Mel looked Nick over skeptically but eventually let it go since he didn't look to be in pain at the moment. As he gazed back at Nick, for the first time that Mel had been in any sort of relationship, he was accutely aware and shy about the position they were in. Sure he had sat prettily on many a man's lap but never one that he had felt such raw emotion towards. He had been told he was beautiful before, but for whatever reason, when Nick said it, he truely believed it. His smile grew soft as he glamcrd away momentarily. "Well, I think that may be untrue now, dear. Yours surely shines brighter." He leaned into Nick's hand and shook his head. "It's alright. We should be leaving in a month. I wish it were much sooner but we need the time to get all our affairs in order and make it seem natural. I don't want the Queen to come after us then find Abrose and Easton." He gaze went back to Nicks. "If you wish to leave earlier, you may do so." He added on softly, not wanting Nick to feel as if he had only one option. While now being his sentinel, Mel refused to have Nick bound to him in such a way that reflected his time with the Queen. If anything, the position was more loosely based around the idea rather than what Nick had previously been.
"Your cheeks are all red, my love." He teased. Nick found that he liked Mel sitting on his lap like this. It was a feeling he couldn't really explain, but it's not like he needed to. "No, it's alright. I fully understand. Besides, it gives me more time to stay here with you and learn about you and what you do. I couldn't ask for anything more." Nick kissed Mel's cheek, pulling him closer by the waist. "Besides, I vowed to stay by your side and protect you when I became your sentinel and your lover. So, I'm not leaving. I know you were talking about helping others in Abrose's situation. If that's still the case, I would like to help you in any way I can. I know you've been doing this type of thing for years without my help, but just know I'm here to help, okay? I'm not leaving this place without you."
"I wonder why," Mel mused teasingly, brushing a gentle hand along Nick's jawline. He breathed a laugh and wrapped his arms around Nick's neck, tilting his head curiously. "While you are correct, my dear. I can think of a few ways where this would be absolute perfection. Including being anotjer continent where we don't have to worry about the queen." He gave a dramatic sigh and smiled "but I am of the unlucky sort, save for when it comes to you." Mel pressed their brows together. "You are more than my lover. I've had far too many of those. You mean something far more significant to me than just a nameless lover. But nonetheless, thank you. Truly. It means a lot to me that your willing to help those you once were against." He pressed his lips to Nick's brow and sighed peacefully. "I know we've been through a lot but if you're not willing to sleep any longer, perhaps you'd like to join me outside. It is a beautiful night after all and it's becoming suffocating just staying indoors all day."
Nick chuckled and kissed Mel's hand. "I'm glad that you think of me so highly. It's wonderful of you to put me up on a pedestal like that. However, you mean just as much to me, if not more." He looked out the window spotting a constellation. The stars were so evident in the sky it put the sun to shame. "Yes, I think venturing outside would be a lovely idea. Besides, you would only look more beautiful in the moonlight." Nick moved Mel off his lap and stood. "You're gonna have to point out some constellations. I'm not terribly familiar with one. However, I know a Sagittarius when I see one." He had one hand behind his back with the other outstretched to Mel. "I feel like you are an expert on the subject."
(gotta whip out ye old google for this XD)
Mel slowly moved himself off of Nick's lap, already missing the warmth of having another so close to him. He tugged the blanket off the couch and drapped it over himself before lacing his hand with Nick's. "Gladly," Mel replied as he lead Nick through the estate to the outside gardens behind the home. While it was nothing compared to Abrose' garden, it still had a few blooming flowers and vines stringing themselves through balcony railings. Abrose's mare has stationed herself by A few fruit bushes that were nearly ripe with blackberries and was munching away at them. Mel guided Nick to a cluster of apple trees that offered some privacy from the estate, since he had seen a few lights still on from the upper windows, most likely Kira and Esther still awake. Mel gently tugged Nick into a patch of moss and leaned dback against one of the apple trees. "I'm definitely no expert but I do find myself enjoying the process of learning about astrology." He smiled softly and turned his gaze up to the sky. "Now, let's see who's out tonight." He murmured softly, as if his voice, if loud enough, would scare off the stars into the dark reaches of space. He gasoed softly and pointed to a large cluster of stars. "Aldebaren. The start of Orion. And right across from them, starting Orion's arrow shooting arm, Beetljuice.
