Home away from home

[hesperussword]

It was a week since Lucifer had dragged him out for a two day wine binge while looking for the perfect valentine's dinner wine. Not that Beelzebub disliked drinking with his brother. In fact, it had been way too long since he spent quality down time with his brother and king. Of course he had endured unending taunting about Galahad but he dished it back in equal measure.

The aftermath of all that fun was a semi-tailspin as Beelzebub wondered what to do for this new and mysterious holiday. Ok, it wasn't mysterious. It made perfect sense but what to do for it had ate at his brain for days. Finally, he had an epiphany. It had taken some manuvering and involving Astaroth to talk the people involved in circles until they agreed to push things thorough.

That had been three days ago. Now, it was early morning. Galahad, as usual for several times a week, had gone to the market leaving the angel to read and take care of thier animals. This was routine. The rest of the day, was going to be completely different.

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[knightgallant]

It's hard not to be in a good mood when it seems like half of the Nexus is, too. Everywhere Galahad goes today couples are holding hands, Valentine's Day decorations are everywhere, and it feels like every store is giving out chocolate samples to try and entice buyers. The knight doesn't understand the holiday completely, but the basics are simple enough that even someone from his time can grasp them:

Today is a day for lovers, and showing anyone you care about that you're thinking of them. A perfectly wonderful sentiment, and one the knight is eager to take part in.

It takes a little exploring and polite questioning of a few store employees for him to understand how to participate. In the end, Galahad ends up picking out two gifts to take home to Beelzebub. One comes at the recommendation of a store clerk who promises that 'It's something everyone wants!' and the other is simply something the knight finds charming and novel. Both are tucked into a satchel at Galahad's side as he makes his way back into the inn room he shares with the angel.

"I'm back," he announces, holding the door open so Kilgharrah and Cerberus can come bounding into the room after him. Once they're scampering excitedly around the room and barking at dust motes, the knight closes the door behind him.

[hesperussword]

One of the benefits to being an angel is that you can sense where people are with some concentration. That is why, when Galahad comes in breakfast is waiting. Beelzebub is a proficient enough cook to make breakfast food and a few other things. He is on par with, maybe, a human must learning. Still what he could cook he did well with.

He pets the boisterous Fizzgigs with his wingtips which only gets them jumping at the feathers and tugging at them. They aren't strong enough to pull the large flight feathers out though.

It does leave him to drag the larger one across the floor because it refuses to let go of this feather when he moves to greet Galahad with a hug.

[knightgallant]

Galahad's about to comment on the myriad scents of breakfast in the air, when the angel's coming in close to him for a hug. The knight smiles widely and returns the gesture, squeezing the angel tight.

"I brought you something," he says happily. When they part, the knight pulls at his satchel to dislodge a pair of parcels from the bag. "Two somethings, to speak true. All around the Nexus everyone's celebrating a holiday dedicated to people you care about."

Galahad proffers both parcels in Beelzebub's direction, beaming. "Happy Valentine, cudyll."

Well, he almost got it right?

[hesperussword]

"I know." The angel's smile has a little mischief to it when he takes the parcels."I've bought you something but it's not here."

He proceeds to open the gifts. Chocolates he understands but to plush toy not as much.

"Thank you." He offers anyway and kisses Galahad's cheek.

[knightgallant]

Casual (if carefully selected) and bought the day of the holiday as Galahad's gifts are, it's immensely pleasing to watch Beelzebub open them. He definitely understands why so many people were scurrying around making last minute purchases, now. As Beelzebub discards the wrapping from the two gifts, Galahad takes a seat at the table in the center of the room.

As usual, Cerberus is quick to react to an open and unguarded lap: the fizzgig leaps happily up, and offers a smattering of trilling purrs as Galahad runs his fingers gently through the creature's fur.

"You did?" Despite the holiday undoubtedly being new to the angel as it was to him, Galahad isn't too surprised to hear this. Beelzebub has always been generous with him in any number of ways. It's touching, though. "You didn't have to get me anything-- but, thank you."

