The Sun Also Rises

It was simple familiarity truly and his assurance that he had known well where Elaine was going in the wake of that impromptu hug that so assured the man of just whom had come down those steps some minutes later. After all, there was a distinct way in which the vampire walked, a sound to his steps Dorian knew and yet until this very moment it had hardly occurred to him that he knew it so well. Where Elizabeth was light and quick, Elaine hurried and purposeful, Charles had a habit of shuffling and his Father had a decidedly loud foot- Sebastian was light, quiet and yet determined. Dorian aware in that moment that his natural talent for the observance of what existed around him had perhaps outdone itself in this. He addresses Sebastian readily, hardly needing to turn to greet his lover, his fingers still dancing with a delicate care upon that single ornament before he turned at last to let the silver of his gaze rest upon the vampire. The subtle nod with which he is afforded and too Sebastian's assurance that he was indeed the head of this household saw but the softest of simpers tug at his own features. Dorian well aware, after all, that any and everything would so be brought to Sebastian in time by his household staff. The Fae having failed however to anticipate how quickly and yet it had been some time since he had been so exposed to a woman's intuition as he had but moments ago. He attempts, all the same, to offer the vampire just that explanation as to why he had made no mention of it. After all, there was little Sebastian did not do for him, little he was so capable off without having to ask for his lovers guidance in this world he was still struggling to understand and by that very notion it was perhaps, some attempt at selflessness that had so seen Dorian pretend that he had done all such things as this before. After all, this holiday had so seemed to be his lovers favourite! Dorian having little desire to lessen that experience for the vampire by so having him attempt to worry of Dorian himself and that plethora of firsts. Yet how quickly he had failed at that!

Truly he could but hope his lover was hardly cross with him for it, Dorian never before having seen Sebastian irritated in any sense and yet the Fae King remained assured that it was a possibility all the same. One he was so quickly made aware did not exist in this singular moment as those notes of affection so parted his consort's lips. After all this time, such simple words might still make his heart flutter! That hand reaching up to brush his cheek stole that simper back into place before his companion's admittance that he was, perhaps, all that existed within his life to be worth any true trouble on his part. It is entirely the fault of that emotion that lingers so close to the surface already, of that Dorian is assured, the man blinking hurriedly lest anything near so womanly or embarrassing as a welling within his eyes occur. There was, after all, much he knew his lover did not understand of his life before, much he would surely learn in time and by that same token, much that would surely surprise him. After all, in all those years of his life, Dorian had never had another offer him anything simply because they desired too, because they wanted too or, more then that, because they held a true affection for him. Those beings he existed around strove to please him because it was their job to do as such. Else they feared his displeasure. Sebastian the first being to so ever declare he was worth that trouble. Dorian knowing well such words were entirely meant, offered freely and certainly not offered through any sense of duty. Ah, but how much that meant to him! More perhaps, then the vampire so truly realised.

"I am sorry I did not, though the truth of it is known now all the same. My Father believed Christmas for religious observance alone, he saw gifts as peasant acts and frivolous. I was simply a little overwhelmed at realising you truly had gotten me a gift. I should have liked it even if it was a rock though. You said it had a name- you only name the important things after all."

It was, after all, entirely true. A rock with a bowtie and a name was surely of importance to Sebastian and as such it would be of importance to Dorian in turn. To be gifted with it however, would have been the most notable thing of all! A near impish grin so touching his features once more at this mention of his lover's quirk for naming those inanimate objects he favoured. As if bestowing a name upon them so increased their importance. Dorian having come to find the gesture almost endearing. It is that apology for the gift he had truly gotten him however that so sees a small frown touch his own features. That English culture of apologising for a gift before it had been given lost upon him entirely. The Fae King perhaps, so assuming this was merely some obscure trait of Sebastian alone. It is the vampire's declaration that they still had a little time before the evening church service that saw Dorian glance upward quizzically, Sebastian moving then to take his hand, Dorian allowing himself to be lead now away from that tree with its gifts, back up the stairs and to a room he was sure he had not yet been too. An office? It is those floor to ceiling bookcases however that so readily attract his attention as Sebastian releases his hand to rummage within his desk draw. How many books his lover had! Dorian inclined to wonder if these had simply not been given to fit in that beautiful library. His gaze is drawn away from such wonderment only by Sebastian's approach once more, silver eyes cast downwards to that obsidian medallion adorned with those two golden lions with their sapphire eyes and too- Sebastian's family crest.

For several moments still Dorian is simply inclined to stare at it, the sheer significance of such a gift was- immense. Dorian well knowing just those implications of commitment and too the very meaning of something as grand as this. After all, he had given just that to Sebastian once before. He had received those familial crests from others within his time and yet this one held within it distinctly more meaning then any before it ever had. This one the only one he had ever held any inclination to truly wear. Such a thing so signifying the vampire's willingness to allow the Fae King a place of sorts within his very family and beneath that family crest. It is with a distinct and delicate care that he so reaches to take that coin from his companion. Dorian truly patrial to darks and golds, slipping that fine golden chain about his neck now to hang with that tigers eye gemstone that had been a placeholder of sorts and yet one he had become too terribly fond off to take away now. His gaze so at last lifting to Sebastian's own. Dorian, for once, so seeming to struggle to find just that which he desired to say before so giving up upon the notion of words entirely. The man instead simply choosing throw his arms around his lover's neck, drawing Sebastian too him now in that unusually emotive embrace.

"Thank you. You kept your promise."

It is hardly more than a murmur against the man's skin and yet within such simple words there was an undeniable emotion- the sort of which so seemed to afflict Dorian this day far more than he is sure it ever has. Those words so akin to some of the first he had ever said to Sebastian within his bed all those months ago. Some moments, after all, do not require long speeches or eloquent words. Some are far better defined by that striking simplicity and that which is unsaid. This was surely such a moment. He pulls back at last, only to brush his lips to his lovers own. Fingers toying still with that coin, the man becoming familiar with its feel and soft weight. His features shifting just slightly as if but only now struck with a sudden realisation, gaze flicked hurriedly back to Sebastian's own.

"I didn't cry you know. Is that what Elaine told you? She did, didn't she? I was merely briefly afflicted by- dust."

Dust. Within that entirely spotless house was surely the reason for his momentary break from decorum downstairs. One that Elaine had evidently witnessed more of then he anticipated.

Dorian Aragona