After finding him in the desert, the prince proves himself a proper gentleman by taking Minoth on a nice date, complete with walking him to an inn and even gives him a little goodnight kiss. Or two.
Enjoy!
A good date and a kiss goodnight
In the end, they do make it to Auresco well before nightfall. Turns out Addam knows a few good shortcuts, which helped quite a bit. Though, if asked what those shortcuts actually were, Minoth would not be able to tell. He had been far too busy talking with Addam to pay any attention to where they really were going.
Listening to Addam talk had actually been very interesting. He had many interesting stories to tell, about things he's seen and experienced. He'd also pointed out some things in the desert Minoth hadn't really thought to pay attention to before. He had pointed out different kinds of rock formations, hidden caves, little clusters of flowers hidden in small crevasses, springs with cool and fresh water, and the little insects that like to burrow into the sand.
Addam had also talked about the capital, mentioning his favourite places to spend time in the city, his favourite restaurants and tea shops and cafes, the best places to go whenever he needed to find anything specific, the place he goes to watch the fish swimming in the moat, the best places to get a good drink, among other things.
He has a way of telling stories, making even the most normal everyday things more interesting than they probably are. Complete with changing his voice and gesturing with his hands. He's very animated, very excited to tell Minoth about everything. Minoth, for his part, finds this rather endearing, fascinating. He listens attentively and asks questions, and in response gets a blinding smile and another enthusiastic recounting of something-or-other.
Addam even managed to get Minoth to open up to him a little. He was careful not to asks about Indol or his past, which Minoth had been grateful for, and had focused on asking about Minoth's travels and other interests. The most beautiful places he's seen, the best foods he has tasted, the strangest things he has seen.
Soon, Minoth had found himself talking about the beauty of the Saffronia trees in Uraya, the lush green fields of Gormott, all the interesting books he's been reading, and briefly mentioned the writings he's been working on. He found he actually likes talking with Addam, enjoys spending time with the man. He feels comfortable around the human.
Before he knows it, they have arrived at the front gates of Auresco.
As soon as they walk into the city, things take a slight change. The easy conversation gives way to a comfortable silence as they make their way through the streets and the people walking there.
Minoth feels the stares of the people as they walk, hears their hushed whispers, and realizes their arms are still linked. When he goes to pull away, Addam just tightens his grip on Minoth's arm, giving him an encouraging smile.
"It's alright, don't worry," Addam whispers to him. "Ignore them, they're just curious."
Minoth takes a deep breath and does his best to shut out the stares and whispers of the nearby people. The don't matter, he tells himself. What they think doesn't matter. They seem more curious than anything, anyway. Harmless. Once he decides he doesn't have to worry about them, tuning them out becomes a lot easier.
Once he learns to ignore the humans, he lets himself focus more on the rest of the city. As a result, Addam has to almost drag him through the streets, as he stops to gawk at just about everything. In his defence, the city is quite beautiful. The architecture, the lanterns lighting up the place, the decorations, the little stalls where vendors sell their wares... He only stops once Addam promises to take him on a proper tour later.
Soon they have made their way to one of the restaurants Addam swears up and down has some of the best food he's ever had. Minoth is a bit more reserved, but he doesn't know where to get good food here, so he lets Addam lead him there and seat them at a table. He notes Addam chose a table with some privacy, where people won't be staring at them.
After ordering food, Minoth decides eating before exploring is definitely the smarter option. The restaurant Addam chose is comfortable, and the staff friendly. They barely even stare at Minoth's strange Core Crystal and don't ask uncomfortable questions. The food also turns out to be quite good.
Minoth chooses to order a stew with Armu-meat and vegetables. The meat is tender and well-seasoned, tasting incredible. The vegetables are cooked just right, neither soggy or undercooked. Minoth forces himself to eat slowly and not gobble it all up like a wild animal.
"Here, try this," Addam says, offering a piece of his own food, fresh fish and vegetables with gromrice. "It's delicious!"
