▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 13:32:18 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 13:32:18 GMT -5
"I'll carry you all right," he teased, "but you know, I'm clumsy. I might accidentally drop you down a hill."
The peace he felt when he was just leaning back, his arm around Elise, was unlike how he felt most of the time. He just needed to be there, and that was it. It was just this sense of not having to go anywhere, not having to be anyone else. He smiled at her softly as she talked, laughing at how utterly ridiculous some of her gossip was.
It didn't take too long for them to arrive. He held an arm out for Elise, grabbing a bag of his own as they stood. Outside the carriage was a dirt road and a set of cliffs, not too far from his home, it seemed, as the mansion could still be seen in the distance. He gave Elise a grin. "Hope you don't mind getting your dress dirty," he hummed, "we can wash it at mine later if you need to."
There wasn't exactly a path forward, just a dirt one from people having walked through the long grass. They were on top of the rocks, winding through a few trees and scattered vines and weeds. Into the great unknown, he'd call it. "Watch your step, it might be a bit slippery," he spoke, pointing out a few shaky rocks that were a little more dangerous, steps to avoid and steps to take until they were finally on a larger surface, a worn out cliff that simply overlooked the ocean, the golden light of the last hours of day turning their skin gold.
He turned to Elise with a smile. "Here we are, and no, I haven't brought any other girls here...well, other than Carina. She wanted to scatter some seeds or something once, so we had a picnic. You're not jealous of her, are you?" he gave her a nudge, as he dropped the bag onto the flat surface. Pulling out something that seemed like a device, he gave Elise a smile.
"My father bought this from Nyre," he grinned, "it's usually on his desk and we're not supposed to take it out of the house, but he's not home and my siblings won't rat me out anyway." With a quick adjustment of a few buttons, music began to play. A song from a popular band that often played downtown, it sounded like.
"May I have this dance?" he gave her a bow, holding out his hand with a grin.
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Feb 23, 2021 14:14:33 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 14:14:33 GMT -5
"I couldn't be jealous of anyone right now," Elise said with a laugh, taking his hand. "I'm the luckiest girl in the world." She truly felt that way, at least for the time being. It was magical, letting Cato take her into his arms and sway with her, listening to the music come from the neat little contraption his family owned.
Elise leaned her head against his chest, closing her eyes in the warm orange splash of sunset, the breeze dancing around them as they twirled. The song was familiar, and she hummed along, giggling as Cato dipped her and spun her around the cliff that was their entire world in that moment.
When the song ended she leaned back slightly, looking up at him with a playful smile and a delighted twinkle in her eyes. "Watch out, Cato, or you'll make me fall in love," she said softly, moving up to kiss him gently. Elise loved the differences between their kisses- the quick, playful stolen ones, the soft and slow ones, the hungry and passionate ones. She would never forget the feeling of his lips.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 15:18:01 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 15:18:01 GMT -5
They did a slow dance and then a faster one, where he was practically just twirling her around, laughter on his lips. "Then I'm the luckiest boy," he grinned, as he lifted her up with a laugh, almost stumbling as they played around as if they were only children. It had been years since he had felt so lighthearted, and Cato couldn't help but savour the moment, the breeze in the air, the golden light that shone over her, the darkening sunset, the smell of her shampoo and the sea...
He found himself kissing her again, a fondness in his gaze. "Well you'll be one step behind me," he murmured, as he pulled her towards the edge, sitting down with his legs swinging off the edge as they watched the sunset.
"There was this fairy tale my mom used to tell us," he mused, " leaning back as his arm wrapped around her shoulder, "about how somewhere, some people believe that day and night were two lovers who were only allowed to meet at twilight." He had always dismissed it as some stupid romance, but these days, it almost felt relevant. Love was complicated, after all.
"They say that twilight's the line between reality and fantasy, you know," his voice was soft, "where the lines blur and things are no longer what they seem."
