"I'm glad," Bel answers, quickly dressing and tucking his shirt into his trousers. As much as he loved wearing Nico's clothes, he much prefers wearing his own that actually fit his slender frame. When Bel figures himself ready, he turns to Nico–struggling in the mirror with his hair.
"Here, let me–" Bel insists, stepping forward to run his fingers through the man's hair. It's mostly dry from their bathtub tangle and luckily nothing too severe. It doesn't take long for Bel to swiftly braid Nico's hair down his back before tying it off with a spare piece of string. Bel tightly wraps his arms around Nico's chest, resting his chin on the other's shoulder. "Handsome as ever," Bel practically growls into Nico's ear.
Nico dropped his hands and stood still. He refrained from wincing. Bel was gentle coming through his hair but it snagged a couple of times. He waited patiently, smiling as he braided Nico's hair. He looked at in the mirror, then at Bel's reflection. "Remind me to have you braid my hair more often." If only there would be more often.
His cheeks flushed a soft pink at the compliment and he scrunched his nose. "I think I prefer the term sexy or maybe ruggedly handsome. But these scars, not so pretty." He shrugged his shoulders. He turned in the embrace and drew Bel to his chest. "You on the other hand, now this is what handsome is."
"I'll braid your hair every day if you want," Bel says, pressing his nose into Nico's neck. It's been years since he's had a proper model to braid on. His sisters were compliant at first, but they found their own styles and hobbies and didn’t bother giving Bel the chance.
At Nico's opposition, Bel openly laughs. "I'll use whatever adjectives I want to describe you–" His sentence is punctuated with two kisses to Nico's jaw. The other man whirls around and brings Bel into his arms. A beam breaks through his face at Nico's compliment, but he quickly turns the attention back. "And yes, I find your scars very attractive." He uses his thumb to sweep over the line slicing through Nico's cheek. "Don't downplay yourself. You're too honest to lie like that."
Nico's eyes fluttered shut at the feeling of his touch. He leaned into Bel's hand, pressing a soft kiss to the palm. "Perhaps not everyone finds them so attractive." He certainly didn't. He thought they were ugly. They were from a difficult time in his life. It was hard to look at his scars sometimes without feeling hatred and disgust.
You're too honest… Oh of only Bel knew. If he knew the things Nico was hiding from him he would hate Nico forever. And it was with that thought that Nico placed his chin on the top of Bel's head, hiding his face from him.
"Who cares what others think?" Bel responds, resting his head on Nico's collarbone. "I like them and I like you." Perhaps like is a little too soft for a word, but he knows it's far too soon to break out its stronger counterpart. Maybe later, maybe when they're both safe from this treacherous journey.
They sit there for a moment in a sweet embrace. Eventually, Bel feels his stomach rumble with the need for food and he pulls away. "Let's go get our food." Taking Nico by the hand, he leads them both through the door, pocketing their key and closing in behind them.
A smile returned to Nico's face at the sound of a stomach grumbling. It hand been his this time. He pulled back from Bel, giving him a smile and a kiss on the head. "Let's. I don't need your stomach getting angry at me for keeping food from you."
He gladly took Bel's hand and walked side by side with him. "What kind of food are you in the mood for?" There were a few different options in town. There was seafood, there was taverns with questionable slices of meat, and one or two nicer restaurants.
"Hmm." Bel hums as they exit the inn and arrive on the street. Despite it being so late, lanturns and restaurants and shops are still bustling with life. Bel squeezes Nico's hand a little tighter, taking in the small town with wide eyes. Thr village surrounding the palace back in Araniel is… bleak, mostly a military occupation without any real vibrance from the common citizen. Something pulls at his smile and heart, knowing that the kingdom that served as his home for so many years didn't serve as a home for so many others.
"I'd be happy to eat whatever you want," Bel answers. He can smell the seafood, the bakery, the steaks, the poultry, and a thousand others. It should be overwhelming. It should be, but Bel is completely excited.
