Say No To This

@ sun spirit

"I thought I'd given you them all, but there were so many some of them got lost in all the stuff on my desk. I have a new pile, we could give them to her when she comes back." Elwin suggested, happily returning her kiss with a grin before he headed to his wardrobe to pull out something less formal and more comfortable. If he was taking the day -or the week- off, he was going to enjoy himself.

He returned a few minutes later, still working on the ties on his shirt, but he looked much more relaxed and comfortable, like he used to when they were younger, before he was king and appearance mattered. He smiled as she spoke about their lessons, nodding a little as he sat next to her at the edge of the bed. "Alright.. How about I stay here for a few hours, take a nap, read some, whatever, and I'll come to the infirmary for my lesson, then after we could have dinner?"

---

Aerith was glad that he understood her predicament, kissing him again as he tightened his arms around her. Although, she gave him a confused look at the grin that formed on his lips, and when he used his magic -something she'd never seen him do before- to bring the plate over and reveal the honey tarts, she let out a surprised gasp as her eyes widened, beaming when he revealed the surprise. "Honey tarts!" She exclaimed, turning to look up at him happily. "You remembered. Thank you, they're perfect." She pressed a loving kiss to his lips in thanks before pulling away to reach for one of the tarts, biting into it with a happy him before offering him a bite too.

@ katahdin

“I’m sure she’d like that. As far as I know, Aer kept everything I already gave her,” Ceren answered, smiling a bit when Elwin returned and she saw him still working the ties on his shirt, something he seemed to have trouble with semi-frequently. She shook her head, and as he sat down next to her, she stepped forward and took over for him, making sure the ties were done up securely. “That sounds perfect,” she grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning in to kiss him. “You enjoy some time to yourself. I’ll see you in a bit.” With one last kiss, Ceren pulled away and made her way back to the infirmary.

---

Though he knew he’d told Aerith he had magic before, Nyrel had forgotten that he’d never showed her until he saw the look on her face, in general not using his magic much, especially since it was actually a little weak and it wasn’t as if he could do much of anything useful. However, her amazement at seeing magic was tempered by honey tarts, and he laughed as she thanked him with a kiss and immediately picked one up. “You’re more than welcome,” he responded, kissing her forehead, then smiled and took a bite out of the tart she held in her hand when she offered him a bite. He didn’t love them the way she did, but he did enjoy one every now and then.

@ sun spirit

Elwin smiled up at her sheepishly as she had to step forward and finish tying the ties on his shirt. "I always mess up.. Thank you for helping me." He pulled her closer to press a quick kiss to her lips, kissing her again as she agreed to their plans for the afternoon. "Alright, have fun in the infirmary." He grinned, reluctantly releasing her before moving to settle down into bed with a book. It wasn't long before he was sound asleep, despite having wanted to read for a while, all the stress from earlier in the day having really tired him out. He even slept through when they were supposed to meet in the infirmary, still snoring softly into his pillow at dinner time.

---

Aerith smiled up at him as he took a bite, pressing a kiss to his cheek before snuggling into his arms while she finished her tart, humming happily as she played with the ties of her nightgown absent-mindedly. She'd have to find a way to surprise him, somehow, and she made a mental note to ask Bartras about what Nyrel liked tomorrow whenever she saw him. Once she was finished with her tart she rested her head against his chest, forcing herself to only eat one honey tart, so that she'd have more for tomorrow and not have a stomach ache on her wedding night. She gently brushed her fingers along his jaw, smiling up at him adoringly.

@ katahdin

When Ceren got back to the infirmary, she felt more relaxed than she had in days, and finding that someone else had finished sorting the herbs she had been working on before being summoned by the Council, she went ahead and prepared Elwin’s exercise. She left it on her desk as she went to work, and though she wondered what he was doing when, hours later, he didn’t show up, she guessed he was enjoying his break and left it alone until dinner time came and still he hadn’t made an appearance.

