There was something almost pleasing about those fish as they moved lazily in that pond. The little creatures adding that splash of colour to those fountains in a manner almost soothing as they swum about. The simple warmth of the sun in turn was wholly pleasing upon his back and yet, more than that, those fingers that so entwined with his own had a habit of bringing that simper to his lips. How often he thought of that night they had me and how truly he had believed that, regrettably, that first night might too have been their last as it was surely intended to be. How curious a thing fate was to have seen him find Sebastian a second time upon those docks that night and yet how he regretted but not a single moment of any time he had spent with his lover since and all they had found. How glorious his life had become because of that man beside him, Dorian so given to consider for surely the umpteenth time that Sebastian looked good in the sunlight and so flushed with that life. A part of the Monarch nothing short of delighted to so be able to gift his lover with even those few hours in the sun to share with him. This garden, after all, was the very sort of beauty that was best shared- of that he was sure. Dorian quite unable to lessen his utter joy at the day in any sense. His ever curious nature at last prompting something of a question to his companion then. After all, surely the continued upkeep of gardens like this was somewhat extravagant? Yet still, they had gotten here somehow. The Fae entirely curious as to just how. His features frowning slightly at the knowledge they would remain but only this week before being returned. Such a pity, truly. How nice it would have been to have such a garden all the time. His gaze lifted towards his lover then that the vampire's assurance that perhaps that which made it special to begin with was the very fleeting nature of it. Dorian so having failed to consider it from such an angle.

"Yes, I suppose you are right. We shall have to make the most of it this week then. Are we to stay the whole week here?"

It had but only just occurred to the man that Sebastian, perhaps, did not intend for them to remain at Tatton for the week but instead might hold some other plan he had kept shielded from him. Dorian's thoughts on the matter readily distracted a moment later by those glorious bluebells all shaded in blue and purple that rose from the yellows and reds and oranges around them. How exquisite they were! Those flowers blooming all the more gloriously beneath his touch before Sebastian's name fell readily from his lips. Dorian content to tug him towards yet another attraction. The Fae King perhaps decidedly childlike in that moment as his attention shifted from but one glorious piece to the next in the wake of that clear excitement. Those deer crafted of wood stood readily out even amongst those flowers, the horns of the stags interlaced as they fought, the pair appearing decidedly life-like to Dorian's own opinion. The man assured this was easily one of the better sculptures amongst a plethora of others. Sebastian's assertion that they belonged to Tatton and would indeed remain once the rest of the festival left saw that simper return to Dorian's own lips once more. His lovers idle comment upon the sheer amount of deer his family possessed and to their apparent love of displaying those animals bright that soft chuckle to his own lips. Perhaps the lion had long since been the symbol of Sebastian's family as a whole and yet it would seem the deer was wholly determined to represent Sebastian himself. After all, had it not been deer Matteo had seen within his visions of the future? Dorian content to comment upon their pleasantness as an animal all the same. The Monarch leaning upward to press his lips to his lovers cheek in that moment of affection, that simple thanks for such a day as this offered readily as that grin remained.

It was that suggestion of what else they might see that seemed to prompt that further consideration from the Monarch, Dorian chewing softly upon his lips in that near boyish gesture as he contemplated those choices. The Fae King, for once, largely oblivious to how appealing such a subtle gesture may have been to his lover before he chose that vineyard- only to abruptly change his mind to that display of animals. Sebastian's promise that they surely had several days to see what they could not fit in to one day at least managing to assuage those worries they might well miss something when Dorian was assured he dared not miss anything. His simple delight in this so surely clear as that beaming grin returned to his features. His phone was fished easily from his pocket then to take several photographs of those things he liked the most, the man content to lead the way towards those topiary and animal sculptures then.

"I should like to try to paint some of these later- if I can."

He offered softly, Dorian assured those photographs would remind him of the colours as his own memory might not. The man pausing then at the first of those displays of that galloping horse so colourful and bright before his attentions shifted to those cows so cleverly crafted of vines and bracken to appear as if they grazed that finally cared for lawn beneath them. How on earth Sebastian could miss this each year he hardly knew! Dorian content to query just that as his hand fit with Sebastian's own once more. Several people beside them were attempting to take photographs of them without making it obvious they were doing as such, Dorian so fighting that urge not to chuckle at their attempts as Sebastian admitted to that festival having not always been so splendid and too that Dorian himself had surely been the reason he had forgone last year- that small grin settling upon his own features. Those words entirely teasing then.

"Hmmm, I do require all of your attention. I admit to this. I might make you come here again next year though. I fear I might like it far too much to forgo it now that I know it exists. I should like to see it at night too."

Those colours would hardly be so vibrant in the dark and yet without those crowds and on a warm evening that Fae remained assured those gardens would be entirely pleasant. It was that next sculpture however that readily seemed to derail his own thoughts. Dorian eyeing that rather giant bee with a clear disdain before promptly declaring he did not like it at all. His dislike of bugs was well known. Such a displeasure so apparently extended even to artistic insects as he scowled readily at that sculpture as Sebastian circled it. Dorian content to eye his own lover almost....protectively, as if he somehow feared that insect might injure him despite its decidedly non-living status. The vampires declaration that this was not what a bee really looked like saw Dorian's own head tilt, the Fae assured he had never truly bothered to consider a bee in near this much detail and nor would he like too. His gaze returned easily to Sebastian then as his boyfriend returned to his side, the vampire promptly announcing that most bees were, in fact, female. That look of intrigue touching the Monarch's features then. Curious facts and oddities, after all, so had a way of ensnaring his attention. Any further queries upon just such a subject promptly forgotten in the wake of that notion that male bees held but a singular purpose in life. Dorian inclined to allow both eyes to lift upward in clear surprise. How.....curious!

"Truly?"

That almost teasing query as to just what he thought of that readily saw his own eyes roll then in that wholly playful manner, a chuckle rising within his throat before his shoulders lifted upward in a shrug. His voice was dropped just a little to assure Sebastian alone might hear those words as they wandered, his grin near impish.

"I think, Mon Cher, that I would make a very good bee. I could be quite good at that- I think. Don't you? Perhaps we need dedicate one evening to testing such stamina. I might have an idea."

Another chuckle hummed softly from his lips then, one eye arching gently upward as Dorian merely turned to continue wandering to that next display. The very notion of 'ideas' so having played but a prominent role in their rather healthy sex-life from the beginning. Dorian content to revisit such a tease here and now before wandering past several sculptures of birds, an entire barnyard scene and an obscure lion before so finding themselves amidst a series of market stalls practically bursting with flowers and fruits and vegetables. He felt his gaze widen slightly once more at the sheer amount present before him. Each display arranged by colour and size, that look of awe returned to his features then before that simper so returned to his own lips. His gaze lifted to his Consort once more.

"Would you like to know a thing I know?"

After all, Sebastian had so regaled him with his knowledge of bees. Dorian largely assured he could return such a favour as he moved to pluck but a single red apple from that fruit stand beside him, the Fae momentarily examining it before tossing it gently for Sebastian to catch.

"Apparently it is so that in ancient Greece, one tossed an apple to another to declare their love for them. It would appear that I like you."

That ready grin danced upon his features once more, Dorian wholly content to engage in that simple silliness before so gesturing towards that sign that pointed to the vineyard, the Fae entirely content to see it as he reached for his lovers hand once more.

His Royal Majesty

Dorian Aragona

The King of Italy