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[deniles]

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gasp. so many secrets.

[deniles]

[Niles, meanwhile, had been familiar enough with Nohrian weddings to find them boring and dull. No matter who might be married. Indeed, he always felt like he would be judged one way or another. There were certainly enough Hoshidians at the event do cause just that in his mind.

And although he always put on a face that simply said he wasn't bothered, he couldn't deny that something about it was bothering him today. He barely saw the man who he had been waiting to see. If Leo noticed him looking more eager to get away, then he didn't say anything. And that was a relief all on it's own.

Seeing Ryoma start to leave, he began to follow behind a few moments after him. An excuse was given, one he couldn't remember. But he slunk through the hallways, keeping enough of a distance away until he reached the same courtyard Ryoma did.

He stepped outside the door, shutting it quietly behind him.]

This would be more romantic if your retainer wasn't watching us.

[And that was a noise that Saizo made behind one of the trees.]

all of them hidden under his chinstrap

[lightninglobster]

[If pressed, Ryoma could've filled the space of a conversation with some poignant something or another about the similarities and differences between a Nohrian wedding and a Hoshidan one, finding some proverbial silver lining that he could spin into a diplomatic olive branch meant to neatly avoid pointed, prying questions under the guise of doe-eyed curiosity. He'd done a lot of deflecting today. It was almost enough to make one's head spin, really, so he focused instead on listening for the quiet tap of a different set of footsteps.

Ryoma eventually found the door leading to—the? one of the?—courtyards through a combination of sheer stubbornness, a keen memory for terrain, and a few guiding grunts from a certain shadow that'd absolutely spent the early morning hours of their arrival completely memorizing their surroundings and every nook and cranny he could get into without being caught and questioned. He settled on a bench with a weary sigh, taking a moment to roll his shoulders with a hand at his neck, eyes closed—and then he was no longer alone, turning to face the door as it whispered shut a second time.

Ah. There was a sight for sore eyes. Well, two sore eyes, and one mildly annoyed eye—but Saizo was sworn to Ryoma, and his king's secrets were to be kept, no matter how... vexing they were. Despite how they made his lord smile, secret and.

And he was in the tree, hotshot.]

My apologies, I didn't know you'd follow so quickly. You seem to have more practice with slipping away from crowds than I do.

[The smile remains, fond, a glimmer of humor in Ryoma's eyes. All two of them.]

it's a v, naise chinstrap

[deniles]

[It was charming to Niles to see Ryoma like this. Then again, Ryoma had always been incredibly charming. He chuckled a bit, looking at him seeing in the bench. He moves to sit down beside him, resting against the bench back as he looks towards romantic man who was all too kind for Niles to even deal with sometimes.

He understands the retainer needing to be the royal's shadow. He is, indeed, one himself, but he gets the impression that Saizo would rather he not be Ryoma's love interest. Still... he's kept his mouth shut. Which is all Niles wants.]

It is my specialty, after all.

[Ryoma is usually so impressive and regal. A crown prince for sure. But when they're sitting alone, together, where Niles has gotten to know him well enough for this to be a thing... he feels at ease. Ryoma right now is another person.]

Although for you, I imagine it's much harder not to have an eye on you. Besides my own.

[Oboro had her glare on him, but it's much easier to avoid her than it is for Ryoma to avoid everyone.]

it's the only thing between the world and the hair being free

[lightninglobster]

[There are a lot of things that Saizo would rather—he rather lose a finger, or his other eye, or have to help his brother carry home a fresh round of gifts from his admirers—but. Saizo keeps his mouth shut. It's not his place.

... and there's a voice in the back of his mind that nags like Kagero would, full of justifications regarding the look of peace on lord Ryoma's stoic face (calm and calm, yes, but two entirely different things when one was versed in the marble etchings of lord Ryoma's expressions).

Saizo can still send an ill-tempered barrage of thoughts Niles' way in hopes that his bowstring snaps the next time he steps up to the archery range, among a thousand other little inconveniences. No man on the green earth could stop him.]

