Post by Alexandria Eveleigh- Demarais on Mar 26, 2020 16:45:28 GMT -5
[ARIC] What time was it? The only thing he understood first was that it was certainly sometime during the day...because the light was streaming in through the window, making him flinch and blink before he was able to open his eyes fully. He groaned in annoyance, lifting a hand to shield his face from the brightness and turn away from it, only to be stopped by the sudden realization that there was a warm body curled against him. It alarmed him for a second, eyes opening fully to find Alexandria resting there with him. He tried to desperately recall what had happened, how he had ended up here, but try as he might, all he could seem to concentrate on was how much his head was throbbing.
[ALEXANDRIA] She hadn't been drunk, but her wound and her exhaustion made her sleep in just as late as her drunken betrothed. His body next to hers kept her warm and made her feel safe, that she had slept soundly. Though, as he began to stir, it gently woke her, her eyes slowly fluttered open to be greeted by his own. Her lips crept into a soft smile as the night came swarming back to her and how Aric and her brother were completely foolish in their drunkenness. She whispered quietly to him, knowing very well that he was probably a hurting man right now. "Good morning..." She lifted a hand and placed it on his face and then eventually through his hair. "I think you had quite a bit of whiskey last night... With Orin..." She began to explain to him, in case he had no recollection of any of it. "And you ended up here..."
[ARIC] "What?" he asked groggily. Aric wasn't sure he heard her correctly. Yet when he tried to move even a little bit, his head pounding even more, he winced and realized that he had, in fact, heard her very clearly. "Whiskey..." he repeated, but it sounded like he was berating himself for it. Too much liquor was never a good thing with him...which was quite obvious. What was more surprising was that she mentioned he had been drinking with Orin. After thinking about, struggling to get through his muddled thoughts, everything was slowly returning. At least fragments of it. With the sensation of her fingers in his hair, he finally shifted to turn his back to the sun and face her, although his eyes were closed as though he might fall back asleep. "I'm...so sorry for that," he apologized, but he chuckled lowly. His throat was very raw still and making his voice hoarse, another clue that had had too much. "Your brother is a bad influence." Of course he didn't mean it...entirely...because, although his didn't recall, it had been his idea to have a drink. Orin had simply provided.
[ALEXANDRIA] She watched him as he turned to face her, and her fingers continued to gently brush through his hair, in hopes of relieving some of that pounding in his head. He was apologizing to her, which caused her to shake her head. "It's alright... You were sweet to me." She grinned, laughing a little. "And when isn't Orin a bad influence?" The thing about Orin, was that he just took action, without ever thinking of the consequences. He didn't think things through. Unlike her, who seemed to overthink every little thing. She sighed, finding herself wondering if the words Aric spoke to her were true, or if it had been the whiskey speaking for him. She wouldn't challenge him or ask him, though, not wishing to make him feel bad about any of it. "What can I do for you? Get for you?" She asked, hoping she could help with that pounding headache he had.
[ARIC] If she kept that up, he would surely fall back asleep; the gentleness of her touch easing the throbbing of his head and perhaps making him forget about it all together. He appeared to relax when she mentioned that he had been sweet and not horribly cruel or obnoxious. The more he tried to recall, the more he remembered bits and pieces of the night. Vague snippets of what he and Orin spoke about, which had all stemmed from the man questioning him about his love for Alexandria. Aric remembered actually having fun, just talking and drinking with him, and perhaps Orin didn't find him so bad anymore. He laughed again when she did. "I think...he made me sing. And there was something about...peonies..." Yes, her favorite flower. He must have asked him about that. As she asked about what she could do to help with this horrible hangover that he could only blame himself (and Orin) for, he finally opened his eyes to find her face. "This," he said simply. "And maybe shoot the bloody sun out of the sky." It were as though it knew he was suffering and was ungodly bright today on purpose. "Cassie has a tonic that sometimes helps." He had never been surprised that his cousin had a quick cure for this sort of thing. "But I rather not bother her with it." Or more like, he didn't want her to see him like this because she might wonder why she hadn't been invited to that little drink fest. However, the more his mind continued to clear, the more he realized she probably already knew. Shit. How many people did he and that loudmouth future brother-in-law of his wake up last night?
