Bel's careful, almost hesitant to slowly begin running his finger down a large slash across Nico's chest. His skin is rough, torn, and healed over more times than Bel can count, all of it stretched over strong muscle. Nico may be lean, but his figure is deceptive. Bel knows knows that the man can easily throw the prince's weight over his shoulder like it's nothing.
"They're… beautiful," he says softly, and not because of their appearance. They vary from mangled to jagged to crisp and purposeful–none of them appealing to look at. But Bel knows that their signs of Nico's strength. It's him surviving, living, staying alive another day for the good of his cause and his people. "And don't deny it or I just might try to drown you in this tub." He smiles and leans forward, kissing Nico's lips before moving to kiss his jaw and neck. "You're beautiful."
Nico inhaled sharply at the touch. Even though he had guided the hand it was still a surprise to him. He had to close his eyes at the sensation, taking deep breaths. It was Bel, it was alright. He leaned into the hand, finally opening his eyes. His cheeks turned red at the compliment but he shook his head.
He returned the kiss Bel gave to him, his hands settling on Bel's hips. He tilted his head to the side to give him more access to his neck, sighing softly at the contact. "If I'm beautiful then so are you. You're a thousand times more beautiful than I am."
With one hand, he traces the lines of scars down Nico's chest, but with the other he gently caresses his jaw. He loves this, just being with Nico and being able to be in his presence. He's warm, with both the water and the close proximity of their bodies. Bel hums, nibbling softly right below Nico's ear. "Thank you, but we swore no more lies." He smiles. "Stop degrading yourself, love."
And Bel means it–Bel's no stranger to his own beauty. There's been plenty of comments made by diplomats that makes it nearly impossible to forget. Bel knows that he's pretty, but he knows that Nico is handsome. Very much so. Bel kisses his way back up to Nico's lips, spending extra time to savor the sweet contact.
Nico ran his fingertips along Bel's side, an almost ticklish touch, before clasping around his back. "Thank you my love." His lips brushed on his ear as he spoke. He finally recaptured Bel's lips, kissing him softly and sensually. He was going to make uo the few days they had been apart. Make up for the lies and deceit.
With a tug, Nico pulled Bel into his lap, his arms circling tighter around him. He was going to take this slow. He was going to show Bel the love he deserved. Another time they would resume the scene that had been interrupted.
Bel hums into the kiss and moves his arms to encircle Nico's neck. Gods, it had only been three days, but Bel had missed this. He had missed this before he even knew Nico. There was always a hidden yearning he harbored when he had been alone at the palace with nothing but the evasive servants and his father on the imposing throne. He played croquet and wondered what it would be like to play with another. He cooked candlelight meals at midnight for one, unable to reason why he felt so empty doing so.
And now it all makes sense. "I'm glad we can do this," he mumbles against Nico's lips. "I'm so glad you chose me."
"I will always chose you " Nico said. "In this lifetime and the next. It will always be you." And even in the short amount of time that they knew each other, he knew that was true. He knew there would be no one else for him other than Bel. They would live together or Nico would die alone. He didn't care about heirs, there coukd be several ways around that. Adoption or surrogacy. He was sure he coukd find soemthung to please Bel. And if Bel didn't want kids they would never have them. And if Bel wanted a hundred they would have a hundred. Bel was all that mattered to him.
Nico pulled back just far enough to look at his face. He cupped his cheek, smiling at him. Gods, he was so in love. He had never been happier.
The bleeding heart within Bel's chest does loop-de-loops at the words. He's entirely unexperienced with the whole idea of love, but that doesn't mean he's not sure this is it. Nico has fully helped Bel realize an entirely new side of himself. He's helped Bel through more than Nico could ever know–his father, his kingdom, the history, himself. Gods, where would he be if it weren't for that terrifying, fateful day four weeks prior.
"You're a sap," Bel says simply when Nico pulls away, though his smile is just as big. He finds himself closing his eyes and leaning into the other man's touch. There's a slight bit of commotion outside of the tent that startles Bel from his daze. "As much as I love your sappiness, I believe you have places to be and people who are waiting on you."
Nico titled his head back as he laughed at the words. A sap. He was a sap wasn't he. He didn't care. It was only for Bel. But he still stickied his sides for a moment at the words anyways. He looked lighter, happier, even if he was low on sleep. Being with Bel did this to him. It made him happy even on the worst of days.
