Pathways

Gilded Wings

//Title mostly for aesthetic.
//Spoilers: None, really? At least, I proofread it twice and didn't see any.
//This takes place several years after the plot of The Arcana, although liberties have been taken as well, so it's technically an AU. The MC in this chapter is Mateo, and belongs to my friend Finn.
//Enjoooooy!

Muriel

It had been years.
Things in Vesuvia had changed; largely for the better and mostly thanks to the cooperation of Countess Satrinava and the once banished Dr. Devorak. New aqueducts brought clean water to lesser serviced parts of the city, trade was booming, and at long last there was time to actually breathe.
Mateo didn't miss the bustle of the city so much as they missed Asra and Faust, but they couldn't think of anywhere better to spend their days than the small hut concealed deep within the forest. They couldn't think of anyone they'd rather be with than Muriel.
They watched through the window as said man scattered feed for the chickens, the light dappling through the branches casting across his shoulders and hair as Muriel turned to look at them. Mateo gave a small smile, waving their hand slightly before glancing over at the table. Since everything they'd been through together, Asra had convinced Muriel to expand upon his diet. As such, they'd been practically forced into trying various oddities that Asra recommended.
Currently, that meant pumpkin soup. Of course, since it had been Asra's suggestion, there had to be a catch. And it was sitting there, rounded and vibrant in it's autumnal glory; a hollowed out pumpkin with steaming broth within. Mateo was sure that it hadn't been cooked correctly.

Truly, the two of them spent most of their days in mild tranquility, but on the rare occasion-

"You sure are thinking hard. How has your training been coming along?" Asra asked, walking in with an armful of firewood. The magician gave Mateo a warm smile, raising an eyebrow slightly. "I'm sure you've been making great improvement! There's always room for more, you know. Unless... Something's been distracting you? Or someone?"
Mateo hummed softly, glancing at said distraction as he joined them. His voice was soft and low as thunder, and Mateo loved the soothing sound of it. "Don't bother Mateo."
"I'm not, I'm not!" Asra laughed, grinning widely as he deposited the wood by the fireplace and moved to stir the soup. "Just checking in on my apprentice. And what about you, Muri? Still working on your people skills every so often? Nadia missed you at teatime the other day."
"Mh." Muriel hummed noncommittally, glancing at Mateo. They had been sick the other day, and Muriel would never leave them to face that alone. He didn't mention this, and Mateo was glad. They didn't want to have Asra worried as well. He'd surely tell Nadia all about it, and then Julian would insist on coming to check on them, and then it'd turn into some big thing. Neither of them wanted that.
Asra left the subject unaddressed, changing the subject to the pumpkin soup and babbling on about more recommendations as lunch progressed.
When the magician left, Muriel felt a weight lift off of his shoulders. With Mateo, words weren't necessary. A comforting silence fell across the hut, like a thick blanket on a frigid winter morning. They both did their part in clearing away the table, and when they were finished, Muriel extended his arms and looked to Mateo with a soft expression. Mateo nodded slightly, stepping forward to wrap their arms around Muriel's wide frame. They felt as if the world dropped away when they stepped into his warm, strong embrace.
Muriel's eyes closed lightly, and his thumb ran slowly along Mateo's back as they melted into each other. When Mateo moved to pull away, Muriel let go without hesitation, although his eyes widened slightly when their hands slid up to his shoulders. He looked down into their eyes, searching for the best answer to their unspoken question. He wanted very much to give in to the strong feelings he'd had for so long... But Muriel needed soft. He needed steady, and slow, and sure.
He leaned down, the soft kiss on their lips the best answer he could offer at the moment.
Mateo let out a soft sigh, and for a moment, Muriel worried that perhaps it wasn't what they'd wanted. If perhaps he should've pushed himself to give a bit more.
But when he looked down at them, his heart gave a heavy thud at the look of adoration he saw there.
It was soft. It was steady. It was sure.
Muriel felt the smile slowly making its way to his face, and couldn't help the puff of breath that left his lungs at just how in love he was. He would've stood there like a big, sappy, lovestruck fool had Mateo not pulled him towards the door.
"The garden." They said simply, and Muriel nodded shortly, blushing at just how distracted the other made him.
If it were up to him, he'd stay wrapped in this moment forever.
But the garden really did need watering. And they had all the time in the world afterwards.