(XD I have to do that sometimes)
Nick waved to the mere who was peacefully eating. The garden look beautiful at night, Nick could only imagine what it looked like in the morning. He was very fond of plants and nature itself. He found beauty in even the most beautiful of things. He let the softness of Mel's hand take him away into the garden. He leaned on the tree next to Mel. Nick tilted his head to see the stars and how they shine so bright. Just like the nursery rhyme, he heard when he was a child. Nick couldn't help but chuckle and laugh at Mel's reaction to seeing the stars. It was much too cute for his age. He looked to where he had pointed, the bright light making a picture in the sky. "It seems your studies have paid off. I couldn't know a constellation if it stared right back at me. I would think of pretty stars." He laughed. "Honestly this place is just wonderful, it shames it will be left behind in a month or two. We can use this as a vacation house." He sugested.
Mel chuckled lightly, covering his smile with his hand. "Forgive me, dear. I don't mean to laugh I was like then when first starting off. When Veda first started teaching me, all i saw were small sparkly dots in the sky. Sure I saw the most common constellations like the big dipper but it was tough learning the rotations and specific stars. I guess that's what I liked most about learning them, even it took a while." He gently took Nick's hand and started tracing out a small constellation that made a little zigzag in the sky. "This little one's Cassiopeia. They're one of the first ones I was taught."
"No, no, I want you to laugh. I like hearing your laugh. I like knowing that you can joke about things like seeing pretty bright dots in the sky." He laughed and kissed Mel's temple. He followed Mel's finger and followed the zigzag. "Cassiopeia…seems like I'll have to brush up on my astrology. You have much more commitment than I do. My mother tried to teach me one, and I ran away to play in the garden. I feel bad for not listening to her now. She was a lovely woman." Nick smiled to himself, finding himself lost in the stars. He pulled Mel in close to keep him warm. "Would you like to sit down for a while? It's much better than standing." Nick offered.
Mel let his smile broaden as he leaned into Nick's embrace, gladly giving into the affection. He wrapped Nick in the blanket he had grabbed from their room before following him to sit at the base of the tree. He pressed his lips together, keeping the question dancing at his tongue at bay. Instead and nodded and gently took Nick's hand in his hand rested his head against his shoulder. "one to study the stars is just as wise as one who floureshes in the gardens." He murmured softly, not sure if he was quiting something he had heard someone saw long ago or if he was making up nonsense in his head. "What do you remember from she did try and teach you?" He asked softly, his eyes scanning sky for more familiar constellations. In between Nick's answers he'd whisper their names, sometimes even sending a small praying if the constelation was a zodiac or a particular spirit he liked
Nick interlocked their finger and sighed. "Well, the last thing I remember her saying was a bit hazy. It was something about the stars being connected to us. How they're so much more than what we make them out to be." He reached up to the stars, almost like he could touch the memory. "She said that the stars connect us to everything around the world. The plants, the time, the direction, and us as human beings. I thought she was crazy. I thought she was just saying these things to get me interested. The more I listened the more I realized she was right. However, my little brain didn't comprehend that so I ran off and she played with me in the garden." He let his flop down onto his lap as his smile disappeared. "I wish I listened more. I wish I was with her more."
Mel stayed silent ias long as Nick spoke, hoping he offered some small amount of comfort by being beside him and having some sort of contact with him. "I…-think you're wrong." He said carefully. "You clearly learned something from her, even if you feel like you didn't spend enough time with her.and even if you spent that time playing in gardens, she clearly was happy with the life she had with you. Whether studying the stars or in the garden, your time with her could never be called a waste." Mel gentoy tilted Nick's chin up and nodded his head towards the sky. "As much as we want out loved ones to be with us, we can be comforted knowing they're someplace safe and at peace. I'm positive your mother is proud of the man you have become and how far you've grown."
