Fire in My Soul

“Fuss? What are we fussing about pray tell?” The noble from Valtolia should be working to make sure everything was all in order in his own kingdom. But he had sent money to Medes to help with the rebuilding, and everything in his home was set right. So he decided to pay a little visit yo a certain Sollian mage. See how he was fairing. He really couldn’t help himself, he pulled fingers back through that resplendent golden hair. Leaning down to be on level with the man. “I heard you got hurt. So I brought tea. And cookies.” 

“My injuries.” Though, the fact the touchy noble was hovering around him made it clear he was quite aware of what people were fussing over. As fingers moved through his golden hair, he sighed, but forced a smile. Why couldn’t people just treat him as they would if he had working legs? “That’s kind of you. What kind of tea is it?”

Another gentle chuckle escaped from Aster’s lips before he could help it as he heard the other’s answer. I suppose we both felt our positions may have held us back from this then. Which is a shame. We’ve been friends for so long, I suppose I was also afraid it might… Ruin it. If you didn’t feel the same.” A gentle breath, fingers moving. Once more brushing against the other’s skin, before cupping Iggy’s cheek to steal another kiss from his lips. “And you’re beautiful; Iggy. Now please, lead the way. I wish to escort you back to your quarters.”

“I guess. I just don’t want you to be judged for fraternizing with a mage outside of platonic terms,” he replied with a soft chuckled. The king could probably direct Aster to someone much more fitting than a young mage. Though, maybe he was misunderstanding. Maybe this was just a fling. Still, it felt nice to be kissed and called beautiful. It wasn’t something that happened nearly often enough, and it took his breath away. He moved his hand down, along the other’s shoulder and arm before interlacing their fingers and heading towards the castle. “There’s a lot of books. As a warning.”

“I shan’t be silenced, Iggy.” An affectionate murmur, easily catching the faint hints of a smile curling the other’s lips before they were silenced by the kiss. Keeping hold of the other, slipping himself more comfortably against the other’s frame. Mages always struck him as the sort that would be slender, reliant upon their magic, but Iggy proved otherwise. Bulkier than the knight in places. “Fear. You’re an adviser to a king, I’m merely a knight. I could never be sure you’d look at me in that light.” A brief pause, head tilting to nuzzle more comfortably at the others nose, before humming. “Where are you staying, Iggy? I feel we have to make up for lost time, and the street is hardly a fitting location.”

Maybe it wasn’t so bad that he wouldn’t be silenced if he continued to be so sweet. Even if the knight wasn’t as broad as him, he was taller and the mage still felt comfortable, safe in his arms. “Merely a knight? I’m an adviser, but I’m still a mage. I...I feel like people expect me to only look at other mages.” Royalty and nobility were definitely off the table for his affections, but he was also aware that the knight was favored to the point he might as well have been. “I...they prepared me a room in the castle so that I could have access to the library.” His face had a pink glow to it as he examined the other’s face. “You’re so handsome...”

As expected, Drus leaned into the palm on his cheek. “You’re going to stay right here,” the prince instructed, holding Ignatius’ hand in place. “Whatever information I can get about my brothers’ locations, I’ll bring to you.”

There’s a twinkle in the mage’s eye when mentioning Aster – something for the prince to investigate further, later. Interrogating an injured target was dishonorable at best. “Aster seems a good man…” Still, he raised a brow at the mage, curiously. “You know, the next time I visit Bergia, I could bring you with me. Call it official business or something.”

Ignatius moved his hand so he was firmly gripping the other man’s. “I don’t want you to leave this castle though, or go too far from myself. I can’t do much, but I want to make sure you’re safe...” He would have done anything for the family. He hated that he couldn’t move.

He could see the wheels turning in Liandrus’ head and began to sigh. “Don’t bother thinking whatever you’re thinking. He’s...too busy.” He let his eyes fall shut. Aster was his favorite person he’d ever been intimate with, but it was pointless. “Bergia is so cold.”

“If you were dying, this conversation would be going a lot differently, I’d hope.” He should’ve expected Ignatius to see through the veil, of all people. “I was…away…when the storm hit,” he admitted, glancing away from the mage’s face. “I haven’t seen anyone yet. My hope is that they made it to the portals in time.

Wait a second– “Aster?” Drus’ eyes narrowed. “Are you friends with the Bergian knight? His outfit for the festival was poorly fitted, so I helped with some adjustments.” There’s a chuckle at the thought. “Haven’t seen him since before the storm, though.”

Reaching up, Ignatius touched the other’s face. It was nice to know he was safe and close. All the princes held a place in the mage’s heart, but Liandrus was special. He was always around him, always asking questions, always being there. And he would have been more than devastated if something happened. “I hope they’re safe. I..want to go look for them...”

Ignatius pursed his lips as the other began to ask about his relationship with the knight. He was trying not to let the extent of his fondness show. Part of him wished he’d kept the other by his side through the whole event. It’d certainly give him peace of mind. “He accompanies the Pryors often. We have become close.... I hope he’s alright.”

“And here I was thinking you might enjoy me being confident enough to do such brazen things like this?” The sly smirk was still more than contently curled across the Knights lips. Even as he felt the other’s hands lifting to curl around his neck, he still had a few moments of doubt. Those fingers could become flames with no warning, but instead? Instead he was welcomed in to that kiss, drawn in tighter. There was no hesitation from there. Hands guiding Iggy, looking for a solid structure as he deepened the kiss. Yes, he was drunk, but he knew what he wanted, and with the way Iggy was kissing him back, what the mage wanted as well. Another few seconds of the kiss, before drawing his head back to offer a smile. “Always wanted to do that. And so much more.”

“Shush,” he teased, trying to hide his smile. Aster was gorgeous in every possible way, and his confidence only added to it. Part of him wondered if the knight would regret holding him in the morning, but quickly decided he was willing to leave that up to chance.  Instead, he let himself get caught up in the kiss. A small grumble left him as they separated. “Why didn’t we do this sooner then?” he asked, brushing his nose against the other’s. “I...wouldn’t have told you no.”