001. CLOSED ♘ WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE ANYTHING

[holyswordwielder]

Who: Arthur Pendragon and Ozymandias
When: After the September full moons.
Where: Home and The Coven.
What: Bonding
Warnings: N/A.

𝐼. 𝓒𝓛𝓞𝓢𝓔𝓓 𝓕𝓞𝓡 𝓞𝓩𝓨𝓜𝓐𝓝𝓓𝓘𝓐𝓢 ⇢ fulgency

𝔹𝕠𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 ♘ 𝔹𝕒𝕔𝕜𝕕𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝔸𝕘𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕝

[ When finally the shared dream of Dorchacht releases him, Arthur wakes with a start, pulse pounding hard in his ears and what remains of his own skin drenched in sweat. Though he’s regained consciousness, his mind is still a captive in the claws of the nightmare he’s just awakened from and green eyes dart around his darkened surroundings frantically as he tries to get his bearings. Before he realizes where he actually is, his hands are already flying to his neck, feeling for the thick, oppressive collar that was typical for his kind in the Black City.

He finds it isn’t there, of course. Finally recognizing that he’s in his bedroom back in Aefenglom doesn’t bring him much relief though. His throat, wings, wrists and ankles are still pained under the phantom weight of chains and manacles that were, in reality, actually never there. The bruises and scratches from the captivity that once marred the human skin around his scales are nowhere to be seen.

Arthur’s hands go to his face then, covering his eyes. A dream. It was just a dream. Or so he wants to believe, but while the events that transpired in the nightmare did not happen to his body, he knows the likelihood of Dorchacht not really existing is slim indeed and the thought that their actions there might have had repercussions in the waking world makes him sick to his stomach. He’s unsure how long he‘s been asleep exactly, for outside the sun has not yet risen, but now that he’s more awake, a different fear cuts clean through the slowly dissipating fog in his mind:

Ozymandias.

It’s enough to push him away from the edge of madness that his status as an Unbonded dragon constantly has him veering towards these days and Arthur is quick to jump out of bed. The fact that Ozymandias is a Witch and so, safer when it comes to Dorchacht than Arthur would ever be, isn’t really adequate for quelling the irrational fear the King of Knights has for the pharaoh’s well-being. Perhaps if he were thinking straight, he might have questioned his own heightened concern for the King of Kings, but as it is... well, he’s only compelled by this unrelenting need to know that the other man is safe and sound, as if he’s ever known Ramesses to be otherwise when left to his own devices. ]

Comments

[holyswordwielder]

[ Arthur isn’t so certain how he is going to handle being Bonded to someone like Ozymandias either, but he’s made his promise and they’re about to exchange vows in front of The Coven. Arthur being the reserved sort, he hasn’t been the most vocal about he feels about Ramesses or the process of Bonding at all. Well, soon, he’ll know exactly how he feels about it; how he’s hoping Ozymandias isn’t Bonding with him purely out of convenience, and how Arthur has developed affection for the pharaoh that even he doesn’t fully understand and has been trying to ignore, honestly. They’ve clearly developed a friendship, but it’s a different matter to say the older man is aware of how it’s progressed for Arthur.

And then, the way Ramesses squeezes his hand and his fingertips linger on his as he walks away, Arthur wonders if he not only knows, but also returns his complex affection. The knight watches him go until he’s left his sight, standing at the doorway of the kitchen. He waits until Ozymandias disappears into his room, lost in his thoughts for the moment, then hurries back upstairs himself to wash up and dress for the ceremony. ]

[fulgency]

[By the time Ozymandias reaches his room, he reaches the conclusion that he is probably not going to have much if any further sleep for the night. Regardless of whether or not there is actually time for him to sleep for a little while longer, he can't imagine the newness of the Bond making sleep come easily to either one of them. As such, he decides he might as well engage in his usual morning routine. It seems only right, anyway, since this is to clearly be a more modest ceremony than most he's participated in. Simply because it is lacking in the usual flourish does not mean that he ought to lack in personal flourish.]

