Artemis stared down at August, who had covered his eyes with his arm, his cheeks red as he panted, exhausted.
Artemis tapped August's cheek with his pointer finger, smiling as the King's gaze was revealed. Lilac eyes stared up at him, glimmering with some semblance of longing.
"Have you fallen in love yet, your Grace?" Artemis teased, grinning.
August reached out, grasping the back of Artemis's head as he pulled him close, letting out a heavy breath as he replied, "do this with me again, and ask me that later..."
The two kissed deeply, feeling as if they would melt into each other if they were to continue any longer, not that it was any horrible fate to experience. Perhaps if they stayed like this for a minute more, they wouldn't leave for as long as they lived.
Artemis pulled away, shaking his head. "No, we must eat, drink, rest ourselves..."
"You're my dog, shouldn't you have boundless energy?" August replied, sulking.
"If you keep calling me a dog, I'll have to start listening to your every word. Should I act in stride to help you achieve all of yours goals, too?"
This wasn't a teasing reply, he was seeking invitation. Even now, he sought purpose. This was his fiancé, so shouldn't he try to fulfill his wishes? If he didn't have any passion for anything other than helping those he cared for, wasn't this exactly what he needed?
"That... that would be nice..." August spoke sheepishly, glancing away.
Is it really that easy? I wonder... will serving his purpose make me feel like I have a place? Maybe one day, I'll just become a recluse again... can I outlast that heartbreak if it turns out not to be the truth? Can I take that risk...?
Staring down at August's red face, Artemis chuckled.
No, I don't mind taking that risk. He's really cute...
"I think... we should put clothes on." August suddenly spoke out.
"Ah, you're right..." Artemis suddenly came to the same realisation. They had spent all night underneath the covers. Their clothes had been thrown to the side.
How degenerate... Artemis chided himself internally.
The two quickly clothed themselves, slipping into the garb from the night previous. Of course, they had not brought a change of clothes, not that anything could make them feel more dirty than they already were. Artemis cringed at the thought, aching to cleanse himself in the Palace baths he had heard so much about. He would have to mention it to August when he first got the chance...
The two descended the steps, August pulling a hood over his head as he walked towards the door. However, Artemis did not have the same mind.
Artemis walked up to the counter where the innkeeper stood, scrubbing dishes. He spoke genially, discussing menial, simple topics in a pleasant manner with the man as August waited by the door, shifting impatiently. However, just as quickly as he had begun to conversate with the man, he soon returned to August, a small brown-paper bag tucked gently underneath his arm.
August's eyes widened as he saw this, the two adjourning from the inn shortly after. Artemis unraveled the paper bag as they walked, procuring two thin paper-sheet wrapped pastries, handing one to August. This was one of his favourite delicacies within Margraves, something he had spotted when they had walked into the inn the night previous- flaky buttered pastries.
"Thank you." August spoke tentatively, eyeing the pastry he held gently in his hands. This wasn't something he was used to, not the sort of thing that Naasis's kitchens would prepare for him on a daily basis. Of course, this was one of the non-benefits of having grown up within such a spectacular Palace. The menial parts of his day-to-day life were perfectly curated, as they had always been since the moment he had been born. He ate what was prepared and slept as he was told to, this was just the way of things for a sheltered King.
All of these things he experienced alongside Artemis, they were quite new to him. Only when he had started venturing outside of the Palace to complete his goal of achieving the advancement conditions of his Aspect had he started to learn so much more. It was wondrous to him. It was enthralling.
As they walked, they began to discuss what they had talked about the night previous.
"Why do you want to reach this Stage of power? To fall in love in desperation, what is this goal of yours?"
August instinctively glanced upwards, reaching a hand towards the cavern ceiling.
"To reach the surface..."
"The surface?" Artemis quickly stopped himself from inquiring further. "Never mind, this seems like some grand state secret I should know nothing about..."
August chuckled. "Well, if you ever want to hear more, I don't mind sharing it. It's what I'm gambling my entire life on, after all. If you ever pose a threat to national security, I'll simply kill you."
"Imprisonment wouldn't suffice?"
August shook his head adamantly. "No half-measures will ever come from me in regards to the safety of my people."
"Is that the duty you ascribe to yourself?"
"Always. It's not an obligation I measured myself. Even with the intentions to rule through fear in an iron-fisted nature, my father and my predecessors thought the same. Even 'order' through fear has some semblance of care. If all people stay within their places, there is little chance of them getting hurt. It's just that I measured more freedom of will in my own equations, in how I would rule once I became King."
"You had planned this much out even before you took the throne?"
"I had to face the election, but because I wasn't a suitable candidate, a council enacted policy until I was of age to be elected. The one thing my father was able to etch into all of his constituents of both factions was an inalienable loyalty. They would never have thought to put a name forward before I came of age. If I had acted as my father did, choosing a path of darkness, it would remain unlikely that any of them would act against me. Now, I'm sure that some harbour ill intent..." August mused, smirking. "This is all to say that I did have much time to ponder how I would act as King. Ultimately, this golden path of light is the conclusion I came to. But now, I'm not sure I can bring it to bloom..."
"We'll make it so, so don't worry too much." On the other hand, there were questions Artemis was aching to ask. Seeing as how they had already been discussing such trivial topics, he thought it would be a good time to bring it up. "Do you think humanity is born with the knowledge of their purpose? Do you think it can be discovered? Is there a chance that a human might be born with no innate purpose, no place in the world?"
"Why do you ask?" August wondered.
"Imagine it a fun game." Artemis responded coyly. Of course, he really wanted to know August's opinion on the matter. This was the set of questions he grappled with every single day, at least, since he had arrived within Henem.
"I don't think anyone is born with the knowledge of their innate purpose, but I don't think that it's also set in stone. I believe that people can change, in their morals, actions, and interests. If interests can change, that must mean that their purpose can change. The boy who meant himself to be a swordsman can later become a fisherman, it can be his joy. I think that there is a chance that someone can be born without an innate purpose, but I don't think that one can't be made. Everyone can find a purpose if they look hard enough, something that brings them true joy."
Artemis glanced down at August as he spoke his mind, paying him the full of his attention. At the same time, he was caught up in a sense of fervor. His mind raced, and he felt his heart beat a bit faster. He reached out a hand, grasping August's jaw as he pulled him in close, meeting his lips with his own. It was passionate and warm, like a low fire, perhaps even its embers. They would spark every so often, sending shivers up Artemis's body. It was an unnatural feeling-- in how pleasant it felt-- it was foreign.
When they broke apart, Artemis was a little torn.
"Is this a normal speed at which to progress a relationship?"
"How would I know?" August replied casually, biting into the flaky buttered pastry once more, unable to part from it, light cream washing over its tongue as it spilled from its wound. "When me and Isolde did something like this, it also went pretty quickly. She just doesn't like men, like you and I, so it was pretty lackluster and short-lived..."
Artemis glanced over at August, an eyebrow raised. "Truly? A childhood friend, a caretaker, and a woman who only has eyes for women... you've never been married for real."
"Neither you!" August exclaimed, nudging his side playfully.
Artemis's gaze fixated on the path ahead, smiling.
"Well, even if it isn't, I'm enjoying this time we spend."