#in case it wasn't understandable he is drawing his brothers in the dirt because he misses them

[goldenboywrites]

northern attitude

"I have never once blindly followed your brother." He countered, letting the cloth roam through the water for a moment. He could see where Quin would have gained that thought. "When we see him after all of this I'll have him tell you of them time the pair of us first snuck out from under your parents' noses." And while it was a light hearted memory, it wasn't the only time. He sighed again and began to wash the other side of Quintus' back, watching the suds mingle with whatever bits of dirt and sweat that were released from his body. He couldn't disregard what the other had said. And he hadn't but he truly just wanted a moment where they weren't looking over their shoulders. Slowly he washed the rest of Quintus' back and opted for a bottle of oils and soap for hair. He suds up the concoction between his already wet hands, kneeling up to hover just over the other. "I know it isn't safe." He admitted, working his fingers through the other's hair. This wasn't the moment he'd intended to have. In fact he was fairly certain this would have been the last thing to ever happen. But you don't bite the hand that feeds you. And be it because he was truly exhausted or Quitus didn't mind this. Whatever it was, Cesare couldn't stop the smile that crept up on his face. "I know it is very hard for you to even see safety should it grace you. But ..." And he knew it to be a fool's wish, but couldn't it be something? Just once? "I don't know. I just .." He sighed, feeling himself starting to get a little ahead of where he needed to be. "I just thought the first time you came here it would be ... enjoyable." It was stupid the way he felt about it. And he knew that it wasn't truly his fault or Quin's. But wouldn't it have been nice to let Quin really see this place. It'd been at the forefront of most of his thoughts as of late. Not that Quin would know that. Thankfully Max wasn't here to rub it in his face. Though Gods knew he wished that were the case. "I understand though." He finally conceded, finally satisfied with how clean the hair was going to be. His fingers untangled from Quintus' hair and he leaned over the tub, grasping the tall pitcher next. The water flowed out as he brushed through the other's hair and he smiled so softly as he watched the eyes flutter shut and it looked for a moment as if there were some peace in that room. "If it's unyielding fealty you're after from me ..." His tone soft as ever. "You've had it for quite some time. And if it means I need to trust you completely then I will." He set the pitcher down and moved to the side of the tub, toweling off his hands and forearms. "I'm always going to give my opinion to you. I'd never second guess you openly but so long as you at least hear me out then I can follow your lead." He wasn't sure he'd actually get that agreement but he knew if it was at least said then it was up to Quin as to what he did with it. "Besides." He continued, drawing himself up onto his knees once more. His arms crossed over the tub's edge and he found himself of the newly cleaned man. "Tonight there isn't much to be done. Father's going to insist we mingle regardless. At least for a little while. You can feign exhaustion and I'll help you to your quarters." He shrugged, it all sounding perfectly innocent to him. "In the morning we can plan out our next move. Whatever it may be." He chewed his lower lip nervously, his head dipping slightly. "Deal?"

If it’s unyielding fealty you’re after from me you’ve had it for quite some time.

Quin gasped softly at Cesare’s words, which shocked him to his core. Never, aside from his brother, was trust given to him so willingly. If anything, everyone around him seemed to air on the side of distrust. Part of his uncle’s strategic manipulation, no doubt. But to hear Cesare say that, in that moment, was everything. 

He turned to look at the prince and only saw sincerity in his face. It warmed his cheeks. Cesare continued to talk about trusting Quin. About doing this his way as long as Quin accepted hearing the prince’s opinions. Which he could do, begrudgingly. It was everything he had wanted to hear and more. It was like Quin had been waiting for his moment his entire life. Where he finally didn’t feel alone. He had someone who would follow his lead, who would help him, someone who would have his back. 

Quin leaned forward and reached for Cesare, wrapping a wet hand around the back of his neck and pulling him forward as he leaned in to meet him halfway. Their lips crushed together, Quin’s tongue running along Cesare’s bottom lip until he allowed him entrance. He heard water hit the floor as he leaned further out of the bathtub. He could imagine Cesare’s pants soaked with his bathwater but it didn’t matter because they were kissing. Quin could have this. Quin would have this. Finally, he could trust enough to have a normal relationship with someone he had been in love with for years. 

He shook himself out of his daydream. Realizing that he had been staring at Cesare’s lips and hadn’t moved or spoken in a handful of moments. His hands hadn’t reached for the man, their lips hadn’t met. There wasn’t a waterfall of water spilling out from the tub in between them.

If only it could be that easy. If only he were brave enough outside of his mind to kiss the prince. But their reality was that he wasn’t. He couldn’t. Despite what Cesare was saying, their engagement was off before it even started. The probability of Quin even living to the end of this was slim. He cleared his dry throat and turned away from Cesare, leaning his back against the tub again. Quin tried very hard not to be distracted by Cesare’s hands hanging over the edge of the tub. “Fine,” He said, avoiding Cesare’s gaze because he was irritated at himself and knew if he looked at Cesare he would take it out on him. “I accept those conditions.”

Quin could feel his toes pruning from being in the bath for so long but he couldn’t very well get out after imaging kissing Cesare due to a particular problem he was having below the water. He had already reached the boundary of his privacy by allowing the prince to bathe him. He couldn’t push himself any further. “I’ll manage through tonight’s activities just fine as long as you keep your cousin away from me. I will not offend your father or your people by leaving early. I need them all to see that I am not what my uncle has made me out to be so when he comes here to collect me they’ll be on my side. I lack support in Vivec because they believe I made an attempt on Maximus’ life.” Quin inhaled sharply at his own words, hating the fact that it was even a thought in his people’s heads. “If I fuck up here I might as well serve myself up on a platter for my uncle. I’ll be out of options.”

#northern attitude