[ Jacob has carefully set up the present, the paper and ribbon the right shade of blue and gold that has he has come to associate with Anduin's Kingdom. It wasn't easy to find, especially with everything that'd been going on at the moment, but thankfully he'd found it.
Of course, the paper isn't really important. It's the contents that matter. He remembers that beautiful cloak that Anduin had worn that boiling hot day several months ago when they'd first met. The memory of Anduin stripping down keeps Jacob warm on chilly nights. But the fact is the cloak is long gone, destroyed entirely.
The reproduction Jacob has commissioned is as close as he can remember, the Stormwind logo carefully embroidered into the rich blue, the white trim as soft as could be found in the city. He only hopes it will give Anduin some joy. He knows how upset he was when the original was ruined.
He brings it into the bedroom as Anduin stirs, setting it down on the bed as he leans in to kiss Anduin's temple.]
[ It isn't like him to sleep in, and for a moment he panics. Wondering if there wasn't something he was meant to do that he'd now run short on time for. But that thought slowly withers as he takes in the weight at the end of the bed, and Jacob's calmly hovering face just above him.
Drawing himself up, Anduin lifts a hand to rub at his eye. ]
[ Anduin always looks so perfect like this. Hair tousled with sleep, his expression still soft before he remembers all the work he's meant to be doing. Jacob can't help but lean in and steal another kiss, and another.]
Don't worry, you've not got to rush about. Tea's brewing. Gilia has it all under control.
[ And then as Anduin sits up, he pulls back to give him room, and brings the present a little closer. ]
It is. Normally birthday boys get at least one present.
[ His birthday. It had nearly slipped his mind. At home, it would have been a grand affair. For a moment there's a pang for those he won't see this time around. Jaina, Genn, even Shaw...
But he draws himself back to the present after a moment, fingers carefully undoing the packaging on his present, letting it fall away to reveal the soft, deep-blue fabric beneath. Anduin's breath catches, eyes going wider. ]
[ Royals normally have big blow-out celebrations. There's parties, feasts, pomp and ceremony. Back home they give out things to other people, money, titles, that sort of nonsense, and he's sure Anduin's kingdom is the same. But they aren't there. And that means he gets to spoil Anduin, like a normal person would spoil the one they love. ]
It's not the original, I'm afraid. Just a good copy. I hope good enough.
[He is, he realises, a little nervous about it. He's given presents here, during the Christmas and winter , but he still feels that edge of anticipation.]
[ He pulls the fabric up, fingers spanning the gold embroidery. It's not exact, of course. There are details he'd notice anywhere. But it's more the fact that Jacob has worked this hard to give back something he was so dearly fond of. This small scrap of home.
When his eyes lift, they're a little misty. And he quickly lifts a hand to draw Jacob's head down, to press a grateful kiss to his lips. He isn't sure he has the words to thank him properly just yet.
[ It's more than enough thanks. Earnest and true, he always knew that Anduin's kisses were more than mere platitudes. So he smiles happily against Anduin's lips, a hand moving to the young King's jaw. It rests there, Jacob feeling a happy flutter in his chest.
He lets the kiss break after a moment, still smiling and that tender look in his hazel eyes.]
[ He laughs quietly, forehead pressed against his, warmth curling like a flickering flame in his chest. Jacob understands him so perfectly, it makes his heart hurt at times. ]
[ He laughs softly at the question, enjoying the intimacy of the moment. He could stay like this forever, enjoying the closeness of Anduin against him and just to keep him there a little longer, Jacob moves his free arm to wrap around Anduin's waist, palm resting against his back.]
City's full of craftsmen, Anduin. Just got to hunt down the best.
[ And he hasn't had the time to spare. He's thought about it a time or two, but something more important always came to light. Something with more priority than a simple vanity.
The blond tilts his head, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth, cherishing the warmth of his hand against his jaw. ]
For you. So you could have something you thought you'd lost.
[After all, he can't give him his home back, can't return him to the world he knows. Doesn't want to either, when he knows it's at war. This place isn't kind or even pleasant most of the time, but he has Anduin here, and he want to keep that hold on happiness.]
They can probably make you up those fancy shirts too, if you want a few more.
[ Still smiling, Anduin shifts to pull himself free of the sheets, taking the coat with him. Unfurling the fabric, it falls to about the correct length, the fringe and the buttons well-made and well-placed. It lacks the enchantments the old coat had, but...