(Sorry this took me so long I just wasn't sure what exactly to write. I've also been having writer's block lately lol)
Nick looked at Mel like he was searching for something in his eyes. Not only was he beautiful, but so were his words. "I guess I never thought of it like that." He held back his tears by sniffling and rubbing his nose. "Sorry, allergies I guess." He laughed. "Um…thank you, really I don't deserve someone like you. Honestly." Nick gave him a soft kiss before leaning his head back into Mel's shoulder. Not only did his head lean into Mel, but so did his body. He wanted the warmth from Mel to wrap him in an embrace. He wanted to stay there forever. He glanced at the sky and it didn't seem real. The stars were so bright and vibrant. No one could ignore them, not even the queen. "At least she's at peace and watching over me. I wish I could tell her that it's alright. I got you now. That's more than I could ever ask for."
(Its all good! Honestly same here XD)
Mel breathed a small laugh and brushed a tear away from Nick’s cheek. “Sure, we’ll blame it on the allergies for now, dearest.” He murmured, tugging Nick close to his side and resting his head against Nick’s petting down his hair. “No, you deserve better but I’ll try and make up for I can’t give you now. He nudged Nick affectionately and turned his gaze back up to the stars. He wrapped the blanket around them both securely and started pointing out more constellations. He paused when Nick spoke and nodded slightly “I one day hope we all reach where she is one day. Not soon of course.” He sighed softly and closed his eyes, the mere thought of finally being able to relax, something oddly peaceful to Mel. “I believe we’ll find something similar when we moe. Hopefully it’ll seem like more of a vacation than fleeing from the kingdom.”
"No, you've already given me so much. I don't care if I deserve better or not, I just know you're the one for me." He mumbled. Nick rubbed his eyes, clutching the blanket around his shoulders. Nick nodded slowly, "Yeah…hopefully…." His words were cut off with a yawn. The more he listened to Mel's voice and the sounds around them, the more tired he became. He was even tired enough to let his thoughts leak into Mel's head without noticing. His thoughts were a mixture of "warm" and compliments about all of Mel. The way his hair smelled. How he remembers his eyes, how it felt to lay on him. If anything, they were very personal thoughts. His eyes were even beginning to close the more he listened about stars.
Mel fell into a rhythm of stroking Nick's hair and murmuring random constellations whenever he recognized one. And when he ran out of constellations, he began softly ramblingjoff stories he could remember off the tip of his head both about the constellations or just parts about his own life he felt comfortable saying. At one point he paused, surprised to find himself grow flush at the thoughts in his mind. No longer about stars but of himself, in a way rhat he had never seen himself before. He peeked down at Nick, mouth agape in awe. Was this how Nick saw him? He chewed his lip slightly and sighed, pressing kisses to Nick's temple before gently helping him up. "Come now dear. There's no way either of us will get a good night's rest out here. We'll freeze halfway to death." He murmured gently, looping an arm around Nick'a waist to keep him steady.
He hesitated slightly by one of the doors, debating which way to go. "Would you like to sleep back in your room or mine?" He asked almost sheepishly. "My bed is more comfortable than the couch but if you'd rather sleep in the study I understand." He said softly, trying to shake nick a bit so that he'd wake up for a bit longer, at least until they got to a bed. "Just few more moments my dear, then you can sleep."
"Freeze? Who's freezing…" he yawned. "is that a…is that a constellation?" He groaned when he was forced to stand up. "No…don't….mm, I would like to stay with you. I was to lie down with you… you're warm." He felt the cold air go away as the heat from the estate made him smile. He still had his eyes close but could walk enough to get to where he needed to go. I want to stay with you, in your room, in your bed… He shook his head lightly. "I can stay in my room if it makes you uncomfortable. I don't mind." I do mind. His thoughts contradicted his words. He still wasn't fully aware Mel could hear his thoughts. He leaned into Mel's shoulder and neck. Please say you feel comfortable. I don't want to force you-you're warm….what should I eat tomorrow…food…I'm hungry….no; I'm not…I'm hungry for Mel….yeah he's nice…Mel….beautiful too…can I sleep in his room…is that okay? Even his thoughts sounded tired.
