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[deniles]

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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.

i don't want to buy a train to brotherfucker junction

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma was going to be picking splinters out of his tender pieces for months, but he didn't care because the way Niles was looking at him made his heart twist and ache, his insides flutter.]

I would happily speak with Prince Leo.

[And his asshole destroying trees. It was fine. Ryoma would do many things for love...

Including bend his thusfar unwavering commitment to Duty. It was very, very rare that Ryoma indulged himself, played selfish, took something for his own happiness without considering the greater good... and while he'd never really considered concubines, if that was the price he'd have to pay, then so be it.]

... as long as you understand what may have to come to pass and don't look unkindly on me for it.

[He loved Niles. He loved Hoshido. He'd spent so many nights trying to reconcile the two, and now... it was in his fingertips, just waiting for him to cup his hands together and draw it close.]

I'll marry you if you'll have me, Niles.

too late

[deniles]

[Niles made Leo agree not to use trees on his wannabe spouse. He did agree suspiciously, and asked 'why'. Niles, of course, gave no reason, but he wondered if Leo would figure it out.]

I have done far worse in my life. It's not my place to judge.

[And he never would. Not Ryoma. Never Ryoma. He looked at him for a moment... and smiled softly, his eyelid closing as he moved to press against Ryoma.]

I will have you until death does us part.

damn it not again

[lightninglobster]

[Hopefully prince Leo was a man of his word. Nevertheless, Ryoma would stay resilient... even as he was face to face with a man who wore a headband and usually had at least part of his clothing inside out.]

Your past does nothing to deter me from wanting you as my own.

[He squeezed Niles' hands, drawing close and wrapping his arms around him as he tried not to well over with... wonder. Happiness. He was really, truly saying yes to this, and Niles was whispering all of his fondest hopes and dreams as if they were mundane, everyday things that Ryoma could so easily take for granted.]

Not for many happy years, I hope.

[deniles]

...Then there will be nothing stopping us.

[Leo is awake right now, but Niles has already scheduled something in the morning for them to take care of. They'll get it all out.

And then that'll be that.

Niles looked at Ryoma for a moment and let out a heavy sigh, pressing his forehead against Ryoma's shoulder.]

Not for many years... I want nothing more.

[lightninglobster]

[He's really doing this. He's really, truly doing this--part of Ryoma worries, because part of Ryoma always worries. He's always thinking, always calculating and comparing his actions and weighing the costs and the outcomes...

... and then the rest of Ryoma's head comes flooding in, silencing all those ugly doubts as Niles presses against him, soft and in love and everything Ryoma never dared to hope for. He's never been a selfish man, but... there's nothing he wants more than this. He's allowed to have something for himself--and he'll do whatever he has to for it to work, so he swears to the gods.]

I wish I had something to--give you. Something more tangible than my word.

[Even though Ryoma's word is better than gold in many cases, there's still something real about a thing that you can hold in your hands... and then it hits him. He stands once more, pressing a quick kiss to Niles' forehead as he goes to the dresser with his clothing and effects, searching for a small wooden box.]

Wait a moment.

[deniles]

Your word is more than enough, Ryoma.

[He would take Ryoma's word on pretty much anything. There's no doubt in his mind that he won't try to run away from him in the middle of the night. Even without something to hold onto while he waited to be with Ryoma forever.

But when he went to his dresser, it made him curious. Blinking at him.]

...What is it?

[lightninglobster]

Still. There's a tradition for something like this, now isn't there...

[He gave a hum of triumph when he found the box he was searching for, setting it on the top of the dresser and carefully removing the beautifully inscribed top so that he could pick through the few pieces contained within. Ryoma wasn't a man who wore much in the way of jewelry, so there wasn't much to sort through--and he quickly found the piece he desired.

He turned and made his way to Niles, moving to sit next to him and reaching for Niles' hand.]

A manifestation of my promise.

[The signet ring may not have been the most glamorous or the shiniest piece of jewelry, but it was beautiful lacquered and inscribed with the symbol of Hoshido's kings, and it was on its way to Niles' finger.]

[deniles]

I'm not very familiar with tradition. It's not something I dealt with.

[He hasn't told Ryoma all about his past. He'd much rather not tell him anything about it at all, but he knows that Niles has had a troubled past. So he decides not to say anything more on it.

Holding out his fingers for Ryoma, he looks at the ring that was placed on his finger. He blinked for a moment, looking down at it. And then looking back up at Ryoma.

And back down again.]

R... Ryoma...? It's... incredible...

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma hopes, then, that he can... endear some of Hoshido's traditions to Niles in small, careful increments. The man has always been stubborn in ways--but Ryoma is equally bull-headed, if not moreso. Ryoma also has the power of raw, romantic sentiment and surprise on his side.

He looks very pleased with himself as Niles keeps looking back and forth, as if he doesn't quite trust his own eye.]

Until I can get you something a little more tailored and substantial for you, this will serve as a promise of my devotion. I'm going to marry you, Niles.

[deniles]

...Ryoma, I would be fine with anything you gave me at this point.

[He keeps turning red. He keeps being unable to focus on anything. Ryoma has gone all in already, in a way he never would have expected. But perhaps, he should have.

This is something that is so ultimately Ryoma.]

...Please say it again.