[ALEXANDRIA] She bit her lower lip as she grinned, trying not to laugh at him. "Yes, you were singing loudly in the hallway. Orin said you needed to serenade me." She smiled, finally allowing herself to laugh a little as she continued brushing her fingers through his hair. "You did, just before you passed out." Her sapphire eyes searched his and a slight look of confusion played along her features. "Peonies?" That was random. "Were you asking Orin what my favorite flower was? You were going on last night about how you were sorry you did not pick me any flowers."
Her grin was soon to fade as Aric was complaining about the sun. "Here," She said as she shifted slightly and grabbed hold of the blankets, pulling them over both of their heads, making it dimmer for him. "How's that?" She leaned in and placed a kiss on his forehead. "I can go find Cass and ask her for the tonic, for you, if you'd like?"
[ARIC] Well, at least she seemed amused by it all and not annoyed with him. Aric only appeared mildly embarrassed to learn that he had serenaded her, but he was too afraid to ask if he sounded like a dying cat thanks to the whiskey. Dark eyes were heavy-lidded as he continued to watch her, struggling to remain awake while her fingers soothed his aching head. He much rather remain there for the rest of the day. With her. He didn't want to think about whiskey, the sun, Saelis or even his damned brother's demand of an early wedding. He would marry her right then and there, of course, but it required all that planning that he simply didn't care for. "Pssh..." He tried to dismiss her question about him asking Orin all sorts of questions. But it was clear that she already knew he had. When the blanket was drawn over their heads, he laughed lowly. "Much better." Aric managed to inch just a little closer; a hand rising so that he could run his thumb across her pale cheek. "Not just yet," he told her. He could suffer awhile longer if it meant lying there beside her until royal duties summoned them. "I also happen to know you like green. Well...more of a blue-green." As Orin had put it. He chuckled again, not trying to hide how his curiosity got the best of him last night. It was innocent, at least.
[ALEXANDRIA] She, too, didn't feel like leaving this bed and dealing with anything. Yesterday had been too much, and she paid for it in the end with her wound weakening her. There was so much that needed to be done, and Alexandria didn't want to think about any of it right now. Another smile graced her lips as he inched closer to her and began touching her face. Her eyes closed, as she felt comforted by him. Though they were quick to reopen when he spoke again. A soft laugh escaped her and she nodded. "That's true... I know yours is blue... Cassandra made me wear that blue dress to the banquet to hopefully get your attention." She grinned. "I don't think it worked very well," She said sarcastically. That poor dress had gotten completely ruined from her attack and the amount of blood that turned it nearly black. She reached for his hand, and took it into her own, placing a soft kiss on his knuckles. "You also said something interesting to me, last night... And I can't help but wonder if it's really true..."
[ARIC] His eyes struggled to remain open, but her voice kept him awake despite it all. If he fell asleep now, he may not wake up for another few hours...and they really couldn't afford that right now. Especially since Orin, their head of security, was most likely suffering and down for the count as well. Someone had to be out there making sure things were tended to. The smile on his face widened just a little. "She's a smart one, that cousin of mine...usually." It had been a very beautiful dress, and Alexandria didn't need something glamorous like that for him to notice her. He was about to say so, when she sarcastically mentioned the attack, and the blood that now stained the gown. He was too tired to hide the pain from his face, and it saddened him that he could not find the words to console her in that moment. "What did I say?" he asked her with a slight nervous tone. He was both curious but worried about what his dumb, drunken mind could have said to her.
[ALEXANDRIA] She noticed that sadness on his face, and she was quick to brush it away as she leaned into him and placed a soft kiss to his lips. She didn't wish to think about the banquet or Saelis at this moment. So she was glad when he did not say anything of the matter, and was instead asking her what he had said. She suddenly looked nervous, as if maybe she shouldn't say it. If he didn't mean it, it would put them both in a strangely awkward position right now. But she had already told him and he was waiting for her answer. She carefully drew in a deep breath and then nervously whispered it. "That... You love me?" Sapphire eyes searched his own dark ones, suddenly anxious to hear his response.
