A Getaway That Leads to New Truths

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Vero had been easily convinced to get away from the capitol for a day and go to the beach. They spent so many of their hours training, and they'd been growing closer and closer each day. Kia trusted Vero completely, and not just because the other man was much larger than he was and capable of laying anyone who might try to hurt him to rest. At 17, Kia didn't need physical protection anymore, most of the time. His trust for the other boy--well, now a man of 21, though they'd been boys when they met--went much deeper than that, and Kia was eager to get him away from fighting for the day. Too soon he would have to take on his role as Emperor, and they would have far less time to enjoy themselves. Vero didn't know that yet, of course, but it fueled Kia's desire for a little freedom anyway.

The trip to the beach was not a long ride by horse, but Kia enjoyed the wind through his hair as they galloped, though he felt very aware of Vero pressed against his back as they rode, his large arms wrapped around his waist. Once on the beach, Vero slid off first and Kia used his shoulder for leverage as he leapt off their rather large horse. "I used to come here as a child," he said, kicking off his shoes to feel the sand beneath his toes. He hadn't come with Nolia, but with his parents and brother. He still held fond memories of building castles in the sand with his brother.

He drew in a deep breath, inhaling the salty air, and smiled up at Vero. "Just the smell brings back memories."

Tag: @vero

[Deleted]

Tag: @kiawah

blood and battle

ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN

This was a rarity for Vero. He was usually consumed with training, especially as he became older and was even helping train the others. But Kia had a way of convincing him. Not that he had to try incredibly hard. The idea of spending some time away from all else, and everyone else with him was rather enticing. Despite words unspoken, Vero felt his emotions for the younger male growing. They had known each other for some time now . . . and he felt a loyalty toward him. A protectiveness. The only other he had felt such to was his brother but, it was not a frateneral bond that Vero felt for Kia.

He still recalled the day he first saw him; a smaller male, but one that held promise. Now, he certainly proved it to be true. Casually with his hands on his waist, they rode onto the beach, and once the horse stopped, Vero dismounted and helped support Kia as he followed, revealing that he used to come here as a child. The sentiment of the location was not lost on Vero, and he felt his heart swell at the fact that he wished to share such a meaninful location with him. Vero smiled as he listened, watching him take off his shoes, though was unsure he could grant himself the same ease. There still could be a threat lurking, and he wished to be ready should anyone pose one to Kia. He'd rather the younger male fully take in the moment, without need to concern himself with anything else.

"I'm glad to hear that they are fond ones, judging from your tone and expression," Vero commented, his smile unwavering. It was somehow so easy to smile in his company. To lower his guard . . . emotionally. "I've never been before," he admitted, looking out into the vastness of the water. He hadn't had much time to explore the beauty of their land. His life was a warrior consuming all else. His only experience in the water was to learn how to swim; mandatory considering they were close to the water. "How long has it been?" Vero asked, curious to learn more about Kia's childhood, now that they had some time alone to do so.

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Kia was letting himself grow too fond of how Vero smiled at him. It wasn't an expression afforded many, not by Vero. Kia only really saw the softness in Vero's gaze when it fell upon Vero's brother or himself. This was probably playing with fire, Kia knew. The way he enjoyed Vero's company more than others. This trip was probably a bad idea, given they'd had very little time truly alone with one another. The city offered so little privacy, and now here they were completely alone. And in spite of knowing this was a bad idea, Kia had every intention of getting Vero into the water with him.

"You've never been to the beach?" he asked, surprised. Though he supposed he shouldn't be. This was a luxury for many people, and since living with Nolia, Kia had not returned here even himself. He started to unpack the items from their horse. A blanket to lay on, towels, supplies for a fire should they stay long enough for the sun to set and the cool breeze to come inland. "A long time," he answered. "I was probably four or five last time I was here, before mom had quite as much responsibility as she does now." Before Nolia had him as a responsibility.

Tag: @vero

[Deleted]

Tag: @kiawah

blood and battle

ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN

While Kiawah starting to unpack their things, Vero looked around the beach. Staying close to the other male, his eyes moved around, scanning their surroundings. His hand on the hilt of his sword that was still tucked away; a haibt of his, prepared for anything. "Never," he answered honestly, eyes still surveying the area. "Except for any training. Though that's usually done in other areas." Not this particular beach, but still other areas where there was water.

