ISN'T IT LOVELY ╱ 𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔞𝔩𝔬𝔫𝔢 ?

eli  is  aware  they  are  a  workaholic  by  many  definitions  of  the  term.  it's  something  they  are  working  on,  whether  how  successfully,  is  up  for  debate.  the  disappointed  and  worried  stare  of  their  spouse  crosses  their  mind  whenever  they  think  a  few  more  hours  cannot  do  any  harm,  and  they  manage  to  convince  themselves,  as  long  as  it's  not  a  truly  pressing  matter.  the  definition  of  that  alters  now  and  then,  molded  according  to  their  wishes.  however,  this  time,  it  is  their  stickler  for  being  punctual  that  lets  them  peel  themself  away  from  their  work.  a  glance  at  the  clock  shows  that  they  are  almost  late,  and  in  a  rush,  they  put  on  their  coat,  the  sound  of  their  shoes  against marble floors echo  against  the  large  hallways  as  they  make  their  way  outside  the  assembly  hall.  as  expected,  claudius  is  already  there,  and  eli  lets  a  genuine  smile  spread  across  their  face,  a  rare  sight  to  many.  "hello,  claud.  i  hope  i'm  not  too  late."  they  burrow  their  hands  into  their  pockets,  their  breaths  making  clouds  in  the  air  with  how  cold  it  is  at  this  time  of  the  night.  "the  meal's  on  me  tonight,  to  make  up  for  it."  it's  a  mere  jest,  eli  would  insist  to  pay  even  if  they  weren't  a  few  minutes  late.

your mind is a knife that must be constantly sharpened. for the life of him, he doesn't recall where he's heard or read it from. but as he catches sight of his mentor briskly walking towards him, claud has an inkling idea as to what — or who — has imparted such knowledge. twice or thrice a week, if schedules would permit, claud finds himself at the foot of the assembly hall. it's for lessons, a way to keep his mind sharp and his wits about. he takes reprieve under the shadows of the building's hulking presence, happy to be out of the sun and his duties. it's.. touching, in a way, to see how his mentor — his beloved teacher, with their colorful schedule, would set aside time ( and dinner ) for someone like claud. the thought alone has him smiling wider, more genuine. ‘ it's no trouble, really. i haven't even been waiting that long, not really. ’ his lips curl into something more teasing, humming before he says, ‘ but i wouldn't say no to dinner, not after such a tiring patrol. ’

“ mhm, you want a sword. heard you the first time. ” aditya leans over the bench to look the scowling teen in the eye. “ as i said twenty minutes ago, i can't give you one unless you've got written permission from your parents or an exemption from a government official. ” he dismisses them to focus instead on the person who's just entered. “ what can i do for you today ? ”

he jiggles a bag in hand, looking almost apologetic. ‘ net knives, ’ he mutters with a sigh, ‘ dulled by sea water. ’ ulrik tries a smile. ‘ if it's not too much trouble, i'd like to use your wet stone. ’

“ arden, ” bryn says in exasperation. “ i'm not doing that. ” the huge dragon, grey scales glinting in the sun, huffs in return, before taking off in a rush of wings. bryn stares after her for a moment, before turning to greet a familiar face. “ i think i just got ditched, ” they say, somewhat incredulous. it's been six years, but they still haven't quite gotten used to ardenach's tendency to up and leave at the slightest insult. “ damnit, now i'm going to have to walk back. all for saying i wouldn't commit a murder on her behalf. ”

he snorts, not unkindly. ‘ they're fickle beasts with fickle moods, but she'll come around i'm sure. ’ he turns away from the retreating wings, only to meet theirs. he smiles, inclines his head in a proper greeting. ‘ my prince. ’ there's a pause, a proper bow now with more respect, ‘ my captain. ’

endless gifs from vikings - 6/∞