Well. They hadn't been enough to save that one, had they?
[ He doesn't want to, but he lets his hold on Anduin ease, watching him slip from the sheets. Golden and gorgeous, he'll never be sick of just looking at him, admiring him, watching as he looks over the cloak.
But as soon as Anduin invites him, he stands up to help, holding his hands out to take it, trying to make it easier for Anduin to try it on.]
So does this make me a butler, or a footman as well as a bodyguard?
[ He chuckles softly, slipping his arms back into the sleeves and drawing the thick fabric close. It's a little too warm for this time of year, but he wants to see it on, all the same. The buttons fasten in a neat, straight line, the weight settling in on his shoulders, as he reaches to brush his hair up out of the catch of the collar.
It's longer now than it was when he arrived. Much longer, sweeping well past his shoulders. Does he look different, now? He imagines he must, even if it's only been a half a year here. ]
[Jacob steps back, admiring Anduin in the robe, moving to just brush some invisible lint off the shoulder, but really just an excuse to feel it, to feel strong muscles beneath. And then he steps around, to look at Anduin from the front, and his lips pull into a broad, besotted grin.]
[ The opposite to Anduin's. He's not tall or blond, not kind or pure of heart. He isn't clean cut and heroic. But that's not a bad thing. It's just different.
As Anduin strokes fingers up Jacob's face, his arms slide around Anduin again, between his back at the cloak, pulling him close.]
Today's your day. We tell you how much we love you. But believe me, I've enjoyed every moment of it Anduin. Wouldn't change it for the world.
[ Jacob's expression changes slightly, taking on that softness of a man not used to compliments and still very much effected by them. He still doesn't know quite how to accept them, or to meet Anduin's gaze when he's looked at so lovingly.]
[ And he can't help but want to kiss him again, and so he does. Jacob has always been so reluctant to accept that he's a man who can be loved, who is worth loving, and Anduin is content to prove how wrong he is at every opportunity he recieves. ]
[ Jacob has no idea why on Anduin's birthday, he's the one getting all the kisses and adoration. Certainly he doesn't deserve it, but rather than argue with the birthday boy, he gives in. It's impossible not to feel better near Anduin, that there is light at the end of whatever tunnel they must traverse. So he holds onto him tight, and kisses him until he's breathless.
It's only when he needs air again that he pulls back a little way.]
I shouldn't be monopolising you. Poor Gilia is out there making breakfast and I'm here wanting to drag you back into bed.
[ Still smiling, Anduin threads his fingers through Jacob's hand, lowering it as he pulls away to lead them back towards the door to the bedroom. But not before glancing over his shoulder. ]
[Jacob grins, a slight dip of his head as Anduin curls their fingers together. It feels even more intimate than sex somehow, and he's not sure how to explain it, or deal with it. But he follows Anduin out, heart full of joy.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Happy birthday Anduin
Of course, the paper isn't really important. It's the contents that matter. He remembers that beautiful cloak that Anduin had worn that boiling hot day several months ago when they'd first met. The memory of Anduin stripping down keeps Jacob warm on chilly nights. But the fact is the cloak is long gone, destroyed entirely.
The reproduction Jacob has commissioned is as close as he can remember, the Stormwind logo carefully embroidered into the rich blue, the white trim as soft as could be found in the city. He only hopes it will give Anduin some joy. He knows how upset he was when the original was ruined.
He brings it into the bedroom as Anduin stirs, setting it down on the bed as he leans in to kiss Anduin's temple.]
Happy birthday sleepyhead.
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[ It isn't like him to sleep in, and for a moment he panics. Wondering if there wasn't something he was meant to do that he'd now run short on time for. But that thought slowly withers as he takes in the weight at the end of the bed, and Jacob's calmly hovering face just above him.
Drawing himself up, Anduin lifts a hand to rub at his eye. ]
Is that...for me?
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Don't worry, you've not got to rush about. Tea's brewing. Gilia has it all under control.
[ And then as Anduin sits up, he pulls back to give him room, and brings the present a little closer. ]
It is. Normally birthday boys get at least one present.
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[ His birthday. It had nearly slipped his mind. At home, it would have been a grand affair. For a moment there's a pang for those he won't see this time around. Jaina, Genn, even Shaw...