One of many, I'm sure.

[Ryoma wears his regal bearing like a second skin, posture straight and drawn despite being alone amongst... intimate friends and confidants. Piece by piece, though, it bleeds from him, shoulders easing down, hands in his lap instead of folded across his chest. He's just a man—a man who is wholly out of his depth, but terribly fond and completely unafraid of being a fool.]

Were there eyes other than yours on me? I'd hardly noticed.

[... terribly, terribly out of his depth, but still packed to the brim with charm and earnest affection. Saizo ground a knuckle against the temple next to his ruined eye. It was going to be a long watch tonight.]

LET HIS HAIR FREE

[deniles]

[If Niles knew why Ryoma had shown so much interest in him, whatever it may be, he may have been more confident in telling Saizo to stop acting like that. But even here, he still has no clue. He wants to know, but fears asking will just make Ryoma question it himself.

So, instead, he sits here. And listens to Ryoma terrible attempt at flirting. But there's something so earnest and sweet about it, that it just makes Niles chuckle lightly.]

I only have one of those to look at you with.

[It even makes him a bit red.

He's so used to people talking smooth. People trying to keep up appearances and not put their whole heart into the matter at hand. People who's flirting seems almost planned. That a man who is on the same level of royalty as Xander is being so charming and flirting like a man who has fallen in love for the first time can throw him off of his game.

And he appreciates that the most.]

And besides. Why would people not be looking at the most handsome man here?

YOU FOOL WE'LL ALL DROWN

[lightninglobster]

[Little did Niles know, Ryoma was already questioning it himself and coming up with very little resembling an answer--let alone one that would meet Saizo's impossible specifications. It was easiest just to feign confidence and tell the master ninja to stop while offering no justification--Ryoma suspected Saizo could smell hesitation and fear, so it was best to cut to the point without bothering through the bluff.

Ryoma likes Niles, despite how improbable and nonsensical that may seem--how incompatible they should be, how strange the one-eyed man is. He likes the sound of his laugh and the shade of a genuine smile on his lips, the rise of color in his cheeks.]

One is all you need, I'm told.

[And he uses that as an excuse to reach out, cupping Niles' cheek in his battle-worn hand as tenderly as he can, thumb tracing Niles' cheekbone as Ryoma stops suppressing a smile and lets himself... rest. There are very, very, very few people who know this piece of Ryoma even exists, as carefully controlled and disciplined as he is, and there's something just good at having one person he feels he can connect to as a man.

Not a warrior. Not a king. Niles lets Ryoma feel like a man, sitting flushed in a garden with a lovestruck smile on his lips. It's so incredibly freeing. And then Niles fires back and Ryoma rolls his eyes, stifling a laugh and a groan at the same time.]

Oh, please. There are far better looking men in attendance--you, for one among many.

WE'LL ALL FLOAT ON ALRIGHT

[deniles]

[This definitely should not work, all things considered. And there would always be obstacles in the way of them. Niles even wonders if this is serious at times. But he refuses to say anything. At risk of exposing his heart to anyone. Let alone Ryoma.

So, instead, he gets even more red when Ryoma flirts back. Clearly not much better in other ways, but certainly charming enough that it gets Niles to chuckle.]

I am quite talented with one.

[Every touch, every movement, every moment that they have together in private is relieving. He feels at ease whenever they speak. He owes no one anything and Ryoma is, in these moments, no better or worse a man than himself. It's so different from so many other nobles he's met. Ryoma is a man before a king.]

I've seen you with far less clothes on. And there is no one more handsome than you, Ryoma.

IIIII'M SAAAILING AWAAAAAY

[lightninglobster]

[It's strange and serendipitous, and Ryoma doesn't care to go picking through the details. He's happy, and there are so few things that he does in life that are selfish, just meant for his own pleasure in some way or another. There should be at least one thing that he doesn't have to account for or explain...

