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[deniles]

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[deniles]

[Lord.

Leo had tried to prepare him to hear that word, but hearing his name and the word 'Lord' in front of it set him off kilter. He had yet to really visit this castle much, but today... it was going to be his home.]

Ah, yeah?

[God, compared to them, he really did look like a commoner.

He also looked very warm.]

Is Ryoma here?

[lightninglobster]

[The small entourage bowed in deference to poor Niles, the guard glancing skyward and lifting a hand to indicate the pair of white streaks steadily making their way towards the courtyard.]

His majesty is on his way. He figured he would take you the swift way, as opposed to the long.

[They could hup Niles' bed up the back road with its bridges and zigzags and general architectural nonsense, what even the fuck, Hoshido.

Ryoma, meanwhile, would never admit to having practiced riding simply for this day--he, as all noblemen--had been trained in the art of horseback riding... and promptly developed more of a taste for moving on his own two feet. However, seeing his fiance to the top of the mountain--with the best view of all--was worth getting back on the horse, literally and figuratively.

It wouldn't be long before Ryoma did a lazy circle to slow his steeds, landing them with sharp whinnies as he vaulted off of his mount, a second and third guard taking the reins as he immediately started for Niles.]

[deniles]

[Niles just blinks upwards, looking up at... oh god. Pegasus.

Niles can ride horses. He's not great at it, but he certainly can ride it. A Pegasus? He's unprepared. He looks a bit nervous when his fiance lands with them. His eye goes wide when Ryoma comes towards him. He immediately goes over to him and wraps his arms around him to kiss him.

For a short bit.]

I'm not riding up on a pegasus. I'm sorry, Ryoma.

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma pulls Niles in, close and tight, arms wound tightly around him as he pulled him up for a good, firm kiss. He had so many days worth of heart-aching, missed passion to make up for, peppering Niles with kisses for a minute before he let him have enough space to speak. He frowned, glancing at the pegasus and then back at Niles' carriage, a furrow coming to his brow.]

If you go by carriage, it'll take you the better part of an hour to make it up the mountain.

[deniles]

[He wants to say he doesn't mind. Ryoma can ride with him in there and they can talk again like they haven't in so long. He doesn't really have a rush to go up there.

But the frown.

Fuck.]

...Well. Then I'll ride on your pegasus.

[Niles may like to win, but he hates when Ryoma frowns.]

[lightninglobster]

[There'll be plenty of time to talk and to be together again... in the castle proper, where it was comfortable and full of interesting things that needed talking about. Ryoma relaxed a little, smile coming to his face as Niles acquiesced--he waved a hand and one of the guards took the smaller of the two pegasi, while the other led the larger to Niles and Ryoma.]

You first, then.

[deniles]

[Fine fine. Niles shakes his head, moving in to kiss Ryoma on the lips before climbing up on the pegasus. Gripping onto the reins, he looks down at him.]

Just remember if I get sick, it's your fault.

[He's still smiling, though. Even if it is a little bit nervous.]

[lightninglobster]

You'll be fine. You're made of sterner stuff than that, my dear.

[Ryoma hefts himself up behind Niles, arm around his waist as he gently takes the reins and arranges them to best distribute their weight. The pegasus whickers and flaps its wings when Ryoma digs his heels into its side. He tugs the reins to wheel the beast around and get it up to a gallop in the length of the courtyard, digging his heels in again so the beast leaps, wings catching the air and clawing the bird upwards.

Ryoma locks his arms around Niles, holding tight as they go higher and higher by lengths, pegasus going in a long, looping diagonal to carry them around the mountain and towards the castle. The city bustles beneath their feet.]

[deniles]

And yet I haven't ever ridden on a pegasus before.

[He just holds onto the pegasus as they begin to come upwards. His head and body backwards against his fiance, trying to stay still. He looks down for only a moment, but it's far too high for him to keep watching.

He just hopes they land on sturdy ground again soon. Looking at the castle that comes out, it just makes him realize.

This is his home now.]

[lightninglobster]

There's a first time for everything, right?

[Ryoma's cheer was a bit like the rest of his emotions--a bit blunt and forward and not particularly sweet, but it's what you got and good luck on dealing with it.

Castle Shirasagi reaches for the heavens where Castle Windmire burrows into the depths; it's a beautiful tower-like structure that catches the sun's light and sends it shimmering over the gold that Hoshidans so love to adorn with. The greenery is bright and lush, and the people wandering the grounds are adorned with colorful robes--Hoshido loves color on its buildings and its people and everything.

This is home now. And Ryoma is merciful enough to bring them to ground as soon as it's safe enough to do so.]

[deniles]

Yes. And sometimes a last time.

[But he imagines Ryoma will convince him once again.

Everyone looks so well dressed up. Niles, meanwhile, is still dressed in his Nohrian outfit. And already he's starting to feel regret about not finding something cooler because he's sweating a storm.

Servants come and move to help him down, which he's more than happy to take. Looking around the place and then back to Ryoma.]

Do your siblings know I'm coming?

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma just chuckles in response--he's missed Niles so very much. His sharp wit, sharper tongue... Niles grounds Ryoma and settles the parts of him that get so caught in what everyone else needs. It keeps him humble.

Ryoma gets off of the pegasus without aid, moving to Niles side with a pleased hum, hand coming to rest on the small of his back.]

