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...Stolas, are you safe?

[It might take several long minutes before Stolas finally answers and when he does, he sounds tired.]

As safe as anyone can be after going through all that.

How about you? Are you safe?

[ He hears that in his tone, and that is, as they say, a "mood." ]

As much as one can be after all of that. I believe I lost track of you after the library. I apologize.

[ As if either of them were in their right minds then. ]

[It most definitely is. A very, VERY big mood.]

The library...? Ah, it's okay.

[Now he sounds a little embarrassed.]

I ran into a lot of people when I was...younger. I hope I wasn't too much trouble. I know I was a bit inquisitive at that age.

[They definitely weren't and Stolas feels like he might need to apologize to a few people for putting up with his child self.]

[ And he feels the immediate need to squash that before anything else. ]

You were positively charming. [ Perhaps even his old self was a bit of an easy mark in that regard; he was always a softer hand around kids, but he would have had something to say if there had actually been troubling behavior. He'd understand. But he isn't a pushover either. ] You apparently always have been.

[It's a pity he can't see the blush gracing Stolas's cheeks right now.]

I suppose I am, aren't I?

[Hopefully, that isn't a bad thing.]

Perhaps, this charming Prince might interest his favorite tailor in tea? Or perhaps we can just go for a walk some time.

[He's not sure if it's a good move to ask but, with everything that's happened, Stolas might be feeling a little bold. Especially after the entire timeline shennanigans.]

I would very much like that.

[ You should explain what you are doing, he tells himself. But he's not really certain how to begin with that. ]

I've checked in with a few since things started to quiet down. It just seems a poor time for anyone to be alone, especially if they are slower to settle again. So I wanted to be certain you were well.

[Warmth floods his voice at the acceptance.]

I'm glad. Perhaps this afternoon? Unless you're busy of course. Then I am willing to wait until you're free.

[With the chaos they just endured and finding out that Blitz is no longer there, Stolas is...absolutely not letting someone else he cares about drift away. So while he may be bold, he's also a little nervous.]

I haven't quite had a moment to check on the others just yet. I'm still trying to settle back in myself so having company, especially company I enjoy, is very welcome.

[ His own voice is careful, but no less pleased. Haste isn't going to help him. ]

...This afternoon will be perfect.

I'm already in town. Is there anything I can bring, save you a trip later?

Wonderful! I'll put the kettle on so it's ready for when you arrive.

[He's probably going to be spending the next while trying to straighten up his house out of nervousness at this rate. But, at least Gold agreed to come over this afternoon and not make him wait?]

I don't think there's anything I desperately need, so, whatever you desire to eat while we have tea should be fine. I think I have enough to put together a few small sandwiches, but, nothing fancy.

[...He needs to go grocery shopping at some point.]

[ He will not be able to rush home and bake anything himself. He could use magic, of course, and maybe that's fine just this once. Normally, with time to plan, the effort is part of the importance.

No, better to just buy in town. Maybe zhuzh it up a bit at the end of it needs a little extra panache. ]

Something sweet or savory? Fancy as you like.

I think sweet would be nice and I don't think we need anything fancy really. It just has to be delicious to both of us.

[Which means that as long as Gold is the one bringing the sweets, Stolas is more than happy to eat them.]

I'll see what's on offer while I am in town.

[ And it will either be something he can recommend in confidence or they can both find out together if it's good or terrible and that will be enough adventuring for a while. ]

This afternoon, then.

Wonderful! I cannot wait to see what you pick up.

[An adventure in food sounds lovely after what they've been through. Stolas is pretty sure that's the only type of adventure he's willing to go on for the foreseeable future.]

I'll be waiting.

[ True to his word, Gold finishes running errands in town and appears at Stolas' home in the afternoon, with a bundle of what appeared to be Florentines. He decided they looked nice enough without any interference from him. Simple but rather pretty, and with more effort than expected given what everyone was coming down from. That made them seem fitting.

He doesn't know what this is. But it feels different. Different enough that when he thought of someone like Loki, looked at their relationship and now confidently could call that friendship? Remembered he had used that word to describe this sooner? And it felt very different, still?

