"I know you did not just compare me to a horse." he scoffed and rolled his eyes. "That is not true. When have I ever-" Nick straightened back and stiffened at the sudden feeling of lips on his neck. He let out a small gasp before letting it out slowly. "You need to warn me the next time you do that. Things will not end well if you don't." He huffed. "A little bit, but in my defense, I don't think there is a man on Earth who could resist you. Besides, Easton and Abrose." Nick looked up and noticed the rain clouds forming as well. "I told you. Staying inside all day is always an option. It seems like the best option to me." He looked towards the window. "Looks like we made it just in time. I think the tour we just took was very detailed. I think we should do this again. In a more private area next time." He whispered.
"I might have." Mel drawled with a laugh. "They may not end well for you, you're right. I'll try to restrain myself." He smile turned to a seductive smirk. "No, most likely not. It's all part of the charm and charisma, dear." Mel replied as he pulled Gishlain into a walk and headed towards the stables. "Lucky for you then since torrow we'll be staying inside give Roi a final tour of the place and filling out hours of paper work. Doesn't that sound romantic?" A warm laugh bubbled up from his chest when he felt Nick's breath caress his ear. "We definitely will, my dearest. A day all to ourselves, where we no responsibilities or expectations for days." He dismounted Gishlane and guided the stallion back to his stall, offering a hand to Nick once they made it to the front gate. "But for today, we eat, I'll finish up last minute paperwork and we sleep. Tomorrows going to be a long day."
"Tell me about it." He gladly took the hand as they went back inside the house. "This is where I leave. I'll see you when dinner's ready. I will remind you and if you don't answer I'm coming to get you. Don't overwork yourself too hard, okay. That stomach of yours is going to need to eat." Nick held Mel's cheek and planted a kiss on his forehead. "Don't fall asleep at your desk, and remember to hydrate. God, I sound like a parent. I love you." Nick kisses his cheek before jogging away to the kitchen. Whenever you need me, say my name. I'll hear it. Nick waved hello, to see dinner was just getting started. "What am I learning how to cook today?" Nick went to the sink, so he could wash his hands before he started cooking.
"very well my dear, i'll see you soon then. Don't worry, dear, I'll most likely respond, though I must admit a nice long nap sounds heavenly after our eventful day." He leaned into the kiss and gave Nick a hug, never wanting to leave Nick's secure arms. "I'll drink water, thank you for the reminder sweetheart." He reluctantly let Nick go and nodded "I love you more, my sentinel." He smiled and gave a little laugh. "My sentinel, my love, my Nick. I will always need and want you. But for now I think Esther needs you a bit more. Go have fun. I'll see you soon." Mel left Gishlain at the stables and quickly made his way inside before the rain started to fall heavily. He changed out of his riding clothes and showered before restarting on his stacknof papers he still had left.
"I thought we'd make a stew, considering the weather today is a bit cold and dark." Esther called from her spot at the counter where she had already started chopping vegetables and braising meat in a pan over an iron stove. "How was your "tour" with Mel?" She asked, making air quotes and winking. "would you mind finishing this while I cookt he rest of the meat and start the broth?" She asked, gently nudging a wooding chopping board piled with carrots, celary, and carrots as well as some herbs and a sharp blade towards Nick.
"Yeah, no problem." He took the knife from Esther and started cutting up the vegetables. "Huh? He looked up a moment at Esther before looking back down at the vegetable he was chopping. "Uh, it was very educational. I learned a lot of things, like how Abrose was the one who taught you guys how to garden. I also learned a lot about Mel as well. Just some small things, nothing too important to share." He shrugged, finishing up the last of the celery. He was very proficient at cutting, and all slices were perfectly even, except for the herbs. "This already smells good, and nothing has been put in the pot yet. Thanks for offering to teach me a few of your tricks."
