:: 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]

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."

[giveanything]

"Aren't you?" The answer to every question Liam could conceive of, even questions that he had not yet dreamed of asking. It was Riley. It would always be Riley. His heart had already made that decision for him, and he would not dream of questioning it. In the starlight he watched Riley like a dream that had been delivered to his arms.

Gods he wanted to kiss him.

"The first time you have noticed, but I've been looking at you for ages now."

His eyes fell to where his hand still rested at Riley's chest, the subtle beat beneath like a bird beating its wings against his ribcage. His own heart was racing too, fluttering in some mix of emotions he couldn't name other than calling it love. Liam looked back to Riley's face to catch and hold his gaze. "I see you, Sir Cyril of House Valiase. My Riley."

"

[eblouissant]

Despite the fact that he was a perfectly put together, with his hair tucked behind his ear-- his own ball clothes were impeccably fetching-- always neat and organized when it came to his own appearance and what that meant; but oh how he felt a wreck at this moment, looking into Liam's eyes and reading the adoration there. Each time Liam said something new to disarm him and he could do nothing but sink deeper into this feeling of the ground spinning underneath him.

Or lean into Liam.

And he did just that, he reached up to place his hand lightly over Liam's to keep it there against his heart. His eyes strayed to Liam's mouth, just a hairsbreadth string of longing, before meeting the Prince's gaze once again, the back of his hand touched against Liam's chest and he rested his forehead against Liam's in a way primed to...

Well, kiss him.

His head tilted ever so slightly, minutely-- and with the tips of their noses brushing together. "I like it when you call me yours.. I wish to be yours completely, after all-- I already am."

[giveanything]

Closer and closer, and Liam felt like he was falling into Riley, tumbling fully, and he had no desire for the fall to ever stop. The slightest upward tilt to his chin as Riley's forehead rested on his, rising to almost, almost meet those lips.

He could taste the words as Riley spoke them, sweet and melting on his tongue like spun sugar.

"You are mine." His heart, his world. "And I am yours. And so is my heart." Promised and given here and now, good as any vow.

A soft sigh lost to Riley's lips, his own still that breath away. "Kiss me?"

[eblouissant]

Riley's very first kiss-- he did not know if Liam had ever kissed anyone, but he had never-- not like this, there had been cheek kisses to those friends that were familiar, in a friendly way. But Liam's mouth was so close to his own and every breath was nearly tasteable upon his own tongue. All he could say was a near breathless, "Yes..."

And then their mouths contacted, and he felt the sizzle of energy between them-- the erstwhile proof that something was there, and the only reason why he'd never felt like he had wanted to kiss anyone before was because it was not his dearest friend, and fuck he wanted to kiss his dearest friend-- and now he was.

Instinctively and without much thought, he was lacing their fingers together as they rested together on his own chest, weaving fingers as if they were a fine lattice-weave made by ladies of the court during their skillful threadings-- in this moment he felt impossibly bound to the Prince, with all of his adoration and loyalty being poured into that kiss like a pledge. His entire life was the Prince's and belonged to no one else, not family or crown-- but Liam.

[giveanything]

It was Liam's first kiss as well, his little crush on Riley sprouting and blossoming early, and Liam was far too much a hopeless romantic to want to kiss anyone except the person who'd taken root in his heart. Maybe he was a little cliche being a prince falling for his brave knight, but how could he have not fallen head over heels over head for someone as warm and wonderful as the blond?

His lips spread into a smile in that brief nanosecond at the start of the kiss, and then he was kissing back. Liam let his fingers interlace with Riley's, humming a soft, pleased sound, finding that the warmth and taste of those lips on his had his toes curling inside his shoes.

And oh he answered those feelings, as if he could somehow make Riley understand through the touch of their lips alone how much he loved him, how soft and sweet that affection, but backed by something sure and steely, a certainty and determination that he would be protect him in whatever way he could, that he would make a better world for this man he adored.

[eblouissant]

As romantic as it sounded, Riley could feel every tremor of emotion and resolve in that kiss-- as well as the smile-- for his own lips seemed to mirror that as well, until he was almost sure that their teeth would click together from each other's smiles, though he did press soft kisses against that mouth.. each one followed by other that seemed to grow a little more bold and a little deeper.

Perhaps it was the affection, the sweet newness of this and the very barely blush against this new bloom before it turned the full red of passion and desire. Each colour of that which they had would be insurmountably beautiful, he knew it without a shadow of a doubt and he wished to nurture it as best as he was able.

To be the knight that Liam could rely on, as he worked to change this country for the better, and gods did Riley know that it was possible and this man had that resolve. "Maybe one day this won't be a secret, because you will change this place for the good.. it's my belief that you will do so."