When Vero was mostly satsified that no threat was going to pop out of no where, he turned back to Kia, crouching down to help lay out the blanket as he listened to his answer, his smile returning upon hearing it. "That is quite a while," Vero agreed. "Was it just you and your mother?" Vero further asked, hoping he wasn't prying too much. His comfort with Kia made him relaxed, and find it easy to talk to him about such things, and ask about such things. Another rarity for the male, as he did not let any personal feelings get in the way of his warrior standing.

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Kia didn't miss the way Vero scanned the beach, his hand on the hilt of his sword. He couldn't tell Vero that he was given intelligence briefings now regularly on the state of things between the 12 clans, and that he knew the likelihood of an attack was very slim. He'd even brought his own sword on his hip, but he wasn't especially aware of it. Had he thought they would see any danger, he would have brought his spear instead. So he kept his mouth shut as Vero explained he'd never been to the beach, for any other reason than training. Besides, Vero's constant vigilance was endearing, so he fought the urge to rest his hand over the hand Vero had on his sword.

He smiled as Vero relaxed, helping him to spread the blanket, his smile returning. "It always was," Kia replied. It always was him and Nolia after the age of six, anyway, and Kia had been forbidden to speak of anything before that, not even his brother. Kia hated that he could not be completely truthful with Vero, but he'd grown used to it over the years. "It was warmer than it is now, and other children were on the beach to play with, though," he said, which was true. Today was just warm enough to swim, and once the sun set, it would be cool.

"Take off your shoes, at least. You should feel the sand between your toes at least once," he added, his smile turning to a grin as he sat on the blanket, unhooking his belt and putting it and his sword attached to it to the side. "And if you think we're not getting in the water, you're sorely mistaken," he added before tugging his shirt off and tossing it aside as well. He leaned back on his arms and tilted his face up to the sun, closing his eyes and taking in what warmth it offered.

Tag: @vero

[Deleted]

Tag: @kiawah

blood and battle

ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN

Vero smiled as Kia continued to share the memory of his childhood. Vero looked around at the emptiness of the beach; the unpopulated area. He found it . . . peaceful. Cherishing these rare moments of privacy granted between them. And wishing to thoroughly enjoy it. "Would you wish for that now?" He asked a bit teasingly, regarding having children on the beach, as it was in his childhood memories. He glanced down at the sand for a moment before looking back at Kia when he suggested taking off his shoes. It was fairly difficult to not listen to him.

As Vero found himself eager to comply with any request or suggestion that he offered. Eager to please him. "It seems messy," he stated, his features twisting for a moment, thinking that the sand would get everywhere. But never the less, he complied, starting to take off his shoes and setting them to the side. The soft sand touching his skin was . . . an interesting sensation. Almost a soothing one. He turned to Kia upon hearing his next words, but was silenced due to the distraction of his unclad state. Vero found his gaze slowly lingering over his well formed upper body, now exposed, appreciating each muscle.

A temptation to reach over and touch him, to truly appreciate him with not only sense of sight, but other senses as well. Turning his head away abruptly before Kia took notice, Vero looked into the openness of the sea, the younger male's words belatedly registering in his mind. "If you think you can get me in the water on a joy swim, then your the one sorely mistaken," he teased him. He already knew that he would wind up conceding to Kia's wishes. Just as he often did. It just seemed damn impossible to say no to him.

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"Last thing in the world I'd wish for today," Kia said in response to Vero's tease about wishing if there were more people here today, his own tone sincere. It was part of the reason why Kia had waited for the weather to cool down in the first place before asking Vero to come to the beach with him. The fewer people here, the better. And fortunately, they seemed to be alone today.

He only chuckled at Vero saying the sand seemed messy, holding back a tease of his own that a warrior shouldn't be afraid of a little mess. Instead he just basked in the sun's rays for a long moment, eyes still closed until Vero spoke again. He laughed automatically, opening his eyes and lifting his head to look at Vero, who was gazing out at the sea... with his bare feet in the sand. Kia hummed a noise that indicated a challenge haad been accepted and said, "You think so?" Grinning, he flopped back onto his back and lifted his arms, tucking them under his head so he could still look at his friend. "How much are you willing to wager?"

