A smile spread across Hael's face. The only thing he could think about was how soft his hands were.
Ceremus was a warrior who fought countless monsters and beasts in his youth. These fists were used to pummel and bludgeon countless enemies and foes in the past, yet they held so much comfort and ardour. He was glad for these hands and never wanted to let them go.
Ceremus, on the other hand, had mixed feelings about their current predicament. Two grown men holding hands in the middle of the street, what a sight to behold, he thought.
His heart, however, betrayed him. The steady thrum in his chest was undeniable proof that he craved this connection with Hael more than he cared to admit. As they rode the chariot back to the palace, their hands remained entwined, neither willing to let go. Every so often, Hael would give his hand a gentle squeeze, and each time, Ceremus would glance at him, only to find a ghost of a smile tugging at the young man's lips.
A sudden desire stirred within him—one that caught him off guard. Holding Hael's hand was nice, even comforting, but it was no longer enough. He wanted more. He wanted to feel more of Hael's touch, and the thought unsettled him in ways he wasn't prepared for.
As they neared the gates, due to his inattention, the chariot ended up hitting against a pebble on the otherwise smooth streets. The chariot struck it, and though minuscule, the impact was enough to jolt the sturdy carriage.
Caught off guard, Ceremus stumbled, his body colliding into Hael. His eyes widened in shock as he found himself in the young man's arms, confusion rattling him. He was a man with godlike instincts, never once faltering in his balance—so how had something so trivial caused him to lose his footing?
With lightning-fast reflexes, Hael caught him, his grip firm around the King's waist. As if on command, the horses came to an abrupt stop.
Now pressed flush against each other, their faces mere inches apart, Ceremus found himself staring into Hael's wide blue eyes—eyes filled with panic and alarm.
"Are you all right Your Majesty?" He asked.
Ceremus felt Hael's warm breath brush against his skin, and his gaze instinctively dropped to the young man's full lips.
"...Ceremus," he murmured, his voice breathless. Then, more firmly this time, he repeated, "Call me Ceremus."
Hael looked down at him, his brows knitting in confusion. Something had shifted between them—he could feel it. Suddenly, he was acutely aware of their closeness, of the warmth radiating from Ceremus' body. The faint, rosy scent of the King filled his senses, making his pulse quicken.
He swallowed, almost imperceptibly, as he took him in.
"Ceremus," he said slowly, testing the name on his tongue. "Are you alright?"
The man in question before he let out a low chuckle. "I am the most invincible man in this Kingdom, hell, in this continent. A mere stumble won't faze."
Noticing the faint furrow in Ceremus' brow, Hael instinctively lifted his chin, searching his face for any sign of pain. His gaze drifted over the King's body, scanning for injuries before finally returning to his eyes, only relaxing once he was certain Ceremus was unharmed.
"How long do you plan on holding me like this?" Ceremus asked, his voice low.
Hael's arm was still wrapped securely around his waist, and if anything, his grip only tightened at the question.
"I—I…" Hael stammered, his face flushed with a mixture of agitation, desperation, and something far more dangerous—longing.
Ceremus' eyes flickered between Hael's gaze and his lips, tension coiling within him. Want combined with restraint and frustration added to the mix.
And then, Hael's tongue swept over his dry lips.
That was all it took. The last fragile thread of Ceremus' self-control snapped.
Without thinking, Ceremus leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Hael's lips before quickly pulling away.
"W-What—?" Hael stammered, his eyes widening in shock. He lifted a trembling hand to his lips, feeling the lingering warmth left behind.
His gaze snapped to Ceremus, who, despite the firm expression on his face, couldn't hide the deep blush spreading across his cheeks.
In that moment, Hael's thoughts scattered. Any reservation, any self-control he had fought to maintain, crumbled. He wasn't sure what Ceremus had just done to him, but he knew he wanted more of whatever it was.
Lowering his head, his lips lined up with Ceremus' hovering over them for a moment. He wasn't sure how to proceed from there so he tentatively placed a kiss on the King's lips before pausing. He let out a breathy sigh before going in for the second plunge. His kiss was soft, chaste and a little clumsy, making Ceremus who had since grown nervous for his earlier actions chuckle.
It was clear that Hael was inexperienced—he had never harbored feelings for another, let alone kissed someone before. And that realization sent a thrill through Ceremus, elating him beyond belief.
He reveled in the knowledge that he was Hael's first. And he would make certain he was his last as well.No one was allowed to take what was his now that he'd been claimed.
The King's hand reached for the back of Hael's neck, bringing the young man closer, gently moving his lips against his. Hael made a soft noise of surprise, stunned by the act but only for a moment as he quickly followed Ceremus' pace. The kiss was gentle at first, stalled and unsure, drenched in hesitant need but incredibly inviting. Then, Hael tasted it—the subtle sweetness of Ceremus' lips, delicate and honeyed. And with every second, every lingering touch, he realized—one taste would never be enough. The more he tasted him, the more he wanted.
They kissed with heated passion, a sensation unlike anything they'd ever experienced before. The embrace was different from the ones Ceremus was used to receiving, driven by selfish and carnal desires, used as a way to cope and distract his poor and grieving heart. The embrace they shared this time was filled with genuine warmth, love, and something more—something akin to devotion.
Urgency filled the pair as they savoured each other, the world around them no longer mattered since all they could care about was feeling one another. Every wall, barrier, bridge, and defence the King had put up now came crumbling down, and Ceremus felt himself get lost in a sea of tranquility.
This is right, this is good, this is meant to be, was all he could think about, all he wished to think about.
The two pulled away and Hael stared into his eyes, shining brightly, carrying a mix of adoration and exaltation making the King suck in a breath as he felt the weight of his gaze on him.
No one had ever looked at him the way Hael did, and he didn't know how to take it.
It left him feeling rattled.