Of course, the rain started falling that evening, and there wasn’t an inn in sight. 

Tennet had planned for it, of course, having packed everything for three days instead of one. Finding a dry place to make their tents was a little difficult, but eventually, they found a clearing off the beaten path, where the leaves above them were dense enough to block out the most of the heavy rain. Together, they managed to draw a large tarp between some of the trees, making an area large enough to both make a fire and sleep, in a relatively dry space. 

It took some effort and the smallest bit of magic left in Tennets blood to dry the wood enough to start a fire. Of course, he had brought enough food for the both of them for three days - the easiest food to carry with them, of course, but as they all came from the palace kitchens, every bite was rich and buttery and decadent. 

For most of their meal, they sat away from each other, enjoying the sound of the rain hitting the tarp overhead and the crackle of the firewood. Eventually, Tennet smiled at Vellen, not looking away until the knight noticed. 

“What?” 

“Come sit next to me?” 

Vellen bit the inside of his lip and sat down next to his prince, about a foot away. He had removed his armor, making sure it stayed as dry as possible. Without it, Tennet somehow felt even closer. 

The prince kept inhaling, as if he was going to start speaking, but stopped himself short, over and over. 

“It’s a little difficult to find the right words, when there’s so much to say,” Vellen admitted. “But… I will do my best not to make fun of you, if that helps.” 

Tennet started chuckling, his whole face brightening as he looked into the fire. “I simply can’t help but think that right here, now, there is nothing stopping me from doing all of the things I’ve been wanting to try for years unending.” 

Vellen also looked back into the fire, suddenly shy of Tennet’s gaze. And yet, he moved closer, until their shoulders brushed together. 

“I- I ah. I feel ridiculous asking, but what kind of things?” 

The prince kept chuckling. “This feels ridiculous, like it was written by a mediocre storyteller.” 

“I wish they chose different fates for us, then.” 

“Do you think they’re otherwise kind?” 

“Who knows? Though I doubt someone unkind would spend their days writing about us, of all people.” 

The prince looked back at Vellen, and raised one of his hands almost hesitantly, before taking one of Vellen’s curls and letting it loop around his fingers, admiring it. “This is one of the things I’ve been wanting to do, every time your hair catches the sunlight.” 

Vellen grinned and tipped his head toward the prince, inviting him to keep playing with his hair. 

“You don’t mind?” 

“It’s nice. What else have you been wanting to do?”

A gentle stroke over his pointed ears. A soft kiss on the cheek, on his jaw, on his neck.  Each gesture was mirrored by the knight, as they each let themselves and each other explore, feel, in an absolute mess of blushes and giggles. 

“You’d think we’d never have done this before at all, with anyone,” Vellen teased. 

“It never meant much when I knew you were never far away.” 

“Watch out, Ten, you may make my swoon.” 

The prince chuckled and kissed his knight’s cheek again, who turned his head to finally let their lips brush. Green eyes met rose eyes, before they both leaned back in to a gentle kiss. The prince shook his head and adjusted how he was sitting, before capturing Vellen’s lips into something less hesitant, less afraid. It didn’t take more than a moment for Vellen to respond in kind, pulling Tennet closer, letting their lips part under the pressure. 

“Finally.” 

“Shut up.” 

They fell into an impossibly deep kiss, as if they could catch up on the years of longing passed by. Vellen only pulled away when he tasted something other than Tennet - the sharp saltiness of tears. He held the prince’s face in his hands, brushing his tears with his thumbs.

“Ten?” 

“I wish it could be you, Vel. Because it always has been you.” 

Vellen pulled Tennet into a hug, each of them grasping onto each other

“I’ll never stray too far, Ten. I promise.” 

“And do you call that a blessing or a curse?” 

“A little bit of both? And besides, you’re the one who wanted three days, we could already be in the city.” Vellen shrugged, trying to change the tone. “But if you insist, I’ll let go of you and go way over there on the other side of the-”  

He was interrupted by another kiss. “There’s more I’d like to try…” 

“You’re changing the subject.” 

“I know.” 

Vellen kissed Tennet’s forehead, and they followed each others lead until shirts were discarded, tossed aside. They gently explored each other, reveling in each other’s reactions, until things started to become uncomfortable, once again. 

“Vel?” 

“Ten?” 

“I-... It’s not that I’ve never gone further, I have! With men and women both, I just… gods, please don’t hate me.” 

“What is it?” 

“I’m telling you this because I trust you, more than myself. I just-... f*ck.” 

Vellen sat up and looked down at the one he loved, trying not to smile. “Do you also dislike lying with another? Do you also do it because it is what is expected, because it is what the others do? But it feels like an obligation, rather than pleasure?” 

The prince sat up. “You too?” 

“Do you not remember our confusion about why the other children made such a big deal about kissing?” 

“Of course I do.” 

“I still ask myself that about people lying together. I don’t understand it, even though I have tried it. Maybe, maybe it’d be different with someone I care for but…” Vellen bit his lip and raked his hands through his hair as he searched for the right words. “The way I feel for you… it’s so much more than physical. And- and if it’s okay with you, maybe that’s one thing we don’t need to try.” 

“You’re lying. You’re bluffing, I didn’t think anybody else… I mean, you?” 

Vellen smiled. “That’s what it took for you to lose your eloquence?” 

“... when you think something is wrong, because you do not value such things in the way your peers believe you should, such declarations mean more than I could have ever anticipated.” 

“I had no idea you felt that way.” 

“I  almost do, it’s not exactly the same. For me it’s a deep discomfort, rather than not understanding it.” 

“That’s okay. It’s alright. Nothing is wrong with you, Ten.” 

Tennet broke into a smile and leaned his forehead on Vellen’s, before playfully pulling him so they were both lying down, laughing together. 

“There’s one more thing I’d like to try, Ten…” 

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah…” 

“Do it, then.” 

Vellen kissed the corner of his prince’s mouth, before sinking against him, resting his head on his chest, making himself comfortable. Tennet’s arms around him was unbelievably welcome. It was undescribable, being so close.

“It’s always been you, too.”