Tag: @vero

[Deleted]

Tag: @kiawah

blood and battle

ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN

Vero couldn't help but continue to smile as Kia confirmed that he wouldn't have this any other way. It definitely was the perfect setting. Vero knew he wouldn't be as relaxed in Kia's presence if others were nearby. He just felt so much more at ease when it was the two of them; as if he could lower his guard. And it sounded as if Kia could allow himself the same, his melodic laughter such a beautiful sound. Feeling his gaze upon him, Vero turned to look at Kia, forcing himself not to be distracted with his current state of undress and instead, lock his eyes onto his to keep them from straying.

But upon Kia's last words of challenge, offering a wager, Vero broke eye contact and looked back at the water in front of him. He shook his head, polayful annoyance on his face as he didn't actually feel irritation. Truth was, he knew that Kia would win such a wager. He was a difficult man not to comply with. But nor did Vero like to admit loss. "Not a lot," he admitted, giving Kia a mock glare. "You have ways of convincing me," he playfully accused. "It's joken hard to say no to you," he further admitted, the teasing glare still playing on his features.

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Kia couldn't help being amused at the response to his question. He sort of knew, in his heart, that for whatever reason, Vero liked to give him what he wanted. But to have Vero confirm it, while trying to pretend he was annoyed... Kia couldn't really contain his smile, and his heart fluttered oddly in his chest. When Vero finished that it was fucking hard to say no to him, Kia laughed again, absently untying his hair and letting it fall loose so  that once they were in the water, it wouldn't tangle. "I promise to never use my power over you for evil," he joked, but it was sort of true. He would never want to see Vero hurt, or ask him to do something he did not want.

Rolling to his side, he propped himself up on his elbow to look at Vero and nudged his thigh with his foot. "You're the most dressed person I've ever seen on the beach," he said, feeling his stomach flip at how forward that sounded. But he wanted to look, just as much as he thought Vero wanted to look at him, and he hoped he wasn'y just imagining. "The sun on your skin is just as much a part of the experience as the sand between your toes." He swallowed, raking his hand through his hair to smooth it for a moment. "What's your aversion to a 'joy swim' anyway?" he asked, hoping whatever his objections were he could change Vero's mind rather than just telling him to go into the water with him.

Tag: @vero

[Deleted]

Tag: @kiawah

blood and battle

ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN

Vero gave him a teasing look of disbelief. "As if I believe that," he playfully accused him, when stated that he would not use his power over him for evil. Kia was perhaps one of the few people that Vero could engage in such casual teasing with. A comfort found in seldom few. He watched him as he moved onto his side and nudged him, trying to keep the thrill of any physical touch from coursing through him -- though barley succeeding. "You're lucky you got me out of my shoes," he commented, not entirely without truth but there was a level of jest in there. His last question, more easily addressed.

"That distraction could leave us open for an attack." Mainly leave Kia open for an attack. His concern lay with the other male above himself. Though, Vero couldn't deny the temptation to just bask in the sun . . . to enjoy the warmth of it. Continuing to keep his eyes on Kia, he spoke. "Maybe my enjoyment of the experience is mainly due to the company," he told him, his gaze lingering before looking out at the water again. "Apart from that, I don't need to experience anything." His way of saying, that spending time with Kia, this alone time, was what enriched any experience . . . more than sand, or water, or the beauty of a beach possibly could.

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Kia only snorted as Vero commented that he didn't believe him that he he wouldn't use his powers for evil, continuing to smile as Vero continued that he was lucky Kia got him out of his shoes. He huffed as Vero went on. "We're not going to be attacked," he moaned in playful complaint. His smile only grew when Vero said his enjoyment of the experience was mainly due to being with Kia. It felt so incredible to hear, but... it got Kia no closer to getting Vero out of his shirt, judging by how Vero finished.

"Ugh," he said, rolling his eyes. He started nudging Vero's thigh with his foot again, though this time he did it repeatedly, as if he could annoy Vero into complying. "You must lead an extremely fulfilling life," he teased. "Not needing to experience anything new, not wanting to have fun... I envy you, really," he added, gently mocking as he tugged lightly at the bottom of Vero's shirt.

