"You're very cute when you're flustered like this." Easton didn't let himself get flustered, even though his heart was beating was to fast for his own comfort. "The fact that you're amazing at cooking, you get so nervous and you start to blush when I compliment you, there is never a time where you don't look stunning, and every time I'm with you my Heartbeat won't slow down. You're the only one who could make me feel like this. Feel so helpless and vulnerable. I can't say that I hate it either." Easton flashed a smile before continuing to eat. He couldn't get the smirk off of his face. "Of course, I can't say there aren't times when you made me blush."
Abrose brought his now empty plate to the sink his face now tomato red. He opened his mouth, wanting to contradict or play off the compliments but finding he couldn't say anything. His brows turned up slightly at the mention of making Easton vulnerable, knowing that the risk Easton was taking with being with someone like him was far to high for him to feel vulnerable when they were together but he couldn't help but feel a bit proud of himself that he managed to break down those walls as well. He glanced over at Easton, huffing a soft laugh at the smirk on his face. "Oh really, my dear? Please do entertain me. When have I ever made you blush?" He asked with a smile of his own, resting his hand on his cheek and leaning against the small counter space beside the sink.
Easton cleared his throat. "W-Well, for instance, today when you were patching me up. You sort of um…well you know what you did." He stuffed more food into his mouth so his words started to come out as mumbled messages. "You're making me blush right now because you're asking me this question…" He gulped down the food before he continued talking. "When you look at me or smile in my direction it makes me blush knowing that that's how you look at me. Not with disgust, but…" He looked over to Abrose but quickly looked in the other direction. His cheeks were a deep scarlet. "A-Anyway, you know what I mean…I hope." Easton cleared his thought once more before continuing to eat properly. I can't believe I just embarrassed myself like that.
Abrise's grin only widened as he listened to Easton. He walked over to Eastpn and gently wrapped his arms around his neck, resting his head against his shoulder. "I do know what you mean, dear. Believe me, you make me blush and flustered just as much if not more." He offered a sweet smile and pressed a gentle kiss to Easton's cheek. "Poor creature, being seduced by a lowly human florist." He cooed, ruffling Easton's hair playfully before pulling away to tend to the cake in the oven, wanting to make sure he didn't burn it
"Shush!" Easton nibbles on a piece the fork in his mouth. He needed to plug his mouth before he said something stupid again. "W-Well, you were seduce by a fae and you hate fae's so I see that as an accomplishment." Easton said triumphantly. "While I was at work, I met with the Queen…" He put his fork down and looked over to Abrose. "I know today was supposed to be a do-over and good vibes only. When I met with the queen she told met that I have a month to bring you in. If I don't we both get brought in. But, she said something that confused me. She said that if I still had interest in you she could arrange something. I think that's what she said, but I didn't want to hide it from you. I hate not telling you the truth…" He sighed and took Abrose's hands. "I don't want to do it but if I don't…my family…"
"ah you are right but it was you who came up to me at the ball." He winked, the smile never fading from his features as he worked with the cake, cutting it and filling it with cream and fruit. He lifted a delicate eyebrow and nodded slightly "it is your job, it's normal that you meet with her highness." He replied, voice slightly clipped. It still didn't sit well with Abrise that he was with someone so dangerously close to the Queen but in the other hand he honestly couldn't think of being with anyone else other than Easton. The dreaded feeling if mistrust only grew as Easton turned to look at Abrise and speak about his meeting with the Queen. Soon his smile fell and he was hyperfocused on decorating the cake, refusing to look Easton in the eyes until he felt his hand over his. He slowly set his spatula down and stared right at the cake, as if it were the person he feared and hated the most instead of a dessert.
"I know." He said after a few moments of silence. He turned his gaze up to Easton's, hoping the pain didn't show as much as he felt it. "I would never, ever, want you to choose between me or your family. That shouldn't be a choice given to anyone." He swallowed thickly, memories of the night of the picnic flooding back to him all at once. Maybe he should have left what they had there. He had tried so hard to push Easton away once and it had worked…for a few days until his heart had had enough. Now they were here, and Abrise couldn't imagine putting either of them through that again. But if you're taken in by the Queen, won't it be the same?