Esther laughed softly "I'm sure it's not something many of us need to hear. I'm glad you and Mel are together. You make him happy. Usually with the others he feels the need to hide his lover or to be over protected of himself from them." She sighed softly and scooped the vegetables Nick had chopped up and threw them in the pot of boiling water along with aromatic herbs and spices. "Thank you, glad you've been enjoying my cooking." She smiled, cheeks risy with blush and pride. "If you don't mind me asking," she said slowly after a bit of silence, "what drew you to our Mel? You seemed very determined to find abrose and bring him to your queen. A million things must have gone through your head when you found out we were rebells right in the capital. Why didn't you turn us in? Why didn't you report Mel?" She asked, looking up at Nick.
Nick leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. "I'm glad I make him happy because he makes me extremely happy. I don't want to mess this up, not with him." Nick smiled to himself, watching Esther cook. He looked up and paused when prompted the question. "Honestly, you're right; I think many things went through my head. I think I started to rethink things when I saw Easton fight for Abrose. That kind of love is something I can only dream of. To fight off a monarchy and reduce everything you believe into ashes…" he shook his head. "I saw him in trouble. I jumped in and risked everything. When they finally got away, and I was left to fight off the rest of the army, I guess I was ready to die. I felt like I had done my part. They got away; I betrayed my Queen; what else was there to live for? Then Mel came in like some knight and got me out of there. I wasn't exactly what I found attractive about it, but I did. It was a mixture of his snarky comments and the fact that he saved the enemy with the knowledge that I wasn't exactly the most trustworthy person." He laughed. "He's a character. I'll give him that. What drew me in the most was how much he cared for the people close to him. He cares about Abrose enough to trust Easton and come and save me. I can never thank him enough for that, honestly." Nick planted his face into his hands. "Here I am ranting about how much I love him; I should be helping you cook."
Esther smile softened fondly when Nick poured out his feelings about Mel as she finished chopping the remaining vegetables and a good about of garlic. "He most definitely is, I doubt he'd like it much if you called him a knight though. He was never much into the idea of being considered a hero by any means. He just wanted to create a safe place for those who felt less than safe to stay and feel comfortable. it's what he's always done since we all first met him. I have no doubt he'll stop once we all move." She glanced up and laughed, a soft warm sound. "It's alright, Nick. I honestly didn't realize I had kept going. But I'm more than happy to talk about how you make Mel happy as well as how you turn into an absolute marshmallow around him." She teased gently, carefully taking out the roast and setting it on the other counter. Esther rumaged through some rags and aprons all piled into a basket off to the side before find and handing off some gloves to Nick. "You are going to carve the roast while I Finish up the broth." She instructed, heaving the large pot Onto the counter and finding a large sift and another pot. "While you do that, I'm going to finish up the broth."
Nick nodded. "You got it." He started with what Esther told him to do. He scoffed and put his hand over his chest like he was offended. "I do not turn into an absolute marshmallow whenever he's around. He makes me not want to hurt anything or anyone. Even that fly on the wall that had been there since this morning. I can hear its wings rub together, and it's agonizing, but I let it be. It's not doing anything to hurt me…yet. My point being I am a strong, independent man. Mel has another thing coming if he thinks he could make me melt with a few words. I'll have you know, he melts when he's around me. Not the other way around. I mean, how else do I make him flustered if I'm the one who flustered. All I'm saying is that I am not a marshmallow." Nick huffed as he was halfway done with the roast.
Esther rolled her eyes and laughed as she ripped the pot of cloudy broth inro the other bowl with the sift. "You can't tell me if Mel came in through that door, you wouldn't immediately melt, you wouldn't immediately rush to his side and hug and kiss him before he barely got a word out." She glanced over at the wall and tilted her head. She pulled off her gloves and gently shooed the fly outside. "Oh I have no doubt Mel wouldn't immediately turn to jelly around you. He does. Every single time. You two are perfect, melting marshmallows, meant for each other." She laughed softly and poured the remaining liquid into the other pot. "I've never seen him like that, not with his previous lovers, not even with Roi. He always felt the need to protect his heart. With you I think he finally feels comfortable freely loving someone. Letting someone else finally take care of something so strong yet delicate." She smiled thoughtfully before taking the vegetables and setting them aside. She poured the stock back into the cooking pot and then set it on the stoves again to heat up. "When you finish with the meat, put it in there." She instructed, wiping her hands on a rag and finding a large wooden spoon.