"They can't do anything without me. Nothing is going to happen. And if it's that desperate, Ambrose will come get me." He shrugged his shoulders. "Let's finish this bath."
Bel laughs softly, sliding away from Nico so they can have their space to wash. He's reluctant to leave the contact but it's been a few days for them both and Bel would like to be relatively put-together for when he makes another public appearance in front of a crowd that despises him and his bloodline.
"Alright, if you insist." He studies the rack of soaps beside him. There isn't much. There's a few bars and a large vial with some clear-ish liquid inside of it. There could easily be more hiding in some cabinet somewhere. He pops the cork and takes a careful smell. "Is this a three-in-one?" Bel inquires, holding up the vial. "My gods, Nico, don't tell me you use a three-in-one to get clean?"
Nico made a face at the loss of contact but ultimately let Bel go. He would have preferred to stay in the tub but if Bel wanted to wash and get out he supposed he coukd oblige. But tonight, tonight they would have their time together. When there wasn't a time restraint and he didn't have somewhere to be.
Nico rubbed his back, looming rather sheepish. "No?" It was more of a question than a statement. It was in fact, three-in-one. He had never had a strong desire to separate all the different washes. He was a man and a solider and he had never really cared what he washed with as long as it was soap. Not until Bel with his separate body and hair washes. Now he wanted to look his best at all times.
"I can't believe you," Bel shakes his head, though a laugh prevents him from being too serious. "Oh my gods, how has your hair not fallen out yet?" To prove his point, Bel sets down the vial and reaches forward to card his dampened hands through Nico's hair. "You should be calling that a miracle, sir." He laughs again and shakes his head. "I'll let this one slide, but honestly, when we arrive in Blakkast, I'm making sure that you know the difference between it all and understand their crucial separation."
Granted it's the only thing they have, Bel hands the vial over to Nico and grabs one of the bars for himself. He dunks it beneath the water and works it up to a proper lather before washing himself with it. He doesn't need his hair washed and he'd rather die than use bar soap or three-in-one to wash his face, so Bel is done very quickly. "I'm going to get dressed," he says, leaning forward to kiss Nico's nose before standing and stepping out of the tub.
Nico's cheeks were flushed bright red at being caught. It was bad, he knew now, bit it had just enever been anything he cared about before. Perhaps it was a miracle all of his hair hands fallen out yet. It was still firmly attached to his head and falling past his shoulders. He needed to get it trimmed. It was getting a little too long since he had been on the road. But it didn't look like he had time. He would have to wait until after they reached Blakkast.
Nico began ti wash himself as Bel did, taking a little longer to do so. He was a little distracted watching Bel wash. He was enchanting. He coukd be doing anything and Nico would want to stop and watch. He watched Bel get out and only finished up after he had dressed. He pulled the friar in the tub and got out, drying quickly and moving ti his bedroom to get dressed.
Bel's wraps a towel around his waist and ducks out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, searching for something to properly wear. He finds just a casual tunic and dark slacks that would be at least semi-elevated. He is still a prince… Well, it's his best bet. Bel's drying himself off and putting on his daywear when the suit he bought back in the first village catches his eye–hanging up right in Nico's wardrobe beside his own clothes. Now that he's here and he knows of the magic lingering everywhere, Bel knows one of the kind shopkeepers had been a mage and trasported his suit all the way across the lands to Nico's bedroom. It's sweet. He's going to have to make them a card.
Bel's standing with his back to the door, shirtless, and still staring at the suit when Nico enters from behind.
Nico wrapped the towel around his waist after squeezing rhe water out of his hair best he could. He stopped just past the entrance as he saw Bel staring at the suit he had hanging up. He smiled, remembering the image of Bel wearing it back at the shop. "You should wear it today," he said. "It looks good on you. It would be a waste for it to just hang there."
He walked up behind the man, kissing the side of his head. He pulled on a pair of black trousers and tied them. He sat down on the bed as he put on his socks on. He paused before putting on his shoes, watching Bel.
"You don't think it's too fornal?" Bel asks, tilting his head as he stares at the suit. It's fine, well made and even better tailored. It's an expensive purchase, one that Bel still plans on paying Nico back for, in money or another form of currency. "I don't want others believing I'm stuck up and above them all?" With what he can see of Nico's closet, he doesn't have anything nearly as formal as Bel's blue suit.