Minoth eyes the piece of fish Addam is holding towards him, then carefully plucks it with his chopsticks and pops it in his mouth.
"It's good," he says after finishing it. It really is delicious. He might have to come back here sometime. Addam is practically beaming with happiness, his golden eyes shimmering in the light from the lanterns.
"So," Addam says when they've finished eating and he places his utensils neatly on his plate. "Remember when I promised to take you on a tour around the city after dinner?"
"Yes..." Minoth says slowly, putting down his chopsticks. Is this when Addam is going to say he's changed his mind? That he, as a Prince, has more important things to do than playing tour guide for some lost Indoline Blade?
"Well," Addam continues, "it's getting kind of late for sightseeing, so I thought it might be better if I show you to an inn, take you out for breakfast tomorrow, and then show you around the city." He looks incredibly pleased with himself.
"I'm not some charity case," Minoth mutters, crossing his arms. "I don't need you to pay for everything for me." The last thing he needs is owing a bunch of stuff to Addam, whether the Prince actually cares about it or not.
"Alright," Addam says, with that easy smile. "You can buy us breakfast, and then I'll show you around the city."
"Hmmm..." Minoth accepts this with a nod. "But I expect a really good tour," he adds, giving Addam a teasing grin, and gets an amused chuckle in return.
"Well, we're going to have plenty of time," Addam says with a wide grin. "So we can go see all the best places. You'll love it!"
"How do you even have so much time?" Minoth asks. He really hadn't expected a Prince to have the time to be running around in the desert, picking fights with the local wildlife, having dinner with some random Blade he found in said desert, or playing tour guide to that same random Blade. "Don't you have some princely duties to perform?"
"Not really, no," Addam admits, crossing his arms behind his head. "I'm only fourth in line, so I don't have many duties. Sometimes there's something, sure, but mostly I can just do whatever I find important."
Minoth watches as Addam grabs a pouch from his waist and counts out some coins, which he leaves on the table to cover their meals. Then he gets up and offers Minoth his hand.
"Now, how about I show you to that inn?"
This time, Minoth does not hesitate before taking Addam's hand, letting the man pull him to his feet and link their arms together, letting Addam walk him out of the restaurant and down the streets of the city. Soon enough, they're standing in front of a nice, fairly modest-looking inn.
"This isn't the fanciest inn in the city," Addam admits. "But it's very nice and comfortable."
"It's fine," Minoth says, extracting his arm from Addam's hold. "Thank you."
When he goes to ask for a room, he notices Addam enters the building behind him. He waits until he's been given the key to his room before turning to Addam with a questioningly raised brow.
"I'll walk you to your room, if you don't mind," Addam says. "We can decide where and when to meet up tomorrow."
"Sure," Minoth agrees with a shrug. He trusts Addam enough to be confident he won't try anything. Besides, he's looking too much forward to sleeping in a proper bed to really think about it.
The room is a rather modest one, without any unnecessary luxuries. A bed, a desk with a chair and some quills, ink, and paper. A small shelf with a few books and space for him to place his own things for the night. There's also a large window, through which he can see a few trees and some water. He'd specifically requested a room with a window, as small rooms with only bare walls to stare at would remind him far too much of the "room" he had in Indol. Something he'd rather not think about. Ever, if possible.
Minoth places his pack on the bed, removes his gloves and tosses them on top of it, then goes to look out through the window. He can see a few lit lanterns, which in turn light up the surrounding area. He can see a few trees, water, grass, and the sides of the surrounding buildings. It looks peaceful. He turns around when he hears footsteps close behind him, to find Addam standing maybe a couple of steps away from him.
Those golden eyes are looking at him intently, and Minoth wonders what it is Addam sees when looking at him. A strange Blade with a discoloured Core Crystal, a scarred face, messy hair, worn clothing and tired eyes? That's what he sees, at least, whenever he happens to look in a mirror.
