Dorian was quite sure that in those moments in which they first attempted to step into that sun that his lover's heart beat had increased tenfold again. The Fae so attempting to remain the picture of confidence himself if only in the hope that this might, in turn, assist Sebastian in overcoming those fears the vampire would hardly dare mention and yet that Dorian remained entirely aware were surely pressing upon him with fury. While Sebastian would surely disagree with him, the vampire inclined to disagree with any sort of praise he might be given in most instances, Dorian was entirely assured that his lover was far more courageous then he ever seemed inclined to believe or perhaps admit too. Trust was one thing, the Monarch believing most assuredly that his lover trusted him to keep him safe and yet still, to step outside into the very thing that might very well bring about his death if managed incorrectly was another thing entirely and yet- without complaint- the vampire did just that if only for Dorians own benefit! How irrevocably he loved this man whom might do these things for him and too- how fiercely determined he was to keep him safe today and assure that trust in himself was not at all misplaced.

His consort so seemed to relax at least a little once they were within that car and shielded from the sun in some fashion, Dorian so content to offer but those subtle words of praise, assuring the man he had done entirely well thus far only to have the vampire declare that it was surely he whom had done well in keeping that affinity in place. The Fae King so momentarily unable to prevent that soft simper that touched his lips, both at such praise and too at the notion that Sebastian, as always he did, seemed unwilling to accept any praise of his own actions. Such a ridiculous creature he was sometimes! Today however, Dorian saw little need to comment upon it, his head merely nodding softly before his attention was entirely taken by what existed outside that tinted window and the veritable plethora of daytime activities he himself had near forgotten existed or indeed had never quite seen before. How busy the day was and how it intrigued him! The near ancient Fae relishing in so much as seeing the bustle of everyday life as it existed now. The man assured these things should forever be a marvel to him. His attention drawn but briefly to the man beside him once more as Sebastian so dutifully set about the application of that sun cream, Dorian's nose wrinkling slightly at the unusual scent before he merely held one hand out for Sebastian to place some of that cream within it in turn. Dorian wholly determined to apply it too even despite its unpleasantness. After all, he had seen the effects that sun had upon his skin without it and after he had spent centuries away from the direct glare of those rays.

It was only the sudden appearance of a bicycle, a deadly and dangerous piece of useless machinery in his opinion, that saw the Monarch deviate away from the careful application of sun cream. His gaze near instantly narrowed at but the memory alone of being run down by that contraption that he had believed, at the time, to be a metal horse of sorts. The man he had unseated in that collision having spent a good deal of time shouting at him. Dorian's memory of his first day in this city an entirely eventful one- if not largely unpleasant. The Fae content to point out that ridiculous contraption to his lover now only to have the vampire chuckle at him before mentioning an overly large wheel that had afflicted the bikes in his own time. Dorian paused but momentarily in his consideration of one wheel being significantly larger than the other- his curious mind so seizing upon this idea before eyeing those pedals and chain thoughtfully. Bicycles, after all, were still very much an oddity to him and while they terrified him he could not help the fashion by which his mind was equally intrigued by how they functioned.

"If the front wheel was three times as large as the back though- did it still work? Did you not have to move the stirrups harder? Do you know how to command one of them, Bastian?"