[ARIC] He didn't want to have any ill thoughts at the moment either, but his head wouldn't let up and probably wouldn't for a while. That was his own fault. He knew his limits and yet he felt like complete rubbish this morning, although Alexandria's presence eased much of that discomfort. When she finally told him, she stared at her for a long moment. He vaguely remembered that, but not entirely. "Do you doubt it?" Maybe he wasn't really asking, because he only waited a few seconds before he was speaking again. "I suppose I have a bad habit of saying it at the worst of times." Aric laughed lightly to himself, refraining from shaking his head at himself. "The first time was at the banquet...when I thought I was losing you." Worst timing, indeed. His expression sobered a bit. "So let me tell you now, that I do. I do love you. Against everything I ever told myself...I do."
[ALEXANDRIA] Her eyes watched him curiously. He had a bad habit of saying it at the worst times? Had he said it previously? Well, he was explaining suddenly, as if he had read her mind. She listened to him, her eyes never pulling away from his. Her lips forming a wide smile as he told her he loved her. She lifted his hand up to her lips and kissed it, not removing her lips right away as she held his hand there. She sighed happily and shifted closer to him, whispering in his ear. "I love you, Aric... as much as I tried not to..." She released his hand and touched his face again, tracing his facial hair with her fingers. "You've made me feel again... when I thought I never would." She leaned in then, pressing her lips against his.
[ARIC] He didn't think he could smile so widely, but he managed to when she reciprocated his words. They had been two lost, broken souls that managed to mend each other in a newfound companionship. To find a way to love again when neither thought it would ever be possible. Almost subconsciously, his arm draped over her waist, managing to pull her even closer, as close as they could possibly be as he returned that loving kiss. Aric couldn't help himself, attempting to lift himself up onto his other elbow...only to stop and groan in discomfort when his head throbbed out of control. Then he was chuckling softly again against her lips. Damn that whiskey.
[ALEXANDRIA] She moved her hand to the back of his head after he pulled her closely against him, her fingers weaving into his hair as she kissed him lovingly, proving those words to be true. She felt him move, or try to, but he was groaning in pain and then laughing against her lips, causing her to lightly break their kiss and open her eyes to look at him, with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry..." Her fingers began to rub his head in attempt to alleviate some of that pain he felt. She laughed, too, "How much whiskey did you drink last night, anyway?" She hardly held any of it against him-- he had been through so much stress the last few days. She only wished she could have shared his drunken bliss, though it probably would not have been good for her wounded side. Maybe after their wedding they could get horribly drunk together and get lost in the sheets for as long as they desired. The thought caused her to blush as she looked at him, though she wouldn't dare speak what was on her mind.
[ARIC] Well, this was a little embarrassing. He briefly rolled back over onto his back, accidentally pulling away the sheet that had been draped over them to press a hand to his head. "I remember there being a bottle...and then an empty bottle..." he answered her, half amused at the memory. If Orin wasn't feeling this bad, then Aric might be jealously angry. But there was no way, in all of Elysium, that the man wasn't grumbling in discomfort. Carefully, he turned his head to regard the queen there beside him. "Maybe we should get up. I'm sure my cousin will be expecting your opinions on things." If she hadn't already, somehow, planned out every detail of their wedding. But, it was what she did best, truth be told, and it kept her out of trouble. A hand reached over to affectionately grasp her chin. "Tomorrow, things will be slightly different." Despite his throbbing head, he still had a smile to offer her.
[ALEXANDRIA] Her eyes widened slightly in disbelief as Aric admitted to there being a bottle of whiskey that became empty, but then she laughed, shaking her head. She pressed her lips against his forehead. "That explains it." She was already sitting up when Aric suggested they get up, wincing in pain from her side, as if she almost forgot it was there. He was grasping her chin, and she smiled, looking into his eyes. "How so?" She questioned him, her eyes searching his again. The next day or two were going to be stressfully busy, thanks to Edward pushing this on them sooner than they were expecting.
