[NC-17] Lonely Heights IC (PatchworkDandy/Car'mael)

[PatchworkDandy]

Arslan smiled, helping Delwyn down gently. "I'm sorry, but I'll really have to decline, I-I just don't feel it would be for the best, thank you though, really..." His smile became somewhat strained as he tried to keep appearances, but the mere thought of being atop the animal drove fear through him, and even with a kind beast, such as the one the other was riding, he was still far too uneasy.

"Anyways, Princess, would you like me to walk you back to your rooms?"
**

Louis watched anxiously as the prince was helped down, and swiftly made his way towards him. He felt somewhat strained, all the possibilities for disaster swirling through his head. If Arslan had not been sincere in his acceptance, if Delwyn's family ended up finding out, Delwyn could be threatened. And all he could do was watch from afar, much like he was doing today, and watch how things panned out.

[Car'mael]

"Yes, please, Prince Arslan," Delwyn accepted, taking his arm. Granted he was nervous about the plans ahead but he had to hold faith where he could. So he trusted Arslan.

The walk back was uneventful. Del could feel Louis' warm presence at his back and felt comfort in his proximity. Gods only knew how the page felt--Del worried that he might be afraid for them both. He didn't want to distress Louis so. He wanted to hug him, reassure him that he'd be safe at least... but now was not a good time for that. Maybe after Arslan left.

Upon reaching his rooms, the "princess" stopped and waited until the door was securely closed, then sighed, head hanging. "Well... at least I think we might speak frankly here, if briefly. I... I am afraid if any ears catch us--if you even tarry long--mere suspicion might bring danger on us all. So we must be quick about any plans we make."

[PatchworkDandy]

Arslan smiled lightly, gently resting a hand upon the man's shoulder. "For now, don't we just keep up the charade Prince Delwyn? Pretend as if nothing has changed. After we're married and you've escaped, we can deal with the rest. Please, don't over worry yourself." Glancing out the window, he realized evening was fast approaching. "But I'll leave you now, as you said, I shouldn't tarry, and Jay will begin to wonder as well, will we be returning to the stables tomorrow?" He pulled away, making his way to the door swiftly. "Have a nice evening." With a polite bow, Arslan left, hurrying back to his quarters.
**

Louis listened, keeping a distance until the man left, before approaching the prince. "Would you like anything, Prince Dewlyn? It's nearly time for dinner, and after a day such as today, a bath would certainly be in order..."

[Car'mael]

Nodding his agreement with wide but relieved eyes, Delwyn smiled. He could understand Arslan's haste, though. "I think so. Good evening, then, and thank you..."

He watched as the other prince departed, twining his hands together as the door shut. Still... the marriage was what worried him. What were they to do then? Would Arslan be able to hold his side of the charade now that he knew Del was a man? That meant he would still have to kiss and touch him. And the wedding night was the biggest concern.

Louis' question drew him back to the present, and Delwyn sighed, brushing long golden hair back from his eyes. "Yes, please... a bath. I think I smell of the animals. But... um... Louis..?"

Turning to the page, the prince smiled gently, hopeful and wanting to reassure his friend. "If Arslan can pull this off with us... you will be safe, too, then."

[PatchworkDandy]

"It isn't my safety that I worry for, Prince Delwyn, I've escaped from far more dreadful situations..." He repressed a shiver as memories ran through him, but pushed them away, smiling gently towards the other man. "Please, prince...if you sense something, anything, in regards to Arslan's cooperation, please, promise you will let me know. Promise me that you'll allow me to help you, to ensure you escape safely in the end."

He bowed low, repressing his urge to reach forward, to brush his fingers against the man's fine hair, or to pull him against him..something, anything.

"I'll see to your bath."

[Car'mael]

"Louis," Del said, reaching out to catch the page's arm. The other man's words touched him, that concerned yet yearning expression. He didn't want to reveal that Arslan wasn't the one he was worried about. Yet Louis' own unease with bad memories--he could only wonder what exactly others had put Louis through. Clearly his lover wanted to protect him from cruel people like that.

"Thank you, Louis," he whispered, blushing and giving the other man's arm an affectionate and grateful squeeze.

But he didn't promise. If anything, Delwyn wanted to ensure Louis would be the one to escape. After all, with so many scars, hadn't the man endured enough pain? It wasn't truly evading, though, in the prince's opinion. He doubted that Arslan would be the source of danger if anything came up. He feared his own kin more.

Turning, Delwyn went to go deal with Sonya's needs and then his female finery. He wanted to be in something more comfortable during dinner. A part of him wondered if he dared ask Louis to stay with him again tonight, but he didn't want to pressure the man for all he deeply longed to share a warm embrace... The thought made him flush hotly again, a bit ashamed which way his thoughts were turning, his eyes flicking over the page's body with suppressed hunger.

[PatchworkDandy]

Louis sighed, watching as the man turned, eyes lingering as he left the front room. The man had not promised, he didn't miss that. However, it was hardly his place to plea for that promise, as much as he desired to. He would have to make sure he was keeping an eye on things, and if he could, he would help the other, even if it was against his will.

If he was left to his family....well, Louis knew that would not be a very good situation. He was lucky that they had found a purpose for the forgotten prince at all, if they hadn't...Louis shuddered, the man's fate appeared bleak, especially if anything went awry.

He set out to begin running Dewyn's bath, the soothing scents of the bath oils beginning to calm him. As the tub began to fill, he went to fetch the prince. Turning towards his bed chamber, he knocked lightly on the door, hearing movement coming from within. Knowing that Dewlyn was more than likely changing, he hesitated to enter, waiting for the other's acceptance, lest he embarrass him.

[Car'mael]

"There!" Delwyn had changed to a plain pair of pants and loose shirt, and padded barefoot to open the door and emerge. He trusted Louis to find him some fresh clothes for the evening and night while he was bathing but it was nice not to be buried under so many frills and laces and ribbons! So he had grabbed the simplest and nearest things he could, old things he'd dug out when finding stuff for Louis to borrow.

Opening the door, he almost bumped into Louis and started in surprise, giving a soft but sheepish laugh. "Pardon!" he apologized. He could hear the water running and smell the soaps and oils. It smelled good. "Thank you, Louis." Twining his hands together uncertainly, he added shyly, "Do you... will you stay the night with me?"

[PatchworkDandy]

Louis stopped, mid-knock, stepping back in surprise. His eyes widened at the request, pulling Delwyn's soft body against his own, fingers raking through ripples of golden hair. "Of course, I will always stay, as long as that is what you desire..." He smiled gently pulling away, but reaching for the man's hand, fingers entwining with the other's, guiding him to the bathroom.

"Your bath should be ready, would you like me to fetch you dinner?" He looked down, wishing he could just stay with the other, help him bathe, but such an inquisition...well there were lines, and he would hardly want to embarrass the other.

[Car'mael]

Delwyn squeezed Louis' hand as the page led him to the bathroom--he'd enjoyed and felt the better for that brief embrace. The bath was ready and he wanted to be clean, but he also hoped for a bit of time with his lover. Hearing that Louis would stay if he wanted him to only encouraged the prince. He tugged on their entwined hands to pull Louis with him towards the tub, chuckling at his own daring.

"Would you... join me?" he asked hopefully, smiling playfully. "I don't know if we both might fit, but... well... it'd be easy to be clean if we decide to do anything like before. I do not mind if dinner is a bit late." The smile faltered as he added, a sudden thought hitting him, "Unless you're hungry? If that is so, we can eat before we do anything. I just... if you want to, that is. I do not mean to presume..." Delwyn blushed hotly. He didn't want to impose on Louis with his own selfish desires.