#like... i get it

7. Attended a (fancy) function together?

Ever since he became the knight commander, Anze’s presence has been required in all sorts of gatherings the noble’s wanted to keep. He was fine in battle, facing five opponents on his own, but here, is not his element. Clad in finest regalia and pants that are little too tight, he can feel the noble ladies watching him with great interest. He’s seen the books meant for high born ladies in unhappy marriages. The stories of his bloodline go far and wide, and since he’s still unwed and childless, the question of his successor is on many people’s lips. 

Today held a ball for future peace agreements, with no king, nor solid court, Minthrel really wants it’s old province back. He’s joined with the paladin commander, Amir, member of the Aziz high family, and Malika, the grand judge of the Mayfort family. They had a little card up their sleeve. Anze has been in contact with Nayden, the lost crown prince. This will certainly get them an edge over the ambassadors.

He’s not alone. Some of the member’s of Nayden’s mercenary group agreed to come, namely the big elf, who he is pretty sure is a higher entity, an elven  pyromancer, really elegant for woman of her background, and a doctor, who is blending well into the crowd. He can’t help but admire his open attitude to crowds like these. 

Nics makes his way from a group towards him, stretching his hand forward to greet Anze. He takes it and presses a kiss on his wrist with a slight smile, before letting go of his hand. The silk of his shirt is so soft. No. This is not the time or place to yearn. They haven’t seen each other since Nics left the capitol the last time few months ago, but it makes their reunion ever more sweeter. 

“You seem to like it here,” Anze remarks. Well, at least more than his companions. Lucas is being surrounded by the drinks table by curious citizens and he looks like seconds away from storming off. 

“It’s… New to me,” Nics replies coyly, “how many people there are here, the dresses, the suits,” he glances over, “a buffet too, huh.”

“It’s what the nobles require,” Anze scoffs, as if he’s not a noble himself, “as long as there’s food to stuff their bellies full and influence to have over the city, they don’s care about the rest.”

“You don’t like it here,” Nics says caressing his hand over Anze’s forearm, “you’re build for the battlefield,” he gives his arm a teasing squeeze.

Anze tries his darnest to not flash any shade of red in his face as Nics retrieves his hand back to his drink glass. 

“You look good, though,” he smiles up at him.

“I–,” Anze starts, “you do too.”

Suddenly, Anze doesn’t feel as uncomfortable anymore, and the night has many surprises in store.

—————————–

15. Saw one another in a state of undress? 

It took some coaxing out of Radu, but he finally agreed. Aaron felt a little bad, sort of selfish to ask it of Radu. But it will do things for his self-confidence. He looks amazing, no matter how much he denies it. But he also wants to be conscious of his feelings. So they have agreed to keep the lights on, on dim, but it’ll do. 

Aaron goes first, not wasting time on getting his shirt off, displaying his sleeve tattoo on it’s fullest, and… those. 

“I… didn’t take you as the nipple piercing sort of guy,” Rady chuckles from the bed, still clinging to a pillow to cover his stomach over the clothes.

“I wasn’t,” Aaron laughs back a little, “college party bet, you know?”

“I really don’t.”

Aaron sits back on the bed right next to Radovan. He leans in a presses a kiss to his cheek. He’s so proud of him, to sound as sappy as he can. He’s made sure to gather all the pillows of his apartment into his bedroom to make things as comfortable as they can.

“May I?” Aaron asks while gently tugging the pillow Radu is holding close to him. 

Radu nods, ever so slightly, and lets to of the pillow so Aaron can place it next to them. He tinkers with the hem of his shirt for a while before taking a deep breath and slowly lifting it.