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Feb 23, 2021 15:30:27 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 15:30:27 GMT -5
"Is that what we are? Twilight lovers?" She whispered back, leaning into his side as she watched the sun dip into the ocean, sending pinks and blues into the sky over their heads. "It's not the worst thing to be. Though when our time's up and we're both left alone in the night, I hope you remember that I was once the sun of your life."
Elise frowned, the joking demeanor fading away temporarily. It had been easy to joke of it ending at the beginning, but now she said it remind herself that it was inevitable. It no longer felt like a joke, even if she phrased it as such. It was now a dismal warning of the fact that she and Cato couldn't be together in the long run.
"I wish it didn't have to end," she said, twining her fingers with his free hand and resting her cheek on his shoulder. For once she wasn't jovial or sarcastic or needling, her green eyes filled with a wistful kind of longing- one bordering on genuine sadness. If only, if only, if only she hadn't been born a commoner, or Cato hadn't been the son of one of the most powerful Lords. If only they didn't have to be twilight lovers, destined to fizzle out into loneliness and remembrance.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 15:47:34 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 15:47:34 GMT -5
That wasn't what he meant, but he knew it was true. Twilight lovers. It described them well enough, no? It was beautiful, breathtaking, and yet, one blink later, the sun was gone and the night was alone again. He only pulled her closer as she spoke. It was the oldest story in the world. Eventually, someone has to leave first. There was no other ending to the story, no variation that could save them. His heart ached at the thought.
It was easy to pretend he was just jokes and witty humour, but the more he got to know her, the more aware he was of how this was going to end. He wanted to prepare himself for the hurt, to just leave it as it was, but he couldn't.
"I don't want this to end either," he admitted, resting his head on hers for moment, "I wish we could just run away leave this all behind." He knew it was an unrealistic wish; his place was here, he had a family, a place in life, a duty to his father, his siblings, his country, but still, one could dream, couldn't he?
"You'll always be the sun in my heart," he murmured. He knew this wasn't to last, and perhaps one day they'd be strangers again, passing each other on the street without a word said, but he had never felt such peace as he did right now. That wouldn't change, not in a million years. "I hope you know that."
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Feb 23, 2021 16:13:29 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 16:13:29 GMT -5
Elise was far too close to crying. She didn't cry- that wasn't her thing. Her thing was witty banter, bright smiles, sly quips, and unrelenting realism. The idea that Cato would bring some other girl here, that he'd marry someone who wasn't her and share those experiences, share his bed, share his heart with them... it was too much.
Furtively and quietly she wiped away a tear, willing herself to pull back and grin at him. "Of course I know that. How could any other woman compare to me? I'm a total catch!" She elbowed his side before leaning back on her palms, staring at the sunset but keeping just a little bit of distance between them.
Maybe this was too much, too soon. Elise had told him she could be friends with benefits, could be exclusive and joke about falling in love, but maybe she couldn't. Perhaps it was better to leave now, before she got any more attached than she already was. But the thought of ending things before they had to was just as heartbreaking. "Besides, neither of us are brave enough to run away," she said, quiet again. "Or to defy our parents."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 16:46:55 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 16:46:55 GMT -5
He could see that the smile was just another mask, to keep away whatever she was feeling right now. He didn't return the smile, he just looked at her with an unreadable expression, as if there was something he wanted to say, but he couldn't find the words for it.
"I'm sorry," he sounded earnest. It wasn't clear what he was apologising for. Was it for his comment about the twilight, or the fact that he lacked the courage to defy his father? It was true, he was a coward in that regard, unable to fight for what he wanted, nor give up what he had. Stuck in perpetual limbo, he thought dryly.
"I thought about it, you know," his voice was wistful, "that maybe if I got into the guard, and spent some time there, enough time for Cassian to be old enough to wed instead of me, maybe gain a title or two as a general, maybe it'd be enough for me to bargain with him. I wouldn't need to marry some rich noble if I had enough titles and decorations for the both of us, and by that time, maybe they'll stop sending suitors for me."
