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It had been almost eighteen hours since he had left his bed, slipped out whilst Theodora was still asleep so he could go and run through the morning drills that were something familiar in amongst all that was not. He wasn’t sleeping well, whether it was the oddness of sleeping somewhere new, or the fact that for the first time ever there was someone sleeping next to him every night he wasn’t sure, but Achilleas would find himself lying awake after Theodora had fallen into slumber, exhausted but somehow too tense and wired to find rest.
Now he was staring at maps of the Egyptian coastline: maps that he had been staring at for what felt like weeks now, though it was only a matter of days. He knew them well-enough, Petros had jested that they would not have changed between him retiring one night and waking up the next morning, but Achilleas had never been one comfortable with leaving things to chance.
He was a planner, thorough and meticulous, and in some situations, his commitment and eye for detail was a blessing. In the situation he had found himself thrust into though, Achilleas’ propensity for over-thinking was risking becoming a curse. He wanted to understand the ins and outs of every document that was set before him, didn’t want to miss anything through ignorance or make a mistake because he didn’t spare the time to ask questions. Placing his faith in the advisors that he had inherited with the job didn’t come easily, for Achilleas could not help but think they would draw parallels between he and his father, and he didn’t want to be found lacking if that were the case.
But it meant that his days were rapidly filled, and there had barely been chance to catch his breath since he had arrived at the Palati, still numb with shock after what should have been a joyful day had turned into anything but. Everything had shifted so suddenly and for one who was more comfortable with stability and security it was a hard adjustment to make. But the new King had done his best to smile through it anyway. He had a job to do after all.
Now Achilleas could feel a headache pulsing behind his eyes, and the lines of ink of the parchment before him were smudging and blurring in his vision. Wearily, he rubbed a hand over his face and let the map furl in on itself. He wasn’t going to learn anything further from it now, anyway. His stomach grumbled, but the food that had been brought to him earlier looked unappetising now where it sat untouched upon its tray, and he wasn’t sure it would be good to eat now and leave the meal to sit like a stone in his stomach as he tried to sleep.
There was a quiet knock upon the door that had him startle, and Achilleas blinked, wondered if he had just zoned out or if he’d actually fallen asleep a moment. Sitting upright and shaking off whatever fugue had come over him, he cleared his throat and called the ‘Enter’ that would permit to whomever hovered outside his door to come in. The fact that the king had not been expecting his queen was evident in the way in which his eyebrows shot up toward his hairline.
“ Theodora” Achilleas made a valiant effort at a smile though it did little to diminish how weary he looked “You’re awake late?”
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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It had been almost eighteen hours since he had left his bed, slipped out whilst Theodora was still asleep so he could go and run through the morning drills that were something familiar in amongst all that was not. He wasn’t sleeping well, whether it was the oddness of sleeping somewhere new, or the fact that for the first time ever there was someone sleeping next to him every night he wasn’t sure, but Achilleas would find himself lying awake after Theodora had fallen into slumber, exhausted but somehow too tense and wired to find rest.
Now he was staring at maps of the Egyptian coastline: maps that he had been staring at for what felt like weeks now, though it was only a matter of days. He knew them well-enough, Petros had jested that they would not have changed between him retiring one night and waking up the next morning, but Achilleas had never been one comfortable with leaving things to chance.
He was a planner, thorough and meticulous, and in some situations, his commitment and eye for detail was a blessing. In the situation he had found himself thrust into though, Achilleas’ propensity for over-thinking was risking becoming a curse. He wanted to understand the ins and outs of every document that was set before him, didn’t want to miss anything through ignorance or make a mistake because he didn’t spare the time to ask questions. Placing his faith in the advisors that he had inherited with the job didn’t come easily, for Achilleas could not help but think they would draw parallels between he and his father, and he didn’t want to be found lacking if that were the case.
But it meant that his days were rapidly filled, and there had barely been chance to catch his breath since he had arrived at the Palati, still numb with shock after what should have been a joyful day had turned into anything but. Everything had shifted so suddenly and for one who was more comfortable with stability and security it was a hard adjustment to make. But the new King had done his best to smile through it anyway. He had a job to do after all.
Now Achilleas could feel a headache pulsing behind his eyes, and the lines of ink of the parchment before him were smudging and blurring in his vision. Wearily, he rubbed a hand over his face and let the map furl in on itself. He wasn’t going to learn anything further from it now, anyway. His stomach grumbled, but the food that had been brought to him earlier looked unappetising now where it sat untouched upon its tray, and he wasn’t sure it would be good to eat now and leave the meal to sit like a stone in his stomach as he tried to sleep.
There was a quiet knock upon the door that had him startle, and Achilleas blinked, wondered if he had just zoned out or if he’d actually fallen asleep a moment. Sitting upright and shaking off whatever fugue had come over him, he cleared his throat and called the ‘Enter’ that would permit to whomever hovered outside his door to come in. The fact that the king had not been expecting his queen was evident in the way in which his eyebrows shot up toward his hairline.
“ Theodora” Achilleas made a valiant effort at a smile though it did little to diminish how weary he looked “You’re awake late?”
It had been almost eighteen hours since he had left his bed, slipped out whilst Theodora was still asleep so he could go and run through the morning drills that were something familiar in amongst all that was not. He wasn’t sleeping well, whether it was the oddness of sleeping somewhere new, or the fact that for the first time ever there was someone sleeping next to him every night he wasn’t sure, but Achilleas would find himself lying awake after Theodora had fallen into slumber, exhausted but somehow too tense and wired to find rest.
Now he was staring at maps of the Egyptian coastline: maps that he had been staring at for what felt like weeks now, though it was only a matter of days. He knew them well-enough, Petros had jested that they would not have changed between him retiring one night and waking up the next morning, but Achilleas had never been one comfortable with leaving things to chance.
He was a planner, thorough and meticulous, and in some situations, his commitment and eye for detail was a blessing. In the situation he had found himself thrust into though, Achilleas’ propensity for over-thinking was risking becoming a curse. He wanted to understand the ins and outs of every document that was set before him, didn’t want to miss anything through ignorance or make a mistake because he didn’t spare the time to ask questions. Placing his faith in the advisors that he had inherited with the job didn’t come easily, for Achilleas could not help but think they would draw parallels between he and his father, and he didn’t want to be found lacking if that were the case.
But it meant that his days were rapidly filled, and there had barely been chance to catch his breath since he had arrived at the Palati, still numb with shock after what should have been a joyful day had turned into anything but. Everything had shifted so suddenly and for one who was more comfortable with stability and security it was a hard adjustment to make. But the new King had done his best to smile through it anyway. He had a job to do after all.
Now Achilleas could feel a headache pulsing behind his eyes, and the lines of ink of the parchment before him were smudging and blurring in his vision. Wearily, he rubbed a hand over his face and let the map furl in on itself. He wasn’t going to learn anything further from it now, anyway. His stomach grumbled, but the food that had been brought to him earlier looked unappetising now where it sat untouched upon its tray, and he wasn’t sure it would be good to eat now and leave the meal to sit like a stone in his stomach as he tried to sleep.
There was a quiet knock upon the door that had him startle, and Achilleas blinked, wondered if he had just zoned out or if he’d actually fallen asleep a moment. Sitting upright and shaking off whatever fugue had come over him, he cleared his throat and called the ‘Enter’ that would permit to whomever hovered outside his door to come in. The fact that the king had not been expecting his queen was evident in the way in which his eyebrows shot up toward his hairline.
“ Theodora” Achilleas made a valiant effort at a smile though it did little to diminish how weary he looked “You’re awake late?”
The days since her wedding had passed in a blur, the new Queen struggling to keep pace with all the abrupt changes in her life. Going into this marriage, Theodora had expected only to be a baroness, a step up from what she had been, but overall not that intimidating of a prospect. After the sudden and unexpected downfall of Stephanos and the ascension of Irakles to the throne, baroness became princess, and again Theo had to adjust her expectations. Okay, princess then; a dream she had long held and one she never really expected to achieve. Even if it was something she had not anticipated, she could rise to the occasion.
Nothing could have prepared her for being Queen.
Her days were filled with an endless stream of responsibilities, particularly as war with Egypt practically knocked on their door. But if she thought she was busy, it was nothing compared to the hours Achilleas spent off with this dignitary and that, in planning sessions with his generals, or locked away in his study as each day brought them closer to the one he would leave Taengea’s shores.
There had been very little time after the wedding to spend together as she’d hoped, little time to become more comfortable in each other’s presence. Even as she’d resigned herself to this marriage, she had been cautiously optimistic over what would come of it. While there were times she spent with Achilleas that had been awkward and strained, some of that was beginning to ease, and she wanted there to be more between them. Their lives were bound until death, and she did not want to spend that time unhappy. Surely, he didn’t either.
But with so much else going on, it hardly seemed important for her to demand more of his time when he was already so overwhelmed. He stumbled into bed at night exhausted from the day’s efforts, and often left before she woke. She was lucky if they even shared a meal together, and her concern for him only grew. It couldn’t be healthy going on like this. Even the King needed a break.
It was late when Theodora found herself on the path toward Achilleas’s study, determined that she would at least check in on him, make sure he was all right. She hadn’t seen him at all that day, and it was already past the time he normally would have joined her in their room. Had he passed out on his desk? If nothing else, she could at least bring him back to a proper bed.
Tapping softly on the door, she waited until she heard his voice before she entered, returning his tired smile when he greeted her. His exhaustion was written in the very lines of his face, and her own face softened at the sight. “I was worried about you,” she explained, her voice quiet, but it still filled the otherwise silent room. Stepping up to his desk, she eyed the uneaten food left off to the side before turning back to face him. “You didn’t come to supper, and then you hadn’t come to bed, either…”
Peering around at the maps he examined, she frowned slightly and shook her head. “My lord, don’t you think you ought to let some of this wait till morning?” she asked gently, gesturing toward his uneaten food. “When is the last time you ate a proper meal? Bathed? Slept a whole night through?” Almost hesitant, her hand reached over to cover his, waiting for his gaze to meet hers before she offered a sympathetic smile. “I know you’re concerned with making sure everything is taken care of, but you must take care of yourself as well, Achilleas. You’ve been dead on your feet for days.”
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The days since her wedding had passed in a blur, the new Queen struggling to keep pace with all the abrupt changes in her life. Going into this marriage, Theodora had expected only to be a baroness, a step up from what she had been, but overall not that intimidating of a prospect. After the sudden and unexpected downfall of Stephanos and the ascension of Irakles to the throne, baroness became princess, and again Theo had to adjust her expectations. Okay, princess then; a dream she had long held and one she never really expected to achieve. Even if it was something she had not anticipated, she could rise to the occasion.
Nothing could have prepared her for being Queen.
Her days were filled with an endless stream of responsibilities, particularly as war with Egypt practically knocked on their door. But if she thought she was busy, it was nothing compared to the hours Achilleas spent off with this dignitary and that, in planning sessions with his generals, or locked away in his study as each day brought them closer to the one he would leave Taengea’s shores.
There had been very little time after the wedding to spend together as she’d hoped, little time to become more comfortable in each other’s presence. Even as she’d resigned herself to this marriage, she had been cautiously optimistic over what would come of it. While there were times she spent with Achilleas that had been awkward and strained, some of that was beginning to ease, and she wanted there to be more between them. Their lives were bound until death, and she did not want to spend that time unhappy. Surely, he didn’t either.
But with so much else going on, it hardly seemed important for her to demand more of his time when he was already so overwhelmed. He stumbled into bed at night exhausted from the day’s efforts, and often left before she woke. She was lucky if they even shared a meal together, and her concern for him only grew. It couldn’t be healthy going on like this. Even the King needed a break.
It was late when Theodora found herself on the path toward Achilleas’s study, determined that she would at least check in on him, make sure he was all right. She hadn’t seen him at all that day, and it was already past the time he normally would have joined her in their room. Had he passed out on his desk? If nothing else, she could at least bring him back to a proper bed.
Tapping softly on the door, she waited until she heard his voice before she entered, returning his tired smile when he greeted her. His exhaustion was written in the very lines of his face, and her own face softened at the sight. “I was worried about you,” she explained, her voice quiet, but it still filled the otherwise silent room. Stepping up to his desk, she eyed the uneaten food left off to the side before turning back to face him. “You didn’t come to supper, and then you hadn’t come to bed, either…”
Peering around at the maps he examined, she frowned slightly and shook her head. “My lord, don’t you think you ought to let some of this wait till morning?” she asked gently, gesturing toward his uneaten food. “When is the last time you ate a proper meal? Bathed? Slept a whole night through?” Almost hesitant, her hand reached over to cover his, waiting for his gaze to meet hers before she offered a sympathetic smile. “I know you’re concerned with making sure everything is taken care of, but you must take care of yourself as well, Achilleas. You’ve been dead on your feet for days.”
The days since her wedding had passed in a blur, the new Queen struggling to keep pace with all the abrupt changes in her life. Going into this marriage, Theodora had expected only to be a baroness, a step up from what she had been, but overall not that intimidating of a prospect. After the sudden and unexpected downfall of Stephanos and the ascension of Irakles to the throne, baroness became princess, and again Theo had to adjust her expectations. Okay, princess then; a dream she had long held and one she never really expected to achieve. Even if it was something she had not anticipated, she could rise to the occasion.
Nothing could have prepared her for being Queen.
Her days were filled with an endless stream of responsibilities, particularly as war with Egypt practically knocked on their door. But if she thought she was busy, it was nothing compared to the hours Achilleas spent off with this dignitary and that, in planning sessions with his generals, or locked away in his study as each day brought them closer to the one he would leave Taengea’s shores.
There had been very little time after the wedding to spend together as she’d hoped, little time to become more comfortable in each other’s presence. Even as she’d resigned herself to this marriage, she had been cautiously optimistic over what would come of it. While there were times she spent with Achilleas that had been awkward and strained, some of that was beginning to ease, and she wanted there to be more between them. Their lives were bound until death, and she did not want to spend that time unhappy. Surely, he didn’t either.
But with so much else going on, it hardly seemed important for her to demand more of his time when he was already so overwhelmed. He stumbled into bed at night exhausted from the day’s efforts, and often left before she woke. She was lucky if they even shared a meal together, and her concern for him only grew. It couldn’t be healthy going on like this. Even the King needed a break.
It was late when Theodora found herself on the path toward Achilleas’s study, determined that she would at least check in on him, make sure he was all right. She hadn’t seen him at all that day, and it was already past the time he normally would have joined her in their room. Had he passed out on his desk? If nothing else, she could at least bring him back to a proper bed.