She decided to go to him then, making it all of two steps in his room before she paused, realizing he was fast asleep. If she had to guess, he’d missed his lesson because he’d been sleeping then too. He had to be completely exhausted. She was afraid to wake him, knowing he needed the sleep, and only after scanning around to make sure no candles were burning, she slipped back out of the room and gently closed the door behind her, letting the guards know that he wasn’t to be disturbed for the rest of the night.

After that, she made her way to the kitchens, where she usually had dinner if she wasn’t dining with Elwin, and as she ate, she made the request that Elwin be served breakfast in bed the next morning, listing some of his favorite breakfast foods. And though she was a healer, they seemed to know this was a personal request, not made out of worry for a patient, the Head Cook practically melting as she promised the king would have his breakfast from her first thing. Ceren blushed, enduring some light teasing and comments about how cute they were together and how lucky she was, though when she finished her meal, she thanked everyone again and quickly made her way back to her room, where she washed, changed, and did a little reading before she finally went to sleep.

Ceren was awake with the dawn the next day, and she dressed in her usual attire, meant for work around an infirmary, and practical slippers, then braided her hair back. She stopped by the kitchens for a quick breakfast, where she was assured Elwin’s breakfast was already on its way to him, and then she made her way to the infirmary, the first one there as usual. Only a handful of the healers lived within the castle walls, the others commuting from their homes within the city, though everyone took shifts to ensure that someone was available during all hours of the day. There had only been a few times that Ceren herself hadn’t relieved the night-shift since she’d been appointed Royal Healer, which was the first thing she did she walked in, bidding them a good rest as she headed to her office and the paperwork she’d slowly whittled down into a manageable pile.

---

Nyrel smiled as Aerith happily enjoyed her honey tart, holding her close as she finished it off and then, amazingly enough, didn’t reach for another, instead seeming to settle into him. Well, they had both eaten quite a bit for dinner, so maybe she was full, although he’d expected a whole plate to tempt her into eating more than just one. “Do they taste funny?” He asked, smiling softly down at her as she reached up and trailed her fingers along his jaw, though he couldn’t really do the same since it was largely his arms keeping her in place in his lap.

@ sun spirit

Somehow, despite falling asleep so early, Elwin managed to sleep all the way through the night, only waking when the sun came pouring in through the windows. He sat up with a tired groan, looking around sleepily before realizing what time it was when breakfast was delivered to him, courtesy of Ceren. He thanked the maid and happily ate the sausages and toast and eggs that had been brought to him, saving the strawberries to bring to Ceren. Once done with breakfast he changed into a simple shirt and pants, looking rather relaxed and comfortable, and grabbed the little dish before heading to the infirmary, knocking lightly on the door to her office.

"Cer? You in here yet?" He asked as he opened the door, although he knew she had to be, considering the time. He smiled sheepishly as he set the strawberries down on her desk, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead, his hair still a little disheveled from bed. "Sorry I missed our lessons.. I was asleep."

---

She shook her head a little as he asked if they tasted funny. "No, I just want to save them for later." Aerith murmured softly, smiling up at him as her fingers brushed over his lips gently, a bit of honey from the tarts still on them. After a moment or two and sat up a little so she wasn't putting as much pressure on his arms, pressing a small kiss to the tip of his nose as she looked at him. "Now that we've had dinner and dessert, what do we do now? Most weddings have things to do, like dancing and talking and whatnot, but it's just us, so there's no one to talk to, and I don't know how to dance.."

@ katahdin

Hearing the knock on her door, Ceren turned, expecting it to be one of her healers, though she smiled as she saw Elwin at the same moment that she heard him. “I’m here,” she confirmed, noticing the strawberries he’d brought as well as his messy hair. “Don’t be! I went to check on you around dinner yesterday and saw you sleeping. I knew you needed it,” she said as she turned towards him and ran her fingers through his hair, smoothing it out a little. “Did you come to rub your strawberries in my face?” she teased.