Of course they do. I informed the court of my intentions about a month ago.

[He studies Niles for a moment, a small smile tugging at his lips.]

We should talk while you take refreshments--change out of your traveling clothes, perhaps. There are some things you can wear until your carriage makes it up the mountain.

[deniles]

[Niles does not care about others that much. That's just a fact of life. He grounds Ryoma in caring about himself like Niles care about him.

He blinked, looking behind him. He gave a quick move so Ryoma moves down to touch his rear. That's better.]

I'm sure everyone is pleased by the cruel Nohrian man Niles being a Prince-Consort.

[He smiles back.]

I don't think any of my clothes are suitable now that I can really feel how warm it is.

[lightninglobster]

[And thus, Ryoma was just... standing in the open. Touchin' Niles' ass. He gave an exasperated little sigh--and after a quick glance around, a squeeze.]

Mm. Some of the more traditional counselors are wary, but they stymie me on everything that has to do with Nohr. My siblings are just happy that I'm happy.

[He swats Niles on the rump to get him to moving, leading him towards the castle in sure, steady strides.]

Come. We'll have tea and relax in our rooms until you've had a chance to stretch out from the road. We have catching up to do.

[deniles]

[The squeeze made him feel at ease again. Yup, this was Ryoma alright.]

Well I'm fairly certainly that I won't be changing minds any time soon. Even Takumi? Forgive me for not giving your brother the benefit of the doubt.

[He lets out a yelp at the swat. Heading beside him.]

Well, we have the rest of our lives, yes?

[There is one thing he wants to speak about. Before they go further.]

[lightninglobster]

[Look, when one was presented with a backside that they found simply divine, one was near on obligated to give it a good appreciative squeeze. Or smack, whatever the situation called for.]

You'd be surprised how far Takumi's come, giving the friends he's made.

[And the crush he harbors, but nows not the time for that. Those words had been spoken in confidence.]

Of course we do. And I'd like to fill as much of my life as possible with the sound of your voice.

[He glances back with a smile, face fond and soft once more.]

[deniles]

We'll see when we talk again.

[He knows about the crush. And he plans on pushing that together.]

You're still a sap, Ryoma. I don't plan on going anywhere.

[He smiles back towards him, keeping close to him. Dear god, Ryoma was still so tall, he forgot about that when he was away from him for a few months.]

[lightninglobster]

Well, that would be dinner unless you want to claim to be too tired to eat with the family. It'd be an acceptable excuse at this point.

[Ah, is it reciprocated? Perhaps Ryoma would have less trouble than he thought about turning that spark into a flame.. though he's a little more focused on his own love affair at the moment.]

I'm happy to hear that. I want you by my side forever.

[Being sappy got him a lot of brownie points last time. A dog will repeat the trick that gets it a treat until it stops working.]

[deniles]

It's hard to sleep in a carriage. I may sleep right away then.

[It's definitely reciprocated. They can talk about it later.]

Then let's sit and talk so we can make sure.

[They're close to the tea room. He notices that a dark purple yukata was waiting for him with one of the servants.]

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma opens the door for the private tea room--a beautifully appointed, but simple place with just enough talking pieces for a long, traditional ceremony. A servant stands with his bundle in hand, bowing deeply to Niles.]

Do you need help changing, love?

[Another pair of servants are setting the table, putting out the cups and plates as yet another servant disappears through another door.]

[deniles]

I think I'd like that.

[The servants keep moving around. He's not exactly unused to doing this, but he's one of the few who knows every private passage through Castle Krakenberg, but here?

He's got new things to learn.

A servant set up a screen and Niles moved behind it to start undressing. A servant also began to remove his clothes as he began to undress.

Safe to say, he definitely looks very out of place. Please help Ryoma.]

[lightninglobster]

[... but the servants were helping. Still, Ryoma watches his beloved with a small smile, rubbing his temples as he stood. The servants were still setting up for tea, so...

He made his way to the screen, giving a wave of his hand.]

I've got him for now. Thank you for your service.

[And now he was helping Niles undress, folding the clothes to the side to be cleaned for later.]

[deniles]

[When the servants leave, Niles lets out a sigh of relief that's definitely noticeable.]

Sorry. I'm definitely not used to being taken care of.

[He holds up the Yukata after he's finished undressing, ready to be shown how to do it.]

Except by you, of course. Because I'm sure even if I told you to stop, you wouldn't.

[And he wouldn't tell him to stop.]

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma chuckles softly, pressing a kiss to Niles' forehead as he finishes undressing and actually relaxes, a knowing little smile on his face.]

I know that feeling. I stopped letting servants help me with most of my dressing when I was a teenager--there are certain pieces that are much easier with another person, however.

[He takes a moment to... appreciate the view, giving Niles a long look up and down before he steps forward to start clothing him.]

If you truly wanted me to, I would slow down on the caretaking. I like it, but you are a fully accomplished man who can certainly handle himself.

[Even if Ryoma is using helping Niles settle his yukata as an excuse to get his hands all over everything. It'd been a long few weeks.]

[deniles]

I do just need to learn how to do things. And then I'll be fine.

[He is watching Ryoma carefully as the man undresses him and then starts to get the yukata on.]

Mmm... can't say I do want you to slow down.

[He somehow thinks that he's only going to be dressed for a bit.]

Especially not now. You've barely taught me anything about Hoshido.