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[deniles]

For shipping/smut/anything else.

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[lightninglobster]

[Some day the people of Hoshido will come to appreciate a royal spouse that keeps his husband's own magnificence in hand. Ryoma already does, smiling against Niles' shoulder as his fiance settles in against him.]

Even if Hoshido has no answers, perhaps Nohr knows a thing or two...

[Ryoma had been diligently trying to learn about his enemy-turned-ally in the months after the war, and had found that they were... quite creative, and perhaps not as formal as Hoshido when it came to bloodline and the continuation therefore of.]

Very well. I'll be asking Yukimura to go over the details of the wedding ceremony with you, as well as to teach you the finer points of what being spouse to a king entails. There are certain duties that the royal consort is expected to perform.

[deniles]

[They'll appreciate it even more when Niles does it to the nobles. He'll take no shit from anyone here. Period.]

I can talk to Leo again after we're married.

[He doesn't want to push things, not when there's so much to do.]

...Ah, good. Leo told me that I'd never stop being a retainer, just have a higher position. Good to know that's still very much true.

[lightninglobster]

[Little does Niles know, he's about to build an empire out of being himself. Somewhere, somebody's going to lose a bet in a major way.]

Then we'll let it rest for now. We need answers... eventually. I'm more than happy to enjoy your presence until it's time to revisit the topic.

[... eventually. These sorts of things needed no strong timeline, or at least that's what Ryoma was going to tell himself. He laughs, rocking Niles side to side and kissing the back of his head with a grin.]

I mean, in a way, yes... only on a much larger scale. As the king manages the kingdom, his partner manages their household--or, the palace. The king's spouse acts as their confidant, their advisor--a second set of eyes that sees what the king might not when his eyes are turned high towards the overall goals of the kingdom. It's their duty to remind their lord of his compassion, his care--to keep him mindful that every one of his choices has meaning and weight for someone even if it's best for the bottom line.

[He recites his Mother's lessons dutifully, squeezing Niles in what he hopes was a reassuring manner.]

... I know you'll never let me sacrifice my people--our people--for the greater good in commerce, industry, or something of the like. I trust you.

[deniles]

[Thank god he's not a betting man.]

Eventually. Maybe after we're married we can look into it.

[And he doesn't mind it. Certainly, he would enjoy having a difficult topic out of the way.]

As I said. I'll continue to be a retainer. Just a married one. ...And one with servants, I assume?

[Not that he'll know how to deal with servants, being from his position, but he certainly knows how to talk to them.]

Oh god no. Commerce and industry are not worth it. That's the few over the many.

[lightninglobster]

[If only Niles had some way to profit from all of the bets being made at his expense. Ryoma smiles, pressing soft, sweet little kisses over the nape of Niles' neck, up the side of his throat--if he had to move heaven and earth to find a way to keep him happy, he would.]

I mean... you're in the right vein of things. The royal spouse is more than just a retainer, however--your influence is second only to mine. You are the direct superior of all of the domestic help in the palace, and will often be asked to champion the people's causes.

[He chuckles, resting his forehead against Niles' shoulder with a soft hum as he squeezes him.]

I agree... Hoshido has a lot of complicated legislation and things in place, however. It's going to be fine work to slowly change certain agreements and assumptions that were in place because of the perpetual war we were in... not that I'm not willing to work for peace.

[He'd been willing to die for peace, after all.]

[deniles]

[Oh well, time to skim their pays.]

So a retainer with power. I'm mostly saying this not to worry too much. Because I fear I'll let you down.

[He lets out a little sigh, shutting his eye and resting against Ryoma's body.]

Fortunately, you have someone who has an 'in' in Nohr for anything like that.

[And it goes without saying that he will happily rip apart any Nobles.]

[lightninglobster]

[They'd have no room to complain, considering Niles was to thank for their wealth in the first place.]

If that's how you need to frame it for now. A retainer with power--like King Xander's hand, if...

[Well. If Laslow weren't Laslow.]

Like Saizo.

[Better. He's playing with Niles' hair, nudging him towards the set table and all of the delicious little treats and drinks there.]

I have a feeling King Xander doubts my sincerity, and on some levels I don't blame him.

[deniles]

...Were you about to say Laslow? Because I would have been concerned about how capable you thought I was.

[But he agrees. A retainer with power. It shouldn't make him too concerned... should it?]

Trust me. He doubts mine as well. However, he trusts Leo, who equally trusts me.

[And that's more than enough.]

[lightninglobster]

I didn't want to compare you to Saizo, due to some of the things Saizo does for the benefit of Hoshido. I'd thought, perhaps, that certain other retainers served their lords in certain capacities, but... maybe it's best if we let the thought drop.

[Niles was probably more like Saizo, if Ryoma truly thought about it... but part of him wished that he wouldn't have to be. Niles had his hand in the black underbelly of the world, same as Saizo--and Ryoma was still grateful for all of the bleak things the ninja did so that Ryoma's path could remain unimpeded.

