every king had a story, of ancient glory,sweetly told

That ready laughter that seemed to bubble to Sebastian's lips in the wake of that almost sheepish admittance of Dorian's own very first time between those sheets so had a habit of furthering that grin on his own features. Dorian allowing his eyes to roll in that good-natured fashion as Sebastian attempted some sort of apology for that clear humour he found in that vaguely offered tale. The Monarch assured he might never tire of hearing that rich sound all the same. It had been years since he had considered that night. The Fae King a mere boy by comparison then. His efforts surely best described as fumbling if not wholly embracing and likely strikingly inadequate given the mere two minutes or so the whole affair had lasted. The man quite assured he owed the woman an apology even after all this time and yet even he was not unwilling to see the amusement in it. A sense of nostalgia attached to that memory all the same as he merely allowed his head to shake softly again at the consolation his lover so attempted offer. Those teasing lyrics returned to his features, that simper tugging warmly at his lips as both eyes raised slightly in that display of impishness.

"It does please me to hear this, thank you. All great masters must begin somewhere, I suppose."

The Monarch was, it appeared, entirely willing to embrace that teasing touch of egotism and declare his own mastery of those sexual arts. A skillset he was largely assured had only improved since he had found Sebastian within his life. The vampire as equally willing to explore those passions as Dorian himself. The Fae King so adoring that part of his lover that was so entirely eager to press those boundaries or explore those limitations in turn. Their sex life by far the most fulfilling, satisfying and exciting of his entire existence. How he adored each and every moment spent between those sheets! Dorian readily led the pair up those stairs then and into that lavish guest bedroom, the Monarch content to tease at those ideas of just where they might yet be headed this evening, Dorian assured his lover would enjoy those planned activities before his attention shifted to that wardrobe the vampire stood upon the entrance too. He could hardly help that soft chuckle that arose from within him as Sebastian seemed content to test that wardrobe, settling upon those blue lights as Dorian himself saw to organising his own shoes. The Fae commenting idly upon the potential for the staff to enjoy that music if they desired it although truly why his Father possessed either a musical pantry or a bizarrely lit wardrobe he hardly knew. They were, he was sure, unnecessary extravagances and yet in some fashion he was near unsurprised to learn Matteo possessed such things at all. The elder Fae in himself a veritable unnecessary extravagance. That soft snort in response from his lover prompting another sound of amusement from within himself as he rose from that bed at last. The Fae pausing to assure his shirt lay correctly. His fingers smoothing that fabric as he commented upon that odd song the pantry had startled him with all the same.

His own slate-hued gaze lifted upward at Sebastian's approach, that purposely unbuttoned polo shirt hardly unnoticed. His eyes lingered upon that smooth skin and the hard plains of that chest he knew existed so tantalizingly beneath. Dorian momentarily considering just how critical it was they went out at all when he was assured they might amuse themselves within just this room itself. How tempting it was to tug his lover against him and explore those plains and lines of his fit figure all over again. The vampire's assurance that it was not at all that sort of roll so managing to distract his thoughts then. A near quizzical look finding his features then as Sebastian's hands so came to rest upon his waist, his gaze inclined upward to the blue of the vampires own, that smile tugging at his lips now before that announcement that 'rock and roll' so had more to do with bedding then building materials. That realization so seeming to dawn upon the near ancient Fae all at once.

"Oh! Because of the fashion in which a bed so tends to....oh that makes far more sense then I realised."

How obvious it seemed! Dorian momentarily abashed he had believed it to be a song so literally about building. What a perfectly obscure choice of a song to play in a pantry. Surely it was better suited to a bedroom? The very idea of it forgotten altogether as Sebastian shifted closer then, those near whispered lyrics seizing his attention entirely, that near flutter of anticipation for even that subtle touch dancing within him as he eagerly returned that kiss. His Consort stepping almost abruptly away if only to assure that kiss was nothing more than teasing and entirely unsatisfying. Wretched creature he was sometimes! Dorian near content to groan softly in that denial. Such a city, he was assured, one he might very much like to explore. Still, he supposed, those plans for this very evening could hardly wait, even if Sebastian's shirt alone was likely to distract him for the better part of it. That soft assertion from the vampire that he was ready easily saw Monarch lead the way once more, the man paused briefly within the hall to take those directions from Matteo's near ancient manservant. That glance Sebastian offered him hardly missed, Dorian briefly struggling to maintain that look of composure lest he chuckle at the poor fellow.