[giveanything]

"One day I will sit on the throne with you beside me, for everyone to see," Liam promised then and there. He didn't know how yet, but he believed the words. Why was it that certain shapes of love were consigned to the shadows? Love should be celebrated, regardless of whether it was a man and a woman or two men or two women, or some mix of neither gender or either gender. He wanted to believe that there were enough people who would rise to champion love that it could be done.

Maybe he was naive, still believing the world to be a generally kind place when it was given a chance. But life had not yet struck cynicism into his heart.

No, he was dizzy on the taste of Riley's lips and fully believed anything could be possible. He tilted his chin to steal another kiss, since that line had been crossed, he would continue to cross it again and again. "You are the first person I have ever kissed, you know." And Liam rather hoped Riley would be the last, too.

[eblouissant]

Congratulations Liam, whatever breath had been left in Riley's lungs had officially been feels-punched right out of him, first at the promise. Of course such a promise, there was still so much work to be done to make that reality however Riley would be a fool if he allowed such a statement to go unacknowledged. "I will assist you, in making this world a better place where people can be free to love who they wished." he knew that it was a sentiment shared by Lyana too as she found the status quo just as tedious.

As well as the fact that as a woman she was not allowed to do a great many things.

"You are the first person I have kissed too.." a dreamy look overtook Riley's eyes as he settled in close, allowing his fingers to lightly slide up that back, feeling the rich fabric against them while he rested their foreheads together in something like a promise. "I have never wanted to kiss anyone.. but you, and I do not wish to kiss anyone after you."

That too was a promise to his loyalty.

[giveanything]

Or the absolutely ridiculous bit about women had to go too. He'd personally known quite a few women who would be better at running many things than the men currently entrusted to those institutions. Lady Lyana being one of them.

Liam smiled at Riley, warm and pleased at the other man echoing the unvoiced thoughts in his own head, that this was it for the both of them, that their hearts had found their rightful places swapped in each other's chests. His eyes fell half lidded as Riley's forehead rested against his own. "Only you," he agreed, "My heart will always be yours. Keep it safe for me?"

He unwound his arms from Riley to reach up and slide the necklace he wore around his neck, the one he'd always worn, off. It had been his mother's, gifted to her by his father upon their betrothal, a delicate cameo carving of the royal house's crest surrounded by fleur-de-lys. Liam didn't speak as he set it instead around Riley's neck. He could not give him something so obvious as a ring, but he could give him this at least.

[eblouissant]

"Ah... this is an heirloom." Riley said, and perhaps the statement sounded a bit stupid to his own ears; he was not sure if he should accept something so precious-- even though as it was placed around his neck the cameo settled there against the top of his chest, was of a length that it could be easily hidden underneath tunics and armor.

"Surely you cannot mean to..."

And yet he raised his hand to close his fist delicately around it, feeling the warmth of a lifetime of love around it. Why did he feel like he was about ready to tear up a little? Especially at such a gift-- he lifted his head to look into Liam's eyes and then his tongue casually licked against his own lower lip. "This is beautiful but my Prince, I know how much this means to your family line..."

[giveanything]

"I very much mean to," Liam assured him with a soft and amused smile gracing his lips. "My father gave it to my mother when he gave her his heart, and I see no reason not to follow suit." So there it was, Riley.

A hand settled at the side of Riley's face, meeting his gaze and nodding. "Do you know how much you mean to me, my brave Knight?" Because it went entirely beyond words, but Liam would try to find some way to fit it into them if he had to. "Maybe it's a little presumptuous, but I find I like the idea of you carrying a small piece of me with you." And this necklace was certainly that, and would sit appropriately enough near to Riley's heart.

Liam looked at him curiously. Going to argue with him, Riley?

[eblouissant]

A smile that dawned over his mouth, and then he gave the pendant a soft squeeze.

"Then I will treasure it and keep it safe, treat it as I would your heart." and then he slowly picked up Liam's hand, opened it gently with his fingers and leaned down to press the barest kiss against the palm in an act of tenderness. Not the wrist which would have been full of sensuality, no-- the palm to convey that the other man had his heart in the palm of his hand.

Then his eyes slid upward to meet Liam's eyes, those eyes like a warm summer rain, full of mist and with hints of light sparkling within it's depths like the light shining through clouds. Giving a misty-morning hope to the world.

"I love you so very dearly."

[giveanything]

And there went Liam's breath being taken in one rush from his lungs by that butterfly-soft kiss to his palm. His skin tingled in the wake of it, fingers flexed, lingering before he traced his fingertip along Riley's lips, as if following the shape of those words, words he would never forget hearing this first time.

