Chapter 20: Welcome Home
May 24th. 10:02 PM.
Sinbad rubbed his eyes wearily as he finally strode in through the doors of his chamber. Man, I'm beat. That meeting had stretched on longer than planned... chaos, arguments, orders, decisions. Was this linked to the previous attacks, or was it an isolated thing...? Either way, it couldn't have happened at a worse time. Sin poured himself a goblet of wine before stripping off his jewelry. The soft lighting from the several candles stationed around the room soothed Sin, as they bathed the room in a warm light. He slipped his shoes off, lazily nudging them under the bed.
The fluttering of the elegant silken curtains distracted Sin. A warm breeze filtered through the window, rustling the curtain that made Sin think of the ripples on a calm sea. Carefully, he curled his hand around the goblet, then padded over to the window as he sipped. The sweet wine sat pleasantly on his tongue as he leaned a hip against the windowsill and looked out over the city. It was a beautiful sight. I wish Ja'far was here to see this. Sin took another sip, casting his mind back to thoughts of soft white hair and beautiful eyes. He really caught me. Sin was no stranger to romance, but... never before had he felt like this. Never had he felt this devotion, this happiness, this tugging in his chest that seemed to pull him to Ja'far, that warmth that spread throughout him at the touch of a hand or a small smile. Sin had always hoped that one day, he'd find someone... And the feeling was better than he'd ever envisioned.
The stars were out, tonight, interspersed with clouds. The lights in the city reflected the lights above, melding into a dance of light and warmth. Sin wondered when Ja'far would be back. He held the goblet out, in tribute to the city he loved, then tipped back the last of his wine.
Maybe I should take a nap... Yes, that big soft bed certainly looked inviting. It was calling his name, really. And who was he to resist? One was never too old for naps. Never mind that it was nighttime, Sin could call it a nap if he wanted to. He was a king, was he not? Sin grinned to himself mischievously as he shrugged out of most of his clothes, replacing the goblet on the nightstand and stretching out on the bed. So comfy... he buried his face in the pillow. It smelled... nice. Cinnamon and books.
Like Ja'far.
Memories of that thin warm body curled in his arms flooded back, and Sinbad curled on his side, facing the window. He wished Ja'far was here...
Sin closed his eyes.
Not too much time could've passed before he woke up. No more than fifteen minutes or so. He knew this because the candles still bathed the room in their warm light. Sin felt remarkably refreshed. Yet he wasn't sure what woke him... so he stretched, then sprawled out, half-lidded eyes watching the window.
And suddenly, a white-hooded figure was slinging itself up onto the windowsill.
Maybe Sin should've been more startled, what with the past few days' predicaments, but he felt calm - almost as through he'd had prior warning. Besides, he intuitively knew who it was. His blood was singing, and he felt wide awake, and he couldn't hide the slow smirk that spread across his face.
As Sin watched, the figure settled on the sill and raised a hand to the hood - and his love's face appeared, hair tousled and eyes gleaming in the candlelight. Ja'far propped a leg across the sill as he rubbed his face, looking back out the window. Then he looked over at Sinbad. Sin knew Ja'far knew he was awake, and he knew Ja'far knew that he was aware of said fact. He let his grin broaden, seeing a slight reflection in Ja'far's face.
"Welcome home. Did you just get back?" Sin finally murmured, knowing Ja'far would pick up on his words. Ja'far lazily arched an arm above his head, eyes closing for a moment.
"Yeah. It's not that hard to sneak up here, you know." Sin ignored the jibe.
"I can take care of myself. And you're special." Sin had the impression Ja'far was chuckling. "Learn some stuff?"
"As a matter of fact, I did. I'll tell you about it later. Oh, and I got new orders."
... Huh, Ja'far sounded pleased about this. "Do tell."
Now he could see Ja'far smirking. It should not have been that attractive. "Ah, nothing much. Just was assigned to babysit the king of Sindria."
Sin felt happiness starburst inside him. Never mind that sarcasm, Ja'far would be by his side from now on... he wanted to spin the other around in happiness. Or... he smirked, eying Ja'far.
"... What are you planning?"
Sin raised himself up, shaking his hair to let it cascade down his back. "I've got a question."
"Hm?"
"So, you're under a sort of dual jurisdiction now, right? Under both me and the Brotherhood?"
