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Will's jaw tightens, but he otherwise doesn't say anything. He nods, dropping his fork to reach for his mug of tea. It's hot on his tongue, not quite scalding. Will wishes it burns just a little more. His breath shakes as he inhales the wafts of steam. He stares wide-eyed into the pale liquid in the mug, afraid that tears will fall if he blinks. His hands are shaking. His green eyes flick to the exit. He itches to run. "Alright," he whispers.
Kaz kept eating his food, sighing very softly. He eventually finished, and leaned back in his seat, gaze moving over to Will again and watching him. He didn't speak, though, just thinking and considering what to do.
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Will could feel Kaz's eyes on his figure. It causes pinpricks to roll up Will's spine as he resists the urge to turn towards the other man. He's still slightly shaking. The silence is heavy. Usually Will would love the quiet, but there's tension in the air and Will feels like he's drowning in it. He softly clears his throat and begins to slowly eat again. This time, the taste is much better.
Kaz eventually looked away again, gaze flickering up to the ceiling. He ran his hands through his pale hair, the soft locks running through his fingers and catching faintly on the rings that glittered on them. The shoulders of that damned shirt fell just a little with the movement, though he didn't seem to care.
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Will had only finished three quarters of his serving, but he feels satisfied regardless. He's never been a heavy eater. The plate clatters as he pushes it away from him. "What are you going to do now?" He asks, blowing the steam away on his tea and taking a sip. His hands had stopped shaking, the tight feeling in his chest easing away with every breath.
Kaz looked at him again, blinking a little as he considered the question. "I suppose I must claim you as a concubine and introduce you to my wife." he spoke the words reluctantly, but in a matter-of-fact tone. He didn't seem to care that that entire sentence would be absolutely shocking to Will.
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Will, as expected, chokes on his tea. Wheezing, he heavily sets his cup on the table and brings the other hand to cover his mouth. "What?!" He shouts though coughs and sputters. "Your wife?" He turns to Kaz, eyes slightly red from his near death experience.
Kaz blinked at him calmly. "Yes. My wife." he replied, stretching a little bit and then taking a sip from his coffee. "I married her a number of years ago." he shrugged his shoulders, not fazed by Will's shock and anger at this news.
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Clearing his throat one last time, Will reaches for one of the pristine cloth napkins. He wipes at his mouth and nose. His nose stings. Harsh emerald eyes stare into Kaz. "So I'm assuming you just got impatient waiting for me?" He sneers, tossing the crumpled napkin onto his plate. "A wife?" He hisses again, this time under his breath.
"I married her for the alliance and power, not because I was tired ot waiting." he shook his head. "Really, William, I would have expected you to understand that much, at the very least." he sighed softly, grimacing just a little bit.
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It's a small relief, though Will doesn't show it. He sighs, throat still itchy from choking on the tea. "Fine then, let's get this over with." He stands, scooting his chair out behind him and using the table to help him stand up straight. His back still hurts, there's a dull ache in his ankles. "Take me to your wife, Kazimir." He keeps his tone bored and indifferent.
Kaz stood as well, pushing his seat out and offering his arm to Will. "She is likely awake by now. She typically takes breakfast in her chambers, so she may still be there." he and his wife did not share a bedroom. While they had had their conjugal visits, neither much cared for the other in that way.
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With a sigh, Will lends Kaz his arm and allows the other man to lead him out of the dining area. His ankle pops. He grimaces. Hopefully this wife of Kazimir's isn't too far. "How do you think she'll take me?" He asks, tone barely a grumble.
Kaz shrugged. "She does not mind if I choose to have concubines. You shall be no exception." he replied as he led Will along, their arms locked together. He took Will out into the hall, and down along it.
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Will's nose scrunches at the statement. "Concubine." The word drips from his tongue. "Humorous how I'm the concubine here when we've been together for eons at this point, isn't it?" It's not really a question. The hall, like the rest of the ones Will had seen, is beautifully decorated.
"Well, I cannot divorce her, and nor can I marry someone that everyone else will believe I have only just met." he replied, looking at Will for a moment. "Let's see how long we are both alive and together, and I may be able to marry you. As a second spouse."