Well, he needs to acknowledge that, and be aware of all the things that could interfere with, or make worse if handled incorrectly, with some care. Even if he is not certain what that means right now.

He is careful to wipe any doubt or trepidation from his features before knocking. Perhaps things are still too heavy to fully smile, even before the world went insane it was like that. But he can be pleasant, at least.

Wants to be, even. ]

As promised.

Edited 2024-09-25 14:12 (UTC)

[By the time Gold arrives, Stolas has been nervously tidying up his house to the point where his place looks immaculate, with the exception of his bedroom. That room is still a mess with clothes strewn about because Stolas couldn't decide exactly on what outfit he wanted to wear.

Eventually, he settles on a nice off white shirt with a blue and gold vest and dark grey pants that go to his knees. Every item of clothing had one very important thing in common. They were made by Gold.

Stolas keeps fussing with his appearance, feeling a bit nervous as he waits for Gold to arrive. The last time he felt like this was...When Blitzy asked him out to Ozzy's. That had been a disaster of a date but, the nervousness he felt before that? It was back.

Only this time, Stolas is aware of why he's nervous and...He's hoping this won't turn out badly.

So when Gold arrives, Stolas is trying not to look as nervous as he is when he smiles to let him in and notices the Florentines and that smile becomes a little less nervous.]

Thank you. I'm sure they will go nicely with tea.

[He steps aside to let him in before leading the way to the kitchen where the kettle is already heated up and there's two cups waiting for them, ready to have hot water and tea added.]

What kind of tea do you suggest to pair with these?

[ He can't help but notice the choice in clothing. First the vest, of course. (Blue intensifies the silvers in his plumage and makes his eyes brighter.)

But every piece he makes he does so with care and he would know his own work down to every unique stitch. He's made several for Stolas and is just as happy to make them as the Prince seemed to be to wear them.

But seeing a full ensemble right now? It feels telling. It feels hopeful and intentional, and Gold is having to tell himself not to fool himself. If he is reading that wrong it will make things uncomfortable for both of them.

But with no promises of anything, it is still a high compliment that he's glad of. The smile is more there, more genuine. It overshadows any faint blush that touches his face. ]

I am still so pleased you chose that color.

[ That feels like an overreach. Inwardly, he can feel himself pulling back, uncertain. Change the subject. Oh, a question to answer! ]

The shop recommended unsweetened tea or coffee. Because of the fruitier notes, my first thought is earl grey?

[Well, Stolas IS going for hopeful and intentional so Gold isn't fooling himself, even if he thinks he might be. In fact, his compliment makes Stolas blush a little himself as he smooths his hands down the front of the vest, pleased that the outfit he chose specifically for this garnered attention.]

I'm happy to know someone so skilled that could recommend such a wonderful color on me.

[That blush only gets a little deeper as Stolas wishes it away and turns his attention fully towards the tea in his always growing collection.]

Earl Grey does sound like it would be a nice fit. Perhaps with a little milk and sugar? Though, I think honey might fit a little better.

[He's already pulling out the items in question as he speaks. After everything is out, he pauses and fidgets with the handle of his chosen cup. ]

I really am glad you made it through the chaos. It was worrying when everyone got separated as we were.

[ Once inside he definitely notes the extra care taken to cleaning; it's not that he reads Stolas as a messy person, but at different turns and for different reasons, they have both been going through it, so he has always been patiently aware. It is just that where Gold may overtidy when he has too much on his mind (if he doesn't just sink into spinning and forget everything else), turning to tasks to fill his mind to stop himself thinking and feeling, others could be the sort that cannot use that energy the same way. Stolas has always come off as that kind of person when stressed.

So the state of the home, the choice of clothing. He's doing the math. ]

The shop did recommend trying it without sugar or honey first. These -- [ Are these even cookies? They have more of a base in nuts, fruits, some manner of syrup and chocolate over flour. ] -- are apparently very sweet on their own and call for a touch of contrast.

[ He may have chosen poorly. To give his hands something to do he helps himself to a plate (he's been here enough times for tea to know his way around the kitchen) for the florentines and sets them neatly at the center of the table.