[ARIC] It had been a horribly wonderful idea, and a part of him was glad for it. The more he thought about it the more he remembered how he and Orin bonded. Or, at least, he hoped they had and it hadn't just been his drunken mind making it up. "Aye, it does..." he murmured, trying to sit up. He managed it, but his head was swimming. Still, he had a smile for her; tired eyes regarding her. "I'll be completely sober...and we'll be one day closer to the wedding." Sure, it was going to be stressful, but it'll be worth it. At least in his eyes.
[ALEXANDRIA] She slid out of the bed before she slowly made her way to his side, helping him sit up, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gently pulled his head to rest against her chest. Her fingers gently rubbed his head and through his hair in continued attempt to help alleviate his headache. She smiled softly and leaned down kissing the top of his head. "That is very true.. As long as Orin doesn't steal you away from me again to get you drunk." She laughed quietly before letting him go, carefully stepping away from him so she could begin to get ready for the day. She removed her robe carefully, nearly forgetting that he was there, and she started to struggle with her nightdress, because of her wound. She turned her head to look back at him. "I need your help?"
[ARIC] Sitting up with her help, he sighed happily against her when she embraced him, further alleviating his headache and his swimming gaze, chuckling at her words. "I won't be doing that again anytime soon..." He was quick to groan in soft protest, though, when she finally drew away because now he had to try standing on his own. Aric managed to, of course, but it didn't mean he was happy about it. That is, until his tired eyes trailed after her as her robe slipped from her shoulders and she asked a question that his tired, muddled mind could easily take out of context. His steps were slow in their approach as he sidled up behind her, an arm carefully snaking around her waist and avoiding her injury. "Shouldn't you ask one of your ladies to help with that?" he questioned curiously, his lips so close to brushing against her neck. The room was spinning and he was still groggy, but the scent of her skin drew him in.
[ALEXANDRIA] She hadn't expected him to come up behind her like that, snaking his arms around her waist. But as she felt his breath against her neck, she shivered slightly and smiled. "I suppose I could ask them. But you are here..." She took hold of his hands, clasping her own fingers with his. "You are to be my husband... I no longer have reason to hide anything from you?" She had already told him her secrets. Most of them, at least. She slowly turned around to face him, looking up into his eyes.
[ARIC] She wouldn't be able to see it, but she might've felt the smile that curled his lips after he pressed a kiss against that slender column. "I am here..." he echoed quietly, as though he were complying. But he should know better. This wasn't fair, and he couldn't help but wonder if she was taking advantage of his confused and tired state. That thought only seemed to amuse him more. They really had nothing to hide from each other...but this was completely different. It was also kind of hard to think straight when those sapphire eyes were looking up at him. "You're asking a lot from a man whose mind isn't entirely there, Your Majesty." It really was mostly true. And it was his subtle way of making her realize that chivalry only went so far, even with him.
[ALEXANDRIA] She had no intention of trying to take advantage of him, but clearly he couldn't seem to handle the thought of seeing her undress. It made her smile though, happy to know that his mind was wandering to other things besides her getting dressed for the day. She placed a hand upon his cheek as she looked into his dark eyes. "I am asking a lot by asking for your help in getting dressed?" Her voice was teasing him slightly, a small breath of a laugh escaping her, then and she shook her head. She leaned into him, placing a kiss to his neck before whispering into his ear, "I think you are making it a bigger deal than it actually is." But what did she know? She didn't know what her naked body could do to a man. She hadn't really thought of it.