Tapping softly on the door, she waited until she heard his voice before she entered, returning his tired smile when he greeted her. His exhaustion was written in the very lines of his face, and her own face softened at the sight. “I was worried about you,” she explained, her voice quiet, but it still filled the otherwise silent room. Stepping up to his desk, she eyed the uneaten food left off to the side before turning back to face him. “You didn’t come to supper, and then you hadn’t come to bed, either…”
Peering around at the maps he examined, she frowned slightly and shook her head. “My lord, don’t you think you ought to let some of this wait till morning?” she asked gently, gesturing toward his uneaten food. “When is the last time you ate a proper meal? Bathed? Slept a whole night through?” Almost hesitant, her hand reached over to cover his, waiting for his gaze to meet hers before she offered a sympathetic smile. “I know you’re concerned with making sure everything is taken care of, but you must take care of yourself as well, Achilleas. You’ve been dead on your feet for days.”
Theodora’s presence was not unwelcome, but it was a surprise. They were still so new into their marriage, it was easy to forget that there was someone there now to be worried about him, someone to account to. And that concern was oddly touching as she moved into the room, her gaze sweeping over the untouched food and the papers that were laid over the table he sat behind.
He was still stunned by her beauty when she walked into a room, indeed Achilleas would challenge anyone not to be, and the idea that she was his now still hadn’t really sunk in. How could it, with everything else that had happened simultaneously? For a moment, he gazed at her, felt a jolt at his own good fortune, and it made him realise how foolish was to neglect her. But, keeping occupied, being busy was an easy distraction for him to turn to.
“Ah. I’m sorry’” he said. “I shouldn’t have left you to eat alone. There is still much to be done before we are ready to sail” He gestured loosely toward the map that had curled in on itself, relflexively smoothing it open with his hands as he spoke even though it had told him all it could. A fact Theodora did not seem ignorant to as she gently pressed him as to its necessity,pointing out quite neatly the things he had been less regimented about.
Her words had Achilleas pause because really, he had not counted on anyone paying such close attention and he didn’t know how to explain that it was those quieter moments that he was finding the hardest, when that hollow feeling threatened to overwhelm and that he couldn’t let that happen because there was a war to be fought and he was the King and there was no time for a King to pause to grieve. Krysto has pointed that out rather succinctly the previous day after that mess with Briseis, and thinking of it meant that Achilleas couldn’t bear the well- meaning concern in Theodora’s face or words. He didn’t deserve it after that indiscretion, momentary as it had been.
“ I can’t just stop” he said quietly, eyes dropping to where her hand settled upon his. “ People expect things...they need to have confidence in this war effort, especially after..”
He didn’t complete the thought. It still felt like a lie upon his tongue to speak of his father’s death, like it was a dream that someone would shake him from. And though he knew better, there was something comforting in letting that illusion hold fast, just for a little while longer.
Twisting his hand so his palm was turned upwards, Achilleas threaded his fingers through Theodora’s, pulled her a little closer. “ I am sorry you have been alone though. This is not what I had imagined for us”
There had been no chance to retreat to Euttica, to get to know one eachother away from the scrutiny of court and their respective families. The reality has become rather the opposite, as they now grew into this marriage as King and Queen, the figureheads of the nation. And with Achilleas due to leave in days, there was barely even time for that. “ How are you finding...” He waved vaguely around them “...all this?”
[/i][/i]
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Theodora’s presence was not unwelcome, but it was a surprise. They were still so new into their marriage, it was easy to forget that there was someone there now to be worried about him, someone to account to. And that concern was oddly touching as she moved into the room, her gaze sweeping over the untouched food and the papers that were laid over the table he sat behind.
He was still stunned by her beauty when she walked into a room, indeed Achilleas would challenge anyone not to be, and the idea that she was his now still hadn’t really sunk in. How could it, with everything else that had happened simultaneously? For a moment, he gazed at her, felt a jolt at his own good fortune, and it made him realise how foolish was to neglect her. But, keeping occupied, being busy was an easy distraction for him to turn to.
“Ah. I’m sorry’” he said. “I shouldn’t have left you to eat alone. There is still much to be done before we are ready to sail” He gestured loosely toward the map that had curled in on itself, relflexively smoothing it open with his hands as he spoke even though it had told him all it could. A fact Theodora did not seem ignorant to as she gently pressed him as to its necessity,pointing out quite neatly the things he had been less regimented about.
Her words had Achilleas pause because really, he had not counted on anyone paying such close attention and he didn’t know how to explain that it was those quieter moments that he was finding the hardest, when that hollow feeling threatened to overwhelm and that he couldn’t let that happen because there was a war to be fought and he was the King and there was no time for a King to pause to grieve. Krysto has pointed that out rather succinctly the previous day after that mess with Briseis, and thinking of it meant that Achilleas couldn’t bear the well- meaning concern in Theodora’s face or words. He didn’t deserve it after that indiscretion, momentary as it had been.
“ I can’t just stop” he said quietly, eyes dropping to where her hand settled upon his. “ People expect things...they need to have confidence in this war effort, especially after..”
He didn’t complete the thought. It still felt like a lie upon his tongue to speak of his father’s death, like it was a dream that someone would shake him from. And though he knew better, there was something comforting in letting that illusion hold fast, just for a little while longer.
Twisting his hand so his palm was turned upwards, Achilleas threaded his fingers through Theodora’s, pulled her a little closer. “ I am sorry you have been alone though. This is not what I had imagined for us”
There had been no chance to retreat to Euttica, to get to know one eachother away from the scrutiny of court and their respective families. The reality has become rather the opposite, as they now grew into this marriage as King and Queen, the figureheads of the nation. And with Achilleas due to leave in days, there was barely even time for that. “ How are you finding...” He waved vaguely around them “...all this?”
[/i][/i]
Theodora’s presence was not unwelcome, but it was a surprise. They were still so new into their marriage, it was easy to forget that there was someone there now to be worried about him, someone to account to. And that concern was oddly touching as she moved into the room, her gaze sweeping over the untouched food and the papers that were laid over the table he sat behind.
He was still stunned by her beauty when she walked into a room, indeed Achilleas would challenge anyone not to be, and the idea that she was his now still hadn’t really sunk in. How could it, with everything else that had happened simultaneously? For a moment, he gazed at her, felt a jolt at his own good fortune, and it made him realise how foolish was to neglect her. But, keeping occupied, being busy was an easy distraction for him to turn to.
“Ah. I’m sorry’” he said. “I shouldn’t have left you to eat alone. There is still much to be done before we are ready to sail” He gestured loosely toward the map that had curled in on itself, relflexively smoothing it open with his hands as he spoke even though it had told him all it could. A fact Theodora did not seem ignorant to as she gently pressed him as to its necessity,pointing out quite neatly the things he had been less regimented about.
Her words had Achilleas pause because really, he had not counted on anyone paying such close attention and he didn’t know how to explain that it was those quieter moments that he was finding the hardest, when that hollow feeling threatened to overwhelm and that he couldn’t let that happen because there was a war to be fought and he was the King and there was no time for a King to pause to grieve. Krysto has pointed that out rather succinctly the previous day after that mess with Briseis, and thinking of it meant that Achilleas couldn’t bear the well- meaning concern in Theodora’s face or words. He didn’t deserve it after that indiscretion, momentary as it had been.
“ I can’t just stop” he said quietly, eyes dropping to where her hand settled upon his. “ People expect things...they need to have confidence in this war effort, especially after..”
He didn’t complete the thought. It still felt like a lie upon his tongue to speak of his father’s death, like it was a dream that someone would shake him from. And though he knew better, there was something comforting in letting that illusion hold fast, just for a little while longer.
Twisting his hand so his palm was turned upwards, Achilleas threaded his fingers through Theodora’s, pulled her a little closer. “ I am sorry you have been alone though. This is not what I had imagined for us”
There had been no chance to retreat to Euttica, to get to know one eachother away from the scrutiny of court and their respective families. The reality has become rather the opposite, as they now grew into this marriage as King and Queen, the figureheads of the nation. And with Achilleas due to leave in days, there was barely even time for that. “ How are you finding...” He waved vaguely around them “...all this?”
[/i][/i]
Theodora allowed Achilleas to tug her in closer, squeezing his hand with a sympathetic smile. She couldn’t imagine the stress he was under, the weight he bore on his shoulders. Of course, she had an inkling—she had been here for everything that happened, too, but it still felt like she was on the outside looking in. She didn’t think he was purposely shutting her out or pushing her away, but that’s how it felt, all the same. She wondered if he had ever really had anyone he could talk to, share his burdens with. Perhaps that was why he seemed so reluctant to share them with her. Or perhaps he just didn’t know how.
Reaching over with her free hand, she stilled his fingers as he pushed open the map. Briefly claiming that hand for her own, she pulled it from his desk before releasing it. Letting her fingertips trail across his cheek to stop and cup his face, she shook her head. “No one expects you to stop,” she said gently. “Only to pause for a while. You are human, Achilleas, king or not. You need to rest and recover yourself. You will be of no use to anyone otherwise.”
Her hand dropped from his face to reclaim the one she had stolen, lightly squeezing them both. “You do not need to apologize to me,” she assured him, shaking her head again. “I know everything has been… a lot.” Words fell short to describe the multiple disasters that had befallen the kingdom in such a short period of time, but she was sure he would take her meaning. “I will admit it is not what I imagined, either, but life rarely works out that way. Instead of saying sorry, I would much rather you took care of yourself, not just everyone else.”
When he asked her how she felt about the way things were, her sardonic sigh was almost a laugh. “It is… not what I expected,” she admitted with a half-hearted smirk. “Though, I hardly knew what to expect, anyway. It is certainly not ideal, that much I can say.”
Taking the hands she held and pulling them around her, she sank down to rest on the arm of his chair in a bid to distract him from his plaguing worries—resting his hands on her hips before one of her arms slunk to rest around his shoulders. “I wish we could have visited those peach groves,” she murmured, thinking back to that meeting so soon after their engagement, where he had promised to take her to Euttica, to get lost in the orchards and indulge in peach pies. “Had some time to… know each other, before all this. I… do not want to see you leave so soon.” Her hand gently sifted through his hair, looking down at his face with a smile. “Can we go when you return, do you think? Surely, when the war is done, there will be more time.”
There, a little optimism. He would return, the war would end, and all would be well. They could pick up where they left off, and they would find their normal. Right?
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Theodora allowed Achilleas to tug her in closer, squeezing his hand with a sympathetic smile. She couldn’t imagine the stress he was under, the weight he bore on his shoulders. Of course, she had an inkling—she had been here for everything that happened, too, but it still felt like she was on the outside looking in. She didn’t think he was purposely shutting her out or pushing her away, but that’s how it felt, all the same. She wondered if he had ever really had anyone he could talk to, share his burdens with. Perhaps that was why he seemed so reluctant to share them with her. Or perhaps he just didn’t know how.
Reaching over with her free hand, she stilled his fingers as he pushed open the map. Briefly claiming that hand for her own, she pulled it from his desk before releasing it. Letting her fingertips trail across his cheek to stop and cup his face, she shook her head. “No one expects you to stop,” she said gently. “Only to pause for a while. You are human, Achilleas, king or not. You need to rest and recover yourself. You will be of no use to anyone otherwise.”
Her hand dropped from his face to reclaim the one she had stolen, lightly squeezing them both. “You do not need to apologize to me,” she assured him, shaking her head again. “I know everything has been… a lot.” Words fell short to describe the multiple disasters that had befallen the kingdom in such a short period of time, but she was sure he would take her meaning. “I will admit it is not what I imagined, either, but life rarely works out that way. Instead of saying sorry, I would much rather you took care of yourself, not just everyone else.”
When he asked her how she felt about the way things were, her sardonic sigh was almost a laugh. “It is… not what I expected,” she admitted with a half-hearted smirk. “Though, I hardly knew what to expect, anyway. It is certainly not ideal, that much I can say.”
Taking the hands she held and pulling them around her, she sank down to rest on the arm of his chair in a bid to distract him from his plaguing worries—resting his hands on her hips before one of her arms slunk to rest around his shoulders. “I wish we could have visited those peach groves,” she murmured, thinking back to that meeting so soon after their engagement, where he had promised to take her to Euttica, to get lost in the orchards and indulge in peach pies. “Had some time to… know each other, before all this. I… do not want to see you leave so soon.” Her hand gently sifted through his hair, looking down at his face with a smile. “Can we go when you return, do you think? Surely, when the war is done, there will be more time.”
There, a little optimism. He would return, the war would end, and all would be well. They could pick up where they left off, and they would find their normal. Right?
Theodora allowed Achilleas to tug her in closer, squeezing his hand with a sympathetic smile. She couldn’t imagine the stress he was under, the weight he bore on his shoulders. Of course, she had an inkling—she had been here for everything that happened, too, but it still felt like she was on the outside looking in. She didn’t think he was purposely shutting her out or pushing her away, but that’s how it felt, all the same. She wondered if he had ever really had anyone he could talk to, share his burdens with. Perhaps that was why he seemed so reluctant to share them with her. Or perhaps he just didn’t know how.
Reaching over with her free hand, she stilled his fingers as he pushed open the map. Briefly claiming that hand for her own, she pulled it from his desk before releasing it. Letting her fingertips trail across his cheek to stop and cup his face, she shook her head. “No one expects you to stop,” she said gently. “Only to pause for a while. You are human, Achilleas, king or not. You need to rest and recover yourself. You will be of no use to anyone otherwise.”
Her hand dropped from his face to reclaim the one she had stolen, lightly squeezing them both. “You do not need to apologize to me,” she assured him, shaking her head again. “I know everything has been… a lot.” Words fell short to describe the multiple disasters that had befallen the kingdom in such a short period of time, but she was sure he would take her meaning. “I will admit it is not what I imagined, either, but life rarely works out that way. Instead of saying sorry, I would much rather you took care of yourself, not just everyone else.”
When he asked her how she felt about the way things were, her sardonic sigh was almost a laugh. “It is… not what I expected,” she admitted with a half-hearted smirk. “Though, I hardly knew what to expect, anyway. It is certainly not ideal, that much I can say.”
Taking the hands she held and pulling them around her, she sank down to rest on the arm of his chair in a bid to distract him from his plaguing worries—resting his hands on her hips before one of her arms slunk to rest around his shoulders. “I wish we could have visited those peach groves,” she murmured, thinking back to that meeting so soon after their engagement, where he had promised to take her to Euttica, to get lost in the orchards and indulge in peach pies. “Had some time to… know each other, before all this. I… do not want to see you leave so soon.” Her hand gently sifted through his hair, looking down at his face with a smile. “Can we go when you return, do you think? Surely, when the war is done, there will be more time.”
There, a little optimism. He would return, the war would end, and all would be well. They could pick up where they left off, and they would find their normal. Right?
