:: The Joust of Riley's 17th Year ::

[eblouissant]

It was the first time that Riley had been on the field, he'd trained hard for this. Very hard, all around him the area of people watched from their stands and seats. His armor gleamed pristine, the visor over his head, the jousting javelin tucked firmly underneath his arm.

Riding astride on his stallion, he galloped toward the ready line as the Games Crier spoke out his name. "Sir Cyril of House Valiase and his opponent Sir Germaine Moreau, please take your positions." and then Riley was in place, his heart thundering in his ears even while all around him the stadium turned as silent save for a few coughs here and there. The horn was blown and then he dug his heels in, pressed himself forward and started.

Grounding himself into the saddle, his eyes never leaving his opponent. Pounding hoofs the only thing to break the silence. That moment of fear, the way his stomach hit his throat and made him choke, so close so close. Held Breath. And then the sound of armor where he prepared for anything. No thinking, nothing-- head empty.

A clatter behind him as he charged forth. He had expected weightlessness, pain, but nothing as he made it to the end and he turned his horse around to see the attendants on the field rushing to Sir Germaine's side to help him from where he had stopped. Already they were assisting him off his horse, medics and his page. And then the crier called out.

"The Winner, Sir Cyril of House Valiase!" and the crowd went almost wild. Somewhere in the stands, he knew that his father was smiling approvingly, but his eyes did not search for his father. But a pair of eyes that he knew quite well, sitting in the royal box. There he could see them there, clapping along with the crowds-- his father not too far away from King Etienne itself.

A polite smile at his father and his King. And then his eyes searched out his best friend Guillaume with a far more shy smile; he was handed a rose by his page and there was a moment where he tried to figure out what to do with it.. he knew what to do, give it to a young lady of the court as was the proper procedure. A look at best friend, fleeting before he cantered his horse up to one of the young ladies of the Court and he handed her the rose.

--

Parties were like this, the celebrations were massive and with no expense spared. Now Riley could have found much more useful things to spend money on than a fountain of champagne and one of matching chocolate side by side-- but he did not make the rules nor did he hold the purse strings, so he held a glass of wine and watched the dancing.

He'd already done the required dancing with the young lady he'd given the rose to, also had been grilled on his mother on if she would make a suitable 'wife' for him. He did not care either way, if they arranged it then they did, it was not uncommon for parents to arrange matches for their children though he'd heard Guillaume state that his father the King was attempting to change that, to make Olympia more accepting. Trying to bridge the gap between Sylvia and Olympia, attempting to give women more rights.. everything that most Lords balked at (including Riley's father).

It felt like a fairy tale that was told, a fairy tale where magic existed and where women could be knights, where a marriage was only dictated by love. it was such a beautiful fairy tale, but Riley heard his father speak in contempt of such things, and Riley was not sure of the country was ready for that yet.

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[eblouissant]

It was true that Riley knew exactly what to say to get his mother off his back, there were times of course when it was unavoidable such as the prodding to dance with the Lady that he had given the rose to-- (of course he'd had to be reminded, there had been no great thought that had gone into the gifting of that at the Tournament) but the promise of spending a few stolen moments with Liam, well he'd brave quite a few things for that.

It was something that he'd have to think on throughout the night, why that was.

Lady Raquel Valiase gave a far deeper curtsey to the young Prince, as was his station. "Perhaps you would be so kind as to give your own suggestions for his future, your Highness." as if the mother would not be delighted for a wife for Riley handpicked by the royal house.

Riley gave a bow in respect as Liam walked away, despite the fact that they were best friends-- he had to act with all due propriety, he knew well his place in this world. "I shall keep that in mind, Your Highness." and then after giving a few words to his mother, he went to seek out Lady Lyana who would at least provide entertaining and low-pressure company while still being seen with a woman while the rumors circulated that perhaps an announcement would come soon.

[giveanything]

"I have thought quite a bit about his future. Perhaps I'll share those thoughts later this evening," Liam promised, quite graciously, given that said thoughts definitely involved envisioning a future where Riley kissed him frequently.