[ARIC] His mind wasn't wandering terribly far from what was obviously right in front of him. Even if he hadn't been drinking the night before, he would've reacted the same way now...just maybe he wouldn't be so blatantly obvious about it. Those eyes never shifted from her face, though, staring down at her as she asked that question. She was teasing him, and the residual courage of the whiskey was beginning to make him brazen. "Yes." That single word was low, raspy from exhaustion and liquor. The press of her lips upon the skin of his neck and whispered words in his ear didn't help matters either. Did she really not understand or was this just more of her teasing? Testing his resolve. It wasn't a very nice game if that were the case, which was probably why he didn't smile. There was no annoyance on his features in lieu of it...but there was this look in his eyes that he had never shared with her before. It was lascivious. His hands moved almost on their own accord down to her hips, his gaze never wavering. Little by little, he began to hike up the hem of her nightdress, perhaps testing her own resolve as well as his own. [d]
[ALEXANDRIA] She hadn't been drunk, but her wound and her exhaustion made her sleep in just as late as her drunken betrothed. His body next to hers kept her warm and made her feel safe, that she had slept soundly. Though, as he began to stir, it gently woke her, her eyes slowly fluttered open to be greeted by his own. Her lips crept into a soft smile as the night came swarming back to her and how Aric and her brother were completely foolish in their drunkenness. She whispered quietly to him, knowing very well that he was probably a hurting man right now. "Good morning..." She lifted a hand and placed it on his face and then eventually through his hair. "I think you had quite a bit of whiskey last night... With Orin..." She began to explain to him, in case he had no recollection of any of it. "And you ended up here..."
[ARIC] "What?" he asked groggily. Aric wasn't sure he heard her correctly. Yet when he tried to move even a little bit, his head pounding even more, he winced and realized that he had, in fact, heard her very clearly. "Whiskey..." he repeated, but it sounded like he was berating himself for it. Too much liquor was never a good thing with him...which was quite obvious. What was more surprising was that she mentioned he had been drinking with Orin. After thinking about, struggling to get through his muddled thoughts, everything was slowly returning. At least fragments of it. With the sensation of her fingers in his hair, he finally shifted to turn his back to the sun and face her, although his eyes were closed as though he might fall back asleep. "I'm...so sorry for that," he apologized, but he chuckled lowly. His throat was very raw still and making his voice hoarse, another clue that had had too much. "Your brother is a bad influence." Of course he didn't mean it...entirely...because, although his didn't recall, it had been his idea to have a drink. Orin had simply provided.
[ALEXANDRIA] She watched him as he turned to face her, and her fingers continued to gently brush through his hair, in hopes of relieving some of that pounding in his head. He was apologizing to her, which caused her to shake her head. "It's alright... You were sweet to me." She grinned, laughing a little. "And when isn't Orin a bad influence?" The thing about Orin, was that he just took action, without ever thinking of the consequences. He didn't think things through. Unlike her, who seemed to overthink every little thing. She sighed, finding herself wondering if the words Aric spoke to her were true, or if it had been the whiskey speaking for him. She wouldn't challenge him or ask him, though, not wishing to make him feel bad about any of it. "What can I do for you? Get for you?" She asked, hoping she could help with that pounding headache he had.
[ARIC] If she kept that up, he would surely fall back asleep; the gentleness of her touch easing the throbbing of his head and perhaps making him forget about it all together. He appeared to relax when she mentioned that he had been sweet and not horribly cruel or obnoxious. The more he tried to recall, the more he remembered bits and pieces of the night. Vague snippets of what he and Orin spoke about, which had all stemmed from the man questioning him about his love for Alexandria. Aric remembered actually having fun, just talking and drinking with him, and perhaps Orin didn't find him so bad anymore. He laughed again when she did. "I think...he made me sing. And there was something about...peonies..." Yes, her favorite flower. He must have asked him about that. As she asked about what she could do to help with this horrible hangover that he could only blame himself (and Orin) for, he finally opened his eyes to find her face. "This," he said simply. "And maybe shoot the bloody sun out of the sky." It were as though it knew he was suffering and was ungodly bright today on purpose. "Cassie has a tonic that sometimes helps." He had never been surprised that his cousin had a quick cure for this sort of thing. "But I rather not bother her with it." Or more like, he didn't want her to see him like this because she might wonder why she hadn't been invited to that little drink fest. However, the more his mind continued to clear, the more he realized she probably already knew. Shit. How many people did he and that loudmouth future brother-in-law of his wake up last night?