A tint of crimson at his cheeks, at the situation? At the presumption? ]

Likewise. But...I am very difficult to get rid of, all things told. And...I don't intend to leave at least until I have fulfilled my bargain. [ At least. However long that takes. ] Which I suppose means I have consigned myself to be without much of what I left behind. I think it's the only way to stay sane here.

[ He has to believe that staying here will save Neal. And he cannot keep breaking his heart whenever he sees that other Belle in town and then wasting away in the garden waiting. ]

Edited 2024-09-26 12:31 (UTC)

[To be fair, it's not difficult math to do. Stolas's own reaction to stress can sometimes be rather telling. Especially when it comes to something or someone he likes.

He listens to the recommendations about the cookie? Sweet or whatever it might be classified with and nods, choosing to put the honey and sugar away for the moment as Gold moves around his kitchen. It's a sight he's seen before considering how often they tend to have tea together, but, today it makes him smile a little more.]

Then we will try them without additional sweets. If we feel the need for them, they won't be far.

[Once the florentines are on the table, he brings over the tea and the tea cups before setting the kettle on a little hotpad on the table.]

I think being difficult to be rid of might apply to both of us. Which, might be a good thing all things considered.

[He pauses a moment as he starts fiddling with the placement of the teapot as his nervousness starts to show a little.]

Honestly, I don't think either one of us might be leaving soon. I'm not exactly sure what my deal might have entailed but, I have a feeling part of it might have already been fulfilled. Then again, perhaps not.

I just know that some of the things I've gained here may be better than some of the things I left behind.

[Even if he does miss Octavia dearly, he's...doubting his feelings for Blitz after his time here, especially now that he's no longer there. Though, that has opened up a new avenue that he's hoping won't...Stolas draws in a deep breath and forces himself to stop fiddling before taking his seat and motioning for Gold to join him.]

That is to say, I think.. in a few cases, I might have found something better than what I left behind.

[ Gold settles into what has become a more familiar place across from him. That last bit probably catches him more by surprise than expected. It gets lumped into all the other conclusions his mind is drawing, and lumping it in with all that feels like a step too far. But there is a possibility there that takes the wind out of him for an instant.

And he is realizing that even if he is reading this all wrong, they are both going to be in this strange limbo where all that can be done is worry and speak half-truths, if they're in same or even similar boats. ]

I...don't want to ruin the setting by being the way I have been the last couple months. Or saying the wrong thing -- and I am very good at saying the wrong thing on my way toward figuring out what would have been correct. But it is becoming clear that something should be said.

[ Even if it ruins tea. And hopefully not what is at the very least a friendship but adds up to so much more he is having trouble defining.

A calming breath. ]

I found I admired you very quickly -- and making friends has never been easy for me. It's never been effortless to feel that way about someone who wasn't -- [ Well, his son. It's understood; he leaves it. ] It is strange to say that I do have friends here, and I am realizing that. Or at the very least many social connections that do not feel like business or obligation. They do not feel like this. [ And there is that feeling of a precipice again, of being in a pocket of airlessness. ] You were special and immediately so.

You were also in a relationship, and it felt respectful to keep my distance, and I mostly succeeded. I admit not to meddling -- but I felt compelled to speak to him, in your defense, once. Long enough to know I needed to stay out of it.

...I left a relationship behind, myself, back in my world. [ That feels crucial to say. He feels like he would be lying to himself if he didn't acknowledge it, and it would be dishonest not to explain. ] They are not here, and I would not wish this place on them. But Neal was never the only person I was hiking up to that garden to wait for. There's someone here, who is them, but isn't. They don't know me as anything but the old man who makes clothes in the shop and occasionally needs books. And every time they smile at me, it hurts so much, I want to die.

[ He's keeping it vague because he doesn't want to drag her into this; she has no idea anything is even wrong and doesn't need to. ]

After centuries of living, other than my son, this was my only -- anything. Friend? True love? But what that does to a person is they suddenly think any feeling toward another, no matter how innocent, must in turn be romantic. And it has taken being here for as long as I have to begin to see the differences.

