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 Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 8:30 pm
Devyn might have carefully sat down with Percy in his lap, but Percy had another idea in mind. As soon as Devyn was on the ground and under the shade of the tree, Percy wiggled backwards and out of Devyn’s lap. But he kept his arms around him so he could try pulling him over top of him, or at least next to him! They could lay down in the grass and just rest for a moment!
Percy kept his arms around Devyn’s neck, his fingers combing through his hair. He liked being with him, no matter what. And if Devyn didn’t want to be on the ground, then Percy was happy to stay in his lap.
“I think your Council has been extra cautious while you’ve been away. They let him go between his room and where he takes his lessons, but when I’ve asked if he could go outside with me, they said that was something for you to decide, and while they were answering in your stead, they wanted to make sure guards were performing their duties where they should, and not enjoying leisure time in the garden. Or something like that,” Percy sighed.
It wasn’t Devyn’s fault, and Percy suspected that now that he knew, he would make sure Marius had a bit more freedom.
Which really was sweet, all things considered. The sunlight would do Marius some good, although, like Percy, he would likely have to be cautious about too much sunlight.
“I miss Atrius. Maybe if you’re not going to be too busy, we could all go?” Percy was hopeful. He liked visiting Arista and seeing Mayor Atrius. And Virgil. And Madison. But there was so much that Devyn had to do, he doubted he was going to get more than a few minutes of peace under the shade of a tree with him.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 8:46 pm
Devyn could deny Percy nothing, so as soon as he was wiggling, Devyn loosened his grip to give him all the space he needed. He couldn’t complain about laying on him; Percy was soft, and comfortable, and the fingers in his hair undid more tension than Devyn even knew.
He sighed, heavily, as if pushing more out of his lungs would take more stress with it.
“I suspect I’ll be busy for a long while yet. But I can make an excuse to take a trip over there. Atrius is handling a fair share of negotiations, himself. People still trust him. And, I’m grateful that he’s had my back in this. I know his word has a lot of weight. People trust him.”
But then, Atrius had never had violent deaths on his resume. Instead, he had decades of service and the people liked him so much that no one had even run against him during the last mayoral elections.
“Maybe he’ll have some advice for me,” he sighed, and allowed himself a moment to close his eyes. “If my Council is doing something that you don’t feel is in Marius’ best interest, call Atrius over. He’ll sort it out. It’s probably for the best that they’re keeping an eye on Marius, I don’t want him to get hurt while things are all so tumultuous, but keeping him locked up isn’t going to do him any favors. Defeats the purpose of not putting him in jail if he’s just going to be under house arrest. I don’t care if the guards get an easy day in the gardens once in a while, they work hard. Let them. There’s more than enough around here. You can smuggle him to Sessrumnir if you want. Princess would probably be good for him. Well. She’s not going to try and eat him, is she? I don’t want her to like him more than me.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 9:11 pm
Percy knew Devyn would be busy, but he tried not to let himself look visibly distressed, despite feeling it. He missed his husband desperately. Sometimes he just cried himself to sleep without him. Luckily he had Marius to keep company, but it wasn’t the same, and he didn’t want Marius to think he would be abandoned the moment Devyn returned home, so he tried not to be too clingy with Marius. He needed his own space, after all.
So to settle his own heart, Percy gently tugged Devyn closer to him until he was resting his head on his chest. He didn’t care about how much Devyn weighed. He wasn’t fully on top of him, anyway, so it was fine. Fingers smoothed through Devyn’s hair, and Percy lifted his head up enough to kiss the top of his head.
“Atrius cares about you. You’re like his son, you know,” he said gently, because he knew they were both in positions where their closeness could be used against either of them. “But you don’t have to worry about Princess. She might chew on him a little to get used to him. She always has to taste someone she meets for the first time,” he sighed, somewhat dramatically.
“Remember when she nearly knocked you over? Were you jealous of her before you met her? I feel like you really thought I had someone else in my life and… I have a confession to make. I was trying to make you jealous. Just a little,” he gently teased. He was glad that Devyn was agreeing to let Marius have some more freedom. Sneaking him to Sessrumnir was definitely on Percy’s mind, but he didn’t want to go behind Devyn’s back.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 9:18 pm
Though Devyn was quite sure Percy might have benefited more from tender touches and little kisses, he wasn’t going to push him away right now.
