The Sun Also Rises

It was only that reassurance from the Frenchman that his roommate was entirely well that at last seemed to assuage those worries that had gripped at Dorian's chest like icy fingers. The Monarch relaxing back slightly within his chair as one hand lifted to run through those dark brunette locks. For all her dislike of Sebastian and too that dinner event that had been perhaps his own most spectacular social failing to date the Fae woman was still of importance to him. Yet too- for all her good companionship and the enjoyment he so took from spending time with her the very idea that he would be resigned to the loneliness of his room and the emptiness of his bed once more was entirely distressing. A distress no amount of friendship from Samantha could ease. He had, these past weeks, become entirely and selfishly used to Sebastian beside him every night and the notion that he would surely return to something less, to several days between there being together at all was more then he could bare think about. Matteo's words were vague as they so often were and yet there so existed within the King but that faint flicker of hope that they might be true in one way or another. Dorian simply nodding at last before returning his attention to his lover and dismissing those disagreeable thoughts to offer the vampire some explanation for Matteo's own affinity for the future.

Sebastian's soft murmur that this surely explained much saw a simper so adorn the Monarch's features once more, Matteo moving to offer his own momentary corrections to that explanation and yet still Dorian remained assured the man knew far more than he ever allowed to be known by those around him. In all the years he had known the elder Fae there was next to nothing Matteo did not already anticipate else already know off- sometimes years in advance. Such an affinity having seen the man gain tremendous wealth in his time and too so rise within the ranks of both French and Italian society. His value in those times of war had been insurmountable and it was for that skill alone, Dorian was sure, that Ferdinand had even permitted Matteo's existence. No love between the two men ever having been lost in those tumultuous years of his childhood. It was those accented lyrics of the Frenchman that saw his silver gaze lift once more as Matteo inquired as to whether or not his vision of deer so implied that Sebastian was some sort of farmer. The idea of it! It was something of a struggle in that moment to keep at bay that chuckle that threatened to loosen itself from his lips, Dorian so strategically moving that tea cup to attempt to hide his amusement and yet too it occurred to him in that moment that in all the time he had spent with his lover he never had, truly, inquired as to just where the man's wealth was made. Money, after all, was surely one of those topics that both their societies had deemed inappropriate for discussion. Sebastian's wealth was displayed in those appropriate fashions through his home and clothing and estates.

This mention of 'entrepreneur' momentarily saw Dorian's features frown once more. The word was entirely unfamiliar to him and yet the idea of mining was one more readily understood, both eyes lifting slightly at the vampire's mention of twelve countries no less. The sheer size of the world once more seeming decidedly vaster then he had anticipated. He would, later, so ask after all those countries Sebastian maintained holdings in. The Fae King hardly finding himself curious of mines as much as he merely desired to learn of the world itself and the names of those countries he had only truly just begun to appreciate the existence off outside his own. This mention of deer however, was hardly lost upon him, nor the way in which Sebastian had so made a point to assure Matteo of their status, the French Fae in turn, seeming entirely satisfied with the response he was given, as if the vampires finances were of great intrigue to him. Truly, it was almost as if the Elder Fae was so assessing the suitability of Sebastian as a match for Dorian himself. The way a Father so traditionally did for a daughter or a son before affording his approval. Unions, after all, had once been very much a matter of business and yet why Matteo had so taken upon this line of questioning Dorian hardly knew, though for now made no effort to intercede. Sebastian, for his part, hardly seeming bothered.

It was only in that pause of conversation that Dorian found himself inquiring as to that singular thought that had teased at his mind since the moment of their arrival when Benito had made mention of Matteo so knowing, all this time, just where Dorian had been. Why Matteo had allowed the government, for months, to search so aimlessly for him the Monarch hardly knew and yet, truly, he found himself almost inclined to feel grateful to the man if only for that uninterrupted time his silence had allowed Sebastian and himself. Those words that followed as Matteo placed his sunglasses upon the table however were...unanticipated. His happiness? Matteo had held back the government of Italy because he had been happy? It was a curious thing, that stirring of emotion that fluttered somewhere within his chest and brought that simper to his lips, his gaze turning to meet Sebastian's own then, the vampire sharing a similar grin in that moment that only seemed to see Dorian's widen all the more. It was, after all, nothing short of the truth. His silver gaze turning briefly back to the Frenchman. His words decidedly soft, Dorian allowing for just that moment, that rare show of emotion rarely offered to any save Sebastian himself.