Abrose gently squeezed Easron's hand. "Let's talk about this more tomorrow, okay?" He said softly, trying to keep his voice from breaking. "Let's enjoy tonight and we'll see what we can do about the Queen tomorrow."
"Okay…" Easton took a deep breath in and out. "I was so scared of telling you. I felt like if I did tell you, you would get angry or run away. I know it sounds crazy." Once Easton git this off his chest he felt better but even so the thought of turning him in and losing him stings. It pulls on all the wrong strings. He hated this feeling. He got up from the table and stood behind Abrose. He wrapped his arms around Abrose's waist, looking at the cake. "I'm sorry I probably brought down the mood…" He kissed Abrose's jawline before nuzzling his hand into the crook of his neck. Easton's heart was beating fast, half because of the way he felt around Abrose, but mostly because of how nervous and fearful of how the morning would unfold.
Abrose glanced up as Easton came closer, leaning into his embrace. "Is this your way of lightening the mood?" He asked tilting his head slightly and humming in response to the kiss. "It's working." He admitted with a small smile, running a free hand through Easton's hair and pressing a kiss to his head. "It's going to be alright dear." He murmured softly, leading Easton around the small kitchen to put the cake away in the fridge and to clean his hands. He turned in Easton's embrace and lightly rested his hand on his chest over his heart, feeling his breath and heartbeat. Ambrose gently nuzzled his hair, pressing small kisses anywhere he could reach, his cheek, his temple, his jawline, and the corner of his lips.
"Now you're just teasing me. I thought I was going to eat the cake and you but you tricked me for both." He joked. "Of course, I do love your little kisses." He hummed. "I'm glad my distractions are working. f they weren't I would be very concerned about my distracting skills. In all seriousness though…" he moved to the fridge. "Can I have a piece of that cake or is it for a special occasion. If so is it possible you can make me another one?" He chuckled. "I'm going to be honest it smelled really good."
"you didn't think it'd be that easy to win me over my dear?" He joked, letting him go to the fridge while he cleaned up. "All in due time, my love. I'm just letting it cool a bit." He replied with a small smile. Give it a few minutes and then we can have some." He went to work on the dishes while the cake chilled for a bit. "Mind feeding Melian? She should be outside near the Willow tree." He nodded out the window towards the garden, the mare settled beneath the tree, now resting
He looked out the window. "I mean sure but what would I feed Melian?" He sighed putting on the gloves he had in his pocket. He always had a pair of gloves on him where he went. Kind of like how people take a pocket knife with them he would take a black pair of gloves. "Okay, I'm ready to feed Melian. I can't say I'm mentally prepared, but I'll just have to surpass it. But seriously what do you feed her? Carrots?"
Abrose gave a grin over his shoulder and shook his head "I'm surprised a captain of the royal guard has no experience in handling what used to be a royal horse." He chuckled lightly and dried his hands on a nearby towel. "so far I've been bringing her to the pastures behind the area." He said, leaving the dishes for now and guiding Easton outside. "She seems to like that more than the hay I've been trying to give her. Abrose explained as he grabbed the reigns and walking through the garden towards the tree where Melian was. The moon had risen high above them, fill and bright, bathing everything, including Abrose in silver, causing his red hair to turn to copper. He slowly approached Melian, watching as she rose and walk around a bit, shoving her muzzle into Abrise's hands and huffing slightly, eyeing Easton warrily. "He's alright. You be nice." Abrose muttered, looking up at his horse. She was so tall, her back came up to Abrose's nose. He could nearly stand under her head at full hight without needing to duck. At first he was extremely nervous to have the mare as his own, having never taken care of something so big before. He scratched her head before gently slipping the refund over her head and handing them off to Easton. "You're gonna walk her." He instructed, pointing to pastures beyond the property before walking to the latest side and jumping up onto her back, lightly holding onto a thicker portion of her mane
Easton was way too distracted to listen to anything that Abrose was saying. Abrose looked beautiful in the moonlight. He knew the other probably didn't see it but he was almost glowing and it seemed too soft. He wanted to just wrap his arms around him and hold him like no tomorrow. Easton sighed contently at the thought while he watch the other jump on the horse. He looked dazed for a moment before shaking his head. "W-Wait, what? Horses can be walked?" Even though Easton was a royal guard the horses were still left to the servants and not him. He had nothing to do with the horses besides occasional treat giving. "How do you walk a horse and besides…" Easton reached out to touch the horse almost afraid of it, but when the horse slightly move his ripped his hand away. "How do I know that I won't get my hand bitten off. I would never wield a sword again," he explained.