Nico looked down at Bel. He decided then that he was going to take him kn a real date. They would go to a nice restaurant and have an overpriced meal and enjoy themselves. "Come on, I know just the place."
He led him along the side walk until he came to stand in front of a nice looking restaurant. Well, nice for this town that is. The Lavender Glasshouse. The walls were painted a beautiful lavender color, hence the name. Pots of plants and fresh herbs were scattered alone inside. They had the best slices of meat and the freshest seafood in the village. Which wasn't much but it was still beautiful and homey and good. And that's all that matter. "Do you think this will do?"
The restaurant is painted a lovely shade of purple, the smells absolutely divine. "Wow," Bel muses, allowing Nico to pull him closer. There's indoor and outdoor seating, the outside illuminated by warm lights set in blossoming trees. Indoor are comfortable candlelight booths. He may have eaten in a grand dining room for his entire life, but even all that glitter and gold fail to add up to the romantic aura of the small restaurant.
"I think this will do just fine," Bel smiles, turning to Nico to press a kiss to his cheek.
Nico smiled down at him and it widened at the kiss. "Where would you like to sit? Inside or outside?" Nico was fine with either as long as it was Bel that chose.
The night was calm and warm. There was a small breeze that made the air comfortable. It wasn't too hot nor too cold. It was the perfect temperature. But the inside was a little brighter and there wasn't a worry about bugs either. He knew Bel didn't like the dark but the patio was illuminated as well as the streets. Both were good options. It was up to Bel.
"Honestly those trees are probably setting off my allergies," Bel notes. "I didn't even know I had allergies until a few days ago." While beautiful, the trees are coated in flowers and pollen and even though most of the friendly bugs have gone off to sleep, there are still the unfriendly bugs that enjoy to bite. "Inside would be fine."
The walk through the oak doors and the quiet hubbub of the restaurant washes over Bel. There's a bar which a few polite patrons dine at, plenty of tables and booths throughout the floor. There could easily be a large family seated around a massive table towards the back of the room.
Nico pushed open the doors with a small smile and promptly told the Hostess a table for two inside. While night had cleared out some the restaurant and it wasn't nearly as busy. There were still several patrons inside enjoying the restaurant. It was mostly older couples or childless couples enjoying a night out.
They were sat in a booth towards the back. There was maybe one other table near them but that was all. Nico was happy with that. While he hadn't planned on doing anything terribly mischievous, he didn't want to be surrounded by other people. "I know you don't drink much but they have a great wine selection if that's more your taste. If not, they have several good nonalcoholic options as well."
Bel takes his seat across from Nico, immediately staring straight into the small candle adorning their table. The corner is quiet and comfortable, practically all to themselves. It's very nice. "No, I don't drink at all," Bel informs quietly, reaching for a menu placed beside the large window. Before even reading the food options, Bel finds himself temporarily enraptured by the scene outside. Despite it being dark and approaching the dead of night, lanturns and stars still keep it alight and alive. People stroll up and down the cobblestone streets, crossing over a small footbridge cresting over a stream.
"What's good here?" Bel finally asks, tearing his eyes from the window to the menu to Nico.
Nico reached across the table to take Bel's hand. He gave it a small squeeze. He hadn't meant to saything to upset him. He had only wanted to offer it if Bel wanted something to drink. "They have flavored lemonade if you would like to try some. Or different juices." He decided that if Bel wasn't drinking, he wasn't going to drink. Not tonight.
"Their steaks here are excellent. They always cook it just right. It's served with mashed potatoes and green beans but I'm sure you could sub something out if you want a different side. There's also some soups on the backside of the menu. I haven't tried them personally but Laurent has told me that they're really good."
"It's been a while since I've had a good steak," Bel hums, flipping over the menu to study the backside. While everything looks good, the sound of a steak piques his interest. It must be something in Nico's voice because a lemonade could not sound better.