"I am happy. More than I recall being for most of my existence. Thank you, Matteo."

That simper lingered upon his lips still. Sebastian, beside him, seeming to relax in that moment as if he had been wholly tense about such a meeting all the same, although why remained to be seen. The mention of a gift, however, saw his own features frown once more, a look of inquisitiveness settling upon him as to just what sought of gift might be given to both of them as Matteo nodded. I left it upon the table in the reception room, perhaps your Majesty might like to fetch it? Ah, but he was sure Matteo had not been carrying anything when he had arrived! For a moment the silver of his gaze settled back upon Sebastian as if to assure himself his lover too had not noticed the Frenchman carrying anything before he rose easily from his chair to step out of that parlour, an entirely bemused look upon his features. It was only as that door closed behind him that Matteo so turned towards the vampire once more, his words quick now, though entirely determined. Sebastian knew well what this was even if Dorian did not, of that the man was sure. I will be blunt, Sebastian, so forgive me a moment but I need say these things. When I first saw my visions of you I was not wholly pleased with your being a vampire. I do not dislike vampires but your species is not always known for it's more....flattering qualities. You are aware already that Fae of my age, of Dorian's age, are a rarity in this world. We might be immortal but we are not as terribly durable as you vampires and our blood seems to be a great favourite of your species. I had my reservations on your intentions.

There was a pause of sorts, the ancient Fae allowing the man across from him to digest just these things before that faintest hint of a simper seemed to tug at his features. -but I would not be the man I thought I was if I could not admit when I was wrong. I have seen the man you were, something of the man you are and something too of the man you will be. Needless to say I no longer have reservations. You are independently wealthy and if the deer suggest anything your wealth will only grow, you are of good breeding and family, you are Catholic, yes? So I have no reason to deny you. Dorian is something of a dreamer, you are more a realist and one balances the other like night and day. I wish the best- for both of you. You suit him. You are good for him. It means little in these modern times and yet for what it is worth- I approve of you. He's happy when you are about and I can see you love him too. I'm pleased I met you. His head merely dipped in that most subtle of nods, the Fae paused then to allow Sebastian to ask anything he, in turn, might care to offer before that door opened once more, Dorian grasping that rather large package wrapped unobtrusively in brown paper. It was a significantly heavier parcel then the Monarch had anticipated, the man managing at last to place it upon the table before them before easing back into his seat.

"Goodness Matteo, it is far heavier then it appears. What on earth is it?"

Perhaps you ought to open it then, Your Majesty, it is for Sebastian too- perhaps he might assist. That neatly printed tag that so displayed both their names assured him of just that, the gift truly designed for the both of them, Dorian moving to open one end and so allow Sebastian to do the other if he desired to- that paper at last removed to reveal a rather large leather-bound....book. One hand reached easily forward, Dorian moving to lift the cover, eyeing that first page neatly printed in Matteo's own eloquent cursive in ancient Italian, the year 1478 printed in the top right hand corner, the rest of the page a series of....notes of some sort. Dorian paused, flipping forward, each page labelled with a year and yet as they progressed the writing lessened, newspaper clippings having been stuck within it of events and places and people Dorian had never heard off much less seen. The Fae King at last looking upward with clear confusion. I began keeping this the year you became trapped here so you might, one day, catch up on the world. You can only learn so much from a history book. Some are merely lists of places you two should visit, some are lists of books to read, movies to see or foods to try and the rest are the events of the world as I recorded them. It might give you some ideas if nothing else. It is for you to read, Dorian and for Sebastian to guide as you do.

Such a gift! Dorian entirely lost for words in that moment, his gaze moving over that newspaper clipping that so announced the death of someone named Marilyn Monroe, the neat print beside it claiming her to be an 'actress' in brackets, along with a small note to 'ask Sebastian'. Dorian moving to offer that book to his lover then and afford him a look.

"This is a very grand gift, Matteo, thank you. I....I am quite at a loss for what to say. I shall enjoy it immensely."

Dorian Aragona