marlowemuses | Fools in Love, for gentry

"You," Gansey growled, "are utterly unfair."

He resolved to give Laurent a taste of his own medicine later. Later only because he very much wanted to take his future husband up to bed and spoon him again, freshly bathed, and maybe give him a few more intricate bites.

Lathering up the scented soap in his hands, Gansey reached out to gently massage his fingers through his lover's hair. It was fine, smooth to the touch and easy to manage, lovely, like strands of gold thread. Not that he was above stealing a kiss; he leaned in to catch one, sliding his hands down to soap up Laurent's throat and shoulders as well. Working his hands down his lover's chest, over his arms, giving his body tender attention after having familiarized himself with it so thoroughly.

Laurent basked in it. He'd never had this kind of attention, and, like a cat, he very quickly discovered that he loved being petted.

Pliant and cooperative after Gansey started massaging his hair, Laurent stayed still when Gansey needed, and shifted smoothly every time Gansey needed a different angle. Giving himself entirely into Gansey's hands, Laurent let his eyes close, trusting Gansey's guidance as his fiance washed him.

His tiredness caught up with him all at once. After they rinsed his hair, Laurent melted back into Gansey's arms, resting his head on Gansey's shoulder and drifting, briefly, in and out of sleep.

Having Laurent in his arms, so sweet and pliant, warmed him more than the bathwater had. Once his head was resting on Gansey's shoulder, Gansey gave a kiss to the crown. Feeling similarly tired, it would be all to easy to recline and fall asleep in the bath—which would leave them shriveled up and eventually cold.

After snuggling in the water with Laurent for a time, Gansey gently sat up, arms still wrapped around his lover.

"Let's dry off," he coaxed, "and head up to bed." Smoothing Laurent's wet hair back, Gansey pressed another kiss against his forehead. "Tomorrow we can relax." It had been a busy few days, between Laurent's arrival and their whirlwind romance. It would be nice to simply just be together. Maybe read books in the library, or play chess again. Maybe have a nice ride through the garden. Nap together on a hammock in the screen room.

Reaching out, Gansey grabbed one of the thick, fluffy towels and wrapped it around Laurent's shoulders once they got to their feet.

Not fully awake, Laurent obeyed him. He got up, allowed Gansey to dry him, and stayed standing with a towel around his shoulders as Gansey dried himself.

He wouldn't remember most of the rest later. There was some blur about getting upstairs, and then the more important memory of curling into bed in Gansey's arms. Winding his own arms around Gansey's neck and hugging close, with his face tucked alongside Gansey's throat.

His Gansey. The most important person in the world, and Laurent knew that he'd give Gansey anything, follow him anywhere. Spend his life at Gansey's side.

It was the most comfortable sleep he had in a long, long time. Listening to the sound of Laurent's slowing breath and matching his to it helped him drift off. Having arms around his neck was soothing, breath flirting against his skin even moreso.

By the time he opened his eyes again, the sun was already risen in the sky. It was a normal hour for most people but for Gansey? He'd overslept by a long-shot, usually rising as soon as light cracked across the horizon. But his body had been greedy, soaking up sleep like a sponge once there was something that put his mind to rest.

Yawning, he shifted, rolling onto his back and blinking up at the ceiling.

"I haven't slept so good since I was a kid," he sighed, raking a hand through his thick hair.

Laurent smiled. As Gansey stirred, he woke, feeling perfectly rested and in tune with his lover.

Sitting up halfway, Laurent grinned and admired the sight of Gansey's bare chest. He skimmed his fingertips down his sternum and around his ribs, circling over the space where his belly dipped with each breath.

"Maybe for different reasons than when you were a kid," he said, playful and happy.

Gansey hummed with pleasure at the touches, leaning into it as rolled his attention to his lover's face. The skimming around his ribs made him laugh, as he was somewhat ticklish there, as well as the space below.

