and murmured in a low, slightly sultry voice, “Couldn’t keep my eyes off you earlier. You think that was fake?”
Arquis gaped at the blond. He’d thought he’d seen Honey flirt before, but it was nothing compared to what he was observing right then and there. A whole minute passed before he came to his senses and remembered that Rin had asked a question.
“We, um, talked a little in the hall, yes. Honey called you a looker. He also said, ah, that he would have liked to participate in some, um, activities with us, but he could not because we are together. And exclusive.”
Ari's gaze flitted up to Honey's, and he raised his eyebrows very slightly. A small blush had crept over his cheeks at how close Honey was, but he didn't try to push the blond away from him. "It…that is not what I meant, but thank you for the compliment." he said softly, carefully reaching up to smooth Honey's hair out of his face. He had no idea where he was going with all this, but…it couldn't hurt anything to try it out.
Rin kept an eye on Honey and Ari, smiling a little bit, and nodded at Arquis's words. "I see. That…hm." he laughed a little bit, kissing Arquis's cheek.
Honey exhaled ever-so-slightly when Ari’s fingers brushed his skin. They were close enough that he got a rather intimate view of his blush. It felt like a victory. After several painfully awkward interactions, he was finally getting somewhere. He checked to make sure that he still had the other man’s attention, then ran his thumb over his own lip. His smirk grew.
“Good,” he continued, almost purring. “Y’know, ‘cause it’d be a sin,” he emphasized that word just a tad, “to not know your worth.” He decided to push it just a little further and tilted his head. His every breath brushed his exposed throat; if he wanted to, he could’ve kissed or nipped at his ear. Rather than doing that, however, he whispered, “You’ve got a pretty blush, too, stranger.”
And then he pulled away. Acting as if nothing had happened, he rolled over and snuggled against Rin’s side. He hooked one of his legs over their closest one and patted his knee.
Arquis let out a strangled laugh. “That was, ah…”
Ari's own breath hitched very faintly when he felt Honey's warm breath ghosting over his skin. When Honey rolled away, he sat very still for just a moment, processing, then shook himself and looked over at Rin, Arquis, and Honey, a smile pulling at his mouth and a soft blush still visible on his cheeks.
Rin laughed softly, letting Honey snuggle close to them without a complaint.
Arquis had to admit that he was starting to feel a little jealous. Honey had cozied up to Rin and Ari, but he hadn’t spent much time with the nobleman. He realized briefly after that such thoughts were odd, yet he couldn’t fix his expression before the blond noticed.
“Aw, what’s with the pout?” Honey poked Rin’s cheek and then pointed to Arquis. “Be a dear and give lover boy some sugar, won’t you? He looks lonely.”
“I am not lonely!” Arquis spluttered.
“Nah?”
“Of course not! Even the notion is ridiculous!” he huffed. “Lonely—as if! I am simply distracted.”
Honey’s eyes widened at the admission. “Distracted, huh?” He glanced at Ari, smirking wickedly. “Sounds like we put on a pretty good show.”
Rin laughed a little bit, smiling over at Arquis. "Ah, of course." he replied, kissing Arquis's cheek and giving the nobleman another little smile. "Are you jealous?" he asked, voice still soft and teasing.
Ari smirked back at Honey, playing along with the blonde. "Sounds like we do." he agreed, laughing softly and reaching over to gently run his hand through Honey's hair again.
“Jealous? Why would I be jealous? That is just absurd,” Arquis replied in a dismissive tone, though he was feeling a bit conflicted. He honestly wasn’t sure what he was jealous of. Did he want to be held like Honey, or did he want to hold Honey himself? Were his insecurities from earlier surfacing? Was he upset at the notion that Ari and Honey seemed to get along so easily, while he still struggled with knowing what to say? All he knew for certain was that the sharp pain in his chest grew acute when Ari put his hand in Honey’s loose curls. It worsened when the blond jokingly whimpered and then smiled in response, flashing his dimples.
“You’ve got a magic touch, I swear,” Honey teased. He yawned and took a moment to stretch, though it was all part of the act. His shirt rode up, showing a strip of flat, muscular abdomen. “Mm, sorry. Being in bed tends to make you a certain way. Y’know. Sleepy.”
Rin raised his eyebrows slightly, sliding his arm up around Arquis to hold onto him. "Darling, it's alright." he said softly, kissing the nobleman's cheek. "Promise." they didn't quite know if Arquis was truly upset or not, but perhaps it was better to err on the safe side.
Ari couldn't help the way his eyes flicked down to that bit of abdomen, and then back up again. "I'm sure that sleepy is exactly what we were all thinking." he teased, laughing a little bit. His hand was still gently resting in Honey's hair, and he stroked the soft curls lightly.
Honey had caught that subtle movement. He brought his hand to rest atop Ari’s and intertwined their fingers. Then, not breaking eye contact, he lifted their stacked hands and settled them on his stomach. He pressed down just a bit so that he’d feel his muscles through the shirt.
“What was it you said earlier? You’re allowed to look at me. Yeah, that was it.” He tipped his head against the pillow behind him so that he could see him better. Laughter bubbled from his throat. He squeezed and then released Ari’s hand. “You should’ve seen your face. Teasing you is awfully fun, stranger.”
Arquis was sulking. He couldn’t even enjoy the playful display in front of him, nor his lover’s gentle ministrations. It was a petty sort of sulking. He wasn’t sure how to get out of his mildly bad mood, and so he was determined to stay grumpy.
Ari inhaled softly, eyes flickering away for a moment. "Well, you certainly were not this slick and flirtatious earlier, Honey." he replied, smirking a bit as he looked over at Honey. "You could barely look me in the face, much less touch me at all." he smirked again, studying Honey.
