The Sun Also Rises

It was perhaps, a striking realisation and one that seemed to present itself to his mind with no lack of surprise. Somehow that very closeness between his Father and Brother had, only now, seemed to present itself to the Monarch's mind for consideration. That near playful banter exchanged between the pair, that near childish shoving and goading words along with those flickering simpers toward each other- fleeting though they were. So readily betrayed the depths of that relationship, even if in a near subtle fashion. Dorian wholly anticipating that, the truth of the matter, was that Aiden and Matteo were in fact, far, far closer then he had anticipated and perhaps in turn, far closer with one another then himself. Such an idea was so hardly pleasing and yet by that same notion the Monarch so hardly found himself distressed in any sense nor indeed did he feel jealous (at least not to much) over that discovery. Rather, he found himself....curious of it. What had they done to achieve such a thing? More so, what had then been through? Dorian so finding a veritable plethora of questions within his mind once more even if he knew they were, so unfortunately, unlikely to go unanswered here and now. Later, perhaps, he might query the pair upon in it. The Monarch, for now, merely offering that soft insistence toward his newfound brother that he had noticed how very close they were. Aiden, in that moment, appearing near uncomfortable before insisting that he hardly knew and that he supposed it was true. Dorian so affording the man a readily curious look at such an answer before Matteo's return with that Turkey so prompted that conversation elsewhere. How very lucky Aiden was to have such an...effortless relationship with their father! Dorian so striving for that very thing in turn. In the very least, that proof that such a relationship could exist would need be satisfying enough for him tonight. Dorian wholly oblivious to how very observant his own husband had been in that moment. Sebastian perhaps having readily guessed at his own worries over the matter even if the vampire had hardly voiced them in that moment.

The arrival of that rather glorious turkey so readily seemed to turn much of the tables attention towards it. That rather delicious, golden bird placed in front of Alexander for carving only for Matteo to insist that he was surely deserving of those best pieces and that Aiden and himself really should take to calling him sir. A notion Aiden was quick to snort at, prompting another veritable bout of teasing between the pair. The Monarch quite unable to prevent that simper finding his lips all the same at the sight of it. How very nice it was to....be part of such a thing. Even if he was quite certain he might never understand the pair of men. That warm grin upon his features so hardly faltering. Matteo so turning towards him then to insist he was not allowed to take up Aiden's apparent belligerent attitude, nor fold his arms in the same manner. Dorian so attempting to insist he would not. Decorum alone, after all, surely did not permit the King of Italy to fold his arms at the table and pout- no matter how genetically ingrained such a thing might prove to be. Alexander's announcement that Matteo himself could hardly talk if only for how much he had struggled with the concept of 'sir' himself so readily tugged that chuckle from within him. Dorian distinctly keen to hear that very tale. Aiden appearing equally so as the family settled down to that meal.

Matteo's protest over that story hardly seemed to deter Alexander in any sense. The Frenchman taking up that very stance he had, only moments ago, teased Aiden over and warned himself from. Dorian's content to shake his own head in veritable defeat as Aiden was shoved once more and told to 'shut up' well before he could comment on that very thing. How fortunate that this was not a religious holiday. Dorian quite assured Jesus would have been largely displeased at the amount of poor language that seemed to be occurring around the table. The Fae King, however, was nevertheless intrigued in hearing that very tale off his own Father's failings. Alexander so insisting the Frenchman had predicted a battle several years before it as truly set to occur. Alexander having marched that army entirely in the wrong direction and to an empty field no less. Dorian unable to prevent that laughter that fell warmly from his lips then at even the mere thought! The Fae King readily content to query what on earth Alexander had done then- only for Matteo to insist Alexander had been more cross with him that day then he surely had been any other. The Frenchman so apparently sent to guard sheep for his failings. A task he had so evidently proven to be equally poor at- losing no less than four. An admittance he seemed content to offer Alexander only now so many centuries later. Dorian scowling slightly at is Father's choice of words.