The silence was palpable for a moment, before he turned to Elise with a small smile. "Either that or I'll lose a limb and maybe they won't want me anymore," he joked, "maybe you'll reject me when I only have one leg left."
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Feb 23, 2021 17:06:38 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 17:06:38 GMT -5
"I wouldn't reject you even if you lost all your limbs and I had to wipe your butt for you," Elise said, lifting a hand to twirl one of his dark curls around her finger. "But don't think about it- and don't apologize. It's inevitable, isn't it?" Twilight had to come to an end, and night had to darken their lives once more.
"Besides, even if you go off and spend decades there waiting for me, it won't matter. My father has my suitors lined up around the block. It won't be long after I graduate that I'm bartered off as a trophy wife. I only hope it isn't Lord Atkinson- he smells like onions." Elise laughed, even as her mouth pulled back in an uncomfortable line.
She leaned over, kissing him swiftly on the mouth. "I'll think of you to get me through, though," she teased, pulling him back to his feet. "Let's just enjoy it while it lasts. Another dance, my lord?" She asked, looking at the russet and navy sky. "This time we can kiss under the stars, and then head back to enjoy our sleepover."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 17:44:08 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 17:44:08 GMT -5
He laughed. "Glad to know," he replied smugly, "I can be your charity case. Poor Miss Monroe, having to take care of her armless legless lord, how does she do it?" Cato pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"You better not settle for anyone too old and ugly," he pouted, "or else I'll have to come over and scare them off. Just say the word and I'll interfere even if I embarrass the Rotherhithe name." He chuckled, as she pressed another kiss to his lips. "I'll steal you away in the night, let's hope your future husband likes business trips all the way up in Guivre or something."
Cato allowed himself to be pulled up, as his arm circled her waist, turning to watch the last of the sun sink into the horizon, the sound of the waves a melody of its own, as they continued their final waltz in the faint glow of the silver moon. Her eyes glowed in the faint light, and it was as if the light lit her hair into strands of gold, as the swayed to the last rays of the day, mellowing into the softness of the night.
It was he who initiated the kiss once more, his hand tucking a strand of hair behind her ear gently as his lips found hers, the sun finally sinking into darkness. The world only consisted of the two of them in that moment, two souls intertwined in a world that had no room for how they felt.
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Feb 23, 2021 17:56:27 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 17:56:27 GMT -5
"I'm sure he'll kick the bucket before I'm 60," she said, moving with him as they waltzed. It was a different dance, this time. The first two had been fun, and energetic, and awash with golden sunset rays. This one was slower, more intimate, and Elise had the unsettling feeling that if she pulled away he'd disappear before her very eyes.
But his kiss reassured her that he was real, that this moment was something only the two of them would share. She wound her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as they embraced in the starlight. Elise kissed him for a long time, and when she pulled away she tasted the salt of melancholy and tears, though neither of them were crying.
She refused to dwell on their shared sadness any longer- they have a sleepover to get to, remember? They returned to the house, and she greeted his siblings before changing from her school dress to her pajamas- a soft, silky camisole and loose matching pants. "What shall we do next?" She asked brightly. "You can help me cook something in the kitchen, or we can have our own game night."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 18:20:08 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 18:20:08 GMT -5
He didn't even realize the saltwater on his cheeks were from his own eyes. Cato would never admit this moment to anyone. It was a moment between the two of them, and it was one he held tightly to his chest. He'd never let another's knowledge of this ruin what they had. If he couldn't keep Elise forever, he'd certainly keep this moment right now.
All too soon, the moment was fading away, settling like dust in an empty house, and they were heading back home. The carriage ride was peaceful, dwelling on the last moments of that shared experience of a sunset, and by the time he was back home, it had faded into his soul like an old memory. Passing his bag and his coat to the servants, he quickly changed as well, though his pyjamas weren't nearly as matched up as Elise's were. His parents would've never allowed pyjamas on the ground floor, much less mismatched ones, but hey, they weren't there and Cato couldn't care less.