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"A second spouse as in you'll eventually divorce her or as an I'll be an awkward addition to an established relationship?" Will can't help the small smirk that tugs at his lips as he flicks his eyes over to Kaz. He forgot how easy this could be. Just existing with another, one who understands and loves- The ghost of a smile vanishes. Remember who you're with, William, he scolds internally. This won't end well. This will end with pain and suffering and another cycle restarting.
"I can't divorce her." he replied with a shrug. "So you shall have to live with the knowledge that someone else occupied my bed first, in this lifetime." he smirked back at Will for a moment, eyes flicking back to the hall ahead of them to keep an eye on where they were going.
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"How scandalous," Will deadpans. His fingers momentarily tighten around Kazimir's sleeve as he steps awkwardly and sends a jolt of pain up his leg. Will sighs, eyes taking in all the detail to the grand palace. However, no matter how ornate, the halls are beginning to look the same. Have they been going in circles? "Are we nearly there?" He asks. His ankle is aching once more.
Kaz hummed faintly, reaching to help steady Will. "We should be, yes." he replied, glancing at Will and giving him another quick little smile, then looking back at their path ahead. It took just a little bit longer to reach a door, which Kaz knocked on rather than simply pushing his way inside.
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Luckily, the journey to the Snake's wife's bedroom was only a short while longer. Will looks at their conjoined arms, then at the door. How would she take to this? Will prays the woman won't be hostile. Who knows what sort of powers she holds. The knocks echo through the primarily empty hallway. It feels nearly too quiet.
The door was opened after a moment by a Fae woman with dark hair and dark eyes. She was dressed in a white dressing gown over a long nightgown. She saw their interlocked arms, and arched her eyebrows. "Who is this, Kazimir?" she asked, eyes moving to her husband.
Kaz took a breath. "This is my, ah, new concubine." he said, keeping his arm locked with Will's.
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William tucks his lips together and offers a polite and awkward half-smile. He feels uneasy against Kazimir's arm and the subject of the woman's harsh glare. "I uh, I'm William Silvius." Does he extend his hand for a shake? Does he bow? How is he supposed to act in this situation? His collar feels tight. "I don't believe I caught your name, uh, miss." Also, how is he supposed to address Fae Royalty?
The woman stared at him for a long, silent moment. "A human, Kazimir? Is your taste so low?" she looked to Kaz again.
Kaz cleared his throat. "Please do not insult William, Marie." he replied. He looked at Will. "You may call her your majesty, or Queen Marie." he told Will, keeping their arms together.
Marie scoffed softly. "If you insist, Kazimir."
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(askd;lfj we need to make this playlist - listen to This Is Love by Air Traffic Controller-)
Will's nose slightly scrunches upon the Queen's insult to humans. Not that Will thinks that humans are all that great, it's more like she had the audacity to say it right in front of his face. His eyes search the woman's face. He reaches for something to say deep in his vocabulary, but nothing kind comes to mind and Will doesn't wish to lie. He offers another polite nod. He and Kazimir's conjoined arms feel warm and awkward beneath the Queen's stare. "Well, uh, it was nice to meet you, your majesty." He slightly stumbles on the honorific.
(ooh i love that song!)
She stared at him silently for another long moment. "I cannot say the same." she replied, then went back into her room without another word to either one of them.
Kaz looked over at Will, giving him a quick, almost apologetic smile. "And that," he said, "Was my wife."
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Will blinks at the closed door, a sigh drawing from his lips. "Charming," he mutters. He runs his fingers methodically through his hair, careful not to mess up the delicate hold the green ribbon has on his hair. "I can see why you married her. Her looks are stunning and personality is simply revolting." His voice barely leaves its deadpan monotone. "Where to next?"
Kaz snorted faintly. "She does not like humans. Nor concubines. So you fall within two categories that she very much dislikes." he replied, mouth quirking faintly. "And now, we need to get you some suitable clothing. You haven't any, and you need some."
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William hums quietly. "Good to know I've already made enemies with the Queen." And then he hums again when Kazimir announces their next destination. He can't go about wearing the Snake's clothes every day. "Alright," he sighs, voice resigned. "Take me to the tailor… or whoever."
"The tailor." Kazimir confirmed. "We'll get you suited with better clothes." he led Will through the halls, smiling just a little bit to himself as they walked through the grand, large halls of the Fae palace.
