“What else did you have in mind?”
“There is something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Uh oh.” Nelson tried to pull away but Nox grabbed his face and kissed him loudly.
“It’s nothing bad! Relax,” Nox whispered and patted Nelson’s left cheek.
“That isn’t helping. What is it?”
“What if we…took a long break after this thing with Dùbhghlas is settled? We’ve gone on a few little trips but we haven’t been able to really get away like we talked about when we were chasing Walt.”
“Oh!” Nelsonlikedthis topic. Being able to travel more than a few states away or overseas meant that it was safe to leave the townhouse for an extended amount of time and there was no reason to look over their shoulders. “What were you thinking?”
“We talked about Alaska but I think you’d love Iceland too and I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand.”
“You’ve never been?”
“Not yet! It’s on my bucket list.”
Nelson squinted at him. “Why would you have a bucket list? You’re a god. You have infinite time to go anywhere you want now.”
“You’re missing the point,” Nox said with a dismissive swat. “I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. Imagine just the two of us: somewhere totally different, where we could be totally different. No one would know who we were or really care about us and we could forget about who we used to be for a few weeks or a month or two.”
“A month or two?” Nelson didn’t hate the idea but… “Is this about us or is there something you want to put off or get away from?”Thatsounded more like Nox than stepping away fromhis students for a hiatus or leaving Merlin to his own devious devices for two whole months.
“That’s a little hurtful, but fair given my track record,” Nox conceded, then bit his lip as he tapped Nelson’s chin thoughtfully. “We never…had any kind of ceremony or went on a honeymoon or anything and I have been wondering if maybe we should.”
Nelson frowned, suddenly worried. Should he have proposed or suggested a honeymoon somewhere along the way? “You said you didn’t need a church or a government document to?—”
“I don’t!”Nox insisted, cutting Nelson off. “I know that we are committedforeverand that what we have is already so much deeper and more intense than a typical marriage ever could be. I’m happier than I’ve ever dreamed possible and I’ve never felt so much peace, aside from all of the drama and tragedy Walt and Dùbhghlas have caused.”
“Me too,” Nelson answered and hunted for more romantic words. “I’mhappy,Nox. Happier than I’ve ever been and there is nothing I would change about us, aside from all the drama and tragedy, obviously.”
“Great!” Nox hummed contentedly as he kissed him, then rested his forehead against Nelson’s. “But I can’t help but wonder if you would feel likewemattered more if we had done something…less private. I’m afraid I inadvertently made you believe that you aren’t worthy of a big, beautiful celebration.”
Nelson shook his head. “I don’t.”
“Are you sure?” Nox didn’t look sure at all as he searched Nelson’s eyes. “It’s always been your nature to avoid attention and you hate being praised in public. I might have been too quick to agree that skipping the traditional engagement and wedding was the way to go because I’m pagan and I was in a hurry to get to the domestic bliss part of our relationship.”
“So…you want to get married and go on a honeymoon?” Nelson guessed. It didn’t matter to him, one way or the other. Did it?
“No!” Nox laughed. “Probably not… Or maybe…a little?” he confessed. “All I know is that we rushed before because we had to and it made sense to skip ahead, but it may have left the wrong impression on you on a subconscious level. We could do something about that once we’ve put Dùbhghlas behind us. And it might be…nice.” He looked at Nelson bashfully and his cheeks had turned pink.
Nelson was so touched andproudthat Nox would want to celebrate them and realized that he might have been missing that recognition as well on a subconscious level. “I want to celebrate too and for everyone to know how proud I am that you’re mine.”
“I love you so much!” Nox was crying as he pushed Nelson onto his back and covered his face in loud, wet kisses. “I know I make it hard to love me and that our lives are so much more complicated because of what I am. But you didn’t run away and you still love me, no matter how wild and messy our lives get.”
Nelson snorted wryly. “It isn’t hard to love you, Nox. It’s the easiest thing in the world, actually, and I would suffer a hell of a lot worse to keep you.” He meant that then, and Nelson always would. “Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?” he asked but Nox shook his head, beaming at Nelson.
“Not unless you want to talk about how much I love you. I could talk about that for days and days.”
“I already know.” Nelson shifted so he could kiss Nox just under his ear, then left nipping kisses along his neck and shoulder. He nuzzled into Nox’s armpit, breathing in his scent and moaning as he became intoxicated. He would never get enough of the taste and smell of Nox’s body.
“Could you…?” Nox whimpered as he guided Nelson’s hand to his hard-on. His need was fizzy and tingled with anticipation, like champagne bubbles in a freshly poured glass. Like sipping champagne, Nox’s arousal tickled Nelson and went right to his head.
“I was hoping you’d ask.” He moved down Nox’s body, licking and sucking on his favorite spots.
Nox’s nipples were a particular favorite because he bucked and begged louder and Nelson could quickly dial up Nox’s lust with just a few flicks of his tongue. Lower, Nelson abraded his lips on the trail of hair beneath Nox’s navel and the trimmed hairs at the base of his cock. The tender skin in the corner of Nox’s hip was anointed with soft kisses and Nelson dragged his cheek along Nox’s thigh and licked the back of his knee.