"Do I get to wear my PJs downstairs too?" Carina giggled as they descended the stairs. Cato grinned. "Sure, as long as you don't tell dad. He'll skin you first."
Carina laughed, before shouting for Cassian, excited to join in their little pyjama party.
He turned to Elise's question with a shrug. "We could make food first," he offered, "and games later? Can't believe we promised to make pizza for Cass." The older boy ran a hand through his hair. "You know we're spoiling that brat by letting him get away with his pouting," he smirked, "but come on, let's go."
Cato would never admit that he wasn't much of a cook, having never really set foot in the kitchen before, but hey, if Elise knew what she was doing, he'd figure it out somehow.
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Feb 23, 2021 18:48:13 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 18:48:13 GMT -5
"Sounds good to me," Elise said, nudging Cato's side. "And he's just a kid. Every kid deserves to be spoiled from time to time." She took his hand, leading him down to the kitchen. First things first was pizza. Elise wasn't the best cook yet- she would have years to perfect that craft later- but she was decent, and pizza was easy. She let Cassian pick out the toppings, and stood with Carina as they drizzled the dough with sauce and cheese.
It was almost like they were a little family, Elise thought wistfully- her with her hair down and pajamas on, humming along to Carina's singing while ruffling Cassian's curls from time to time. She directed Cato to easy and undemanding tasks, and soon enough they had their pizza- and brownies Elise had whipped up in the meantime.
They played their games, Elise tucked against Cato's side like they were really a couple, laughing when he got up to attempt charades. The kids went to bed eventually, and they spent time drinking glasses of wine and laughing over the events of the evening. And when she laid underneath him that night, it held a different quality. Cato held her more tightly, and she kissed him more desperately, like they both knew this was going to end and they wanted to burn every second into their memory. Elise moaned his name as she came, her fingers tightening in his hair as he pressed his lips to her throat.
She didn't remember exactly when she fell asleep, but she remembered being wrapped up in his arms, warm and safe and content. Sleeping next to each other was more intimate than sleeping together- she got to see his bedhead in the soft morning light, and she offered him her own drowsy smile, rubbing the heaviness from her eyes and nuzzling up against his neck. "Good morning," she mumbled. "You know, I'm not usually a morning person, but waking up next to you is something I could used to."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 19:31:46 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 19:31:46 GMT -5
Cato rolled his eyes, choosing not to argue with Elise. After all, she always put him in a good mood, good enough that he didn't even want to bully the kid anymore. In any other situation, Cato would probably snark back, but hey, if she wanted to be nice to his siblings, then whatever, he wasn't in any rush to bully them anyway.
Making pizza was surprisingly easier than he thought. It was just sprinkling ingredients on top of dough really. He was surprised the two rascals got along with Elise so well; Cass usually never participated in anything, choosing to sulk and grumble instead while Carina teased him about...well, practically everything. Then again, it was probably because most 'bonding activities' they played involved Carina making some stupid story about how she was a princess and the other boy was an evil dragon, and how he was to slay him or something.
It didn't take long for the pizza to be done, and as they ate around the table, it was clear the two kids enjoyed the meal. They were munching happily as Carina chattered on about her day and her ballet performance coming up. For once, they actually seemed like a family. It wasn't that Cato inherently didn't like his siblings, they were just...so different, and he spent so long being their babysitter–and occasionally, tormentor–that he didn't quite see them the way Elise did. It felt...nice. He had never felt much kinship, especially with his younger brother, but right now, maybe he did love them to some degree. Being a family, was this what it was supposed to feel like?
It didn't take long for the night to wind down, the games were fun and eventually, they ended up in his bedroom, kisses and moans and tumbling in the dark. There was a possessiveness that seemed to fill Cato tonight, a need for the world to know that Elise was his, even if there was no one who noticed, no one who cared.