[hesperussword]

The gifts give him pause. The chocolates seem like they need to go in the refrigerator so he places them there; which also gives him the opportunity to bring Galahad breakfast. The other item he's no clue, though Beelzebub does have fond memories of harassing Lucifer over a certain manatee in the vaults of Chaos. That has him nearly laughing when he joins the knight at the table.

He's, oddly, got a cup of cocoa, though spiked, and sets the plush on the table. He still has no idea what to do with it. A sly glance comes Galahad's way over the rim of the mug while Beelzebub takes a drink. "This had to be gotten."

It was true. Once his mind was set on this specific gift it could not be turned away from seeing it purchased. "We'll have to walk... or fly.. to the villa."

[knightgallant]

Galahad spares a fond glance at the plush on the table, flushing slightly. "The man I spoke to at the market said it was an important part of the holiday. I think it's supposed to be something like a token, or a tribute to people you care about." Also, if he's being honest, it's pretty adorable.

The knight accepts the breakfast set out before him with a grateful smile and a word of thanks. It's exactly what he might want after a morning full of errands.

"Aye? Am I allowed any hints about what it might be beforehand?"

[hesperussword]

"Lucifer didn't mention anything about these things when he was dragging me all over the Nexus to find wine." He motioned at the toy, though his brother was practical like he was or at least seemed so given the gifts he'd gotten for Balthazar. Beelzebub laughed though as the words sunk in. "So, it's like a lady giving you a ribbon for your arm?"

It was a suitably knightly analogy, and funny because that made Galahad the lady. Though it also applied to sword fighting, particularly fencing.

A hint? He takes a moment and another drink of the cocoa before responding. "Even if we fly you should dress warm. I had to keep it outside."

It wasn't a lie. Outside literally had to be kept outside.

[knightgallant]

"I didn't think about it overly," the knight admits, around a bite of egg. "From what I was told, the holiday is supposed to be about celebrating those important to you. I thought the bear was-- sweet." His smile is a bit self-effacing, as his gaze falls down to his prepared breakfast plate. "The armor on it reminded me of you."

"All right." He grins and gives the angel a fond little nudge with his elbow. "I'll be sure to bring a cloak once the time comes."

[hesperussword]

"Lucifer got grandiose about it." Beelzebub shrugged. When wasn't Lucifer grandiose? He still doesn't know what to do with it but the explanation makes him smile anyway.

"It's a good hint." He laughs at the elbow nudge. "Are we walking?"

It had been snowing on and off but it wasn't too deep. The villa wasn't far. It might be too cold. The angel still had a hard time gauging when it was too cold to spend that much time outside.

[knightgallant]

"We can." The idea of an outdoor morning walk sounds pleasant to him. He has more than enough winter gear for it. "Would it be a long walk?

[hesperussword]

Beelzebub's brows furrowed because how long a walk took wasn't really something he was familiar with. He flew most places. After some intense concentration he offers tentatively. "A half hour?"

[knightgallant]

The tightness in the angel's brow and deep look of concentration earn a smile. "A morning walk might not be a bad idea, then. There's snow falling outside and it's very pleasant." He can't help but think it'd be a good chance for Kilgharrah and Cerberus to get more exercise, too.

[hesperussword]

If the human was interested the walk would be nice enough. He was glad that he'd retrieved his cloak while Galahad was out. It wasn't so much that he needed to wear it but the staring that happened when he wandered around in blizzards in his usual attire was worth avoiding. He'd be sure to put it on before they left.

"We can go whenever you want." He paused and added. "I have to return to Chaos tonight. I promised Lucifer I'd take care of his duties so he could stay here with Balthazar. If nothing goes on I'll return tomorrow."

He figured a warning was needed if this holiday had any importance to Galahad. It might be seen as rude to leave for part of it,though he owed his brother a night free from worrying.

