grayhill

the hightower lord tried to think back to the last time he crawled in bed with somebody and he just now realized how long it had been, he rarely had the time to do much beyond his job and tended to hyper fixate on things. the dove concord had been the thing on his mind as of late, trying to ensure everything went as smoothly as possible and keep as many tabs on their guests as possible. he'd written notes about those glances they gave each other, the lovestruck in their eyes, and those glances they'd look from across the ballrooms.

the taste of someone else's lips against his own, the feeling of their warm flesh on his own, the scent of the mages cologne, it sent jolts of electricity through the lords body and seemed to waken him up. he'd almost forgotten how good it felt to have the touch of another man. atticus knew they shouldn't be interrupted, but he didn't want to worry about that right now. everyone else seemed to throw caution to the wind, so why couldn't he for once? as their hands moved to slip the others clothes off, atticus' moved to feel the others muscular and warm chest. "you're so handsome," atticus gasped out once he broke the kiss. "i.. i don't normally do this."

he caressed his cheek, inviting those hands to explore further as he slipped off his clothes, pants falling down as his own hands fumbled with the buttons and knots of atticus' vest. "then i shall cherish it even more, knowing i have caused such a delightful break from your usual character my lord." he whispered it against his lips, hands tangled in his hair once they were done with his shirt. lips moving lower, to kiss and nip at shoulder and chest. a nipple sucked gently into his mouth while his eyes never left atticus'.

the noble leaned forward onto the table, resting his chin on one hand, and just listened to the mage go on about plans and the potentials of the night. he might be known for his way with words but he did enjoy someone who could hold his attention well. sindri only spoke up to say with a mischievous smile, “you’ll find my lips are tighter than my hold on bergia’s coin purse. all your secrets are safe with me.”

"that is a tight hold indeed, for you have served the king well as far as i have been able to see..." he was not above sharing in the compliments as well, let it be said. "though, one would hope your lips aren't completely sealed, it would be such a waste to not enjoy the night to the fullest."

While the notion was disturbing, he doubted Aeden would be the first. Being the second son came with perks, yes, but it came, most of all, with the humiliation of being the second son. He had been haunted by that notion his entire life, and perhaps a little paranoid that people always preferred his brother instead of him.

"Leave him be," he says, hands grabbing his ass roughly, trying to rebuild the intimacy destroyed a moment ago; "I'm more than enough for you," he says, and it is part to convince himself of that.

"You are-" and his arms tight closer around him, pulling him hip to hip "But I like when you're not," he wasn't attracted to his brain, even if he knew it was the most interesting part of his anatomy. Maybe he was a lowly lord, easily convince by a pretty piece of ass... "When you're..." he kisses him on the lips, and then the neck, opening his shirt, "Here..." he's crocuhing himself until he has a nipple in his mouth, between his teeth, "all for me..."

He doesn't wait to be told that twice. Quickly, he turns Aeden around, glad that he's leaning back against the fountain in the middle of the glade. His ass is exposed to the night, and Orion works quickly with his trouses, undoing the complicated laces — why the fuck he had to wear these fancy clothes? It was much easier back in Medes... — and pulls his cock out. He rubs the head, spreading the moistness along the shaft and then spits in his own hand, lubing his hand up.

Truthfully, his own ambition would lead him to the lord of Blacktyde rather than the second son, the one who had the king's ears but when he found himself on the island it was Orion who'd welcomed him. It was him that shared just enough to keep him interested before he found his place in the lord's bed. It was him, with his calculating stance, and his odd company, his hidden ambitions that fascinated him. So when the heat falters, and the hold on his naked body grows hesitant he pushes himself against Orion, predatory smile on his lips. "There was only one man who kept me busy in Blacktyde, my lord," His words sweet and his lips searching for Orion's, lost again in him as he is handled roughly, perhaps claimed from the ghost of his brother. "It was your bed I sought, and your side where I remained. You made sure there was naught left for other men, didn't you?" He didn't even lie, a wrench in his plans he was, a distraction most great. At least he'd found reason to remain for longer, to visit again.

This... this was the dangerous part. Or the exciting part. How Orion focused on what he wanted, and how Aeden responded to it, letting him kiss and touch and make him forget himself. Moaning as lips and teeth close around his nipple. Reduced to a whore for his pleasure or by his pleasure... all for him. It did feel sweet, this dance of theirs, eyes meeting as he gave him what he wanted. Needed. And Orion took it like he was born for it. No insecurity now, was there? This is how he liked him. "Then take what's yours, lord Blacktyde."