He opened his mouth to interject. However, his voice was cut off because he knew Esther was right. "Tomato, Tamato." He shrugged and finished carving the roast. He did as instructed and put it into the pot. Darling, do you think I'm a marshmallow? Nick's thoughts were directed towards Mel, and he listened in on his thoughts, waiting for a response. "I'm sure Mel would disagree. I don't think showing someone love makes me a marshmallow. I just think that is a common courtesy someone should give their lover." Nick smiled proudly as he justified his case. "I'm glad he finds me comfortable to love. That's all I ever want for him. I want him to feel loved and to be able to give love without feeling like it's being wasted. Sometimes, I feel bad for finding someone I can call my own so quickly. I didn't think I deserved anything of the sort. I thought I was better off not having ties with someone because the queen was always watching. It's hard when you've killed for a living then knowing that you loved y someone. It makes me feel so guilty." He sighed. I love him so much…
Mel jumped slightly in his seat, still getting used to someone else's voice in his had that was not his own. He laughed out loud "ever so slightly, yes I do. More than a few times I feel like you would have melted into a puddle if I weren't holding you up." He teased as he signed off another document. "What brought on such an odd question if I may ask?"
"I won't argue with that, you are right." Her sweet smile slowly faded as she nodded. "I get that, in a way. Kira used to be a well respected warrioress for the queen's army when she was nothing more than a teenager. She was promised a lifetime of wealth and riches for her and her family if she stayed and trained with the rest of the soldiers. I was nothing more than a stowaway from one of Roi's travels. He's the one who brought me here. I came to live with Mel and soon I met Kira as well as the others after she started doing patrols for the queen on Meo on accounts that something suspicious was going on. After a while, whether it was because we started having feelings for each other or that Mel worked his charasmatic yet caring charm on her like he had done everyone else, she started lying to the queen. Saying everything was normal. It wasn't after she left the queen's army and came to live with us that I realized just how much I had grown to live her. To love someone I didn't deserve. She didn't deserve to pose her wealth and title over me. She doesn't deserve her parents hatred. I thought that if I cut ties with her, as painful as it would be, shed gain back the queen's favor and live comfortably. She had other plans." Esther laughed softly and stuck the spoon in the pot to begin slowly stirring the stock as it came to a simmer. "As selfish and as cruel it may seem, I'm glad she stayed with us, with me. There's not a single day that goes by where I try and prove to her that the choice she made in choosing us over the queen and her terrible family was the better one. That, despite everything, she'll always have a family that adores her right here. Mel's trying to do the same for you."
(Kira….like from Death Note???)
"It makes me feel a lot better knowing there is someone like me. I can't wait until we're away from this country so we can live a happy life together. With all of us, I mean. I want you guys to be happy too. I can see how much Mel cares for everyone and everything in this house. He-" Nick gasped in his head as well as vocally. I am not! I just-you-I'm trying to prove a point and you are not helping. His thoughts whined like a little child who got their candy stolen. "I feel betrayed…Mel agreed with you. You know, the audacity. I am not a marshmallow. End of story." Nick huffed. Esther stated something unfactual and I needed you to back me up on it! Your voice is nice though. I like hearing it. Most people have random voices like a British guy or Russian woman speaking in their head. Yours is nice though… His expression softened as well as the rest of his body. He leaned against the counter his gaze pinned on a crack in the wall as he waited to hear Mel's sweet voice again.
