he was both everything you could ever want
and nothing you could ever have

It was almost typical of the vampire to visit those various locations in the world solely for the intent of experiencing the musical scene they had to offer him. Those operas and ballets were a glimpse of that old world that he had lost - they were a hail back to the days of his youth when such plays were the height of society. His head bobbed ever so slightly in confirmation of that short visit to the Oslo opera house, and yet, truly, very little was required to prompt the vampire to travel - at least, not before Dorian. He hardly bothered to correct his lover, however. "I saw Havard Gimse. He's a pianist from Norway. He played with his brother Oyvind, who is a cellist." They were far more modern composers, as far as Sebastian was concerned and yet, they had been enjoyable to watch all the same, even though he doubted Dorian would have heard either of these men's names. He watched as the fae King's fingers brushed once more against that stone nose, that simple affection his lover provided to that statue prompted a soft simper upon the vampire's features. It was little things like this that made the vampire fall in love with his husband all over again.

That soft tug of Dorian's hand against his own prompted the vampire to trail after his lover as they made their way towards that small church. The building was nothing short of quaint in comparison to those cathedrals that the fae Monarch was certainly used to. In fact, it quite reminded him of that church in Belton, particularly with the soft dusting of snow that so settled underfoot. Even Sebastian could hardly deny he quite liked the place if only for how much it reminded him of home. That sudden inquiry of how the building would fit all those who intended to visit tonight, however, prompted little more than a chuckle on the vampire's lips. He was quick to assure the man that all of the people would not be attending tonight's service, even though he was entirely certain Dorian scarcely understood exactly how small the Christian faith was within that foreign country. As it was, the King seemed to accept that simple fact as they headed upwards and towards the open doors of the church. The priest seemed altogether exuberant to see them, the man near excitable in those welcoming words he offered the vampire. Even Sebastian hadn't excepted such a warm reception, and it wasn't entirely due to their often controversial relationship. Rather, there were decidedly few places that welcomed his own species into the fold. Stockholm, it seemed, was nothing short of receptive of all walks of life.

Soon enough, however, they were ushered inside, the pair choosing a pew of their own to settle in, only to be greeted with the same level of enthusiasm by a nearby family. The Prince made every effort to appear entirely amicable towards the small family, those Swedish greetings returned with that near famous British politeness. Once those pleasantries had been exchanged, however, the couple was largely left to their own, quite thankfully. The sound of Dorian's voice near immediately drew Sebastian's attention from his astute inspection of those stained glass window panes. That Italian he was offered, however, prompted a small nod from the vampire as he admitted that not only was Stockholm not unique, but too that there were places still so against them that to even step foot was more akin to a death wish. That frown upon his lover's features was almost....endearing, in a way. That stubbornness all too clear as Dorian crossed his arms over his chest. Sebastian could hardly help that chuckle that left his lips at that statement of ending trade negotiations with those countries that would hardly approve of their union. While Sebastian had long since accepted that the world at large would not approve, and while he too had long since decided Dorian was worth that very thing, it seemed the fae Monarch had not realized exactly how much of the world was against them. It was sweet that he was willing to show his irritation in a fashion that would have such an impact.

That shift in the music drew the vampire's attention away from his lover, the announcement of that page within the hymn book caused the Prince to reach out for that very book. He flipped through those pages, placing the book between them both. That squeeze of Dorian's hand within his own caused his gaze to shift to the man and yet, even despite that inquiring look he gave his lover, his own fingers gingerly returned that affectionate gesture. His own voice joined in with the congregation at those Swedish lyrics written within that book, that hymn going on for several minutes before the Priest took his place at the pulpit. He listened acutely to that lesson the pastor chose to convey to the parish, those words recited with the same memorized ease. Even despite how peaceful that very mass had been, Sebastian found himself glad, all the same, when those final words were spoken to release the group. The Englishman followed his husband out of that pew and down the aisle, only to pause beside the King as the fae lingered upon those church steps. They were hardly left alone long, however, as several members of that parish came by to greet them.

It was sometime later that the couple was finally released from the community and truthfully Sebastian was almost glad by the time they were able to step away. His gaze turned towards his lover and that warm grin upon his husband's features. Those words, however even served to coax a simper upon Sebastian's face. "We could always purchase a home here, and vacation in Italy in during the Midnight Sun." It was, as far as Sebastian was concerned, the complete truth. He was entirely okay with leaving behind that estate in Sacrosanct and taking up residence in Stockholm, their family was more than capable of moving. All that truly mattered to the vampire was Dorian. The place was irrelevant. Maxwell, he was sure, would enjoy Stockholm all the same. It was certainly an idea to be toyed with, particularly considering how much they both liked the city's atmosphere and the city seemed equally as fond of them.

