[Orym spends too much time watching the prince. In fairness, it is his job to do exactly that, but it's gone so far beyond just the act of guarding a young noble. Of course it has.
When he'd first been assigned to this position -- the personal guard to Prince Brontë, a promotion really, after he'd managed to be in the right place at the right time to thwart an unexpected assassination attempt against the King and Queen -- he hadn't known much about the younger Prince Wyvernwind, save what he could tell from afar -- that he was beautiful, fair-faced and strong-shouldered, that he always managed to look the part of dutiful and perfect prince.
As he got to know him though, he'd seen more. So much more.
The prince is genuinely kind, not only for show in public. He's gentle and soft spoken, surprisingly down to earth for a young royal who's been sheltered in his kingdom all his life. He's funny too, clever and quick-witted once opened up. It took some time, really, but they've both let their guards down around each other. Orym has to remind himself again and again that he's nothing more than bodyguard, here to keep the Prince safe. Not to keep him company.
But oh he likes his company, has come to look forward to hearing that musical laugh, come to treasure when he's managed to convince Brontë to play or sing for him. There's a warmth in his chest when the Prince confides in him, when he's given glimpses into those surprising insecurities, his hopes and dreams.
It's several months into spending day after day with the Prince that he realizes he's fallen for him. It's foolish. It's utterly foolish and it can never be anything. So he wraps those feelings away and pushes them down as deep as he can.
Today they're in the palace courtyards. The sun shines bright from a sky that is a perfect shade of blue interrupted only by a few white clouds. Orym is rolling his wrist to let his sword dip and then rise, the familiar heft and weight of the blade comfortable in his hand.]
You know, you're good with a blade. I've seen it. But I could probably teach you a few tricks, if you'd be interested.
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Date: 2024-09-07 05:00 am (UTC)[ If push came to shove, he certainly would do it again, make any sacrifice necessary for Orym. But he was glad that they could finally be together now.
Dorian laughs softly. ]
I don’t mind that. And I’m sure they’ll understand. I probably will have to drop by the inn later to let them know I’m okay and that I’ll be spending the night here, but after that… I’m all yours.
[ Now, and always. ]
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Date: 2024-09-07 05:09 am (UTC)[Orym echoes quietly, pleased by the way it sounds. He'll let Dorian out of his arms long enough to let his friends know he's alive. That's fine. As long as Dorian comes back to his arms before too long.
All his.
The next words he say seem to burst from his lips of their own volition.]
Marry me?
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Date: 2024-09-07 05:12 am (UTC)R… Really?
[ He’d always imagined that they would eventually, once they started their new life. But he hadn’t expected Orym to ask so soon, after they’d just reunited. ]
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Date: 2024-09-07 05:20 am (UTC)Really. I don't want to imagine life without you again. I want to spend every day left in my life with you. As my husband. As my everything.
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Date: 2024-09-07 05:24 am (UTC)Oh, Orym… I want that more than anything. To be with you for the rest of our lives. Of course I’ll marry you.
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Date: 2024-09-08 01:02 am (UTC)He hears himself laughing, all the joy that he'd never thought he'd feel again.]
Let's find somewhere far away from here. Where no one knows who either one of us is.
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Date: 2024-09-08 01:13 am (UTC)Let’s do it.
Although… could my friends come with us? I mean, they should be safe here, since it’s far enough from the capital, but it would still be safer for them outside of the kingdom.
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Date: 2024-09-08 01:26 am (UTC)[Also the fact that Dorian has friends makes Orym feel incredibly relieved and warm. That he hasn't been on his own in his escape from his former life. That he's found other people who care about him.]
We can go wherever you want.
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Date: 2024-09-08 01:31 am (UTC)And he couldn’t wait for Orym to meet them, sure they would love the halfling too. ]
What… What about your original home? You said you’d come from somewhere far away, right? Could we maybe go there?
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Date: 2024-09-08 02:16 am (UTC)[He smiles the, leaning his forehead to Dorian's.]
You can meet my mom. She'll love you.
[She'll adore him and spoil him rotten no doubt. It's been a long time since Orym has been home, after all, and him coming home with someone who so clearly holds his heart? Dorian will be thoroughly welcomed.]
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Date: 2024-09-08 02:18 am (UTC)I'd love to meet her. And to see what your home is like. You'll show me around, right?
[ He wants to see everything, to see all the places of the home where Orym grew up. ]
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Date: 2024-09-08 02:54 am (UTC)[Well now he's just excited.
He finds the bard's lips with his own again, another kiss then another. He feels light. Giddy. Alive again for the first time in what feels like so long.]
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Date: 2024-09-08 03:02 am (UTC)He's excited now as well, more than he's been able to be in so long. Even the hope of seeing Orym again after he'd left home had been tinged with a bit of fear, that something might have happened to Orym and he wouldn't be here anymore, or that things might have changed.
But being able to be together now, with the hope of going to see Orym's home and be with him, to have a life with the man he loved and the new friends he'd made, has his heart feeling so full and warm. ]
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Date: 2024-09-08 03:28 am (UTC)So there's a growing need in the way the halfling melts into him, in the way lips part against Dorian's to urge the kiss deeper.]
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Date: 2024-09-08 03:35 am (UTC)But it's not enough. Now that they're back together after so long, it isn't enough to satisfy him yet. ]
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Date: 2024-09-11 02:59 am (UTC)He wants him. Desire has been an entirely absent thing, until now.
Oh until now when he is back in Dorian's arms and he wants him, needs him.]
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Date: 2024-09-11 03:03 am (UTC)Because he absolutely needs Orym right now too. ]
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Date: 2024-09-11 03:18 am (UTC)He's barely thinking clearly at the moment. But thinking is overrated when he can feel instead.
Another whimper to those lips and he ruts back against him, his own prick noticeably hard as he presses into the other man.]
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Date: 2024-09-11 03:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-09-23 01:05 am (UTC)Please...
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Date: 2024-09-23 01:42 am (UTC)Don’t worry, love. I’ve got you.