sinbound. [Akira & Earinor] [ENG]

    • "Don't worry about me getting cold, I endured more than that and I still wear something, right?", he grinned. At the very least he sometimes enjoyed being cold and testing his limits. Being on top of Fhaergus mountains without a coat was something he managed before and he would again, even more so if they didn't linger around but were just passing through. Ronan on the other hand probably froze to death even with his warmest clothes. "Well your clothes won't fit. What about one of your hairbands? I can put it in my pocket, or wear it around my wrist. If I let my hair grow a little bit longer, I could even use it myself.", Caelan proposed, now that would be something to hold onto, would it not? It also wouldn't raise suspicion probably, it could be anyones, even his own. "That sounded like an invitation, you know?", Caelan laughed, not sure if it actually had been one. For now he didn't undress Ronan, he just kept close to him and actually moved both blankets over both of them, why wouldn't they share if it was possible? That also meant Caelan was able to warm up the air under the blankets for Ronan too.

      "My assumptions about you before I got to know you? Mh... as I said, I didn't even recognize you and I mostly don't listen to rumors, so I didn't have much of an opinion. After we spent the night at the lake, I... hm... well I thought you needed a friend, so I wanted to be one for you, that's why I dragged you around and let you meet my friends.", Caelan explained honestly. His friends were the one talking about what they new when Caelan introduced them, telling him that he won't stand a chance at a tournament. Well he proved everyone wrong, didn't he? "I will only try to get into your pants when you're warm enough for something like that. So maybe one of the huts, but probably not outside in the snow.", Caelan chuckled, he didn't want to kill Ronan. Why was he even talking about undressing and stuff that much? Did he expect something? Not that Caelan would mind, but it hadn't been his intention when they came here. "That's because the peak of the antler circles around the north star and that one's always there." Caelan was able to be a nerd too, wasn't he? Stars were just something he spent time with and that he learned about. He started with it to know his way around, so he didn't get lost on one of his adventures, but then it kind of was fun and he kept learning more and more.

    • "Yes, but not exactly the warmest of clothes ... well, I guess that makes it easier to peel you out of them, no?", he mused, knowing fully well that he had no intention to do so, not outside anyway and not if Caelan wasn't exactly up for it. Why should he ruin a moment like this anyway? They had a few moments, maybe one or two hours, in which they had time for themselves and were free of rules, didn't have to adhere to anything and Ronan was, for the lack of a better word, quite exhilerated that they did. The worry he'd had before, that his father would catch onto them or punish him for doing unspeakable things, dissipated faster than imagined - all of this simply amounted to nothing much, even if he was fairly certain that whatever he did, he'd figure the details out later. "My hairbands? Sure, I can give you some!" Well, for now Caelans hair was probably too short, but that was something that was easily fixable - and if he wore one of the fancier ones around his wrist, nobody would ask what it was and just accept it was a wristband of some sort, wouldn't they? "Well, if it did, why don't you take me up on it?" Now, he was toying with his fellow noble, but why wouldn't he if everything seemed so easy to grasp to begin with? Ronan was, for one, not only unsure if he wanted to do this, he also had more blankets to keep him warm, didn't he?

      "You are pretty plain", he suddenly exclaimed upon hearing what Caelan had to say about him - there was no prejudice, something that he'd actually had expected. "Maybe I do need friends ... or, well, in this case a boyfriend", he snorted. His eyes were still fixated on the dim nightsky, on the stars that he liked to watch and he wondered how long something like this would suffice as a hobby, until he got bored of watching them, watching the world around him move, all the while he remained completely still and watched, unmoving, dissipating stars. "If you try that, I'll probably be frozen to death before you even get a chance to take my clothes off." That was a reality he had to live with - an he was the one that was fairly certain he'd catch a nasty cold if they attempted something like that, even if he just took of his shirt, it would cause him to be a sniffling, snotty mess afterwards. "Of course, that's ... well, Olette likes to be as annoying as they can, don't they?", he proposed, knowing well enough that while the constellation itself was nice to look at, it being there almost all year round meant that it was somewhat of a fixated thing, much like Olette's nobles managing to piss him off with only a few words, while Darragh seemingly was willingly friends with them. "You do know a lot about the stars, don't you?"
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "Do you plan to?", Caelan asked with a grin on his face. "Or would you let me run naked around the snowy fields? That sounds like something you would fancy." And would Caelan have something against it? Probably not for a few minutes, he'd entertain Ronan for a while and he didn't mind feeling some cold snow on his skin either. "If you can spare some, I'd gladly take them, so I also have something by my side all the time. If you want something smaller than a shirt, additionally of course, maybe we can think of something too." After all Ronan couldn't wear Caelans shirt all the time, but the good thing of it not smelling like Caelan at some point anymore was, when Caelan got it back it smelled of Ronan instead. As if to remind himself of that fact he turned his head, stopped gazing at the stars for a moment and instead kissed Ronans neck once. He remaind there for a moment longer to actually take in Ronans smell, before he turned to the stars again. "Because I wasn't sure it was, would I need to undress you to please you anyway? If you want something, tell me. Or do you just want another drink? Liquor, wine,...?", he chuckled.

