The Sun Also Rises

He was sure he had but barely closed his eyes no more than ten minutes ago when that alarm managed to pull him from the peaceful blackness of sleep. For a moment the Fae King was entirely startled, his mind sluggish beneath those layers of tiredness, struggling to remember just where he was and why before those realizations flooded his thoughts. A groan tugged itself free of his throat, Dorian pulling those blankets up and over his head before repositioning himself against his lovers side, letting the vampires arm fall over him again as if he might somehow ignore that chiming sound. He did not wish to meet with anyone. He wished entirely to go right back to sleep and perhaps he might well have were in not for that infernal sound. His silver gaze fell briefly back upon his consort, Sebastian having failed to stir at all. If there was but one advantage to that vampiric slumber it was surely that it was very near finite in its hold. Dorian so contemplating attempting to rouse his lover for several moments. The idea of so facing this alone was daunting, even if he cared not to admit it and refused entirely to show it. He was as those whom had surely come before him in this, those of any position of power- a truly great pretender. Dorian having learned terribly early in life to act for all the world as if he nothing less than prepared in every situation. Today however, he wished sorely for his lover's presence and yet he had seen how terribly the vampire struggled in the daylight hours. Sebastian, surely, despite every effort he would make would be loath to present himself to Italian dignitary while anything less than his best. Dorian so resigned to leaving his partner to sleep as he disentangled himself from those sheets.

Dressing himself was a distinct struggle. The Monarch near falling back asleep twice as he seated himself upon the bed to place his socks on his feet, the man forced to jolt himself awake before beginning that search for shoes and a tie. Only to realise he hardly knew how to tie one without Sebastian's assistance in the matter. The tie was tossed back onto the bed with a huff, Dorian running his fingers through his hair in an attempt to tame its wildness into something presentable before pausing beside that fireplace within his room to place another log upon it. It was foolish perhaps, Sebastian hardly capable of feeling in that state and yet without himself there to warm that bed Dorian so feared his lover might get cold, somehow. The bedroom door was shut softly behind him, Dorian stepping into that parlour to blink against the daylight he had forgotten existed before moving through his apartments and at last into the hall where Benito already stood in his fully dressed glory- the advisor very near bursting with delight at finally having other dignitaries within the palace and so having purpose to his life again.

Dorian waved his hand easily, signalling for Benito to follow as they headed downstairs to that formal reception room, the advisor speaking hurriedly as they walked, informing him of the names of the men they were meeting and that they had already arrived before listing those things that had been tabled for formal discussion. Dorian so allowing his thoughts to drift almost aimlessly to that bath he had enjoyed with his lover last night before the sudden approach of an armed guard saw the Monarch halt. The guard presenting him with that ornately carved wooden box, lifting the lid to display that golden crown nestled in layers of silk beneath. God. It had been years since he had held any need to wear that. He lifted it was ease from its place, this crown simple in design, lightweight and easy unlike those ceremonial ones- Dorian placing it atop his head to nestle within those dark locks. Benito so declaring he looked just as imposing as his father ever had. Dorian struggling not to roll his eyes, that absence of Sebastian beside him so seeming to press upon him once more before he pressed on. The doors were opened within his wake, his presence so announced by the servant beside the door as the two men within, the Prime Minister and the President, both stood abruptly to bow before holding out their hands.

The Prime Minister, Dorian had decided, was a dullard. The man as about as exciting as a grey sky day with his overly practical glasses and his bland way of speaking. He was, if nothing else, a polite fellow though and of an amicable nature. The Fae Monarchs presence seeming to fluster him entirely in a fashion Dorian almost found amusing. The President, by comparison, he had taken an almost instant disliking too. He was a hard man, polite and yet abrupt, inclined to speak as if Dorian was a nuisance. His patience thin. The Monarchs need to have Benito explain several concepts of modernity to him seeming to irritate the President all the more until that room had become decidedly tense and even Dorian had become more curt in his response to the man. Several topics inspired rather animated debate. The President not a man whom was used to being told 'no' in any fashion. The Prime Minister content to defuse that situation with his mention of the National Italian Flower Show and those upcoming New Years celebrations and Dorians roles within them- if he cared to uptake them.

It was nearly three hours later that Dorian at last rose from his chair, both visiting men bowing down to him once more before he took his leave from them, the Monarch assured he had aged ten years in that time, exhaustion pressing upon him and his mind veritably filled with worries he had not even considered! He hardly bothered to undress, merely placing that crown on the bedside table before collapsing atop those blankets and willing sleep to return to him as he pressed closer to his lover. When sleep did finally come once more it was fitful and restless, the Fae finding himself awake again just before sunset, silver gaze staring at the canopy off his own bed as he had done a million times before. He rose once more at last, merely crossing the room to those plush chairs beside the fire to lay himself along one couch and allow his thoughts to tease at him until, at last, that dull throb against his finger assured him off his lover's wakefulness.

"I am just here."

He knew, surely, that the vampire would turn to look for him in those waking moments. The Fae King so seeking to assuage any fears his lover might have at not finding him instantly before informing him off his location upon that couch, his fingers running through his own dark locks once more in that internal contemplation. He spoke then, his voice holding a note of strain it perhaps never truly had, knowing well what his lovers first question would be before the vampire even asked it.

"It did not go poorly but nor did it go entirely well. The Prime Minister I liked, he was a boring man but he was friendly. He has offered much by way of helping to restore my palace including the use off all the governments' services and he has asked that I consider opening the outer gardens this evening to allow members of the public to spend New Year's within them. He thinks we should make a public appearance tonight and Benito agrees- I said I would speak with you of it first. He has also invited us to the state dinner next week."

He paused then allowing Sebastian to digest such information, his own gaze still held upon that roof before he continued, knowing well Sebastian was listening from his place in the bed.

"The President, we have one of these apparently, and I did not see eye to eye on several issues. He expressed concerns for my ability to make sound judgement on matters of state and then prattled on for an hour on trade agreements and foreign policy and what my return might mean for these things. And though he did not say it in so many words I am assured he takes some issue with my, how you say.....sexuality. He implies things, Bastian, he implies them and really what damn well business is it of his!"

It was, perhaps, the first time Dorian had ever raised his voice in front of Sebastian with any true anger within it, the man hardly this cross at Samantha the one evening he had told her off, those lyrics breaking slightly as another huff left his lips, arms folding across his chest, frustration clear upon him as he simply lay silent for a moment- a soft exhale at last leaving his frame.

"I am sorry, Mon Cher, I am just frustrated is all, mostly with myself. These day time meetings do not become me it seems. We have another guest in an hour though, this one has so specifically asked to meet with the both of us together. You know, I have been back one day and I do not desire to get off this couch."

One arm lifted to rather dramatically lay across his face. Dorian assured that this was by far the best place to remain. As if the world might not find him.

Dorian Aragona