The Sun Also Rises

It was entirely endearing, at least to Dorian, that Sebastian might desire to wear that wedding band here and now in much the same fashion he had chosen to display his own. That ring not once having left his finger since the evening Sebastian had presented it to him in that garden and surrounded by those stars before that glass piano. That very canvas Dorian had painted at his lover's request, that one which had so finally revealed the words of that proposal had been framed and hung within their home since. Such a piece one of Dorian's favourites amongest their vast collection if only for the sheer sentiment that came with it each and every time he glanced towards it. A part of the Fae truly delighting in the sight of that ring upon his lover's finger, the finality of it pleasing to him and indeed that far more possessive part of himself took a great satisfaction in all that ring displayed to the world at large. That simple warmth of happiness seemed to blossom within his chest in those few moments. His silver gaze cast downward as Sebastian entwined their hands in such a way as to place those rings together. Dorian wholly content to admire then in turn. The Fae commenting upon just how that marriage surely suited his Consort, a simper tugging at his own lips at Sebastian's assurance it was only a marriage to him that made it so. Dorian largely oblivious in that moment to his lovers consideration of that single marriage he had held before and that determination to make this one a success in all those ways he had so believed he failed at the last.

His own figured leaned easily in to the other man then, that subtle gesture giving way to that simple affection and contentment he held for that moment even if he knew, surely, he was but seconds from tainting it- if only a little. After all, they simply could not go on any longer with avoiding that topic of their last name. Both of them, he was sure, inclined to shy away from that discussion. Sebastian so prone to growing anxious over it, while Dorian, so aware of his lovers anxiousness, hardly wished to be the cause of any displeasure. Yet, truly, they could hardly arrive at that church on their wedding day and merely hope that some other might offer those answers. Dorian near amused at the thought of each of them pausing at that marriage certificate with little notion of which name to write. To discuss it beforehand seemed a far more sensible course of action. The Monarch near reluctant to voice it all the same, that soft sigh that fell from his lover near assuring him of what he had already known. The vampire surely having given such a notion as much thought as himself those past weeks. Yet- this time- it was Dorian himself who moved to offer those ideas he had been considering. The Fae King announcing that discussion he had held with his advisor and parliament in turn on just what rules or protocols he was required to follow when it came to that name. His hand resting on Sebastian's knee then to gold his attention.

It had hardly been surprising in any sense for that parliament to assure him that the Aragona name could not be done away with- at least not in it's entirety. Such a name had signified the royal house of Italy for centuries and would surely continue to do so for centuries more. Dorian himself rather undecided, when he considered it, on just what he thought of that name in any sense. There was a certain amount of pride attached to it, to be sure. Many truly great Kings had held that name and yet too- it was hardly his name in the traditional sense. After all, he was not truly born of that line as his brothers were. His name had been given to him rather than earned at birth- a further effort to prevent the world knowing off his true lineage and yet he could not truly say he did not hold some fondness for it too. Dorian's emotions upon it decidedly mixed and yet perhaps it mattered little. He had little choice in removing it even if he desired to. That very realization having prompted the Monarch to consider alternate ideas. His court holding no rules upon adding to that name. The very idea of taking Sebastian's own was....important to him. After all, he was a traditional being in every sense of the word and too, the importance of those names to Sebastian only further assured him of the significance of family to his lover. A family the Fae King was entirely willing to embrace and to be a part off in the official sense. Dorian quite wanting to take on that new name, even despite the nervousness that seemed to afflict his words as he offered that idea with the sincere hope Sebastian should not dislike it entirely.

