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It’s not often that Viago leaves Treviso, especially since the Antaam invaded. He’s barely had the time to speak with Em, let alone spend any time with him. If he cared to speculate, Viago would guess that his never-ending work and the constant furrow in his brow were why Em came up to him to request Viago’s presence on a trip to the Necropolis.
Sure, he wouldn’t have normally found himself in the Necromancer’s paradise, but truly, he would go anywhere with Emmrich. He more than capable of ignore the rampant Necromancy and just focusing on the man he loves.
“Do you have a destination in mind, or are we just here so you can gush about your workplace?” Viago wouldn’t mind either, he just wants to know what he’s in for. Em hits him with that smile of his, and he knows he’s in for a great time.
“Nonsense, Dearest. I brought you here to relax. I wouldn’t dare drone on about Necromancy or the Necropolis when we’re here for a break.” Viago looks away, feeling far too warm for being in a cool, underground bunker of unknown size.
Grabbing Em’s hand and choosing to be just a bit bold, Viago presses a quick kiss to Em’s cheek. “I like listening to you talk, especially about your passions.” Sure, he’s not a fan of Necromancy, not like Em, but listening to his lover talk is all it takes to get Viago to begin relaxing, and Emmrich knows that. Besides, seeing his boyfriend all flustered from his attentions always amused Viago.
“Ah…” Viago loves seeing that pretty flush on Em’s face. “Well, today I thought we’d just take a walk through the memorial gardens and perhaps see if we can find more of those plants you were asking about.” Viago smirks. He loves this man so much.
“Here we are!” Em stops in front of a massive door that looks identical to ever other massive door in this place. “I’m so glad Rook helped me find this place again after the Necropolis moved it, it’s truly a wonderful place for a date.” Em opens the door, showing Viago into a room soaked in blues and filled with graves, plants, statues, and the occasional skeleton. An air of peace falls over this place that he’ll never get back in Treviso.
“It’s peaceful here.” Viago observes. He’s a grown man. He can ignore the things he doesn’t like here and just enjoy his time with Em. After all, that is what they’re here to do, and Viago desperately needs a break.
“Isn’t it?” Em smiles. Viago makes the deliberate choice to relax fully around this man and pulls off his gloves, shoving them in one of his pockets before grabbing Em’s hand. His Necromancer freezes for just a moment and grows more flustered by every passing moment.
“I believe you were offering me a stroll through your peaceful garden?” Viago smirks. It takes a moment for Emmrich to recalibrate, but Viago eventually gets his tour.
It was the best damn thing he’s done in months.
Viago was plotting. He knows Emmrich has been stressing about that long-lost colleague of his for weeks now. It’s only right that Viago does something to help the man he’ll willingly admit he’s fallen desperately in love with.
So, Viago ends up doing the only thing that’s fair. He shows up at the Lighthouse to surprise his boyfriend.
“Viago dearest?” He loves the surprised blush on the older man’s face. “I wasn’t expecting you. What brings you?”
They’re alone in his boyfriend’s library. He smiles, kissing the slightly taller man. “You’re stressed.” He comments, watching Em’s expression. Em softens that worry in his brow just a bit. “We’re going out.” Viago decides.
“Where?” Emmrich asks, stressing about something unknown. “I’m sure I’m needed here.”
“And I’ll tell you the same thing you told me. You need a break. Nothing’s going to break or catch fire while you’re gone.” He smiles as he presses another kiss to his boyfriend’s lips. “We’re going out, come on.”
Emmrich sighs, puts down whatever he was working on, and moves to get dressed. “As you wish, dearest. Just give me a moment to change.” Viago watches as Em does so, enjoying the sight.
It’s a sweet few minutes before they’re on their way back through the Crossroads and back into Treviso, sweet-talking each other all the way back.
Viago routes them through the easiest path back to his Villa and straight up into his garden of poisonous plants. “Don’t touch anything. Everything in here can kill you.” He explains. “This area is usually off limits, but I figured I could make an exception for you.”
Em smiles that sweet, warm smile that gets Viago every time. “I’m honored.” Em takes his hand before Viago leads him on a merry stroll through the garden. He points out specific plants here and there, as well as explaining what each is for whenever he senses some interest from his boyfriend.
They end up in the garden’s single small clearing, a small table placed in the center and surrounded by the plants he got from the Necropolis. With matching smiles, they take a break.
“You were right, Dearest. This is exactly what I needed.” Viago loves it when Em looks at him like that. There may be nothing at the table, and there may be two sides, but Viago places himself right beside Em as the two of them look over the starlit sky and the many colorful, and not so colorful, plants growing around them.