#I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISPLACED THIS. I SWORE I PUT IT IN MY ELWIN BLOG'S DRAFTS

[fire-branded]

Continued from here:

These encounters were always so bittersweet.

Cidolfus Telamon would come to Rosalith Castle on behalf of King Barnabas, and it was, naturally, meant to be entirely political. And perhaps it was; perhaps these brief encounters were naught more than just another method of getting into the Archduke's good graces for business purposes. To lull him into lowering his defenses, and to try to manipulate him for Waloed's benefit. Or maybe they were empty, playful flirting, meant for both parties to have a moment's reprieve from the seriousness, the tenseness, of the ambassador's news and proposals.

Elwin wouldn't be surprised in the slightest. But he still enjoyed them nonetheless -- looked forward to them, even.

With a soft, lighthearted little laugh, he allowed himself to be pulled closer. When the Lord Commander's hand sought his waist, his own free one moved to the other's shoulder. The one held in his own received an affectionate squeeze; just the smallest, subtlest gesture, before gloved fingers laced between Cid's.

"I trust you." Not that he wouldn't fight back if Waloed's representative did try to harm him -- and it would not be a fight easily won by the other, no matter how relaxed Elwin was at this moment. "Quite the charming tongue you have, Lord Commander. No wonder King Barnabas sees fit to always send you."

As far as the Duchess knew, the two were discussing the state of affairs between Storm and Ash, and whether or not an alliance was at all feasible -- especially because of Waloed's complex(a term used generously to describe it) relationship with the Holy Empire. And if she did suspect anything between them, she expressed not a single care. Still, he did feel guilty for these simple pleasures, pleasures he was otherwise deprived of, even with his close friendship with Rodney and Hanna Murdoch.

As his gaze fixed upon Cid's eyes, taking in the details of his features as though committing them to memory once more, the smile that hinted at the corners of his lips was warm as the sun. That same warmth reflected in his eyes, speaking towards the unspoken affection he had developed towards him. No, this was not long-lasting, and they both knew it well; but they could enjoy it until its end, savor each moment as though it was the last.

Another quiet, breathy laugh. With permission granted, he began to lead Cid into a slow, albeit small, dance. As they swayed about the carpeted floor of his study, the Archduke briefly brought the other's hand to his lips to offer a kiss to his knuckles. An ambiguous enough gesture regarding his personal feelings.

"Your company," was the simple, and direct, answer.

@oflucendi