The Strangers in the Palace (Closed)(Fantasy)

“I used to take lessons when I was rather young, and I had a few strict yet excellent instructors that taught me to enjoy art. I am not sure exactly how old I was when that happened.”

Arquis couldn’t remember the first painting he’d made. There were a few that he recalled struggling with as a child—one was of a blue flower, and he’d nearly cried after struggling to match the exact shade—but he had no clue when he’d actually started his lessons. It probably hadn’t been a special day. Just another lecture to attend, another teacher to impress.

“Do you remember when you began playing the lute?”

They nodded, taking in what Arquis had said. "I have always enjoyed music. I started to play the lute specifically at…I believe ten years old." they gave him a soft smile, gently rubbing their thumb against Arquis's shoulder. "I wanted to learn to play it, so I did."

Arquis groaned, an unintentional, blissful smile blossoming on his lips. With his left hand, he gestured lazily to their thumb. The sensation was fantastic.

“Never stop doing that,” he sighed happily, pressing up against their hand like a satisfied cat.

It took him a beat to remember that he had answered his question, and he savored their words before giving a response. “Was there ever anything you wanted to play more than the lute? Or was that always your first choice?”

He laughed quietly, still gently rubbing their thumb along Arquis's shoulder. "I won't, I won't." he replied. "I enjoy playing the piano, as well, though it is not my strongest instrument. The lute and the guitar are probably my best instruments." they gave the nobleman a smile as they thought about Arquis's question a bit more. "I'm not sure there is anything that I wanted to play more, no."

Arquis nodded. “That is understandable. When I was really little, I also wished to play a string instrument. My father did not want me to play anything at first, but eventually he decided that I could choose between violin, cello, or the harp.”

At the mention of the harp, his expression went flat. It was almost shocking how fast his mood changed; within less than a heartbeat, he had grown distant. He did not even seem to register the sensation of their hand on his shoulder anymore. It was as if he had become a statue—he was certainly pale enough for it.

Rin frowned very faintly when he noticed the way Arquis had suddenly grown distant. "Are you alright?" he asked. "I…" they had noticed that they seemed to avoid mentioning or really speaking about hte harp, but they were not quite sure what to do now.

The sound of their voice brought him back from wherever he had gone. He smiled weakly, lifting a hand to pat his cheek.

“Perfectly alright, yes. Just a little lightheaded there. Must have been all the motion. I feel much better now.” Avoiding their eyes, he scooted out of their embrace. “Is it my turn to ask a question or yours? I cannot remember.”

They let him go, pulling their arm back to give Arquis all the space that he needed. "It is my turn." he said softly, still watching Arquis quietly. "And for my question…what is it like having siblings? I do not have any, and I must confess I am curious as to what it is like."

He finally relaxed and cracked a sad smile. “It is both the worst and the best experience. Quirisa and I have not been close for many years. I was not always very good to her, and she resents me for it still, I believe. But we do love each other. I would do anything for her and she for me; I know that now.

“As for Marsiquia, well, I do have quite a soft spot for her. Sometimes I feel that I am more her parent than brother, since she was not around my father for long. She has had a difficult life, and I am very proud of the person she has become.”

He nodded faintly, taking in what Arquis said. "I have only a half sibling, and she is…she is very young, so there is no relationship there." he shrugged slightly, their eyes flickering away for a moment. "But my thanks for answering my question as best you could."

Arquis nodded sympathetically. “You are welcome. Could you see your sister if you returned to Kevra?”

He was not sure whether they’d want to or not, but he knew how nice it was to be close to one’s siblings. It was good, at the very least, that Marsiquia seemed to adore Rin. She seemed as if she’d do anything for him, especially since they’d helped Arquis.

He frowned slightly. "Only a little bit. My father's wife does not like having me around." they replied slowly, treading carefully with this subject. "I am his only son and technically his heir, though there is…a lot of complicating factors involved." they shook his head faintly, glancing out the window.

Arquis’s eyebrows shot up. People only used the word heir when they were referencing someone of importance. Any other time, the kid or child sufficed. Heir hinted at something more.

“Heir?” he repeated aloud. He didn’t want to back them into a corner, but he was more curious than ever about his family. “That is an interesting choice of phrasing.”

"I– uhm." Rin swallowed faintly. "He is…of somewhat importance." he finally said slowly, shaking their head faintly. This was both a lie and yet, not. His father was indeed of importance. But of far more importance than Arquis could know.

“Rin, I will not judge you for whoever your father might be,” Arquis reminded him gently. This time, when he moved closer, he succeeded in cupping their cheek. His blue eyes shone with affection. “I would not care if he was a fisherman, famous artist, or king.”

He stroked his hand up into their hair, pushed it out of his eyes, and pressed a light kiss to their forehead. “I do not know what secret you are withholding. You do not have to tell me; I promise I will not be upset. But I do want you to know that I will support you either way.”

Rin leaned into the hand in their hair, closing their eyes for a moment. "It is…quite complicated, Arquis, and I cannot…it is not something that I am comfortable speaking of right now. Thank you, though." they said softly. He opened his eyes to look at Arquis. "I appreciate your support."

