BLEED

It was a storming castle?! In another universe, that probably wouldn't have impressed Adolin. But here? Here, it was a completely different story.

Everything is prepared. It is mainly for both Vanth and Adolin, seeing as how they were able to consume and indulge in human meals and such without a problem. Sebastian's palette was a whole different standard. Still, that didn't mean he didn't know how to prepare something exceptionally well.

Vanth doesn't need the bond between their souls to know that Sebastian is completely sincere. It's the deep adoration in his eyes, the reassuring touch against his hand that says everything. With a calm heart and clear mind, Vanth gazes at the fit of Sebastian's warm, broad palm around him, how perfectly they fall into each other's shape. Wordlessly, Vanth leans to press a kiss to his beloved's cheek, letting their fingers brush inside Sebastian's hold. ❝ Then... We're okay, ❞ he murmurs—to him, his world.

Sebastian's eyes close briefly, soaking in the gentle touch and the kiss from his lover. He hangs onto Vanth's words.

Vanth does not name the emotion that wells through their bond, as it is too vulnerable, too personal, for him to have that right. But he understands it deeply; his hand falls over the top of Sebastian's without him realizing. The touch is kept brief, and his expression stays the same as he lets the conversation move on, comforting but not dwelling on it. Then, Vanth reaches for his drink. After a short sip, he gazes upon the thoughtful wrinkle in his brow inside his glass before returning it to Sebastian again. ❝ Is that... the same as it's always has been? ❞ Vanth gently asks, setting his glass down with a soft clink. ❝ I'm not looking to change it, ❞ he adds, just to be open and honest with him.

Sebastian reaches to take Vanth's hand in his. Fingers grazing along the back of his hand, eyes solely on Vanth. He doesn't have to say it; Vanth knows that he is the only one he'll love at this deep of a level. The only one who knows his vulnerability as it is.

Sebastian really outdid everything. Sure, Vanth would get his comfort meal, but when he heard that Vanth had not eaten, it only made him feel that Vanth may not have eaten at all the day before today. That wouldn't do. A king could not rule with an empty stomach, he'd say to Vanth.

When it comes to Vanth, Sebastian never does things in half-heartedness. He should have expected that he would prepare a full spread of his most beloved dishes upon hearing of his hungry state, and yet Vanth is no less in awe of the impressive sight of their table when they sit together—as they always do, despite its grand, banquet-suited length. Vanth's fork stakes a stewed potato before he brings it to his mouth and chews contemplatively. Like every meal his husband prepares for him, it melts divinely against his tongue, curing the empty anger of his stomach in an instant. It also forces him to pause before speaking; he can't help but savor it first. ❝ So while I was out of the house, you two were talking... ❞ Vanth peers at him sidelong as understanding dawns over his features. Here he thought Sebastian had left him alone out of anger, when really, he had sought to make things right. For Sebastian to do such a thing despite his position as king... His eyes soften. ❝ I'm proud of you, apologizing like that. ❞

There's a look of surprise from Sebastian. To have someone be proud of him, or at least voice it...He's not entirely sure how to deal with the emotion that springs up inside of him. He hums but says nothing about it.

The way Sebastian trails off leaves Vanth to blink. He was so sure he was to blame, that he had misunderstood and messed it all up. And yet Sebastian's lips against him tell him that could never be the case, apologizing once, twice, and again. By the third time, Vanth's mouth nearly chases after him as he pulls back, a soft shade of pink gently settling over his pale skin. ❝ Jealous? ❞ Vanth echoes faintly, surprised to hear his lover admit it aloud. The thought makes his pulse grow quick and light, not because he never thought he possessed such a power over Sebastian—they both do, over each other—but because of his maturity to confess it so plainly and take responsibility for it. Vanth couldn't be any more in love with him.

Sebastian really outdid everything. Sure, Vanth would get his comfort meal, but when he heard that Vanth had not eaten, it only made him feel that Vanth may not have eaten at all the day before today. That wouldn't do. A king could not rule with an empty stomach, he'd say to Vanth.

The inevitable always seems to find her at the least convenient time. Here she had been enjoying a nice cup of tea in a nearby park when Sebastian graced her with his presence.

She truly did stick her nose in businesses she had no part of being. Wasn't that how she lost her wings? Laughable. Sebastian scoffs.

