Bel had been lost in his own thought, jerking out of it when Nico speaks. Bel looks at their empty plates and drained glasses. "Yes, I'm done. I don't need any dessert, thank you." He offers a close-lipped smile. Bel's never wanted dessert. Sweet things have never been to his fancy and an extra course meant extra time at an uncomfortable dinner table. He knows that Nico would never make him uncomfortable, but old habits die hard. Bel isn't sure how long it will take for them to fully die. Once they are, he'll be happy to offer the first shovel of dirt.
Bel neatly stacks their utensils and plates and pushes them to the edge of the table for the waitress or busser to pick up later. "Again, Nico. You told me not to thank you, but I have to. It's been a fantastic evening–" The best he's ever had. "And it wouldn't've happened without you."
Nico reached across the table to recapture Bel's hand. He could tell the other was deep in thought. He wanted to ask about it but didn't want to pry. Instead he only said, "They have a really good chocolate cake. Nice and rich. We can take one to go if you would like to eat it later." If Bel said no, he would respect that. If he said yes, he would place the order in an instant. "What about the lemonade, would you like to take a cup togo as well?"
Nico smiled. He leaned down, kissing his knuckles once again. "I'm glad you had a good evening, Bel. It's all I want for you. To make you happy. Anything you ask for, I'll make it happen." As long as he didn't ask for pigs to fly. That might be a little improbable of happening.
Certain that this is the most he's laughed in his entire life, Bel smiles and shakes his head. "No I'm good. I appreciate the offer but dinner was enough." Bel doesn't get hungry after dinner, he's almost always content until breakfast. For how little he eats, it's surprising that he isn't constantly hungry.
"I only ask that you stay by my side." For tonight, for tomorrow, for when Bel faces the leader of the Lisais, for every event after that. "That'll make me happy."
"Okay." Nico motioned for the check from the waitress and that was that. He took the last couple of sips he could get out of his glass before pushing it to the side along with their stacked plates.
"I'll be by your side as long as you'll have me." Which likely wouldn't be too much longer. Nico had a small pit of hope, hope that Bel would understand completely and stick by his side. But his head knew, it knew that Bel would leave him the moment he found out. He let go ofnhis hands when the check arrived and gave more than enough coins to cover the bill and the tip. "Are you all set?" Nico stood, holding his hand out for Bel to take.
"You're going to be at my side a long while, then," Bel says with a smile as he takes Nico's arm and is pulled to his feet. "Yes, I'm ready." He double checks to ensure their bill is payed in full before allowing Nico to lead Bel out of the restaurant. He smiles at the hostess right before they exit theough the doors. The night is warm, thank the gods, and there's not wven a breeze to disrupt it. Despite it being well after sundown, the town is still alive, though slowly fading.
To their right is an unoccupied footbridge that goes over a small stream, or an underwhelming river–one of the two. "Walk with me?" Bel asks, pulling them towards the beautiful sight filled with ruby and violet flowers, draping willows and a babbling stream. All beneath the moon and stars.
Nico offered his arm to Bel, allowing him to hook their arms together. Side by side, they walked outside. The lanterns illuminated the streets, giving a soft glow. There was music playing further down the road, a few couples dancing in the street, laughing. It was calm, peaceful. Nico was happy that the had remained so safe and happy. He would do everything in his power to keep it that way.
Nico turned his head, snapping out of this thoughts. He nodded to Bel, following him to look at the flowers. They looked beautiful under the moonlight. And Nico was happy Bel was able to be out at night without being terrified, even if they were in a village.
They make their way down the path, slowly and almost dreamily. At least to Bel, this all feel like a dream. He holds Nico a little closer as they move away from the main plaza of the village and towards the quieter stream.They can still hear the music and laughing of other couples enjoying the festivities.
Bel stops on the bridge, leaning over the railing to marvel at the moonlit water running out from beneath them. The sight reminds him of summers spent in Blakkast with his mother and siblings, back when he was just a boy and wasn't expected to be proper trained for a prince.
A crack from within the underbrush on the other side of the bridge causes Bel to look up, squeezing Nico's arm a little tighter. It could have entirely been his imagination, just like the cave. He remembers that it's night and it's dark and they've been far too lucky to only encounter one ambush thus far. "Inn?" Bel whispers, already backtracking a bit.
Nico wrapped his arm around Bel as they came to a stop on the bridge, holding him close. He allowed himself to relax and take in the scene before them. It was calm and relaxing. He likely could have stayed there forever. But all good things must come to an end. And when there was a rustle in the bushes, he knew it was over.