"Oh, most definitely," he agreed, reaching up to tuck a few stray hairs behind Laurent's ear. "I like these reasons much better than those."

Studying Laurent's face for a moment, he broke out into another loving smile, as though he was hit with the realization that he was in love all over again. "Good morning, darling."

Laurent grinned in response, leaning down to kiss his nose. "Good morning, light of my life. Did you become even more achingly handsome overnight, or is it just that I'm even more in love with you?"

He was quickly discovering that, with Gansey, he loved being absurdly affectionate. There was no possible hyperbole that could capture the feeling in his heart, which only served to make the ridiculous hyperbole even more appealing.

"Perhaps both?" he flirted, also delighting in the ridiculous hyperbole. Being absurdly affectionate suited him well and he enjoyed it immensely.

"I dreamed about you. Only," he sighed, reaching up to cup Laurent's face, "dreams aren't quite as good as the real thing. I missed you, even in sleep. Days with you are far sweeter than any dream."

"You can't have missed me too much, since I was still right in your arms," Laurent teased, pressing close to him and nuzzling at Gansey's cheek. He felt dizzy with love and happiness, still finding it hard to believe that this was possible, that his cold, lonely life had suddenly turned into this. "Are you going to tell me about your dreams?"

"I dreamed of Castle Cove," he said, turning so that he could press himself against his fiance. "Ah—that's the castle that was built along the ocean, just inside our borders. The Raven King had wanted a private place to take his lover so he had it constructed out of one of the caves inside a private cove. It was where they went after their marriage and they traveled there every year after. It's said that sirens live in those waters."

Gansey closed his eyes, "In the dream, I was showing you the castle. I took you down into the cave it was built out of and we sat together, watching the waves, from lover's rock. The Raven King cut out the stone into a seat for two when his lover commented that he would love to watch the sea from there."

"I think we can make that come true," Laurent said, tangling their legs together. "Tell me more about this lover of his. Someone beautiful? Did they prove loyal?"

He wanted to get up and start their day, determined to tour the city today, but cuddling with Gansey was a far more tempting prospect, and it was proving nearly impossible to detach from his beloved.

"Yes and yes," Gansey answered happily, more than happy to talk about history, even if some of it was fairytales. "Very beautiful. Story goes that when our King first saw him, he tripped over his own shoes and fell right on his face in front of the entire court. And seeing such a clumsy act charmed his future lover instantly."

Peeking up at Laurent, he continued, "And very loyal. When The Raven King was poisoned by one of his enemies, his lover hunted down the rare ingredients needed to make the antidote, and then beheaded the one who had poisoned him with his own sword."

Yawning, Gansey finally pulled himself up, much as he wanted to remain in bed.

"What would you like to do today?"

Laurent's mind worked differently. He immediately wondered whether this beautiful, ambitious lover had himself carried out the murder. In either version, the supposed guilty party would have been someone with a claim on the throne. If it had been him, if he'd had neither Gansey nor power, Laurent would have been glad to seduce a king in exchange for safety and comfort. He wondered whether he would have been willing to kill.

He liked the story, despite his doubts. He liked that the lover had been male, and liked the love story aspects that Gansey told. He loved the story because Gansey loved it.

"I think we should go into the city. Your people ought to see us. The court has seen me and been adequately charmed by us, but your people have only rumors that a beautiful foreign prince arrived. You promised me a tour, and I wouldn't mind a bit of shopping."

Kissing Gansey's cheek, Laurent got up. He considered the clothing that he had available, and grimaced. He didn't want to wear his own clothing--now wrinkled from lying on the floor--or the outfit from yesterday--similarly neglected--but his new outfits had yet to be delivered. After a moment's consideration, he borrowed a set from Gansey, even though the belt was on the tightest hook and the shirt draped around him. "I suppose we should stop by the tailor first to see if he has completed anything."