"just start walking, she'll follow." He replied patiently, lightly patting Melian's neck. Abrose glanced up and tilted his head, watching as Eastin attempted to pet the mare. He dismounted the horse and walked back to Easton's side. Melian's narrowed her glassy eyes and Kicked at the dirt beneath her hoof, growing impatient. Abrose gave her a pointed look. "You princess are going to learn to wait. I know you're used getting your food at a certain time but that's not how it works here." He said, speaking softly while at the same time taking Easton's hand and pulling off one of the gloves. "She won't. Not if you're slow. She's most like more nervous around you." He took Easton's hands and gently pressed it against Melian's brow. "There. Not so bad right?" Melian whinnied as if to protest but slowly stopped her fidgeting and closed her eyes, lightly nodding her head into Easton's touch. Abrose smiled softly and offered the reins to Easton once again. "I can walk her if you'd prefer but I think she'd be fine with you."
"W-Wait…" he mumbled before his gloves take off. Easton's eyes were glued shut until Melian started to push back. His eyes fluttered open. "W-Woah…" Easton gave a tiny laugh that made his frown turn into a big smile. "It feels so weird. believe it or not, I've never touched an animal before. Not even a dog or s pet. I always wear gloves when I'm on my horseback at the castle stables… This is so weird, but it feels…nice. You can leave her to me." He grinned and walked off looking behind I'm every now and again to make sure Melian was following him. She was. Easton didn't exactly know where to walk but he figured it out. Easton just went in whatever direction he wanted to. It was only a walk after all. Once he was far enough away he groaned. "Melian why is it so hard to choose. I shouldn't even have a choice what do you think? It's either betray the kingdom or betray his heart. Both sound dreadful.
Nick on the other hand had been watching this night unfold almost as if he was sitting at a movie theater. "Easton I am sorry it had to come to this. I can see you really love him but he has to go…" he mumbled to himself finding a nice spot where he could see everything.
Abrose smiled softly and he patted Melian over again just to reassure her. "Maybe it'd be better if you take off your gloves more often. Makes it easier for your own horse to feel you, creat a better connection." He shrugged, and gently tugged at the reins, making Melian lower head to look at him in eyes. "And you, be nice and be good. He's harmless. For the most part." He pressed a kiss to her head before letting her go off with Easton, waving before going back to his garden. He took a few minutes to pull out some minor weeds and pick some time crops, gathering them in his shirt. He rise from his crouched position and glanced up, scanning the area carefully. The queen wants you brought in. Echoed in his mind. He dropped his gaze before moving inside, the feeling of being watched causing a shiver to crawl up his spine. She wants more than that. He silently replied his taunts, set on working on the rest of the dishes and newly picked crops. But I'd rather that then put Easron and his family at risk. I've had a decent enough life, especially recently, maybe that's enough.
Easton seemed to be taking his time with the horse while he was doing so, Nick took this time to give a knock on the front door. He sighed. For once he didn't want to do this but he was loyal to his kingdom and especially the Queen. He's never seen Easton this happy. It was nice. He cleared his throat and straightened his position. "Just arrest him…Not the hard…" He assured himself. He stood there with his hands behind his back and his posture was better than exquisite almost intimidating.