He had never felt so content in his life as when he woke up the next morning, his hair a messy mop upon his head, looking up at the girl, with her tussled hair shining gold in the morning light, the faint rays hitting her in just the right angle to make her look like an angel, her soft eyes regarding him as if there was nothing else in the world. Goddammit, he thought affectionately, smiling back, he fucking loved her.
He loved her? His breath seemed to be caught in his throat. He swallowed thickly, looking breathlessly at Elise.
"Good morning," he whispered, already reaching for her, "glad you slept well last night."
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Feb 23, 2021 20:00:34 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 20:00:34 GMT -5
Elise's thoughts were not far off from his- she wished she could wake up next to him every morning. She was mesmerized by the thought that they could share a bedroom, could share a house and experience what happened last night every night... The l-word was hovering in her mind, but she shoved it back to the recesses. She stretched out lazily, covering his cheeks in kisses and twining her legs with his.
"Gods, you're sexy with a bedhead," Elise said, grinning up at him. "Is it too soon to go again?" Like many teenagers, Elise's sex drive was already high- Cato sent it through the roof. She couldn't get enough of him, of all the sides of him she'd seen, and the big picture it formed was irresistible.
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 23, 2021 20:47:05 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 23, 2021 20:47:05 GMT -5
He practically giggled when she kissed him, still giddy in the morning light as he rolled them over so that he was hovering over her, the satisfied smirk on his face. "Excuse me, I put a lot of effort into this look," he gave her a look as if he was offended, before shaking out his curls once more. Their legs were still intertwined as he pressed a kiss to her throat again, peppering her skin with the same kisses, and nibbles, leaving his mark upon her skin once again, as if any mark he left would mean that she was his for just a little longer.
"Never too soon for round two," he replied cheerfully, the mischievous grin on his face disappeared in the valley of her breasts and down the landscape of her body. He'd savour every minute of this domestic bliss they had, as if this was something he'd have for the rest of his life.
"You know, I don't mind having you for breakfast," he teased, looking up from his head resting on her stomach.
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Feb 23, 2021 21:48:21 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 23, 2021 21:48:21 GMT -5
"Then devour me, by all means," Elise said, letting out a mixture of a gasp and a giggle when he continued southward. Gods, this was the dream. Waking up beside the man she... really enjoyed... being able to get right back into the fun that was touching and fucking and laughing. They started in the bed, but ended up in the shower, Elise's legs around his hips as he thrusted into her.
With damp hair and flushed cheeks, she wandered downstairs with him, grabbing a bowl of cereal to eat out in the morning light on the terrace. "When will your parents be back?" She asked, looking out at the calm waves lapping the shore below them. "Maybe I could stay the night again? Who knows when we'll get another opportunity like this?"
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 24, 2021 5:35:16 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 24, 2021 5:35:16 GMT -5
She was addicting, that Cato couldn't deny. Her laughter, her humour, her cleverness...she'd easily get any boy she wanted if she had a title, he thought. Her beauty wasn't just on the outside, it was all over, and he was but the onlooker in the gallery, looking upon a gem, trying to understand the meaning behind the brushstrokes.
He explored her like she was a landscape, every inch, every push and pull, every gasp and giggle, he mapped her with his hands and his mouth, trailing kisses and soft touches until he couldn't stand it anymore. If it was his own home, if they were allowed to do as they pleased, he'd christen every room with her, make her his own in every corner of this place.
Alas, the kids were still around and well, the cooks and maids may prefer him over his father, and he could always threaten Cassian to keep his mouth shut, but it was too complicated to explain. Instead, the shower seemed a fitting place, as did his bed, and the desk, and everywhere else he could call his own.
They resurfaced in the dining area later in the morning, the sun already higher in the sky. Cato wasn't much of a cereal person, but his own plate, overflowing with sausages and eggs and all the usual to feed a growing boy, was placed next to Elise, as they ate their breakfast in comfortable company.