Gansey soon followed, stretching his arms over his head as he glanced out the window at the town in the distance. "Quite right. I have no doubt that the people will be similarly charmed." Laurent, after all, was very charming. A tour and shopping it would be. It would be nice to spend a day out of the castle.

Dressing, he glanced at Laurent, giving a nod of agreement. "Knowing him, he was probably up all night sewing the most fashionable clothes he could think of. At least one piece must be ready."

With a short laugh he plucked at the shoulders of the shirt Laurent had donned, "But you do look very cute in my clothes."

Reaching for his satchel, Gansey drew the strap over his shoulder and headed for the door. "Let's see what the tailor has to surprise us with, hm?"

When they arrived at the tailor's rooms, they discovered that Gansey's guess had been correct. The bags under the man's eyes told them that he hadn't slept, but he was clearly too excited to show his new model the brand new selection of clothes for him to wear. Shades of blue, browns, and a few greens as it was the traditional color. Pants, vests, tunics, so much that Gansey laughed.

"You've never made me so many stylish outfits." Which got a snort from the tailor and a, "You never wanted them."

"Which would you like to wear today?" Gansey asked his fiance, looking quite amused.

Before they left the privacy of Gansey's rooms, Laurent caught his elbow briefly. "We'll want to be circumspect. Many of the people will know how short our acquaintance has been. Were I among them, I would be suspicious of any beautiful prince who had charmed you so thoroughly in such a short time, especially if I knew of Vere's reputation. Everyone should be charmed by us seeming flirtatious and infatuated, but not much more than that."

Watching Gansey's eyes briefly, earnest because it was now his job to monitor Gansey's public appearance, Laurent smiled and stole a kiss. He made it a deep one, to help tide them both over for a day of more chaste and flirtatious kisses.

Eyes wide at the array in the tailor's rooms, Laurent blushed with pleasure. "They're lovely. I didn't mean to make you push yourself so."

He consulted with the tailor as to the selection, though he was perfectly capable of choosing for himself. A day in the city, walking and shopping amongst the people. This one? I trust to your expertise.

Stepping behind a provided screen, Laurent dressed quickly, feeling much more comfortable in fashionable, tailored clothes that had been designed just for him. Much though he enjoyed wearing Gansey's clothing and getting called 'cute'. He gave Gansey a smile as he stepped out from behind the screen. "What do you think?"

Much as Gansey hated the idea of not proudly proclaiming just how much he adored his future husband, he agreed, merely biting his lip to express his displeasure at it. It was understandable—they hadn't know each other before this arrangement, and while the Queen had no issue with their obvious growing affection, the people would be more protective over their future king. Especially since he was known to be idealistic and want to trust.

Clothes were a good distraction. When Laurent stepped out from behind the screen, Gansey grinned, clearly charmed. "Very nice," he said as he stepped around his fiance to get a look at the back. "The colors suit you, and the clothes fit well. You'll be the most striking man in town."

Stepping back, "How do they feel?" Looks were one thing. Comfort was another. The day would be long and if they weren't comfortable, it would feel even longer.

"They're lovely. It's wonderful to have clothes fitted to me, of course, and your fashion is quite a bit more comfortable than my Veretian styles." Laurent smiled at Gansey and took his arm, giving earnest thanks to the tailor for all his hard work.

"Will we be taking a carriage?" Laurent asked, as they made their way out of the palace. It was a gentle suggestion--it would have been by far the best option for touring Vere's capitol, as horses would be too high-strung and difficult in a busy city, and the city was too large to walk. He didn't, however, know the Raven Kingdom's capitol, and trusted to Gansey's judgement.

Normally when Gansey did go into town he took his horse to the outer stables and then walked it, but that wasn't the best idea for touring. That was when he was hanging out at the local tavern or meeting up with some men his age that he'd befriended. Not appropriate for a formal escort, and introducing the people to Laurent.

"I think that would be a good idea" he agreed, leaning in to give Laurent a soft kiss on the cheek. "I'm sure the people would love to see your carriage. They love excitement." Even if theirs was a more tame capitol, it would still be too much for horses.