Abrose jumped and glanced up. He usually didn't have people come in at this time despite him technically still being open. He quickly dried his hand and made his way to the front. He had been sure he hadn't kicked the back door so it couldn't be Easton trying to get in. He bit his lip nervously, hoping it wasn't someone severely hurt. He sucked in a breath and opened the door, looking the make up and down, searching him for any visible wounds or blood. "Hello," he greeted warmly, if not a bit tentatively, gesturing for them to come inside. "What can I help you with tonight?" He asked, already gathering a list in his mind of things he'd need to treat an internal wound or a sickness. Spirits above he hoped he didn't need to treat an internal wound, he really did hate the sight of blood.
"Hello…my name is Nick. Easton might have mentioned me or not. Even so, I'm not here to talk about Easton. I'm here to…" He sighed. Don't falter now… "Abrose Nightgale, you are under arrest for the illegal use of magic, so thus the Queen has ordered your arrest. I suggest you come peacefully or I will have to get physical and we both know who would win in a fight like that." The fae had stated. He hated to rip away the one person that made Easton happy, but he needed to for his kingdom and the Queen. "Easton will be brought in as well in fact my men should get getting him as we speak. He has betrayed the Kingdom by hiding you and keeping you safe, which is a great offense, as you should know he has been tasked with catching you, but he has refused to do so. I have been watching the two of you for quite some time, his loyalty will be questioned. Would you like to object and resist or will you come with me quietly?" He pulled out thick metal cuffs with chains attached to them. They would hinder the use of magic.
Abrose recognized the Fae when the name was mentioned, having seen and heard his name in passing at the ball but he hadn't realized exactly who he was. A higher ranking guard for the queen. If Easton was the captain, the this Fae must have been a second, considering how easily they spoke of each other. He paled at the mention of the arrest and took an instinctual step back. "The last Fae to say that, fell in love with me so I'd be careful." He joked, despite the current situation. He tore his gaze away from Nicj for a moment and watched as his plants wilt almost immediately, stems turning black and delicate blooms falling apart, even his peonies had died. "Yes!" He cried out, back hitting a wall. "Yes I object! If you have been watching us for so long then tell me! Tell me what I have done that is so illegal. Show me the proof you have witnessed that I possess magic." He demanded, having not noticed tears were streaming down his face until his vision became blury. "Please, take me in but leave him out of this. You know he doesn't deserve that." He begged, eyeing the cuffs
Nick sighed. I have no proof but that's what the queen desires, I must carry out those orders no matter what. Easton should've already been taken out and heading to the castle. I wish to not harm you in his process but if I have to I will." He entered the house his footsteps sounding heavy. It almost felt as if the floor shook under his feet. He opened the cuffs. "I know Easton cares about you a lot and there is no way he wouldn't try to stop whatever the queen has planned for you. I won't get in the way but there's no reason for you to stay. We already have an eyewitnesses. From all the people you've helped and even the guards as well.
Abrose shook his head in disbelief and pressed the heel of his hand to his head, breath coming in short as his mind swam with thoughts. How many of his patients and customers and friends had betrayed him? Had there been obvious signs that they shouldn't have been trusted? How many guards had he let into his home, let them see his secretive room just because they had been injured or desperately needed his help? How many times did Abrose shove aside that worry in favor of helping those in need. His chest clenched at the thought of all those who had turned on him, filling the room with a sickly sweet scent as the plants continued to rot and die. He whimpered softly andshook his head "fine," he ground out. "Do what you feel is right."
Nick closed the cuffs around his wrists pulling the chains and led him out of the house. He notices how easily the plants started to die. To be honest it scared him. The horse was left alone in the yard and Easton was nowhere to be found. "They did not betray you…they were threatened to tell the truth or else they would die. We do what we do to keep order. If we need to force the truth out we will. Your thoughts are very loud. I could hear them from a mile away." Nick stated. "You will mean Easton in your cell then you will be called to your trials."