There is no finesse in it, being bent over a fountain in a hedge meant to amuse. Hidden sure, but surely someone might walk in and catch them? He'd worry about hiding them if need be, more pressing was the need not to think as he looked back to catch sight of the cock he'd longed for being freed, his own throbbing in the air, dripping into the grass ignored as he spread his legs, the movements of Orion drawing near, bending to be at the right height cock teasing the entrance of his hole without pushing in. A tease he would welcome if it wasn't for the growing need inside him, feels himself pushing back, kissing his tip as he is pulled back roughly by his hair, a gasp leaving his lips as he keeps trying to welcome him in. The words send shivers through him, he wouldn't dream of it not with the command in his voice but even with his mouth dry and his body refusing to wait for Orion he can't help but goad him.

bodies did as bodies wont, there was no secret here, it was an old dance and neither of them was so inexperienced at it that they needed much guidance, exploration lead to pleasure, to kisses and brushes, to thrusts and moans as their bodies met. cock testing the resistance so recently fucked out of him, a pleasing thrill of not being the first of the night but if he had any say in it, the best.

he was about to tease and admonish the prince, but his lips silenced his voice, leaving him no other choice but to claim back what had been taken from him. his head, teasing, pressing, rubbing. making him wet with precum, finally pressed past his entrance, tasting the warm embrace of the prince's body with an eager grunt into his lips beofre he started to push more.

Some might be unnerved by that question but those people wouldn't be mages, most likely. To have the power at their fingertips and not come across those who greet you with awe, wariness, or an ulterior motive only means they aren't good at what they do or they're terrible at selling themselves. Halaster was neither and he highly doubted Aedan would be, hence the question. It would be very informative of who he was speaking to.

"I'm... still working on the allies part." It pained him to admit that his wit and charm hadn't gotten him far enough on their own. "But! It's only a matter of time. If I've done anything so far, it's show the court how useful I can be." With usefulness came those who wished to use you, surely.

He'd meant to be incognito but, when addressed so directly, there was no reason to pretend. The jig was up. He could still have a little fun with it, though. That's why he was leaning in all conspiratorially and whispering. "Is this a secret meeting? Are we scheming? Colluding? What bits of intrigue have we gotten into?"

He knew how to ham it up for a good laugh.

he did enjoy a man who could amuse himself, nothing to gain from being all serious, even if circumstances were graver than they had been merely weeks prior. mortals... "intrigue is something the court never lacks my dear," he whispered back, "there is much we could be doing, away from the prying eyes at the castle, mingling with peasants... spying perhaps? or drafting secrets plans..." he takes a sip of his drink, "let's see where the night takes us. we can make a list out of it."

fighting had never been one of atticus' gifts, his mind had always been his greatest weapon. in the midst of the war, the hightower lord was brought out as a tactician for the significant battles. collaborating with the king and prince sirius, who had the experience up close and personal. his father never trained atticus with the way of the sword like most valtolian boys were taught, no he was locked away in the hightower to study for years. the one weapon at his disposal was the hightower blade he always kept on him, sharp enough to tear through flesh and bone but something only necessary upon last resort.

"i know my questions must be elementary to you," atticus admitted, looking over to the fire that aeden had started with ease. "the concept of being able to manipulate aspects of the world around us, to channel magic within oneself... it's fascinating." this was the fullest extent of what atticus could grasp, so be it. "i know there are different branches of magic, can you just.. explore them all? or do you pick one?"

there was that part of atticus knew he deserved to find a partner, not only was the lord of the hightower but he'd put so much work into helping valtolia become a better kingdom than it was before. perhaps he needed to take charge more, seize a moment when it was looking him in the eye. like the one right before him. looking at the mage and where his hand was, atticus nodded. "perhaps you're right." he said, leaning in to steal a kiss from the bergian mage.

it would be a lie to say he had not thought of those lips meeting his own, of tasting the lord of hightower and getting a better glimpse of what was hiding underneath those clothes, behind those clever curious eyes. in the end he hadn't needed to take the first step, and that brought a grin to his lips even before he eagerly welcomed the kiss, hands moving to his hair, not allowing him escape after the initial encounter. if atticus started a fire, aeden would made sure it caught.

his smile was a little less guarded, now that they were alone. his movements a little less flowy, "perhaps." he said, with the tone of someone who meant always.

he chuckled, eyes falling onto his professor, the dynamic was different now. yes the lines were blurred long ago, far before his fiftieth anniversary but they were there, academic pursuit, mentorship. now they were peers, or as close as they'd get in their different positions.

"whipped?" he raised his brow, "that was only once or twice, who's to say i was leading you where i wanted?" his grin was wide and daring, "you can admit they do not live up to me. i'd think few would be able to, either way. perhaps you can make decent mages out of them though, you have a talent for that."

