Nik closed his eyes again, still trying to process this. All of it. The traveling, the new place. The kidnapping. He swallowed, not sure what to say or do about any of this.
"You kidnaped me even though you're going to war?" (o/o-closed)
A part of the king felt bad, for the pain he had put Nik through. But, he had made him a deal, and he would honor it, even if he didn't want Nik to leave.
Nik wrapped his arms around himself, taking a deep breath. He opened his eyes, the strange, mismatched colors shining in the light of the fire.
"How are your eyes two different colours?" Cas asked after a few moments of silence, curious. He'd only met one person with two different coloured eyes before and even then he didn't know how it happened.
"Heterochromania iridris." he replied. "It's a condition where one of my eyes has a section that's a different color than the rest." he gestured to his left eye, with its strange brown and green mix.
Cas looked, studying the eye, "Do you know how it happens? Is it some form of magic?"
He laughed. "It's not magic, no. Just genetics." he shook his head slightly. "It's a mutation in my genetics that causes it to happen. It's really rare, but I somehow managed to get it."
“Sounds like magic or sorcery or… something along those lines,” Cas cracked a small smile, “It suits you.”
"It's neither one, I promise. It's science." he replied, shaking his head again. "But thanks, I guess." he seemed to have grown a little more comfortable, just from that.
“I don’t know much about your human science,” He shrugged a shoulder, “It’s all so confusing, I can’t wrap my head around it.”
He shrugged, then raised an eyebrow. "But…aren't you human too…?" he asked slowly, studying Cas for a long moment, then glancing away again.
"Oh, right well, technically, yes I am," He replied, tracing patterns on his own thigh, "But I mean your type of humans. The humans that don't have magic."
"Oh." He replied slowly. He nodded a little bit, running his hands through his curly hair. He didn't know how else to respond.
Cas sighed softly, "Dinner will be ready soon, care to join me?" He asked.
He shrugged slightly. "I…I guess so." he replied slowly, studying Cas for a moment, then looking away again, unsure of what to do now.
He stood, offering his arm for Nik. Of course it was a stretch, he knew Nik wouldn't take it but he could try, anyway.
Nik simply stared at him for a moment, then got up on his own, silent and not taking Cas' arm. He didn't have enough trust to do that yet.
Cas has expected that so didn’t comment. He slipped his hand into his pocket, leading Nik out of the library and towards the dining hall.
Nik followed Cas silently, chewing on his lip slightly as they walked. He didn't know what to say. So he didn't say anything, simply followed Cas. He ran a hand through his hair again.
When he opened the door to the dining hall, there were a few people already seated. Nobles and friends of Cas'. They stood and bowed before they sat down, going back to their conversation as the king led Nik to the top o the table.
Nik shrunk into himself a little when people looked at him, some of them murmuring something to each other and he wondered if it was about him. What they thought of him.
Cas shielded Nik with his body, essentially keeping him hidden from the people in the room until he pulled out his chair for the other. He glared at everyone else, basically saying if they getting gossiping he'd kill them.
Nik sat down, biting his lip, chewing on it and worried about what might happen. He swallowed, picking at his nails and keeping his eyes downward.
"Nikolai?" Cas pulled out his seat next to Nik, sitting down right next to him.
Nik looked up. "Sorry…I-I get nervous in crowds…" he said softly, still picking at his nails, eyes flashing around the table.
“Don’t apologise,” Cas offered a smile, “Do you want to take a plate and go somewhere else?”
He shrugged a little bit. "I don't know…" he said softly, chewing on his lip and trying to ignore the way the crowd seemed to be pressing on his shoulders, the weight of their attention, even though he knew it wasn't exactly directed at him.
Cas chewed on his lower lip, “How about we stay but as soon as you want to leave just tell me or tap my leg three times.” He suggested, taking a drink from the cup in front of him.
Nik nodded a little bit. "Alright." He said softly. He hadn't quite expected Cas to be so… considerate about his feelings. He chewed on his lip slightly.
Cas was trying. He wanted Nik to like him so he was trying to be sweet, even though he knew he might mess up soon. In a few moments, food was brought out. Different meats and vegetables, fruits, bread, cheese. It was a lot, but after a silent moment of praying, everyone began to dig it.