      "Plain? Is that an insult?", Caelan asked laughing, it kind of sounded like one. "Oh now I'm sure you need a boyfriend, or rather me, what would you do without me?!", Caelan laughed again, even though they both meant it as a joke, wasn't there some truth behind it? "Don't worry, my body is enough to keep you warm, is it not?", he wanted to know with another chuckle. Both of them being naked in the snow would probably be a bad idea, even if Roan sure was able to stay even longer after an adventure like this, but what did Caelan have of him if he was lying in bed sick? "You don't like Olette?", Caelan asked still chuckling. Ethan was from there but that was about all people he knew that somewhat had a name. "I learned about them for my adventures, but then I kind of grew fond of it. I like the night sky, we're all under the same roof in that regard, isn't that nice? People somewhere else in Adrestia or even the wolves land see the same thing, so we're kinda connected. Mhh... that's cheasy isn't it?"

    • "No", he chuckled. There was no reason for him to take off his boyfriends shirt, was there now? Not out here anyway. "I'd rather not have you catch a cold, actually, but ... maybe as a punishment, would that work?", he snickered. For all he knew, both of them could be wrong and neither of them wanted to do what the other had in mind - but that wasn't something Ronan would mind, the situation would play out like it should. "I'm sure I have enough, I can show you some tomorrow, just choose one." Actually, he had way too many of them and some he'd never worn, but those were somewhere else anyway. Naturally, if one were to always gift him hairties, he'd eventually lose his mind by the sheer collection he'd own, without even wanting half of them. "I think I'm quite content with your shirts, even if I can't always wear or cuddle them." And if anyone asked, he could still act like he didn't know what everybody was talking about - or just say that he had no idea where the shirt came from, or anything else - well, at least the kiss was a nice enough surprise for him, now that Caelan gave him one. "Unless you want me to ruin my pants, you'd probably have to get rid of them ... hm, I think I'm fine for now, but do you want anything? I don't mind sharing some more liquor with you, you know."

      They both were two opposite sides of a coin, that much was clear - and even if Ronan sometimes was unwilling to admit to a plethora of things, he would not deny that being with Caelan not only filled him with joy, but also gave him a pretty basic idea of what he wanted to be like, or rather, what he wished he was like. "No, I'm just saying that I'd expect you to listen to gossip just like any other person, but for some reason, you don't - is it odd that I find that odd?", he asked, unsure about whatever was supposed to be going on. "I'd simply die, but I think we already figured that out." Ronan was sure that even with Caelan by his side, he wouldn't just be fixed like that, freed from whatever was plagueing him, but it was a start - one that he didn't want to go to waste. "It's not that I don't like them, but rather that my father does like them", he retaliated, squinting at the bright splotches up ahead before averting his gaze and returning the favor from earlier - only that he actually bit Caelan in the neck. "You are being cheesy, but why not? You do strike me as a romantic person, so there's nothing wrong with that - I wouldn't want to change who you are." His nose was, actually, feeling somewhat cold, which was why he pressed it against Caelans warm skin next - well, this was nice, no?
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "I think I've never actually had a cold, at least I never really felt sick, don't worry about that.", Caelan chuckled. Maybe he did, but then he mostly ignored it, what happened way more often was him getting hurt, like this time, or any other time he did something stupid with Cameron. "I'll look forward to it, as long as you can spare one." Caelan looked at Ronan one more time, at his silhouette and how beautiful he looked in this dim light. It was a relatively bright night though, they were lucky to be able to actually see the stars and not only clouds. "More shirts then.", he smiled, looked back at the night sky and needed to chuckle once more. "I mean I'd just need to pull your pants down a little bit, but you could keep your shirt, you know?", he said and was too lazy to move for the bottle for now though.

      "I dont know if that's odd. I just like to form my own opinions. People badmouth other people all the time, sometimes I do too, to feel better and that's fine. Hoewever, if you only get one opinion it's hardly worth anything." That was just how Caelan of Fhaergus was deep down, in acutality he wanted to like everyone, why wouldn't he? Hating someone from the getgo was just annoying and he didn't gain anything from it. "So you don't like who your father likes, I can imagine he has bad taste.", Caelan concluded. Soon after Caelan felt Ronan teeth, it let him flinch a little and chuckle once more. His nose was cold, ut that was fine, in the end Caelan turned his head though. He looked at his boyfriend, one hand on his cheek and kissed him softly. When he moved back again he still smiled at Ronan. "So do you still one more to drink or something else?"