"My father should return on Monday, so we still have the weekend," he offered, "usually he takes his time during these business meetings. Says it makes the client more nervous, and easier to give in." He'll soon be accompanying on those trips; he himself had done his part in these said client meetings before, either as the dutiful son, or the bragging factor, or as a 'friend' to their children, pulling secrets out as nobles always did. It was the Rotherhithe way, after all.
"Stay the weekend?" he asked brightly, "we could...I don't know, dress up like normal people and go to the city, pretend we're visitors from afar. You know, look around Vela like we're tourists." He knew that if caught, there'd certainly be gossip, but he didn't care. His father wasn't home, after all, and few dared to even address the intimidating man. There was nothing standing in their way.
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Feb 24, 2021 6:59:05 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 24, 2021 6:59:05 GMT -5
"I'll stay," she said, resting a cheek on his shoulder. "As long as you'll have me." Perhaps it was the post-sex flush and glow, or the way he smiled at her, or the late morning sunlight sparkling on the waves, but Elise was quite sure in that moment that she loved Cato- and that she never wanted to stop. Shit.
It was the wrong choice to stay, knowing how she felt, but she could not retract her offer. Even if the comedown would be that much worse in the end, she couldn't resist spending more time with him, going on his tourist adventure, playing house like this wasn't all just a facade. "And I'd love to go incognito with you in the city." Elise kissed his cheek, leaning over to steal a bite of one of his sausages. "There's a carnival next weekend I want to go to, as well. We can... go incognito to that as well, if you don't want to risk being seen as ourselves."
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▲ my life is just constantly existing at ungodly hours
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Feb 24, 2021 7:38:27 GMT -5
Post by achromatic on Feb 24, 2021 7:38:27 GMT -5
"I'd have you forever if I could," he hummed, taking a bite out of his breakfast. The day seemed perfect, bright sun and a date. Vela was gorgeous in this light, and it was soothing, just soaking up the warmth with Elise. "You can show me around your favourite spots," he chuckled, "and we can just get lost and act like total idiots and piss people off because we have no idea where we are."
His expression brightened a little at the carnival. He had been once or twice as a child with his mother, though these days, he rarely had the time. It was one of the few places where commoners and nobles enjoyed together, after all, even if people were still aware of the gap between the two classes. His father certainly wouldn't be opposed to it completely; Cato could mention how he'd be off to training in a year or two and how he was the top choice for the royal guard, and that often got him a free pass to do anything he wanted.
"I'm pretty sure I'm on babysitting duty since my dad will be taking Carina up to Pyxis again for her ballet performance," he chuckled, "so if you don't mind having to watch one of the brats, I'm sure I can convince my dad to let us go." It was a little difficult to convince his father to let Cassian out–after all, the little rascal had yet to master any type of control over his powers, and the man would love to avoid any chatter or gossip around the younger boy–but perhaps the incognito would benefit them all. They could simply leave without their usual fancy get-up, and there'd be no way to bring shame to the Rotherhithe name.
"I'd love to go to the Carnival," he grinned, "incognito might be fun. You're buying me cotton candy though. Pretty sure you owe me this round." He gave her a wink.
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Feb 24, 2021 8:57:51 GMT -5
Post by nostalgic on Feb 24, 2021 8:57:51 GMT -5
"You can have me forever. Just say the words and I'm yours," Elise said, leaning back in her chair and taking in the view. "But I'll make do with a weekend for now- and the carnival next week. I don't mind babysitting. I like Cassian."
She sympathized a lot with the younger child, who, from what she could gather, did not live up to his father's expectations. Neither did Elise- though she did that on purpose. "And I'll buy you cotton candy to repay you for the dates and the mindblowing sex."
After breakfast, they redressed in the most 'commoner' clothing they could find. Elise thankfully had brought some inconspicuous clothing for her return home, and she slipped into it then. The brown skirt and white shirt looked as good as any of her fancier clothing, even if they were plainer.
Once they were deep in the city, she took Cato's hand, more daring now that they were blending in among the common folk. "Let's get lunch from one of the stalls," she said, peering around the marketplace. "What do you want?"
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