[knightgallant]

"Oh." The knight frowns softly, and glances down at his plate again. If Beelzebub, Lucifer, and the other angels have something significant happening in their home, of course he thinks they should attend to it. In Galahad's mind, the duties of a kingdom always come before personal pleasures. It's not something he could argue against, or would, even if it is a little disappointing. "Is there something important happening back at your home?"

[hesperussword]

The tone and expression bring on a sinking feeling inside that Beelzebub can't quite place. It feels heavy in his chest. The angel quickly decides he doesn't like it, nor his companions expression that brought it on. His eyes fall down to the cup in his hands. If a promise hadn't already been given he would abandon the duty, even if only to avoid the disappointment in his companion.

There's no way to resist the instinct to reach out and gently touch Galahad's cheek. The soft touch trailing back along the cheek until his fingers are buried in all the blonde curls."No, nothing important. I'll just be on duty in my brother's stead so that he can have an evening without worrying about our kingdom."

It was a favor, and now that he saw the reaction to his absence, he would see it repaid by Lucifer in the future. Not that any request he made would go unheard.

[knightgallant]

The little touch is unexpected, and Galahad is quick to place his fork gently down and take the angel's extended hand in both of his own.

"It's all right, cudyll. Every warrior has things he must give up for the sake of his king or for the good of his kingdom. I understand it. 'Tis noble, and you should do this without worrying about me or any other thing." Galahad gives the angel's hand a small squeeze, the familiar smile tugging at his face as he tries to cheer the other man up. "Besides, it's not 'till the evening, aye? We'll have all day today to see your surprise?"

[hesperussword]

The touch on his hand brings his eyes back up to Galahad's. The smile works, and soon Beelzebub is smiling again.

"Not until after dark." The words raise his spirits again, though the lingering displeasure with disappointing Galahad is in the back of his mind. He returns the gentle squeeze of hand and his tone turns teasing to lighten the mood and his heart. "If you can't stay awake, like usual, you might be asleep before I'm called away."

[knightgallant]

"It sounds like it'll be all right, then." When he sees the smile on the angel's face, Galahad takes his hand back to poke at the breakfast Beelzebub prepared for them a little more. "But I suppose this means I should pick up the pace, aye?" A few (hastier) bites of egg. "Where in the Nexus are we headed to?"

[hesperussword]

"If you want." Beelzebub finished the cocoa. "We've got all day."

The angel is having a hard time not grinning. The gift he has planned is making him a bit giddy, part of that was Lucifer's fault for how he psyched the angel up about the holiday. "Out past the villa."

[knightgallant]

It's hard not to feel his own excitement start to build when Bee's smiling the way he is and seems eager to share what he's bought for him. "I can take some of this with me and eat it on the way," Galahad suggests, reaching for a bagel to start spreading a small amount of butter on it. "Let's go early."

[hesperussword]

For a moment, Beelzebub is caught between encouraging Galahad to sit and finish his meal and immediately bounding out of his chair. He manages to get up normally though, patting Galahad on the shoulder as he walks past.

"I'll get my cloak." It was unneeded but he still hated the staring when he wasn't properly dressed for the weather, and really liked the cloak anyway.

Angelic cloaks, or at least those of Lucifer's crew, were made differently than those of humans. At the neckline was a large strip with attached hood, if the cloak had one, that tied, buckled or otherwise fastened at the front. The cloak itself then attached to this at the center of the back between the wings, and draped under both wings to clasp at both shoulders. Beelzebub's clasped with golden, stylized flies at the shoulders and a Greek style solar disk at the back. The sun marked him as a member of Lucifer's court. The cloak itself is a black fur with a soft, dense undercoat, and a sparse, more bristly outercoat. His cloak was also slightly altered in design ot accommodate the twin swords always strapped to his back.

It is a few minutes before Beelzebub reappears in the floor length cloak ready to leave.