"you're words and thoughts do not match, dear." Mel cooed softly, keeping his voice low and lips pressed to Nick's ear as he spoke. "My dear, how could ask such things?" He chided lovingly, continuing to try and gently shake Nick awake before he accidently let something Mel shouldn't know slip. "I am comfortable with you, otherwise I wouldn't have slept on the couch or kissed you so hungrily in the study. I wouldn't have told you all those things about myself either." Mel replied, guiding Nick to his bedroom. "I doubt you could force me to do anything, especially in the state that you're in now." He teased, shutting the door behind them with a click and easing Nick onto his bed, creasing the silk comforters that laid neatly on the down feather mattress. He walked around to the opposite side, unbuttoning the first few buttons on his shirt to be more comfortable and settled on his side of the bed, patting the spot beside him. "Come dear. You've had a long day." He welcomed, already dripping his head onto one of the many pillows strewn about. They had been nice to hug in place of anither warm body but Mel didn't need that, now that he had Nick.
"This room is nice and quite beautiful. Kind of like someone else I know." Nick sluggishly moved to Mel's chest and hugged his waist. He smiled, letting the sweet smell coming from Mel fill his nose. "Oh, you heard that? I thought I only said it in my mind…I meant I didn't want you to feel like I'm forcing you or anything…" He bit his lip. "No, I definitely thought that. Hey, wait, how did you." He looked up; his thoughts retreated to his mind. "Oh my…oh, I am so sorry…" His ears were bright red, and so were his cheeks. He was awake now, even though his body felt tired. "I am so sorry, I usually never relax to the point where..ugh! It only happens when I'm frustrated or angry, I swear I didn't mean for something like that to happen. This is so embarrassing!" He groaned into Mel's shirt. "Wait how long did your hear them for?'
Mel waited patiently for Nick to finish, idly tracing his redening feature until he buried his face in Mel's chest. He chuckled lightly and shook his head. "No darling, you're not making me uncomfortable, not by being here with me or by your thoughts, I promise." Mel reassured siftoy, if not a bit sleepily. He lightly ran his fingers through Nick's hair as he said "I didn't mind it, dear. If there was something you didn't mean to share then we won't speak of it unless you want to." Mel tilted his head and pressed a kiss to the side Nick's head to get his attention. "I found it rather sweet. Not in the least bit embarrassing, at least for me. It gave me an insight on how you actually think of me. Honestly it's a relief knowing that what you say isn't surface level." He admitted softly, pressing another kiss to Nick's brow and breathing him in. "I only heard what you've been saying since we left the garden. Why, was there more you wish to tell me? Or possibly keep from me?" He teased, wrapping Nick in his arms and hugging him close.
Nick propped himself onto his forearms. "It's a shame you would ever think that low of me. Of course, what I tell you isn't surface level. Otherwise, I wouldn't be saying them at all." He rubbed his thumb on Mel's cheek. He couldn't help but laugh. "Personally, that had to be one of the worst things I could do at the moment. It was so sweet, and then my thoughts bombarded yours." He leaned down and planted a soft kiss on Mel's soft lips. Nick didn't want to pull away anytime soon. Every time I kiss you, it's like someone just handed me a slice of heaven." He mumbled against Mel's lips. He gave me little pecks in between his words. "W-Well, there is nothing I wish to keep from; it's just, I wanted to wait to tell you all of the things I said in my head. It was basically like a love confession to you through my thoughts. Meaning it wasn't the most romantic way to compliment you."
Mel blinked and shook his head quickly, "no, no not you dear." He reassured, pressing a gentle hand to Nick's cheek. "I would never think of you in such a way. It's just…" He sighed softly and leaned into Nick's hand. "I've heard so many claims of love before, it's been hard knowing what's actually genuine." He huffed a small laugh and anced away. "That may explain a lot." He murmured, flicking his gaze up and sighed softly "thank you sweetheart. That means a lot to me, more than you know." He gave a true smile then, arching up and pressing a kiss to Nick's lips. "I didn't mind, dear. They were lovely." He murmured, gently tugging Nick closer with a smile. "Then let me give you as much of heaven as I can." He arched up into Nick's form and sweetly gave him a longer kiss. "Not the most romantic?" Mel scoffed softly, tugging the covers over them both and nuzzling Nick's neck. "Darling, you underestimate how little it takes for my heart to melt when I'm around you."
