"I would burn the world for you" (OxO Closed)

"I'm glad," Bel answers, quickly dressing and tucking his shirt into his trousers. As much as he loved wearing Nico's clothes, he much prefers wearing his own that actually fit his slender frame. When Bel figures himself ready, he turns to Nico–struggling in the mirror with his hair.

"Here, let me–" Bel insists, stepping forward to run his fingers through the man's hair. It's mostly dry from their bathtub tangle and luckily nothing too severe. It doesn't take long for Bel to swiftly braid Nico's hair down his back before tying it off with a spare piece of string. Bel tightly wraps his arms around Nico's chest, resting his chin on the other's shoulder. "Handsome as ever," Bel practically growls into Nico's ear.

"I'll braid your hair every day if you want," Bel says, pressing his nose into Nico's neck. It's been years since he's had a proper model to braid on. His sisters were compliant at first, but they found their own styles and hobbies and didn’t bother giving Bel the chance.

At Nico's opposition, Bel openly laughs. "I'll use whatever adjectives I want to describe you–" His sentence is punctuated with two kisses to Nico's jaw. The other man whirls around and brings Bel into his arms. A beam breaks through his face at Nico's compliment, but he quickly turns the attention back. "And yes, I find your scars very attractive." He uses his thumb to sweep over the line slicing through Nico's cheek. "Don't downplay yourself. You're too honest to lie like that."

"Who cares what others think?" Bel responds, resting his head on Nico's collarbone. "I like them and I like you." Perhaps like is a little too soft for a word, but he knows it's far too soon to break out its stronger counterpart. Maybe later, maybe when they're both safe from this treacherous journey.

They sit there for a moment in a sweet embrace. Eventually, Bel feels his stomach rumble with the need for food and he pulls away. "Let's go get our food." Taking Nico by the hand, he leads them both through the door, pocketing their key and closing in behind them.

"Hmm." Bel hums as they exit the inn and arrive on the street. Despite it being so late, lanturns and restaurants and shops are still bustling with life. Bel squeezes Nico's hand a little tighter, taking in the small town with wide eyes. Thr village surrounding the palace back in Araniel is… bleak, mostly a military occupation without any real vibrance from the common citizen. Something pulls at his smile and heart, knowing that the kingdom that served as his home for so many years didn't serve as a home for so many others.

"I'd be happy to eat whatever you want," Bel answers. He can smell the seafood, the bakery, the steaks, the poultry, and a thousand others. It should be overwhelming. It should be, but Bel is completely excited.

The restaurant is painted a lovely shade of purple, the smells absolutely divine. "Wow," Bel muses, allowing Nico to pull him closer. There's indoor and outdoor seating, the outside illuminated by warm lights set in blossoming trees. Indoor are comfortable candlelight booths. He may have eaten in a grand dining room for his entire life, but even all that glitter and gold fail to add up to the romantic aura of the small restaurant.

"I think this will do just fine," Bel smiles, turning to Nico to press a kiss to his cheek.

"Honestly those trees are probably setting off my allergies," Bel notes. "I didn't even know I had allergies until a few days ago." While beautiful, the trees are coated in flowers and pollen and even though most of the friendly bugs have gone off to sleep, there are still the unfriendly bugs that enjoy to bite. "Inside would be fine."

The walk through the oak doors and the quiet hubbub of the restaurant washes over Bel. There's a bar which a few polite patrons dine at, plenty of tables and booths throughout the floor. There could easily be a large family seated around a massive table towards the back of the room.

Bel takes his seat across from Nico, immediately staring straight into the small candle adorning their table. The corner is quiet and comfortable, practically all to themselves. It's very nice. "No, I don't drink at all," Bel informs quietly, reaching for a menu placed beside the large window. Before even reading the food options, Bel finds himself temporarily enraptured by the scene outside. Despite it being dark and approaching the dead of night, lanturns and stars still keep it alight and alive. People stroll up and down the cobblestone streets, crossing over a small footbridge cresting over a stream.

"What's good here?" Bel finally asks, tearing his eyes from the window to the menu to Nico.