The truth is that I feel something for you that is more than friendship, perhaps so many things at once that I have trouble defining it. That in itself is strange -- I adore words; seems unthinkable I should have trouble finding the right ones.

[ His hands come together atop the table, for a time his gaze fixed on them, like he's confessing to a crime, but at last he makes eye contact. ]

But I also adore you, Prince Stolas. I do not know what that means, or what form it will take going forward, if at all. We both have our wishes and homes that someday we will be returning to, stories there that will be told.

But here, I met you. And here, I want to see you happy.

Edited 2024-09-28 13:04 (UTC)

[Stolas relaxes a little as Gold settles into his seat. This is familiar and helps to ease his nerves slightly. At least, it did for a moment.

Once Gold starts speaking, Stolas is immediately listening. He's right, there's a lot that needs to...should be said. Stolas simply isn't good at this kind of thing and considering the last time he expressed his feelings for someone...

He had suspected that Gold admired him in some way and even nods slightly to acknowledge that yes, finding a connection with someone that wasn't their children is unexpected. As Gold continues to speak, his heart starts to feel like it's beating against his chest while butterflies feel like they just settled in his stomach.

It's surprising to hear that Gold spoke to Blitzo at some point in his defense. His relationship with the imp is...was...a mess. Just how much of a mess Stolas didn't really realize until they were both here. How may times did he try to fix his mistake with Blitzo and still end up...

Stolas draws in a deep breath and tries to banish the depressing thoughts to the best of his abilities. He needed to move on from it. Whatever is between him and Gold feels less like a chaotic whirlwind of obligations and lust of his last relationship and more...

He's not sure just how to describe it other than better.

It's also a little bit of a surprise to hear Gold admitting that he left a relationship behind as well and that there was someone here that reminded him of them. He doesn't have the faintest idea of who it might be and part of him isn't sure he wants to know.

But, what really steals his breath away is hearing Gold admit he has feelings for him that go beyond friendship. Stolas can feel his own anxiety spike and for once, it feels like it's in a good way. A sort of anticipation that this might be a moment that will change things for the better if he can just...

Just acknowledge his own feelings for once in his life.

He reaches for Gold's hands and gently places his own on top of them once he finishes, not daring to break eye contact as a smile starts to grace his features.]

For someone who says he's lacking the right words, I think you may have found the perfect ones without realizing it.

[He then shifts their hands so he can lace his finger's with Gold's. It's strange seeing his dark claws intermingled with human hands but, he finds that perhaps, it's a little...perfect.]

I think it can be said for both of us that feelings aren't exactly things we can express perfectly with words. Hell knows I tend to fail in the moments where it really counts.

Except, this time I don't intend on failing. I won't lie, you've seen the last relationship I was in and how much of a shit show it was. Blitz and I...it was toxic. It was built on lust and obligations that I forced on him. Then when I attempted to change it to hopefully make things better, it..

[He sighs.]

I've spent months trying to reach out to him and get nothing back. In that time trying, I've also come to realize that there was someone here that I felt drawn to more than I ever did to him.

[His smile is back as he gently holds Gold's hands.]

What I'm also trying to say is that I also adore you, Gold. I'm not sure what words to apply to this other than you are a steady, grounding presence in my life and spending time with you makes me happy.

Like, ridiculously happy if I'm being honest with myself.

[He manages to look a little sheepish, but that also doesn't stop him from just opening up the floodgates about how he feels. There's something encouraging knowing that his feelings may be reciprocated this time.]

Whatever this is between us, I want it to keep going. It's definitely more than friendship and while I'm hesitant to apply a label, I want to see it grow and to see what happens with you, with us.

I know that some day one of us may end up going home, whether our wishes are met or by Vaeros being a grumpy asshole. But, I don't want that to stop us from moving forward with this, if you are willing to find out with me?

I want you to be happy too. And if that means we're happy together, than lets be happy together.

...If I am being honest, I was waiting for the moment where something I said would ruin everything.

[ Which is probably why he kept talking.