(I knew the name sounded familiar, but not murder boy kira 😂)
"Ah I hadn't realized this was Esther's judgement. There is no arguing against her, I'm afraid. Apologies, dearest." Mel laughed softly and leaned back into his chair. "Is that so, my love?" Mel questioned, voice dropping low and sweet, partly to tease Nick and because he was tired. "I'm glad, considering you'd be hearing it quite often. Though I do hope I'm not distracting you too terribly right now. You're supposed to be helping Esther, not sweet talking your mate." He chided softly. "I'll see you soon my dear. Go finish dinner. And just to clarify, you most definitely are a marshmallow. Kisses, I love you."
Esther glanced over her shoulder at Nick and smiled softly. "You're melting~" she sang, handing the spoon off to Nick. "If you're going to talk with Mep in your mind, at least stir the stock at the same time." She took up Nick's spot and started on a simple dessert after puking the meat into the soup.
(LMAO XD)
Nick laughed to himself and let the happy chills of Mel's voice run through him. "Okay…I love you too." Nick made a kissing sound in his mind before focusing on the spoon pushed into his hand. "No, I-" He clicked his tongue and started to stir. Nick helped Esther with the rest of dinner and finally sat down only moments after there was nothing left to do. "It's crazy how you can cook so much. The most I could ever cook for was me, probably because I lived alone. I admire that about you, Esther. Thanks to your help I'm sure dinner will be delectable. I will call for Mel if everything is settled then." Nick rested his head on the counter and closed his eyes. He listened to Mel's movements for a while, trying to picture his movements. "Dinners almost ready, you should come down now, so it's hot and ready." He summoned.
Esther smiled and wrickled her nose at Nick cutely. "Completely head over heals for him. It's adorable." She reasoned, toasting off some bread and garlic and occasionally tasted the progress on the soup. "Thank you, i've always liked cooking, for a while it was the only thing I was really good at so whenever someone enjoyed what I made at whatever tavern or home I was working at, it made me feel good so I just kept doing that when I came here. I've picked up a few more hobbies sice stating here and my self esteem has increased thankfully but I always come back to this." She waved around at the large kitchen with a proud smile. "We all have our little places where we feel most comfortable. For kira it's the pavilion, for veda and Evangeline it's the library. For me it's the kitchen. I'm glad you liked cooking." She smiled and glanced up when Kira came from training. She pressed a sweet kiss to Esther's cheek before spotting nick and waving.
"I wasn't aware I was now a ghost." Mel said, as he entered the kitchen, Evangeline and veda trailing behind and talking quietly amongst themselves
Nick turned around when he heard Mel come in. He wrapped his hands around his waist and kissed his cheek. You could practically see his tail wagging. "Hello, my love. How was working? Did you finish everything? Did you hydrate as I told you to?" In between sentences, he pressed small kisses across Mel's face. "What gave you the idea that you were. If you were a ghost, I wouldn't be toughing and kissing you like I am now. With hard work and trivia questions, we made dinner for everyone. However, I am exhausted, so after eating, I think it's time for something that starts with an 's'" He groaned and rested his head on Mel's chest.
Mel laughed and pressed a soft kiss to Nick'a brow, "work was fine, mostly just paperwork. But yes sweet love, I finished and I hydrated." He reassured giggling at each kiss. "You did just summon me." He noted, gently nudging nick into the seat beside him. Mel smirked and kissed Nick's shoulder, "I hope that word is 'sleep' sweetheart. We have a very long day tomorrow. One where we unfortuneatly need to wake up early." He nodded in thanks as Esther placed a bowl of soup and a plate of bread and butter in front of them, smiling proudly. "You both made this?" He asked, digging in enthusiastically to the delicious looking and smelling dish
"I did, didn't I." He shrugged and turned in his chair to face the table. "Of course, the word is 'sleep'; what else would it-" He paused and covered his mouth. He then nodded and sighed. "Oh, yeah, but I meant to sleep." Nick nodded rapidly. "Yes, I mostly did the chopping and string, but I did help with the seasoning a bit, and I also got to learn a lot about what makes Esther's food so great." Nick squinted his eyes at Mel, realizing a sentence he missed. "We have to wake up early tomorrow? Ugh, kill me now." He rested his head on Mel's shoulder. "Why can't Lord, what's its face come later. He should be running on our schedule, not the other way around." He huffed. "I feel betrayed, my love, betrayed."