Achilleas had learned as a young boy that crying was met with short shrift from his father. The man grew angry quickly and didn’t care to hear what it was that caused said upset. There was no room on a field of battle for feelings he would say, chiding Myrto for coddling Achilleas and Emilios. It meant that the elder boy had quickly grown used to burying his emotions, and it had become habit over the years. It took a long time for him to trust someone beyond the image he liked to project of himself, there were few who knew him well enough to question it: his cousins, Krysto, occasionally Emilios, though even his brother was hardly kept close in his confidence.
So it was not unwarranted for Theodora to feel like she was being kept at a distance, but nor was it entirely a conscious decision on Achilleas’ part. In his mind, she would have her expectations of him too, which he doubted included honesty about how lost he felt in all of this. Tilting his face up to look at her when she stilled his hand, his expression was unfathomable where he looked at her, though there was the slightest pressure against the fingers that she traced across his cheek, like a cat might press into an offering of affection.
“You are right of course” he replied, trying to find some acceptable explanation for his intense level of focus. “ I….don’t want to miss anything” He would be judged on the success or failure of his decisions now, and he was not a man who had ever dealt well with the latter. He’d run himself into the ground to avoid it if he could.
A lot “You could say that” he observed dryly with the tiniest shake of his head. Taengea seemed to have been shaken by one thing after another, and if he could do anything, then Achilleas would see some stability returned to his home. He hadn’t expected to be the one steering it, but that didn’t mean he want going to try now the task had fallen to him.
It was not ideal, not at all and almost, he apologised again when Theodora so carefully answered his question, but he bit it back at the last, his hands squeezing a little where she settled them upon her hips. Physical intimacy at least was easier now without the bonds of propriety to worry about and he was welcoming of her touch,smiling faintly at the memory of that conversation, swallowing his frustration that the chance for it had been taken from them.
“Of course” he replied,though the rational side of him wanted to protest that there were no guarantees in war. He was a soldier, he knew the risks that went hand in hand with conflict, and that Hades would collect his tolls. His job was to try and ensure it was not the Greeks that fell. But Achilleas was coming to learn that his wife did not always appreciate the application of truth above hope, and so he was more measured in his responses. “I’ll take you anywhere you wish when this war is done.” Gazing up at her through eyes that were weary yet earnest, it was impossible to doubt his intent to please her.
For whilst Achilleas might have been good at masking his own thoughts and feelings for a fair portion of the time, his want to meet the desires of others was perhaps the one thing he wore most openly. It was not always an easy thing to balance, as he had found particularly over recent weeks where his loyalties had been so divided between his father and his cousin, and the thought had the guilt curl in his belly once more. He had tried and failed in his efforts to appease both: his father had died thinking him a disappointment still, and Stephanos thought him a usurper. Yet another thing keeping him awake at night. He hated that everything was so complicated.
“ You will be alright, when I am gone? Xene will be a useful ally should you seek her counsel. She’s played the game a long while and is one of the few I trust implicitly. And you’ll have Emilios, though he is less..proven I suppose” Achilleas frowned a little at that, because whilst he loved his brother, the man had also shown little inclination toward taking on any responsibility in his life. This would be a test for him. “ You might need to guide him more than he guides you,” he joked with a tired sort of smile.
Achilleas looked once more at the maps scattered across his desk and then back up at the vision that was his wife, and it was enough to have him set aside those more mundane things, for now at least. He sighed and let his hand slide from her hip down to squeeze her knee. “ Come then. None of this is making sense anymore anyway and I’ve been remiss in ignoring you all day”
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Achilleas had learned as a young boy that crying was met with short shrift from his father. The man grew angry quickly and didn’t care to hear what it was that caused said upset. There was no room on a field of battle for feelings he would say, chiding Myrto for coddling Achilleas and Emilios. It meant that the elder boy had quickly grown used to burying his emotions, and it had become habit over the years. It took a long time for him to trust someone beyond the image he liked to project of himself, there were few who knew him well enough to question it: his cousins, Krysto, occasionally Emilios, though even his brother was hardly kept close in his confidence.
So it was not unwarranted for Theodora to feel like she was being kept at a distance, but nor was it entirely a conscious decision on Achilleas’ part. In his mind, she would have her expectations of him too, which he doubted included honesty about how lost he felt in all of this. Tilting his face up to look at her when she stilled his hand, his expression was unfathomable where he looked at her, though there was the slightest pressure against the fingers that she traced across his cheek, like a cat might press into an offering of affection.
“You are right of course” he replied, trying to find some acceptable explanation for his intense level of focus. “ I….don’t want to miss anything” He would be judged on the success or failure of his decisions now, and he was not a man who had ever dealt well with the latter. He’d run himself into the ground to avoid it if he could.
A lot “You could say that” he observed dryly with the tiniest shake of his head. Taengea seemed to have been shaken by one thing after another, and if he could do anything, then Achilleas would see some stability returned to his home. He hadn’t expected to be the one steering it, but that didn’t mean he want going to try now the task had fallen to him.
It was not ideal, not at all and almost, he apologised again when Theodora so carefully answered his question, but he bit it back at the last, his hands squeezing a little where she settled them upon her hips. Physical intimacy at least was easier now without the bonds of propriety to worry about and he was welcoming of her touch,smiling faintly at the memory of that conversation, swallowing his frustration that the chance for it had been taken from them.
“Of course” he replied,though the rational side of him wanted to protest that there were no guarantees in war. He was a soldier, he knew the risks that went hand in hand with conflict, and that Hades would collect his tolls. His job was to try and ensure it was not the Greeks that fell. But Achilleas was coming to learn that his wife did not always appreciate the application of truth above hope, and so he was more measured in his responses. “I’ll take you anywhere you wish when this war is done.” Gazing up at her through eyes that were weary yet earnest, it was impossible to doubt his intent to please her.
For whilst Achilleas might have been good at masking his own thoughts and feelings for a fair portion of the time, his want to meet the desires of others was perhaps the one thing he wore most openly. It was not always an easy thing to balance, as he had found particularly over recent weeks where his loyalties had been so divided between his father and his cousin, and the thought had the guilt curl in his belly once more. He had tried and failed in his efforts to appease both: his father had died thinking him a disappointment still, and Stephanos thought him a usurper. Yet another thing keeping him awake at night. He hated that everything was so complicated.
“ You will be alright, when I am gone? Xene will be a useful ally should you seek her counsel. She’s played the game a long while and is one of the few I trust implicitly. And you’ll have Emilios, though he is less..proven I suppose” Achilleas frowned a little at that, because whilst he loved his brother, the man had also shown little inclination toward taking on any responsibility in his life. This would be a test for him. “ You might need to guide him more than he guides you,” he joked with a tired sort of smile.
Achilleas looked once more at the maps scattered across his desk and then back up at the vision that was his wife, and it was enough to have him set aside those more mundane things, for now at least. He sighed and let his hand slide from her hip down to squeeze her knee. “ Come then. None of this is making sense anymore anyway and I’ve been remiss in ignoring you all day”
Achilleas had learned as a young boy that crying was met with short shrift from his father. The man grew angry quickly and didn’t care to hear what it was that caused said upset. There was no room on a field of battle for feelings he would say, chiding Myrto for coddling Achilleas and Emilios. It meant that the elder boy had quickly grown used to burying his emotions, and it had become habit over the years. It took a long time for him to trust someone beyond the image he liked to project of himself, there were few who knew him well enough to question it: his cousins, Krysto, occasionally Emilios, though even his brother was hardly kept close in his confidence.
So it was not unwarranted for Theodora to feel like she was being kept at a distance, but nor was it entirely a conscious decision on Achilleas’ part. In his mind, she would have her expectations of him too, which he doubted included honesty about how lost he felt in all of this. Tilting his face up to look at her when she stilled his hand, his expression was unfathomable where he looked at her, though there was the slightest pressure against the fingers that she traced across his cheek, like a cat might press into an offering of affection.
“You are right of course” he replied, trying to find some acceptable explanation for his intense level of focus. “ I….don’t want to miss anything” He would be judged on the success or failure of his decisions now, and he was not a man who had ever dealt well with the latter. He’d run himself into the ground to avoid it if he could.
A lot “You could say that” he observed dryly with the tiniest shake of his head. Taengea seemed to have been shaken by one thing after another, and if he could do anything, then Achilleas would see some stability returned to his home. He hadn’t expected to be the one steering it, but that didn’t mean he want going to try now the task had fallen to him.
It was not ideal, not at all and almost, he apologised again when Theodora so carefully answered his question, but he bit it back at the last, his hands squeezing a little where she settled them upon her hips. Physical intimacy at least was easier now without the bonds of propriety to worry about and he was welcoming of her touch,smiling faintly at the memory of that conversation, swallowing his frustration that the chance for it had been taken from them.
“Of course” he replied,though the rational side of him wanted to protest that there were no guarantees in war. He was a soldier, he knew the risks that went hand in hand with conflict, and that Hades would collect his tolls. His job was to try and ensure it was not the Greeks that fell. But Achilleas was coming to learn that his wife did not always appreciate the application of truth above hope, and so he was more measured in his responses. “I’ll take you anywhere you wish when this war is done.” Gazing up at her through eyes that were weary yet earnest, it was impossible to doubt his intent to please her.
For whilst Achilleas might have been good at masking his own thoughts and feelings for a fair portion of the time, his want to meet the desires of others was perhaps the one thing he wore most openly. It was not always an easy thing to balance, as he had found particularly over recent weeks where his loyalties had been so divided between his father and his cousin, and the thought had the guilt curl in his belly once more. He had tried and failed in his efforts to appease both: his father had died thinking him a disappointment still, and Stephanos thought him a usurper. Yet another thing keeping him awake at night. He hated that everything was so complicated.
“ You will be alright, when I am gone? Xene will be a useful ally should you seek her counsel. She’s played the game a long while and is one of the few I trust implicitly. And you’ll have Emilios, though he is less..proven I suppose” Achilleas frowned a little at that, because whilst he loved his brother, the man had also shown little inclination toward taking on any responsibility in his life. This would be a test for him. “ You might need to guide him more than he guides you,” he joked with a tired sort of smile.
Achilleas looked once more at the maps scattered across his desk and then back up at the vision that was his wife, and it was enough to have him set aside those more mundane things, for now at least. He sighed and let his hand slide from her hip down to squeeze her knee. “ Come then. None of this is making sense anymore anyway and I’ve been remiss in ignoring you all day”
Her husband’s hands squeezed gently at her hips as he assured her that he would take her wherever she wished when this was all done, her hand in his hair moving to nestle against his jaw instead. His words rang true as the look on his face, and Theo’s own features softened in a smile. Leaning in to press a brief kiss to his lips, she pulled back to search his features more thoroughly. “I shall have to think of at least a dozen more places then,” she jested lightly in response, the earnestness of his expression nearly making her melt. Her smile widened as her arm dropped back around his shoulders, pulling her in a little closer to nestle against his side.
As Achilleas went on to ask how she would fare without him, reminding her of Xene’s presence and his brother’s, her expression fell slightly before she was able to catch herself. “Yes, I will be all right,” she murmured, though she doubted the truth of her own words. She was in way over her head here, but there was little way out of it now. But how could she express those sentiments to her husband when he already had so much to fret over? The last thing he needed was to worry more for her than he already did. Theodora had no desire to become a burden when she should be helping relieve some of his instead.
“Xene has already been so kind,” she went on, completely glossing over his mention of Emilios. He was about the last person she needed to be leaning on, for all of their sakes. She had done well enough so far in containing her feelings, locking them away and shoving them as far from her mind as she could. She did not trust she would do so well once Achilleas was gone, and she knew she ought to just avoid his brother as much as she could. Even if he was the only one who really knew her well enough to support her in the ways she would need.
But this was hardly a conversation she could have with her husband, not without going into all the reasons why. “I will be sure to seek her advice often,” she went on instead, smoothing the sudden stiffness from her expression back into the smile she wore before. “My uncle will be here too, and my father for a time. I will not be alone, Achilleas. Do not worry after me.”
Much to her relief, they did not linger long on the topic, the king finally relenting that he had done enough for the day. Moving from his chair, Theodora took his hand and tugged to encourage him to his feet. None of this is making sense anymore anyway and I’ve been remiss in ignoring you all day. “Indeed you have,” she teased as she tucked her arm through his, leading him from the study and down the hall. “But it’s all right. I’ve got you now.”
It soon became clear they weren’t heading for their bedchamber, Theodora turning them in the opposite direction with a mischievous glimmer in her eye. It didn’t take long to figure out where they were heading, the dancing reflection of the nearby bathing pools coloring the marbled walls. Dismissing the single slave who lingered within, the queen was grateful for the late hour; no one else with access to these bathing chambers would be awake, and the next slaves to come in would not arrive for hours yet. For one of the few times since their engagement had been announced, she would be able to claim some time with her husband alone, a rare privacy she was quickly learning to cherish while it lasted.
“Come on,” she encouraged with a smile, releasing his hand only to start undoing the fibulae at her shoulders. “You’re going to take a proper bath, and you’re going to let your wife help you.” Her smile turned to a grin, winking with a soft giggle. “You’re going to relax for a little while, and I won’t hear a word against it.”
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Her husband’s hands squeezed gently at her hips as he assured her that he would take her wherever she wished when this was all done, her hand in his hair moving to nestle against his jaw instead. His words rang true as the look on his face, and Theo’s own features softened in a smile. Leaning in to press a brief kiss to his lips, she pulled back to search his features more thoroughly. “I shall have to think of at least a dozen more places then,” she jested lightly in response, the earnestness of his expression nearly making her melt. Her smile widened as her arm dropped back around his shoulders, pulling her in a little closer to nestle against his side.
As Achilleas went on to ask how she would fare without him, reminding her of Xene’s presence and his brother’s, her expression fell slightly before she was able to catch herself. “Yes, I will be all right,” she murmured, though she doubted the truth of her own words. She was in way over her head here, but there was little way out of it now. But how could she express those sentiments to her husband when he already had so much to fret over? The last thing he needed was to worry more for her than he already did. Theodora had no desire to become a burden when she should be helping relieve some of his instead.
“Xene has already been so kind,” she went on, completely glossing over his mention of Emilios. He was about the last person she needed to be leaning on, for all of their sakes. She had done well enough so far in containing her feelings, locking them away and shoving them as far from her mind as she could. She did not trust she would do so well once Achilleas was gone, and she knew she ought to just avoid his brother as much as she could. Even if he was the only one who really knew her well enough to support her in the ways she would need.