There's time that Gold doesn't look down at their hands, joined, because he is too entranced to turn his eyes anywhere else but at Stolas' own. It's all of the ways that they differ, as one human born to one Hellborn, but there is still something whole and familiar. The ways in which they were immediately similar, ways that other people did not have as qualities themselves. The parts that he didn't pull out for business, the softer things. The secret things. The things that once or twice he shared, but only with someone, not alongside them.

There is also that core of dark magic that swims in his blood and feels something kin to it. Some element that darkness was tied to long ago, some thread of the Enchanted Forest's tapestry that once weaved within the Hells as well but too long ago for anyone living to remember.

There are the immediate ways that they differ, just as two beings from very different worlds, illustrated perfectly in the intertwining of fingers. Stolas' talons could easily overtake him but seem in their own way gentle, methodical, fine. All while underscoring something similar in his own hands, long fingers that are slow but very certain, specific, soft. All of it less seen as anything deterring, as distinction. ]

You really must forgive me. I was so prepared for this to go very very wrong that now I'm uncertain what to do with myself.

[ And as though on cue, the kettle starts to whistle. It immediately gives him something to do, though notable that he doesn't remove his hands. His eyes flicker briefly, and the kettle gently removes itself from the heat.

He affords Stolas' hands a last, reassuring squeeze before he begins to serve them. ]

If I may... And -- I want to be clear I could see you were in a bad way when we met. It certainly wasn't my ambition to...steal anyone. I had faith things would turn out. I wanted that for you, and I saw some similarities in what either of you were willing to show me. [ So perhaps that was why. ]

[Saved by the kettle. He almost removes his hand to let Gold go so one of them could get the kettle. Almost. He saw it start to move on it's own as he turns his head just slightly to watch.

There's a little hint of amusement in his eyes as Gold pulls away to serve them. The little squeeze makes his heart flutter a little.]

Honestly? I was sort of afraid of the same thing by speaking up. I wasn't really prepared for well, both of us liking each other.

[Again he looks a little sheepish. He was half expecting to be brushed off or told he was an idiot or something. While he doesn't expect violence from Gold, he was expecting...maybe a cold rebuke and potentially loosing a dear friend.

Not this, and Stolas is definitely relieved by this turn of events. And Stolas will admit for most of his stay here, he hasn't been in the best headspace. Blitzo tended to make him...

Crazy. Anxious, worried...depressed. All things that left Stolas feeling utterly helpless until things slowly started to turn for the better.]

A bad way might be putting it mildly and having Blitz here didn't help.

[He sighs and runs a hand over his plumage.]

And whether you meant to or not, I'm rather happy to have been 'stolen' in this respect. You at least don't spark my anxiety to be through the roof or send me into a depressive spiral. Quite the opposite really. Spending time with you is comforting and relaxing. Even when we barely talk and just spend time near each other, it sparks happiness that I've grown rather fond of cherishing.

I'm happy you had faith that things would turn out because, well. Here we are. So I suppose, we should figure out where to go from here?

[He looks over to him, curious and maybe a little hopeful.]

Whatever we decide to do, I'd like to take it slow. After the chaotic whirlwind of my last relationship, I think slow would be the best way to go.

[ He was rooting for Blitzo to get his shit together. There were definitely things he saw of himself in there. Louder and more vulgar, but there was something familiar.

But shifting the subject to what comes next is a bit of a relief, even if he has no immediate answers. ]

This is new for me in a number of respects. So slow is...much appreciated.

[ Has he been in a romantic relationship with another man before? No. Has he been attracted to any before? Yes. Done anything? Yes. (In a labyrinth very much like this one; there was a cursed peach, a work colleague he was on fairly friendly terms with, there were no hard feelings afterward and they parted ways amicably.) Has he ever been in a relationship with someone who wasn't human? Also no. There are a lot of blind spots here and time to figure out what the rules are and what he should be doing is very needed. ]

And there are already so many things that are complicated or difficult. About this place. About each of us. I don't see reason to create more problems, not in this.

[ Especially not when it has become a normal thing to come together in search of something uncomplicated when things are a mess. ]

I suppose the chief worry that remains then is admitting that I have no idea what I am doing. It's not a familiar place for me; I'm usually the one that knows about everything.

After the Event - Audio | UN: mister.gold

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