[ALEXANDRIA] She bit her lower lip as she grinned, trying not to laugh at him. "Yes, you were singing loudly in the hallway. Orin said you needed to serenade me." She smiled, finally allowing herself to laugh a little as she continued brushing her fingers through his hair. "You did, just before you passed out." Her sapphire eyes searched his and a slight look of confusion played along her features. "Peonies?" That was random. "Were you asking Orin what my favorite flower was? You were going on last night about how you were sorry you did not pick me any flowers."
Her grin was soon to fade as Aric was complaining about the sun. "Here," She said as she shifted slightly and grabbed hold of the blankets, pulling them over both of their heads, making it dimmer for him. "How's that?" She leaned in and placed a kiss on his forehead. "I can go find Cass and ask her for the tonic, for you, if you'd like?"
[ARIC] Well, at least she seemed amused by it all and not annoyed with him. Aric only appeared mildly embarrassed to learn that he had serenaded her, but he was too afraid to ask if he sounded like a dying cat thanks to the whiskey. Dark eyes were heavy-lidded as he continued to watch her, struggling to remain awake while her fingers soothed his aching head. He much rather remain there for the rest of the day. With her. He didn't want to think about whiskey, the sun, Saelis or even his damned brother's demand of an early wedding. He would marry her right then and there, of course, but it required all that planning that he simply didn't care for. "Pssh..." He tried to dismiss her question about him asking Orin all sorts of questions. But it was clear that she already knew he had. When the blanket was drawn over their heads, he laughed lowly. "Much better." Aric managed to inch just a little closer; a hand rising so that he could run his thumb across her pale cheek. "Not just yet," he told her. He could suffer awhile longer if it meant lying there beside her until royal duties summoned them. "I also happen to know you like green. Well...more of a blue-green." As Orin had put it. He chuckled again, not trying to hide how his curiosity got the best of him last night. It was innocent, at least.
[ALEXANDRIA] She, too, didn't feel like leaving this bed and dealing with anything. Yesterday had been too much, and she paid for it in the end with her wound weakening her. There was so much that needed to be done, and Alexandria didn't want to think about any of it right now. Another smile graced her lips as he inched closer to her and began touching her face. Her eyes closed, as she felt comforted by him. Though they were quick to reopen when he spoke again. A soft laugh escaped her and she nodded. "That's true... I know yours is blue... Cassandra made me wear that blue dress to the banquet to hopefully get your attention." She grinned. "I don't think it worked very well," She said sarcastically. That poor dress had gotten completely ruined from her attack and the amount of blood that turned it nearly black. She reached for his hand, and took it into her own, placing a soft kiss on his knuckles. "You also said something interesting to me, last night... And I can't help but wonder if it's really true..."
[ARIC] His eyes struggled to remain open, but her voice kept him awake despite it all. If he fell asleep now, he may not wake up for another few hours...and they really couldn't afford that right now. Especially since Orin, their head of security, was most likely suffering and down for the count as well. Someone had to be out there making sure things were tended to. The smile on his face widened just a little. "She's a smart one, that cousin of mine...usually." It had been a very beautiful dress, and Alexandria didn't need something glamorous like that for him to notice her. He was about to say so, when she sarcastically mentioned the attack, and the blood that now stained the gown. He was too tired to hide the pain from his face, and it saddened him that he could not find the words to console her in that moment. "What did I say?" he asked her with a slight nervous tone. He was both curious but worried about what his dumb, drunken mind could have said to her.
[ALEXANDRIA] She noticed that sadness on his face, and she was quick to brush it away as she leaned into him and placed a soft kiss to his lips. She didn't wish to think about the banquet or Saelis at this moment. So she was glad when he did not say anything of the matter, and was instead asking her what he had said. She suddenly looked nervous, as if maybe she shouldn't say it. If he didn't mean it, it would put them both in a strangely awkward position right now. But she had already told him and he was waiting for her answer. She carefully drew in a deep breath and then nervously whispered it. "That... You love me?" Sapphire eyes searched his own dark ones, suddenly anxious to hear his response.