Rin cocked his head at Arquis, unsure just what was wrong right now. What Arquis was so upset about. Did Arquis want Honey instead of Rin now? He didn't think that was it, but perhaps it was.
Arquis looked over at Rin, saw their confusion, and sighed softly. All of his pent up frustration vanished. They’d only been trying to help, and in response he’d acted like a sullen toddler. Well, he’d certainly have to make up for that. He pulled his partner into his lap and wrapped his arms around their waist. They felt so solid in his embrace, something real and sturdy that would keep him from spiraling emotionally. He tugged the collar of their shirt to scatter kisses all over his neck. His mouth traced curves and angles and then paused over their Adam’s apple.
“Love. My love. Thank you for your patience.” He hummed, lips still on their throat. He wondered if they could feel the soft vibration of it. “I apologize for my temper. Today has been difficult, and my mind is weary. But do not mistake my foul mood for a lack of interest. I adore you with both my mind and body.”
Honey, who’d been ready to fire a response back at Ari, stopped to listen to the soft declaration. This time, it didn’t make him feel as sad. He was more so perplexed.
“What’s all this about? Is our bard feeling insecure or something? Can’t have that.” He leaned away from Ari to nuzzle into Rin’s shoulder.
Rin snuggled close to Arquis, grateful to be held. He nodded a little at Arquis's words, reaching to cup the nobleman's cheek. "It's alright, darling." he said softly. "But…thank you for the reassurance." his voice was soft and gentle and quiet, and they were just happy to be held. They looked over at Honey. "Thank you, Honey, you're very kind." they hadn't meant to take all the attention onto themself, they really hadn't.
Ari watched, smiling a little bit.
Arquis planted another kiss at the hollow of their throat. “You do not need to thank me. It is I who should be thanking you once more. I was being downright unpleasant.”
“If you don’t treat him right, sweetheart, then I’m gonna have to take them away from you,” Honey warned. Though he was mostly teasing, there was a bit of an edge to his words. He took their hand and cradled it protectively against his chest. “Our bard’s love is a privilege, y’know.”
“I do feel very privileged to have you,” Arquis murmured at the nape of Rin’s neck. It was like an odd sort of worship, almost a prayer. His hand roamed up their chest to land at his favorite spot. Honey, rather satisfied, slumped against his pillow while the nobleman continued to love on them.
Rin gave Honey a smile, but his eyes flickered shut as Ari's mouth brushed against his neck. "Oh, darling." he said softly, though they reached down to cover Arquis's hand with his. "Though perhaps we should show a little restraint with others around?" their voice tipped up into a question, and they held onto Arquis's hand gently.
Ari only smiled, tucking one of his knees up against his chest.
Arquis groaned but accepted their request. He lifted his head and smiled sheepishly at Ari and Honey. Honestly, he hadn’t meant to go that far, though he had to admit that the tone of Rin’s voice had affected him. It was the way that he’d said darling that had finally done him in. He could feel a simmering sensation within him that urged him to keep going. Perhaps he needed to run a cold bath for himself. He was getting far too flustered. The blush on his face could’ve been spotted from a mile away.
Honey was grinning wildly, but he faked a pout for just a moment. “Bard,” he whined. “Why’d you make him stop? You were just getting to the fun part!”
“They were right.” Arquis, back to playing the gentleman, lightly caressed Rin’s hand. “My behavior was a bit inappropriate. I should not have acted in such a way in front of guests.”
“Really? ‘Cause as a guest, I, like, super disagree.”
Rin stayed snuggled close to Arquis, laughing a little bit at Honey's words. "My apologies, Honey, but we are not going to put on a show for you and Ari." they remarked, leaning against Arquis and looking over at Honey and Ari.
Ari laughed, grinning. "But it was so sweet to see." he replied.
“I gotta agree with you on that one, stranger. The two of them together is, like…” Honey let out a long, low whistle and fanned himself with his shirt. A small part of it was stuck to his skin due to sweat. He pinched it, adjusted his clothes, and then waggled his brows hopefully at Arquis.
“That is very kind of you to say, Honey,” Arquis responded with a laugh, “but the answer remains the same. Even if I was comfortable with the idea, which I am not, there are other reasons as to why it cannot occur. You are still in quite a rough condition.”
Honey scowled. “So? What’s that gotta do with any of this? It’s not like you’re forcing me to say or do any of this shit.” He clapped his hand over his mouth and glanced frantically at Ari. “You didn’t hear that.”
Ari frowned faintly, eyes flicking between the three. He didn't understand what was going on here, what Honey was talking about. He knew that Rin had written to him about something going on with Honey, so had Rin been right? Is that what was going on here? He had no idea, but he didn't want to pry if Honey didn't want to tell him.
Rin winced faintly at the exchange. "Let's find a new topic." they suggested softly.
It was Honey’s turn to sulk. He detached himself from Rin and Ari and repositioned so that he wasn’t touching them at all. His gaze remained glued to a point on the furthest wall. Outwardly, it probably appeared that he was angry with everyone else, but internally he was just upset with himself. They’d been having such a pleasant time, and he’d gone and said the wrong thing. Like always. He was overtaken with a sudden sense of desperation. They would be much better off if he wasn’t there. He’d intruded into their room, made them all uncomfortable multiple times, and couldn’t even think of a new topic to discuss. He wished he’d crushed that flower under his heel and never went to find Ari.
Arquis, needing to diffuse the odd tension in the room, started to speak. “Ari, how much time have you spent in Anvillea?”