    • "I think you just get to ignore it, don't you?", Ronan laughed. Whenever he caught a cold, he felt floored and miserable, he laid down and hoped for something better to happen than the things that were currently transpiring - but whatever it was, whatever he attempted to make of it, he only found himself in bed and was hoping that he'd at least be allowed to breathe for a second, even though his airways felt more than just clogged up. "I have a ton to spare, trust me", he informed the blonde. Now, that meant that he - one way or the other - had to use some that he usually wouldn't, at least that he could make them smell like him to some extent, that was what Caelan wanted, was it not? "You can't just gift me your entire wardrobe, can you now?", he asked, but he didn't mind - though, if he had a few of Caelans shirts, he could just explain that the tailor had messed up his usual measurements, that would suffice, would it not? And if it didn't, the two of them had to come up with something else, or at least he did - nobody would ask about a hairtie or two, especially if the person in question was growing out their hair. "That ... well, you are right about that, but do you really want to do that right now?" Was there anything to stop them?

      "Forming your own opinions is fine, trust me - and there's nothing wrong with badmouthing someone or something, especially if it goes entirely against what you believe in. Or if they piss you off, I know that feeling well enough." Ronan wasn't much different, although he sometimes wished he was. Sowing seeds of lies and deception wasn't exactly his strong suit, but twisting someones words in their very own mouth was and who was he if he didn't utilize a skill like that? Snakes were all among the royals of Adrestia and none of them would care to rat them out, as long as it served a purpose or entertained them to a certain degree. "Darragh has horrible taste, trust me. He likes the nobles of Olette and Lavern, he likes Myriad because he thinks he'll get a favor from the king if Henry and me are friends and well, as for Stenz, Fhaergus and Wezette, I ... you can imagine his opinion", he sighed, he didn't want to talk about his father and politics, not out here at least. Instead, his face had been buried in Caelans neck and he took the liberty of delivering another bite, just for the hell of it, before he started sucking on the spot - this was going to end in a mess. "I don't mind another drink", he answered as he let go of Caelans neck and peered upward - why couldn't it be a tad bit warmer?
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "I mean I just am way too energetic to lie in bed, I get bored, so even with a headache I like to go outside or do... Something. That I lay in bed the last few days is almost a miracle to be honest and now I'm feeling more than good enough to venture outside, no matter the docs opinion.", he explained and that was probably all there was to it." Do you know how big my wardrobe is? I don't like to call myself spoiled, but I have a ton of shirts. My mom always brings some when she shops for new dresses and for formal atire, my father thinks you cannot wear the same outfit twice." It was a waste of money and ressources, but at least he either kept them, or he and also his family made sure someone else did, instead of throwing it away. Fhaergus was not as easily manageable as other countries. Nowadays there were no real troubles, but back in the day everone always cherished what they had and even the nobled kept that tradition. "I didn't want to go outside to do that. You're the one daring.", he chuckled and pressed another kiss on Ronans neck.

      "Good then, I didn't want to change anyway.", he smiled and listened to what Ronan had to say. For some reason they got back to his father again, which happened a lot and neither of them fancied this too much. "I get it.", Caelan answered and shook his head. "Well, we'll make it better when we are dukes." At least that was a goal for them both, even though they didn't want to inheriat their countries. Caelan still stared up at the stars and the corners of his mouth curled upward ss he felt Ronans lips, tongue and teeth." This... Was nice. I don't know if I want to move...", he smiled but did anyway. He sat up to grab the bottle, but instead of giving it to Ronan he took a sip himself, not gulping it down though. Instead he leaned over Ronan for a kiss, to share a moment and the liquor.

    • "I'm pretty much convinced that one of these days, you're going to attempt to climb a mountain, break a limb and you won't come back down without having reached the top first", he sighed. They both were disasters in their own regard, that much was clear, but one of these days, Caelan of Fhaergus was going to accidentally get himself killed and Ronan of Alster would outlive him, even if it was only by a few hours, or maybe even days. However, whatever it was, he wasn't sure if he would outlive his beloved to begin with and even if he did, what was it worth? A life filled with things akin to pain and agony at every corner wasn't worth living, especially if the person that was making it endurable was disappearing from it. "Well, if that's the case, why not hand me any shirt you've worn more than once? Do you even have a favorite piece of clothing?", Ronan inquired. If that were true, then Caelan was not only wasting precious fabric at the command of his father, but he also had plenty of things to spare for his boyfriend, did he not? "And you're the one that likes a challenge, or am I wrong about that?"