Guillaume did manage to lock in with his princely duties. He was a social creature by nature, and while there were certainly parts of these kinds of gatherings that he found infuriatingly annoying -- mostly the obvious insincere fawning and obsequiousness that certain individuals thought would earn them some favor with the royal family -- he did find the whole spectacle of politics interesting. Who was connected to who and why. Animosity and loyalty. Old grudges and new alliances. It was fascinating, and the young prince had a knack for picking out the threads and patterns as they wove themselves into a tapestry.

Like he very much knew that Riley's mother was very keen on Lyana as a match for her son. He also knew that Riley's status as Prince Guillaume's closest and most trusted friend made him that much more obvious a target for social climbers, which did make him want to guard Riley from them. Because Sir Cyril was, if nothing else, a kind and gentle soul who ought to be protected from those who would take advantage of that warmth.

Either way, the rest of the party passed easily enough. Liam made a point to request the honor of dancing with several young women, just enough that his parents couldn't pin him down to having actual affection or intentions pinned to any one in particular. Honestly, he just liked dancing, and inviting his knight to dance was not exactly allowed.

That really ought to be changed.

Eventually the celebration would end, and he'd find his way to his chambers to shed the fancier garments and change into something simple and comfortable, the soft leather pants and loose linen shirts he favored when he was not required to be on duty. And then he'd make his way out to the gardens to wait for his handsome knight.

[eblouissant]

Riley made the rounds as well, though mainly with Lyana in tow; neither of them did anything to quell the rumors but they did not fan them either. It was a symbiotic relationship that the two had and perhaps it was because Riley knew that Lyana's own taste ran toward.. well the more feminine qualities, but she could go arm and arm with a young lady and not have it remarked upon.

However finally they parted as the evening was drawing to a close; it was close to 3 AM, most would be leaving the palace though Riley did not live that far away from the palace himself and it would be a pleasant walk back. What he did do was shed the waistcoat to reveal a white linen shirt that was unfussy, and then rolled it up in his cloak as he made the walk into the palace gardens.

He did stop by, he knew quite well where the forget-me-nots were located, and he plucked a few of them, but also some sweet smelling peonies as well, both pink and blue and both meant devotion. And then with that he started down the little footpath and toward the little hidden area that they would not be disturbed in the slightest.

Honestly, Riley did not know what he expected also-- there was that queer anticipation going through him, like he was on the edge of something and he did not know quite what it was. While at the party he'd managed to forget about the undercurrents of what had been meant and wondering if they meant anything other than.. well-- loyalty and a patriotic affection, on Liam's part.

Riley knew what he felt, it had awakened like butterfly wings and started to flutter downward into both his stomach as well upward into his throat. Finally he slipped through the little latticed frame and came into view of the bench, a smile on his face. Almost immediately he noticed that Liam had changed into something more casual. "I bet you are relieved to get out of that finery."

[giveanything]

Liam had been pacing with the grace and unflappable composure of a caged tiger on the world's most intense sugar rush -- so not even a little of either. His mind was racing. He'd felt so brave in that moment, surrounded by all those people, treading onto ground he'd been standing at the edge of for what felt like ages.

He'd only half said things, he realized, intimated and hinted and laced a love poem between the lines, but it had been very much unspoken. What if Riley hadn't really understood what he'd meant, hadn't heard that yearning in each and every word?

A pause as he heard Riley's approach, and immediately stopped the pacing and summoned up every ounce of confidence and bravado that he could possibly muster, trying for the usual casual ease that he wore wrapped around him like his most comfortable cloak. It was subtle armor, perhaps, but Liam had learned to don it at a very young age. He leaned a hip against the wooden lattice work behind the bench. Totally no anxious mess here. Nope. Totally cool. Calm. Except his heart was racing and his stomach was full of fluttering as Riley stepped into view.

"For as expensive as those clothes are, you would think they could make them more comfortable and less suffocating."

Pushing himself up from the artful lean and stepped closer to Riley, the start of a tentative and hopeful smile on his face. "I'm glad you came."

[eblouissant]

"Of course I would come, how could I not?" he said with a soft smile, wondering but also hesitant and unsure. "Besides, after an evening circling the ballroom it is nice to get a little bit of fresh air-- you would think that some nobles are allergic to bathing, no matter how expensive cologne is, you should always bathe."