He was a little disappointed that there night had come to an end but he understood. He was proud of Bel. He had done such a good job going out so late and having dinner with him. And bel walked perfectly fine along the lantern lit cobblestone. He kissed the top of his head and nodded.
"Come on, let's get back. I want to lay with you." All nico was craving to do was lay next to Bel and hold him to his chest. He wanted to lay with him and just talk. About anything and everything. Nico would answer any question Bel might have. The prince had him wrapped around his finger.
Leaving the bridge feels odd–on one hand, Bel would've loved to stay there forever woth Nico, but on the other, Bel's a coward deep down, afraid of loud noises and the dark like a child. He rests his head against Nico's side shoulder ad they walk. He's not yet sleepy enough to fully sleep, but not with the energy nor lust for another tango. "That sounds nice," Bel muses as they make their way into the inn.
Nico's men, like the inn before, are drinking–albeit not as heavily, but still more than Bel's particular liking. The stairs are nearby and their room at the end of that hall. Bel sneezes just before they get to their door, muttering a small apology mixes with a groan. He hates sneezing.
Nico gave him a small squeeze. "Hey, you did good tonight. We went out to eat, even though it's dark out. We enjoyed a meal and took a small walk. We enjoyed it. We had fun during the night. You're doing good. I want you to know that I'm very proud of you." He hoped his words were encouraging. That they would help Bel feel better. Facing a fear was difficult and hard. And Bel was doing it one step at a time. It would take time but he was getting better everyday.
Nico's men were sitting at the bar again, drinking. They weren't as intoxicated as the time before but they looked well on their way if they kept it up. "I'll be right back," he murmured. He left his side for a brief moment to go tell the others they were staying for another day. He recieved a couple looks from them. They knew he was only delaying the inevitable. But none of them said anything.
He returned to Bel's side. He laughed softly as Bel sneezed and he kissed his head. "Oh, my dear. I'm so sorry."
While Nico's reassurances are… well, reassuring, Bel feels they're a little on the doting side. "Thank you," he says with a sigh. "Really, Nico, but… there's no need to be excessive about it." Everyone had always been so excessive about everything growing up. When the prince made a decision, the entire staff was nodding and agreeing and congratulating him on choosing the tablecloth pattern. Every time he made a clean jump on Katya, his coaches were whistling and praising him to the heavens. The only feedback Bel had ever cared about was from his mother and Miran–one of them dead and the other too reserved to even compliment Bel anymore.
Bel sniffs as they enter their room, noting immediately that the bedsheets had been changed. Bel supposes he should feel embarrassed but he's more relieved than anything. The Prince wastes no time flopping face-first onto the bed, any sort of royal energy draining from his shoulders.
Nico nodded. "I can hold back some then. I just don't want you to think I'm upset or judging you in any way. Because I'm not." And he wasn't. He wanted to be there one step at a time as Bel slowly faced his fears. He was there to hold his hand and fight off anything that might come for them.
Nico shut the door behind them and slid the lock in. He noticed the sheets had been changed and made a mental note to leave a good tip. He felt sorry for whoever had to clean up after them. They had been a bit messy. He laughed as Bel flopped down on the bed. He shook his head and walked over to hom. He kneeled in front of the bed and carefully took Bel's shoes off for him, placing them against the bed frame. He took his own off before sliding into the bed. "Come here." He opened his arms.
Bel mutters a muffled thank you into the sheets as Nico removes them. As the man slides in next to him, Bel wastes no time rolling into his awaiting arms. It's safe–warm. Perfect. Bel, despite not feeling tired earlier, finds that sleep is readily coming for him. It must have been the weeks of sleeping on the ground and in the wild and terrified that somrthing was going to kill him in his sleep. However, as much as Bel wants to fall unconscious, he still had questions on his mind.
"What's the leader like, of the Lisais? How am I expected to act around him?" Was it supposed to be a bow situation or should Bel be treated like an equal? Proper titles and pronouns? How flexible is the man regarding a peace contract between their nations?
Ncio pulled Bel into his chest as soon as he climbed up to him. He wrapped his arms tight around him, tucking his head under his chin. He was lying against the headboard, a pillow on his backnto provide some comfort. He ran his hand uo and down his back. A hand thay come to a screeching hault at the question.
He blinked. He had been so unprepared. But this was the time to say it. To say that I was him, who was the leader. And yet the words just didn't come out. "Respectful, but that's all. He's not going to ask you to bow for him or treat him like royalty. He might be royalty, our king, but he prefer for people to be familiar with him. Just be yourself and you'll be fine." Bel was doing more than fine, actually. He had Nico eating out ifbthe palm of his hand and he jad no idea that Nico was the leader. "He'll- He'll tell you his name when we're there. I hope you can understand. It's just to dangerous until we get there." Too dangerous for the words to leave the walls. Too dangerous for the name to spread. Nico was a mystery and he preferred to keep it that way.