"no everything~" Esther chimed in as she sat beside Kira after serving Veda, Evangeline and the rest of the estate residents. "But he certainly did very well. He's a quick learner." She nodded her head in thanks before focusing her attention on her wife. Mel smiled happily and gently patted Nick's hair. "Forgive me my darling. But the waking up early part is my idea. I have a few errands to run in the city before Roi comes to visit. "You're more than welcome to stay in and sleep." He cooed, pressing a kiss to Nick's head. "you poor thing. Here I thought you'd be use dto waking up before the sun."
"That was before I met you and way before I felt just how warm it could be with someone I love sleeping with me." He groaned and pouted. "No, I'll go with you. My hearing doesn't go that far, so I will definitely be coming with you. I want to tell people to piss off when needed. Besides I'm your sentinel, I'm supposed to protect you. I still feel betrayed." He pulled the plate of food closer to him so he could start eating. "I'll let it slide this time, but beware for in the future you will be sorry for making me get up so early tomorrow. Trust I will get my revenge." He teased.
Mel chuckled lightly, already craving the warmth of his bed and Nick's body beside him. "It'll just be for tonight, dear. Surely you can handle one early morning." Mel smiled softly "I was hoping to keep a low profile while going into the city but it seems you have other ideas my dear." Mel shook his head and nibbled at the bread. "I'm thankful for your mercy, dearest. I'll try an keep the need to wake up early in the morning to a minimum buy no promises." He pressed a kiss to Mel's temple and dipped his bread into the remainder of the soup.
Nick finished up the rest of his food and stood up from his chair. "Mmmm, if you say so." He kissed his cheek. "I'm going to go get a snack. I need some junk food. The dinner was great. Thank you, Esther." Nick walked up to the cabinet and looked around for anything unhealthy to eat. He found some cookies so he took three and came back to his seat. He bit into one and nodded his head out of sheer enjoyment. "These cookies are good. Not as good as mine, but they are good." He refused the urge to kiss Mel, considering he had chocolate on his mouth alone with a few crumbs. "Almost ready to head back?" He asked finishing his second cookie.
Mel watched as Nick found the stash of cookies they kept in the kitchen and laughed softly.
“I’m glad you liked it.” Esther replied as she too watched Mel grab some cookies. “How do you even have room for that?” She asked in disbelief, leaning again Kira for support. “I can’t take another bite!” Mel cleared the dishes and shook his head “He keeps surprising me more and more each day,” Mel muttered with a teasing grin, earning him a smirk from Kira. “You bake sweetheart?” Mel asked in intrigues as he stole a chocolate chip from Nick. He pressed a kiss to his cheek before beginning to wash the dishes. He was still tired but he felt like he needed to contribute in some way, especially after such a wonderful dinner.
Nick looked at Mel with a smirk. "This stomach is a bottomless pit. I don't get full easily, even if I were full, there is always time for desert afterward." His smirk turned to shocked face. He scoffed and shook his head. "Yes I do bake. I cook, I bake, I play music anything you want me to do I can probably do it, sweetheart." Nick finished his last cookie, making his way over to wrap his arms around Mel's waist. "Hey handsome." His voice was delicate and quiet as he spoke close to Mel's ear. "I can take care of that if you want. You've been working all day, it's the least I can do." Nick put his hands on top of Mel's giving him slow kisses up the neck.
"hello, gorgeous." Mel replied warmly, gently nudging Nick's head as he scrubbed away as some dishes. "Dear, you made a wonderful dinner with Esther ontop of helping me all day with paper work. If anything, this is the least I can do." He tilted his head, pausing in his task to give his attention to Nick. "Darling you've had dessert already," he teased, looking over at Nick and planting a kiss to his lips. "Go shower and rest sweet love, I'll be with you In a moment, just give me a sec to finish these up." He encouraged gently, already feeling himself lean into the comfort of Nick's ebrace.