That uncertainty that seemed to find Sebastian in the wake of that offer was entirely surprising. Dorian once more oblivious to that internal worry that his suggestion had come from some desire to please Sebastian alone even if, surely, it had been done for his own satisfaction as much as his lovers. The Fae King staring near blankly towards his fiancé then in simple....surprise at the question. The man quite unsure of how to answer it for several long seconds before his features softened with that simper that found them. Did Sebastian truly not know, after all this time, the lengths he would go to for him if required? Did he truly think there was anything in this world he would not do for him? Those very words were offered in near the same breath. Dorian pausing then to consider his own words before offering that explanation on just why he had chosen to combine both their names as one. Ellington-Brownlow-Cust-Aragona was certainly a lengthy styling and yet amongest their other titles it would hardly make any difference. That shortened Ellington-Aragona could surely be used in those more casual settings all the same. Sebastian's newfound position as Prince within those courts surely afforded him every right to take that Aragona name in turn. After all, Sebastian would no longer be merely a lover or even just a Consort. The vampire set to become royalty. Italy's Crowned Consort. His Royal Highness. Dorian so having intended from the very beginning to afford Sebastian that highest possible title he was allowed even if they had not openly discussed it. The Monarch mentioning that title of 'prince' for the first time within those words and yet the vampire hardly seemed terribly distressed by it's utterance. Dorian speaking then of that evening in France and that promise he had made that, in their marriage, he was wholly determined to add things- rather than take them away. Those names falling well into that category.

He was unaware in that moment- of just how profound an impact those words had made upon his fiancé. That uncertainty that seemed to touch the vampire's voice as he struggled for those words only further causing his own heart to flutter with that nervousness and simple fear that perhaps Sebastian hated that idea completely. Perhaps he did not desire to take on that Aragona name. Perhaps he should not like Dorian to adopt his own. How easily those worries might rise within himself! That sudden, soft admittance that Sebastian would be honoured to offer Dorian that name and too- take on his own, readily saw that simple relief afflict the Monarch's frame. That near glorious grin spreading across his features in simple delight. Any words the man might have offered abruptly cut short as Sebastian reached forward to tug him against him. Dorian chuckling softly at that near ticklish sensation those words uttered against his neck seemed to encourage. The Fae King leaning fully in to that affectionate embrace and yet- that ever observant man had not failed to see the simple....strength of emotion that had found his lover then, nor that near mist that seemed to find his lovers eyes. How that might tug at his heart! Dorian unaware, until that moment, just how desperately important those names had been to the vampire and yet he said nothing off that near raw emotion he had seen and indeed could near feel in that gesture. Rather- Dorian was simply content to embrace it entirely. The idea of that newfound name near blissful to think on. That soft query as to how Sebastian had gotten so lucky to find him stirring that chuckle to his lips, His head leaning gently against the vampires own.

"You were very good at sex."

That tease was surely clear in those playfully offered words and yet that truth surely existed in them all the same. After all, had that very first evening shared between them not been designed to be but a one night stand? One night of that shared pleasure? A meeting designed to be nothing but brief and enjoyable- if not forgettable? Yet how unforgettable that evening had been. That sex had been entirely satisfying even if it near paled to how adventurous that had since become and too- how much more glorious it had grown over those weeks and months and years. Yet, too, from that very first embrace the Monarch had so felt that....connection with the vampire. Even though he had denied it even to himself. In near six hundred years such a thing had never occurred beyond some fondness for whomever he had coaxed between his sheets that night. That which he had felt for the vampire more than a simple fondness from the very beginning. Though whether that was merely those first touches of fate or something more he hardly knew. Whatever it had been, he was entirely thankful for it and all it had given him. His hand softly squeezing the vampires own then as he continued to lean into him in that singular perfect embrace, even that subtle moment of intimacy decidedly sweet. His words quiet then.

"You were gloriously unforgettable, Mon Cher, in far more ways than one. I think perhaps I was equally lucky. I am glad you like out new name though. I think Dorian and Ellington go very well together frankly. I also think Maxwell Ellington-Brownlow-Cust-Aragona sounds very formal."

Another soft chuckle stirred within his throat then, Dorian entirely inclined to afford that puppy that equally proper styling. Maxwell having busied himself with what appeared to be one of Charles' shoes in the far corner. A strip of leather already torn from it. How unfortunate.

"Bastian?"

He paused, waiting for that single soft murmur of assurance he held his lovers attention once more.

"Have you ever heard of an area of France named Montpellier?"

Dorian Aragona