Chains to bind our heart

[reliantnav]

Abel doesn't often attend his father's courts.

He is proud of what his father has built, using diplomacy to unite the factions of their once-city into a united and productive society. With that stability, they have some hope of achieving civilization once again, and Abel will have the relative freedom to pursue his research and projects. His father dismisses all Abel's work as 'tinkering' and tries to shift his focus instead toward leadership and politics.

The latest project will convince him. Abel's sure of it. He's almost finished the design for a water reclamation system that will provide their city with large quantities of fresh, drinkable water, enough to start rebuilding the system of running water that runs through the city.

So he isn't paying all that much attention to the court and their visitor--some diplomat or warlord from a neighboring city?--until he hears his father say:

"And my son Abel's hand in marriage to seal the bargain."

Abel's head whips up fast, staring at his father and their visitor in shock.

Comments

[unrequitingly]

For as long as he can remember, he's been fighting. Against other humans, against wild beasts, against whatever this torn world has thrown against him. That's how Praxis has grown up. It's nothing he minds, now. He's trained well. He's ready for anything that's thrown at him. Except for this.

He isn't gobsmacked when the arrangement is brought up in the court. He stands stone faced just behind his father. There was the rumor this could happen, but he didn't think it actually would. But, when they walked into the room and Praxis saw him sitting there...well, there was no other option to really think about. Throughout the meeting, his eyes rarely strayed from Abel. It's only a few times Praxis has actually been to this colony, but he's seen Abel before. He's not someone easily missed. He'd asked about him. Knew just a few things. Not as much as he wanted.

He feels somewhat guilty, since it seems Abel didn't know about this. Not enough to stop himself from lifting his fist to his breast and taking a knee in obeisance. This is his duty to take seriously. It could have been much worse. When he rises, his father has clasped arms with Abel's, sealing the deal more than any signature would.

"We accept," he says. And, just like that Praxis's life changes.

[reliantnav]

Abel's so taken aback that it takes him an extra few seconds to understand that it's the son he's meant be marrying. He stares at him across the room, seeing a dutiful warrior kneeling as the deal is struck.

There was no mention of Abel's strategic value, and that feels like the worst betrayal. His father doesn't even realize Abel's strategic value. He's selling him off solely on the basis of his birth and his pretty face.

It takes everything in Abel to restrain himself from publicly refusing the union. He doesn't want to test his father's willingness to have him dragged off.

He contents himself with glaring at his future husband.

[unrequitingly]

Not that he expected this would go swimmingly, but he had hoped things wouldn't begin on the wrong foot. It seems like that hope is very much dashed, if judging by the way Abel's staring at him. If looks could kill, he'd be dead on the chamber floor. Praxis still feels slightly guilty over it, more so now that he's being glared at. He offers the smallest of smiles, not looking to incite any further riot. Just because Abel's father might not realize his value, doesn't meant that Praxis's father doesn't. There's always a reason for things like this.

Meeting effectively over, Praxis makes his way over to Abel. Might as well try to forge some sort of connection before the documents are signed and a ceremony follows to have them be wed. It feels awkward and strange. Praxis knows that nothing he says will make the situation any easier, but he feels the need to say something.

"I take it you didn't know anything about this, either?" again, he tries for a slight smile. His arm lifts, hand extended to offer a firm greeting. "Sorry...that we had to meet like this. I'm Praxis."

[reliantnav]

Abel softens very slightly at the information that Praxis wasn't prepared for this either, though he certainly seemed to accept it quicker than Abel had. If this is their fathers' doing and Praxis is likewise trapped, then it's unfair to be angry at him. Abel lifts his chin a little and takes Praxis' hand, gripping it firmly. "I didn't," he confirms, watching Praxis closely to try to get a sense of him. "I had no idea my father intended to marry me off."

[unrequitingly]

This is just the way things are, that's why he accepts it. Fighting will just cause trouble. And...well, he's not that put off by the whole thing. Maybe it's a little stupid that he would've liked to have met Abel on his own and tried to court him on his own, but he's not going to turn this away just because of that. All he can do is hope this doesn't end poorly. He keeps a hold of Abel's hand for just a second longer than necessary.

He wets his lips, feeling a little nervous though he does squash it down as best as he can. No need to get all stupid about this. "I guess they had other plans they didn't feel like sharing."

[reliantnav]

"Yes," Abel agrees. He knows he's not being particularly friendly or cooperative. He doesn't feel like being cooperative. The best he can do is to try not to actively quarrel with his intended. "Tell me about where I'm going. I'd like to have some idea of my fate."