“Of course. Truly, Rin, I understand.” The smile he gave was warm and genuine. He maintained eye contact as he continued to stroke through their hair, then stopped to plant another kiss on him. This time, it was right in between their brows; he wanted to smooth away the crease that had formed there.

“Is this too much?” he asked once he pulled away, sensing the need for a change in subject. “All of the kissing—is it too much?”

They shook their head faintly. "No. The kisses are fine. Wonderful." they replied in a soft tone, crease easing at the one that had been pressed to his forehead. "Thank you, Arquis."

Arquis was suddenly in an obnoxiously clingy mood, and he felt he had good reason to be. The two of them would be alone in a closed off carriage for several hours. He still wasn’t ready to go nearly as far as what Rin had joked about that morning, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t crave smaller things. He felt the urge to litter kisses from their collarbones up to their lips; cup the back of his neck and draw them in; leave them completely out of breath. It was bizarre, what they did to him. He’d never had such an appetite for this sort of thing before.

But he wouldn’t do any of the things that he was picturing. He didn’t think it was the time for it. They had just finished a turbulent conversation about passions and family. It was very possible, he thought, that going further right after that would make it look like he was in it for their body alone. So he tried to push aside his hunger with a nod.

“I am glad,” was all that he ended up saying. It was true, of course, but it wasn’t the only thing on his mind. If he’d kept talking, he would’ve started to ramble about their mouth and pretty eyes, and he felt that might’ve been out of place.

Rin cleared his throat faintly, looking down at their hands for a moment. Their relationship with their family was so very complicated, and while they knew Arquis would not judge them ill for it, they also wondered how it would affect the budding relationship, were Rin to spill their secrets. He had told the nobleman so many lies and half-truths about who he was, that he couldn't help but wonder whether it would destroy everything if Arquis knew.

Arquis frowned when he saw the look on his face. As delicately as possible, he removed his hand from their hair. He folded it in his lap with his other hand.

“Are you quite sure that nothing is the matter? You look a little…” Worry pinched his brows together and flattened his mouth into a line. “Should I tell the driver to stop the carriage? Do you need some fresh air, perhaps? Or… or did I cross a boundary somewhere? Would you like some time alone? There is not much space, but I can sit on the other side.”

"No, no, it's fine." they said quickly, in a soft voice. "It is only…I was just caught up in thought. That is all." they shook his head slightly, looking at Arquis and giving him a quick, but faint little smile. "It's nothing, Arquis. I am sorry."

Arquis cocked his head, sensing a lie in there somewhere, but didn’t dig any deeper. If they ever wanted to open up, he’d be there for him. He would listen or offer a shoulder if they needed it; he would show them the kindness they had shown him.

“There is no need to apologize,” he said and moved closer to them. “I am just worried. You seem to be very good at caring for others, but you travel alone. I worry that there is no one to care for you.”

He swallowed nervously, wondering if he was going too far. “Last night, you told me that you were there for me and that I was not alone. You also said that I have walls up, and I do, but I think you might have some as well. You have been through so much, and I know that they feel like protection. I just want you to know that I am here to care for you if you ever need to let them down—to be vulnerable.”

He cleared his throat faintly, looking over at Arquis. "I…thank you, Arquis." they said softly. "You are very kind." they reached down to take Arquis's hand, pressing a soft kiss to the nobleman's knuckles, closing their eyes for just a moment.

“Of course. Anything for you,” he whispered, curling his hand to run his thumb along their bottom lip. The touch made him shiver. He aches to replace his finger with his own lips.

That frenzied, burning urge had returned, and he was glad that their eyes were closed. He wasn’t sure what he looked like, but he sure felt hot in the face. Perhaps he should get the driver to pull over after all. A brisk walk in the snow might cool him down.

They opened their eyes again, a soft smile flickering on their face when they saw the blush on Arquis's face. He gently caught Arquis's thumb between his teeth, just for a moment, before he released the digit again.

Unintentionally, Arquis made a noise that was a half-gasp, half-groan. He looked surprised by it after and bit his own lip in embarrassment.

“Honestly, I am not sure what that was,” he admitted, laughing awkwardly. “I suppose I was not expecting for you to- you to, ah- do that.”

They let out a quiet laugh. "Mm, I see." they said, smiling at Arquis with a glint in their eyes. "My apologies, if I made you uncomfortable in any way."

“No, no,” Arquis said instantly, “not uncomfortable in the slightest. I was just caught a bit off guard. Do you- is biting a thing? Not that you bit me, exactly, but I know, ah, well. I have read some literature, and sometimes people seem to-” He had to cut himself off, as he was already humiliated that he had admitted to avidly reading romantic novels. The last thing he wanted was to go into depth about the nature of some of the novels.

He snickered quietly, reaching up to cup Arquis's cheek. "Are you asking if I have a biting kink?" they asked, smirking a little bit and raising their eyebrows. "Is that what you're trying to say?" they found it, well, amusing, how awkward Arquis got about this sort of thing all the time.