      One kiss was enough, plenty of them were more than enough and now, the stars weren't as important anymore, instead it was Caelan, it was the pain he felt when he found himself apart from him and he was convinced that his seperation anxiety came from more than just a bad experience or two. Naturally, he'd feel the need to let go, to push Caelan away, but he didn't, instead he glued himself onto him, cuddled up to him and questioned what else there was that he could do, just to escape the bittersweet promise of reality. "If we get to be dukes", he mumbled. Ronan still wasn't sure about any of that - as long as his parents were alive, he wouldn't be ruling anything and while his mother would want him to rule Alster, if she were to pass before Darragh, he was almost convinced that his brother would be the one to ascend onto the throne instead, to inherit the title of duke - not, that he would mind, but it would pull him away from Caelan, wouldn't it? "Well, do you want more nice things?", he asked, almost void of all the shyness he usually brought about - instead, his warm breath hit a patch of skin, unmarred and without a scar, or a hickey, for that matter. Though, instead, Caelan was the one that moved, that almost let Ronan to complain, only to take a whisk of the booze they had brought and put their lips to one anothers, to have the burning liquor not only enter his mouth as well, but run down his chin in rivulets. Aside from being messy, wasn't it enjoyable, too? Once they parted, the blackhaired noble swallowed what he'd been offered, only to lick his lips. "Well, you are quite daring", he laughed, only to lean forward and press his still damp lips to Caelans again.
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "I'm not trying to kill myself.", Caelan chuckled and shook his head. "If I were to break my bones while climbing a mountain, I'd have plenty to do to get myself down again, especially if I broke my leg, but I'm careful you know? And I won't die that easily, I can deal with the pain if I have to to crawl back home, especially if someone is waiting for me." Caelan pressed a kiss on Ronans cheek. He didn't intend to let him down, if he were alone again, Caelan wasn't sure what Ronan would do and he didn't want to find out. "Any shirt? That's a lot and I don't think I have a favorite.", Caelan answered with a smile. If you had so much stuff, how would you pick a favorite, especially since he didn't had them for long. Also those were only shirts, nothing special. "Ronan why don't you tell me what you want or just take it?", Caelan grinned, because he himself wasn't sure what Ronans game was. Maybe he was indecisive himself and questioned if he wouldn't freeze if Caelan started to undress him, even a little bit.

      Caelan put his arm around Ronan and wondered if he already was cold and if that was the reason for coming so close all of a sudden. "Still thinking about running away?", Caelan asked chuckling. Maybe they won't become dukes, but why exactly not? Allard had no other choice but to appoint Caelan as his heir, at least Caelan was pretty sure, that he wouldn't get a sibling anytime soon. But until their fathers lay down there position, a lot of years would pass still. "More nice things? Of course!", Caelan smiled, the warm breath he felt made him shiver for a second but Ronan wanted to drink, right? After their kiss another one followed and Caelan put his arm around Ronan once more, but only after he pulled on the blanket to put it tightly around Ronans shoulders again, both blankets to be exact. He didn't want him to get cold anytime soon. Under the blankets Caelan at least felt cozy and warm.

    • "No, but being as reckless as you are could lead to killing yourself on accident", he mumbled. Caelan would not back down, even if that mean he were to kill hymself on accident and frankly, Ronan would be the one that found himself alone, sooner than later, no? "I'll take your word for it then - don't you dare die on one of your hikes, or at all. I'd be lonely", Ronan insisted. He made it sound like he'd been lonely before, even if he had Henry, even if he had other strangers around him - but Caelan was different, so much that he, for one reason or the other, would not be willing to give him up. "I'll take all your shirts and just claim someone mixed up our wardrobes, would that work? At least at the next event ... but you still need one for going home." They both really didn't want to be found out, yet the silver lining was so thin and Ronan was the one that was constantly trying to step over it, just by making a stupid and bold decision - and to steal back a kiss from Caelan, just because he felt like it. "Uh ... well, for once, I don't actually know what I want", he elaborated, a puzzled grimace on his face, accompanied by something just a bit shy of a sorry-looking smile.

      "Sort of? I mean, not ... forget it, you're right", he chuckles, as he presses his face against Caelans chest in retaliation, just to find some more warmth. Ronan wasn't cold, not yet anyway, but if anything, he just enjoyed being close to his boyfriend, even if that meant to cut some corners, or at least more than he wanted to. Whether or not he was the heir of Alster, the bastard son of its duchess and his father one of Thria, he was doing horribly in the cold, almost as if he was spitting on all the legacy that he'd been burdened with. "You're funny, Caelan", he mused, even when he felt the blankets around him pulling closer, even when he noticed that none of this was exactly in vain, but rather that the blonde cared about him and he always, every goddamn time, made sure that he was at least feeling comfortable. "I'm not cold yet, you really don't have to wrap me in two blankets ... like I said, I also wouldn't mind if you took one or two layers off of me, either." Theoretically, the decision itself was a bit stupid, especially since he got cold about as easily, but it just felt right to dare Caelan, even if that meant he'd eventually have to decide what he wanted.
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "I wouldn't call myself reckless, I just like a challenge. Why do you worry about that all of a sudden?", Caelan wanted to know, while he looked at what he could see from Ronans face in the dim light, at the same time he let his fingers run over his cheek for a brief moment. "I don't intend on giving up my life so easily." Caelan valued his life, he didn't want to throw it away nor would he give up if it got hard. Even though he could have died in the past, it wasn't all too common. The closest call was his encounter with the boar, but Cameron dragged him back home and everything turned out well, did it not? The rest was just getting hurt or a little bit sick, nothing major. A broken arm was not the end of the world, not even the wound he had now. At least Ronan could stand looking at him as long as it was as dark as it was now. He didn't worry too much about the pain anymore, or about any side effects, but he did in fact worry about his aesthetics. "It's funny that when we met I wore no shirt at all...", he suddenly said because it jumped as suddenly in his head. "For once? You often don't know what you want."