It's funny how the new suit is considered casual for Bel's former life. There's no real gold in its fabric, no expensive drapery, no luxury brand to its label–yet Bel knows its too fine for this casual atmosphere. "Should I wait for Blakkast? From what I remember, my cousin dies have a knack for grand dinners."
Nico just smiled at his worries. "It is too formal but it looks wonderful on you." He slipped his feet into one of his boots, then the other. He laced the strings up. "And baby, I love you, but they already think that of you." And that was the truth. Something they promised to tell. "Wearing or not wearing your beautiful suit is not going to change that. Only time will. Once they get to know you it will get better." With his shoes tied, he stood and stepped behind Bel. "Wear whatever you want, wear nothing and I will still think you look handsome. Though if you do choose to walk around naked, I might have to gouge out some eyes for daring to look at you."
He smirked at the jest, thought he wasn't entirely faking it. Only Nico was allowed to see Bel in the nude. If anyone else did, well, there would be an issue to say the least. "I'm not sure how well I'll fare for a grand dinner. I don't think I've ever worn a nice suit in my life." He's never had the occasion to. He was always at war, always planning, always fighting. There was never anytime for anything nice. He dressed in his best leathers when they had the occasional wedding but that was it. It was nothing fancy or big.
Bels nose scrunches at Nico's words. "They already want to throw me into the river, I don't need to give them any more of a reason to." Taking a few steps forward, Bel shuts the door to the wardrobe and grabs his shirt from where he left it on the bed. "And I do appreciate your protectiveness–" Bel pulls his shirt over his head. "But I can handle a few looks, dirty or dirty. I'm not made of glass, remember." He smiles in what he hopes is a reassuring manner.
"I don't know exactly how formal she'll be though," Bel says as he sits beside Nico. "I saw her about a decade ago and that's when she was trying her damndest to please her father at every turn. He was a theatrical man." Sella would have to be around thirty now, five years older than Miran and eight older than Bel. "And I'm sure you'd look absolutely lovely in a fine suit," Bel leans in very close, just barely ghosting his lips over Nico's.
"I promise not to let them throw you in the river." Nico laughed, shaking his head. They wouldn't do that, no matter what their thoughts and feelings were. They respected Nicandros. And if he said the royals were with them, they wouldn't touch them. There was only so much he could do about the rumors and whispers. He couldn't force them to stay silent. It would just take time. "I know you're not but you still shouldn't have to deal with it. I am sorry. When we reach Blakkast you'll be surrounded by your family. I hope you'll be more comfortable."
He just rolled his eyes with a smile. "I'm not sure how much I'll like it. I don't like feeling restricted." He also didn't like not having a weapon on him. He knew weapons weren't exactly accepted when dressed in suits. He would have to find a way to conceal at least one. He had to be ready just in case.
"I'll be fine," Bel reassures. He knows he will. When they get to Blakkast, Bel will reunite with family he hasn't seen in a decade. He'll be safe in a palace without having to worry about beasts or bandits ready to slit his throat. There will be a luxury bed and a fine dining hall and an entire library to get lost in. He's had a significant progression in his vocabulary since he was twelve, maybe he'll be able to read the top shelf books now.
"Not all suits are restrictive," Bel answers. "I'm sure the royal tailor will be able to fit you into something that'll be able to move well." He smiles and kisses Nico once and then twice. "I'd love to see you in a fine outfit."
"I suppose I can bare it just for you." Nico clasped the back of Bel's head to pull him into a deep kiss. Finally, he pulled away and rose to grab a shirt. He pulled it over his head and tucked the shirt into his pants. He strapped his sword to his side and placed a couple knives in varies places on his body, hidden.
"Would you like to join me today? It'll be boring probably but it needs to get done. Or if you want to see your siblings or go cook in the kitchens you can." He stood in fron of Bel as he finished guttering ready. His blond hair fell in front of his face as he looked down at the prince. "And if you need me, just ask a guard and they'll take you to me
."
Bel watches Nico pull away, and then studies exactly where he stashes his weapons away. One in the boot. Bel tried that once, trying to be like Miran, but it quickly got uncomfortable and he had to remove it instantly. It's odd that Nico should wear so many weapons when their camp has been deemed so safe. He'll ask later, maybe at lunch.
