@Festive_Fenrir
Mel gave a nod and kissed the corner of Nick's grin. "Every morning I wake up to you beside me i fall in love all over again." He gave a smile of his own before grabbing riding gloves and leading them through the halls toward the entrance of the estate where the horses were waiting. "Knox is more of an older brother, though he most definitely takes on a parental role now and then. Particularly when we do something he doesn't approve of." he chuckled softly, knowing he was the cause of most of the spirit's disapproving opinions. Mel tipped his head thoughtfully and gave a small shrug. "I'm not sure there's much to say in regards to them. Don't get me wrong, they're great parents, but ever since Abrose's family died, they never felt safe staying in place for too long. I was already making my way up through the court as a young lord without much suspicion, so they thought it best to leave me here. I could take care of Abrose and then later Veda and Esther. They visit briefly here and there, but I doubt we'll see them until we get to the Southern Continent. I already sent out word we'll be moving there to them so they can meet us there." He glanced at Nick, his heart melting at his partner's concern. "My dear, you're allowed to ask questions here without fear that I'll somehow be upset. Ask any question you want, I promise I know you mean no offense or harm." He reassured, pressing a kiss to Nick's temple as they reached the front courtyard. "When we do meet them, I'm sure they'll love you. After all, I'd be following in Mother's footsteps. A young lady of the high court marrying a soldier? not too different from I suppose." Mel adjusted the horse's reigns before swinging his leg over the saddle and tugging on the riding gloves.
Abrose couldn't help but smile even wider, unable to contain his happiness for Easton. There was still a voice in the back of his head, wondering if all of this was too good to be true, that if he woke up from the dream, he'd just be back in the dungeons again, the life they were living nothing but a dream but Easton's gentle laugh pulled him out of his doubt. "It's perfect timing." He agreed, pressing a kiss to Easton's hair. "I would love to. It's going to take me a bit to make my normal stock of products while we get a new harvest going, so I'll have plenty of time to help you practice. Believe me, I have no complaints about baking the entire day with you." Abrose's gaze softened as he brushed his hand against Easton's cheek. "And I never thought up until recently you'd ever want to help with my job. Much less ever touch another plant if you had the choice. I would love nothing more than to work beside you." He felt the familiar warmth radiate through his body, bringing a flush to his cheeks as Easton spoke, something now he didn't associate as much with embarrassment but more with immense joy knowing he had Easton as a partner, that he wasn't going away, and more importantly, he was loved and could love someone so deeply. Abrose settled back in his seat, scooting closer to Easton so they woudn't let go of their linked hands, and tipped his head curiously. "Something new hm? I'm sure it will. THe others will be proud and hopefully can relax for once in so long when they get here. We'll have to care for them for a change." he grinned, knowing Mel and Veda would protest to no end but for everything they had done for Abrose, it was the very least he could do. "I'm sure Nick will be pleasantly surprised to find out you took up baking." He noted as he finished his pastry. While he didn't know Nick as well as everyone else, Abrose was going with the assumption that he could make Mel as happy as he was before they left he had had to change a great deal from what he had seen back at the castle.