"Ryo" "Bubby"
It was silly of him to ask a question she had already responded to, but there was a part of him that needed reassurance that it wasn’t him she was avoiding. Just the idea of her searching and not being able to find him pained Ryo. His cowardice was getting in the way of his happiness once again. His brother had told him this would keep happening if he stayed engaged to Altagracia but nothing was scarier than the idea of their family being more separated again.
They had already sent Clint away, what was to stop the council from doing it again if a scandal broke out? Ryo knew that they would send him back to Siscia immediately once the news broke in order to have him fully take the throne, but he wasn’t ready. It was easier working in the shadows to accomplishing everything, but if he officially became king then all the attention would be back on him. Even worse, he would never be able to see Nerys again if he was stuck ruling a nation. It was easier to settle for this friendship, even if he wanted more.
Still, it was silly to hear her talk more about how they had accidentally met. " So, you weren’t trying to get free chess lessons? Good to know." He smiled softly down at her; it was so cute how she kept getting embarrassed by the action of getting lost. It was bound to happen to anyone. He didn’t care about that at all, he was more focused on the redness on her cheeks and how he could only feel the iciness of her hand interlocked with his.
Focusing more on his hand in hers, his thoughts started to wander, "Her hands are so soft, " His eyes trailed her face, looking at her round eyes as she repeated herself once more. The temptation lingered more as the air felt thicker than normal. It wasn’t abnormal for him to not know what to say but here he was, struggling to find any words at all. Her reassurance was all he wanted, but now that he got it, he selfishly wanted more. He wanted her. Even though he knew that was an impossible ask.
So, instead, he prayed for something different in the moment of silence between them. He asked for it to just be the two of them for a little longer. For them to stay in this bubble, away from responsibility and reality, where he could just look at her until all his pains fell away. Where he could take her burdens and throw them away. He leaned in to seal the moment, but her face turned, causing him to snap back to reality. Sadly, it seemed she had done the same.
His face went from a soft smile to a solemn frown as he realized he should be thankful for her bringing him back to reality. " Yes, I-um agree." Only to be pulled by her last line. He didn’t want the night to end either, but if he said that he was afraid of what would follow after, so instead, he took his hand away from hers and picked himself off the ground. Dusting off his pants and shaking off any shards of glass that might have remained before offering his hand to her again, " I can clean the mess if you want to return to quarters." This wasn’t what he wanted. He wanted her to stay, but if she did that, he was sure he wouldn’t be able to control himself.
Then, he remembered an excuse of sorts that benefited the two. " I can walk you. I would hate for you to get lost, my lady." Hoping his comment wouldn’t be taken as an insult, he bit his lip in nervousness. How else could he explain walking her back so late? There was still the voice in his head telling him to try and take the night even further, but he was confident he could resist it in order to let the night continue on a little longer.
OOC:
Wearing: x
Thoughts: why?
Location: Dance Hall
With: Nerys