A tongue in cheek answer even as he saw the way that Liam approached, his own heart hammering in his chest at the thought that they were here even now alone. It felt far more intimate, as if his very soul was on the line-- while he attempted to decipher what it all meant. But he had at least caught something and that was the forget-me-nots. Therefore he raised his hand of which held in it blooms plucked from the very royal garden itself.

Shhhh, do not tell anyone that.

He offered it with a smile that mirrored the tentative in Liam's own. "I also added Peony's.. they are my favorite flower." and then with a very careful half bow, he offered it to Liam.

"Would you accept these flowers, handsome Prince.. and name me as your Champion?"

[giveanything]

That earned a laugh from Liam, nodding his agreement. "Perhaps we shall include that as part of the invitation for the next ball -- bathing prior to attendance is mandatory." He'd bring that one up to his father. Riley was so good at that, at making him laugh, disarming any of the anxiety that he pretended so valiantly that he did not have, setting him at ease.

One of the many reasons he was in love with him, he supposed.

Then Riley offered up the flowers.

Oh.

Liam's eyes widened at the flowers, at the bow and the bouquet and at Riley, speaking such beautiful words and stealing the breath from Liam's lungs, and for a moment at least, the words from his lips.

He took the flowers, fingertips touching over the small blue forget-me-nots and the larger infinitely soft peonies with their heavier blooms. They were beautiful together, he noted, as he found his voice again.

"How could I refuse? I'd name you my Champion, my brave and dashing knight." In for a penny in for a pound. Deep breath. And leap. "And my love."

[eblouissant]

Liam laughing made him laugh, it was the sound of it all carefree and beautiful that brought that curving tilt to his lips, and he felt a deep sense of satisfaction that he had caused that sort of delighted reaction in the other man, though he was not one where charm came to him effortlessly.

Most people thought he was charming because he was quiet and allowed them to speak, his words being carefully thought out-- he did not waste them if he had to. Not quite the strong and silent type, more like calm and meditative.

The words uttered by Liam though, his throat immediately went dry and he felt his entire world go topsy-turvy. But in a good way, it managed to upend itself into something that felt right, settled in there as those butterflies calmed for just a moment. "I.. am your love?" he knew that there was only one way, it could be only one way with the utterance and yet still he had to have it confirmed for he did not want to assume.

Always did what was right, and more often times he could acknowledge that doing what was right did not go alongside the right that was declared proper; it was like he had a second sight for that nuance, being able to choose the right path even if it was not the lauded correct one. "I would like that.. to be that, that is."

[giveanything]

Riley asked the question, and for a moment Liam had to bite back the panic that he had read this wrong after all. Except in the next fraction of a second, he could see the way that Riley was looking at him, could hear the gentle tone of that voice.

And then his Riley went and said it plainly, and any lingering fear he had shattered into nothing, motes of light that flickered and twinkled in his heart, setting it aglow in a way that he thought might be permanent. He smiled again, taking a moment to lift the bouquet up, to breathe in the sweet fragrance of the blossoms, peeking over them at the handsome blond.

"You are. You have been. I think you always will be." It was a hopelessly romantic notion, maybe, but the prince was a romantic at heart, not so deep down.

[eblouissant]

Oh no, that was the singularly most beautiful thing that anyone had ever said to him and it meant so much coming from the Prince. He had never really been interested in anyone before, not really but perhaps that was because there was a silent glowing candle holding space for the Prince in his heart. He chewed on his lower lip, and slight dork that he was, he smiled as he did so.

"I am honoured by your affection and I return it. My mother laments that I do not take an interest in the young ladies introduced but I think that..." he chose his words so very carefully here, "I must know someone to love them, to find them attractive and-- you are my dearest friend and there is no one else I am interested in, save for you."

As eloquently as he was able to make it while he clasped his hands together, not knowing what the next step was or even to know what to do after this admittance.

[giveanything]

Oh. Oh he was a dork, and wasn't that impossibly endearing? Liam was, and long had been, entirely charmed by Riley. There was something beautifully sincere about the other man, always so precise and intentioned with the words he spoke, never full of false flattery or empty effusiveness.