[knightgallant]

By the time Beelzebub makes his way back into the main part of the inn room, Galahad has a buttered half of a bagel in hand and a clementine in his pocket. He's in the middle of fastening the clasp of his own cloak, when he pauses to smile over at the angel.

"Do we need to bring anything?" He's thinking money, or whatever else may be needed if they're going to be out for a while. "Or shall we just go?"

[hesperussword]

"There's no need for money." Beelzebub smiles brightly. He's having a really rough time of keeping his mouth shut about the gift.

"Are we bringing the animals?" He's curious, though he imagines so and is already picking up Kako. Maybe she should get out too?

[knightgallant]

"Aye, I thought it would be a good chance for Cerberus and Kilgharrah to stretch their legs." At the mention of their names, both fizzgigs pipe up from around the nearby radiator with excited barks. They're bounding and rolling over to both men in moments, chasing each other around Galahad and Beelzebub's legs. The sight makes the knight chuckle, and he bends down to gently take Cerberus into his arms to lift and deposit the smaller fizzgig onto his preferred spot on his right shoulder.

With that done, Galahad gathers his winter cloak more tightly about him and starts leading their way to the door.

[hesperussword]

Beelzebub places Kako up on his shoulder and she immediately slides down into the hood of his cloak. This wasn't the first time he'd carried the cat around with him. Kilgharrah joins the cat quickly, both snuggling in together though Kako's head is peering out over the edge of the fur.

He follows after Galahad out into the street, turning toward the villa and the wilds. It's easy to use the others out on the street as an excuse for contact. It's not long before the angel reaches out and laces his fingers with the knight's as they walk.

[knightgallant]

Cerberus rubs and snuggles against the warmth of Galahad's cheek and neck as they walk. The knight is similarly cuddlesome, as he happily accepts Beelzebub taking his hand and entwining their fingers.

It's a pleasant day outside, with fat snowflakes drifting gently down from the cloudy skies overhead. Galahad takes his time to appreciate the scenery as they head closer to the woods and Lucifer's villa. He can't imagine what kind of gift may require them heading towards the forest in this way, but he's happy to let the angel lead them.

After a few minutes, he smiles over at Beelzebub. "Are we close?"

[hesperussword]

Beelzebub has grown fond of the snow. Unlike many of the other fallen, he spends time out in the snow every time it falls. The crunching of snow and the way it piles on the leafless tree branches around them is beautiful.

"Not yet." His mischief is bleeding into his expression as they walk. It is awhile longer and they are far enough into the wilds that the streets and villa can't be seen even in winter with the greenery gone. If Galahad is paying attention he might notice some ribbons fluttering in the tree branches. The trees give way to an open space, a large field with evidence of a pond beneath the snow and ice not far from where the angel stops.

"This is it." He glances down at his companion with a smile that crinkles and squints his eyes. Though one brow is quirked up playfully.

[knightgallant]

The knight does note the ribbons clinging to branches as they walk, but the significance of them is lost on him as they journey deeper into the woods. His curiosity builds as they press past enormous trees and evermore signs of deepening wilderness.

When he angel stops them in the empty and snow-covered plot Galahad turns to him, confused.

"Aye?" He peers around at the empty clearing. He must have missed whatever it is Beelzebub wanted him to see? "I don't understand," he admits after a moment. On his shoulder, Cerberus offers a soft growling sound as a few fat snowflakes land on his nose and fur while they're stopped. "What is this place?" He's sure it has a significance that he hasn't registered yet.

[hesperussword]

The confusion gets a hearty laugh from the angel as he shakes the melting snow out of his wings.

"Our home." He says simply, stepping close to Galahad. Offering him a rolled up piece of parchment, he'd had it written old school figuring the knight would appreciate it more than typed paper. It's a land deed for the space with the ownership given to Sir Galahad du Lac of Camelot and Lord Beelzebub Eveningstar of Chaos. It wasn't really a needed item here in the Nexus, no one oversaw land ownership really, but he'd wanted it anyway. "The ribbons are the boundaries of what is ours."