"is that supposed to be a comfort? Knowing that you and your men threatened those I took care of, some already suffering enough just to get to me? Am I really that much of a danger that it took you two of your best sentinals and threatening innocent people just to bring me in?" Abrose barked a painful laugh, stumbling as he was yanked to the horses. He scanned the area the best he could, only seeing Melian, trotting around the area nervously. Abrose shook his head, silently praying she'd stay put or at least find someone who's take good care of her while he could get back, if he ever got back. "If my thoughts are so loud then you would have known just how little threat I pose ymto you and your queen." He muttered, wincing as his wrists were already starting to be rubbed raw. He lifted his head up and tilted it slightly "you're the one Easton likes." He missed. "He told me asked someone to the ball and they turned him down. You're them, aren't you?"
Nick scoffed and kept walking. "What does that have to do with anything. Your intentions and goodwill don't matter. The Queen ordered it and I carry out her orders. It doesn't matter the lengths I have to go to I get my work done. Trust me I have much more important things to think about than worry about people I hurt." His breath hitched when matched the rejection he gave Easton. Nick stopped in his track letting his feet rest softly on the ground. "So what if I am what does that have to do with you. Nick stopped in his track letting his feet rest softly on the ground. Why would you mention something so incovient?" He growled.
"you and your Queen won't have a kingdom to serve with that mentality." Abrose replied, glaring at Nick's back. He stopped a few feet away and shrugged, glancing down at his chained wrists and trying his best not to flinch. His mother and sister weren't given this treatment. They burned at the stakes, not dragged to the castle like some prized game to be trued "oh it has nothing to do with me.I merely just made the connection and thought I'd voice it. After all, how much worse can my situation get right now?" He gave a sweet grin though internally his body was screaming at him to at least try to get away from the male. "Inconvenient? Why, I thought you said you didn't care the length you had to go to get your job done, didn't care about the people you hurt. Why all of a sudden the hesitation when I mention your friend?" He tilted his innocently, knowing he was walking a very thin line but again, how much worse could it be dying here by Nick's hands than the Queen's?
"Just stop talking and move," Nick growled and pulled on the chains once he started walking again. "The castle isn't too far." Nick kept his focus on everything around even the slightest footsteps from far away he could hear very easily. "Your thoughts are so loud can you just shut up please." He was getting annoyed. He didn't mind his hearing but Ambrose's thoughts were especially loud. He whipped his head up and nodded. "I just got the news that Easton woke up, finally. The man can sleep forever. The point is he's not having a fun time right now. I now have to present you to the queen as well as Easton."
"I can't turn off my thoughts." Abrose replied, catching himself as he nearly tripped from being yanked. He lifted his head at The mention of Easton, brows creasing worry. They had knocked him out, either by force or with a sedative. Abrose knew for a fact he wouldn't be able to treat any wounds or sickness once they got to the dungeons. At least they could see each other once he arrived. But Abrose wondered for how long they'd be able to stay together before his trial. "Thank you for telling me." He muttered, falling completely silent as he followed Nick.
Nick sighed. "Finally….some peace and quiet." Nick eventually got to the dungeon part of the castle. He walked past multiple people groaning and wanting food. While others were still seriously injured and laid in a pile of other people's bones. It was hell in reality. "We'll come up onto Easton's cell in a second or two."
Easton's vision was hazy and his head was killing him, almost like a really bad hangover. He sat up his hearing muffled. Groaned trying to put pressure on his head but his hands were bound by chains. The smell of rotting flesh and dirt had filled his nose. He finally realized where he was. The place he would go to torment other people and leave them to rot, the dungeon. "Fucking hell." he yelled.
Abeise scanned the area, letting his eyes get used to the darkness surrounding them both. He caught a few movements among the voids if darkness they called cells. His breath caught more than once as they passed skeletons and half dead people, all too well knowing he'd be useless to these people here. He flicked his gaze up and started to look closer into the cells, praying to the Spirits that Easton wasn't one of the hundreds of people down here that were rotting away and unconscious. He flinched when he heard the yell, eyes flashing with fear as he followed close to Nick, chains rattling as his hands shook in fear
