Work Text:
Though they saw frequent use, and Occtis had spent many an evening listening to the patter of rain on the waxed fabric above him while he remained dry and cozy beneath, there was certainly no need for the awnings above the Hallowed Round tonight. A spray of glittering stars arced overhead, fading at the edges into the warm glow that suffused the city of Dol-Makjar at night.
The air thrummed with the familiar rumble of excited conversation that always followed a Halandil Fang production. Julien, standing with a hand resting absently on Occtis' arm just outside the theatre doors, was rambling on about some artistic liberty that had been taken during a rapier duel scene, and Occtis felt dizzy with the fondness that managed to ache in his chest regardless of any lack of true sensation.
Bolaire had been in attendance, of course, and was probably backstage now with Hal and Shadia. Occtis knew Hal would have loved Thaisha to be there on the opening night of his new production, but she was off on some adventure with Vaelus. They would be the first through the theatre doors the moment they were back in Dol-Makjar. Occtis had glimpsed Wick and Tyranny in the crowd, always easy enough to spot, but they had run off somewhere in the chaos after the play had ended, and Occtis was happy to end his imaginings there with those two.
Occtis looked past Julien to the lively group that was Teor, Kattigan, Thimble, Murray, and Azune. They were heading off to continue their night at a pub somewhere; they'd invited Occtis and Julien to come along, but Occtis had to be at the Penteveral rather early the next morning, and standing here with Julien, nothing sounded more perfect than a quiet night in with the man he loved.
They set off through the streets, passing rowdy taverns and groups of friends jostling one another in cheerful conversation. There was always more work to be done, always, but with the fist of the Sundered Houses loosened, there seemed to Occtis to be an ease that had fallen over the city, like it had finally been allowed to stop holding its breath.
Julien walked with an arm slung casually around Occtis' waist, and Occtis leaned into him, enjoying the warmth of his body.
"I wish Aranessa could have seen it," Julien sighed. "She would have loved that." His face became drawn, the expression he always wore when he was considering whether to allow Occtis to be privy to something he considered vulnerable. "I miss her."
Occtis placed a hand over Julien's where it rested against his hip, entwining their fingers. "We should go visit."
Julien frowned in an attempt at nonchalance, but Occtis knew him well enough to see the hope beneath. "But the Penteveral, and my job-"
"I'm sure we're both owed some time off," Occtis said. "I'm serious. A visit to the Golden Orchard would be nice."
Julien leaned forward to press a chaste kiss to Occtis' lips, and when he withdrew there was a mischievous smile ghosting across his mouth. "I suppose a trip could be fun."
They had arrived home by then, the charming little house that was far more quaint than anywhere Occtis had ever lived before but felt all the more welcoming for it. They removed their coats in the entryway and went about lighting the hearth, the catching flames from which began to drive away the faint damp cold that had settled into the house in their absence.
"Do you hear that?" Julien asked, and for a moment fear seized Occtis, until he registered Julien's amused expression, and he managed to remember that the days of looking over his shoulder were long gone.
He paused to listen. "Is that music?"
Julien crossed to the window and cracked it open, allowing a gust of cool night air to sweep into the room alongside the faint jolly lilt of what sounded like a violin. Julien grinned and extended a hand towards Occtis. "Dance with me."
Occtis could not feel the swoop of his heart any longer, the patter of butterflies in his stomach even after so long with Julien, yet there was a ghost of that feeling, the knowledge that that was how he would have felt if he could. "This is music for a jig. I don't want to knock over the furniture."
"I'm sure we'll make do." Julien took his hand, and Occtis allowed himself to be tugged in close to Julien's body. Julien's other hand snaked around to rest against the small of Occtis' back, and Occtis looped his hands behind Julien's neck.
Julien spun them in slow circles, and Occtis felt himself melting into the dance, his feet falling into step with Julien's as they shuffled over the rug.
"Julien," Occtis breathed.
"Mm?" Julien gazed down at him, his expression open, so beautiful it hurt.
Occtis' fingers traced through the soft hair at the back of Julien's neck. "I love you."
Julien pressed a kiss to Occtis' temple, his breath ghosting over his skin. "I love you too."
A moment later he used Occtis' distraction to swoop him into a dip, and Occtis yelped, scrambling for purchase even though he knew Julien would never drop him. "Hey!"
Julien grinned and pulled Occtis back upright. They danced for a while longer, until the music eventually dwindled and Julien closed the window because he was getting cold. They ended up on the couch, Occtis with a book open on his lap, Julien's head resting on his shoulder, his hand tracing meaningless patterns on Occtis' leg. The fire crackled cheerfully before them. There had been times, for much of his life, when Occtis had wondered if he would ever truly be happy. Nothing was ever perfect - that was the way of the word, and always would be - but this certainly felt pretty darn close.