And for now, he chooses that thing to be the way his heart lifts when he sees Niles. It is Ryoma's private little thing, to have and keep and be a mystery to everyone else.]

Amazingly so.

[There are many times when Ryoma is a king before a man, but he feels no desire to do so in front of Niles. Not like this. He flushes, smiling as he turns his face away with a soft, put upon sigh.]

I'm a perfectly average man. I find you much more pleasing to look at.

[And nearly impossible to tame when he's left to let his tongue lash as it will, so Ryoma moves to quell the next wave, shifting close to press his lips to Niles'.]

NO COME BACK

[deniles]

[He's known himself to be quite selfish in the long run. And he likes to encourage it. If this relationship has encouraged Ryoma to be selfish, then he's thankful it has. And he's thankful for the privacy. Even if something is nagging inside of him to wonder if it is more than just a private fling.

Ryoma does have to marry, and Niles isn't exactly anyone's first choice of spouse.]

Now I think you're trying to charm me more than I am you. You awful man.

[He lets out a laugh and moves in to try and take a kiss from him. There's relief in that he comes in first. And they meet for a light kiss.]

Please. You look so much better than I when you're without clothes... it's too bad we cannot sneak off tonight.

I can't help it the hair ascends on high

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma hasn't really sat back to think about the long run--his life has always been a collection of things he will achieve due to Duty, and with the war and everything that transpired, there was never really time to assign urgency or a timeline to Things That Will Be (Once Everybody's For The Most Part Not Dead). Maybe it's a just a fling.

But maybe it's more. Ryoma doesn't have an answer right now.]

You deserve a taste of your own sweet medicine from time to time.

[Ryoma smiles, pleased at how simple things feel with Niles, how easy it is to just... be. He leans in to meet him for the kiss, soft and sweet and almost hilariously chaste, considering who his partner is.

Then he rolls his eyes and kisses Niles a second time just to distract him from the 'who's prettier' game. Niles would win, anyway.]

You could always visit me later, if your lord's needs permit. I've been up late.

[Nohrian beds tread a strange line between comfortable and foreign that Ryoma's back has not yet reconciled. It takes him longer to fall asleep on top of the downy platform.]

it is beautiful

[deniles]

[Niles wouldn't want an answer for now anyways. It would require him to do something he doesn't enjoy; facing his feelings and preparing for the worst. Because that is, indeed, what he would have to do.

A fling comes and goes. He can prepare himself for the end.]

Mmm... but what if I enjoy the sweet taste of you?

[Niles chuckles lightly. Certainly, if they were in a more passionate setting, it would be far rougher. He's thought about what he'd like to do to Ryoma in private company tonight. But just in case someone spots them, he'd like a plausible denial. His own reputation is where it belongs. He won't drag Ryoma down with him.]

I think he'll be fine for a few hours... if you want, I can check on him and be up later.

[Niles feels the very same about Hoshidan beds. So he can't fault Ryoma.]

Provided we can truly have a bit of privacy. Hopefully people won't mind leaving you alone.

its final form is too radiant to behold

[lightninglobster]

[Facing the weight of the situation and the gravity of choices was a problem for Future Ryoma and his (?), Future Niles. Current Ryoma was absolutely swamped with giving a short laugh, rolling his eyes as Niles plied his trade of being completely shameless.]

I do have a few positive features, I'm told.

[It was more fun to play 'obtuse', as it were, edging just around letting Niles have his way with the conversation and going red in the face as a result.]

Far be it from me to keep you from your lord's side. I should be suitably alone once I retire to my rooms for the evening.

[As alone as Ryoma ever got, anyway, with his constant cluster of perfectly innocent shades. Saizo, for all the sourness in his face as he tried to astrally project himself to be anywhere but here, kept Ryoma's secrets and made his presence minimal when it came time to his lord's... proclivities.]

Shall I leave the light on for you?

Niles will see it tonight

[deniles]

[Future problems were future problems. They were problems to be handled should someone else find out what's going on. And if Niles had his way, no one would ever know.]