Nick hummed. "You're so stubborn. Fine, I'll go shower." He gave him one last kiss before waving goodbye to everyone. Nick headed back to the room, letting his hand glide across every wall. He closed the bedroom door behind him. Nick stepped out of his clothes on the way to the bathroom. He turned the shower and watched as the steam started to come into view. Nick stepped into the warm shower, licking his hair back first. He took a more extended shower than usual, only because Mel would also be taking his time with the dishes. He came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. "Best shower ever." He sat on the bed and leaned back, spreading his arms on the bed.
“I call it resilience.” Mel argued with a tired smile as he continued with dishes. “You know he’s right.” Veda appeared beside Mel and started drying the dishes Mel had rinsed off and put to the side. Mel tilted his head with a teasing smirk. “About what?” Veda rolled his eyes and nudged his friends shoulder. “About you working too hard. For the past 6 years, all you’ve done is work yourself to the bone for all of us. The only time you take breaks is when with you’re with other men. Even then you’re still working to keep your heart in one piece and this little operation of ours undercover. There’s not a day that goes by where we see you visibly relaxed.” Veda said, giving Mel a pointed look. “I have too much to do you relax, Ve. I promise when we move, I’ll try and find more free time. I know what I signed up for when I joined the rebellion.” He reassured, resting his head against his friend’s shoulder for a moment. “So you’re warming up to him?” Veda rested his head onto of Mel’s and gave a sigh. “Slowly, yes. I’m still unsure. He was one of the closest people to the queen, Mel. What if he’s still on her side? I don’t want this rebellion to be found out and more importantly we don’t want you getting hurt.” Mel thought for a while. He wasn’t sure if it was because he was so in love with Nick that he was blind to any thought of betrayal or if it was that he truly trusted him, but Mel shrugged. “I don’t think he will. I really don’t Ve.” He felt Veda nod. “I really hope you’re right. You deserve to be with someone who makes you happy all the time.” Veda pressed a kiss to Mel’s hair and gently nudged him aside. “Now go. Don’t pretend you don’t work just as hard as the rest of us. We’ll finish up here.” He said as he gently pried away the wash rag and current plate from Mel”s hand. Mel glared at Veda before hugging him. “Only if you stop worrying about me.”
“Only if you stop doing things that worry me.” Veda countered, smiling at Mel as he reluctantly pulled away and headed off towards the hall.
“I see you’re comfortable.” Mel mused as he entered his bedroom to find Nick splayed out on his bed. "You are nothing if not stunning, my dear." He murmured, walking over and leaning down to press a kiss to Nick’s lips before finding some night clothes in his closet and disappearing into the washroom to shower before bed.
Nick looked at the door Mel had entered, dazed and confused. He only shook his head and decided it was time to put on some clothes. Nick found a comfortable t-shirt and left it at that. Nick didn't have the energy to find pants, and he didn't think Mel would mind it. He flopped face-first into the bed and waist from him to get out of the shower. He thought about the conversation he had heard earlier between Mel and Veda. Nick groaned into the pillow. He shouldn't be working this much; it's not fair. He's been doing tons of work already. I should've pushed to do the dishes. He groaned against which was muffled by the blankets and the mattress. If Nick weren't so worried about Mel overworking himself, he would've been passed out in the sheets by now. However, he gave all his strength to keep his eyes open, so he could see Mel before he fell asleep for the extremely long day they would have tomorrow.
After Mel showered, he changed into silky PJ pants only, consider nick had taken the matching shirt. He wasn't going to wear mismatching pj's to bed now was he? He stepped out I'd the bathroom, immediately missing the warmth from the shower. He quickly made his way over to the bed and tugged aside the covers. "Were you not instructed to rest, my dear?" Mel asked as he settled beside Nick, running his hand through Nick's haid and pressing a kiss to his head. "Sleep, love of my life. I'm here now, I'm not going anywhere until tomorrow morning." He reassured with a tired smile.