[ARIC] He didn't want to have any ill thoughts at the moment either, but his head wouldn't let up and probably wouldn't for a while. That was his own fault. He knew his limits and yet he felt like complete rubbish this morning, although Alexandria's presence eased much of that discomfort. When she finally told him, she stared at her for a long moment. He vaguely remembered that, but not entirely. "Do you doubt it?" Maybe he wasn't really asking, because he only waited a few seconds before he was speaking again. "I suppose I have a bad habit of saying it at the worst of times." Aric laughed lightly to himself, refraining from shaking his head at himself. "The first time was at the banquet...when I thought I was losing you." Worst timing, indeed. His expression sobered a bit. "So let me tell you now, that I do. I do love you. Against everything I ever told myself...I do."
[ALEXANDRIA] Her eyes watched him curiously. He had a bad habit of saying it at the worst times? Had he said it previously? Well, he was explaining suddenly, as if he had read her mind. She listened to him, her eyes never pulling away from his. Her lips forming a wide smile as he told her he loved her. She lifted his hand up to her lips and kissed it, not removing her lips right away as she held his hand there. She sighed happily and shifted closer to him, whispering in his ear. "I love you, Aric... as much as I tried not to..." She released his hand and touched his face again, tracing his facial hair with her fingers. "You've made me feel again... when I thought I never would." She leaned in then, pressing her lips against his.
[ARIC] He didn't think he could smile so widely, but he managed to when she reciprocated his words. They had been two lost, broken souls that managed to mend each other in a newfound companionship. To find a way to love again when neither thought it would ever be possible. Almost subconsciously, his arm draped over her waist, managing to pull her even closer, as close as they could possibly be as he returned that loving kiss. Aric couldn't help himself, attempting to lift himself up onto his other elbow...only to stop and groan in discomfort when his head throbbed out of control. Then he was chuckling softly again against her lips. Damn that whiskey.
[ALEXANDRIA] She moved her hand to the back of his head after he pulled her closely against him, her fingers weaving into his hair as she kissed him lovingly, proving those words to be true. She felt him move, or try to, but he was groaning in pain and then laughing against her lips, causing her to lightly break their kiss and open her eyes to look at him, with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry..." Her fingers began to rub his head in attempt to alleviate some of that pain he felt. She laughed, too, "How much whiskey did you drink last night, anyway?" She hardly held any of it against him-- he had been through so much stress the last few days. She only wished she could have shared his drunken bliss, though it probably would not have been good for her wounded side. Maybe after their wedding they could get horribly drunk together and get lost in the sheets for as long as they desired. The thought caused her to blush as she looked at him, though she wouldn't dare speak what was on her mind.
[ARIC] Well, this was a little embarrassing. He briefly rolled back over onto his back, accidentally pulling away the sheet that had been draped over them to press a hand to his head. "I remember there being a bottle...and then an empty bottle..." he answered her, half amused at the memory. If Orin wasn't feeling this bad, then Aric might be jealously angry. But there was no way, in all of Elysium, that the man wasn't grumbling in discomfort. Carefully, he turned his head to regard the queen there beside him. "Maybe we should get up. I'm sure my cousin will be expecting your opinions on things." If she hadn't already, somehow, planned out every detail of their wedding. But, it was what she did best, truth be told, and it kept her out of trouble. A hand reached over to affectionately grasp her chin. "Tomorrow, things will be slightly different." Despite his throbbing head, he still had a smile to offer her.
[ALEXANDRIA] Her eyes widened slightly in disbelief as Aric admitted to there being a bottle of whiskey that became empty, but then she laughed, shaking her head. She pressed her lips against his forehead. "That explains it." She was already sitting up when Aric suggested they get up, wincing in pain from her side, as if she almost forgot it was there. He was grasping her chin, and she smiled, looking into his eyes. "How so?" She questioned him, her eyes searching his again. The next day or two were going to be stressfully busy, thanks to Edward pushing this on them sooner than they were expecting.
[ARIC] It had been a horribly wonderful idea, and a part of him was glad for it. The more he thought about it the more he remembered how he and Orin bonded. Or, at least, he hoped they had and it hadn't just been his drunken mind making it up. "Aye, it does..." he murmured, trying to sit up. He managed it, but his head was swimming. Still, he had a smile for her; tired eyes regarding her. "I'll be completely sober...and we'll be one day closer to the wedding." Sure, it was going to be stressful, but it'll be worth it. At least in his eyes.