Liam's heart leapt up into his throat. Riley returned his affections. He felt dizzy, as if the world had suddenly decided to spin so much faster than it normally did. But it was a thrilling feeling, as if everything was suddenly brighter than it ever had been before.

He reached out a hand towards Riley, beckoning, invitation. "Then maybe my envy at your various dance partners can be soothed. Just a little." Dark eyes were full of playfulness, but there was a bit of honesty in the words as well.

[eblouissant]

The knight looked past the playful and right into the truth; he could always tell when Liam was being truly playful or when he was deflecting; it was a special power that Riley had. That caused him to step ever forward and place his hand very lightly on Liam's shoulder, looking into those eyes that saw entirely too much.

"You have nothing to worry about, even if I were to be coerced into marrying one.. they would mean only a drop in the ocean of feeling that I have for you." it appeared that Riley was going all in. "I do not approve of the silly rules that society has for what should and should not be, love is love regardless though I know that is a bit ah, controversial."

And why he knew the need for discretion but ultimately he had to convey that he would not feel guilt for this, for this sudden revelation; there was far other things to be sick over, and all perpetuated by holier than thou lords-- not love between two men, real and meaningful love, felt from the deepest parts of his heart.

He placed his hand in Liam's own. "Are you by any chance asking me to dance, your Highness?" and there was such aching tenderness there; if it had been proper he would have danced every single dance with Liam for he could think of nothing better than to be in the arms of the one he loved above all others.

[giveanything]

Liam had underestimated his defenses against the earnest sincerity that was Riley. He was in no way actually prepared for the way those words, soft and honest and reassuring, struck through him. This must be what a church bell felt like when it was tolled, sound echoing inside him in silent tintinnabulation, filling his chest like it were a cathedral. How had he been so lucky to have not only found this beautiful, sweet person but somehow to have also earned his love?

He would count his blessings, and right now all of them were Riley.

"They are old, ugly rules. You have it right. Love in all its forms should be treated like the precious treasure it is."

He knew that this view was not exactly the current prevailing one, but he could feel the winds starting to shift there, knew that his father's ideas on the subject were much kinder and more accepting than many of his predecessors. But it would still be something they had to keep secret, and there was a nagging guilt there. Because what Riley deserved was to be loved, in perpetual celebration, openly and vividly, matching the vibrance of the young knight's light. Liam in this confession had drawn Sir Cyril into a web of secrets that would not make his life any easier.

He couldn't change his heart though, and he couldn't hold it in any longer. How could he when Riley's hand was in his own and he was curling their fingers together. "I think I am. The band has gone home, but maybe we can make do with the crickets and the fireflies."

[eblouissant]

This was a world of secrets, he did not mind it; had kept this secret for a very long time-- although, he had not precisely been privy to this secret, but it had unfolded like a fluttering and had therefore danced out because of Liam's own feelings, which he would have kept inside to keep it safe. He wanted to keep whatever this was safe and untouched.

He did not want this taken from him, from them.

His free hand rested against the waist, very light and very reverent and then he nodded. "I do not have any objection to dancing out here with no music.. the crickets will do well enough, I think." his parents would be going home while he himself had been given to waiting on the Prince's leisure. "Certainly this is already far more comfortable than the crush that was prevalent in the royal ballroom."

[giveanything]

When he was king, he'd change the laws -- if his father hadn't gotten to it already. And if Riley would have him, Liam would wed him and have him there as his consort and dearest friend and most trusted advisor, to guide him in doing the right thing. But those were wishes and dreams of a future, and while Liam would hold onto them, he wanted to soak up every bit of the present, this perfect moment.

Riley's hand at his waist was warm, even with as light as the touch was, and Liam could feel his heart give a persistent flutter at it. His own free hand ran up along Riley's chest, fingertips brushing along fabric until he could settle it at his shoulder. He stepped closer, close enough that if he'd danced with one of the young ladies at the party this way, there would be betrothal announcements made the next morning.

"It is. I like it, when the world is just you and me." As extroverted as Liam could be, he was at his most comfortable and at ease when he was alone with Riley. "I will follow your lead, Sir Cyril."