Slipping his hand into Laurent's, he gave his fiance's hand a squeeze.

"Shall we go?"

Laurent nodded, gladly clasping Gansey's hand. He trusted to his lead as they made their way downstairs and climbed into the carriage prepared for them.

His demeanor cooled, and then shifted into something more sparkling and crystalline as they climbed into the carriage. Aware of being watched, his flirtation became more performance, every move and every statement designed to play his part. It was still Laurent, still his humor and flirtation, but the true Laurent was locked away, and his smiles rarely spilled into laughter.

Likewise, Gansey donned a new outward persona. His eccentrics and small, genuine smiles were swiftly covered by a dazzling grin and all around genial attitude. For the sake of his kingdom he was always effortlessly polite, gallant, and kingly. On an official outing he could be seen as nothing less.

As their carriage passed by the people on the outskirts of the capitol stopped what they were doing and waved, excited to see an official royal outing, and Gansey waved back. The epitome of princeliness in the eyes of the people, they were dazzled, and equally dazzled when they saw the incredibly beautiful man in the carriage beside their eventual king.

It's Prince Richard! The shouts became more and more frequent and were quickly joined with curiosities about his new fiance.

They stopped frequently, often on Laurent's insistence, so that he could accept flowers and small gifts from the people. He gave golden Veretian coins in return, which were treated like precious marvels, and when he was asked to bless children, he did so with perfect earnestness.

They made a little better progress once they reached the actual city, though a crowd gathered outside of the little coffee shop where they stopped for breakfast. Laurent greeted the crowd and waved, staying pressed against Gansey's side with hints of shyness that he allowed to show through his kindness and charm.

After that, they got to visit some of the artisans of the city. Laurent was delighted by everything, making several purchases that he wanted to send back to family and acquaintances in Vere. He was particularly charmed by a carver who specialized in jewelry boxes and interlocking wooden puzzles. Taking the puzzles apart was one challenge, and then putting them back together was exponentially harder. "Gansey," Laurent said, laughing and trying to hold a half-deconstructed wooden puzzle as he attempted to put it back together. "Help."

Edited 2016-10-15 06:56 (UTC)

Gansey was thrilled that the people were so taken with his fiance. Not that he had been worried—Laurent was charming, kind, and handsome. At Gansey's side the people felt more comfortable approaching him, so they did, and were not disappointed with what they found.

And how he loved showing Laurent around the capitol he so adored. There was much to see, and the artisans were just one stop. Trying his own hand at the puzzle box, Gansey laughed, shaking his head after a good five minutes trying to figure it out.

"Maybe if you gave me a few hours," he laughed, bowing to the craftsman. "Your boxes are very well made, my good sir." The craftsman blushed bright red and thanked them both, flattered and shy in front of two handsome princes.

"Would you like one?" Gansey asked his lover, looking at him with affection. "My treat."

"No, thank you," Laurent said, kissing Gansey's cheek. "As lovely as they are, I don't think I have that sort of patience. I'd like to send one to a contact of mine in Vere, though. I'm sure it will make him swear very colorfully for a day or two."

Laurent paid for that, leaving instructions with the artisan for its delivery, and then dragged Gansey on to the next shop. He picked up a single sapphire earring for his pierced ear, pleased with how it captured the light, and gave Gansey a playful little smirk. "What do you think?"

Gansey very much liked being dragged. The shop had several lovely pieces of jewelry, but he had to admit that sapphire looked the most striking against Laurent's fair skin and light eyes.

"It suits you," Gansey answered, admiring the complimentary color. "Does having a pierced ear mean anything in Vere, or is it another kind of fashion?" he asked, curiously. Gansey had no piercings or anything of the like.

Browsing, his fingers skimmed over a bracelet with emeralds, and admiring some precious stones that had been attached to rope.

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