[ALEXANDRIA] She slid out of the bed before she slowly made her way to his side, helping him sit up, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gently pulled his head to rest against her chest. Her fingers gently rubbed his head and through his hair in continued attempt to help alleviate his headache. She smiled softly and leaned down kissing the top of his head. "That is very true.. As long as Orin doesn't steal you away from me again to get you drunk." She laughed quietly before letting him go, carefully stepping away from him so she could begin to get ready for the day. She removed her robe carefully, nearly forgetting that he was there, and she started to struggle with her nightdress, because of her wound. She turned her head to look back at him. "I need your help?"
[ARIC] Sitting up with her help, he sighed happily against her when she embraced him, further alleviating his headache and his swimming gaze, chuckling at her words. "I won't be doing that again anytime soon..." He was quick to groan in soft protest, though, when she finally drew away because now he had to try standing on his own. Aric managed to, of course, but it didn't mean he was happy about it. That is, until his tired eyes trailed after her as her robe slipped from her shoulders and she asked a question that his tired, muddled mind could easily take out of context. His steps were slow in their approach as he sidled up behind her, an arm carefully snaking around her waist and avoiding her injury. "Shouldn't you ask one of your ladies to help with that?" he questioned curiously, his lips so close to brushing against her neck. The room was spinning and he was still groggy, but the scent of her skin drew him in.
[ALEXANDRIA] She hadn't expected him to come up behind her like that, snaking his arms around her waist. But as she felt his breath against her neck, she shivered slightly and smiled. "I suppose I could ask them. But you are here..." She took hold of his hands, clasping her own fingers with his. "You are to be my husband... I no longer have reason to hide anything from you?" She had already told him her secrets. Most of them, at least. She slowly turned around to face him, looking up into his eyes.
[ARIC] She wouldn't be able to see it, but she might've felt the smile that curled his lips after he pressed a kiss against that slender column. "I am here..." he echoed quietly, as though he were complying. But he should know better. This wasn't fair, and he couldn't help but wonder if she was taking advantage of his confused and tired state. That thought only seemed to amuse him more. They really had nothing to hide from each other...but this was completely different. It was also kind of hard to think straight when those sapphire eyes were looking up at him. "You're asking a lot from a man whose mind isn't entirely there, Your Majesty." It really was mostly true. And it was his subtle way of making her realize that chivalry only went so far, even with him.
[ALEXANDRIA] She had no intention of trying to take advantage of him, but clearly he couldn't seem to handle the thought of seeing her undress. It made her smile though, happy to know that his mind was wandering to other things besides her getting dressed for the day. She placed a hand upon his cheek as she looked into his dark eyes. "I am asking a lot by asking for your help in getting dressed?" Her voice was teasing him slightly, a small breath of a laugh escaping her, then and she shook her head. She leaned into him, placing a kiss to his neck before whispering into his ear, "I think you are making it a bigger deal than it actually is." But what did she know? She didn't know what her naked body could do to a man. She hadn't really thought of it.
[ARIC] His mind wasn't wandering terribly far from what was obviously right in front of him. Even if he hadn't been drinking the night before, he would've reacted the same way now...just maybe he wouldn't be so blatantly obvious about it. Those eyes never shifted from her face, though, staring down at her as she asked that question. She was teasing him, and the residual courage of the whiskey was beginning to make him brazen. "Yes." That single word was low, raspy from exhaustion and liquor. The press of her lips upon the skin of his neck and whispered words in his ear didn't help matters either. Did she really not understand or was this just more of her teasing? Testing his resolve. It wasn't a very nice game if that were the case, which was probably why he didn't smile. There was no annoyance on his features in lieu of it...but there was this look in his eyes that he had never shared with her before. It was lascivious. His hands moved almost on their own accord down to her hips, his gaze never wavering. Little by little, he began to hike up the hem of her nightdress, perhaps testing her own resolve as well as his own. [d]