      "Funny? How come?", Caelan asked but got an explanation soon enough. Well if Ronan thought of caring for him as funny, then that was that. Caelan wasn't going to stop anyway and hearing that Ronan didn't feel cold was good. "Well there is nothing wrong with sharing the two blankets, what else would I do with the second one?", Caelan asked while his finger moved around Ronans body. He searched for the beginning of his shirt and eventually let his hand slide between the fabric and Ronans skin, he didn't need to undress him, to touch him right? While he let his fingers softly wander over Ronans silky skin, he also got rid of his own shoes, because they annoyed him. He used his feet to be able to slip out of them an thought of helping Ronan with his too, only to notice that he kind of liked his high boots and they should stay where they were. He leaned forward to kiss Ronans neck, let his hand slip back out and opened the buttons on Ronans jacket at least, but he didn't get rid of it, however, it made it easier to wander about on Ronans skin right after again. "Is that what you wanted?", he asked with a slight chuckle.

    • "Just in case - it's better to be prepared than not, or am I wrong?", he asked, knowing well enough that, while had was somewhat right, he himself was never prepared for anything but rather threw his life away, just because it wasn't worth living, at least not in his opinion, or was it now? "I'll take your word for it, but remember, even if it's not your intention, fate might have something else for you in store." Now, that sounded depressing and while Ronan didn't want a happy moment to turn into something either of them could learn to despise, wasn't it - quite frankly - one thing he was good at talking about? Whatever it was that he wished for, it was Caelans safety first and foremost, everything else came in second, even though that might be one of the many mistakes he was prone on making. "Well, you were quite indecent, I suppose ... no, wait, that's ... the wrong word. You weren't expecting to have a foulmouthed noble join you for the evening and even when I did, you weren't complaining all that much." A slight grin spread on his face - and Caelan hit the nail on the head once more, it was almost embarrassing how well he seemed to know him after two encounters. "I'd argue it's different this time, but it really isn't."

      "I don't know, actually - your mere presence makes me smile and whatever you say makes me giddy, well, most of it anyway. I feel like I'm some damsel that fell for a peasant and now, whatever you do or say, even if I can't admit it, brings me joy", Ronan mused. In the end, their relationship wasn't all that different from that of a noble and a peasant - they couldn't tell anyone about it and they were forced to keep it a secret, lest they'd be seperated and punished for a crime that they weren't really committing. "Hog it, maybe? I don't know, you could just let me freeze, but you don't", he suddenly laughed. Why was Caelan not tired of him, his way of viewing things and why did he agree to go out with him, to call him his boyfriend? Weren't they just more than strangers turned into lovers anyway and wasn't it a goddamn shame there was nothing they could do about that? Again, Caelans touch felt mesmerizing, as if it were to burn itself into his skin, etched in there for ages to come - and even when his jacket was undone, he didn't complain, instead leaning into the touch and stealing another kiss from the blondes lips, just because he couldn't get to his neck like this and return the favor. "Maybe I did ... but what is it that you want?"
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "There's nothing to be prepared for, I've survived pretty well the last 17 years.", Caelan smiled, he wasn't sure where all of this was coming from, why Ronan all of a sudden feared for him to die in an accident. He almost talked like he knew something was happening to Caelan, but maybe he was just scared and imagined the worst when his life went good for a change. He didn't need to worry, in fact Caelan didn't even take a walk in the few weeks they had been separated. "I guess I just knew your attitude was just an act. Besides, be honest, you did like me without my shirt, right? Better had it off than on?", he laughed, after all Ronan already had told him that he had had a crush on him for quite a while already and since he didn't know him what else could it have been but his body and stature? "I think you need to get the fact in your head that you can wish for something for a change.", he smiled, Ronan wasn't used to this.

      "Hey, whoa, peasant?", he asked acting hurt, but he still laughed. "I'm a noble too you know? And I'm glad you're not some princess, but I'm gladly here to save you, rescue you from a dragon. I've always wanted to be a hero." He chuckled, but he knew this wasn't their reality. In fact Caelan wasn't able to save Ronan from anything, he wasn't capable of saving him from his father, he just could snatch him away for a few weeks, not knowing what would happen if he came back home afterwards. "Since we share the blankets there is no need for me to hog one of them, silly.", Caelan answered and he also wasn't going to let Ronan freeze. "Why do you laugh?", he wanted to know, returning the kiss he received. "Me? I just wanted to be alone with you, farther away from other people and outside for a change.", he smiled, he didn't have any ulterior motives, he also didn't know what he wanted now. "I just want you to be happy and not freeze to death."