"It's been a while since I've had a good steak," Bel hums, flipping over the menu to study the backside. While everything looks good, the sound of a steak piques his interest. It must be something in Nico's voice because a lemonade could not sound better.

He slightly straightens when a server comes by with a big smile and swooshing dress. She greets them pleasantly and hands them their utensils before taking their drink order and disappearing again. Bel deflates when she's out of sight–something about strangers forcing Bel to fix his posture and fix his speech.

Bel smiles sheepishly, looking down to the table as he squeezes Nico's hand in return. "I'm sorry; it's a habit." One that he got into at a very young age. Sit up, sit straight, look people in the eye and don't talk unless spoken directly to. Another reason why Bel eats so quickly, the dinner table easily one of his least favorite places in the palace.

The waitress quickly returns with their twin glasses of strawberry lemonade. Bel thanks her as she scuttles off to do whatever waitresses do.

"Thank you," Bel responds, tapping the table with his free hand, still not quite looking at Nico. He wants to be just Bel too. Bel without a burden or a crown or a precarious position with his family and kingdom in the balance. "I'm still getting used to it all. Hard to erase habit."

He takes a few more looks at the menu, deciding on a moderately priced stake with just a small garden salad for a side. It shouldn't take him long to eat, but it's still enough that Nico won't be offended or concerned. "Yes, I do know."

Bel jolts when he's addressed, not expecting to go first. He clears his throat and straightens. He has to quickly re-find his menu choice, even though he already knows what he's going to get. Blame his lack of socialization as a child to lead to awkward social situations. "I'll have a steak–eight ounce, please, medium rare–but instead of the two sides could I just get a side salad?"

He smiles and slides the menu towards the waitress and sips at his lemonade.

Bel watches the waitress leave before turning back to Nico, momentarily taken aback by the lovestruck look. He smiles and hides his blushing, laughing face with a hand. Usually when he's being intensely stared at at the dinner table was when he had zoned out and missed a pointed question from his father. There had been quite the heated lecture and a pointed dismissal. That had been about a week before Bel was shipped out to Irgeven, only Miran had been home and he didn't bother to see Bel out.

"So, you've been here before?" Bel asks, taking a second to lean back and study the beautiful hanging planters both indoor and out. Some deep part of Bel wants to ask with who and how important they had been to Nico.

Bel smiles, finally relaxing and letting his hand fall. He stares at Nico for a few moments–his loving stare, his laugh, his smile– With Nico, he isn't a prince or a delegate or a master to walk on ice around. He's just Bel. Just a man without the heavy responsibilities of a prince, without the fierce overprotection of royalty, without the suffocating restrictions of an heir. Bel. That's all he is around Nico.

"I'm glad we're here," Bel says, squeezing Nico's hand. He hasn't once let go. He doesn't want to. "Thank you for this… For all of it."

With a laugh, Bel shakes his head. He nearly wishes this damned table wasn't in the way so he could lean forward and kiss Nico hard, but the table is not permeable and Bel remains reverently in his seat. They make polite conversation until their food arrives, relatively quickly due to the dying crowd of the late night restaurant. Bel's sure to thank the waitress as she delivers the food. He sure as hell doesn't miss her flirty wink geared towards Nico, but the other man shows to response, so Bel doesn't make a deal out of it.

Reluctantly, Bel releases Nico's hand. He needs two hands to eat. He'll make it up to Nico sometime later. Maybe not tonight, Bel still a little worn out from their endeavor, but certainly another time. "This looks delightful," Bel notes. Dare he say it smells better than the palace cook's meals.

Bel's careful to slice off a perfect piece (perfectly uniform like his etiquette tutor taught him) and slowly brings it to his mouth. He hums, the savory flavor absolutely delightful. Savoring it, Bel's slow to swallow. "That's good," he says, cutting another uniform slice. Just like Nico said, cooked to perfection. He alternates between taking bites of his steak, salad and sipping at his lemonade until his meal is practically finished. It doesn't take him long to finish, old habits and the taste both contributing to his quickness.

Trying not to rush Nico, Bel takes his time sipping at his lemonade, alternating between staring at him, the restaurant, and the town outside the large window.