'Pedals' it seemed, was not a word the man was familiar with, choosing instead to treat the machine as if it were some sort of horse before turning to face his lover once more, curious to know whether or not Sebastian was capable of controlling one of those dreadful contraptions in any sense before the car pulled slowly up beside the beach. Dorian's own excitement so evidently clear as his slate-hued gaze roved across that oceanic scene before him. How right Sebastian had been that year ago to so have him return to the beach beneath the touch of the sun! That scene entirely different to what it had been that night. He slipped easily from the car then, the warmth of the sun upon his skin entirely pleasant as he turned back to glance at his lover once more, Sebastian still resting within that car as Dorian allowed his affinity to become all the more clear in a silent reassurance that the vampire was well-protected. Sebastian, at last, slipping from the car in turn as Dorian queried him upon the last time he had been at the beach. The vampire seeming thoughtful before mentioning one of his sisters, the Monarchs own thoughts upon the matter hurriedly derailed as but one bare foot pressed into the sand- that foot hurriedly withdrawn at the realisation the sand was warm. So unexpected! His features alight with a grin once more as he encouraged the vampire to join him. Dorian slowly stepping further onto the sand, content to leave his shoes upon the wall, knowing well one of his security guards would defend them if need be. The Monarch steadily making his way but a stride or two further onto that sand with clear delight, his grin only widening as Sebastian proceeded to join him. This mention of sand dollars clearly acquiring his attention.

"Sand Dollars? No, I have not seen this, what are they?"

His gaze turned almost immediately downward as if he anticipated to see these very dollars here and now, the man momentarily lifting his own sunglasses as if this might improve his vision before letting them fall back into place once more. Content to follow Sebastian wherever he might lead upon the beach as his own gaze drifted from those sun bathers to swimmers to children with sand castles and a truly enthusiastic game of beach volleyball that held the Monarch's attention for several minutes. The ball rather suddenly sent spiralling towards them to thud into the sand but a few feet away, those teenagers calling for Sebastian or himself to throw it back as Dorian moved to lift it from the sand. This but the first time he had ever so much as seen a modern ball of any kind as he turned it briefly about within his hands and in clear curiosity. He was hardly afforded any true chance to examine it however before one of those young women came jogging over, her bikini clad-form showing far more skin then Dorian was entirely used to in any sense. The girl flicking her long blonde hair flirtatiously over her shoulder as if only just now seeming to realise to appeal of both men before her. Do you boys want to play? We're all super friendly. Dorian so found he had little doubt at all as to the truth of that statement, the Fae politely declining all the same before offering that ball back to the now pouting woman whom had clearly not anticipated rejection in any form. Aww, babe, you've never played this game before have you? If you're not gonna play you gotta at least serve the ball back me and let me sees those muscles. One silver eye merely arched in surprise, Dorian briefly glancing back towards Sebastian, the girl offering the vampire an entirely flirtatious wink in turn before jogging back several feet in clear anticipation.

"Very well."

It was little more than a murmur to himself, the Monarch clearly attempting to work out how best to return that ball to her, at last merely grasping it in one hand before quite simply stepping back only to launch it with perhaps far more force then he had truly believed himself capable- the ball going slightly wide of the girl only to collide with one of her male team-mates. This seeming to result in an orchestra of laughter from most of the others along with a series of cheers Dorian hardly understood before the Monarch proceeded to attempt to hurry them off once more and return them to their quest for sand dollars. Dorian turned with a ready amusement to his lover then.

"Do you know Bastian, I do not recall women being this....forthcoming? They had tact once. It is as if they have all forgotten how that game of flirtation is better played. It is rather a shame. I used to be quite good at it in my time- do you care to see?"

He mused the words lightly before abruptly moving to step in front of the vampire with clear amusement now, quite content to tease his boyfriend in that moment. Dorian quite clearly in an entirely playful mood.

"You see Mon Cher, to key to good flirtation is subtle touches that so leave the other wanting more and eye-contact, of course."

His right hand had so effortlessly come to rest almost feather-light on his lovers side, his free hand lifting to lightly and affectionately brush a little of that dirty blonde hair from the man's gaze, letting his warm fingers so lightly touch the man's skin, trailing ever so slightly just down the side of his face as he drew his hand away- all the while keeping his gaze upon Sebastian own before abruptly shifting away.

"See? It is quite easy. It worked very well on you the night we met."

Those lyrics were entirely teasing, both his eyes lifting in a wholly playful manner as he so recalled that first touch he had offered the man nearly a year ago to the day. That soft chuckle humming within his throat as his fingers moved to so effortlessly entwine with the vampires own.

Dorian Aragona