"I love you too. With my whole being." More than just his heart, he thought. His soul sang for Riley too, but how to put that into words? He'd have to settle for showing this gentle knight with sun shower eyes how deeply he loved him for the rest of their lives. Because what could possibly get in the way of that plan?

"I fear the night has gone and gotten away from us. It's late, and I cannot in good conscience allow you to travel home at this hour. You will have to stay the night in the palace, I am afraid." It wouldn't be the first time. They'd had their share of sleepovers as Liam had made no secret of Riley being his dearest and most trusted friend. But there was something a bit different to it this time, wasn't there?

[eblouissant]

There was a solemn nod, he had stayed at the Palace during some of the later events at the palace and there had been no remark, after all to be the trusted confidante of the Prince was something that was looked on with favor and perhaps a bit of envy. Something like this could act as a shield far stronger than his own knight's shield. And he felt the difference, but also there had always been a bit of decorum still.

A couch made up for him, or a pull out cot just underneath Liam's bed from which he slept. He wondered, and perhaps he could not dwell on, if something like that could change. It probably was not the most proper and he was a gentleman above all else and did not want to assume or embarrass either of them with those same assumptions.

"You are too kind, I will accept your invitation in the way that it is tendered." his hands itched to hold the other man's hand, wondering if anyone would notice if they stole in through the palace hand in hand.

[giveanything]

Liam did indeed reach out to take Riley's hand. Perhaps not through the palace, but in the moonlit gardens at least? The stars would keep their secret; they understood too well the whispered hush of wishes spoken to them in hopeful confidence, what was one more? He started on their way back then, making certain that he had the little bouquet of peonies and forget-me-nots.

"I am entirely selfish," the prince corrected, glancing over at Riley with that flicker of mischief in his eyes that was likely a familiar sight for the other man, one that had gotten them into trouble when they were younger -- though Liam had a knack for charming their way out of the worst of it. "I am hoping you'll share my bed tonight."

He seemed to realize how that might sound as soon as he spoke the words, and added, hurriedly, hiding a flush, "Only to sleep, of course. I just... I am convinced I would very much enjoy having your arms around me while we slept." Liam was just a boy, standing in front of another boy, asking him to be the big spoon.

[eblouissant]

Gods and Magic were non-issues in Olympia, so there was no grand guilt that informed behavior within that direction. All propriety came from societal expectations that had been built by those who had money and power; if you had enough money you could get away with quite a bit or you could change the narrative.

The thing was that Riley would've cared a great deal more about what a higher power said as opposed to someone purporting to be a peer; so if Liam had asked him to bed in that way, he would likely have thrown caution to the wind. But Liam said 'Only to Sleep' which was fine too-- more than fine really, he liked the idea of nuzzling into Liam while they were sleep fuzzed and cuddly.

To be able to kiss him upon waking up felt very much like a dream.

And if Liam where to charm them both into trouble, he'd accept his fate gladly. "You do not have to explain anything, Liam-- I would share your bed, if you would have me in t." so very proper of his acceptance, as if the honour was a treasure that he intended on holding reverently to him. He did not specify that he would be glad whatever capacity it was because it would mean being close to his Prince-- he knew that he did not need to.

[giveanything]

Liam could feel the flush on his cheeks darkening, hotter than it was before. "Of course I'd have you in it. Each and every night, if I could. And also... each and every way." Shy virgin that he was, he was also a healthy young man who was very interested in the gorgeous blond he was currently walking hand in hand with.

"But I would not want to rush you into anything! Not before you wanted to. This is... you are too precious not to be treated like a treasure. And properly wooed, at least as much as I can given the need for discretion." Riley deserved the world. And romance. Maybe rose petals and candlelight.

Maybe just Liam's unending adoration that bled into every gaze and every word.

[eblouissant]

Oh no, this was just too sweet for words and Riley found it very hard to ignore the way that his heart gave a patter at the mere mention of romance, as well as other things-- yeah, the idea that Liam wanted him in other ways that made him duck his head just as shyly. Two virgins who were quite into each other but also more than a little bit horny, perhaps Liam may have been more so than Riley...

But RIley could make a good showing if the right person.

"Why don't we take it as it comes? Whatever happens happens.." there would be mutual consent and respect, and he was quite happy with that. But the idea of Liam's hands on him did not repulse him at all. "Properly woo'd-- well I am honoured, I happen to know for a fact that there is scores of people who would enjoy such a wooing." and so Riley being on the receiving would be a dream come true.