    • "If you say so", Ronan answered. While Caelan did well for the past few years, he hadn't and the grotesque amount of joy and dread it brought him, once he brought a knife down on his feeble skin or was met with the realization that the blood he'd lost was gone forever and he was close to blacking out, maybe forever as well, was surreal. Sometimes he felt as if he had been meant to be who he was, felt as if nothing could stop him, rescue him from the inevitable dread that was this world that he seemingly loathed, but in the end, there seemed to be someone that cared, that didn't want him gone just yet. Ronan of Alster wasn't easily impressed, but Caelan of Fhaergus made it hard for him to not be and even harder for him to not have any standards. What was this, if not blasphemous thinking, going against anything and everything he'd been taught since childhood? "It wasn't an act, I'd say - I am an asshole, but that didn't stop you from getting closer. And ... hm, maybe? You look pretty hot without one, you know", he scoffed. It was embarrassing to be forced to admit to it all, but frankly, what else was he supposed to do if not that, if not admitting to his shortcomings and the fact that he'd rather see Caelan shirtless than fully dressed? "Mh ... maybe you're right. I mean, I still have some wishes, don't I?"

      Frankly, his choice of words was horrible, but that aside, Ronan knew what he could say around Caelan without majorly insulting him - any other noble would have never talked to him, or at least made it sound like he was actively trying to insult them instead of just playfully joking around. "A dragon? You dream pretty big, don't you? I mean, if you rescued me from one, I'm sure nobody would even try to contest you for asking me for my hand in marriage", he joked. Sure, there were no dragons, all of them came from myths and stories that people told one another, claiming to have found the next big thing, but there was nothing - the only thing he knew that closely resembled a dragon and their often horrid attitude was Darragh, who seemingly wouldn't budge. "I know, but I'm just saying that theoretically, you could, you know?" There was no denying it, he just was grasping at straws at this point, but then again, Caelan was too worried about him and his rigid health to actually let him freeze - even though a cold wouldn't kill him or get too nasty, it was still annoying. "I just find it funny, no particular reason!" Not everyone would care for him like the blonde did, no? "Well, we have all that now, don't we? Or do you want to go even further down the hill and to the creek down there?" Not, that it was suitable for swimming, let alone warm enough, but ... why not? "Oh, I am happy", Ronan chuckled, before he stole another short kiss.
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "When's your birthday anyway?", Caelan suddenly asked, looking at Ronan interested like a child that was about to hear a story. He never had asked Ronan before, but why exactly? How would he make him a present if he didn't even know when he was borne? In turn Ronan also didn't know when Caelans birthday was, in fact they didn't even know who of them was the older one, there was something else to win for them. Caelan already was thinking about what he'd give to Ronan, what present he was able to give him, maybe a book? An old one, something special? Actually he didn't know but he would come up with something when the day arose, well if it wasn't anytime soon anyway. "How come you were able to be an asshole to me, while when I introduced you to my friends you couldn't bring yourself to open your mouth?", Caelan laughed, Ronan didn't make a lot of sense actually. "Wishes? To be honest I lost track of those, but yes I guess. One of which you already voiced though, did you have another one?", Caelan answered with another laugh, they exchanged so many wishes, he really didn't know anymore.

      "Maybe your father is close enough to a dragon.", Caelan answered, though snatching Ronan away wasn't so easy and slaying his father wasn't either, actually that was no option at all. Caelan couldn't just kill a noble, just because he was an asshole, sadly, he also didn't know if he wanted to go that far in the first place. He never killed someone, so he wasn't sure if he'd have a problem with it, for now there had been absolutely no reason to. "It's beautiful here, or are you daring me? I'd jump into the creek if I get something for it? I didn't even know there was one here though.", he grinned, but there was no need to pack everything up and leave again, the hill here was fine. It wasn't important where exactly they were anyway, Caelan just wanted to be with Ronan. "Or is it you want to take a swim?", Caelan asked jokingly, of course Ronan didn't want to, the air alone was enough to make him cold. Still, as long as they were both under the two blankets there was no chance he was getting cold, therefore Caelan didn't have any second thoughts when he tucked on Ronans shirt as if he wanted to help him undress to jump into the creek eventually.

    • "My birthday?", Ronan suddenly asked - Caelan was right, he'd never shared his birthday with the other, but the blonde hadn't done so, either. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Well, he was the one that wanted to know when his boyfriends birthday was as well, maybe he could gift him something and then pass it off as something like strengthening the ties between their countries. Alas, he wasn't sure what he'd gift the blonde, but he'd figure that out eventually, he had to - once he knew when. "August, what about you?", he threw at Caelan, not specifying anything at all. Being born during the warmer months was already a pain anyway, but August? As the heir of Alster? That just sounded as outlandish as someone like Caelan being born in July, of all things. "We didn't meet at an official event and you were alone. I don't know, I'm just irrationally fearful of people I don't know, especially among large masses - I just tense up." Tensing up wasn't fun, losing ones mind wasn't fun either and whatever came after that, well, Caelan saw for himself. In the end, he had been bold enough to give Cameron some sass, at least the last time they met and maybe, just maybe, that had been quite to his liking. "I still have two, but we'll see about that - using one of them now, well, why should I?"