But this was hardly a conversation she could have with her husband, not without going into all the reasons why. “I will be sure to seek her advice often,” she went on instead, smoothing the sudden stiffness from her expression back into the smile she wore before. “My uncle will be here too, and my father for a time. I will not be alone, Achilleas. Do not worry after me.”
Much to her relief, they did not linger long on the topic, the king finally relenting that he had done enough for the day. Moving from his chair, Theodora took his hand and tugged to encourage him to his feet. None of this is making sense anymore anyway and I’ve been remiss in ignoring you all day. “Indeed you have,” she teased as she tucked her arm through his, leading him from the study and down the hall. “But it’s all right. I’ve got you now.”
It soon became clear they weren’t heading for their bedchamber, Theodora turning them in the opposite direction with a mischievous glimmer in her eye. It didn’t take long to figure out where they were heading, the dancing reflection of the nearby bathing pools coloring the marbled walls. Dismissing the single slave who lingered within, the queen was grateful for the late hour; no one else with access to these bathing chambers would be awake, and the next slaves to come in would not arrive for hours yet. For one of the few times since their engagement had been announced, she would be able to claim some time with her husband alone, a rare privacy she was quickly learning to cherish while it lasted.
“Come on,” she encouraged with a smile, releasing his hand only to start undoing the fibulae at her shoulders. “You’re going to take a proper bath, and you’re going to let your wife help you.” Her smile turned to a grin, winking with a soft giggle. “You’re going to relax for a little while, and I won’t hear a word against it.”
Her husband’s hands squeezed gently at her hips as he assured her that he would take her wherever she wished when this was all done, her hand in his hair moving to nestle against his jaw instead. His words rang true as the look on his face, and Theo’s own features softened in a smile. Leaning in to press a brief kiss to his lips, she pulled back to search his features more thoroughly. “I shall have to think of at least a dozen more places then,” she jested lightly in response, the earnestness of his expression nearly making her melt. Her smile widened as her arm dropped back around his shoulders, pulling her in a little closer to nestle against his side.
As Achilleas went on to ask how she would fare without him, reminding her of Xene’s presence and his brother’s, her expression fell slightly before she was able to catch herself. “Yes, I will be all right,” she murmured, though she doubted the truth of her own words. She was in way over her head here, but there was little way out of it now. But how could she express those sentiments to her husband when he already had so much to fret over? The last thing he needed was to worry more for her than he already did. Theodora had no desire to become a burden when she should be helping relieve some of his instead.
“Xene has already been so kind,” she went on, completely glossing over his mention of Emilios. He was about the last person she needed to be leaning on, for all of their sakes. She had done well enough so far in containing her feelings, locking them away and shoving them as far from her mind as she could. She did not trust she would do so well once Achilleas was gone, and she knew she ought to just avoid his brother as much as she could. Even if he was the only one who really knew her well enough to support her in the ways she would need.
But this was hardly a conversation she could have with her husband, not without going into all the reasons why. “I will be sure to seek her advice often,” she went on instead, smoothing the sudden stiffness from her expression back into the smile she wore before. “My uncle will be here too, and my father for a time. I will not be alone, Achilleas. Do not worry after me.”
Much to her relief, they did not linger long on the topic, the king finally relenting that he had done enough for the day. Moving from his chair, Theodora took his hand and tugged to encourage him to his feet. None of this is making sense anymore anyway and I’ve been remiss in ignoring you all day. “Indeed you have,” she teased as she tucked her arm through his, leading him from the study and down the hall. “But it’s all right. I’ve got you now.”
It soon became clear they weren’t heading for their bedchamber, Theodora turning them in the opposite direction with a mischievous glimmer in her eye. It didn’t take long to figure out where they were heading, the dancing reflection of the nearby bathing pools coloring the marbled walls. Dismissing the single slave who lingered within, the queen was grateful for the late hour; no one else with access to these bathing chambers would be awake, and the next slaves to come in would not arrive for hours yet. For one of the few times since their engagement had been announced, she would be able to claim some time with her husband alone, a rare privacy she was quickly learning to cherish while it lasted.
“Come on,” she encouraged with a smile, releasing his hand only to start undoing the fibulae at her shoulders. “You’re going to take a proper bath, and you’re going to let your wife help you.” Her smile turned to a grin, winking with a soft giggle. “You’re going to relax for a little while, and I won’t hear a word against it.”
Her lips were petal-soft against his own when she leant in for a brief, featherlight kiss, and Achilleas found himself leaning forward to chase more as she pulled away too soon. “Then do,” he said simply because there was nothing he would like more than to see her smile like that as many times. He didn’t always manage to say the right thing to conjure such a reaction - navigating Theodora’s likes and dislikes were proving to be more challenging than he had imagined - so he would take the wins where he found them, and if that meant visiting a hundred different places then they would.
He was too tired to notice how she brushed aside mention of his brother, just nodded absently at her assurances that she would seek out Xene, and then frowned a little when she brought up Lord Fotios. The Leventi Head of House was, of course, a man well versed in the ways of politics, and he would be a useful connection for Theodora to turn to. And yet Achilleas had more than a few reservations after learning what he had of the agreement made between the man and his late father.
“I’m not worrying” he assured, lest he be accused of fussing again because that was another one of Theodora’s dislikes. “Or if I am it is not because of any lack of faith in you, you know”
She seemed pleased too when he agreed to retire from his work, and he took the gentle chiding onboard, vowed to himself that he would try harder to make time for her. There would be such a small opportunity before he was gone anyway.
When she steered them away from their private quarters, Achilleas turned his head toward her, the question written upon his face before he voiced the “Where…?” But his wife remained close-lipped and with a glint in her eye that had him intrigued despite his fatigue. And when they reached the bathing pools he gave an amused sort of huff, watching silently as Theodora dismissed the attendant before turning to him with another smile that he thought to savour and store away for when he was gone.
His own lips curled in amusement as she informed him of their plans, and he was not of a mind to decline, not when she stood before him shedding clothes like she was unwrapping a gift. “Who am I to refuse” he replied, moving to strip off his garments until he stood naked before her, unselfconscious in that at least.
Even without the added enticement of Theodora’s presence, the waters looked more than inviting, steam curling upwards in a fragrant fog of cypress and sandalwood. The heat would soothe the tension that had settled across his neck and shoulders throughout the day, and he was grateful to the woman before him for seeking him out, bringing him here.
“Thank you” The words were mumbled into her hair when he pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her. He wasn’t unaware of the fact that he could be..single-minded sometimes, and didn’t always know when to stop. That Theodora had thought to seek him out for such a purpose was touching. “ I know I’ve been caught up in things. I shouldn’t have neglected you. This is all still..finding a balance I suppose”
Still not tired of the sight or feel of her, Achilleas ran his hand down her back, marvelled at the silken smooth skin beneath his palm and sighed a little as he drew her flush against him, his other hand snaking into the dark fall of her hair. He used it to tilt her face up towards his own, claiming her lips in a slow, leisurely kiss because it still thrilled him that he could. There had been few moments since they were wed, with everything, and he had almost forgotten what he was depriving himself of in his self- imposed solitude. Early mornings and late nights stealing him from the marital bed meant that there was still some newness between them. Not that he thought she would ever cease to stir his blood, not now he didn’t have to stifle it any longer.
It would have been easy to lose himself in her there, but now they were here, Achilleas didn’t see why he couldn’t have both: the comfort of the water and the beauty that was his wife. Such moments had been rare enough to be treasured when they were offered up.
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Her lips were petal-soft against his own when she leant in for a brief, featherlight kiss, and Achilleas found himself leaning forward to chase more as she pulled away too soon. “Then do,” he said simply because there was nothing he would like more than to see her smile like that as many times. He didn’t always manage to say the right thing to conjure such a reaction - navigating Theodora’s likes and dislikes were proving to be more challenging than he had imagined - so he would take the wins where he found them, and if that meant visiting a hundred different places then they would.
He was too tired to notice how she brushed aside mention of his brother, just nodded absently at her assurances that she would seek out Xene, and then frowned a little when she brought up Lord Fotios. The Leventi Head of House was, of course, a man well versed in the ways of politics, and he would be a useful connection for Theodora to turn to. And yet Achilleas had more than a few reservations after learning what he had of the agreement made between the man and his late father.
“I’m not worrying” he assured, lest he be accused of fussing again because that was another one of Theodora’s dislikes. “Or if I am it is not because of any lack of faith in you, you know”
She seemed pleased too when he agreed to retire from his work, and he took the gentle chiding onboard, vowed to himself that he would try harder to make time for her. There would be such a small opportunity before he was gone anyway.
When she steered them away from their private quarters, Achilleas turned his head toward her, the question written upon his face before he voiced the “Where…?” But his wife remained close-lipped and with a glint in her eye that had him intrigued despite his fatigue. And when they reached the bathing pools he gave an amused sort of huff, watching silently as Theodora dismissed the attendant before turning to him with another smile that he thought to savour and store away for when he was gone.
His own lips curled in amusement as she informed him of their plans, and he was not of a mind to decline, not when she stood before him shedding clothes like she was unwrapping a gift. “Who am I to refuse” he replied, moving to strip off his garments until he stood naked before her, unselfconscious in that at least.
Even without the added enticement of Theodora’s presence, the waters looked more than inviting, steam curling upwards in a fragrant fog of cypress and sandalwood. The heat would soothe the tension that had settled across his neck and shoulders throughout the day, and he was grateful to the woman before him for seeking him out, bringing him here.
“Thank you” The words were mumbled into her hair when he pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her. He wasn’t unaware of the fact that he could be..single-minded sometimes, and didn’t always know when to stop. That Theodora had thought to seek him out for such a purpose was touching. “ I know I’ve been caught up in things. I shouldn’t have neglected you. This is all still..finding a balance I suppose”
Still not tired of the sight or feel of her, Achilleas ran his hand down her back, marvelled at the silken smooth skin beneath his palm and sighed a little as he drew her flush against him, his other hand snaking into the dark fall of her hair. He used it to tilt her face up towards his own, claiming her lips in a slow, leisurely kiss because it still thrilled him that he could. There had been few moments since they were wed, with everything, and he had almost forgotten what he was depriving himself of in his self- imposed solitude. Early mornings and late nights stealing him from the marital bed meant that there was still some newness between them. Not that he thought she would ever cease to stir his blood, not now he didn’t have to stifle it any longer.
It would have been easy to lose himself in her there, but now they were here, Achilleas didn’t see why he couldn’t have both: the comfort of the water and the beauty that was his wife. Such moments had been rare enough to be treasured when they were offered up.
Her lips were petal-soft against his own when she leant in for a brief, featherlight kiss, and Achilleas found himself leaning forward to chase more as she pulled away too soon. “Then do,” he said simply because there was nothing he would like more than to see her smile like that as many times. He didn’t always manage to say the right thing to conjure such a reaction - navigating Theodora’s likes and dislikes were proving to be more challenging than he had imagined - so he would take the wins where he found them, and if that meant visiting a hundred different places then they would.
He was too tired to notice how she brushed aside mention of his brother, just nodded absently at her assurances that she would seek out Xene, and then frowned a little when she brought up Lord Fotios. The Leventi Head of House was, of course, a man well versed in the ways of politics, and he would be a useful connection for Theodora to turn to. And yet Achilleas had more than a few reservations after learning what he had of the agreement made between the man and his late father.
“I’m not worrying” he assured, lest he be accused of fussing again because that was another one of Theodora’s dislikes. “Or if I am it is not because of any lack of faith in you, you know”
She seemed pleased too when he agreed to retire from his work, and he took the gentle chiding onboard, vowed to himself that he would try harder to make time for her. There would be such a small opportunity before he was gone anyway.
When she steered them away from their private quarters, Achilleas turned his head toward her, the question written upon his face before he voiced the “Where…?” But his wife remained close-lipped and with a glint in her eye that had him intrigued despite his fatigue. And when they reached the bathing pools he gave an amused sort of huff, watching silently as Theodora dismissed the attendant before turning to him with another smile that he thought to savour and store away for when he was gone.
His own lips curled in amusement as she informed him of their plans, and he was not of a mind to decline, not when she stood before him shedding clothes like she was unwrapping a gift. “Who am I to refuse” he replied, moving to strip off his garments until he stood naked before her, unselfconscious in that at least.
Even without the added enticement of Theodora’s presence, the waters looked more than inviting, steam curling upwards in a fragrant fog of cypress and sandalwood. The heat would soothe the tension that had settled across his neck and shoulders throughout the day, and he was grateful to the woman before him for seeking him out, bringing him here.
“Thank you” The words were mumbled into her hair when he pulled her close, wrapped his arms around her. He wasn’t unaware of the fact that he could be..single-minded sometimes, and didn’t always know when to stop. That Theodora had thought to seek him out for such a purpose was touching. “ I know I’ve been caught up in things. I shouldn’t have neglected you. This is all still..finding a balance I suppose”
Still not tired of the sight or feel of her, Achilleas ran his hand down her back, marvelled at the silken smooth skin beneath his palm and sighed a little as he drew her flush against him, his other hand snaking into the dark fall of her hair. He used it to tilt her face up towards his own, claiming her lips in a slow, leisurely kiss because it still thrilled him that he could. There had been few moments since they were wed, with everything, and he had almost forgotten what he was depriving himself of in his self- imposed solitude. Early mornings and late nights stealing him from the marital bed meant that there was still some newness between them. Not that he thought she would ever cease to stir his blood, not now he didn’t have to stifle it any longer.
It would have been easy to lose himself in her there, but now they were here, Achilleas didn’t see why he couldn’t have both: the comfort of the water and the beauty that was his wife. Such moments had been rare enough to be treasured when they were offered up.
His gaze devoured her like a feast as she stepped from her chiton, letting the fabric fall to the floor before delicately kicking it aside. Theodora all but preened at the look in his eye, a soft smirk curling her lips as Achilleas quickly made to do the same. His own attire fallen away, she was not ashamed to let her admiration show. No matter what other reservations she may have had going into this marriage, she could not deny that he was positively mouthwatering—a life of careful discipline carving his body like the hands of the gods themselves. When he pulled her in closer and wrapped her in his arms, she made no move to stop him, her own curling around his waist as he murmured his thanks into her hair.
“There is a war,” she reminded him when he apologized for his neglect, nuzzling lightly in the hair of his chest. “I know that things are… hard right now. And finding a balance isn’t easy.” One arm detached itself from his waist as her fingers roamed curiously up his side, across his chest to stop and rest against his neck. Leaning back just enough to look up at him, she offered a gentle smile. “But yes. I would like to see you at least a little more often before you have to leave me.”
