shinzongaku-blog

[shinzongaku-blog]

@aquexvitae

It was like something heavy weighing down on him. The loud music, the chatter -- it was all drowning out. All that seemed to matter was walking. Left foot. Right foot. Left foot, and so on. The world seemed like it was slipping away. And in that instant he lost his footing, something warm caught him. That warmth... was all he could concentrate on, before he was lost.

Emeralds could barely adjust to the bright lighting, eyelids parted slightly as he slowly began to awaken. Another figure before him, one that he was trying to discern -- but damn, was it bright... he felt like he couldn’t see. As Sorey attempt to lazily move his limbs, he found them impossible to move -- they were bound together. And what was this in his mouth...? ( a cloth? ) Understanding his surroundings was a bit of a challenge, but soon enough, the figure before him was taking shape. That hair... and his face, he knew that face.

Mikleo... on the ground, next to him.

“ Mmn...? “

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

    It was a hopeful wish that Mikleo mirrored. Basking in the heated waters felt as though it rejuvenated his very being, lulling him into a comfortable state of relaxation. If there was such a thing as bliss, this was surely it. If only such a thing had existed in Elysia!

     After Sorey has descended into waters beside him, Mikleo lets out a deep, contented sigh and allows himself to gently sink a bit further in. It was all the better to share this kind of heaven with his best friend, he thought. 

     “Mmhh… I’m definitely not opposed to that.” He says dreamily, as if all his worries of present had been washed away entirely. “Once we’ve finished showing Heldalf who’s boss, we should come back here. I’ve heard there’s a small library with a good quantity of historical writing, too.”

     What a thought. Relaxing in the hot spring… And reading at the same time! Though. Maybe that posed a slight problem if the books got wet. He was sure he could fix any problems that arose from that idea, though. 

Coming back was definitely something on his to-do list. Honestly, there were a whole bunch of things he wanted to do, but the hot spring was one of a kind! He hadn’t seen such an attraction throughout their travels until now -- and what a great decision it was to stay the night. Unique experiences like these were ones to be treasured. Turning his gaze towards Mikleo, who was already sinking into the water, a soft smile had already painted his lips.

“ A library? That sounds nice... would they get angry if the books got a bit steamy? “ Sorey wasn’t exactly one to damage books, and it sure didn’t sound like a good idea -- but being able to read while in a hot spring sounded like a dream. “ We really need books that don’t get soaked. Or, you could try soaking it up. “

A mirthful laugh, nudging at his friend’s side -- he hadn’t gotten any books wet yet, so he wasn’t entirely sure if Mikleo could do that... but it didn’t sound too wild. “ Kind of like a towel, “ he grinned -- he may have just called him a towel. Toweleo.

[shinzongaku-blog]

"You need to leave through the cellars. If they heard a royal ever slept with someone like you...!" [EEHEHEHHE.]

Discarding his knighthood was a heavy decision to make – but it was one made ever since his hands laid atop the skin of his dearest, caressing untouched skin in calloused palms. Sorey had gone too far, yet he knew that he wouldn’t be able to stop himself. To mark the prince’s porcelain skin, to worship his figure with his lips. Being the most well-regarded knight simply would never trump the desire for intimacy, one built on the foundations of absolute trust.

Even if he had to leave everything he’d built behind, it would be worth it for that one night. A one night affair that he wished would never end. “ I know. “ As he clothed himself with shaking hands, Sorey managed to paint a smile upon his lips. A meager attempt at one, but he wanted to be strong. “ But… at the same time… should I really escape? “

“ –They’ll still be after me, no matter what. As a knight, I must retain my honour – and that begins with honesty. “ He felt like he was going to choke up – he knew full well it wouldn’t go down smoothly. “ The affair is one thing. But I will never end my knighthood with cowardice. “

[shinzongaku-blog]

👑Royalty AU Starters👑

▸ "The coronation is tomorrow. You can't stay like this forever."

▸ "By tomorrow morning, the kingdom will be yours."

▸ "Captain _______ of the royal guard, your majesty! The castle's under attack!"

▸ "You've been locked in your room for five days, you need to act like a prince/ss!"

▸ "You gambled away... the crown jewels."

▸ "I can't tell them we're in love. A royal just can't associate with someone like you."

▸ "My GOD, your highness, what happened out in battle?!"

▸ "Did the foreign prince/ss catch your eye?"

▸ "You need to leave through the cellars. If they heard a royal ever slept with someone like you...!"

▸ "Our troops cannot fight them off. Our kingdom is dead."