      "You come to Alster and insult its own Duke? You ARE bold, Caelan of Fhaergus, but you might not even be wrong about that - he is very much behaving like one." To slay a duke wasn't an easy task or nothing that was heralded as the most noble of accomplishments. But at some point, who knew, maybe his boyfriend would be the one to liberate him from all the things that held him back? Then again, would he take Alster for himself, merge it with Fhaergus, or what would he really do? Cause an uproar among fellow nobles, in the kingdom of Adrestia? "It's down there ... and what would you want as a reward? I mean, I can blow you without getting cold, you know", he said, as he pointed at the silver lining at the end of the hill - the waters surface, illuminated by the moon. What kind of indecent proposals were they even making out here? What if somebody came looking for them and saw them like this? Well, the little bit of hope that he always had remained adamant - they were along and would be alone. "If you find a good enough reason for me, I might." Why not? He wouldn't die from just that, swimming didn't kill him the last time, so why would it now? "Should I help you find the buttons?", he suddenly asked, grabbing his boyfriends hand and guiding it to where one of them was. "I dare you."
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "Yes I'd like to.", Caelan answered while Ronan was beating around the bush before actually telling him when he was born. "August? That's not too far from now, when August?", he wanted to know, that was enough time to find a suitable present, right? "I'm born December, 12th to be exact. Damn that makes you half a year older than me!" Was Caelan upset about it? Not really, just a little bit surprised, but half a year was notjing in the end. "At least we get to spend your birthday together, during mine I'm always stuck in Fhaergus alone.", he replied, though maybe he was able to steal Ronan away during the winter, that would be nice. "Well we'll have you integrated into society at latest during the masquerade ball, I mean no need to be shy when nobody knows who you are, right?" Caelan chuckled, would Ronan need to change his voice? Maybe in the end he wouldn't speak a word to anyone but Caelan to not blow his cover. "Two? Damn really? Do I have any left?", he asked laughing, Ronan could have told him any numver really, he lost track.

      "Well he doesn't know, right? I didn't tell him to his face, but maybe I will at some point.", Caelan grinned at Ronan, the point out here was to be alone, right? "He isn't here, so any names you wanna call him?" Why not let out some heat or at least have fun? For now Caelan had to laugh yet again, Ronan sometimes said things he didn't account for. "I mean it's something you're pretty good at and it seems like you really like doing that, I'm not stopping you.", Caelan said with a grin on his face. He shook his head when Ronan actually made it a possibility to jump in himself. "Oh you're sure you won't get sick?", he asked somewhat worried, Ronan usually complained pretty soon about the cold, still he moved Caelans hand to one of the buttons of his shirt which the blonde swiftly opened. He moved on to the next and the next. "I'd rather not have you sick and be stuck inside with you now that I finally am able to walk around again. But if you're daring me to jump in, I'll be right back."

    • "And you are sure you want to?", he asked again, as if imparting the full knowledge upon Caelan would blow his mind or something. Not, that he didn't expect Caelan to be born during colder months, but December 12th was still autumn, wasn't it? "And here I thought you were born in winter!", Ronan suddenly laughed, as if that had been the funniest thing he had heard all day. Actually, some more liquor sounded good right about now, but like this, he wouldn't be able to reach it. "Fine, fine. I was born on August 3rd, are you happy now?" All of this was merely to know more about each other, to fill the void that was usually occupied by silence unlike any other - and they were doing a darn good job at keeping to themselves, at hiding things from one another before noticing that they didn't have to, that they didn't know enough about one another just yet. "And so what if I'm older? Shouldn't you be the one being more respectful towards me, then?", he joked, knowing fully well that there was no need for Caelan to do that. If anything, they both were nobles of the same age, of neighbouring countries and they were friends, as simple as that. "Maybe I can make an exception and be your birthday present this year, does that suffice?" Not that it would and not that he didn't want to visit Fhaergus emptyhanded, but he'd have to make up his mind by the end of summer and that wasn't all that far away. "The masquerade ... I kind of almost forgot about that."

      "You probably do, but I haven't kept track of your wishes, sorry." Was that his duty, supposed to be one of his tasks? If so, Ronan hadn't caught onto it and all he could do to mend it was offer Caelan an apologetic smile, not much else. "So you really want to take him on headfirst? How come? Do you hate yourself that much?", he suddenly wanted to know, fully aware of the fact that neither he or his boyfriend would benefit from antagonizing his father more than they already had done, but oh well, their relationship with each other alone had been a sin and everything they did seemingly a disappointment in their fathers eyes, so why not? "An asshole, a good-for-nothing father that doesn't even care about his children. He's just all kinds of awful and I hope he dies in a ditch or is stupid enough to let himself get poisoned. I want him to suffer bef- ... that's too much, really." Whatever the blonde had invoked in him, he wasn't sure, but he wouldn't be truly happy until he could bury his father or pluck his head from his shoulders, whatever opportunity presented itself first. Almost as if he were looking for an escape, Ronan cuddled up to Caelan once more, hiding his face. "Are you insinuating that I enjoy blowing you? Caelan, I'd feel offended, if you weren't right", he laughed, face still hidden. There was no denying it and any sound of false anger had been swallowed down - no need to get offended, was there? "I promise you I won't get sick and if I do, you can still drag me out of bed." Maybe that was a bad idea, but who cared? "Oh, I am daring you - and likewise, I'm daring you to unbutton the rest of my shirt!"
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.