Lucio

Banquets weren't Mateo's thing.
Unfortunately, they were Lucio's, and he was prone to throwing them on a whim. He'd cut back drastically after all that had happened, but he still let that part of him get the better of him sometimes.
The soft string music projected well in the domed ballroom, and Lucio looked dashing in his neat white suit. Still, Mateo couldn't be bothered to comment on how the red accents complimented Lucio's aesthetic when the crowd around them was so distracting. Their voices weren't inherently loud, but Mateo was sure that they wouldn't be able to hold a proper conversation under such circumstances; let alone pay attention to one.
Not when some Baron was talking about his arranged marriage and a Courtier was talking about taxes and a Duchess was crooning on about the succulent snacks at the large table, and-
Mateo would hardly call this a banquet more than it was a large social gathering that just so happened to have food available. They would have attempted to slip away already, but Lucio was constantly looking to them with that expression that said 'You are my rock. Without you, I'd crumble.'
Not that Lucio was all that romantic.

So Mateo bore the social stimulation that bordered just on the line of too much. Afterwards, when Lucio was properly sloshed and needed assistance, Mateo escorted him to his chambers. The hall still bore an eerie chill, but they attributed that more to the fact that the wing was still adjusting to being used again. The Count's room was warm when Mateo opened the door, their other arm occupied by the very clingy Count.
"We're here." They said quietly, as if they'd shatter if they spoke too loudy.
Lucio looked up at them from his slumped position, grinning widely. "Come in with me, bay-bee! Lemme show ya why I'm so worthy of being called a God."
Mateo raised an eyebrow slightly, letting out a soft snort of a laugh. "You're drunk."
"Drunk on you maybe." Lucio purred, wrapping an arm around them. The gesture made them feel warm, and they wondered if perhaps the Count was lucid after all. He was always a big flirt, so it really was hard to tell. "C'mon, Birdie. I can make ya sing~."

Okay, he was definitely drunk.
Mateo wasn't usually one to mess with people, but Lucio was definitely in need of settling before he went to bed.
"And your wife?" Mateo asked, keeping their expression neutral. Lucio's eyes widened, and he blinked once, then glanced away.
"Wife? I have a wife?" He asked, confused in his drunken haze. He frowned slightly, then shook his head. "Ex. I have an ex wife. Why, you interested in fillin' the position?"
Mateo considered their attempt at calming Lucio's hot blooded mood an absolute failure. At Mateo's slightly uncomfortable look, Lucio took a quick and wobbly step backwards, his eyes wide and his voice rapid as he spoke.
"Wait, wait! No! I mean, I- I want to... Please, jus' hear me out, babe. I just wanna have... Y'know... I" His panic slowly morphed into sadness, and his voice wobbled as he looked back up at Mateo. "I don't wanna be alone, Birdie. Can ya... C-can ya just um, lay with me til I fall asleep at least? I don't mean ta be so pushy..."
Mateo's eyes widened slightly at the sudden, drastic change in the Count's behavior. So... The Count was an emotional drunk.
Mateo considered the Count's words, feeling a bit guilty. They nodded slightly, and Lucio let out a sigh of relief as he pulled Mateo into the room. He shut the door behind them, then wrapped his arms around Mateo and leaned backwards. They fell onto the bed, and Mateo let out a soft noise of surprise as Lucio rolled them over. Mateo found themself pressed against the Count and wrapped in the thick duvet with him, much like a burrito. They would complain about the proximity, but the look on Lucio's face was far too peaceful.
He was out cold, already snoring and drooling just a bit. Mateo thought that this was one of the most bearable things about being with Lucio.

In the morning, they awoke to Lucio posed dramatically beside them. He was laying on his side, head propped up on a hand and half covered by the blankets. His shirt was partly opened, and a smirk was slapped on his smug face. "So... Ya come here often?"
Mateo rolled their eyes, letting out an amused snort and fixing the Count's ruffled hair. They felt a soft squeeze of affection at his expression, Lucio's silver eyes full of adoration. This scorching, sweeping feeling that they shared... They were both more than willing to let it consume them, no matter how long it took. Until they were fully devoured by the flames of their mutual desires, Mateo was willing to count each of these mornings; each of these embraces, and shared moments, and loving gazes.
Each of these gentle kisses, that were already adding up between them.

//1665 words!
//I hope both of these lil excerpts were well appreciated. I tried my best!