---

“Okay, just making sure,” Nyrel said, pressing a light kiss to her fingers when she brushed them over his lips and tasting honey after he had. Gods, if he ever kissed her and tasted dirt or anything else… they were going to have to have a talk about washing. She distracted him from that line of thought when she asked what they were going to do, and while he may have been tempting to suggest continuing to sit there and kiss, her admission of not knowing how to dance caught him off guard. “You too?” He’d already told Ceren he would teach her for her wedding, though he guessed he shouldn’t be surprised that Aerith didn’t know either. “Well, it might just be us, but I could teach you if you wanted. I’m a patient instructor, I promise.”

@ sun spirit

Elwin smiled as he took his usual seat, laughing when she asked if he were going to run the strawberries in her face, pushing the dish closer to her. "Actually, I came by to share. I know you like them, and I got full after eating everything else, and I didn't want them to go to waste." He explained as she ran her fingers through his hair, closing his eyes with a content little hum before looking at her with a grin. "I can rub them in your face though, if you'd prefer." He teased, picking on up and moving it toward her face like he was going to run it against her cheek.

---

"You'd teach me how to dance?" She asked excitedly, shifting in his lap until she could stand, stretching a bit before turning to him and holding her hands out invitingly. "Papa used to dance with me on his feet, and he promised he'd get me lessons when I was older, but they died before he ever got around to it.. I'm sorry if I step on your feet, though." She looked up at him as she waited for his first instructions.

"Maybe only one quick dance because it's late? Then we should probably do something else, like kiss more or go to bed." She murmured softly, playing with tie ties on his shirt quietly. She wasn't going to ask, but she wondered about doing the 'wedding tradition,' and how exactly it would happen if it did happen.

@ katahdin

“Hmm, I can’t say no to strawberries,” Ceren smiled, letting her hand fall as she realized fixing his hair was hopeless, and it would stay just where it wanted. When moved to rub the strawberry against her face, she laughed, leaning back as she picked up her own strawberry to defend herself with. “I’ll take you with me!” She warned with a grin as she held the strawberry like a shield, leaving it close to his face.

---

For someone who hadn’t wanted to get up even to retrieve her surprise, Aerith hopped up with at the promise of dancing, Nyrel noticed, and though he was a little disappointed not to have her in his arms anymore, dancing with her sounded nice. Besides, she looked so excited for it… he couldn’t say no. “Of course I’ll teach you,” Nyrel said with a smile as he pushed his hair back and stood up, then took the hands she’d already stretched out towards him. “If you’d really like to learn, I could teach you or help you find someone else at the castle.”

As she spoke, Nyrel guided them into their respective places, moving one of her hands to his arm while his dropped to her waist and their other hands remained clasped, their bodies close. “Probably… it has been a long couple of days. I personally could get behind either idea.” Then, despite the fact that there was no music, he started to lead them into a simple dance, making sure to move slow so that Aerith could keep up.

@ sun spirit

Elwin laughed as she held the strawberry up to his face in defense, grinning a little as he looked at her. "Hmm.. Is it worth the risk?" He leaned closer, pressing a loving kiss to her lips, before pulling back to take a large bite out of the strawberry she was holding close to his face, humming a little as he sat back in his chair. "Mm. These are good. You should try one."

---

"Why would I want to dance with someone else? You're the only one I'll ever dance with, why would I want to practice with someone else when I just have to be good enough to dance with you?" Aerith asked curiously, smiling up at him as he moved them into position, humming a little tune as he began to lead her in a slow dance. "All I have to do is be good enough to not step on your toes all the time."

As they danced slowly she followed along, fumbling a few times before she started to get the hang of it, although once she was sure she had the basics down she moved closer. She was happy to be dancing with him, but she did miss sitting in his arms, and so as much as she liked dancing with him, she also simply wanted him to hold her close. She hummed happily as they danced, pressing a small loving kiss to his lips.