Not when he was enjoying it so much.
He could push himself to the brink of exhaustion and ignore nearly all of his needs–and he had been, for long enough that he knew better than to fight this. Not that he’d have had the heart to, anyway.
Percy was so good for him.
It was easy to rest his head on his chest, to listen to his heartbeat, to let Percy play with his hair.
He wanted to stay like this for more than just a few minutes.
Naturally, Devyn was mindful not to put too much of his weight on Percy, but it wasn't hard to find a position that let him stay close without crushing him. He shrugged the bag off of his back and let it fall to the ground next to them.
“I was very jealous,” he said, and laughed into Percy’s chest. “I spent so much time thinking about what I was going to have to do to outshine a princess. It was such a relief when I first met her. She had the advantage back then, now I’m bigger. If she jumped into my arms, I could probably catch her and not go down. We’ll have to go to Sessrumnir so I can visit her properly. Mm. Might take a nap on her, if she lets me. I miss her, too.”
He missed a lot of things. It had been hard before, but now things had become so much more demanding.
Devyn trusted Percy on nearly everything, but he couldn’t say that he was like a son to Atrius. He hadn’t thought about it, and if he’d spent too much time mulling it over, he might have just gotten flustered. It was easier to think about Princess, or even Marius.
Or Percy.
Devyn nestled against him and closed his eyes–just for a moment–and let himself breathe.
He never relaxed more than when he was with Percy, and he knew he needed a break but he hadn’t known he needed it this badly.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 9:38 pm
Percy always felt such peace when he had Devyn in his arms. And vice versa, but there was always something special about him being the one to hold his husband. He might not be able to physically protect him like Devyn could protect him, but like this he felt like he was being trusted to make sure nothing happened -- and Percy was determined to make sure nothing did.
“I know she misses you too,” he sighed softly, contentedly. He scratched at Devyn’s scalp and ran his nails down where he could reach of his shoulders and back, just anything he could think of to continue to soothe him.
“I was worried too, you know. I felt like there was no way I could compete with anyone else. I was so certain that you would get bored with me, but now I feel silly thinking that was ever possible,” he hummed softly, hoping it was light enough conversation to continue to help Devyn stay relaxed.
“I missed you,” he mumbled as he leaned up to press another kiss to the top of Devyn’s head. “I love you. I’ll always be here, so just remember that when you’re having a hard time. We’ll work things out. People will see how much you care about them, if they don’t see that already. And Sessrumnir is already committed to helping however we can.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 9:46 pm
All of this was very dangerous, and not because Devyn had his back exposed to a world that wanted to stab it, but because he could have very easily fallen asleep there, just like that.
The fingers at his scalp and neck were a lullaby in themselves, contending already with the steady beat of Percy’s heart, and the sweetness of his voice.
“I know,” he said softly; he had to keep himself talking because the sun was so warm that his eyes had already fluttered shut. He wasn’t going to go to sleep, he didn’t have that much luxury, even out here. But, this was a nice rest, anyway. “I’ve missed you, too. I know this will get easier in time. I just hate the disappointment.”
They wanted more blood, but only until he gave it to them.
“The people who are loudest are the ones who wanted me to fail, anyway. It’s just that the people who were giving me a chance are only hearing them, now. So I’ve got to be louder, but there’s so much to do and so many places. All at once, or they’ll think I’m neglecting them. I can’t pick favorites, or give one more attention than the other.” He sighed heavily, dramatically. “And all I want to do is give you all of my attention.”
He nestled a little closer and thought that Percy must be the most comfortable pillow he’d ever had. Better than Princess, even, but maybe only because he wasn’t suffocating on fur.
“I don’t know what I did right to have you in my life, but I’m grateful for it. I want to take a little time to go over these requests with the Council, but I’d like you to be there, too. Your perspective has helped us in the past, and your compassion is limitless. I think we need that now, practicality alone isn’t the answer. I know it’s going to cost us to win back favor. In the long run, it’ll be worth it. But I’m in a sour mood already, so I don’t know that I’m up for listening to the Council debate and criticize everything. And if they do, you’ll at least keep me sane.”
