The Sun Also Rises

That very tea Charles had so brought them was an entirely welcomed beginning to the Monarch's evening. Dorian wholly content to pause in his efforts to dress himself to lean against that dresser and sip at that very liquid. The Fae King having succeeded in dressing himself no further then his mere pants before that very tea had arrived and so thoroughly distracted him. It was a curious thing, truly, how very much the Monarch had come to enjoy that morning tea. A substance he had veritably lived without for very near six centuries before Sebastian's almost religious observance of taking that cup each morning had readily been inherited by Dorian in turn. The Monarch having started to look forward to the arrival of that drink even if he was assured he might never master the sheer and complete adoration and satisfaction Sebastian seemed to find with every sip. Dorian having come to learn that this might well be a uniquely British trait. The tea however, was undoubtedly pleasing, even more so for its ability to so seemingly relax his husband. Though few were so distinctly talented in concealing their emotions as his lover he knew Sebastian but entirely too well to miss that slight edge of anxiousness that forever seemed to cling to the vampire anytime they partook in any event that so included Matteo. It was endearing, in a fashion, the sheer determination the Englishman possessed to appear nothing short of worthy in the eyes of the Frenchman and yet how very much Dorian so desired his companion might remember to...breathe a little more in his Father's presence, if nothing else. The Monarch so allowing his gaze to fall upon his lover then as Sebastian sat upon the edge of their bed. The vampire barely more dressed then himself. His husband's hair thoroughly askew in a manner Dorian so utterly adored! How unfortunate it was, sometimes, that society should dictate a certain manner of neatness where hair was concerned. How very much he should like Sebastian to leave his hair in just that fashion. Dorian so suddenly aware of Sebastian eyes upon him in turn. That ever-impish grin so adorning his features.

"I was admiring your hair, Bastian. It is utterly adorable when it is like that."

That soft chuckle easily hummed within his own chest then. Dorian so draining the last of his tea from that cup before returning it to that gilded tray on which it had arrived. The Fae King so making his way back toward his husband then. Sebastian so nursing that heated cup and what little remained off his own tea in turn. Dorian wholly content to take up that terribly vacant position in his lovers lap. The Fae content to sit across it only to wrap his arms about the vampires neck in a fashion nothing short of affectionate. His own silver gaze so readily meeting the bright blue off his husbands own.

"He really does like you, you know, you needn't worry so. I can always tell when you are worrying, darling. You make a face."

That very look the Monarch was near assured he would receive in turn readily coaxed another chuckle from him, Dorian leaning forward then to press his lips to his lovers cheek in that easy habit he had of doing. That gesture so forcing the vampire to shift that worried look from his features in turn as Dorian remained near reclined against him. He knew, readily, of the worry such family gatherings coaxed within his lover even if Sebastian was nothing if not the picture of class and good manner at each and every social event they attended and yet- Dorian could so hardly help but find himself decidedly excited for that very evening. He understood truly little of that holiday, much less just why it was so being celebrated by a Frenchman, an Englishman, a Macedonian and an Italian when it seemed a distinctly American tradition and yet Sebastian's insistence it might be viewed as a feast of sorts in which they remembered just what they were thankful for had seemed to delight the Monarch entirely. How pleasing it was, after so many years, to have all of his family beneath that one roof! How much he looked forward to such an evening! Alexander's very attendance only further pleasing the Fae. After all, his adoration for his Godfather was hardly secretive. The pair having spent an afternoon together each week for the past few weeks as Dorian so strove to improve his riding after so many centuries out of the saddle. He enjoyed those moments when, after those lessons, they might ride along those trails at the back off his and Sebastian's property and talk of all manner of things. Alexander, he was assured, had the most exceptional memory of any man he had ever met. Sebastian ever-patient is listening to those stories Dorian so often recited on his return home.

"Come along, we ought to finish dressing least one of them comes looking for us. Did you remember to have the palace hold all your calls for the evening?"

Dorian rose easily from his lovers lap in those moments that followed, His gaze lingering upon Sebastian all the same until the vampire rose in turn, the pair making their way to that wardrobe to finish getting ready. Dorian content to try on no less than three different shirts in his quest for the one he so deemed 'smart casual' such an unusual dress code having baffled the Monarch entirely- much to Sebastian's apparent amusement. Dorian readily stepped from that wardrobe a short time later. The Monarch having settled for a collared shirt and equally sensible pants, that favoured cologne readily in place as Dorian so saw to his hair within that mirror. The sudden knock at the door and the reappearance of Charles momentarily prompting his own surprise. The decidedly baffled manservant heading towards him then with what quite appeared to be a butter dish.

"Charles? Why on earth are you carrying that?"
"Your Father took.....umbrage at it."
"At the butter or the dish?"
"Both I think Your Majesty, he told me to be rid of it but surely I cannot waste so much butter!"

That utterly puzzled look so persisted upon the Monarch's features. Dorian reaching to take that butter dish from Charles then as if to examine it for himself in search of exactly what about it had prompted Matteo's disdain. Dorian glancing briefly over his shoulder then to assure himself Sebastian was still within the bathroom so seeing to brushing his fangs- his lover ever dilligent in such a task. The Fae King so readily lowering his voice then.

"Charles, would you please not mention the butter to Sebastian? You see he rather thinks Matteo dislikes him and he may find the butter...distressing. Perhaps you might...."

Any further conversation was readily ceased. Sebastian stepping from that bathroom but a moment later as Dorian all but tossed that butter and dish into the top drawer of that dresser before slamming it closed in near the same instant. That surely baffled look upon his lovers face met with a decidedly sheepish look off his own.

"I...have just seen the most....terrible pair of socks. I don't know why I ever bought them. I cannot even bear to look at them. Are you ready? Let's head down stairs."

Charles was afforded that near pointed look in turn as Dorian so readily held his hand out for his lover then. Dorian content to lead the way from that room and down those stairs before Sebastian dared to inspect the 'terrible socks' that had prompted such slamming of draws. Charles, he was assured, would take care of such a thing. That very butter all but forgotten in the wake of the near delectable scents that came from the kitchen! Dorian so readily eyeing that table with curiosity, those golden plates prompting that grin to his features. That delight so surely clear as he glanced toward Sebastian once more before his gaze fell upon the two men seated in the living room. His hand so offering that gentle, reassuring squeeze to his companion before he released his lovers hand to embrace Matteo- the elder Fae leaning upward for that hug. How very much that small, simple gesture of affection meant!

"Matteo. Dinner smells terribly splendid. Are all these plates yours? I quite adore the colour."

Dorian leaned easily away from his Father then to turn toward Alexander, his hand readily extended to take his Godfather's own and afford it that firm shake to so prevent them Hunter from needing to rise from that chair. Alex offered that equally bright grin in turn.

"Alexander. I'm very glad to see you. I've been working on those half passes you showed me a week ago, Nikolai is still a little resistant to them but I think we are getting better. I quite look forward to showing you next time we ride."

Dorian shifted but easily to the side then to allow Sebastian to offer his own greetings to the pair. How pleasant it was to have a night away from so running that kingdom! Dorian readily considering just which wine he so might desire to partake off when that very table so caught his attention once more. That wholly inquisitive look so touching his features as he turned back to that group at large.

"Matteo- why are there five places set? Is there not only four of us?"

Dorian Ellington-Aragona