hugtopia | Video: Achtom 6th

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Video: Achtom 6th - Early Morning

[Cor was not intending, initially, to do this as a video. Such requests would certainly go better if someone has a face to go with the voice, can see the type of person they'd be working with. He's as stern as ever, even if there are subtle indicators that he's been exerting himself recently. The ever-present jacket discarded for once, sweat clinging to his face, breathing slightly elevated.]

I know I am not alone in being unused to such... quiet. I suspect many of you are from worlds where such unquestionable peace is not the norm. I am a soldier, as I have ever been, and there is familiarity in the discipline of body and mind.

[A noise off screen, an animal perhaps? Something dying? A lazy king snoring? The deepening scowl on Cor's face makes it apparent that whatever it is Cor isn't happy about it.]

If anyone would like to join me in the mornings for training routines perhaps we can teach one another of the fighting styles of different worlds.

[Again a noise, this time more like a chainsaw or motor boat than an animal and Cor takes a moment to wipe sweat from his brow, heave a sigh and his expression turns a touch apologetic.]

Also if anyone has access to a chess board or mahjong table they'd be willing to share I would greatly appreciate it.

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Ah, there is my Cor! At it again to make things easier for everyone.

[Regis chuckles and then leans over to press a friendly kiss to the man's cheek.]

Your king has now rewarded you for your efforts, since I know asking you to take a day off is as useless a request as asking me to take one off is.

[He's in the middle of rolling his eyes at Regis' exclamation when that kiss comes. A breath heavy with fond exasperation catches in his chest, steel blue eyes going wide for a brief moment, color rushing up his neck and over his cheeks.

He manages to stammer out one syllable before he has to clear his throat and try again.]

I- It seems to be the overwhelming consensus here that I should take some time "off duty" so to speak.

[Regis takes a moment to admire the effects of having caught his friend off guard and then grins up at him.]

I do believe the consensus to be right, however I am certain you do not.

Helpful as ever.

[The scowl would be more convincing if he weren't still blushing.]

And what am I to do with myself while I am relaxing? Other than wondering at what I could be accomplishing if I weren't wasting time.

Have you still not picked up any hobbies?

[The question would be a joke in another tone, but right now it is a completely serious. Regis vanishes his coffee back into the Armiger so he can take Cor's nearest hand into his own.]

Training is one way to keep hands busy, but that training is for a destructive act. You should find something to do with your hands that creates as well. It will help keep you in balance.

[He's honestly a little surprised at how serious Regis becomes. Hobbies are for people that are not at war, not in charge of armies, responsible for the survival of not just a nation but humanity itself.]

I'm afraid once you appointed me as Marshal I had even less time to attempt to find myself something else to do and you, thankfully, finally seemed to have given up.

[Regis can't help bur frown deeply at that.]

I need to have words with my future self.

[Cor is absolutely deserving of the position; he already does the work and then some, but that is no reason to give up on making the man relax once and a while.]

What for?

[Would... would he really be so adamantly against appointing Cor as his Marshal now? Of course his first thought is that Regis thinks him undeserving of the position and the very idea of it makes him sit up straighter, draw away slightly. His stomach sinking and he immediately dismisses his plate to the armiger. He's very distinctly not hungry anymore.]

[Regis turns a confused look on Cor as that strong reaction sinks in.]

What in the name of the Astrals do you think I mean? Obviously as tense as you are, I should never have given up on making sure you took up a hobby! Why, I have half a mind to make you lay down so I can give you a massage to see if there is any saving the muscles in your back.

[The rush of relief that comes with that outburst is so powerful he very nearly laughs. He sighs heavily, slumping forward, shaking his head at himself.]

My back is fine, Regis.

[A blatant lie but he's truly convinced everything is fine just as it is.]

The muscles in your back are so tense a person could build a grand cathedral on them and you wouldn't even notice.

[That is most decidedly not fine.]

And you didn't answer my question.

I'm fairly certain I would notice being used as a building foundation.

[He is not amused.

He is also drinking some of that delightful black coffee instead of acknowledging that there ever was a question.]

Cor.

[He knows what you are doing and is not amused.]

[Sheer, stubborn silence. That is what you get, Regis.

Don't make him talk about his insecurities.]

[Regis allows the silence to continue for a moment before shifting his eyes to the side as an idea strikes him. Well, if Cor is going to be stubborn, two can play that game.

Without any kind of warning, Regis pulls himself to his knees and straddles Cor, crossing his arms over his friend's chest and then resting his chin on them.]

You know ignoring me only works if I let it.

[Regis moves abruptly and smoothly and Cor immediately banishes his coffee back to the armiger lest he spill it all over the bed. It's something he didn't realize he was doing until Regis was on top of him but he was so used to the man older, more hindered in his motions, that it takes him completely off guard.

And then he has a moment to refocus on Regis' face, so near his own, those glorious green eyes full of mischief and just as much stubbornness. Cor gasps softly but that only makes the weight of Regis' arms against his chest more prominent and he's left wide eyed, staring at his king in shock, breathing shallow and stifled so as to not unseat the other man even as color flushes up his cheeks in a rush.

The question they've been dancing around flutters straight out of his head. He couldn't answer now even if he wanted to. Not when he is so keenly aware of the position his Majesty is in.]

[Well, Regis was going for a reaction and this is definitely one. It's no answer to his question, but he can't help but grin when he sees the flush rising to his old friend's face. He frees one of his hands just enough so that he can reach up and poke lightly at one red cheek.]

Maybe I should be asking about this instead.