He knew there wasn’t going to be an easy answer for any of this, but for all of his fussing about Percy and Marius working themselves too hard, he ignored what he was doing to himself. But, the faster he took care of this, the faster they could move on from this whole thing.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 9:54 pm
“We’ll prove them all wrong,” Percy insisted, drawing little hearts on Devyn’s back while his other hand smoothed through his hair.
“We’ll prove to them that you’ve always thought of everyone’s well being. That you care about them more than they could ever understand. I’ve seen you grow for the last… how long has it been? Ten years since we’ve met?” Percy hummed thoughtfully.
“You would do anything for your World and the people who live here. Sometimes I don’t think they deserve your kindness, but I know you’re going to give it to them anyway. So I’ll be with you for anything and everything you need me for,” he promised. It was the least he could do.
And he couldn’t help but think of all the ways he could help make Devyn’s mood a little less sour. Besides having Princess slobber all over him.
“Thank you for having so much faith in me, Dev. I want to help. And if it’s to help keep your Council off your back for a bit, then I’m happy to do so. Will you be staying here tonight? Or do you have to leave again soon?”
Percy could hear his heart beating heavily in his chest, already preparing for the worst.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 10:01 pm
“Oh, I’m staying. For tonight, at the very least. But I think if I play my cards right, I’ll get a few days here. I mean, maybe we’ll have to take a business trip to Arista.”
Devyn couldn’t get away with publicly having fun or anything, but he could benefit from sitting down with the mayor to work things out. Especially because he was one of the very few people that knew what had actually happened in Villefort.
The Council knew, Atrius knew. Virgil, Madison. Percy, Devyn, Marius. All only because they were there for it.
Devyn still hadn’t properly thanked the three from Arista for all they had done for Percy while he was looking for Devyn. Atrius had been able to take care of things on the outside while Virgil and Madison came to Villefort to help.
They did it because it was the right thing to do, and they cared enough for Marius that he knew none of them would ever discredit the public version of the truth.
But, he still felt like he owed them.
“Maybe we should check in on everyone. We can take some potatoes,” he teased, and even though he loved the little shapes Percy was drawing on his back, he wriggled a bit closer so he could press his lips to Percy’s neck. They might not have enough time for kissing in the future, not with all this work, so he’d sneak what he could, when he could.
“I appreciate your faith in me, Perce. You make me the best version of me. I might not have the strength to deal with all of this backlash if I didn’t know how much you believed in me.” But, Percy knew him. Percy knew how hard he worked, and how much he cared, and how badly he wanted to do the right thing, for everyone.
“But, we’ll get this all sorted out.” He had faith. In Percy, in himself. In his Council, even if they gave him a hard time. “I hope our visitors have calmed down. Maybe Lukas has been able to tame them. I’m sure the Council is trying to placate them. Maybe Marius is lecturing. He is the expert on those matters.”
But, he still looked like a malnourished teenager, and even with the food and rest he still looked young and frail. Devyn wasn’t even sure if he knew how to fight–or if he’d understand the implications of a challenge if presented to him. He didn’t want to admit that he might have been a bit worried for him, but it was just another reason to get him healthy.
Villefort had been cut off from the rest of Alastor for a while, Marius couldn’t be expected to know or understand every little thing about a culture he’d been pushed away from. In Villefort, there hadn’t been anyone to challenge–they were all sick. Here, people were eager to work out their feelings and differences with fists instead of words.
A disadvantage to Marius, who was very clever when it came to speaking, but was otherwise physically unimposing. Willpower and stubbornness would keep him going, but Devyn didn’t want to see someone try to beat that out of him, anyway.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 10:16 pm
Percy sucked in a shuttery breath when Devyn kissed his neck, and tilted his head back, just in case Devyn felt the desire to kiss him again. They’d been apart for days now, so could anyone really blame him for wanting to be close to his husband? He was already very pleased that Devyn would be staying for the night, and hopefully longer. But there was never any guarantee with how unstable things were.