Bel practically snuggles into the contact. If he were a cat, he'd be purring. His eye cracks open when Nico suddenly stops. Had Nico just been unprepared for a direct question about his leader? Isn't that the entire point of this mission?
As Nico speaks, Bel knows that it all makes sense. Wildfire, the name would spread like wildfire.Bel wonders if Nico is one of the lucky few to know who the elusive Lisais Leader is. Do all of the Lisais know him? Are they under oath? Really, Bel has too many questions for this late at night. "Alright," Bel says in response, a single word to combat the thousands in his mind. "I'll try my hand at speech writing tomorrow. The last thing I need is to look like a fool in front of him."
Nico's had resumed its stroking as Bel seemed satisfied enough with the answer. Everything would into light in two days time. When they arrived home and Nico's identify was revealed. With that thought, he squeezed Bel a little tighter, taking in to memory the way he felt against Nico.
"Oh, my sweet dear, you don't need to do that either. I promise you, it's going to be alright. He may have been raised in a military setting but he's quite laid back. You don't need to worry about such things." Nico couldn't care less about his speeches as long as he cmgot to hea him talk. He could listen to Bel ramble about absolutely nothing and he would listen intently. "He'll listen to whatever you have to say."
Bel laughs quietly, pushing his nose into Nico's chest. He smells nice but Bel quickly pushes it out of his brain. He can't think about that now. There are much more pressing matters than Nicos natural musk. He sighs heavily.
"How can you be so sure?" Bel asks after sobering up. "My father stole his throne and have been kiling his people. My siblings and I have all been accessories in his schemes. I've had so many terrible interactions with diplomats in the past–" His sentence is quickly shut off with a shudder. "I'm… sorry." His anxiety is taking over, even with his nearing sleep.
Nico look down. He gripped Bel's chinnand tilted his head up to look at him. "Hey, hey, it's okay." Je dipped his head to kiss him quickly. "None of this was your fault. He knows that. He's understanding. He's not going ti blame you fir something you didn't do. Just talk to him. You'll figure something out."
Nico was already mulling around solutions I'm his head that would keep Bel happy. He hadnnever truly thought of the king's children until now, until Bel. It was a thought he should have been thinking for a much longer time. There had ti be a way to get to the palace without a total massacre. He wasn't going to kill the entire royal family. He wouldn't be just as bad.
"It's okay, my dear. You trust me yes?" He asked. "I'll be by your side, okay. You won't have to do this alone."
Bel laughs, feeling his worries melt away. "Okay, whatever you say, Nico." Yes, it will all be just fine with Nico at his side. With somebody from the higher circles of the Lisais King at Bel's side, he can't be killed on the spot with whatever mage powers the leader is sure to have. Nico will back him, Nico will protect him, Nico will play the mediator during their negotiations.
Strangely, Bel's glad that it was him who was taken. Despite the obvious perks (Nico), Bel is by far the most diplomatic and patient of all his siblings. He may not be able to hold his own in a fight, but he can always come to a non-violent agreement.
With a few coughs into the crook of his elbow, Bel relaxes against Nico. "We'll think more about this tomorrow," he says, slowly feeling sleep wash over him.
Nico smiled. He laid his head back against the pillow, his hands resuming stroking his back. He could stop the quiet chuckle as Bel coughed. It wasn't funny. It wasn't. He didn't like Bel not feeling the best but it was adorable. His allergies were cute. He made a note to pick him uo some medicines in the morning that would hopefully help.
"We will. Sleep now, my dear," Nioc whispered. He had laid there awake long after Bel had fallen asleep, terrible, terrible thoughts running through his head that had him pulling Bel closed to his body.
Bel tries to reply, but he's too far gone. Sleep overtakes him as he rests in Nico's arms.
However, his sleep isn't peaceful. He's in a dream, he knows it's a dream. Across the clearing is a good he hardly recognizes. A shadowed face, a crooked smile, a knife in hand and a knife lodged his shoulder. The man is bleeding gold and laughing. Bel steps back and trips, crying as he falls to his back. The culprit of his trip none other than a body, this one sickeningly familiar with his red clothes and kind eyes and master sword. There's an arrow in his neck and a knife in his shoulder–
With a sharp inhale, Bel jolts upright, gripping at his pounding heart and fighting away the tears growing.
Nico had only started to let sleep take him. His eyes were beginning to droop and he was letting his body relax. He had exhausted himself with his thoughts. They weren't nice ethoights. He was worming himself up to tell Bel and then talking himself out of it. He had been arguing himself. And now he was exhausted and gotten no where.