[And so, if Arthur were anticipating Ozymandias to shotgun his water and make a speedy return to downstairs, he's to be sorely mistaken. Ozymandias does not skip any steps in his morning routine from washing his face to applying creams, perfume, and makeup (even taking the extra time to apply shadow in addition to his usual liner to his eyes) and takes his time with finishing his water. He also does not rush himself in the process of selecting an outfit or his accessories.]

[He makes his appearance downstairs when he's damn well good and ready.]

[holyswordwielder]

[ Indeed, Arthur is washed, groomed, and downstairs set to go long before Ozymandias is. He doesn’t mind waiting for the other man, as he does anticipate him wanting to come to the ceremony in his finest clothes, but he wasn’t really expecting the other primping. Arthur did take the time to observe the significance and formality of the event, however, even if he was the first ready. He’s dressed himself in a lighter palette this morning, opposite of his usual black, wearing a white tailcoat and charcoal gray, thinly striped slacks to match the lighter gray of his double-breasted waistcoat. He’s even carefully tied a cravat around his throat, opting for a gold paisley-patterned material in honor of his Bonded-to-be, and white gloves.

When finally Ramesses comes down, it’s clear that Arthur has taken notice of the extra thought he’s put into his appearance, his reaction rather obviously written all over the younger man’s features. His green eyes widen and his lips part in quiet awe as he watches the King of Kings descend the stairs. He says nothing at all about how long the other man took; he says absolutely nothing at all, in fact, until— ]

You’re beautiful.

[ Ah, awkward... Honest, but Arthur certainly could have blurred it out less suddenly. Oh well. He might as well start getting used to having the Rider know his mind even when it’s embarrassing. Soon, he’ll know without anything needing to be spoken aloud.

Arthur clears his throat and tries again. ]

Er, I mean... you look... very attractive... Lovely...

[ Nope, he’s terrible at this. All right, he should just stop now. ]

We should go. The sun will be up soon.

[fulgency]

[Abrupt though his initial compliment may be, Ozymandias' pleasure at the compliment is apparent in his expression. He is pleased the praise itself, of course, but more than that he enjoys that Arthur's earnestness makes the thought of his appearance one too difficult to contain and left unspoken. As Arthur fumbles about, trying to recover from embarrassment only he feels and likely feels is justified to feel, Ozymandias' expression shifts into one of light amusement, eyebrows raising in patient expectation that at some point, he'll stop.]

[Ozymandias uses the time to make a slight adjustment to Arthur's cravat. Standing this close to him, Arthur will likely notice the hues of green and gold Ozymandias selected for his eyeshadow, and the scents of myrrh, cinnamon, and lily. Once Arthur manages to stop himself from trying to smooth over his embarrassment, Ozymandias seems satisfied with his adjustment and holds Arthur's face in his hands.]

Relax. You've nothing to be nervous or embarrassed for, Arthur. [He grins wickedly before letting go of Arthur's face, turning to leave.] Besides, when I have I ever admonished anyone for praising me as I ought to be?

1/2

[holyswordwielder]

[ Ozymandias's devilish smile combined with his closeness only makes Arthur feel more embarrassed, but thankfully, the younger man is pretty good and distracted from his embarrassment by everything else about his housemate. He probably shouldn't be so surprised that the pharaoh has opted to get hands-on with his assurances, but Arthur usually keeps most people at arm's length so to have someone just boldly bypass his personal boundaries and touch him like this does make him nervous.

Nervousness aside though, he doesn't exactly mind Ramesses's hands on his face. Or his closeness. He feels some disappointment when Ozymandias withdraws his hands, in fact. He can't stop staring at the other man, even as he begins to move away from him, and there's really only one thing Arthur wants to do then, even if he's afraid of letting himself be at the mercy of his impulses. Relax? Well. All right then. ]

2/2

[holyswordwielder]

[ Arthur decides to throw his reservations aside for the moment. Before Ozymandias can get too far away from him, the younger king reaches out to grab his wrist, pulling him back towards him so he can take a hold of both of his hands. ]

If you want me to wax poetic about your beauty, I'm afraid I will disappoint you. I'm not golden-tongued like you, Pharaoh.