@ katahdin

Ceren kissed Elwin back, giggling when he pulled away and took a bite out of the strawberry she’d been holding. “I think I will.” She followed by example, taking a bite of the strawberry he still held in his hand as she set what was left of the one he’d mostly eaten back on the platter where the others sat. “Mmm.” He was right about them being good, and when she finished the first one she’d eaten, she picked up another. Normally she’d already be working, but spending a little time with Elwin first, especially with him in such a good mood, was too much to resist.

“So, have any grand plans for your day?” she asked as she sat back, a third strawberry in her fingers as she smiled at him. Aerith may have had a major sweet-tooth for honey and honey tarts, but Ceren couldn’t get enough of strawberries, when they were available.

---

Nyrel chuckled a bit at her logic, although he supposed, by her way of thinking, she had a point. “Well, in that case, it looks like you’re already there. A complete natural,” he said with a smile, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips. And though she wasn’t used to dancing, she was doing well. Despite her early apology/warning, she hadn’t stepped on his toes once.

He happily held her close as they danced for a bit longer after she’d gotten the hang of it, and they slowly came to a stop. “There. Now we’ve had the wedding, dinner, dessert, and dancing,” he said to her softly with a smile, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her lips. “A little rushed, but… I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

@ sun spirit

Elwin ate one more strawberry before pushing the plate closer to her, wanting Ceren to have the rest. He liked strawberries, but knew she loved them more, and he'd happily never eat one again if she wanted them all for herself. He chuckled a little when she asked about his plans, shaking his head. "Nothing, really. I'll probably start making arrangements for Aerith's room to be changed, although I have to figure out what room to give her instead... Would you like to help?"

---

Aerith giggled as she happily returned his kiss, smiling up at him. "I'm a fast learner." She boasted. She was thinking of dancing like fancy footwork for fighting, and that made it easier to follow Nyrel's lead without stepping on his toes. She rested her head against his shoulder as they danced, letting out a happy sigh, although she lifted it when they came to a stop, smiling up at him as he spoke.

"Today was perfect, Nyrel. Thank you, for everything." She murmured as she pressed a loving kiss to his lips in return, fingers moving to untie the ties on his shirt. She didn't think it was fair that he was still fully dressed when she was in her nightgown, and if he didn't protest, she'd at the very least get him to take his shirt off.

@ katahdin

As Ceren ate her third strawberry, she nudged the plate back towards Elwin with a tilted head, silently encouraging him to eat another if he wanted. After all, he’d brought them to share, not for her to eat all by herself, and there were only two left. By the time he asked if she’d like to help, her mouth was clear, and she gave him an apologetic look. “Unless you mean during lunch or after I’m done here for the day, I can’t.” She motioned to the pile of paperwork on her desk. “Everyone needs me to do something, whether it’s because I’m Royal Healer or Baronness of Ashwick.” Not to mention all the nobles that had suddenly taken an interest in her once her engagement to Elwin had been announced. Many of their requests were bogus, little more than attempts to get her in a room with them, but she answered them because of the sincere ones and endured those that wasted her time.

---

Nyrel held Aerith a little closer as she thanked him and reached up to brush a thumb over her cheek. “Thank you,” he countered with a smile that became confused when she started undoing the ties of his shirt with no explanation. “Aer, what are you doing?” he chuckled, the hand at her waist beginning to gently rub up and down her side.

@ sun spirit

Elwin took the smaller of the two remaining strawberries, leaving the last one for her to have. He nodded a little in understanding when she said she couldn't, leaning over to press a kiss to her cheek. "Later would work. I need to make the arrangements to have everything moved, anyway, and I can make a list of rooms that I think would be suitable, that way when you come to help we'll only have to look at a few." He explained, pressing another kiss to her forehead.

"You know.." Elwin said after a moment of thought. "Now that Nyrel has changed for the better, and is married to Aerith, you could transfer your title and make him Baron of Ashwick again." He suggested as he looked at her. "You already have so much work as Royal Healer, and gods knows how much more work the Council will pile on once you're queen. It doesn't have to be immediate, you could ease him into the position again, but having something to do might be good for him. And Aerith will keep him in check if he steps out of line."