But he was wide awake as Bel shot up off of his chest. Nico was sitting up in an instant. He was grabbed Bel and pulling him to him. He wrapped him in a tight hug. He didn't know what Bel had dreamed of but he knew it wasn't good. "Oh, sweet Bel, what's wrong? What happened?"
As soon as the cold fear begins to soak through his skin, there's a set of arms around him, holding him tight. When the panic sets in, Bel tries to break free, but a small part of his brain quickly reminds him: safe. Bel slackens, breathing heavily but at least not sobbing. He finally recognizes the comforting presence as Nico, and he's talking in a soft voice.
"Sorry." Is the first thing he chokes out. He's biting at his lip, not wanting to potentially awake anyone with his own misfortune. "'M sorry–" Bel buries his face into Nico's chest, returning the crushing embrace. He can't tell Nico what it was about. Bel can't kill, and the burden of his family's lives are held in his shaking hands.
"Shhh," It's okay. You're safe. Everything okay now." Nico was stroking his back and head. He held Bel tight. "I've got you. Everything's okay." Nico didn't ask what happened. He didn't ask what it was about. Not right now. He could ask later when Bel had calmed down and wasn't shaking any more.
Nico kissed his head gently. He just held him. It was the knly thing he could do at that moment. He just needed to be there.
Eventually after gods know how long, Bel stops his shaking and only chokes a little bit on his breath. His eyes hurt, never quite fully crying but aching from the emotion. He just feels tired. He closes his eyes, shifting to get much more comfortable in Nico's arms. "Sorry," he says one last time, gauging the amount of light filtering through the window. It has to be an hour or so before sunrise. "Let's just sleep."
He shivers slightly and curls more into Nico, hoping that the other man's warmth will help soothe him to sleep.
Nico never stopped stroking his back and brushing back his hair. He offered soft words, trying to soothe Bel. At some point, Nico pulled off his shirt, offering skin contact for the prince. He had meant to undress earlier but he and Bel had pretty much collapsed in bed and it had been forgotten.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked softly. He used his thumb and forefinger to tilt Bel's chin up to look at him. "I'll listen if you want to talk."
They lay together, Bel's fingers naturally finding the grooves and ridges of Nico's scars and tracing them softly. He keeps his eyes closed, hoping that sweet sleep will knock him unconscious and into a wonderful dreamless rest. At Nico's question, Bel shakes his head. "No, it's… it's silly," he claims. To someone as daring and dangerous as Nico, it is silly and irrelevant and something Bel needs to grow out of.
He never thought he'd have to kill a man. He never wanted to kill a man. He knows that his cruel imagination will force him to relive that day–to relive the moment when sheer instinct came over and Bel ended a life. How could he do it so easily? "I just want to sleep."
Nico shivered under his hand, at the feeling of Bek touching his scars. Had it been anyone else, he would have stopped them. These scars were a symbol of his failure, not that he had told Bel that. He didn't quite like anyone touching them. But Bel could. He didn't flinch away from the touch. He found he liked it even if Bel didn't know the story behind them.
"It's not silly. It's not. If it scared you it's a legitimate fear. Unless it's butterflies. Then I might laugh when you're not looking." He was trying to lift Bel's spirit up while still trying to convince him to talk. "It might help a little bit if you talk about it."
Bel makes a noise somewhere between a laugh, a scoff, and a sneeze–could've been all three. "It's fine," Bel says firmly. "I promise." That's probably the first lie he's told Nico. He's gone his entire life without talking about his fears. Some were clearly more noticeable, especially when caught in the dark. Others he harbored much deeper, rarely shown externally except for a brief comment or shaking nightmare. He's never needed to talk about them. They've never been a reality–well, not until now.
Bel continues his lazy pace, stroking up and down Nico's back and trying to commit every detail to memory instead of thinking about his inner demons. Repression is easy. Vulnerability is hard. Bel rests his head on their shared pillow, his nose hardly a centimeter away from Nico as he tries to sleep, relaxing as it finally begins to take hold.
Nico nodded, taking the answer for now. There was a soft smile lighting up his face as he heard the other laugh. Well, sort of laugh. He would ask again tomorrow. Well, later in the day, once they had slept their fill and woken and up well rested. With how early it was in the morning, he didn't see either of them waking until at least midday. That was alright. They deserved a day to sleep in and laze around.
Nico looked at Bel through heavy lids. Their noses were almost touching and he could feel his breath, every inhale that he took. He nodded his head forward and pressed his lips against Bel's softly. There was no pressure, no wanting. Just a simple kiss to comfort and reassure. "I'm here if you do decide to talk."