How many is a few to you? If a few is less than twenty...

[But he knows Ryoma is playing. And it makes Niles very pleased to deal with it. He chuckles lightly, looking at him.]

Don't leave the light on. I fear it'll attract someone curious to see if you are awake.

[A butler or a maid. And he was on no good terms with either. Moving in to place a kiss on his cheek and his hands on his hips, he smiled.]

Leave your window open. I'll enter that way.

is that the only thing niles is looking for tonight

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma was a very private man... but he wasn't the kind of man who just hid things about him as if they were shameful. Someday, perhaps he'd acknowledge Niles... or perhaps Niles would part with him on amicable terms. There were too many variables to give an answer to the question at this moment.]

Oh, please. I'm hardly as... perfect as everyone makes me seem. I'm just a man.

[A very pretty handsome, very easily flustered man when his guards are down and he's got lips on his cheek and battle-worn palms on his hips.]

Are you trying to give my guards fits?

[He asked, voice droll as he smiled indulgently all the same. There was a sound of a sigh as Saizo contemplated locking Niles in a closet somewhere so that he wouldn't have to take the position of sitting outside with a prime enough vantage point on his lord's open window, dark thoughts crossing the put-upon retainer's brain as his lord just. Kissed the bastard and rested his forehead against his for a moment, smile fond and eyes soft.]

If you prefer. Don't make me wait for long.

well he's looking for something... big... and hard...

[deniles]

[Niles is known for being his own man, and willing to do whatever he wanted for the sake of himself. But here, with Ryoma, he wants nothing more than for someone else to be in charge.]

You're quite the man then, if you're just a man. More of a man than any other I've known.

[He laughs, and looks at him, before quickly looking where he knows Saizo to be.]

I think you know the answer to that.

[Pulling back to kiss him, he pulls away finally. They've been out long enough to begin to draw unwanted attention. Smiling and holding onto his hand.]

You should return before someone else comes, Ryoma. Wouldn't want your siblings to be worried about you... what would they say if they saw the big, bad Niles taking your innocence?

... like saizo's head?

[lightninglobster]

[He could spend all night trying to deny Niles' flattery, but that'll get him nowhere but progressively more red in the face as Niles' tongue drips with honey--so he presses a kiss to Niles' temple even as he allows himself a roll of the eyes, briefly curling his fingers with Niles'.]

A man is a man.

[Still, it couldn't hurt to try--even as Niles cuts a glance to Saizo's Tree of Irritation and General Prickliness.]

You're such a tease.

[Which is not the word Saizo would use, so it's a good thing that not many people really clamor for Saizo to use his words. They'd be a whole hell of a lot meaner. Ryoma seems to frown as Niles slides back, sad for his loss, but... understanding. It's best if they don't do too many things where anyone can ask too many questions. The answers are nebulous and confusing now... Ryoma needs more time.

Though he does laugh at the 'big, bad Niles' line, knowing full well that most people would expect Ryoma to win in an actual confrontation--and they'd be wrong depending on how much Niles wanted a victory.]

Depending on which one, they'd wonder when I'd put my blade through you for your impudence--and I'd assure them that it'd be later, of course. In private, where it'd be proper.

[Though Niles could have his choice of blades if he was a good man. Ryoma inclined his head, giving one last squeeze as he rose, drawing Niles' knuckles to his lips as he pressed a kiss there.]

The window will be open. I think I'd like a bit of breeze tonight.

and not ugly

[deniles]

[He loves it when Ryoma gets red in the face. For Niles, it's the cutest thing he's seen. He chuckles, moving in to kiss him him again.]

A bigger and better man than I.

[Niles lets out a small chuckle before pulling away again. Because they do really need to depart again. Even through yet another kiss. It's impossible to leave if they keep kissing but perhaps Niles doesn't want to leave now. Not if kissing Ryoma is going to be so wonderful for him.

Not if he knows that there's the potential for it all to be over with one miststep.]