---

Aerith shrugged faintly, a faint blush creeping up her cheek as he began to rub her side, leaning her head into his hand where he touched her cheek. "I dunno... I think it's silly that I'm in my nightgown and you're still in your fancy wedding clothes. Doesn't seem fair, in my opinion." She murmured, looking up at him for a moment before pulling her hands back a bit. "I can stop, though, if you want me to.."

@ katahdin

Ceren smiled as Elwin offered an alternative idea for how she could help, and though it meant he would have to do most of the work, he didn't seem to mind. He looked just as relaxed as he had when he walked into her office, actually. "That sounds great," she said, reaching out to take his hand. "I'm sorry I can't help more though."

Then Elwin surprised her, as he suggested that Nyrel be given back the title he'd inherited from their mother. Elwin had been the one who'd made the transfer despite her insistence that she didn't know how to be a Baroness, had helped her figure out most of what she needed to do, though she still felt a little floundering in her role, and the suggestion of Nyrel taking over once more... "Gods, yes, he can have it. He might have been too ambitious and tried too hard, but he honestly liked doing all of this, the social aspect included, which I haven't had time for, even had I wanted to." Not from lack of trying on the Council's part though. They'd asked to see her on multiple occasions in the past to comment on the sort of behavior that would be expected of her once she was queen and to suggest she start making some time for social events around the castle in preparation.

---

Nyrel smiled softly down at her, noticing her blush even as she explained her line of thinking, already starting to draw her hands away. He hadn't meant to embarrass her--just ask his question. As awkward as he'd acted, it was more-so about Aerith's lack of knowledge than experience and was mostly because he cared. Putting that aside, there was little either of them could do that he'd get embarrassed over. "Well, I could do it myself, but if you really want to..." Nyrel moved his hand from her cheek and pressed her hands back against his chest. "I don't mind being undressed by my gorgeous wife."

@ sun spirit

Elwin shrugged off her apology, giving her hand a squeeze as he lifted it to press a kiss to her knuckles. "Its not like I'd be doing anything else anyway. And it's not much work, I have maps of the entire castle, I can narrow down which rooms might be good for her without having to leave my office." He explained, chuckling as she practically begged him to give the title back to her brother.

"Alright, alright, it's his. I'll transfer it officially in a month, which should give you plenty of time to get him up to speed with everything that has happened since you became Baroness." He smiled, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "I'm sure he'll pick it all up quickly, but sharing the load with you for a few weeks might be good for him."

---

Aerith looked up at him as he pressed her hands back against his chest, fingers curling to grip the fabric gently as she nodded a bit, standing on her toes to press a loving kiss to his lips, blushing as he called her gorgeous. She shook her head a little as she focused her attention back on the ties of his shirt, laughing a bit. "I wouldn't say I'm gorgeous.. You're just trying to flatter me."

@ katahdin

"So it's nothing compared to what the Council usually pushes on you, huh?" Ceren asked with a little smile, her fingers tightening around his a little as he kissed her hand. There was certainly some relief to be found though, when he said he would transfer the title back to Nyrel in a month, and she gave him a grateful smile. "I guess it'll at least ease him back into it, rather than throwing it all on him all of a sudden, which is a bit terrifying, I'll say from experience," she said and leaned in to give Elwin a kiss. "Thank you for giving him a second chance."

---

Nyrel's hands went to Aerith's waist as he met her kiss, helping to hold her up and keep her close as they kissed, and he couldn't help but grin at her when she pulled back, blushing once again. "Of course I'm trying to flatter you, but that doesn't make you any less gorgeous," he said. "I'd say to go ask others if you don't believe me, but I can't have every man in the kingdom realizing how amazing and beautiful you are and trying to win your heart."

@ sun spirit

Elwin chuckled, shaking his head. "Nothing like what the Council punishes me with. I swear they just give me busy work, they don't want me going out and doing things on my own, I have to sit and do whatever they tell me." He grumbled, although he returned her smile when she thanked him for giving her brother a second chance. "He's earned it, and he was a good Baron, even if he did some questionable things.. But now I think he'll be even better."