His hand tangled in her hair and gently pulled her head up, his lips meeting hers in an unhurried kiss, their conversation put aside for now. Relaxing into his embrace as he pulled her in tighter, her eyes closed, returning his kiss with the same leisurely pace he bestowed. Provided he didn’t crumple with exhaustion first, they had at least the next few hours for themselves, so why rush? It was about time they were afforded the opportunity to more… intimately know each other.
Theodora only pulled away to breathe, the hand at his neck moving to lightly caress his cheek instead. “Come,” she murmured before pressing another kiss to his lips, this one no more rushed than the last. Winding her fingers with his, she broke away a few moments only to lead him over to the steps of the pool, warm steam buffeting them both as she tentatively tested the water with her foot. A luxurious sigh voiced her approval as she stepped in further until the water caressed her waist.
Turning back to her husband, she wound her arms around his neck, standing on her toes to lay a gentle kiss against the front of his throat. “At least we know there won’t be any leeches in here,” she teased with a laugh that echoed softly off the surrounding water, referring back to the incident in the reflection pool all those years ago. “Much warmer too.”
Breaking from Achilleas so she could more fully submerge herself in the steaming water, she dunked her head back with a blissful sigh before looking up at him with a twinkle in her eye. “While that night could have gone… better… I’ll always cherish the memory of the sight of your bare backside in the moonlight.” It was hard to tell if she was kidding or not, but there was an appreciative curl of her mouth as her gaze flicked down to his hips. “Imagine my delight to find it’s still just as lovely as I remember.”
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His gaze devoured her like a feast as she stepped from her chiton, letting the fabric fall to the floor before delicately kicking it aside. Theodora all but preened at the look in his eye, a soft smirk curling her lips as Achilleas quickly made to do the same. His own attire fallen away, she was not ashamed to let her admiration show. No matter what other reservations she may have had going into this marriage, she could not deny that he was positively mouthwatering—a life of careful discipline carving his body like the hands of the gods themselves. When he pulled her in closer and wrapped her in his arms, she made no move to stop him, her own curling around his waist as he murmured his thanks into her hair.
“There is a war,” she reminded him when he apologized for his neglect, nuzzling lightly in the hair of his chest. “I know that things are… hard right now. And finding a balance isn’t easy.” One arm detached itself from his waist as her fingers roamed curiously up his side, across his chest to stop and rest against his neck. Leaning back just enough to look up at him, she offered a gentle smile. “But yes. I would like to see you at least a little more often before you have to leave me.”
His hand tangled in her hair and gently pulled her head up, his lips meeting hers in an unhurried kiss, their conversation put aside for now. Relaxing into his embrace as he pulled her in tighter, her eyes closed, returning his kiss with the same leisurely pace he bestowed. Provided he didn’t crumple with exhaustion first, they had at least the next few hours for themselves, so why rush? It was about time they were afforded the opportunity to more… intimately know each other.
Theodora only pulled away to breathe, the hand at his neck moving to lightly caress his cheek instead. “Come,” she murmured before pressing another kiss to his lips, this one no more rushed than the last. Winding her fingers with his, she broke away a few moments only to lead him over to the steps of the pool, warm steam buffeting them both as she tentatively tested the water with her foot. A luxurious sigh voiced her approval as she stepped in further until the water caressed her waist.
Turning back to her husband, she wound her arms around his neck, standing on her toes to lay a gentle kiss against the front of his throat. “At least we know there won’t be any leeches in here,” she teased with a laugh that echoed softly off the surrounding water, referring back to the incident in the reflection pool all those years ago. “Much warmer too.”
Breaking from Achilleas so she could more fully submerge herself in the steaming water, she dunked her head back with a blissful sigh before looking up at him with a twinkle in her eye. “While that night could have gone… better… I’ll always cherish the memory of the sight of your bare backside in the moonlight.” It was hard to tell if she was kidding or not, but there was an appreciative curl of her mouth as her gaze flicked down to his hips. “Imagine my delight to find it’s still just as lovely as I remember.”
His gaze devoured her like a feast as she stepped from her chiton, letting the fabric fall to the floor before delicately kicking it aside. Theodora all but preened at the look in his eye, a soft smirk curling her lips as Achilleas quickly made to do the same. His own attire fallen away, she was not ashamed to let her admiration show. No matter what other reservations she may have had going into this marriage, she could not deny that he was positively mouthwatering—a life of careful discipline carving his body like the hands of the gods themselves. When he pulled her in closer and wrapped her in his arms, she made no move to stop him, her own curling around his waist as he murmured his thanks into her hair.
“There is a war,” she reminded him when he apologized for his neglect, nuzzling lightly in the hair of his chest. “I know that things are… hard right now. And finding a balance isn’t easy.” One arm detached itself from his waist as her fingers roamed curiously up his side, across his chest to stop and rest against his neck. Leaning back just enough to look up at him, she offered a gentle smile. “But yes. I would like to see you at least a little more often before you have to leave me.”
His hand tangled in her hair and gently pulled her head up, his lips meeting hers in an unhurried kiss, their conversation put aside for now. Relaxing into his embrace as he pulled her in tighter, her eyes closed, returning his kiss with the same leisurely pace he bestowed. Provided he didn’t crumple with exhaustion first, they had at least the next few hours for themselves, so why rush? It was about time they were afforded the opportunity to more… intimately know each other.
Theodora only pulled away to breathe, the hand at his neck moving to lightly caress his cheek instead. “Come,” she murmured before pressing another kiss to his lips, this one no more rushed than the last. Winding her fingers with his, she broke away a few moments only to lead him over to the steps of the pool, warm steam buffeting them both as she tentatively tested the water with her foot. A luxurious sigh voiced her approval as she stepped in further until the water caressed her waist.
Turning back to her husband, she wound her arms around his neck, standing on her toes to lay a gentle kiss against the front of his throat. “At least we know there won’t be any leeches in here,” she teased with a laugh that echoed softly off the surrounding water, referring back to the incident in the reflection pool all those years ago. “Much warmer too.”
Breaking from Achilleas so she could more fully submerge herself in the steaming water, she dunked her head back with a blissful sigh before looking up at him with a twinkle in her eye. “While that night could have gone… better… I’ll always cherish the memory of the sight of your bare backside in the moonlight.” It was hard to tell if she was kidding or not, but there was an appreciative curl of her mouth as her gaze flicked down to his hips. “Imagine my delight to find it’s still just as lovely as I remember.”
Much as he had tried to deny it over the years, Achilleas had never quite managed to stop being awed by Theodora’s physical perfection. Now she was his, the somewhat flimsy efforts he’d made to conceal his attraction before had fallen by the wayside and he could let himself drink in the sight of her unabashedly. “Beautiful” he managed eloquently before he needed to touch her and had her drawn her close into him.
Her hands on him and the warmth of her breath against his skin were tantalising, sweet sensations that had some of the fatigue fall away, and he gazed down at her, the edge of a frown upon his brow- for himself rather than her, because of course, she would notice his absence.
‘..But yes. I would like to see you at least a little more often before you have to leave me’
“Alright,” he agreed, reminding himself that he had a duty to Theodora too, now. And it was hardly her fault if he felt like a wretch when he looked at her. He’d just have to deal with that himself. She deserved a better start to a marriage than the one he’d been able to offer and time was slipping away quickly, quicker than he would have liked.
Following her into the baths there was a low chuckle that vibrated under her lips, because of course how he could forget that terrible idea of Stephanos’. It had been the sweetest torture, Theodora in nothing but a second skin of wet silk and him trying so hard to follow the rules and not pursue what he couldn’t have.
“I would hope so,” he said, wading further into the pool so the pleasantly hot water enveloped him up to his muscular thighs. There was a silvery scar that ran from just above his left knee to mid-thigh, a souvenir from his last trip to Egypt, a reminder that despite his reputation on the fields of war, he was still mortal and as fallible as any man. Achilleas snorted at her teasing, though there was a small, pleased sort of smile visible before he turned away from her to submerge himself fully.
For whilst despite his efforts to conceal it, he knew that his regard for Theodora had been near-constant. Her feelings towards him were not so easy for him to pin down, and something was gratifying in knowing she had noticed him too. Or even if she was just paying lip service, he thought as he resurfaced and swept his hands back over his face to slick his hair back, it was nice of her.
He wasn’t usually one to concern himself too much on how women viewed him. He’d never had to try particularly hard and yet with Theodora, Achilleas wanted her to think well of him. She brought out what little vanity he had: perhaps because he knew she drew the eye of almost every man she passed.
With a sigh, he settled down beside her in the water, seated on the bench carved into the stone beneath the waterline. His thigh rested alongside her own and his hand came to rest upon her knee, fingers curling to wrap around her leg in a touch that was both companionable and a little possessive.
“I’m not sure if I should be pleased or not that that is one of your enduring memories of me,” he said, casting his mind back over the years. “Or..” and here he looked a little vexed “That my backside is my most memorable trait” Turning to her, he smiled, an expression that felt a little alien on his face after the past few days. It felt odd to talk so...lightly, of subjects of no matter. Almost a relief, even if with it came the slight prickle of guilt that he shouldn’t be laughing or smiling. Not so soon…
Achilleas swallowed that feeling, his fingers squeezing at Theodora’s thigh before he leant in to press a kiss against the skin of her shoulder, grounding himself in the moment. She had wanted his attention, it was only right that he give it to her and not be maudlin.
“I have bathed you know,” he said suddenly, looking at up her. “I haven’t been sweating every morning and then returning straight to papers and counsels. You just..haven’t been party to it. Though this is...more enjoyable, I’ll give you”
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Much as he had tried to deny it over the years, Achilleas had never quite managed to stop being awed by Theodora’s physical perfection. Now she was his, the somewhat flimsy efforts he’d made to conceal his attraction before had fallen by the wayside and he could let himself drink in the sight of her unabashedly. “Beautiful” he managed eloquently before he needed to touch her and had her drawn her close into him.
Her hands on him and the warmth of her breath against his skin were tantalising, sweet sensations that had some of the fatigue fall away, and he gazed down at her, the edge of a frown upon his brow- for himself rather than her, because of course, she would notice his absence.
‘..But yes. I would like to see you at least a little more often before you have to leave me’
“Alright,” he agreed, reminding himself that he had a duty to Theodora too, now. And it was hardly her fault if he felt like a wretch when he looked at her. He’d just have to deal with that himself. She deserved a better start to a marriage than the one he’d been able to offer and time was slipping away quickly, quicker than he would have liked.
Following her into the baths there was a low chuckle that vibrated under her lips, because of course how he could forget that terrible idea of Stephanos’. It had been the sweetest torture, Theodora in nothing but a second skin of wet silk and him trying so hard to follow the rules and not pursue what he couldn’t have.
“I would hope so,” he said, wading further into the pool so the pleasantly hot water enveloped him up to his muscular thighs. There was a silvery scar that ran from just above his left knee to mid-thigh, a souvenir from his last trip to Egypt, a reminder that despite his reputation on the fields of war, he was still mortal and as fallible as any man. Achilleas snorted at her teasing, though there was a small, pleased sort of smile visible before he turned away from her to submerge himself fully.
For whilst despite his efforts to conceal it, he knew that his regard for Theodora had been near-constant. Her feelings towards him were not so easy for him to pin down, and something was gratifying in knowing she had noticed him too. Or even if she was just paying lip service, he thought as he resurfaced and swept his hands back over his face to slick his hair back, it was nice of her.
He wasn’t usually one to concern himself too much on how women viewed him. He’d never had to try particularly hard and yet with Theodora, Achilleas wanted her to think well of him. She brought out what little vanity he had: perhaps because he knew she drew the eye of almost every man she passed.
With a sigh, he settled down beside her in the water, seated on the bench carved into the stone beneath the waterline. His thigh rested alongside her own and his hand came to rest upon her knee, fingers curling to wrap around her leg in a touch that was both companionable and a little possessive.
“I’m not sure if I should be pleased or not that that is one of your enduring memories of me,” he said, casting his mind back over the years. “Or..” and here he looked a little vexed “That my backside is my most memorable trait” Turning to her, he smiled, an expression that felt a little alien on his face after the past few days. It felt odd to talk so...lightly, of subjects of no matter. Almost a relief, even if with it came the slight prickle of guilt that he shouldn’t be laughing or smiling. Not so soon…
Achilleas swallowed that feeling, his fingers squeezing at Theodora’s thigh before he leant in to press a kiss against the skin of her shoulder, grounding himself in the moment. She had wanted his attention, it was only right that he give it to her and not be maudlin.
“I have bathed you know,” he said suddenly, looking at up her. “I haven’t been sweating every morning and then returning straight to papers and counsels. You just..haven’t been party to it. Though this is...more enjoyable, I’ll give you”
Much as he had tried to deny it over the years, Achilleas had never quite managed to stop being awed by Theodora’s physical perfection. Now she was his, the somewhat flimsy efforts he’d made to conceal his attraction before had fallen by the wayside and he could let himself drink in the sight of her unabashedly. “Beautiful” he managed eloquently before he needed to touch her and had her drawn her close into him.
Her hands on him and the warmth of her breath against his skin were tantalising, sweet sensations that had some of the fatigue fall away, and he gazed down at her, the edge of a frown upon his brow- for himself rather than her, because of course, she would notice his absence.
‘..But yes. I would like to see you at least a little more often before you have to leave me’
“Alright,” he agreed, reminding himself that he had a duty to Theodora too, now. And it was hardly her fault if he felt like a wretch when he looked at her. He’d just have to deal with that himself. She deserved a better start to a marriage than the one he’d been able to offer and time was slipping away quickly, quicker than he would have liked.
Following her into the baths there was a low chuckle that vibrated under her lips, because of course how he could forget that terrible idea of Stephanos’. It had been the sweetest torture, Theodora in nothing but a second skin of wet silk and him trying so hard to follow the rules and not pursue what he couldn’t have.
“I would hope so,” he said, wading further into the pool so the pleasantly hot water enveloped him up to his muscular thighs. There was a silvery scar that ran from just above his left knee to mid-thigh, a souvenir from his last trip to Egypt, a reminder that despite his reputation on the fields of war, he was still mortal and as fallible as any man. Achilleas snorted at her teasing, though there was a small, pleased sort of smile visible before he turned away from her to submerge himself fully.
For whilst despite his efforts to conceal it, he knew that his regard for Theodora had been near-constant. Her feelings towards him were not so easy for him to pin down, and something was gratifying in knowing she had noticed him too. Or even if she was just paying lip service, he thought as he resurfaced and swept his hands back over his face to slick his hair back, it was nice of her.
He wasn’t usually one to concern himself too much on how women viewed him. He’d never had to try particularly hard and yet with Theodora, Achilleas wanted her to think well of him. She brought out what little vanity he had: perhaps because he knew she drew the eye of almost every man she passed.