[ Arthur raises those hands back to his face and presses his lips to the knuckles of one, closing his eyes and letting them linger there for a quiet moment. Then he does the same to the other before whispering against Ozymandias's skin. ]

This is the best I can do.

[fulgency]

[When Arthur grabs Ozymandias' wrist, Ozymandias assumes at first that Arthur merely intends to keep him from getting too far ahead. It would not seem so stranger, after all, that he insist they walk together to the Coven in as close an approximation of equals as they've ever been. But Arthur pulls a little and Ozymandias has to take a step or two back to be directly in front of Arthur again.]

[And yet, even though Arthur has managed to catch him off-guard with the gesture, Ozymandias does not become embarrassed or find himself at a loss with the affection. He watches with curiosity as his fingers merely curl ever so slightly when Arthur's lips come into contact with his skin before there is something both pleased and almost gentle in his smile.]

To speak of it in such a way, you give yourself little credit, Arthur.

[holyswordwielder]

I would prefer that be your judgment of me than have you think I give myself undue credit.

[ He lifts his lips from Ozymandias’s knuckles then, but he doesn’t let go of his hand just yet. Instead, he begins to take one of the older man’s arms and hook it around his own. It seems the pharaoh’s suspicions about Arthur wanting to walk closely together were completely unfounded. He begins to lead them towards the door. ]

Or worse—

[ He looks down at Ozymandias now and gives him a sly little smile and a wink. ]

Fair amount of credit but constantly.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias narrows his eyes slightly at Arthur, but that his smile remains (even forming itself into a grin) tells that he isn't truly offended by Arthur's teasing. But there are appearances to maintain here, and he cannot allow Arthur to so brazenly insult him like that.]

Watch your mouth. [Ozymandias elbows Arthur in the side with enough force that while it doesn't particularly hurt, it also cannot be ignored.] Becoming my Bonded does not suddenly give you permission to speak to me in whatever way you please.

[...It kinda does actually. Or, at least, grants a lot more leeway than if that were not the case. But Ozymandias will not surrender such information to Arthur.]

[holyswordwielder]

I’m sure I haven’t the faintest idea what you are talking about.

[ Arthur chuckles quietly at the dig to his ribs as they leave the house. But whether it’s in apology or silent acknowledgement of the actual truth that has the knight-king squeezing Ozymandias’s hand with his where it’s wrapped around his arm, is hard to say. Certainly though, there’s undeniable affection in his eyes as he looks at the other man.

Outside, the air has the faint crispness of an early autumn morning, the last heat of summer beginning to fade, if only just. The moon is still out and the sky is still dark, but the black of night is receding, giving way to purple hues as the sun slowly creeps up on the horizon. For Arthur, the timing is perfect; he could think of no better moment to tether their souls to one another than this. Excalibur has an affinity with the moon, after all, and as its wielder, so too does he. There are only two times of the day where the sun and moon might visibly share the sky if the sun’s rays permit and this is one of them. ]

[fulgency]

[Some would likely consider the affection between Ozymandias and Arthur strange given their history. It would perhaps seem more likely that they would share animosity before any sense of camaraderie. After all, Ozymandias' pride was difficult to match and no doubt Ozymandias' actions still strike the same chord with Arthur that resulted in his need to take action against him beyond the competition for the Grail. But in the end, neither Ozymandias nor Arthur could hold a grudge against the other. Ozymandias accepted his defeat in the moment and holds the battle as among the most glorious and Arthur does not place blame on Ozymandias for any painful reminders his presence might inspire.]

[And so, they are able to walk side-by-side like this with a look of affection in Arthur's eyes and Ozymandias' casual acceptance of touch.]

[Although the air around them is not particularly cold -- nights in Egypt certainly were far colder than this -- Ozymandias remains close and with his hand on Arthur's arm throughout their walk to the Coven. Perhaps more importantly, however, is that he remains quiet. It's a rare thing when he chooses to remain quiet, but with their decision reached, there seems no need for further words. At least for now.]

[Once they reach the top of the steps leading to the Coven, Ozymandias separates from Arthur to open the door.]