"I understand how it can be hard. Of course, I can't say I know you feel, but know that there is no rush for you to tell me anything about your past. I want you to know that you can take your time. I won't push or get angry; as long as you are happy and comfortable with me, that's all I can ask for." Nick wrapped his arms around Mel, giving his warmth to the person he loved. "Is that so? Well, maybe I should push my thoughts into your more often then. However, that will never happen again. I can promise you that. Unless you manage to make me weak enough to do so." He kissed Mel's forehead. "Well, I'll take into account that even simple gestures make your heart melt. Good night, my dear. I'll be right here when you wake up so that you know you're not dreaming."
“Very happy and extremely comfortable.” Mel hummed contently, nuzzling into Nick’s neck and pressing soft kisses to his skin. “I want to share who I am with you, even if a lot of it isn’t all that great. All in due time, I promise.” He murmured sleepily, pouting slightly and whining. “Why not my love? What you shared with me tonight as beautiful. Surely no harm can come with your thoughts suddenly appearing in my mind. I liked what you accidentally told me today.” He offered a small smile and rested his head against Nick’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t mind something like that again if you’re willing.” He trilled happily, eyes already closing by the time Mel managed to say goodnight. It felt so nice, so wonderfully nice to have someone beside him while he slept, to feel another warm body beside, one Mel knew, or at least he hoped wouldn’t be leaving his side any time soon. He nestled into the crook of Nick’s neck who the rest of his body tangled with Nick’s on, one hand splayed against Nick’s back while the other was twined into his hair.
Nick didn't wake up halfway through the night and instead slept peacefully, not moving a muscle. To his surprise, he woke up and hugged Mel like his life depended on it and not almost hanging off the bed. "You do far too much to me, darling." He kissed his forehead and stroked his hair. "I need to be more on guard when I'm around. The queen couldn't be here during the night; I wouldn't know. You make me so vulnerable." He whispered. "You make me forget I have powers and can sense every living creature. Feels nice." Nick looked out towards the sky, and it wasn't sunny or beautiful like the day before. The room was quite dark due to the midnight rain and morning dew. He saw the tiny droplets on the window, and he smiled. "The air is going to smell nice today, I can tell. When are you going to wake up, huh? As much as I love stroking your hair and laying in bed with you all morning, do you not have work to do?" Nick moved, so his chin was resting on Mel's head. "Then again, you could be listening to me and are very skilled at fake sleeping. If you are, you toy with me too much." Nick held Mel with one hand on Mel's head while the other moved up and down his waist. Sometimes he would finger-walk up his side.
Mel sighed awake, blinking rapidly in slight confusion until he realized he was in his room instead of the study. He slowly took in his surroundings before finally gazing up at Nick beside him. “The first time sleeping together in my room and you’re worried about work?” He gently teased, reaching up and tucking a strand of hair behind Nick’s ear. “It’s alright, dear. I’ll start soon. Let me enjoy this for a bit longer.” Mel hummed, snuggling it Nick’s embrace and tugging the covers tightly around them both. He peeked up over the covers and blushed. “Yes I was awake but I didn’t mean to make you wait so long. You know how fae hear everything. I could hear you talking, I just wasn’t completely awake.” He explained, sitting up slightly so that he could look at Nick. “I’m glad you can relax around me. All I could ask is to be someone you come to when you need to relax. As for the queen, there’s not much e can do other than leave and help from the southern continent.” He intertwined his hand with the one nick had at his waist. “That tickles.” He said with a smile, turning his head away as he yawned and stretched a bit. “Just a bit longer, dearest.” He pleaded, looking out the window and smiling. “Is this not a perfect day to be cozy?”