With a sigh, he settled down beside her in the water, seated on the bench carved into the stone beneath the waterline. His thigh rested alongside her own and his hand came to rest upon her knee, fingers curling to wrap around her leg in a touch that was both companionable and a little possessive.
“I’m not sure if I should be pleased or not that that is one of your enduring memories of me,” he said, casting his mind back over the years. “Or..” and here he looked a little vexed “That my backside is my most memorable trait” Turning to her, he smiled, an expression that felt a little alien on his face after the past few days. It felt odd to talk so...lightly, of subjects of no matter. Almost a relief, even if with it came the slight prickle of guilt that he shouldn’t be laughing or smiling. Not so soon…
Achilleas swallowed that feeling, his fingers squeezing at Theodora’s thigh before he leant in to press a kiss against the skin of her shoulder, grounding himself in the moment. She had wanted his attention, it was only right that he give it to her and not be maudlin.
“I have bathed you know,” he said suddenly, looking at up her. “I haven’t been sweating every morning and then returning straight to papers and counsels. You just..haven’t been party to it. Though this is...more enjoyable, I’ll give you”
She didn’t bother to hide her own admiration either as he turned away from her, submerging himself in the water with a ripple of muscle that would make any grown woman cry. Her gaze scanned every bare inch of him, lingering for a long moment on the part of him she had been so quick to compliment with a dreamy sort of sigh. When he re-emerged to seat himself beside her, a satisfied smirk rested on her lips, covering his hand where it came to rest on her knee.
I’m not sure if I should be pleased or not that that is one of your enduring memories of me. Or that my backside is my most memorable trait.
Encouraged by her husband’s smile, an expression so rare even in the times she did see him, Theodora simply laughed and shook her head. “You ought to be flattered,” she replied with a grin. “There are far worse memories I could hold onto.” Unwilling to spoil the mood and determined to keep him in relatively good spirits, she did not go on to enumerate them; she and the man beside her had shared plenty of awkwardness in their past, and considering some of the situations they had found themselves in before, the leech-filled pool wasn’t even the worst of them.
His lips pressed to her shoulder, and she turned to look at him, her free hand reaching to gently brush a lock of wet hair from his face. It was a rare moment of tenderness in what had already been a far too eventful marriage, and the queen was glad she had convinced him to join her, especially as she knew that there wouldn’t be many more of them before he was set to leave. She would happily take what she could get.
Asserting that he had bathed in the last few days, her grin returned as she pressed a quick kiss to his temple. “Shame I missed it, then,” she said with a teasing twinkle in her eye. “Think of all those wasted opportunities where you could have been doing it with me instead.” Tsking softly, her nose wrinkled with her mirth. “So much more to look at that way.”
Carefully disentangling herself from his grasp, she reached behind them to pick one of the various oils scattered about the sides of the pool, one scented with sandalwood. Rising to her feet and standing in front of him, she dabbed a few drops on her palms and rubbed them together before softly instructing him, “Lean forward a little.”
As soon as he did so, she ran her hands through his hair, lightly coating the damp strands with the fragrant oil. Fingertips gently massaging his scalp to rub it in, she let her fingers glide through his hair for a few minutes longer before softly tousling it. Dipping her hand into the water, she held her other hand at his hairline to block it dripping into his face as she carefully rinsed the oil from his locks.
“There,” she said with a smile when she was done, running her hand through it one last time. “It’ll be nice and soft now.” Closing her eyes with a soft inhale, she sighed. “Sandalwood is one of my favorite scents, too,” she idly commented as she looked back at him, easing herself into his lap and wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “I have it mixed with rose oil and wear it in my own hair a lot.”
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She didn’t bother to hide her own admiration either as he turned away from her, submerging himself in the water with a ripple of muscle that would make any grown woman cry. Her gaze scanned every bare inch of him, lingering for a long moment on the part of him she had been so quick to compliment with a dreamy sort of sigh. When he re-emerged to seat himself beside her, a satisfied smirk rested on her lips, covering his hand where it came to rest on her knee.
I’m not sure if I should be pleased or not that that is one of your enduring memories of me. Or that my backside is my most memorable trait.
Encouraged by her husband’s smile, an expression so rare even in the times she did see him, Theodora simply laughed and shook her head. “You ought to be flattered,” she replied with a grin. “There are far worse memories I could hold onto.” Unwilling to spoil the mood and determined to keep him in relatively good spirits, she did not go on to enumerate them; she and the man beside her had shared plenty of awkwardness in their past, and considering some of the situations they had found themselves in before, the leech-filled pool wasn’t even the worst of them.
His lips pressed to her shoulder, and she turned to look at him, her free hand reaching to gently brush a lock of wet hair from his face. It was a rare moment of tenderness in what had already been a far too eventful marriage, and the queen was glad she had convinced him to join her, especially as she knew that there wouldn’t be many more of them before he was set to leave. She would happily take what she could get.
Asserting that he had bathed in the last few days, her grin returned as she pressed a quick kiss to his temple. “Shame I missed it, then,” she said with a teasing twinkle in her eye. “Think of all those wasted opportunities where you could have been doing it with me instead.” Tsking softly, her nose wrinkled with her mirth. “So much more to look at that way.”
Carefully disentangling herself from his grasp, she reached behind them to pick one of the various oils scattered about the sides of the pool, one scented with sandalwood. Rising to her feet and standing in front of him, she dabbed a few drops on her palms and rubbed them together before softly instructing him, “Lean forward a little.”
As soon as he did so, she ran her hands through his hair, lightly coating the damp strands with the fragrant oil. Fingertips gently massaging his scalp to rub it in, she let her fingers glide through his hair for a few minutes longer before softly tousling it. Dipping her hand into the water, she held her other hand at his hairline to block it dripping into his face as she carefully rinsed the oil from his locks.
“There,” she said with a smile when she was done, running her hand through it one last time. “It’ll be nice and soft now.” Closing her eyes with a soft inhale, she sighed. “Sandalwood is one of my favorite scents, too,” she idly commented as she looked back at him, easing herself into his lap and wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “I have it mixed with rose oil and wear it in my own hair a lot.”
She didn’t bother to hide her own admiration either as he turned away from her, submerging himself in the water with a ripple of muscle that would make any grown woman cry. Her gaze scanned every bare inch of him, lingering for a long moment on the part of him she had been so quick to compliment with a dreamy sort of sigh. When he re-emerged to seat himself beside her, a satisfied smirk rested on her lips, covering his hand where it came to rest on her knee.
I’m not sure if I should be pleased or not that that is one of your enduring memories of me. Or that my backside is my most memorable trait.
Encouraged by her husband’s smile, an expression so rare even in the times she did see him, Theodora simply laughed and shook her head. “You ought to be flattered,” she replied with a grin. “There are far worse memories I could hold onto.” Unwilling to spoil the mood and determined to keep him in relatively good spirits, she did not go on to enumerate them; she and the man beside her had shared plenty of awkwardness in their past, and considering some of the situations they had found themselves in before, the leech-filled pool wasn’t even the worst of them.
His lips pressed to her shoulder, and she turned to look at him, her free hand reaching to gently brush a lock of wet hair from his face. It was a rare moment of tenderness in what had already been a far too eventful marriage, and the queen was glad she had convinced him to join her, especially as she knew that there wouldn’t be many more of them before he was set to leave. She would happily take what she could get.
Asserting that he had bathed in the last few days, her grin returned as she pressed a quick kiss to his temple. “Shame I missed it, then,” she said with a teasing twinkle in her eye. “Think of all those wasted opportunities where you could have been doing it with me instead.” Tsking softly, her nose wrinkled with her mirth. “So much more to look at that way.”
Carefully disentangling herself from his grasp, she reached behind them to pick one of the various oils scattered about the sides of the pool, one scented with sandalwood. Rising to her feet and standing in front of him, she dabbed a few drops on her palms and rubbed them together before softly instructing him, “Lean forward a little.”
As soon as he did so, she ran her hands through his hair, lightly coating the damp strands with the fragrant oil. Fingertips gently massaging his scalp to rub it in, she let her fingers glide through his hair for a few minutes longer before softly tousling it. Dipping her hand into the water, she held her other hand at his hairline to block it dripping into his face as she carefully rinsed the oil from his locks.
“There,” she said with a smile when she was done, running her hand through it one last time. “It’ll be nice and soft now.” Closing her eyes with a soft inhale, she sighed. “Sandalwood is one of my favorite scents, too,” she idly commented as she looked back at him, easing herself into his lap and wrapping her arm around his shoulders. “I have it mixed with rose oil and wear it in my own hair a lot.”
She was right of course...there were worse things she could remember than his ass. Like perhaps ones of those times where he’d inadvertently been an ass, even if he hadn’t appreciated it at the time and it had been pointed it out to him afterwards. When it came to Theodora, sometimes his well-intended actions hadn’t always translated that successfully, and he dropped his head, smiled almost ruefully as he acknowledged the truth in that.
Burying his sheepish expression in her neck as he dropped a kiss on her shoulder, his eyes lifted to find hers when her hand came to sweep a wet curl from his face and he held her gaze a moment, just as aware of she was of how such moments of intimacy had been scarce between them. She pinned him there with nothing but that close attention and he felt his skin prickle with it. It was odd...they were husband and wife and yet Achilleas could look into her eyes and have no idea what she was thinking, hadn’t the knowledge of her to predict what made her happy or sad or what would make her smile in that way that made his stomach flip over. He wanted to learn, as thorough in his desire to make sense of her as he was in anything else he set his mind to, but they had so little time and there were so many other demands for his attention that he would never be able to do everything. Would that be his sacrifice? Being a good husband or being a good king? He did not feel he was doing a particularly good job at either.
He was still wondering when she made her case, pointing out the moments he’d already missed, smiling, teasing. Being light, for him? She was trying. He could too, even if he was weary “So it would seem” he agreed, frowning slightly when she slipped away, though it wasn’t long before she was back and standing before him. His hands lifted to rest at the dip where her waist flared gently into the curve of her hips, and though Achilleas eyed her doubtfully for a moment, he leant forward obediently when she asked. At the sensation of her fingers combing through his hair, the man sighed a little, let his head fall forward to press against the softness of her abdomen, and there he closed his eyes, relaxed into her touch and to the tenderness that he’d been shying from since that moment with Briseis where he’d proven himself a terrible husband. His fingers clutched a little tighter at her hips and he made himself return her smile when he pulled back, opened his arms as she sidled onto his lap.
“Sandalwood and Rose hmm? You do always smell delicious” Complimenting her was easy, and he leant close enough to brush his nose beneath her ear, breathing in and kissing her gently there as he tried to shake off all but being there with Theodora. “Egypt is famed for its fragrance you know...perhaps I will bring you some back with our victory”
Thinking of returning was much more pleasing than thinking of leaving, and for a few moments, Achilleas let himself go with the promise of that and not the countless questions and variables that needed addressing before they even left Taengean shores. “You know it is said their queen bathes in milk? To keep her skin soft?” His hand swept over up over the outside of her thigh, settling on her hip and tugging her in close to him. “My queen does not need such ploys”
Despite his weariness, arms full of wet and naked Theodora was never not going to kindle an interest, and when he leaned forward to kiss her again, there was a little more intent behind it, a wanting.
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She was right of course...there were worse things she could remember than his ass. Like perhaps ones of those times where he’d inadvertently been an ass, even if he hadn’t appreciated it at the time and it had been pointed it out to him afterwards. When it came to Theodora, sometimes his well-intended actions hadn’t always translated that successfully, and he dropped his head, smiled almost ruefully as he acknowledged the truth in that.
Burying his sheepish expression in her neck as he dropped a kiss on her shoulder, his eyes lifted to find hers when her hand came to sweep a wet curl from his face and he held her gaze a moment, just as aware of she was of how such moments of intimacy had been scarce between them. She pinned him there with nothing but that close attention and he felt his skin prickle with it. It was odd...they were husband and wife and yet Achilleas could look into her eyes and have no idea what she was thinking, hadn’t the knowledge of her to predict what made her happy or sad or what would make her smile in that way that made his stomach flip over. He wanted to learn, as thorough in his desire to make sense of her as he was in anything else he set his mind to, but they had so little time and there were so many other demands for his attention that he would never be able to do everything. Would that be his sacrifice? Being a good husband or being a good king? He did not feel he was doing a particularly good job at either.
He was still wondering when she made her case, pointing out the moments he’d already missed, smiling, teasing. Being light, for him? She was trying. He could too, even if he was weary “So it would seem” he agreed, frowning slightly when she slipped away, though it wasn’t long before she was back and standing before him. His hands lifted to rest at the dip where her waist flared gently into the curve of her hips, and though Achilleas eyed her doubtfully for a moment, he leant forward obediently when she asked. At the sensation of her fingers combing through his hair, the man sighed a little, let his head fall forward to press against the softness of her abdomen, and there he closed his eyes, relaxed into her touch and to the tenderness that he’d been shying from since that moment with Briseis where he’d proven himself a terrible husband. His fingers clutched a little tighter at her hips and he made himself return her smile when he pulled back, opened his arms as she sidled onto his lap.
“Sandalwood and Rose hmm? You do always smell delicious” Complimenting her was easy, and he leant close enough to brush his nose beneath her ear, breathing in and kissing her gently there as he tried to shake off all but being there with Theodora. “Egypt is famed for its fragrance you know...perhaps I will bring you some back with our victory”
Thinking of returning was much more pleasing than thinking of leaving, and for a few moments, Achilleas let himself go with the promise of that and not the countless questions and variables that needed addressing before they even left Taengean shores. “You know it is said their queen bathes in milk? To keep her skin soft?” His hand swept over up over the outside of her thigh, settling on her hip and tugging her in close to him. “My queen does not need such ploys”
Despite his weariness, arms full of wet and naked Theodora was never not going to kindle an interest, and when he leaned forward to kiss her again, there was a little more intent behind it, a wanting.
She was right of course...there were worse things she could remember than his ass. Like perhaps ones of those times where he’d inadvertently been an ass, even if he hadn’t appreciated it at the time and it had been pointed it out to him afterwards. When it came to Theodora, sometimes his well-intended actions hadn’t always translated that successfully, and he dropped his head, smiled almost ruefully as he acknowledged the truth in that.
Burying his sheepish expression in her neck as he dropped a kiss on her shoulder, his eyes lifted to find hers when her hand came to sweep a wet curl from his face and he held her gaze a moment, just as aware of she was of how such moments of intimacy had been scarce between them. She pinned him there with nothing but that close attention and he felt his skin prickle with it. It was odd...they were husband and wife and yet Achilleas could look into her eyes and have no idea what she was thinking, hadn’t the knowledge of her to predict what made her happy or sad or what would make her smile in that way that made his stomach flip over. He wanted to learn, as thorough in his desire to make sense of her as he was in anything else he set his mind to, but they had so little time and there were so many other demands for his attention that he would never be able to do everything. Would that be his sacrifice? Being a good husband or being a good king? He did not feel he was doing a particularly good job at either.