He slightly straightens when a server comes by with a big smile and swooshing dress. She greets them pleasantly and hands them their utensils before taking their drink order and disappearing again. Bel deflates when she's out of sight–something about strangers forcing Bel to fix his posture and fix his speech.
Nico gave his dinrk order to the waitress, a small smile in his lips as he ordered. He got a strawberry lemonade. His smile dropped though as he noticed Bel. He waited until the waitress walked away before he squeezed his hand.
"Oh my dear, it's okay. You can relax. No one is expecting for you to be posh and proper here. You can relax." Had he been sitting next to him, Nico would have kissed him. But he wasn't and they were in public and he needed to behave. So he settled for stroking Bel's knuckles instead.
Bel smiles sheepishly, looking down to the table as he squeezes Nico's hand in return. "I'm sorry; it's a habit." One that he got into at a very young age. Sit up, sit straight, look people in the eye and don't talk unless spoken directly to. Another reason why Bel eats so quickly, the dinner table easily one of his least favorite places in the palace.
The waitress quickly returns with their twin glasses of strawberry lemonade. Bel thanks her as she scuttles off to do whatever waitresses do.
"It's okay. It's nothing to apologize for. I just want you to know it's okay to relax. No one has these impossible expectations of you. I just want Bel." Nico bent his head to kiss his hands softly bhe released then only to sip on his lemonade.
"Did you decide what you want to eat? Order whatever you want. Order the whole menu if you want." Nico wasn't exactly sure if he had enough money to cover the whole menu but he coukd start a tab, if Bel truly wanted to. Everyone here knew he was good for his money.
"Thank you," Bel responds, tapping the table with his free hand, still not quite looking at Nico. He wants to be just Bel too. Bel without a burden or a crown or a precarious position with his family and kingdom in the balance. "I'm still getting used to it all. Hard to erase habit."
He takes a few more looks at the menu, deciding on a moderately priced stake with just a small garden salad for a side. It shouldn't take him long to eat, but it's still enough that Nico won't be offended or concerned. "Yes, I do know."
"And you can take as long as you need. I'm here for whatever you need." Nico smiled at Bel, even if he wasn't looking at him. He sipped at his lemonade more, finding he truly enjoyed it. He might even try to take a glass to the inn with them.
He nodded. "Alright, good." He flagged down the waitress when she was available and looking their direction. She walked over, a notepad in hand.
"What can I get for you this evening?" She asked. Her voice was soft and kind, despite being a waitress. Nico smiled up at her, always friendly, and perhaps a little oblivious to the woman's affections and flirty smiles.
Nico looked at Bel, nodding, allowing him to order first like the gentleman he was.
Bel jolts when he's addressed, not expecting to go first. He clears his throat and straightens. He has to quickly re-find his menu choice, even though he already knows what he's going to get. Blame his lack of socialization as a child to lead to awkward social situations. "I'll have a steak–eight ounce, please, medium rare–but instead of the two sides could I just get a side salad?"
He smiles and slides the menu towards the waitress and sips at his lemonade.
Nico gave Bel a reassuring smile as he ordered, nodding along. He was doing great and he wanted Bel to know that.
He didn't bother looking at the menu. He knew what he wanted. He had been thinking about that juicy steak since he had decided on taking Bel out for a date. "I'll take a ribeye, med rare. I'll have the mashed potatoes and green beans with it." He handed the menu to the waitress.
"Of course. I'll get that right in." The waitress gave him a flirty smile but Nico was already looking at Bel like a lovestruck puppy.
Bel watches the waitress leave before turning back to Nico, momentarily taken aback by the lovestruck look. He smiles and hides his blushing, laughing face with a hand. Usually when he's being intensely stared at at the dinner table was when he had zoned out and missed a pointed question from his father. There had been quite the heated lecture and a pointed dismissal. That had been about a week before Bel was shipped out to Irgeven, only Miran had been home and he didn't bother to see Bel out.