He pauses for a moment unable to find words in his own joy. "There's ample water and game trails here.. and fruit trees. I've looked. It'll be a good place to live."

[knightgallant]

It takes several long, and silent moments for everything to sink in. Galahad listens to Beelzebub's words, scans the beautifully-written deed that's pressed into his hands, and looks up to study the bounds of the land described as theirs. It's almost difficult for him to process such a profoundly meaningful gift as quickly as this-- what words could possibly suffice to convey the senses of gratitude and joy that flood him as he takes in the sight of their land?

For once, the knight's finding it difficult to put words to his thoughts and feelings. The fingers clutching the deed in one hand tighten slightly, bringing a sound of gently crinkling paper, and his free hand comes up to cover his mouth as a sudden heat rises unavoidably to his face. Tears build in his eyes as he scans the wording of the deed again. All of this is theirs. Their home away from home, and something to build on and share together.

It's more than he's ever had (or dreamed he might ever have, or share with someone) and almost too wonderful to wrap his mind around.

Concerned about one of his master's sudden silence, Cerberus gives a worried rumble of a growl, and rubs against the knight's cheek and nibbles gently at the curls hanging by his cheek.

[hesperussword]

The emotions that pour off the human are tangible to the angel due to strength alone. There's no need to use angelic powers to get a sense of them. Even so , the tears are confusing. Few angels can cry and those that can, cry rarely. It's not an unknown expression but one that rarely relates to anything personal.

He gentle reaches up, cupping Galahad's cheek and wiping away the tears with his thumb. Despite the gesture, the angel is confused by the sudden tears. Joy and happiness had been rare for his kind stretching back into what would be an unimaginable amount of time for a human mind. There's difficulty processing his own warmer emotions, let alone trying to figure out the source of someone else's.

A gentle kiss pressed to his forehead, then Beelzebub waits for Galahad to come around from whatever has him so stunned.

[knightgallant]

Beelzebub may brush at the tears slipping down his cheeks, but more follow soon enough. Not wanting to get the deed in his hand wet, the knight folds it very carefully, and then slips it gently into one of the deep pockets of his winter cloak. With both hands free now, he's able to turn and take soft handfuls of the angel's cloak. In lieu of words, the knight shifts forward slightly onto the balls of his feet to press a kiss to the angel's lips. It's the first and only impulse that comes to mind as he processes the joy flooding through him. He holds their kiss for a long moment, and then pulls back to smile up at the angel, his face filling with an irrepressible warmth and glowing happiness.

"Thank you." Those little words aren't nearly enough or what Beelzebub deserves, in Galahad's opinion, but at least they're a start. "No one's ever done something like this for me before." He sniffs, unable to help the fresh pair of happy tears that slip down his cheeks as he looks around at their land again. "I can't wait to start building here with you."

There's so many possibilities already jumping to mind for him, but he figures that everything will be able to be discussed and pulled together in good time.

[hesperussword]

Inviting arms wrap around him in response to the kiss. Beelzebub would have had it last longer but he's starting to adjust to someone who needs to breathe. He leans forward pressing his cheek to the other man's forehead.

"I want to stay here with you." He confesses before pulling away just enough so their gaze can meet. "Mulciber said once the land thaws in spring. I've got duties but he'll be at the villa tonight and tomorrow if you want to plan while I'm serving in Chaos."

He hadn't thought about that earlier but he remembered the disappointment when he mentioned being away. Maybe it would soothe the loneliness from his absence on a holiday.

[knightgallant]

Galahad nods, and turns his head as he presses into the angel's embrace. The tiny fizzgig on his shoulder gives a little growl as it's enfolded in the warmth of the two men's bodies, but it's otherwise content to end up tucked between his masters.

"Aye, I can talk about it with him." It'll be helpful to get ideas about what will and won't be possible for the land. Truthfully, with so much space it's easy for Galahad to imagine there being lots of possibilities and uses for himself and Beelzebub, and their various animals (and likely animals to come, he thinks). "When will you be back?"