Drinks were needed. Many of them.

The events in Valtolia had gone poorly for the royal family but the master of coin had used the opportunity to squeeze the bleeding hearts for all they could spare in their coffers. While he'd made good on a bad situation, this wasn't a celebration. He was just craving something he had very little of at the Dove Concord: companionship with his fellow Bergians. While they had all rallied around Iskander and the rest of the Pryors, it was a defensive stance, not something friendly.

So Sindri was somewhere far from the Aerie, where he would most likely not be recognized. He'd returned home soon enough. For now, he just wanted to be faceless while getting a taste of home.

"Isn't it peculiar, the ones we run into when we want to get away?" He asked, voice low and gentle as he took a seat next to the master of coin. A mug of ale slid his way, it was not often Aeden bought someone else drinks but there were exceptions to be made.

atticus wasn't close with the mages within his own court, they were colleagues who gave their input when it was necessary but other than that, he rarely spoke to any of them. aeden was a stranger, though he had a curious thirst for knowledge like atticus... so it felt more natural to ask these sorts of questions with him. "interesting, reminds me of a swordsman who sees his sword as an extention of himself." atticus couldn't imagine something like that coming so natural to someone. he'd spent his entire life working to get where he was now, was it like that for mages? "i can't imagine it was always like that, you attend solanis for decades. most of a man's lifetime.

feeling the warmth of the fire feel as though it surrounded him and the scent of leather bound books, atticus closed his eyes and his face eased in relief some. it was oddly comforting, even if he knew it was some kind of an illusion. "my house has a lot of prestige within valtolia. i don't want to squash my brother's potential with unworthy matches who throw themselves at them.. it's my job to take care of them and ensure they have comfortable lives." atticus sighed, sitting back in the chair. "i wish i could find someone for myself, but the voice in the back of my head tells me that it's selfish to think of myself before them."

"you are correct. magic is a rare gift, and it's use is no simple matter. to master it requires most of your lifetime. some of it never becomes natural," he explains, "but if you're good, and if you apply yourself a lot of it can come more easily with enough practice. somethings will always require a lot of any mage, though. otherwise i'd gather we would be a much bigger problem."

"a worried brother," he smiles gently, tempted to pat him just for that. yes, matches were difficult things, especially if one was concerned with the comfort of the parts. "if you'll allow me though," he approached, leaning into the young lord. "in my hundred years i've learned every man should have the right to be selfish once in a while."

there was no bitterness in his voice, though the matter drove an old knife into an even older wound. aeden would never give up magic, but he resented all that he was forced to give up for it. titles, lands, marriage. he smiled through it, hand reaching just above atticus' knee, "if there is desire for it, you should allow yourself to find the same comfort you seek for your brothers. i'm sure there are no shortage of men wanting your hand, and not because of your influence dare i say."

But Aedan wasn’t most people. He was someone of a similar power with similar status. He could be a little more forthcoming with him. And that’s why he sighed, rolling his shoulders as he willed them to relax. “It’s been a bit of an adjustment, going from being lauded the way I was back in Solanis to being called an ‘apprentice.’ Lowest rung even if we’re far off the metaphorical ground." It wasn't just an ego thing. He hated having to start all over.

"You don't have to tell me about it." He smiled, "I'm a few decades older and here we stand, with the same title, given to us by those with a lifetime that can be just a blink of the eye for us." He patted Halaster's hand. It's true he didn't intend to be 'apprentice' for long, and he shouldn't, but he understood deeply the gripes his fellow mage had with it.

"i just have a good grasp of my own strengths, professor." he shrugged, a smirk, far more comfortable discussing this. "then you'll probably love this," his grin only widened as he pulled his hand, dragging him away from nobles, from their fellow mages. yes they were both busy busy mages, in official business, and he delighted in knowing they'd make time where there was none for each other.

His face up, neck bared as fingers spread, searched, explored. Fingers scratching at the back of his head as pleasure climbed through his spine. He felt young again, ignoring whatever else was going on in favor of responding to the provocations whispered against his skin. "Do you think I'd enjoy a lord that can't rule? Wouldn't you suggest your brother for that?" He asked, smirk on his lips, even as he hardened further with his attention. With his focus, vanity was a sin he had never been above. His reply was bitten off with a hungry moan as a single finger slid its way inside him, it went in smoothly, eagerly swallowed as he guided Orion into another kiss. "You may treat me however you wish," He whispered, giving him more than he gave most men as he pushed back on his finger while his own hand moved. Orion's cock was a thing of beauty that he still remembered fondly, and for once he did not try to hide away the eagerness he felt to have it back on his hands; inside him, "as long as you remember I am much much more than that."