He was still wondering when she made her case, pointing out the moments he’d already missed, smiling, teasing. Being light, for him? She was trying. He could too, even if he was weary “So it would seem” he agreed, frowning slightly when she slipped away, though it wasn’t long before she was back and standing before him. His hands lifted to rest at the dip where her waist flared gently into the curve of her hips, and though Achilleas eyed her doubtfully for a moment, he leant forward obediently when she asked. At the sensation of her fingers combing through his hair, the man sighed a little, let his head fall forward to press against the softness of her abdomen, and there he closed his eyes, relaxed into her touch and to the tenderness that he’d been shying from since that moment with Briseis where he’d proven himself a terrible husband. His fingers clutched a little tighter at her hips and he made himself return her smile when he pulled back, opened his arms as she sidled onto his lap.
“Sandalwood and Rose hmm? You do always smell delicious” Complimenting her was easy, and he leant close enough to brush his nose beneath her ear, breathing in and kissing her gently there as he tried to shake off all but being there with Theodora. “Egypt is famed for its fragrance you know...perhaps I will bring you some back with our victory”
Thinking of returning was much more pleasing than thinking of leaving, and for a few moments, Achilleas let himself go with the promise of that and not the countless questions and variables that needed addressing before they even left Taengean shores. “You know it is said their queen bathes in milk? To keep her skin soft?” His hand swept over up over the outside of her thigh, settling on her hip and tugging her in close to him. “My queen does not need such ploys”
Despite his weariness, arms full of wet and naked Theodora was never not going to kindle an interest, and when he leaned forward to kiss her again, there was a little more intent behind it, a wanting.
When his head rested against her stomach, a soft, hidden smile tilted Theodora’s lips. As much as she had needed a reprieve in these past days, she knew Achilleas needed it even more so. Try as he might to bury his grief, the queen could only imagine what he was feeling. Losing a father and gaining a crown on a day that should have been a joy for them both… Theo was glad she could offer him something, however small, in the midst of the turmoil that plagued the kingdom.
Settling herself in his lap, his nose brushed her ear, the gentle kiss below it making her shiver. He was quick to praise her, offering to bring back perfumes for her when he returned. “I would like that,” she murmured in reply, fingertips idly stroking along the muscle between his neck and shoulder. It was much more pleasant to think of his return than his leaving, a reality that was approaching all too soon. “Will you bring me a bouquet of lotuses too? I’ve heard they’re the most lovely flower…”
Raising her eyebrows as her husband spoke of the Egyptian queen’s practice of bathing in milk, Theodora cocked her head curiously. Why would anyone bathe in milk? Wouldn’t it smell? What animal’s milk did she use? Someone ought to tell her there were far more pleasant methods of keeping one’s skin soft…
Such thoughts were scattered away as Achilleas pulled her in closer, his hand stroking along her thigh as he insisted she needed no such tricks. She smiled at that; it was a sweet sentiment, even if she employed her own tactics to meet the same goal. Far be it for her to correct him though, his lips meeting hers again, this time with a sort of urgency his previous kisses had not held. Her mouth parted beneath his with a soft sigh, fingers reaching to tangle in his hair as she deepened the kiss, words falling away in the wake of a language impossible not to understand.
Their times together like this had been few, and so she was still a bit hesitant with the newness of it all. She was still learning what he liked, what made him groan, just as he was still figuring out the secret spots that would make her breath run short. For all he knew, she had never been with another, and ought not to even know what she liked. It still felt strange, to know the touch of a man besides Emilios, but she did her level best not to compare the two, for it was an unfair comparison to make. Achilleas did not have the luxury of a year spent indulging her and could not be expected to know right away what would have her squirming beneath him. To his credit, in the times they had been together, he had been quick to listen to her body’s signals, and that gave her encouragement that any remaining awkwardness would soon fade.
Taking his hand, she pulled it slowly up her body to guide it to her breast in a not-so-subtle hint of something she liked. Letting her own hand fall away, she wrapped her arms around him instead, turning in his lap to face him more fully. Breaking from the kiss after a few moments more, her lips trailed lightly against his jaw and throat, nuzzling lightly at his earlobe before pulling it carefully between her teeth.
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When his head rested against her stomach, a soft, hidden smile tilted Theodora’s lips. As much as she had needed a reprieve in these past days, she knew Achilleas needed it even more so. Try as he might to bury his grief, the queen could only imagine what he was feeling. Losing a father and gaining a crown on a day that should have been a joy for them both… Theo was glad she could offer him something, however small, in the midst of the turmoil that plagued the kingdom.
Settling herself in his lap, his nose brushed her ear, the gentle kiss below it making her shiver. He was quick to praise her, offering to bring back perfumes for her when he returned. “I would like that,” she murmured in reply, fingertips idly stroking along the muscle between his neck and shoulder. It was much more pleasant to think of his return than his leaving, a reality that was approaching all too soon. “Will you bring me a bouquet of lotuses too? I’ve heard they’re the most lovely flower…”
Raising her eyebrows as her husband spoke of the Egyptian queen’s practice of bathing in milk, Theodora cocked her head curiously. Why would anyone bathe in milk? Wouldn’t it smell? What animal’s milk did she use? Someone ought to tell her there were far more pleasant methods of keeping one’s skin soft…
Such thoughts were scattered away as Achilleas pulled her in closer, his hand stroking along her thigh as he insisted she needed no such tricks. She smiled at that; it was a sweet sentiment, even if she employed her own tactics to meet the same goal. Far be it for her to correct him though, his lips meeting hers again, this time with a sort of urgency his previous kisses had not held. Her mouth parted beneath his with a soft sigh, fingers reaching to tangle in his hair as she deepened the kiss, words falling away in the wake of a language impossible not to understand.
Their times together like this had been few, and so she was still a bit hesitant with the newness of it all. She was still learning what he liked, what made him groan, just as he was still figuring out the secret spots that would make her breath run short. For all he knew, she had never been with another, and ought not to even know what she liked. It still felt strange, to know the touch of a man besides Emilios, but she did her level best not to compare the two, for it was an unfair comparison to make. Achilleas did not have the luxury of a year spent indulging her and could not be expected to know right away what would have her squirming beneath him. To his credit, in the times they had been together, he had been quick to listen to her body’s signals, and that gave her encouragement that any remaining awkwardness would soon fade.
Taking his hand, she pulled it slowly up her body to guide it to her breast in a not-so-subtle hint of something she liked. Letting her own hand fall away, she wrapped her arms around him instead, turning in his lap to face him more fully. Breaking from the kiss after a few moments more, her lips trailed lightly against his jaw and throat, nuzzling lightly at his earlobe before pulling it carefully between her teeth.
When his head rested against her stomach, a soft, hidden smile tilted Theodora’s lips. As much as she had needed a reprieve in these past days, she knew Achilleas needed it even more so. Try as he might to bury his grief, the queen could only imagine what he was feeling. Losing a father and gaining a crown on a day that should have been a joy for them both… Theo was glad she could offer him something, however small, in the midst of the turmoil that plagued the kingdom.
Settling herself in his lap, his nose brushed her ear, the gentle kiss below it making her shiver. He was quick to praise her, offering to bring back perfumes for her when he returned. “I would like that,” she murmured in reply, fingertips idly stroking along the muscle between his neck and shoulder. It was much more pleasant to think of his return than his leaving, a reality that was approaching all too soon. “Will you bring me a bouquet of lotuses too? I’ve heard they’re the most lovely flower…”
Raising her eyebrows as her husband spoke of the Egyptian queen’s practice of bathing in milk, Theodora cocked her head curiously. Why would anyone bathe in milk? Wouldn’t it smell? What animal’s milk did she use? Someone ought to tell her there were far more pleasant methods of keeping one’s skin soft…
Such thoughts were scattered away as Achilleas pulled her in closer, his hand stroking along her thigh as he insisted she needed no such tricks. She smiled at that; it was a sweet sentiment, even if she employed her own tactics to meet the same goal. Far be it for her to correct him though, his lips meeting hers again, this time with a sort of urgency his previous kisses had not held. Her mouth parted beneath his with a soft sigh, fingers reaching to tangle in his hair as she deepened the kiss, words falling away in the wake of a language impossible not to understand.
Their times together like this had been few, and so she was still a bit hesitant with the newness of it all. She was still learning what he liked, what made him groan, just as he was still figuring out the secret spots that would make her breath run short. For all he knew, she had never been with another, and ought not to even know what she liked. It still felt strange, to know the touch of a man besides Emilios, but she did her level best not to compare the two, for it was an unfair comparison to make. Achilleas did not have the luxury of a year spent indulging her and could not be expected to know right away what would have her squirming beneath him. To his credit, in the times they had been together, he had been quick to listen to her body’s signals, and that gave her encouragement that any remaining awkwardness would soon fade.
Taking his hand, she pulled it slowly up her body to guide it to her breast in a not-so-subtle hint of something she liked. Letting her own hand fall away, she wrapped her arms around him instead, turning in his lap to face him more fully. Breaking from the kiss after a few moments more, her lips trailed lightly against his jaw and throat, nuzzling lightly at his earlobe before pulling it carefully between her teeth.
Flowers? He could bring her flowers...though what they would like after two weeks aboard a ship he did not mention but rather just murmured assent against the skin of her neck, the rasp of his stubble and the warmth of his breath following a path up until he met the softness of her lips. And then he stopped thinking about Egypt and flowers and anything but Theodora and the fact that perhaps he might feel something other than numb for a little while. Of course, there was the risk that if it wasn’t that strange empty feeling that it would be the other end of the spectrum, that choking, crippling hurt that had hit in waves, seemingly out of nowhere. Achilleas swallowed, kissed her more fervently. No. He didn’t want that either. Just wanted her.
It had been an odd few days, moving through each unthinkingly until he’d blinked and three had passed already, and he wasn’t quite sure what he’d done and where he’d been. And whilst Theodora had been there, he’d kept his distance, not knowing how to engage with her amidst everything else, finding it hard to be who she would expect.
But this was simple enough, natural between man and wife and as he had hoped, the world narrowed to the physical: the tangle of her fingers in his hair and the way her lips softened under his and their breath mingled. When she placed his hand upon the round softness of one breast, he groaned slightly into her mouth, thumb strafing across the rosy tip a couple of times then his hand covered her, squeezing slightly before crossing to find the matched pair.
Theodora was all soft curves, voluptuous and plush in all the places a woman should be so, wonders enough to keep a man enthralled for hours, each dip or swell worthy of appreciation. Not for nothing did people say she was favoured by Aphrodite herself. But Achilleas was not lingering in his touches, and when she began to turn, strong hands dropped to her waist as he lifted and settled her astride his thighs, her knees upon the water warmed stone of the bench he sat on.
He didn’t know if it was what she had intended when she brought him here, but their privacy seemed as secure as it ever was in this place, and he could not bring himself to care. His arousal evident between them now, and he tugged her closer, let her feel it as he kissed her, hot and demanding.
Impatient for the all-encompassing sensation that he knew awaited, he let his hand slide over her hip and between them to rub at her, a little hasty to claim her and lacking some finesse as his fingers ghosted over her delicate skin, seeking the sweet slipperiness that would tell him she was ready.
When she broke away and her teeth pressed lightly against her ear, Achilleas shivered a little, almost wish she would bite harder so he might feel the sting of it. Feel something. “Theodora” he muttered, but he wasn’t sure if he was protesting or encouraging, and so instead he fell silent, mouthed at her throat and shoulder and buried his face in the fall of her hair.
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Flowers? He could bring her flowers...though what they would like after two weeks aboard a ship he did not mention but rather just murmured assent against the skin of her neck, the rasp of his stubble and the warmth of his breath following a path up until he met the softness of her lips. And then he stopped thinking about Egypt and flowers and anything but Theodora and the fact that perhaps he might feel something other than numb for a little while. Of course, there was the risk that if it wasn’t that strange empty feeling that it would be the other end of the spectrum, that choking, crippling hurt that had hit in waves, seemingly out of nowhere. Achilleas swallowed, kissed her more fervently. No. He didn’t want that either. Just wanted her.
It had been an odd few days, moving through each unthinkingly until he’d blinked and three had passed already, and he wasn’t quite sure what he’d done and where he’d been. And whilst Theodora had been there, he’d kept his distance, not knowing how to engage with her amidst everything else, finding it hard to be who she would expect.
But this was simple enough, natural between man and wife and as he had hoped, the world narrowed to the physical: the tangle of her fingers in his hair and the way her lips softened under his and their breath mingled. When she placed his hand upon the round softness of one breast, he groaned slightly into her mouth, thumb strafing across the rosy tip a couple of times then his hand covered her, squeezing slightly before crossing to find the matched pair.
Theodora was all soft curves, voluptuous and plush in all the places a woman should be so, wonders enough to keep a man enthralled for hours, each dip or swell worthy of appreciation. Not for nothing did people say she was favoured by Aphrodite herself. But Achilleas was not lingering in his touches, and when she began to turn, strong hands dropped to her waist as he lifted and settled her astride his thighs, her knees upon the water warmed stone of the bench he sat on.
He didn’t know if it was what she had intended when she brought him here, but their privacy seemed as secure as it ever was in this place, and he could not bring himself to care. His arousal evident between them now, and he tugged her closer, let her feel it as he kissed her, hot and demanding.
Impatient for the all-encompassing sensation that he knew awaited, he let his hand slide over her hip and between them to rub at her, a little hasty to claim her and lacking some finesse as his fingers ghosted over her delicate skin, seeking the sweet slipperiness that would tell him she was ready.
When she broke away and her teeth pressed lightly against her ear, Achilleas shivered a little, almost wish she would bite harder so he might feel the sting of it. Feel something. “Theodora” he muttered, but he wasn’t sure if he was protesting or encouraging, and so instead he fell silent, mouthed at her throat and shoulder and buried his face in the fall of her hair.
Flowers? He could bring her flowers...though what they would like after two weeks aboard a ship he did not mention but rather just murmured assent against the skin of her neck, the rasp of his stubble and the warmth of his breath following a path up until he met the softness of her lips. And then he stopped thinking about Egypt and flowers and anything but Theodora and the fact that perhaps he might feel something other than numb for a little while. Of course, there was the risk that if it wasn’t that strange empty feeling that it would be the other end of the spectrum, that choking, crippling hurt that had hit in waves, seemingly out of nowhere. Achilleas swallowed, kissed her more fervently. No. He didn’t want that either. Just wanted her.