"As much as id love so watch you do paperwork over your shoulder, I have apology-birthday-favor brownies to make my sister. I need her on her good side when I ask for a sleeping tonic." Bel looks up at Nico, towering over him. He doesn't mind it like that. He feels safe instead of small. "If I ever need you, I'll certainly call."
Nico reached out a hand and gripped Bel's chin. He bent his head to place a small kiss on his lips. "Good. Now, how likely are you to get upset if I place a guard on you?" While he highly doubted anyone would try anything, it was better to be safe than sorry. It would give him a peace of mind to know that Bel had protection in case the situation arose.
He dropped his hand to rest on his sword handle, the other one hanging by his side. "Remember to save me one of those brownies. And do you think you can bring me lunch? I likely won't be able to get away from the war tent this afternoon." Lunch was just an excuse for Bel to come see him. Nico would miss him terribly if he didn't see him until later in the evening.
Bel hums as he thinks, accepting the kiss. He wouldn't be too upset. He knows it's for his own protection. "Could it possibly be someone I've already been acquainted with?" The last thing Bel needs is a guard who doesn't know him. Kaillas, Cassian, Laurent, Braxton–one of them would be best. Bwl doesn't have to worry about them throwing him into a river.
"Do you take me for a housewife?" Bel smiles and stands to kiss Nico again and again. "Yes, I'll bring you lunch. Brownie and whatever else you'd like me to make." For having such a small appetite and disdain towards eating, Bel certainly loves to cook and bake. He had every birthday for the staff written down in his room and he would bake them a cake whenever the day would arrive. Once he reestablishes himself in Araniel, he fully intends to continue the tradition.
Nico nodded his head. He used his hands to brush through his hair and used a tie to tie it back. There wasn't enough time to have Bel braid it for him but that was alright. Later perhaps. Or at least tonight when they had the night to themselves. "I can ask Kaillas to watch you if you don't want someone hovering or I can put Braxton or Laurent with you. But if you get one eventually the other will show up." He just didn't know in what state those two were hot and cold.
Nico placed his hands on Bel's hips, smiling at kiss after kiss. He returned each one and even dipped his head for more. "Of course not, my love. But if you're already going to be cooking you can knock out two birds with one stone." Plus, Nico would miss him and wanted the excuse to see him. "Surpise me. I'll eat whatever you bring me." He squeezed Bel's hips. "Now I really have to go. I'll see you later alright? I love you."
(sorry I'm so inactive today ajfhjsk we had a massive party with all 60 of my family members and I never got a minute of alone time)
"I'd prefer without the hovering," Bel admits. He's had enough hovering through his life. He'll without a doubt be with at least one of his sisters, so needing a conversation between him and a guard won't be necessary. Bel will get his social fill catching up with either Val or Treya. Miran will without a doubt try to barge in on the war meetings.
Bel pulls away with a teasing smile. "Hmm, I suppose I might have time for something." And Bel knows that Noco will eat absolutely anything Bel will bring. He could layer grass and leaves on a plate and call it salad and Noco would eat every bite. "Alright, goodbye, I'll see you at lunch." He squeezes Nico's biceps and them lets him leave the tent.
Now alone, Bel takes a moment to tidy up the tent, guessing where mostly everything goes, and then leaves into the clearing himself. The tent his siblings are staying is isn't too far. Miran is likely awake already, the oldest loving to rise with the sun.
(Its okay! I worked all day so you're good. Might not be on a lot the next couple of days tho. I'm moving.)
Kaillas it was then. The assassin that was no doubtedly hanging around Nico's tent somewhere, waiting for him to come out. All it would take was saying his name and the man would appear. Nico smiled at Bel, kiss his cheek kne last time, before he turned and strode out if the tent. Despite his exhaustion and lack of sleep, he was happy. "Make sure you eat something fir breakfast!" He called out before ducking out if the tent.
Kaillas was already waiting for him outside, that eas dropper. Nico didn't even have time to open his mouth before Kaillas was speaking. "I'll watch him. I'm not a bodyguard though, u think my pay should increase."
Nico rolled his eyes. They both knew the man was joking. "I think I pay more than enough for the job you do. Stop trying to bleed me dry." The assassin grinned and patted his shoulder and then disappeared into the shadows. Not literally, Kaillas didn't have magic. He just knew how to blend into his surroundings. Nico walked over to the War tent where everyone was waiting for him already, and he knew this was going to be a long day.