---

Aerith hummed happily against his lips as he held her by the waist and pulled her closer, laughing a little as he admitted to trying to flatter her. "Well, every woman in the kingdom already knows you're handsome, do I have to worry about them?" She teased, pressing another kiss to his lips as she finished undoing the last tie, carefully taking his shirt and lifting it up over his head, letting it slip through her fingers to the floor as she moved her hands back to rest against his now bare chest.

"Can I tell you a secret?" She whispered softly, her fingers tracing little patterns on his skin over his heart as a faint blush crept up her cheeks. "It felt nice when you helped me with my dress earlier.. when your fingers brushed over my back.."

@ katahdin

Ceren winced sympathetically. "Maybe you just need to have a conversation with them, telling them you're the king, and you're supposed to be overseeing important matters and decisions, not busy work that they could be delegated... A little like yesterday, reminding them that their job is to advise you, not command you," she suggested softly, knowing the troubles he had with the Council. She couldn't help but smile as Elwin admitted that Nyrel had been a good Baron though. "I think so too. He has Aerith to settle him now, so the focus won't be on climbing ranks like other nobles. He's almost scary with how good he is at convincing others to be on his side too. What you really need is someone like him on the Council to convince the others to be more reasonable."

---

Nyrel chuckled. "Absolutely not. I've already met them all, and I know I want you. I'm worried about these other guys because they never gave you the time of day before," he countered, returning her kiss. He pulled back a little reluctantly when she tugged his shirt up over his head, forced to release her in order to do so, though he pulled her close again once the shirt was dropped to the floor, his attention fully on Aerith as she mentioned a secret and her fingers danced over his chest. "Did it?" He pulled her a little closer. "In that case... I'll tell you a secret too. It took a lot of self-control just to undo your buttons. I wanted to touch more, to trace and learn your scars and leave little kisses as I went."

@ sun spirit

"I don't like yelling at them though." He huffed, scooting his chair closer until he could pull her out of hers and into his lap, tucking his face into her neck as he let out a little sigh, his arms wrapping around her. "Maybe if you're there I can do it. They gang up on me sometimes." He murmured, looking up when she suggested that Nyrel join the Council. "You know... that's not a terrible idea. At the very least I could appoint him to a position like I did you and Aerith, but I'm not sure what he'd be good at.. Any ideas?"

---

"I never paid attention to them either. Only you." She reassured him with a smile, happily moving back into his arms as he pulled her back after she took off his shirt, humming happily as her fingers danced over his chest. She nodded a little in confirmation, looking up at him when he mentioned telling her about his own secret, a faint blush creeping up her cheeks, although the blush was joined by a wide smile. "That sounds nice.. Maybe you could do that now? I do like your kisses.." she murmured, standing on her toes to press a kiss to his lips.

@ katahdin

"I never said yell," Ceren corrected, tilting her head a bit as he scooted his chair closer to hers, although the confusion cleared when he pulled her into his lap, and she smiled a bit as she curled into him and let her head lean against his. "I don't see how I would help. They've never seemed to care about what I had to say any time I was summoned," she responded softly, turning to look at him as he mentioned appointing Nyrel a position. "I just meant that he's good with people, not that you'd want him on the Council. After we secretly married him and Aerith, the others wouldn't let him join anyway. And I thought he was being given his title back to give him something to do, anyway?"

---

Somehow, Aerith's brazenness never failed to surprise him. Nyrel expected the blush, but her suggestion, partnered with that smile, wasn't expected. Still... He returned her kiss, smiling down at her when it ended. "I dunno... it just wouldn't be the same now that you've changed," he teased with a little grin, tugging at the sleeve of her nightgown. "No pretty buttons for me to undo, the mood's completely changed, and now I can't even see your back..." He leaned in, kissing her again, but rather than pull back this time, he let it deepen for a few moments and then slowly began trailing light kisses down her neck and paused to give more attention to one spot. He stopped there though, pulling back to study Aerith.