It had been an odd few days, moving through each unthinkingly until he’d blinked and three had passed already, and he wasn’t quite sure what he’d done and where he’d been. And whilst Theodora had been there, he’d kept his distance, not knowing how to engage with her amidst everything else, finding it hard to be who she would expect.
But this was simple enough, natural between man and wife and as he had hoped, the world narrowed to the physical: the tangle of her fingers in his hair and the way her lips softened under his and their breath mingled. When she placed his hand upon the round softness of one breast, he groaned slightly into her mouth, thumb strafing across the rosy tip a couple of times then his hand covered her, squeezing slightly before crossing to find the matched pair.
Theodora was all soft curves, voluptuous and plush in all the places a woman should be so, wonders enough to keep a man enthralled for hours, each dip or swell worthy of appreciation. Not for nothing did people say she was favoured by Aphrodite herself. But Achilleas was not lingering in his touches, and when she began to turn, strong hands dropped to her waist as he lifted and settled her astride his thighs, her knees upon the water warmed stone of the bench he sat on.
He didn’t know if it was what she had intended when she brought him here, but their privacy seemed as secure as it ever was in this place, and he could not bring himself to care. His arousal evident between them now, and he tugged her closer, let her feel it as he kissed her, hot and demanding.
Impatient for the all-encompassing sensation that he knew awaited, he let his hand slide over her hip and between them to rub at her, a little hasty to claim her and lacking some finesse as his fingers ghosted over her delicate skin, seeking the sweet slipperiness that would tell him she was ready.
When she broke away and her teeth pressed lightly against her ear, Achilleas shivered a little, almost wish she would bite harder so he might feel the sting of it. Feel something. “Theodora” he muttered, but he wasn’t sure if he was protesting or encouraging, and so instead he fell silent, mouthed at her throat and shoulder and buried his face in the fall of her hair.
There was some clumsiness in his movements as he grasped at the tender flesh of her breast, his thumb brushing over the peak and gone a bit quicker than she would have liked. When he palmed the other, Theodora leaned into the touch, hoping to show him to linger there, to take a little more time to explore.
However, his touch did not remain long, hands grasping at her hips as she readjusted her position. He pulled her in closer, the hardness between his thighs brushing against her in a way that let her know what it was he wanted. She’d had an idea of what would happen when she brought Achilleas here, so she was hardly likely to refuse him, leaning into his grasp as his lips claimed hers with such a heated ferocity. Her nails dug lightly into his hip when he reached between them with another hasty touch, a soft sound of pleasure voicing her approval. Again, though, he went to pull away too soon, and this time, she stopped him and covered his hand with her own.
Guiding him back to that pearl between her thighs, she coaxed his fingers into a slower rhythm, one that pressed into the right places. Closing her eyes and groaning softly in his ear, she bit down a little harder at the sound of her name, the tip of her tongue lightly tracing the outside of the lobe before moving back down his neck.
“Slowly,” she murmured against his skin as she pulled her hand away, moving instead to snake along the base of his length. A few strokes saw him standing further at attention as she hovered over him, barely an inch of water separating them any further.
Leaning back to look at him for a moment, she reached to cup his face, a face so familiar yet so achingly foreign. With blue, blue eyes so similar to another’s…
Yanking herself from that line of thought before it could derail her entirely, her thumbs stroked along stubbled cheekbones before she leaned in to kiss him again, nipping at his lip and forcibly banishing the thought of anything else from her mind. He was here, and this was now, and they were going to enjoy themselves, damn it all, because that’s what they had come here for.
Her lips moved restlessly against his, repositioning herself so their hips were nearly flush. Reaching down to align him with the velvet depths nestled between her legs, she let loose her breath as she sank onto him, closing her eyes and burying her face in his shoulder as she surrendered herself to the here and now rather than a discarded past.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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There was some clumsiness in his movements as he grasped at the tender flesh of her breast, his thumb brushing over the peak and gone a bit quicker than she would have liked. When he palmed the other, Theodora leaned into the touch, hoping to show him to linger there, to take a little more time to explore.
However, his touch did not remain long, hands grasping at her hips as she readjusted her position. He pulled her in closer, the hardness between his thighs brushing against her in a way that let her know what it was he wanted. She’d had an idea of what would happen when she brought Achilleas here, so she was hardly likely to refuse him, leaning into his grasp as his lips claimed hers with such a heated ferocity. Her nails dug lightly into his hip when he reached between them with another hasty touch, a soft sound of pleasure voicing her approval. Again, though, he went to pull away too soon, and this time, she stopped him and covered his hand with her own.
Guiding him back to that pearl between her thighs, she coaxed his fingers into a slower rhythm, one that pressed into the right places. Closing her eyes and groaning softly in his ear, she bit down a little harder at the sound of her name, the tip of her tongue lightly tracing the outside of the lobe before moving back down his neck.
“Slowly,” she murmured against his skin as she pulled her hand away, moving instead to snake along the base of his length. A few strokes saw him standing further at attention as she hovered over him, barely an inch of water separating them any further.
Leaning back to look at him for a moment, she reached to cup his face, a face so familiar yet so achingly foreign. With blue, blue eyes so similar to another’s…
Yanking herself from that line of thought before it could derail her entirely, her thumbs stroked along stubbled cheekbones before she leaned in to kiss him again, nipping at his lip and forcibly banishing the thought of anything else from her mind. He was here, and this was now, and they were going to enjoy themselves, damn it all, because that’s what they had come here for.
Her lips moved restlessly against his, repositioning herself so their hips were nearly flush. Reaching down to align him with the velvet depths nestled between her legs, she let loose her breath as she sank onto him, closing her eyes and burying her face in his shoulder as she surrendered herself to the here and now rather than a discarded past.
There was some clumsiness in his movements as he grasped at the tender flesh of her breast, his thumb brushing over the peak and gone a bit quicker than she would have liked. When he palmed the other, Theodora leaned into the touch, hoping to show him to linger there, to take a little more time to explore.
However, his touch did not remain long, hands grasping at her hips as she readjusted her position. He pulled her in closer, the hardness between his thighs brushing against her in a way that let her know what it was he wanted. She’d had an idea of what would happen when she brought Achilleas here, so she was hardly likely to refuse him, leaning into his grasp as his lips claimed hers with such a heated ferocity. Her nails dug lightly into his hip when he reached between them with another hasty touch, a soft sound of pleasure voicing her approval. Again, though, he went to pull away too soon, and this time, she stopped him and covered his hand with her own.
Guiding him back to that pearl between her thighs, she coaxed his fingers into a slower rhythm, one that pressed into the right places. Closing her eyes and groaning softly in his ear, she bit down a little harder at the sound of her name, the tip of her tongue lightly tracing the outside of the lobe before moving back down his neck.
“Slowly,” she murmured against his skin as she pulled her hand away, moving instead to snake along the base of his length. A few strokes saw him standing further at attention as she hovered over him, barely an inch of water separating them any further.
Leaning back to look at him for a moment, she reached to cup his face, a face so familiar yet so achingly foreign. With blue, blue eyes so similar to another’s…
Yanking herself from that line of thought before it could derail her entirely, her thumbs stroked along stubbled cheekbones before she leaned in to kiss him again, nipping at his lip and forcibly banishing the thought of anything else from her mind. He was here, and this was now, and they were going to enjoy themselves, damn it all, because that’s what they had come here for.
Her lips moved restlessly against his, repositioning herself so their hips were nearly flush. Reaching down to align him with the velvet depths nestled between her legs, she let loose her breath as she sank onto him, closing her eyes and burying her face in his shoulder as she surrendered herself to the here and now rather than a discarded past.
Her hand upon his had him freeze in his movements, twisting to look at her as his eyes lost that heavy, focused look to find hers, a question. What’s wrong?. It shook him from whatever path he’d been on and he was pliable in her hands, drawing a breath in through his nose and letting it gust out between them. Achilleas let her guide his touch to where she wanted it, studied her a long moment before looking instead to where her fingers had threaded with his to move against her as if he might be committing it to memory. Her name was barely more than a whisper from his lips, but the rasp of her teeth its own reward.
‘Slowly’ The instruction steadied him, but his breath stuttered a little when her hand wrapped around him, his touch carefully mirroring what she had shown even as she stroked him once, twice, three times and threatened to steal his focus.
He felt drawn tight, like an under stretched bow string, at his limit. There had been scarce a chance to draw breath and now this was almost too intense in the way they were close, nowhere to hide when he’d spent the past days blank-faced and hollow-hearted.
When she drew back enough so they were face to face once more, his lips pressed a kiss to her palm but his gaze slid away from hers like river water over stone. They were darker than those of his brother - not much, sea rather than sky, and now made heavy with fatigue and seemingly unwilling to rest too long upon her own. He closed them anyway as she leant in to kiss him again, as content as she was in casting aside all other thought for this and only this.
Achilleas didn’t think of another, it was not that his desire steered his thoughts to any other. Theodora was more than enough. More that there was enough sensation to blank out everything else, and when she sank over him he welcomed the feel all of her wrapped all around him. A refuge of sorts.
The shuddering sigh as he slid home was muffled against her shoulder and for a moment he was still, happy to be nestled in the silken warmth of her body, no sound aside the slight sloshing of the bath water and their panting breaths, and inside his head the thrumming of his pulse.
It wasn’t until he’d found his bearings that Achilleas could think about moving, a hand at her hip and the other wrapped around her shoulder so he could bury himself further into the velvet clutch of her. When she began to move in opposition to him, there did not seem much relaxation in the muscles that bunched and flexed under her fingers, just raw strength and urgency.
Perhaps, had he been more himself, he would have preferred to pull back, to see her, this perfect creature that had somehow become his, flush cheeked and dark- eyed with passion to indulge himself with the reality of what been a fleeting moments of fantasy for so long before.
But as it was, the man chose instead to take advantage of her closeness, to bury his face in the crook of her neck. He was seeking something other than release, some respite somehow, and that was easier done without the weight of her gaze upon him.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Her hand upon his had him freeze in his movements, twisting to look at her as his eyes lost that heavy, focused look to find hers, a question. What’s wrong?. It shook him from whatever path he’d been on and he was pliable in her hands, drawing a breath in through his nose and letting it gust out between them. Achilleas let her guide his touch to where she wanted it, studied her a long moment before looking instead to where her fingers had threaded with his to move against her as if he might be committing it to memory. Her name was barely more than a whisper from his lips, but the rasp of her teeth its own reward.
‘Slowly’ The instruction steadied him, but his breath stuttered a little when her hand wrapped around him, his touch carefully mirroring what she had shown even as she stroked him once, twice, three times and threatened to steal his focus.
He felt drawn tight, like an under stretched bow string, at his limit. There had been scarce a chance to draw breath and now this was almost too intense in the way they were close, nowhere to hide when he’d spent the past days blank-faced and hollow-hearted.
When she drew back enough so they were face to face once more, his lips pressed a kiss to her palm but his gaze slid away from hers like river water over stone. They were darker than those of his brother - not much, sea rather than sky, and now made heavy with fatigue and seemingly unwilling to rest too long upon her own. He closed them anyway as she leant in to kiss him again, as content as she was in casting aside all other thought for this and only this.
Achilleas didn’t think of another, it was not that his desire steered his thoughts to any other. Theodora was more than enough. More that there was enough sensation to blank out everything else, and when she sank over him he welcomed the feel all of her wrapped all around him. A refuge of sorts.
The shuddering sigh as he slid home was muffled against her shoulder and for a moment he was still, happy to be nestled in the silken warmth of her body, no sound aside the slight sloshing of the bath water and their panting breaths, and inside his head the thrumming of his pulse.
It wasn’t until he’d found his bearings that Achilleas could think about moving, a hand at her hip and the other wrapped around her shoulder so he could bury himself further into the velvet clutch of her. When she began to move in opposition to him, there did not seem much relaxation in the muscles that bunched and flexed under her fingers, just raw strength and urgency.
Perhaps, had he been more himself, he would have preferred to pull back, to see her, this perfect creature that had somehow become his, flush cheeked and dark- eyed with passion to indulge himself with the reality of what been a fleeting moments of fantasy for so long before.
But as it was, the man chose instead to take advantage of her closeness, to bury his face in the crook of her neck. He was seeking something other than release, some respite somehow, and that was easier done without the weight of her gaze upon him.
Her hand upon his had him freeze in his movements, twisting to look at her as his eyes lost that heavy, focused look to find hers, a question. What’s wrong?. It shook him from whatever path he’d been on and he was pliable in her hands, drawing a breath in through his nose and letting it gust out between them. Achilleas let her guide his touch to where she wanted it, studied her a long moment before looking instead to where her fingers had threaded with his to move against her as if he might be committing it to memory. Her name was barely more than a whisper from his lips, but the rasp of her teeth its own reward.
‘Slowly’ The instruction steadied him, but his breath stuttered a little when her hand wrapped around him, his touch carefully mirroring what she had shown even as she stroked him once, twice, three times and threatened to steal his focus.
He felt drawn tight, like an under stretched bow string, at his limit. There had been scarce a chance to draw breath and now this was almost too intense in the way they were close, nowhere to hide when he’d spent the past days blank-faced and hollow-hearted.
When she drew back enough so they were face to face once more, his lips pressed a kiss to her palm but his gaze slid away from hers like river water over stone. They were darker than those of his brother - not much, sea rather than sky, and now made heavy with fatigue and seemingly unwilling to rest too long upon her own. He closed them anyway as she leant in to kiss him again, as content as she was in casting aside all other thought for this and only this.
Achilleas didn’t think of another, it was not that his desire steered his thoughts to any other. Theodora was more than enough. More that there was enough sensation to blank out everything else, and when she sank over him he welcomed the feel all of her wrapped all around him. A refuge of sorts.
The shuddering sigh as he slid home was muffled against her shoulder and for a moment he was still, happy to be nestled in the silken warmth of her body, no sound aside the slight sloshing of the bath water and their panting breaths, and inside his head the thrumming of his pulse.
It wasn’t until he’d found his bearings that Achilleas could think about moving, a hand at her hip and the other wrapped around her shoulder so he could bury himself further into the velvet clutch of her. When she began to move in opposition to him, there did not seem much relaxation in the muscles that bunched and flexed under her fingers, just raw strength and urgency.
Perhaps, had he been more himself, he would have preferred to pull back, to see her, this perfect creature that had somehow become his, flush cheeked and dark- eyed with passion to indulge himself with the reality of what been a fleeting moments of fantasy for so long before.
But as it was, the man chose instead to take advantage of her closeness, to bury his face in the crook of her neck. He was seeking something other than release, some respite somehow, and that was easier done without the weight of her gaze upon him.