“Business trip sounds nice. Let Madison distract Marius for a while so we can, um, appreciate the hotel room decor,” he suggested, his voice just above a whisper. “I do really like those hotel rooms,” he added, but he doubted he didn’t need to convince Devyn of anything.
With the events of Villefort behind them, Percy knew they still had a lot to do to get everything sorted out. He had his duties to tend to at Sessrumnir, but he cared deeply about Alastor and the people who lived there.
And he cared about Marius, whom he got to know while stuck in Villefort, trying to get everything figured out. Marius was determined and clever, but because he was so young and suffered from a supposedly incurable disease, no one took him seriously when he reached out to nearby towns for help. Now Marius was no longer dying of a sickness that had taken the rest of his family and people he’d known all his life, he was throwing himself fully into his studies. Percy suspected Marius believed he was given a chance on borrowed time, so to speak. So he had to make the most of every moment he had, so it wouldn’t go to waste.
“Me too,” Percy said quietly, hoping that they were able to get the people who came in to give Devyn a hard time had been ushered into a separate room or away from the door enough that they could sneak in.
“We could make a run for it? Jump on Princess and just… burst through the halls.” It wouldn’t happen, but he wanted to make sure Devyn had a chance to actually rest after his journey.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 10:35 pm
Devyn laughed softly. “I’m almost faster than Princess, but I think either of us bolting through the Hall is going to draw too much attention. Although, once we make it to the back end, no one else will make it through the labyrinth.”
And, it wasn’t like the guards could let anyone back past any space Devyn hadn’t given explicit permission. There were too many important things hidden in the ancient parts of the Hall. There were traps, and old protections. It was dangerous if you didn’t know where you were going.
Naturally, they’d let Devyn loose back there when he’d moved in as a child, but he’d turned out okay. After the third or fourth time he’d gotten lost, someone had the bright idea to forgo tradition and not keep him housed in the traditional wing dedicated to the Senshi, and he’d gradually learned a layout of the place.
And hidden secret directions in the tapestries hanging on the walls.
He’d appreciated Percy’s open fondness for the kisses, so busied himself with refamiliarizing himself with Percy’s neck. Between his kisses, “I’ll ask Lukas to book our room. Pending any emergencies, we should go tomorrow. No one can fault me for relying on Atrius’ guidance in these trying times. He’s by far the most well-liked politician I’ve ever met. Maybe I’ll earn some favor if people see me following his guidance.”
No one could fault Atrius, anyway. For all the disdain Devyn had earned, Atrius’ popularity was at an all time high. Even with his absence and being spread thin while he managed the smaller towns who had been left without guidance under Devyn’s ‘massacre’. And they were all doing better for it. Atrius had created a network of guidance and support that hadn’t existed before, and opened doors for trade and kinship. His generosity for those outside of Arista had been well received, and the return from it had seen Arista thriving.
All the more reason to pay him a visit. “Marius can get a check up. I’m sure the people of Arista would like to see that he’s alive and well enough. I don’t want them thinking I’m sucking out his soul.” Or whatever the latest rumor was, he wasn’t keeping track right now. He’d rather make light of it than let Percy feel any guilt for how things had played out. “Maybe he can butter up the masses for me a bit. Enough to distract them so I can have a bit of time with you. I work hard,” he insisted, but he knew he didn’t have to justify this to Percy. He didn’t feel like he’d earned a break, and he doubted many others would feel differently. At least, not until they were all happy and secure and better off than they’d’ ever been before.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 10:44 pm
“We could just walk in and ignore everyone,” Percy breathlessly suggested, squirming a little under the attention Devyn was giving to his neck. He was enjoying this moment too much to want to break away, but he knew they shouldn’t be outside for too much longer, unless he wanted to get burnt by the sun, even if he was sitting in the shade.
“I bet Atrius would be happy to see us. Throw us a full dinner party, maybe. That means I’ll have to wash my hair tonight so it looks presentable tomorrow. Would you mind helping me with it, please?” he couldn’t help but ask. Devyn was always telling him how harsh he was with his own hair, and made brushing it feel like it wasn’t such a chore.