[hesperussword]

A small laugh escapes the angel. "Mulciber built heaven itself. He'll suffice to assist."

"Tomorrow, afternoon or evening, as long as God keeps to Himself." He could stand here holding Galahad all day if there weren't things to draw him away. Though the longer he stood in the embrace the more his own emotions take hold. He falls silent, holding tighter as he watches the snow falling in the forest.

He shifts and whispers. "I think I love you."

He only spoke that way because his words stood as oaths and couldn't be broken. His own uncertainty about what he was feeling and the simple fear of being wrong in such an unknown situation kept the certainty from the words.

[knightgallant]

Now Beelzebub has given him two gifts. When the knight hears those words his eyes fill with fresh tears, and his smile grows immeasurably. He pulls away enough to look into Beelzebub's face, gripping gently at the other man's tunic.

"I love you, too." The words come so easily that Galahad thinks he must have been saying them in hundreds of small ways without words for some time, now. There's a feeling of rightness that comes with saying and hearing them in this moment as they stand on the land that is to host their new home. "More than I have ever loved any other."

[hesperussword]

Beelzebub's giddy from the rush of emotions. Fundamentally, he's stumbling through what is happening, following emotion and desires more than intellect.

Then the words are returned and the angel's heart flutters, wing feathers fluffing up until they're on end. His skin growing warmer from the upwelling passion as his hands tighten around Galahad's waist. A fleeting moment passes as he pulls back, searching the human's expression but he's not sure what he's looking for.

"I love you." The words come breathless but more confident. The angel can't resist. He has to kiss him, needy and demanding. The kiss is loving, passionate, and scorchingly hot. This is instinct and he breaks it momentarily to give the human a breath but has to go right back to it unless there's protest. Beelzebub can't think of anything he'd rather be doing than pressing thier lips and bodies close in the snowfall.

[knightgallant]

It's as wonderful as it is slightly overwhelming to be kissed with such passion and heat. The knight does his best to meet the love being shown him and to return it in kind, the taste of tears mingling with the sweetness of their kisses as Galahad opens himself to each of them. He's a little short of breath when they finally pull apart, but he doesn't care. This is a perfect moment, and one of the happiest of his entire life. He wants to remember every second of it, down to the singular trees making up he forest and the sight of the snow falling gently onto the frozen grasses beneath their feet.

His hands wrap around Beelzebub's as Galahad takes another quiet moment to stare into the center of the field to where their house is supposedly going to rest. It's easy for him to start envisioning where the front door might be and the stone foundations may rest-- he can even imagine the pens for animals that might surround the future dwelling. It's exciting to think about, and gives him ideas for options he'll be able to suggest to Mulciber at some later point.

"We can start working on the house once the ground beneath thaws for long enough," he muses, giving Beelzebub's hands a small squeeze before releasing them. The thought makes his smile tug wider. "So... late Spring, mayhap?"

[hesperussword]

The angel allows the embrace to slip away to just their hands, but as he watches his partner gaze out on the land the distance between them seems too far. Beelzebub releases both hands to step behind the knight. The pull is gentle as his hands slip around Galahad at the waist and brings the other man's back against his own chest. Closeness regained, he too turns his eyes to the landscape.

When he'd walked through the forest with Mulciber searching for this site it was this view that had swayed his mind. The forest behind and the field stretching to the pond and beyond. He had led them to this spot for that very reason, to show Galahad the beauty he had seen in this area. It had been muddy then but now, with the covering of snow, that beauty became enchanting. He too had spoken to Mulciber at length about the home they wanted here, but in the end, aside from a few comforts and accommodations, he had little desire to layout the house. The person who would share the home meant more than the structure.

"Yes." He confirms as his chin comes to rest on the top of Galahad's head. They often laid this way in bed but never, to his recall, had they embraced this way while standing. It was unfortunate now that he felt it speed up his pulse. "Earlier if my kind build."