Tag: @vero

[Deleted]

Tag: @kiawah

blood and battle

ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN

Vero cast Kia a mcok look of annoyance. Through truthfully, he didn't feel anything remotely close to annoyance. In fact, though he would not admit it, Vero was enjoying the contact between them . . . even if it was Kia's foot repeatedly nudging him, whether it was done to irritate Vero or not. It felt, exhilarating, to have that skin to skin contact. Something that Vero had been craving. "You seem pretty sure about that," he teased in return when Kia confidently spoke that they weren't going to be attacked. But . . . his latter words sinking in. Not wanting to experience anything. Vero . . . knew he wasn't entirely honest about that.

There was something he wanted to experience. Or rather . . . someone. If he shut down now, perhaps they would never get that opportunity. And the light tug on his shirt wasn't helping brush off Vero's desire, or reinforce his stubbornness that he should keep things the way they were between them. Fearing that the words would slip from him, he decided to take action instead. So he started removing the couple of things around him, before pulling off his shirt and setting it to the side. "I guess there is still some things worth experience in this joken world," Vero said as he let his gaze linger over Kia, a light smirk in his expression. Once again, the younger male made it impossible for Vero not to comply with his requests.

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Kia found himself biting his lower lip absently as Vero started to comply, removing things he needed to remove before he could take off his shirt. It was in part to keep himself from smiling too much, but also the combination of thrill and anxiety. Thrill at getting to see Vero's body, and anxiety because he knew where he was going. He hadn't brought any sort of swim clothes, and he still very much intended to get in the water with Vero.

"There's always something," Kia agreed. "That's better, right?" he teased lightly, nudging Vero's thigh with his foot again before letting it rest next to him. It was definitely better for Kia, at least. Lying down while Vero sat, Kia could only take in the strong lines of Vero's back and shoulders. He tried not to let his gaze linger too long, but he wasn't sure he succeeded.

He reached over and tugged Vero's elbow back a little. "Lay down. Relax," he encouraged. "Tell me something else you've never done." Kia would do his best to make whatever it was possible, if it was within his power.

Tag: @vero

[Deleted]

Tag: @kiawah

blood and battle

ARE ALL I HAVE EVER KNOWN

That was true. There was indeed always something. Vero had to admit that it did feel better to be rid of the clothing, enjoying the way the sun touched his now exposed body. Although, it was even better to watch Kia in his partly unclad state. The sight of it rivaling all else. Vero smirked when he nudged him again, the touch of his elbow and urging once again impossible to deny. So Vero leaned back against the surface, his back on it as he lay next to Kia. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking in a slow breath as he basked in this moment; truly appreciating it in all its unfamiliarity.

The relaxation, the ease . . . the peace. Though Vero was fairly certain it had more to do with the company than the actual setting. He opened his eyes and turned his head to look at Kiawah when he asked him what else he had never done. Vero fought the temptation to lean forward and kiss him, to reveal his answer through not only words, but actions. Yet somehow, managed to resist the overwhelming urge. Instead, he smiled in repsonse. "I've never watched the sunset, or sunrise. I've seen it, but I've never truly watched it." He'd never taken in nature's beauty of it. Something that he hoped to rectify soon. Figuring that sounded foolish, brushed it off and shifted focus toward Kia. "What about you? What's something that you have never done?" And possibly desired to.

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Still propped up on his elbow, Kia got a good look at Vero's well-muscled chest and stomach when he laid down. When Vero closed his eyes, Kia took full advantage to look, absentmindedly licking his lips. He had to force himself to look away before Vero opened his eyes again, before Kia could do something stupid. He should enjoy Vero's company while they were here, and he was enjoying it, but he was getting very distracted.

He smiled as Vero talked about watching the sunset, or the sunrise, thinking they could do at least one of those things on this trip. It sounded incredibly appealing to take in such beauty next to Vero's side. But when Vero turned the question on him, Kia wasn't sure what to say. His immediate response that he'd never kissed anyone felt like something he could never say out loud. It would plant a seed, but there were so many ways Vero might respond that could be painful, whether Vero meant it that way or not. "I've never..." He searched for something, but he so often sought out as many experiences as he could, so it was hard. After a moment, he chuckled. "I've never hit what I aimed for with a bow," he joked, grinning. He let his hand rest on Vero's upper arm, fingers stroking his skin as casually as he could manage. "We should stay and watch the sunset," he added, far more concerned with what Vero had expressed he'd never done. Whether or not they could stay for the sunrise was another question, one the weather would answer. Kia had brought them items to start a fire, but he hadn't packed them a tent.

Tag: @vero