He'd still work for a world with no need of shinobi.]

I wonder how easy it'd be to get Prince Leo to trust me...

[He murmurs, teasing in his tone as he picked up a sweet from the plate, offering it to Niles with a hum.]

I probably have to do things the hard way by being honest and generous. Kind. It's such a trial, being king.

[And while his voice was dry and completely serious, by the gods he was joking.]

[deniles]

Ryoma. Trust me. I've done just as much as Saizo has done sometimes.

[He has murdered many a man. He has dug deep and done what he needed to so he could survive the next day. And he wonders if Ryoma realizes that or simply suppresses it.]

It'll be far easier than you think. He trusts me more than most other people. If I trust you... he'll trust you.

[He takes a bite of the sweet, humming lightly.]

Mmm. Maybe set up a date for him and Takumi.

[lightninglobster]

I know.

[He didn't know exactly how dark the stain on Niles' hands was... but he knew it was there, acknowledged it, and resolved to make it so that Niles didn't have to live that life if he didn't wish.]

That can be arranged. I'm going to need a longterm diplomat for Nohr's court... and Takumi needs polish on his political skills.

[His brother had taken well to his government studies, but he was still too known to the Hoshidan court--too brash, too young, too easy to sniff derisively at since they'd known him as a brattier child.]

I suppose that makes my decision for me.

[deniles]

Takumi would be a good fit and Leo does need something to keep himself busy.

[Plus if Leo gets married, it'll be easier for the court to respect him. And then Niles can tease him as well.]

Ah there. My first checkmark on the list. And I just arrived.

[lightninglobster]

I feel like I should protest offering my brother to your former liege a little more strongly...

[But Takumi was hardly a lamb. Leo could probably be considered a wolf... until you saw him before his morning caffeine. Ryoma laughed, kissing Niles' neck against and stealing the rest of the sweet for himself.]

Your first check was sending my brother away, hm?

[deniles]

When you say it like that, it makes me sound so cruel.

[He chuckles and moves to kiss him on the lips.]

My second check will be getting you naked.

[lightninglobster]

You relish in your cruelty, beloved.

[He leans into the kiss, lips still sweet from the treat he'd nibbled on.]

In this room? Or in our quarters, once I show you the king's room?

[His voice dropped a few notches, grin twitching on his lips as he lets his hands drift lower on Niles' waist.]

[deniles]

[He smirked and began to shuffle slightly out of his yukata.]

Here. I don't feel much like waiting.

[He let out a little chuckle and a groan, moving to spread his legs enough that Ryoma could go right at him.]

[lightninglobster]

Niles... you're as insatiable as ever.

[And Ryoma wasn't complaining. He watched the yukata fall and drape over Niles' shoulders, moving to straddle his fiance and kiss over his neck, his shoulders, hands roaming freely down his chest so that he could tug at his obi.]

Do you have anything to ease the way...?

[deniles]

In my things... if someone could fetch them...

[It would mean someone would have to walk in on them. Not sure if anyone would want to do that, mind you.]

[lightninglobster]

Easily done.

[Ryoma leaned back, calling something to the empty room... and while one of the shinobi that was within hearing distance went to retrieve Niles' things and work on her poker face, Ryoma turned his attention back to unwrapping Niles like a present, exploring every inch of skin as he slid lower and lower on his lover.]

Gods, I've missed you.

[deniles]

Ah, I can tell...

[He lets out a low little groan as he moves to slip further and further out of the outfit. He did just put it on but it was so quickly coming off.]

I don't think I've seen you this horny.

[lightninglobster]

What can I say?

[Ryoma skimmed his hand down Niles' stomach, palming at him through his underclothes as he leaned up for a proper kiss, speaking when he broke to draw breath.]

You're... you're mine, my husband to be. I don't have to hide you, or my heart any longer. You're... I hope you think you're home. With me. I'm so happy.

[deniles]

[He kissed back, letting out a small little gasp as he moved around on Ryoma's crotch. His fingers moving to curl through his hair.]

I don't know if I'm ready to call this home, but I know you won't rest until you make it feel like home.

[He smiles softly.]

And I thank you for that.

[lightninglobster]

[He pressed their hips together, rocking against Niles in slow, teasing motions as he kept his clothes mostly intact--one of them would have to get up to get the package once it was delivered, after all.

Besides, there was something enticing about having Niles next to bare under him while he remained clothed.]

I'll do everything in my power to make you desire to stay.

[The 'with me' lingered, unsaid.]

I love you.

[deniles]

I desire to stay with you, my dear Ryoma.

[He lets out a small chuckle as he keeps himself rocking against him. His undergarments slowly slipping off.]

So love me. Like I love you. And I'll have nothing left to want.

[lightninglobster]

Forever, please. That's all I want--all I need.

[He's tugging and pushing at Niles' clothes to leave him bare, to spread him open, lips chasing the paths that his hands forge.]

I'll love you until I can love nothing at all. My heart is full of my affection for you.