The sun spilled through the windows, warm and golden, filling the room with a calm that had been absent for days. After the heaviness of their recent discoveries, the gang had decided to simply enjoy the morning together.
Alex sat on the floor with a sketchbook resting across his knees, doodling wildly—funny little caricatures of everyone in the room, including Lady Marriane's ever-serious expression and Edrin pretending to lift Kael with sheer strength. Riven leaned back comfortably in a chair, dark eyes glinting with amusement.
Without hesitation, Alex shifted, moving to sit on Riven's lap, facing him directly. He pressed a hand to Riven's chest and leaned in close, whispering into his ear.
"You're beautiful," he murmured softly. "And handsome… and your hands? Absolutely incredible. You're so good with your hands." He added the last part with a teasing wink, voice barely above the warm hum of the room.
Riven's grin was slow, deliberate, a mixture of pride and playful exasperation. "You're shameless," he murmured, but the way he tilted his head to press a light kiss to Alex's temple betrayed the warmth in his voice.
Alex laughed softly, brushing a lock of hair behind Riven's ear. "And you love it."
"I do," Riven admitted, letting his hands rest lightly on Alex's waist. "I could get used to this."
Then Riven's eyes darkened with a thoughtful glint. He lowered his voice so only Alex could hear. "You know… maybe we should court each other openly. Officially. Parents, the gang… everyone should know."
Alex blinked, surprised for a moment, then his face softened into a small, genuine smile. "You're right. It's time." He leaned in, pressing a quick, affectionate kiss to Riven's temple. "Let's do it. Together."
The gang and Lady Marriane watched quietly, amusement and warmth in their expressions. Saphira's lips curved into a sly smile. "Finally, some entertainment that doesn't involve scheming or danger."
Edrin chuckled, shaking his head. "You two are ridiculous. But… I like it. It's good to see you both smiling like this."
Kael, still as calm as ever, gave a faint nod, the corner of his mouth lifting just enough to show approval. "It suits you," he said simply.
Even Lady Marriane allowed herself a small, rare smile. "It seems some things are perfectly as they should be," she said, her tone crisp but gentle.
Alex pressed closer to Riven, whispering another string of sweet words: "And you smell good… and your laugh—don't think I didn't notice—it's dangerous, because it makes me weak."
Riven laughed softly, a dark, rich sound that made Alex grin. "Then I guess I'll keep laughing, won't I?"
The morning passed in easy comfort. Alex continued to doodle funny little sketches, passing them to Riven to examine, while Riven occasionally leaned down to whisper teasing compliments in return. Edrin and Kael bickered lightly over nothing, Saphira commented wryly on every one of Alex's caricatures, and Lady Marriane observed it all with a rare softness in her eyes.
For a few hours, the weight of the world and the shadow of the monarchy seemed distant. Here, in laughter and whispered words, Alex and Riven were simply themselves. Confident, playful, and unapologetically together.
Alex rested his forehead against Riven's chest, sighing contentedly. "I'm glad we're like this," he murmured.
"Me too," Riven said softly, pressing a kiss to the top of Alex's head. "Always."
And in that golden, quiet morning, the room was filled with warmth, laughter, and the gentle certainty of love that needed no words to prove itself.