For @coffeedrgn87! Featuring some slight snarky Laurent and Damen taking them somewhere special. Happy Valentines Day! :)Ā
āIāve always wanted to kiss you blindfoldedāĀ
Laurentās cheeks heated while Damen pulled away.Ā
āAnd how long have you harbored that particular wish?āĀ
They were standing in an unremarkable field outside Marlas, and Laurent had been thoroughly sequestered for the afternoon. He had tried interrogating Damen about his sudden desire to take in the nature of the region. Questions rolled off his back and concerns shrugged away as though the demands of their new capital, and nascent kingdom, could be dismissed for an excursion. It was no miracle Laurent had a gap in his schedule. One was forcibly demanded by a particularly commanding king. It was also no miracle that Laurent let his stubborn protests melt away - for all his bluster, he could never say no to that dimple. He still made a show of grousing about their trip until they slowed to a halt in the field.Ā
It was early summer, and a golden afternoon swallowed the grasses and trees. Damenās thumb brushed the line of Laurentās lower lip while he mouthed at his ear.Ā
āLet me think. When was the last time I saw you blindfolded?āĀ
āItās hardly a regular occurrence.āĀ
āMoreās the pity.āĀ
Damen punctuated himself with a brief kiss to the cheek. One large, warm hand brushed the length of Laurentās forearm until their fingers were tangled and he was being tugged onwards.Ā
āYou donāt happen to have a Vaskian clan hidden somewhere in the trees? Should I start running?āĀ
āIād only catch you again.āĀ
Damen was leading, so he couldnāt see Laurent smile.Ā
Field grass began to transition into soft moss and knobby roots that Damen deftly led them around. Bird cry echoed from above.Ā
There had been no time in the past few months for a day like this. They had barely left the fortress at Marlas while planning, negotiating, and reforming their kingdoms together. Daily Laurent was accosted by opinionated councilmen and diplomats exercising their right to be a nuisance. Exploring the surrounding wilderness hardly ranked high in Laurentās priorities. As it happened, the season had just turned from shy spring into a lush, full summer.Ā
Laurent marked the passage of time - he hadnāt yet known Damen a year, but within months they would pass that milestone.Ā
An acorn dropped somewhere ahead as Damen led them around more roots. Eventually they veered to the left and a sudden wash of sunlight struck Laurentās skin.Ā
āIām starting to think you didnāt really need to blindfold me for this long.āĀ
āMaybe, but you love theatrics. Doesnāt it all add to the intrigue?ā Plus thereās the distinct benefit of you seeing me in one, Laurent thought.
Damen slowed them to a halt, then moved behind Laurent to remove the silk slip from his eyes. They were standing in a small clearing ringed by saplings and bathed in sunshine. In the center, two feather cushions were arranged upon the ground. They were deep green and set atop the type of threadbare blanket servants used as tablecloths. A thick tome of poetry rested beside them.Ā
Laurent felt strong arms wind around his waist and someone nosing against his cheek.Ā
āHappy birthday,ā Damen murmured.Ā
Laurent stood motionless as he struggled to compute the setup. Despite himself, a feeling of awe swept through his body and his heart kicked itself sore.Ā
āI - nobody knows when my birthday is.ā He hadnāt let anyone know, and it had passed unobserved since Auguste died. It wasnāt self-pity. His uncle never celebrated him, and he was content to pass the day in peaceful reclusion.Ā
Damen dropped a soft kiss to his temple.Ā
āWell, I have means. And Iām on good terms with a physician who knows you fairly well.āĀ
Laurent angled his head to look up at his companion for the first time. There was an impossibility in front of him. The only blessed, unforeseen force of nature that could have altered the course of his life so drastically within one year. Not for the first time, his heart felt a vice of love. Their noses bumped.Ā
āWhat do you think?ā Damen whispered.Ā
Laurent turned around completely and wrapped himself in the embrace.Ā
āThe theatrics were a good touch.ā I think I want to spend the rest of my birthdays with you, like this. Hiding away from politics and reading a good book. Laurent stepped back and smiled.Ā