    • "Why would I not?", Caelan asked grinning, Ronan was acting like this information would kill him. "Ronan winter in Fhaergud starts in October the latest and it's unreachable by December. The soonest I get out again is March.", he explained, so by his countries standards he was actually born in the middle of winter. There was almost no summer, but a comfortable spring weather at least in the summer months. Caelan wasn't one for heat so this was just perfect for him. "I am happy. 3rd,I'll remember that.", he nodded, he actually needed to find a good present soon. "Respectful? I have problems with authority sometimes, you know?", he answered laughing and even stuck his tongue out to Ronan to underline his statement. "Would you be at Fhaergus for my birthday, there's nothing more I'd wish for, given you can deal with me for so long." A few months without getting far was something not everyone could deal with. Sure, Caelan just went for a trip to the mountains if he got enough, but Ronan wasn't one for that sort of things." You forgot about having to wear a dress? I alteady paid for it!", Caelan let out laughing.

      "No problem, I guess I had mine or at least voiced it, I think the masquerade is one of those wishes, right? And you're always beating around the bush with yours!" If Caelan remembered correctly Ronan had still his first one and now the one from winning the tournament was due too. "I just love you, but I held back at the dinner, right? So don't worry." Caelan knew very well that taking on a duke head first was no good idea, he'd just try to make Ronans life as comfortable as possible. Caelan smiled and listened to Ronans little rant that was almost cute. There sure was more he wanted to say avout his father, yet he already held back. Caelan just comforted him he wouldn't force him to let everything out right here and now. Another topic probably was the way to go and Ronan chose to tell him that he was correct beforehabd, which made Caelan chuckle. "Glad to be of service I guess, but you know, if you're hungry you just neef to eat more actual food.", he joked with a big grin on his face. "You promise me? Alright...", Caelan smiled and since he got dared he did unbutton the rest of Ronand shirt, not without kissing his skin while doing so. "What about my shirt though? And your pants need to go too.", he grinned and started to open the button on Ronans pants too.

    • "I don't know, you tell me!" Not that it would actually kill, but if somebody wasn't cautious about what they were doing, wouldn't all of this lead to something like a backhanded disaster? Everything that he told Caelan could be used as a weapon, whether it was because someone else found out that he'd admitted to it or because the blonde, of all people, was still just playing a game with him. Whether he was appaled or not, he couldn't tell - but the one thing he could tell was that he, frankly, wasn't surprised by the fact that he, of all people, was the one that he fell for. "I know. How dare you leave me alone for half a year?", he suddenly joked, but alas, he oucldn't spend all of his winters in Fhaergus, couldn't come up with buyable excuses year after year, someone would find out, rather sooner than later and would expose the two of them. "Well, that's far from now anyway." There was not certainty if he'd be hurt if Caelan wouldn't gift him anything, but alas, Ronan wasn't one to carry a grudge for too long, not when it came to someone that he actually liked anyway. "I'm sure there's still room to discipline you, especially if I spend the entire five months with you in Fhaergus - how's that sound? You'll be happy, I'll be happy and we can get rid of our ... uh, well, problems", Ronan chuckled - there were no problems, no indifferences, not yet anyway and he wouldn't be the one to cause them, not now. "Did the tailor finish it yet?"

      The masquerade in itself wouldn't be bad, that much was for sure - he wasn't afraid of meeting people he already knew, pretending to be someone else and doing his best so nobody would recognize him, but coming up with a wrong identity was still his part of the plan and then again, who would buy his lies without questioning them? "I told you to fuck me! And instead of doing it, you were the one beating around the bush and saying you want it to be something special!", Ronan suddenly blurted out. This sounded much more obscene than it really was, especially when he said it like that, but out here, there wasn't anything they could do in that regard, was it now? "You did hold back, but you still were pretty mean to him - just be glad that my mother entertained the thought of verbally torturing her husband." Saoirse wouldn't always indulge the things that Caelan had to say, at least not when she didn't feel like it. Generally speaking, however, Ronan wouldn't stop the blonde, not now or ever, simply because it felt about as wrong as admitting his wrongdoings to his father. "Remind me to spit your cum into your face or your mouth next time", he simply said, sticking his tongue out at the blonde. As if something like that would ever be filling, but maybe the blonde was right - maybe he could stand to eat just a tad bit more, how about that? The kisses, something he did very much welcome, felt like a nice difference on his skin and showed him that, without fault, the blonde cared about him one way or the other. "Should I help you with your clothes then?", he asked, putting his hands to the blondes shirt and opening one button after the other. "Are we really getting ready to swim in the creek?"
      Looking back, it maybe is like the toy carts you rode when you were a kid. But those toy carts could never go beyond the walls of the lawn. We want to follow the rugged concrete road beyond the wall. As we've grown, we've decided to leave behind the toy cart.