"Your eyes are beautiful," Addam murmurs in a low voice.
Minoth blinks, a bit confused. Of all the things he'd expected Addam to say, this is definitely not it. He's never even really considered his eyes to be anything special. They're just eyes. Addam is the one with beautiful eyes, clear and golden, shimmering in the last light of the setting sun, almost looking like they're lit up from within.
"I feel I should be the one saying that to you, Prince," Minoth whispers back, his voice sounding almost too loud in the otherwise quiet room. He feels as if talking too loudly would break something invisible, something that's been building up between the two of them since they first met.
Addam smiles, huffing out a quiet laugh. Then, he lifts his hands and slowly – so gently – cups Minoth's face in his palms. His hands are somewhat calloused and so warm. Minoth can't remember ever having been touched this gently, but finds he rather likes it, and finds himself leaning into the touch.
Minoth lifts his own hands, uncertainly, not quite sure where to put them. They're trembling, not from fear but something else, maybe anticipation. He places them on Addam's upper arms. The Prince steps closer.
"Is this okay?" Addam asks, gently brushing his fingertips over Minoth's cheekbones.
Minoth swallows. He's not entirely sure what "this" even is, but if it means Addam keeps touching him like this...
"Yes," he chokes out, the single word almost getting stuck in his throat. His entire body is now shivering with excitement and anticipation. For what, he doesn't know. But it's Addam, and Minoth trusts him.
Addam smiles, and starts leaning in. He's so close Minoth could count his eyelashes, close enough to see his slightly dilated pupils... Then their lips touch, and they're kissing.
Minoth has seen humans kissing before, many times. He's often wondered why they do it, what makes it so appealing to them. Why they keep doing it so much, all the time, wherever they go. Now he knows.
Minoth's grip on Addam's shoulders tighten. The feel of Addam's hands on Minoth's face and their lips pressing together is almost too much. He feels strange and fluttery, as if something's trying to burst out of his chest. But in a good way. He can't breathe. It's entirely too much. It's not nearly enough. It's almost painful, but it feels so good. Minoth thinks he might actually die if Addam stops now.
Of course, that's when Addam pulls away, breaking the kiss.
"Are you sure this is alright?" Addam asks, concern written all over his face.
At first Minoth briefly wonders why he would think that, only to then realize he has not only not responded to the kiss in any way, but he's also still trembling.
I'm fine, is what he's going to say, but what comes out of his mouth instead is "Don't stop."
He doesn't even have time to feel embarrassed by the desperation in his voice, because Addam is kissing him again.
This time, Minoth does his best to participate, moving his lips against Addam's, painfully aware of his complete lack of experience. He tilts his head slightly for a more comfortable angle, and tries to mimic whatever Addam is doing. It seems he manages to get something right, as the Prince makes a pleased sound in the back of his throat and moves his hands to Minoth's hair, nearly undoing his ponytail in the process. Minoth lets his own hands wander, moving up Addam's arms and down his back. He tries to pull them closer together.
He needs more. He doesn't even know what that involves, he just needs.
Addam reads his attempts correctly, as he moves one hand to Minoth's lower back and pulls their bodies closer, pressing them together almost completely. Minoth lets his fingers slip under Addam's shirt, feeling the warm skin under his fingertips.
Teeth nip at his lips, making him gasp into the kiss. Then Addam's tongue is in his mouth, pressing against his own, moving over his teeth and exploring the inside of his mouth. A needy whine raises in Minoth's throat. He tries moving his tongue against Addam's, and the resulting sounds are downright indecent. He's just glad they'd locked the door. Well, he's pretty sure they at least closed the door.
Far too soon for his liking, the need to breathe forces them to break apart. But not too far. Foreheads pressed together, noses touching, and lips still brushing against each other, they both gulp down much needed air.
"Have you ever done this before?" Addam asks, voice rough, and out of breath.
