The Sun Also Rises

If there might be anything within this modern world that Dorian might be inclined to forget the existence of it was most assuredly microwaves. The odd, beeping machines that possessed the ability to reheat food without the use of a fire or the need for re-cooking were perhaps remarkable in design and yet as far as Dorian might be concerned they failed entirely to offer that food any actual taste. Often failing too- to heat the food in an even manner and yet more so it was the idea alone that one might re-eat food that had previously been ignored that so seemed to distress the man entirely. Left-overs, after all, were hardly a custom the man was used too, nor did he have any desire to become acquainted with them. Forgetting them, he is assured, is truly excellent advice. It is the mention of Christmas and too those travel plans they had so arranged that readily draws the King's attention away from the remains of his duck. Sebastian appearing momentarily lost in thought at this mention of those homes they intended to visit, the names meaning little to Dorian here and now and yet he was assured anything that had to do with Sebastian in any fashion was worthy of his upmost attention. In truth the Monarch found he was looking decidedly forward to seeing Sebastian's home. Dorian hoping truly he might so coax that excitable nature from the man once more within his own country. Ah, but how he adored to see Sebastian excited! Dorian affording this mention of Manchester house a small shrug of his shoulders, assuring the vampire they could visit this home whenever he saw fit, time surely not an issue, at least not until this mention of its state of disrepair. Dorian's own features frowning slightly.

"Perhaps we might visit it next year then? Else you might search for another caretaker if the current one has become inattentive? Trustworthy staff can be decidedly rare. We shall solve it all the same."

This, if anything, was a problem Dorian knew well and one in which he surely held at least some level of understanding. Staff, after all, could be truly finicky, good stuff often difficult to find and yet for now the man is willing enough to let the matter pass. Such was Sebastian's business and he saw little need to pry into the mans affairs of estate beyond what might be offered to him. The Fae King instead paused to answer his lovers own question upon just where he intended to visit within Italy, Dorian listing his four major homes, frowning slightly at this mention of Turin. It was, perhaps, one of his grander homes and one in which he truly desired to show his lover and yet its location outside of Naples might yet prove to be something of a dilemma. It was perhaps, best visited unofficially in a year or so. Sebastian's mention but a moment later of his having been to Naples before so readily sees that simper of affection return to Dorian's own lips. Ah, but how close they might have been but once before all those years ago! Such talk of those bombings however sees his expression falter ever so slightly, his own head shaking softly.

"Yes, they put a hole in my chapel roof and destroyed seven of my paintings with their bombings, it was entirely displeasing. If it is the Opera in San Carlo you should like to see though, since you missed it last time, then I will gladly take you. There are seats reserved permanently for the Crown, we shall make use of them."

That soft simper so returns to his face once more, Dorian content to find some use at last for those seats his family held, a visit to the Opera House surely doable if only for how little travel was required to reach it. Dorian voicing those concerns for travel within Italy itself, at least once his return had been made public as it undoubtedly would be, Sebastian's query as to why seeing his gaze lift once more, silver eyes to meeting the lighter, brighter blue of his lovers own with surprise. Did Sebastian truly not realise why? Had the vampire not considered the veritable circus his return would become? Yet, how could he? Dorian supposed. The vampires own time at court had been as a Lord, an Earl, not as a Consort and all that came with that. Oh but how much his lover had failed to consider! How shocked he would be when he came to realise. It would be this, if anything, that would so surely test their relationship far more than anything else. Yet, here and now, Dorian hardly saw the need to concern his lover with that, his features frowning softly in consideration of how best to answer that query. After all, how did one explain that while he had the world at his feet, that nothing was closed to him, that they could go anywhere they desired- they could not go alone? That everything they did would be watched or seen or talked about or photographed? That his return and too, Sebastian's existence, would so see them become known throughout Italy.

"I think perhaps, Mon Cher, you will come to understand truly what I mean when we arrive and yet it might best be explained, for now, in saying that it is difficult for me to travel even within my own country because I do not get very much....privacy, to do these things as we might like to do them."

He would need prepare him for it in time and before they arrived, Dorian entirely unsure as to just how Sebastian might well take to such things and yet for now at least he hardly wanted to think of them, he hardly wanted to ruin this very evening with such disagreeable thoughts. How truly he desired to see his country once more and yet how he dreaded it all at once. Maybe there was a way still, in which he could so keep his return quiet and known by his own palace alone. It is a relief entirely to so return to that topic of Christmas and the knowledge that they might celebrate New Years within Naples- this alone returning that delighted simper to his features, a chuckle rising readily within his throat at Sebastian's response to his suggestion they would require red underwear for this celebration.

"Yes Bastian, you will be required to wear underwear for but one evening. It is a tradition of sorts, a game, you will enjoy it and I assure you I have every intention of taking them off you come midnight. You shan't have to wear them long."

One eye lifted ever so slightly, that teasing simper still in place before the Fae leaned forward just so, allowing his fork to brush though what remained of Sebastian's soup, bringing it to his own lips a moment later. After all, it was but animal blood, one might make gravy or sauce out of the drippings of meat- Dorian assured this was not too entirely different. His ever-present curiosity so demanding this of him now. The taste not truly unpleasant in any sense, richer then he had anticipated, the Monarch voicing as such- wholly aware of Sebastian's surprise at this gesture before their desserts arrived. The sudden, soft gasp that parted is lovers lips saw his own silver eyes lift upward in search of just what had stirred such a sound from the man, Sebastian so seeming to eye his chocolate lava cake while casting his own dessert aside. Dorian attempting, still, to discover just where this 'lava' was so expected to appear from before Sebastian abruptly leaned forward to cut into his dessert, that rich, warm, melted chocolate running freely out and onto the plate in the wake of the piece the other man had stolen.

"Ah! This is the lava then, maqnifique!"

That sound of glee that so seemed to emit from his lover as he consumed that dessert was hardly missed, Dorian glancing upward once more, the enchanting blue of Sebastian's gaze fixated still upon his own cake as the man licked that spoon clean. Ah, but Dorian so knew that look well! The Fae leaning forward to take his own piece from the other side, slipping that entirely decadent cake between lips. It was heavenly!

"Im sorry, Mon Cher, did you want some more? You almost look as if you do but I am not assured of it, do you?"

He so allows that plate to rest between them, waiting only so long as it took for Sebastian's spoon to reach forward again before Dorian so easily slide the plate out of his reach, the teasing, playful simper dancing into place upon his lips.

"My, my, but you are slow this evening, Bastian. I think though, because it is so I love you and only because I love you that I might be inclined to share my cake with you. Although you shall have to earn it I think, tell me, what might you give me in exchange for half of this glorious cake? Do not try to sell me that cheesecake bar of yours either, that is not sufficient."

His spoon pressed into that cake once more, taking but another bite, that rich, sweet, chocolate flavour bringing a sound of satisfaction to his own lips, one entirely played upon if only to further tease his companion. Dorian entirely intending to allow his lover to have half of the cake regardless of his answer and yet it hardly hurt to tease a little, surely? The Fae allowing his tongue to lick every bit from his own spoon in delight.

Dorian Aragona