Vanth, too, sinks into the familiar and safe shape of Sebastian's arms, breathing out a little of the ache that runs between their souls like red string. Oh, how deeply he missed this, the sweet embrace of his most loved, their hearts so close they may as well touch. Fervently, Sebastian whispers promises over his scalp, and Vanth's eyes open gradually, as if confused. What reason is there to make them? Vanth's happiness has one sole source—Sebastian, and no one else. Sebastian pulls back to find Vanth's gaze, already searching for him. He gives a small, tentative glance to the thumb against his cheek, stroking away the tears he shed alone the day before. ❝ ... Happy? ❞ Vanth's voice is so quiet that it cracks, the inflection of his question tapering into silence. ❝ Sebastian, I... ❞

He shakes his head. "You..." Sebastian leans down, pressing his lips to Vanth's. He kisses him with a gentle peck once and twice before giving him a deeper kiss the third time. Sebastian shakes his head again once he pulls away. "You could never," he says with a soft huff. "It was me. I was jealous when I should not have been.

It's a sunny summer morning when Vanth returns to Sablespire. The walk through the Mistwood is quiet and lonely, its woodland creatures singing somber sounds. His footsteps had trudged a slow rhythm home, reluctant to face the emptiness of the castle again. As he climbs its grand front steps, his heart senses Sebastian's nearness, beating a little faster with nerves. What if their home still feels empty, even with them both in it? Silently, he pushes into the foyer, the forest song fading out as he closes the door behind him. And then he pauses. A melody pours from the music room, filling the hallways and welcoming him home. It carries a different sorrow from the one outdoors, lamenting gentle notes of regret from a harp's strings. Vanth's chest grows tight; he's always loved the sound of Sebastian playing his instruments, and even now, he wishes he had the heart to hum along as he does every other time. His feet move him closer. His heart may not have it in him to hum, but he still wishes to listen. Before long, Vanth finds himself lingering at the music room door, a hand placed lightly against its wood. The mournful tune trickles to a close without him, and the ache becomes so much that it brings him to enter, coaxed into Sebastian's presence by the message woven into those strings. Their eyes meet. Vanth's breath stills. Sebastian draws closer. And he wraps him in a firm embrace. Against his hair, Vanth feels his apology. Briefly, his eyes are wide.

Sebastian seemingly melts when he has Vanth in his arms. He holds him close as if worried---scared, even, that he'd lose Vanth. That he'd just disappear.

"Is that right? I try to blend as well as I can. Doesn't do me any good to be at the center of someone's attention."

"Hm! You are too big to blend in with the commons." His energy compared to everyone else there had been so vastly different. It's laughable.

“It was one of the many possibilities that crossed my mind, yes” - he admits, finally able to breathe a little easier after Sebastian's reassurance. "I'm glad I was wrong."

The admittance actually earns a genuine laugh. Of course, Adolin would have been right to be worried and maybe a little fearful.

Adolin had been prepared for anything and everything. He knew he was challenging Sebastian right to his face, and he could almost feel the cold blade slicing through his stomach all over again. Instinctively, his body tensed, even though he never looked away.

"Hm, you thought I would strike you once more where you sat?" He isn't surprised that Adolin would have thought that--if he thought it, even. Still, at least he knows how Sebastian could be if he wanted to.

Maybe I'd gone a little too far. If he was being honest, Adolin had been testing the waters. After all, he knew it wasn't exactly easy to hear someone else speak so fondly about the person you loved, even if it was a kind of admiration they both happened to share.

For a mere human to get close enough to someone like Vanth without worrying about getting burned in the process? Nevertheless, he witnessed the two together, no matter how brief it was during their time on the moon and on stage.

♠ The Jackal realized that this was indeed leading to nowhere. His own ideals and convictions clearly clashing with the demon’s. The type was not unknown to him, the arrogant vampires who mock the concept of life itself, cheats who found a loophole in the system and exploited it for their own selfish means. Nothing good would ever come out of getting involved with Sebastian Everest Armaros, and Anubis didn’t need to pry deep to see that.

Morpheus steps back, away from Noir. It's Noir's reaction that almost has Morpheus growling, but Sebastian stops him with a gentle extension of his own hand. Shushing him softly.