But he draws himself back to the present after a moment, fingers carefully undoing the packaging on his present, letting it fall away to reveal the soft, deep-blue fabric beneath. Anduin's breath catches, eyes going wider. ]
It. It can't be...
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It's not the original, I'm afraid. Just a good copy. I hope good enough.
[He is, he realises, a little nervous about it. He's given presents here, during the Christmas and winter , but he still feels that edge of anticipation.]
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When his eyes lift, they're a little misty. And he quickly lifts a hand to draw Jacob's head down, to press a grateful kiss to his lips. He isn't sure he has the words to thank him properly just yet.
This will have to do, for now. ]
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He lets the kiss break after a moment, still smiling and that tender look in his hazel eyes.]
I'm glad you like it.
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[ He laughs quietly, forehead pressed against his, warmth curling like a flickering flame in his chest. Jacob understands him so perfectly, it makes his heart hurt at times. ]
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City's full of craftsmen, Anduin. Just got to hunt down the best.
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The blond tilts his head, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth, cherishing the warmth of his hand against his jaw. ]
And of course you found them. Clever as you are.
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[After all, he can't give him his home back, can't return him to the world he knows. Doesn't want to either, when he knows it's at war. This place isn't kind or even pleasant most of the time, but he has Anduin here, and he want to keep that hold on happiness.]
They can probably make you up those fancy shirts too, if you want a few more.
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[ Still smiling, Anduin shifts to pull himself free of the sheets, taking the coat with him. Unfurling the fabric, it falls to about the correct length, the fringe and the buttons well-made and well-placed. It lacks the enchantments the old coat had, but...
Well. They hadn't been enough to save that one, had they?
Briefly, he looks over his shoulder. ]
Lend me a hand?
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But as soon as Anduin invites him, he stands up to help, holding his hands out to take it, trying to make it easier for Anduin to try it on.]
So does this make me a butler, or a footman as well as a bodyguard?
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[ He chuckles softly, slipping his arms back into the sleeves and drawing the thick fabric close. It's a little too warm for this time of year, but he wants to see it on, all the same. The buttons fasten in a neat, straight line, the weight settling in on his shoulders, as he reaches to brush his hair up out of the catch of the collar.
It's longer now than it was when he arrived. Much longer, sweeping well past his shoulders. Does he look different, now? He imagines he must, even if it's only been a half a year here. ]
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[Jacob steps back, admiring Anduin in the robe, moving to just brush some invisible lint off the shoulder, but really just an excuse to feel it, to feel strong muscles beneath. And then he steps around, to look at Anduin from the front, and his lips pull into a broad, besotted grin.]
You're very handsome, have I told you recently?
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Coming from you, that's high praise indeed.
[ Fingers lift to card through dark hair, thumb running against the edge of his cheekbone as his gaze turns wholly warm and fond. ]
Thank you, Jacob. For this. For all you've done for me.
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[ The opposite to Anduin's. He's not tall or blond, not kind or pure of heart. He isn't clean cut and heroic. But that's not a bad thing. It's just different.
As Anduin strokes fingers up Jacob's face, his arms slide around Anduin again, between his back at the cloak, pulling him close.]
Today's your day. We tell you how much we love you. But believe me, I've enjoyed every moment of it Anduin. Wouldn't change it for the world.
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[ Anduin's grin softens as Jacob continues to speak, a light sigh escaping him as the assassin drew him near. ]
I've never doubted. You know that, I hope. Every day, I marvel at the fact that you chose me.
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I guess I'm lucky that you asked, aren't I?
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[ And he can't help but want to kiss him again, and so he does. Jacob has always been so reluctant to accept that he's a man who can be loved, who is worth loving, and Anduin is content to prove how wrong he is at every opportunity he recieves. ]
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It's impossible not to feel better near Anduin, that there is light at the end of whatever tunnel they must traverse. So he holds onto him tight, and kisses him until he's breathless.
It's only when he needs air again that he pulls back a little way.]
I shouldn't be monopolising you. Poor Gilia is out there making breakfast and I'm here wanting to drag you back into bed.
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[ Still smiling, Anduin threads his fingers through Jacob's hand, lowering it as he pulls away to lead them back towards the door to the bedroom. But not before glancing over his shoulder. ]
And there's always after breakfast.
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