▸ "We're going to kill the king."

[shinzongaku-blog]

“Just get your own serving!” “You know I can’t get one from her! You did it on purpose!”

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

    The sound of quiet footsteps resounding against stone is something that catches his attention, the stars having long since come out to play amid the sky. A curious glance upward grants him a sense of ease at once, a smile even finding residence with him.

    “Sorey. You’re still awake?” He asks, sinking just a bit further into the hot water that relaxed him so. It was a nice change of pace, given they were working near constantly to stop Heldalf from realizing his goals.  To finally relax like this was nothing short of rejuvenating.

    “Come to take your turn relaxing, I’d presume?”

Steam rose softly from the spring’s waters, dancing about as if welcoming him into the spring. Familiar snow tresses dipped in sky blue, the porcelain skin -- Mikleo’s figure sat in the spring... and there was something so -- decidedly right about it. Almost like looking into a beautiful painting.

“ Sure am, “ he responded whilst carefully stepping into the water -- ( hot! ) -- and keeping his towel rooted at the waist. “ It feels like a waste to not relax in the hot spring. “ And it sure was. It really was a luxury that would only come every now and then -- enjoying it to its fullest would leave no regrets in the future.

“ It’s so nice... I wish we could come back soon. “

[shinzongaku-blog]

AND IIIIiiIIIII-IIIIIIIII WILL ALWAYS - HOLY SHIT - LUV YOUUUUUUUUUU

“ You’re really good at singing! “

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

Someone was definitely eager to get out of that armor, apparently. Mikleo couldn’t help but snicker quietly to himself as he lead the way through the passage, up until it opened into a large cellar-like room. Mikleo gives a stretches as he enters into it, already beginning to shed his heavy coat.

“This place certainly hasn’t seen much use in a while. As a child, I would come down here to be alone and read my books. Perhaps I should put it to use again and get it cleaned up down here.”

“ The next time you read in here, let me know! I would join. “ The knight’s quarters weren’t exactly quiet -- so, not the best place for reading. Amidst the dust and general dirtiness, there was a pleasant silence filling the room. A moment of peace.

That is, until Sorey was dropping his armour to the ground and stripping down to just his pants. The cool air was a relief to his sweat-drenched skin.

“ Phew, that was really hot. I was sweating out there! “

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

     Of course Sorey was eager to get that heavy armor off, too. Things were fine for the moment, so there’d surely be no harm in relaxing together for a bit. As such, Mikleo lead the way around the castle, keeping vigilant that nobody was tailing them or otherwise watching.  On one side of the castle, Mikleo’s gaze fell upon the flowerbeds that lined the sides and stopped between one pair. His attention went back to the wall and, with one final glance around, placed his hand upon an ever-so-slightly elevated brick.

     In the next moment, it sunk into the wall and before them, a door slid open just enough for them to inch inside. Mikleo was the first to step inside the secret entrance, an almost smug smirk ‘pon his lips.

     “This is primarily an exit in case assassins were to break in seeking to kill us all. But it acts just as much as an entrance. As far as I know, only myself and father knew about it until just now.”

Sorey inhaled rather loudly, amazed at the sheer awesomeness of the passageway. “ Awesome--!! I knew the castle had some, but I haven’t used one before! “ Not that he should ever have to, but -- now he did, and that was cool!

“ Then, let’s use this way from now on! No one will find us and we can undress ourselves! “

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

Well, that went right over Sorey’s head. Much to Mikleo’s own amusement, in some degree.

“Rather… We’d have to find a location nobody knows about if we wanted to hide out somewhere. I might have just the place. Nobody ventures there anymore, so it’s a bit dusty. Want a tour?”

“ If we both get to cool off, I think it’s a great idea! “ Sorey really wanted to get the armour off. No matter how cool it looked, nothing beat lying around in practically nothing. It’s an invigorating idea to him!

“ Lead the way, Your Highness! I can’t wait to get this off. “

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

One solution of many. If only because it was Sorey, and because Sorey was one of his truest of friends, did he consider the prospect of humoring him. He only worried for the sake of the knight.

“One of these days, someone’s going to think we’ve run away together. Some have already observed that we’re close friends and when you ‘vanish’, I tend to as well. Hah, I’m not so sure we’re fooling anyone in truth.” 

“ Wait... does that mean people think we would use the bathroom together? “ They were close, but maybe not that much! Well -- excluding the communal showers! But there was no reason to think they would be in the bathroom together, right?