[eblouissant]

Riley was not unmindful of the proximity, it was highly improper the way that he could feel the heat radiating off of the Prince, the way that if he shifted a bit closer they would be chest to chest. This was the type of dancing that not even a husband of the court danced with his wife in such a way. But no matter, it filled Riley with a frisson of warmth in kind.

And the hand against his chest, up until it reached his shoulder. There was a strangled sweetness with him attempting to curl around his heart, certainly it robbed him of nearly all capacity to breath save for the bare necessities.

"I am not the best dancer but I will make an attempt." it is because he had never really enjoyed dancing lessons, had always found them tedious. But now he had a reason to dance, and so he did. He started that simple box step which was the precursor, one foot back, and then to the side until they were moving against the path steadily.

"I enjoy it too.. just us like this, in our spot." so fitting that they should unveil themselves right here in a place that had always meant so much to them. "I hope to always be apart of your world, my Prince." his Prince, it felt intimate to say that.. it felt touchingly like a prayer on his lips, as he found himself drawn into the secret laughter of those eyes.

"It is my hope that I shall not tread on your feet." and then the accompanying chuckle.

[giveanything]

"In our spot," Liam agreed, eyes smiling even more than his lips. All his masks and walls were down, as they always were when it came to Riley. He didn't have to perform for him, didn't have to appear effortlessly charming and poised. Instead he could be himself, could be Riley's Prince. And oh he did like that intimate little my in there.

"Our world," he amended gently. "We can build it together, make it what we want it to be. As long as you are by my side, I feel like anything is possible."

He moved easily in the dance, following Riley's lead. Liam had enjoyed his dancing lessons quite a bit more than Riley, but now, being in his knight's arms? He realized that he'd never loved dancing more than he did in this moment. "You won't. Even if you do, I would forgive you. I would forgive you for anything. Even being taller than me, when I specifically told you not to." They'd been twelve, and Liam had seen the inevitable future. He was fairly certain Patrice would wind up taller than him too, which was incredibly rude of his younger brother.

[eblouissant]

"Well, the thing is you did not command me.. only asked, since it was not a royal command--" there was that mischief that could cross over Riley, but generally he had to be in an intimate and familiar setting for it to come out. "That was your error." he shrugged almost languidly, finding that the steps came easier when Liam occupied his mind. "Maybe anything is possible, you deserve to have all of your dreams come true."

All Liam's aspirations and hopes for the future, Riley would fight for.

Because he would do anything for his Prince, to see that smile.. he never wanted a title or clout, he left that to his father and his mother. What he wanted was far more simpler than that-- he wanted to see his Prince happy and with those eyes sparkling like deep blue night sky starlight.

[giveanything]

Liam snorted, an entirely inelegant sound not befitting of a prince -- which thankfully he wasn't exactly trying to be princely right now, so it was probably fine. "I see how it is then. I will be more careful in the future about issuing formal decrees." His eyes narrowed, but he couldn't keep up the facade of being anything but breathlessly happy as he and Riley danced to music that only they could hear.

"So do you. You deserve the world, Riley. I wish I could give it to you, wrapped with a bow, instead of just a secret to keep." But oh it was a precious secret, love shared and echoed between the two of them. Liam would do everything he could to make Riley happy though, and that had been true for a long time. It would be true for longer.

If he had his way, he'd marry him and the kingdom would see them on each other's arms. It was a nice dream, and Liam was just stubborn enough to work to see it come true. For now though, he stepped all the closer, that last sliver of space between them, so that he could lean his head against Riley's shoulder as they danced. "You smell so good." Just, in case Riley was wondering.

[eblouissant]

The way of the world at this point in time, he could see where secrets were needed to be kept. He had fit into the role of dutiful son for so long and it was all because he had been schooled to be so. Being the eldest of all of his brothers, there was a precedence there and an example to be maintained-- not of course that it did much good with the way that his brothers acted on any given day ending in 'y'.

"Secrets are kept sometimes not out of guilt but as a safeguard to something precious, I will keep you like a light in my heart." and perhaps one day as the world became better (and he hoped it did) they would be able to be together out in the sunlight, in public.

"Oh..."

