#caprivalentine

For @coffeedrgn87! Featuring some slight snarky Laurent and Damen taking them somewhere special. Happy Valentines Day! :) 

@caprivalentine <3 

“I’ve always wanted to kiss you blindfolded” 

Laurent’s cheeks heated while Damen pulled away. 

“And how long have you harbored that particular wish?” 

They were standing in an unremarkable field outside Marlas, and Laurent had been thoroughly sequestered for the afternoon. He had tried interrogating Damen about his sudden desire to take in the nature of the region. Questions rolled off his back and concerns shrugged away as though the demands of their new capital, and nascent kingdom, could be dismissed for an excursion. It was no miracle Laurent had a gap in his schedule. One was forcibly demanded by a particularly commanding king. It was also no miracle that Laurent let his stubborn protests melt away - for all his bluster, he could never say no to that dimple. He still made a show of grousing about their trip until they slowed to a halt in the field. 

It was early summer, and a golden afternoon swallowed the grasses and trees. Damen’s thumb brushed the line of Laurent’s lower lip while he mouthed at his ear. 

“Let me think. When was the last time I saw you blindfolded?” 

“It’s hardly a regular occurrence.” 

“More’s the pity.” 

Damen punctuated himself with a brief kiss to the cheek. One large, warm hand brushed the length of Laurent’s forearm until their fingers were tangled and he was being tugged onwards. 

“You don’t happen to have a Vaskian clan hidden somewhere in the trees? Should I start running?” 

“I’d only catch you again.” 

Damen was leading, so he couldn’t see Laurent smile. 

“Watch your step.” 

Field grass began to transition into soft moss and knobby roots that Damen deftly led them around. Bird cry echoed from above. 

There had been no time in the past few months for a day like this. They had barely left the fortress at Marlas while planning, negotiating, and reforming their kingdoms together. Daily Laurent was accosted by opinionated councilmen and diplomats exercising their right to be a nuisance. Exploring the surrounding wilderness hardly ranked high in Laurent’s priorities. As it happened, the season had just turned from shy spring into a lush, full summer. 

Laurent marked the passage of time - he hadn’t yet known Damen a year, but within months they would pass that milestone. 

An acorn dropped somewhere ahead as Damen led them around more roots. Eventually they veered to the left and a sudden wash of sunlight struck Laurent’s skin. 

“I’m starting to think you didn’t really need to blindfold me for this long.” 

“Maybe, but you love theatrics. Doesn’t it all add to the intrigue?” Plus there’s the distinct benefit of you seeing me in one, Laurent thought.

Damen slowed them to a halt, then moved behind Laurent to remove the silk slip from his eyes. They were standing in a small clearing ringed by saplings and bathed in sunshine. In the center, two feather cushions were arranged upon the ground. They were deep green and set atop the type of threadbare blanket servants used as tablecloths. A thick tome of poetry rested beside them. 

Laurent felt strong arms wind around his waist and someone nosing against his cheek. 

“Happy birthday,” Damen murmured. 

Laurent stood motionless as he struggled to compute the setup. Despite himself, a feeling of awe swept through his body and his heart kicked itself sore. 

“I - nobody knows when my birthday is.” He hadn’t let anyone know, and it had passed unobserved since Auguste died. It wasn’t self-pity. His uncle never celebrated him, and he was content to pass the day in peaceful reclusion. 

Damen dropped a soft kiss to his temple. 

“Well, I have means. And I’m on good terms with a physician who knows you fairly well.” 

Laurent angled his head to look up at his companion for the first time. There was an impossibility in front of him. The only blessed, unforeseen force of nature that could have altered the course of his life so drastically within one year. Not for the first time, his heart felt a vice of love. Their noses bumped. 

“What do you think?” Damen whispered. 

Laurent turned around completely and wrapped himself in the embrace. 

“The theatrics were a good touch.” I think I want to spend the rest of my birthdays with you, like this. Hiding away from politics and reading a good book. Laurent stepped back and smiled. 

so, this is my Capri Valentine excange gift for @cyspresso  I know you asked for Angst and Hurt/comfort, but I'm sad intolerant so, this is the most 'hurt/comfort' I could manage to do, hope you like it!

Lamen | 2k | post KR, bathing/washing, tenderness, romance, character study, Laurent plays games and Damen plays along

Summary:

It was a game Laurent played.

Laurent liked games. A mind as swift and sharp as his was always turning, and games occupied him.

“A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.” ― James P. Carse

Excerpt:

Today had been a game of avoidance. Of deprivation. Damen had woken to an empty bed, his fingers seeking out the fading warmth of Laurent’s body against the sheets, only to catch a glimpse of the glint of Laurent’s sword on the training ground far below when he finally stood and looked out of the window. Damen knew with intimate familiarity the set of Laurent’s jaw when he drew a blade, the slope of his shoulders, and strength of his thighs as he assumed the first position and began his exercises. But today he could see nothing more than sunlight on steel, only his imagination filled in the rest.

Later, after Damen had breakfasted alone, they passed each other in the vaulted halls of the palace. Damen was being led to a reception of Akelion merchants, and Laurent strode in the opposite direction followed by harried-looking administrators. Laurent had caught Damen’s eye, flexed one pale hand by his side as he swept past, and Damen had almost stopped, had almost turned to follow him.

Read on Ao3

A gift for @nochnitsa I hope you enjoy it! ❤️

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY to @ellykralie, who asked for Aimeric/Damen/Laurent for the @caprivalentine​ exchange ❤️

Post-canon, Aimeric lives