...Oh. So you can be naughty. And here I wondered if you knew how to do it.

[Niles let out a chuckle, his face turning redder at the kiss on his knuckles.]

It's supposed to be a wonderful night for moon watching... perhaps I'll stop by if I see you looking.

[And with that he starts to pull away, moving to step away and leave the courtyard. Knowing that they'll see each other again soon.]

I look forward to it.

saizo's not ugly his face is just stuck that way

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma is not an easy man to fluster... unless, apparently, you're Niles. Even then, the worst of Niles' raunchy teasing doesn't have half the effect that his simple praise and his fondest smiles have.]

I've been studying your methods. I've always been a quick learner.

[It was better to cede little pieces of ground so that he could take victories in other places--like the red in Niles' cheeks. Ryoma bowed his head, finally letting Niles draw away, arms instinctively folding across his chest as he took up his usual pose.]

The stars are quite beautiful from my vantage point. I hope to see you under them.

[He watches Niles leave, a bittersweet glint in his eye as he lets the retainer depart. He waits a few beats and then follows, innocent as anyone would expect with Saizo quick to meet his master's steps, the two of them silent as they move to rejoin the party--Ryoma makes his excuses, his need for a bit of air, chuckles at the right jokes and just... pretends like nothing is out of the ordinary. Moonrise couldn't come soon enough.]

___

[And as promised, when Ryoma returns to his room after the event finally winds down, he leaves the windows open. He's settled on a cushion, eyes occasionally trailing over the stars as they wink into place in the night sky, a book about Nohrian history open on his lap and a candle flickering at his side.

Saizo is likely taking the first watch, out of sight and out of mind.]

niles has a better place for it to be stuck

[deniles]

[Niles's raunchy teasing is common. But praise and charm is something that he almost never gives out. It's special. And it's something that only Ryoma gets to see.]

Oh? I hope you studied the right thing.

[Niles couldn't be topped in raunchiness or sexual energy, but romance? Being kind? Ryoma has him beat. Especially when he's alone with him. Niles feels off his game.

Not in a bad way.]

I look forward to.

[He wonders if it's always supposed to be this final feeling. This bitter sweet taste in his lips when he starts to walk away. What is he supposed to do? Do what he always has done.

Deny his feelings.]

- - -

[Which went as well as expected. Niles spent the rest of the party looking at Ryoma and waiting to see him. Even Leo had to knock him out of his daze. Embarrassed, he quickly excused himself and waited the rest of the night. It was something he had to admit himself.

He was in love.

In his mind, he went back and forth between what to do. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he wanted to go back to just outright denying his feelings and pretend it never happened. But how long could he do that? And what if Ryoma decided that enough was enough? And found someone else? Could Niles really handle that?

He never wanted to be those women who ran into weddings to try and get the man they loved but let go.

He made a promise tonight, however, and he'd see it through. When he saw the window open and a candle in the dark room, he quickly climbed his way up, and knocked at the window. He knew Saizo was nearby.]

I heard someone was lonely.

[Niles mentally fighting with his feelings was the hardest thing he's ever had to do.]

saizo is not emotionally ready for a foursome

[lightninglobster]

[Saizo followed Niles’ ascent with his eye, burrowing further into a borrowed cloak. Nohr was brisk at best and near to frozen at its worst--thankfully, with his Lord's one-eyed intruder safely shimmied into his space, Saizo could accept a change of the guard and retreat… glare at the inside doors for a wild change of pace.

Ryoma glanced up at the tap on the window, smile already in bloom as he set his book to the side with a marker carefully tucked between the pages. His hair fell loose without the crown and facial guard sweeping it back and away from his face, and it was almost easy to believe his constant patter than he was only a man when he was clothed in a simple, warm yukata.]

Lonely is a way to put it. I counted the hours.