At the feel of Liam's head against his shoulder and him feeling ridiculously flustered though he did not let go of Liam, instead resting his cheek lightly against the top of that head. "Well that would be the multiple baths I take every day.. being a Knight is rough work." but he did allow himself to inhale as well. "You do too.. smell good, that is---" he was finding that his conversational skills were likely lacking just a little bit.

[giveanything]

"It constantly amazes me that you wound up with a sword in your hands and not a pen. You have a poet's heart, you know." Being able to say things like that, that he would hold him like a light in his heart. Bards, eat your hearts out. Sir Cyril Valiase was slaying hearts with simple words.

It was so perfectly warm in Riley's arms, tucked up against him. Liam wondered how he would convince himself to ever leave that embrace again. He supposed necessity would dictate he must, but not now. Not here not yet. Instead he lingered tucked close, smiling at the gentle weight of Riley's head leaning against his own.

He tried to keep his laughter silent, but the shaking of his shoulders would be obvious in all likelihood. "Ah yes, the bathing. That must be the secret." Another laugh, audible this time. "I too bathe regularly. That must be why."

[eblouissant]

"Well that is excellent, that means that we exhibit flawless taste." he did not want to remark overmuch on the fact that Liam thought his words were eloquent; he tried not to go the route of so many knights who could do what they wanted on the basis that they wielded a sword-- chivalry meant something to Riley and so he would adhere to it.

"Well of course you do, you have always been impeccably put together.. it quite pulls the breath from my lungs."

Seeing Liam approaching, the lights of the ballroom catching around him and making something shimmering and radiant, he had felt all of the air leave.. a dizziness that previous to he'd thought was perhaps the crush of the function. But once Liam had subtly flirted with him, he realized it was not that but rather the presence of the Prince in his life.

[giveanything]

Liam had seen it in him, that his dearest friend was full of the kind of chivalry and honor that all the old stories were full of. Riley was the sort of knight who would make any kingdom proud to count him in their retinue.

Lifting his head, Liam looked at Riley with a faint flicker of something almost wicked in his eyes. "Are you saying I take your breath away?"

Because well, that was a very romantic and sweet sentiment, and it gave the flock of butterflies that had taken up residence in his stomach a new surge of flight and fluttering. "You're one to speak though." The dashing, blond knight with those clear blue-gray eyes. "I have watched an entire room have its gaze pulled to you. Including mine. Always mine..."

He lifted a hand to brush back some of that errant blond hair. "I never can take my eyes off you."

[eblouissant]

There was an intensity about the Prince right now underneath the starlight; it was late-- that strange transitionary period between too late and too early, where one could not quite decide whether it was late night or early morning.

"Yes, you are correct-- I cannot." it was hard to though, to not seek the other man out with his eyes whenever they were at the same function. Their eyes locked and he had to take a fortifying breath because well, there was that breathlessness once again. "Tis a mutual ailment between us then." a lock of hair was brushed behind his ear, where it would stay for approximately 5 minute before it fell once again.

"Like now, you are looking like that and I am finding it hard to focus." there he had revealed his weakness and where exactly it lay.

[giveanything]

"Well, nice to know that I am not alone in being hopelessly lovesick..." Liam murmured, trying to pretend he wasn't flushed, though perhaps the evening and the low light helped hide the red in his cheeks. Maybe.

He looked at Riley there, cast in starlight and moonlight, and the other boy -- his dearest friend and most trusted confidant and who he'd fallen so fully for -- looked like some angel who'd been allowed to alight here on mortal ground. Oh Liam knew Riley wasn't perfect; perfect was hideously boring though. But Riley was good and there was no mistaking that.

"Looking like what?"

The dancing had been forgotten, and Liam let his hand settle at Riley's chest now, above the knight's heartbeat.

[eblouissant]

"As if I am the answer to everything." though at the idea of Liam being hopelessly lovesick over him, that caused his cheeks to heat even further; the Knight did not know how to handle all these pretty words coming from Liam's lips. He'd seen the Prince at his most charming and had felt pride at how everyone loved him-- but now that it was focused solely on him? Oh he did not know how to feel about it.

Underneath Liam's hand, his heart beat erratically and perhaps in a little bit of anticipation.

They were now only swaying underneath the moonlight, a soft movement that was unhurried but certain.

"I have never been looked at like that before, at least this is the first time I have been aware of it."