"Matteo, must we say 'balls' at the table for heaven's sake? Although really, are you not a farmer? How on earth did you run a successful farm if you continued to lose sheep?"

Alexander was quick to insist he had made his point all the same. Dorian found he very near admired his godfather for those disciplinary actions along with, he suspected, so pressing Matteo toward that farming career that would veritably prove to sustain the Frenchman throughout his life. Hmmm. For all the power Matteo so possessed it was Alexander, it seemed, whom ad guided fate more then once. Dorian quite amused with the idea before he spoke readily of those very places Sebastian and himself hoped to visit one day if only so that Dorian might see them too. That very concept of travel so prompting the Monarch's attention upon his brother once more. Dorian inclined to offer Aiden that trip in turn. After all, surely it might allow the pair a chance to spend some time together. That very tour of that factory surely set for a near perfect time in both their schedules and indeed how very much he would enjoy showing Aiden his own country and palace. Dorian so hardly anticipating his brothers attention to shift so quickly to Matteo once more before demanding to know whether or not the Frenchman had had some sort of hand in this. Dorian blinking in near bafflement before turning toward his father in turn.

"Did you?"

Matteo's insistence that he had no idea what they were talking about prompted that ever dubious look to his own features and yet what Matteo had done, let alone how, remained to be seen. Dorian having chosen to invite Aiden without any request from their father. Although, he supposed, the elder Fae might well have....orchestrated such events well beforehand. Dorian content to frown at the consideration before Aiden readily accepted that invitation, so providing it was alright with their father. Why on earth he so required Matteo's permission he hardly knew. Dorian affording the pair a momentarily quizzical look only to dismiss the notion, for now, in the wake of Matteo's assurance it would be fine. That bright grin so returning to his features.

"I shall let you know the details then in the next few days."

Any further talk of that upcoming trip was halted by Matteo's insistence it was surely time to share stories of Alexander. Dorian reaching for another piece of turkey then as Matteo so set that year and place. His godfather veritably groaning at the realisation of just what this story was. Dover, it seemed, something of a sore point for the Hunter even after all this time. Dorian's gaze readily widening at the notion that Alexander had started a fight with another man, only for Matteo to take the brunt of that hit and render himself unconcious. Alexander so apparently having ridden onwards all the same- only to find a ravine in his way. Dorian, despite his best efforts, unable to conceal that chuckle, one that grew only more prominent at Alexanders clearly still irritable feelings over the matter. The Macedonian very near pointing his fork at Matteo then in clear argument and yet it was the notion for the bridge, built well after the battle that seemed to give the Monarch cause for concern.

"If the battle was finished, why on earth did you stay for a year longer to build a bridge?"

That Alexander, in his day, had been prone to doing things merely to prove they could be done had hardly occurred to him. Dorian knowing little off his Godfathers tendencies in battle. The Fae king taking another bite of the delectable dinner then.

"I suppose in the least the people of the area might well have been thankful for such a bridge. Are we not supposed to talk about what we are thankful for on this holiday, is that the idea? I think we should all- who just groaned!"

Dorian's own words were abruptly cut short by that very sound of someone at the table groaning at that suggestion of speaking about what they were thankful for, the Monarch's gaze shifting to each of those members in turn before resting upon Sebastian. His features softening readily as he glanced towards his husband.

"Don't worry, darling, I know it wasn't you."

Sebastian was far to well mannered for any such thing. Dorian wholly content to suspect one of the other three. Alexander appeared largely amused, Aiden was staring with great determination at his plate and Matteo suddenly seemed to have found great intrigue in folding his napkin. The Fae King near distinctly assured of just which two he suspected most. His own arms folding across his chest then. Dorian largely oblivious as to who alike the rest off his family he appeared in that moment. His gaze lingering determinedly on Matteo and Aiden before turning once more to Sebastian.

"Perhaps you would care to start, Sebastian? I am quite sure we should do such a holiday correctly even if not all at this table care for it."

Dorian Ellington-Aragona