[He had always been a simple, earnest man, fondest of speaking plain and bring understood clearly. If that came across as sentimental or romantic in its way… so be it. He'd spent his hours making polite conversation and listening to things that he wasn't particularly concerned with, though he filed every piece of gossip away all the same. Ryoma pushed to his feet, bringing his candle up with as he made his way to Niles.]

How long do I have you for tonight?

[There was a window to lock, a curtain to draw… and a night to portion out as long as he could.]

wait who's the fourth

[deniles]

[As Niles looked at him like this, without his crown, he couldn't help but fall even more in love with him. It made his heart beat and his mind race. What could he even say now?]

Ah, did you? I didn't think it was too many.

[Climbing inside now, he looked at him, and tried to meet his eyes. But here, right now, he felt even smaller than he had before.]

You can have me until you wish to let me go.

[Niles generally said until the next morning. Or gave a time line until he needed to be out. But tonight was different. Niles just looked at Ryoma in an earnest way, rather than a seductive way like most of their nights went.

He made his mind. He made his decision.

He wanted Ryoma forever.]

i mean there's all sorts of choices depending on your favorite flavor

[lightninglobster]

They feel insignificant now that you're here.

[Ryoma's one advantage was his old, romantic soul, and he was going to press the advantage as far as he could before Niles' rolled the dice and sent them tailspinning in some way that brought color to his cheeks and left him tongue-tied.

... there was something different in the air, though. Ryoma cocked his head as he shut the window and drew the curtain, setting the candle on a nearby table as he moved to wrap his arms around Niles, drawing him back-to-chest. Something... something was heavier here. Less flirting, more... weighty. Niles had seemingly capricious, but carefully kept patterns that he kept to--specific promises, certain turns of phrase. They were in strange new territory now.]

And what if I don't want to let you go?

[Ryoma rarely backed from a challenge--one good strike deserved its match, and Niles' eye seemed to glimmer with a new, strange peace of mind.]

what about takumi

[deniles]

[Niles looked at him closely. Trying to see if he was being serious or if he was joking. But he wasn't. Ryoma wasn't that person.

Niles looks right at him.]

...Then marry me.

[This wasn't Niles freaking out about a relationship. This was Niles being sincere and honest. He looked almost emotional as he said it, moving to grab Ryoma's hands.]

Marry me and make us official. Make me your spouse and never let me go again.

[He gave those hands a squeeze.]

abort mission the balls can't touch

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma wouldn't joke about something so serious.

... but Niles might--except, except not, because that wasn't the look that Niles wore when he was being open and honest. Ryoma sat, stock still and with his head cocked slightly to the side as his mind stopped, catching on the concept of marriage and how sweet it'd be to wake up to Niles at his side every day for the rest of their lives... only for every other piece of his training, instinct, and this thing called Duty to come racing in for their pound of flesh.

Still, Ryoma couldn't hide the open, honest want on his face, fingers lacing with Niles' as he looked for the right words, licking his lips.]

... there are two things keeping me from saying 'yes' right this second.

[And he held Niles' tight, unwilling to be abandoned at this moment because it was right there, everything he wanted and everything that made his heart feel so burstingly full.]

The first is a question of an heir for my bloodline, with two men. The second is your commitment to Lord Leo.

[And again, he paused. Still holding tight, leaning towards Niles as he studied his face with all the intensity he'd use on a map of a soon to be hardfought battle.]

Again, that's not a no.

too late

[deniles]

[Niles wanted this more than anything, and he couldn't hide his honest need for this. Ryoma could see it. Niles didn't talk about marriage or the need for it. But he did right now. In front of Ryoma.]

I've... discussed with Leo the possibility of me marrying someone and needing to leave his service. He'd just want to talk with you first.

[And threaten you with trees.

But he couldn't do the second one.]

...I know royals like you have concubines, often. Garon did too and I'm sure Xander will as well.

[Taking the seat beside him, he looks at Ryoma with a patient look. Just trying to get him to say yes. He swallowed the lump in his throat.]

...We'll figure it out, Ryoma. But... I don't want you to go back without me this time.