That walk back to the hotel hardly took long at all and yet, the moment that the pair stepped back into the warmth of that hotel lobby, Sebastian was reminded, once again, of being banned from that suite for half of an hour. He could hardly help that sigh upon his lips as his gaze followed Dorian's hand to that cafe. "All righttttt." The vampire uttered, those syllables were drawn out in an almost whining fashion. That kiss upon his cheek hardly helped with that pout upon his lips and yet, for the moment, he was content to simply stand there and watch the Monarch's retreating form. His eyebrows furrowed ever so slightly as he turned towards that cafe, meandering towards it with an almost sluggish pace. There was hardly a long line within the Grand Cafe and as of such, the vampire found himself settled at a table beside the window with a coffee in hand but a mere moment's later. His fingers flicked against that screen of his phone, the vampire entirely inclined to use that half hour he had to check in on his own business and his estates in England. It was the exact sort of thing he had scolded Dorian from doing and yet - what else was he supposed to entertain himself with for so long?

He was thankful, really when nearly half an hour later, that text came across the screen of that cellular device. His own cup was already empty, that pastry he'd purchased had already been eaten, and nearly his entire inbox was already responded to. He tucked his phone into his pocket, that empty cup tossed in the trash as he approached that bar once again, ordering a second coffee to go. After all, he remembered well that creamy drink Dorian so often came home with after visiting his Godfather. It was only with the drink in tow that the vampire left that cafe, only to be stopped by the man standing at the front desk of the lobby. Those Swedish words near immediately drew his attention at that mention of that package he had been waiting for. Sebastian could scarcely help the grin upon his features as the fellow procured those very objects meant for Dorian's birthday, even if that actual day had already passed. A quick word of thanks was given to the man before the vampire turned back towards that elevator, boxes in one hand and coffee in the other.

It took some finagling, once he got to the door, to balance both those packages and that coffee with the electronic key card required to enter that suite. Eventually, however, the vampire managed, calling out to his lover upon entering. "Dorian, you'll never guess what finally arrived." A glimpse of bafflement crossed the vampire's features as he glanced up without his lover in sight. His eyebrows furrowed as that keycard was tossed on the table, those boxes following suit. "Dorian?" Sebastian inquired, making his way through that living room only to find the fae King settled upon their bed. That impish look upon the fae's features certainly saw the vampire pause and yet, truly, he tended to enjoy those very nights that started with Dorian upon their bed. His eyebrows rose ever so slightly at that mention of England and Easter and yet, it was that suggestion of hunting that so confused the Prince. "Hunting?" He inquired, unsure if Dorian was actually referring to that prospect of finding food or...something else entirely. That question, however, was answered but moments later with the admittance of chocolate eggs, that prospect of that game prompted a grin upon the vampire's features. This was exactly the sort of hunting he was made for.

Slowly, the vampire climbed onto the bed, reaching for that basket with one hand only to offer the Monarch that coffee cup in exchange. "Not even one?" He inquired, waiting to be free of that coffee before the man reached up for that peculiar object he had seen upon the ceiling fan when he entered that bedroom. It had been out of place enough to notice and yet, now that he knew what it was, he could hardly help that satisfaction upon finding the first of those eggs. "Like this one?" He inquired as he plucked it from the ceiling fan. "How many are there?" The vampire continued, placing that egg in that basket, only for his bright blue eyes to turn near immediately towards the rest of the bedroom, already beginning to hunt for the rest. His nose twitched, clearly attempting to smell for those little pieces of chocolates only for his senses to be assaulted by that delectable scent of the Monarch that sat near him. "You're impending my hunt." The vampire commented with a wrinkle of his nose, the man hardly even waiting for an answer on that inquiry of how many before he had moved off that bed and through the suite, fully intent upon finding those eggs. That first vague brush was already proving fruitful, several of those more obvious eggs on the table and on the shelf easily pilfered and yet, he suspected well the King was far more mischievous than that. Oh no, Sebastian had little qualms of near tearing that hotel room apart in search of those little eggs, particularly with no help and no one stopping him.

Sebastian Ellington-Aragona