"I suppose."
"So can I give you an order?"
Ja'far eyed him. His eyes were half-lidded, yet slightly feral and fierce, and it sent a thrill through Sinbad. "Depends. What's the order?"
Sin grinned and motioned at Ja'far. "Get over here and join me, beautiful."
Ja'far turned so his feet were resting on the floor. His head was tilted, and oh, Sinbad just wanted to run over there and kiss him if he was going to be looking at Sinbad like that. "Are those your orders, my king?"
"Yup." Sin wiggled his eyebrows.
"Should that smirk worry me?"
"You know you want to." Ah, yes, Sin was smooth. Ja'far rolled his eyes.
"Shut up." But this was said with a smile. Sin held his hand out to Ja'far.
"Please?"
Ja'far slipped off the sill and padded over to the bed. Sinbad rolled over to the edge, sitting cross-legged, and took Ja'far's hands gently in his own. He kissed Ja'far's fingertips, mindful of the gauntlets and the blades still concealed within, then brought Ja'far's hands to his cheeks. "I missed you," he murmured, nuzzling the cool skin.
"It was less than a day." But Ja'far's fingers curled tighter around Sin's face, and he felt a gentle kiss placed on his forehead.
"Even so." Sin moved his hands around Ja'far's waist, bring the other even closer. He looked up at Ja'far. His grey eyes were glowing in the candlelight, and oh, his Ja'far looked so happy. "I get to keep you by my side now, though, beautiful."
A blush spread across Ja'far's cheeks. "You're the breathtaking one," he mumbled, looking to the side embarrassedly. Sin felt a flush of warmth spread through his body. He moved his hands so they were hovering over Ja'far's heart. If he pressed hard enough, he could feel a faint heartbeat under his fingers. Ja'far's hands came up to cover Sin's.
"So," breathed Sinbad, drinking in the sight, "Can I keep this?" He tapped the area over Ja'far's heart. Surprise flitted over the other's face, to be replaced with shyness and.. affection, hope, love, almost concealed but - Sinbad could feel it loud and clear, no matter how Ja'far may try to hide it.
"You... really want it?" His eyes flickered to Sin's and away, clearly a little flustered.
Sinbad smiled warmly. "Yes. I do." He flipped his hands so they trapped Ja'far's, bringing those smaller hands to his own heart. "And this is yours." And the look on Ja'far's face... Sinbad had no words to describe it...
... Save love.
And he knew that expression was mirrored on his own face.
Gently, he pulled down Ja'far face to kiss him softly, taking his time, and Ja'far melted into him, their hearts beating as one. As they pulled away, faces still centimeters apart, Sin let his hands hook around the topmost button of Ja'far's uniform. "May I?" he whispered, and Ja'far was blushing, but he finally nodded, and Sinbad closed the distance and kissed him again as he undid the top of the uniform.
Somewhere along the lines, their kisses had grown from soft to passionate, and Ja'far broke away to unlace his gauntlets and boots as Sinbad dotted kisses across his shoulders and neck. "Slow down, there," teased Ja'far, eyes smoldering, has he finally tossed his second boot away. Then he yelped as Sin pulled him into his lap, nipping at the junction where neck met shoulder. There'd be a mark there in the morning.
"I'm not waiting," Sin growled back playfully as he ran his hands up Ja'far's arms to begin loosening the wires. At Ja'far's soft noise of protest, he quipped, "No sharp objects in bed," and felt Ja'far huff at him. And oh, Sin's mind went haywire as he felt Ja'far's breath next to his ear, and - ah, but he never knew that his ears were so sensitive and it felt so good and - He finally succeeded in pulling the wires off and threw them off the bed, pulling Ja'far even closer with his free hand. Sin felt Ja'far smile against his neck.
"Like that, do you?"
"You have no idea," he breathed back, before kissing Ja'far again. Then he turned suddenly, pinning Ja'far beneath him. He paused, then gently traced the freckles on Ja'far's face, mapping out familiar patterns. "So, shall we?"
Ja'far reached out, cupping Sin's face in his own hands. Gold eyes met grey, and each knew the answer clear as day. As he bent down again, Sinbad whispered against the other's skin, "I love you, Ja'far."
And the five words he heard in hushed reply made him happier than he could ever remember.
"I love you too, Sin."