(!! good luck moving asljd)
When Nico enters the war tent, Miran is already waiting in there. He stands in the corner, arms crossed and staring at the table in the center. The Crown Prince watches the blond king closely as he strides in. At first, Miran had been forbidden into the tent, but with a few heatedly-delivered points, he had been given access. If they're marching into Blakkast and then into Araniel, they're going to need a man who knows both rulers well and the kingdoms inside and out.
"You took your time," Miran notes, catching a small lovebite right behind his ear. The prince bites his tongue, quickly banishing all possible thoughts of his little brother and the king together in a very nauseating fashion.
Bel finds his siblings' tent and ducks inside of it. There's hardly any furniture–just two rooms off of the main one with simple beds and blankets set up in them both. Treya is sitting on a mat in the main room in front of a small mirror. She's messing with her hair, trying to get it into a reasonable style. Val is in one of the rooms sorting through her belongings. Bel doesn't have to read her mind to know that she's anxious without her weapons, without a knife or dart on her side.
"Good morning," Bel greets his sisters, moving to sit behind Treya so he can quickly braid her hair back. When they get to Blakkast, he'll have to help her put it in her favorite locs. "I assume Miran is having a ball arguing with soldiers and kings?"
Treya snorts and shakes her head. "He stormed out at dawn. I don't think he slept at all last night."
Nico stopped as he entered the tent, looking at Miran. Of course he was there. Why wouldn't he be? His lips quirked up in a smirk, shaking his head. "I haven't been home in weeks. Apologies for taking my time and enjoying myself this wonderful morning." He would have preferred to have spent more time in his tent, enjoying himself and Bel. But he had known if he had waited any longer he was risking someone bursting in and dragging him out.
He sat down in a chair at the head of the table, looking at maps spread out in front of him. He gestured for the rest of then to sit. His expression turned grim. He looked at Amrbose. "How's everything looming? Packing? Inventory?"
The man nodded, stepping forward to the table. "Packing has been going alright. Most people aren't happy of course, but they're going to be fine. We're running low on arrows but we should have enough blades to make up for it. We're drying the rest of our meats but I'm not sure if it's going to be enough."
Miran fades himself into the background as he watches the men speak. There's nothing that directly effects him here, nothing involving either of his parents' kingdoms. It'll all come eventually, so the Crown Prince stands with his arms firmly crossed and he waits. He keeps his eyes off of the king–Nicandros making him very irritable for a multitude of reasons, and only about half of them involve Bel.
Once both of his sisters are ready, Bel finds the mess tent and then the kitchen attached to the back of it. Val and Treya had already had breakfast delivered to their tent, the small portions easily consumed in privacy. Bel hadn't eaten anything since the dinner the night before, but he's not hungry, so he doesn't worry about it. Back in Araniel, Val had been banned from the stove and Treya had been banned from the pantry. The older was never sure how to fully work it and she never asked for help regarding it, causing an unnecessary amount of kitchen fires. Treya enjoyed stealing a variety of different foods to dunk in various mixtures and cause various reactions.
So Bel is the designated chef out of the siblings because Miran has never had the time nor patience to learn. The kitchen, thank the gods, is empty as the trio enter. Val finds a nice stool and Treya sits upon a countertop as Bel begins to search through different cupboards to find the proper utensils and ingredients. He would obviously keep it to a minimum, using ingredients that would easily perish on the road. Something fresh, something simple, something that Nico will love.
Nico listened as he was caught up on all of their inventory. It was a necessary thing. They needed to know how much stuff they were transporting. Nothing coukd get left behind. Nothing coukd be shown that they were even there. And there small handful of teleporting mages would need to know how much they were transporting. They could take so much so far. And over the years, they had accumulated more than enough things. They had all day today and all day tomorrow to pack. On the third day, the tents would be broke down and the rest of the company would be on their way. It would be slow. There were a couple hundred of them. Some children in the mix. They would try to put the children on horses or on the cart atta he'd sonthey wouldn't have to walk as much. But children were hard to keep entertained.
That ked the conversation to the next thing at hand. The route of Blakkast. Nico needed to know the exact route and the risk factor. There were a bunch of them and while most were trained warriors, not everyone was able to protect and fight. He needed to know if they were walking into beast or bandit infested lands. It would help him decide how many guards he needed on the outskirts of their party.
This was where Miran came in. He looked to the prince, waiting for his input.