Those directions, it seemed, were not nearly so informative as they might have been. Each of those doors down that hall near identical. Sebastian's assurance they might as well start at one and work their way downward met with his own nod. The notion of it quite ridiculous and yet there was nothing to be done for it, he supposed, Dorian making his way through two doors and their subsequent rooms before that third door so managed to yield at least something of a result. That near exquisite room softly appearing before him as those lights illuminated that space. This room far more....personal than any other in that home so far. That space seeming to contain Matteo's very life within it. The room scattered with photographs and portraits and that collection of small, personal items surely of importance to the Frenchman in some fashion or another. His fingers reached easily for one photograph then, Alexander and Matteo both near beaming from behind that glass, that pair of horses pictured behind them. How rare it was to see Alexander smile like that! His gaze squinting softly as he read that description, shifting that photograph just so to allow Sebastian to see it in turn. The vampire commenting upon the impossibility of ever truly knowing how many battles that pair of men had seen.

"He never speaks of this, not any of it, why ever does he not?"

His gaze turned back towards his lover then, one hand gesturing gently to those shelves lined with photographs and those rows of albums beneath, even if he so hardly anticipated Sebastian might hold that answer. How many people Matteo had met! How many places he had seen! Yet how little the Fae ever spoke of it, such a thought content to linger within his mind before his gaze fell upon that singular painted portrait so given pride of place in that room. How long it had been since he had since a painting of that style and shade, the Fae King content to move towards that very piece, his fingers lifted to brush that golden frame. He would know Matteo anywhere and yet that woman pictured within his embrace he knew perhaps even better, her hair the very same shade as his own. The Monarch hardly capable of keeping that touch of emotion from his voice then. After all, it had been far longer than he could recall since he had looked upon a portrait of his mother. This, perhaps, the singular image that existed of Matteo and his mother together. A portrait of such a thing nothing short of scandalous and yet how lovely it was.

Dorian was hardly oblivious to the fashion in which his lover's arms encircled him then. Sebastian's chin resting upon his shoulder as Dorian leaned easily back into the man, that warm simper finding his own lips as his gaze glanced back up towards that picture at his Consort's utterance of the love that seemed to emanate from within it. How curious it was to see Matteo.....love someone. The Frenchman hardly uncaring even despite the awkwardness of sorts that existed between himself and the man and yet Matteo so eternally seemed to possess an air of nonchalance and playful good humour, his true emotions so rarely seen that to see a portrait capture them was near astounding. Those words uttered almost teasingly against his neck stirring that soft sound of amusement from within him, his head angling slightly back to press his lips to Sebastian's jaw. How simple those words yet how much they meant.

"Hmm, is that so? Do you know, I quite think you might love me even more when it is I show you our plans for this evening? I think I should like to photograph this though, might we really make a print of it? I should like that very much."

How on earth such a thing was done he hardly knew and yet that phone was fished from his pocket all the same, Dorian content to continue to lean against his lover, relishing that embrace, before taking several photographs of that portrait. That smile lingered upon his features at the mere sight of it before that sudden sound from the door itself saw the Monarch turn. Hugo politely clearing his throat once more in an effort to achieve their attention. Might I assist your Majesty and His Lordship in finding the appropriate door?

"Yes, thank you, Hugo. We unfortunately found the hallway to be in possession of rather a number of doors."

How difficult it was to keep a straight face in front of this fellow! How on earth Matteo tolerated such a formal servant Dorian hardly knew. His hand fitted within Sebastian's own once more then. Dorian affording that splendid painting a final look before moving to follow that near overly formal manservant from the room. The Fae pausing but once more to gesture to one other photograph situated in that room and draw his Consorts attention to it. That framed picture one of Sebastian and himself, placed right at the very front of that row. How pleasing it was, to find a photograph of the both of them so nestled within that room of memories. That promised car so stood ready and waiting the moment they so at last found themselves outside, that driver so briefly introducing himself as Phillip before holding open that door for the both of them. Dorian content to slide across that seat to make room for Sebastian beside him as that car pulled away from the drive. His fingers remaining entwined with his lovers own. That looks of amusement finding his features once more as he regarded the vampire then.

"I am quite sure Hugo has gone inside to tattle on us to Matteo for visiting that room. I think his very face might break if he were to smile."

That chuckle so easily hummed within his throat once more. Hugo not at all the sort of being he had pictured Matteo might keep within his staff and yet, he supposed, the man was at least sufficient at his job. That household running without fault. His gaze turned briefly to the countryside then.

"Have you decided which of those chateaus you intend to buy, Mon Cher? I know you have been thinking of them."

That almost knowing look found his features then, so much time spent within his lovers company affording him that very knowledge of just when a particular thought seemed to plague the vampire. Dorian so hardly opposed to the idea of having their own residence within France itself. After all, there was so much of that city he still desired to see!

"I fear I shall have to have you close your eyes shortly, Bastian. I fully intend to surprise you."

dorian aragona