“ So there really is nowhere to hide? “

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

There’s something undeniably humorous about the fact that Sorey had upfront suggested he simply strip without even thinking much on it. Sorey would, of course, do something like that.

“And relax in the nude while attempting to cool off? Unless you mean to say you’ll weather the wrath of my father if he should find out you’re supplying me a spare set of clothing. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Sorey, but don’t get yourself in trouble for my sake.”

He didn’t have to get naked -- but that was definitely one way out of many. Sorey just thought maybe at least getting that warm looking jacket off would help -- but hey!

“ What about relaxing in the bathroom? I can be in the shower and you can sit on the floor. No one would find you that way! “ What a solution. “ The floor’s pretty cold too! “

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

A chuckle is pulled from him. Oh, if only it was as simple as just stripping off all those garments. Alas, it was the role for them both. 

“And we can’t have the prince being mistaken for a commoner either, can we? Such is the logic of my father. Nobility over comfort and practicality. I’d happily shed these clothes if I could.” 

“ It can’t be that bad. “ Maybe he just wasn’t understanding it from the right point of view. Appearances were important, right...?

“ I mean, I’d rather see you wear something simple and comfortable than stuffy and fancy. You’d look a lot better. But if you’re getting hot, you can always head back to the knight’s quarters with me and get out of that -- thing. “

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

“This?” He gestured lightly at his uniform; tight and definitely very heavy for clothing. “This is about usual for me. I could ask you the same though. Doesn’t that armor get to be a bit much sometimes?”

“ It’s not like I have much of a choice. “ Especially if he was on guard duty. That was just... what he had to wear. “ --Besides, if I didn’t have to, I’d strip down as much as I could. It’s pretty warm out, too. “

“ Can’t have the prince getting heat stroke, you know? “

[shinzongaku-blog]

@aquexvitae

“ That looks kinda stuffy to wear. Aren’t you hot, Mikleo? “

[shinzongaku-blog]

aquexvitae.

     It was right here before. The light had turned green on one end and Mikleo had begun crossing, but Sorey… Sorey had been shoved the opposite way, into oncoming traffic. It’d been right here where it’d all happened in that vivid image. There was a lump in Mikleo’s throat as they began to cross hand-in-hand, ignoring the stares they earned as a result of it. Then, they began to cross together and for a brief moment, it seemed like it might be okay. 

      “It’s…I’m alright.”

      But it wasn’t exactly alright.

      He feels Sorey’s weight suddenly shift, pulling away from him. Rather - being shoved away from him. Yet, having been so anxious and anticipatory of such an event, his grip instinctively tightens around Sorey’s hand and yanks him back with a good effort. Instead of Sorey ending up killed amidst a rush of cars, the pair ends up falling together in the middle of the sidewalk. 

     Mikleo, obviously shaken by this quickly scrambles to pull Sorey with him back to the sidewalk where they were safe, his eyes wide and full of fear. Looking about wildly, he spotted just barely, a black-clothed figure bolting away from the pair. 

     “S…Sorey…. …Sorey…” He’d almost died again. Just like he’d seen. And someone had tried to kill him.

“ Ah-- “

There was a brief moment of panic -- that is, until he was yanked back onto the sidewalk with Mikleo’s iron grip, the two ungracefully collapsing onto the concrete. Sorey paused, taking a moment to process what exactly had happened. Did someone... push them...? What was even more odd was how fast Mikleo reacted, almost as if he knew that it was going to -- happen...?

Emeralds glanced at his friend in disbelief. There was no way he could’ve known. Mikleo had no powers to see the future, nor was that a thing -- but there was something about that immediate pull that was expecting for the shove to happen. Maybe it was just his senses on high alert...? Yeah, it had to be. Seeing into the future was a bit of an odd idea, wasn’t it? However, there was no time for him to wonder about such matters, not when Mikleo looked like a deer in the headlights. Deathly afraid, more shaken than before.

“ Mikleo... are you alright? “ He must’ve been afraid of falling onto the crosswalk with him. After all, they definitely would’ve gotten injured from the next vehicle about to make its turn. “ You’re not hurt, are you? “

A hand touched Mikleo’s shoulder; softly, as to reassure him.

“ That was pretty weird. We should be careful. “

[shinzongaku-blog]

A dear Sorey to me <3333 I 100% love your portrayal of Sorey. Such a gentle shepherd. A kind soul who deserves all the love he can be given. Mun is such a sweetheart too, I love you both so much I could just squish you guys in a big hug!

“ A thank you from – “

“ –both of us! “