"No," Minoth replies, his voice sounding hoarse and pathetic in his own ears. He doesn't even know if Addam is referring to the kiss, or the intimacy, or something else entirely. But his answer is still the same. "I've never wanted to do this before."
"But you do now?" Addam asks, as if needing clarification. As if Minoth's earlier enthusiasm hadn't been clear enough of an answer. The hand on Minoth's lower back is rubbing small circles, while the one in his hair is lightly scratching his scalp. It's a pleasant feeling, and somewhat distracting. Something so simple has no right feeling so good. He doesn't want it to stop.
"Yes," he breathes out the answer, quietly but clearly. He spreads his fingers, pressing both his hands against Addam's warm skin. He's not sure if he's just soaking in the heat and skin-to-skin contact, or if he wants to sink into the man's very being and never be apart from him again.
He tries to kiss Addam again, craving the feeling, the heat, the taste, the rush, the almost painful but oh-so-good sensation that comes with kissing Addam. But Addam pulls his head back and holds Minoth in place by placing his arms on his shoulders. Minoth makes a questioning sound, but doesn't try to go against Addam. Maybe he has done something wrong? Ignored some human custom regarding kissing? Maybe Addam doesn't like how needy he's being? As if reading his mind, Addam smiles at him and gently takes Minoth's face between his hands.
"No need to rush," he says, stroking his thumbs over Minoth's cheeks. "We have plenty of time. Let's just take it easy, yeah?" He lets his hands drop, then pries Minoth's hands from his back and holds them in his own. "We'll have a good night's sleep, meet up tomorrow for breakfast and then take that tour around the city."
"And then?" Minoth asks, turning his hand to link their fingers together.
"And then," Addam says with a grin, squeezing his hand, "we'll see what we're in the mood for."
"I can do that," Minoth says. Really, not rushing into things is probably the best way to go about things, especially since Minoth is so new to all of it. He really needs to calm down and clear his head before doing anything else. Right now, it just feels kind of fuzzy.
He walks Addam to the door, which they had indeed locked, and hesitates for a moment before saying
"I've understood it's a human custom to kiss one goodnight after a successful date." He doesn't look at Addam as he says it, uncertain how the man feels about the suggestion. He hadn't seemed to mind kissing Minoth earlier, but he might have gotten the custom wrong... He looks up when he hears Addam laugh. The Prince is grinning widely.
"Didn't you already get enough of that just now?"
"No."
"Well, then." The grin widens. "I suppose I can't disappoint you then, can I?"
He cups Minoth's face between his hands once more, then presses their lips together in a sweet, gentle kiss. It's over a bit too soon for Minoth's liking, but he doesn't complain.
"We didn't really get around to talking about where to have breakfast tomorrow," Addam says as he lets go of Minoth, "so how about I just meet you outside the inn around nine tomorrow, and we'll see then?"
"Ten," Minoth says, still feeling a bit dizzy from the kissing earlier. "I'm not really a morning person."
"Ten it is, then," Addam agrees. He presses one last kiss to Minoth's cheek, right next to the scar. Then he turns around and is gone the next moment.
Minoth closes the door and takes a few trembling steps back, almost collapsing on the bed. He feels strangely giddy and elated. He can't believe that just happened, barely comprehends it. Not the fact that he's found a human he likes spending time with, he's met one or two of those during his travels. Though he can't say he liked them even remotely as much as he likes Addam. No, the unbelievable part is all the rest of it.
The strange fluttery feeling in his chest. This newly found need to touch and be touched, the closeness he now almost craves. The way he feels when he looks into Addam's eyes. And the kisses. Oh, the kisses. He doesn't think he's ever felt so good, doesn't think he could ever get enough. In fact, he could probably spend the rest of his life doing nothing but kissing Addam and still not get enough.
That night when he sleeps, he dreams of soft grey hair, gentle touches, and shimmering golden eyes.
Thanks for reading! I hope you liked it.
Please feel free to let me know what you think!