"So, you've been here before?" Bel asks, taking a second to lean back and study the beautiful hanging planters both indoor and out. Some deep part of Bel wants to ask with who and how important they had been to Nico.
Nico smiled and laughed as Bel hid his face. He thought it was adorable. Oh, dear Bel. He found all of the prince's quirks adorable. He loved it. Not him. He didn't love Bel, not yet anyways. But he was well on his way to it. Bel had captured his heart unlike any other.
"A time or two, with the others." His men, he meant. But not just the ones he was traveling with. He had other friends at home that he had gone out with a couple of time. Not always this restaurant, but around. "It's why I knew you would enjoy this."
Bel smiles, finally relaxing and letting his hand fall. He stares at Nico for a few moments–his loving stare, his laugh, his smile– With Nico, he isn't a prince or a delegate or a master to walk on ice around. He's just Bel. Just a man without the heavy responsibilities of a prince, without the fierce overprotection of royalty, without the suffocating restrictions of an heir. Bel. That's all he is around Nico.
"I'm glad we're here," Bel says, squeezing Nico's hand. He hasn't once let go. He doesn't want to. "Thank you for this… For all of it."
Nico returned the squeeze. He would offer any comfort that Bel needed. He was there for whatever he needed. Always. Even when Bel didn't want him anymore. "Never thank me, my dear. I would do anything for you. Just say the word and it's yours."
It scared him how much he meant that. How much of that was true. But it was, every word. Nico was down bad and jt was going to hurt like hell when the truth was revealed. He should do it now, do it while they were safe and happy and he had time. But he just couldn't. He was terrified. Revealing himself made him vulnerable in a way he was scared too. He just couldn't.
With a laugh, Bel shakes his head. He nearly wishes this damned table wasn't in the way so he could lean forward and kiss Nico hard, but the table is not permeable and Bel remains reverently in his seat. They make polite conversation until their food arrives, relatively quickly due to the dying crowd of the late night restaurant. Bel's sure to thank the waitress as she delivers the food. He sure as hell doesn't miss her flirty wink geared towards Nico, but the other man shows to response, so Bel doesn't make a deal out of it.
Reluctantly, Bel releases Nico's hand. He needs two hands to eat. He'll make it up to Nico sometime later. Maybe not tonight, Bel still a little worn out from their endeavor, but certainly another time. "This looks delightful," Bel notes. Dare he say it smells better than the palace cook's meals.
Nico leaned back as the food arrived, not quite relaxing his grip on Bel's hand until the prince pulled away from him. His attention was on the food but mostly Bel. While it smelled delicious, he was more focused on Bel as he took in the food, smelling it. He laughed softly. "It'll taste even better."
He looked uo at the waitress then and gave a polite smile. "Thank you, it looks great." A dismissal. Nico wanted to be left alone with Bel. He waited. He would let Bel take the first bite before eating his own.
Bel's careful to slice off a perfect piece (perfectly uniform like his etiquette tutor taught him) and slowly brings it to his mouth. He hums, the savory flavor absolutely delightful. Savoring it, Bel's slow to swallow. "That's good," he says, cutting another uniform slice. Just like Nico said, cooked to perfection. He alternates between taking bites of his steak, salad and sipping at his lemonade until his meal is practically finished. It doesn't take him long to finish, old habits and the taste both contributing to his quickness.
Trying not to rush Nico, Bel takes his time sipping at his lemonade, alternating between staring at him, the restaurant, and the town outside the large window.
Ncio smiled. It was o ly then that he started eating his food, once he was sure Bel enjoyed it. He cut into his steak, eating it. He alternated between his sides and occasionally took a sip of his lemonade. His manners weren't as nice as Bel's. He had been raised in a war zone. But he had been raised well enough to know not to put his elbows on the table and how to cut a steak.
He took a little longer then Bel. He ousted his empty plate in front of him and finished his glass of lemonade. "All done? Did you want dessert?"