[Cor flounders for a moment, uncertain of where to put his hands when Regis is taking up so much of the space they would naturally occupy. Then there's that playful poke and Cor turns his head, looking away from his King as the flush spreads down his neck at being called out.

His hands finally land at his sides, finger tips tucked under his thighs and out of the way to prevent them from finding somewhere far more traitorous to settle. He has to clear his throat before he can find his words and even before he opens his mouth there's an uncomfortable twist of guilt in his belly. There are so many reasons Regis should not be on top of him like this, plenty that he knows and has told himself for decades now but there's one far more prominent with Regis as he is now than any other politically incorrect excuse he might be able to give.]

I hardly think Her Majesty would approve of finding you in such a position, my King.

[For a moment, considering how silent Regis is, Cor might have reason to think his reminder worked. He only gets that moment, though, before Regis huffs and rocks back on his knees, crossing his arms over his chest and looking down at his friend with a raised eyebrow.]

Has it been so long for you that you've forgotten who my wife is? You do recall she is the only person I know who has stared down my father and walked away victorious? She would take pictures and then use them to blackmail both of us.

[He pauses just long enough to unfold his arms so he can brush a finger over Cor's neck as a mark of how far the blush has traveled.]

Especially considering how rare it is to see you blushing of all things. She would want proof it happened. Probably to settle a bet. Why, yes. Cor can actually blush! Did you know? And he's so cute doing it!

[Don't mind him as he attempts a terrible impression of Aulea's voice as he says those last few sentences.]

[Sitting back might give Cor a little more breathing room but it also has his legs pinned under Regis' weight. The way his King begins that sentence he does worry for a moment. Has it been so long? Oh, but Regis has no idea how very long it's been. He can see the image in his mind, though. Aulea leaning against the door, grinning wildly at the cute scene, hardly being stealthy about summoning her phone to hand so she can snap a couple pictures and oh Regis would play it up for the camera, wouldn't he?

Cor almost laughs, a tight awkward hiccup of sound that catches in his throat when Regis continues, that light touch to his neck enough to make him shudder, eyes falling closed for a moment, swallowing hard against the rush of sensation when he's been without touch for so very long. There a moment of silence, the kind of silence that carries the weight of anticipation and Cor knows he should do something, say something, dismiss all of this as nonsense and carry on about his day.

But he doesn't have the strength to, not when his King is here with him after so long and the fingers of one hand squirm free to rest lightly on Regis' knee. Finally Cor lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, blinking up at the younger man, an intensity in his gaze that is usually reserved for far more dangerous situations. But in it's own way this, too, is dangerous.]

I worried that you might have thought I was ill suited for the position of Marshal.

[An out, an easy way to ignore whatever the hell this was going on between them. A return to normal conversations that can happen without Regis in his lap and touching him so sweetly.]

And I'm certain her Majesty has better things to make bets on than me.

[Regis has always cherished those stolen moments when he can tease, laugh with, and make his friends smile. It doesn't matter that those jokes often come at his own expense. It is worth it to be reminded there are those who see him for who he really is and not just the title he holds. When he spends so much of his time as 'king' dealing with people who care nothing for the man behind the crown, it's sometimes easy to forget not everyone is like that.

This instance is really no different from those times, though Regis has to admit it has been a very long time since he can remember his normally stoic friend reacting so strongly. Has the passage of time dropped his defenses? Or, is it perhaps that he's had to be so defensive on other fronts that he no longer has the strength to keep this one as strong as he once did?

The questions are ones that he will have to ponder later for as soon as Cor makes his admission, Regis' good humor flees, allowing a more serious, though still kind, emotion to take over. He wraps his fingers around those that have come to rest on his knee and gives them a squeeze before lifting them and pressing a kiss against the knuckles.]

My dear Cor, will you ever learn that the only one who thinks you unworthy of anything is yourself? You once had so much pride in your skills. Oh, what I wouldn't give to see some of that return to you.

[Regis lifts his hand and Cor lets him move it readily, expecting the intimate touch to be pushing boundaries a little too far. But then Regis goes and kisses his knuckles and his breath rushes out in surprise. His fingers curl around his King's, squeezing in return. His heart fluttering unsteadily in his chest, the flush of embarrassment and, admittedly, no small amount of guilty pleasure creeping up to encompass his ears as well.]

Hubris, you mean. [The rush of such intimate touches from his king dies slightly with that reminder of the past, it makes him glance aside, not holding Regis' gaze now.]

You cannot pretend I wasn't an arrogant brat.

You say that as if most boys are not that way at that age.

[Regis reaches forward with his free hand, tapping gently at Cor's check to get him to look back toward him.]

And you, unlike most of us at that age, had a lot more to be proud of. You just hadn't come across the person who would beat it out of you yet. You probably don't remember what Clarus was like before he got knocked down a few pegs.

Gilgamesh made certain that I remembered my place.

[The words are sharp, that adorable tap against his cheek getting a flickering glance out of annoyance but his eyes skitter away almost immediately. Any mention of the blademaster tends to dampen his spirits, reminding him too strongly of his own failings at that time and the others that had fallen along the way.]

Some of us ended up with harsher teachers than others.

[Regis frowns as the way that Cor's gaze skitters away from him. They are so close and yet the man keeps trying to hide from him.

With a sigh, he lets his hand trail across his friend's cheek before letting rest on his shoulder.]

Cor, you can't carry everyone's burdens forever. Those who you have lost along the way don't want you to die for them. They want you to live for them.

Video: Achtom 6th - Early Morning

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