His hair was longer than when they’d first met so many years ago. For a long time, he had his auburn hair reached his shoulder, but he started growing it out once they’d gotten married. Now it was about mid-back, although not as long as Devyn’s. And not as wavey either.
“It will help if Virgil and Atrius were with Marius while he’s paraded around Arista. And if Madison publicly gives his blessing, well… I wouldn’t want to argue with the only quality doctor for miles around.” And Madison probably knew that, too. It was why he could get away with such a horrible bedside manner.
“But yes, you do work hard. We should definitely spend some time relaxing before you’re scheduled to travel again.”
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2022 11:02 pm
For propriety’s sake, Devyn stopped kissing his husband’s neck and just hummed into it instead. A few seconds later, he slid his fingers through Percy’s hair contemplatively, mindful not to tangle or pull or cause any discomfort.
“Of course I’ll help you with your hair, let me braid it tonight. I’ll need a long bath, you should come in with me. Maybe you can read to me.”
He might fall asleep in the bath, but he knew Percy wouldn’t let him stay there forever. But, all this dreaming of the near future was an unfortunate reminder that there were still a good few hoops to jump through before they got there.
He could have taken a nap on him, could have just slept there in the garden, but he had to make an appearance. If someone had come to give him a hard time, then the later he was, the more frustrated they’d be. Better to get this over with now. “Let’s plan for that, though. Tonight, here, tomorrow Arista. We’ll spend the night there. Marius should probably get used to the rest of the world. We’ll keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t get hurt.” Or kidnapped, or some other nefarious deed to punish him for being too close to Devyn.
Work was still on his mind, but so was Percy. They’d make this work.
Begrudgingly, he finally began to push himself up. “You deserve to be spoiled rotten for how much I put you through.”
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Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2022 6:22 am
Devyn hummed, and Percy groaned, and wiggled some more. He didn’t want the kisses to stop, but he supposed they needed to figure out a way to get inside the Hall without causing too much of a scene because Devyn was there.
But the fingers in his hair were nice, even though they weren’t kisses.
“I don’t feel like I’m being spoiled rotten,” Percy huffed and puffed out his cheeks in a pout as Devyn started pushing himself up, but Percy knew how things worked. It wouldn’t do to have the Senshi getting frisky with his husband in the gardens. Although that certainly hadn’t stopped them before.
Percy let his expression relax and he sighed as he pushed himself up as well. At least enough so he could sit.
“I wish this was easier. All this stress you’re going through -- you’re going to end up with gray hair sooner than later.”
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Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2022 7:22 am
Devyn laughed, first because of Percy’s pout and then again because he was fussing over Devyn’s hair. “Well, I’ll make it up to you, Perce. I’ll find a way to spoil you so rotten you forget that you missed me at all. You’ll see, I’ve got plenty up my sleeves.”
His billowy, voluminous sleeves, that no doubt actually had something up them right now; he tended to keep snacks wherever he could reach when he was on the road for too long, and though he’d gone through some potatoes, it was incredibly likely that he still had some small treats stored away.
He never seemed to run out of candy for all the children he ran into. Just something to sweeten them up before he sucked out their soul, and all.
He rose first, but offered both hands to help Percy up. He’d have carried him into the Hall if he wasn’t sure it would cause a scene and start any confrontation off poorly, so this was the best he could do. For now. “The stress hasn’t gotten to me yet. Nor you, you’re as beautiful as the day we first met. Will you still love me when I’m old and gray?”
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Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2022 10:32 am
Percy just laughed as well when he was pulled to his feet, and leaned up to press a kiss to Devyn’s lips.
“I will love you until the end of time,” Percy promised him, and then worked on smoothing out all the wrinkles in Devyn’s clothes, whether they existed or not -- maybe he just wanted an excuse to have his hands all over him.
“We might still have a long way to go to get everything sorted out, but once we do we can spend all the time together again. I’ll just have to look forward until we’re both old enough to retire,” Percy sighed somewhat dramatically. “Someone younger can take over as Knight of Sessrumnir for me at least. And I’ll live peacefully with you and our hundreds of children we’re going to adopt.”
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