The Knight and the Bishop

[Nicolás Cormond]

.

Coruscant was nothing compared to Chandrila. While the former world was the seat and mind of the Republic, Nicolás had found that the latter was the heart. Like Alderaan, there was something about the planet. The storminess seas, far-flung meadows, its glass spires reaching defiantly to the sky. No corruption, no pollution, no fear of war.

The young Senator enjoyed visiting the world every now and then. Either to discuss with other representatives or to wallow in the sun at the nearest shoreline, he always found himself in good company and in good condition. Today, he expected it to be no different. Especially at the side of his colleague, friend and more— Numenius Pax.

This was no business meeting. No heated discussion about politics. Even though Numenius had turned out to be a tiny thorn in Nicolás’ side— he couldn’t ignore the strange feelings budding between them. The other man had voted against the remilitarization of the Republic, which Senator Cormond had urged toward passage. The differences the pair shared were made apparent that day, but what they shared together— that outweighed it all. It didn’t matter if Numenius was a pacifist and Nicolás a war hawk. It didn’t matter if one man was cautious and the other brazen. What they had could not be forgotten. And after their time apart, the man was dying to see the other. And that day had finally come.

“Numenius. It’s been a while.” The Senator smiled as he eyed the other man from the comfort of an age-old airspeeder. They had seen one another bi-weekly in various sessions at the Senate rotunda, yet to Nicolás, it still felt like forever. “But not to worry, we can make up for the lost time.” That smile turned into a knowing smirk. With a beckoning hand, he invited the man into the passenger seat. They were no doubt drained after another boring debate with another Senators at the Dwartii Conclave, though Nicolás hoped he could breath some new life into the man. A day at the beach, as cliche as it was, would make good on that. All Numenius needed to do was join him.

@Nefieslab

.

​

 

[Numenius Pax]

Numenius was tired.

He had spent hours debating with two Senators who seemed determined to try and grind him down to dust, to make him feel less than the dirt beneath their boots. It was, he supposed, the nature of politics but that didn't mean it didn't also weigh him down when he was struck by it. He was tired, he was just done - looking forward to heading back to his hotel early, despite the glorious sunshine and just bedding down for a nap.

That was until he saw Nicolas pulled up in a speeder car... waiting for him.

Just seeing the other senator was often enough to make his mouth drier and his heart skip a beat but to see that he was here? To see him? For him and for nothing else?

He missed a step and almost fell over his own feet as he could have sworn he wasn't walking on the ground anymore - it felt like he was walking on air. Swallowing thickly, he looked at Nicolas, just sitting there in the speeder. He approached tentatively, suddenly feeling both excited and nervous in equal measure.

But if he was good at anything it was talking.

"Nicolas." he greeted the other senator with a smile that... was probably uncomfortably earnest and happy now that he thought about it, "It's... well I mean... it's been too long."

Kark.

Alright so usually he was good at talking but there was just something about this whole situation, and who he was sharing it with, that just made it hard to speak. It was like his insides were melting.

Taking off his suit jacket, Numenius tossed it into the backseat of the speeder as he climbed on inside the passenger side and sat down beside Nicolas. His smile hadn't moved,

"Probably should have asked this before I just jumped right on in..." he grinned sheepishly, "But where are you taking me then, Nicolas?"

It didn't... it didn't really matter where he was taking him to be fair. Just going somewhere with Nicolas was enough to chase away the tiredness and fill him with enthusiasm.

@Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

He could see the other man light up at seeing him. That alone was enough for his heart to skip a beat and his tiny smile to widen. Numenius was pleasantly surprised and Nicolás was surprisingly pleased. To know that the Senator had very closely tripped over the pavement simply from looking at him was a testament that he cared. That he cared almost as much as Nicolás did. The strange relationship they shared was welcomed on both sides. “You and your way with words.” He teased at hearing the man stumble with his words. Not that he was put off by the fumble. In fact, quite the opposite.

As Numenius tossed his suit jacket into the backseat and slipped into the seat beside him, Nicolás grinned, a mirror to the other man. “The sun is still out, the weather is pitch perfect, the ocean isn’t far. Where else do you think I’m taking you— to lounge around another political debate? Kiss my ass.” He chuckled, sarcasm more lighthearted, more nonchalant, than usual. Merely being around Numenius or those he was comfortable with had that effect on him. If Aurora was around, that would undoubtedly be a strange sight to see. To her, he was an egotistical madman. But like all people, there was so much more. Hand on the wheel, Nico revved the engine. “We’re going to the beach!” He finally answered, right before sending the speeder into drive.

The trip to the coast was not long. Speeder sailing down the narrow road, the canopy of neighboring trees flashing above them, the radio blasting an overused, upbeat song at full force. The pair were like something pulled straight out of a movie. As cliche as that seemed, Nicolás savored every moment. It was not often the Senator ever found reprieve in a life of politics, schemes and machinations. Numenius offered him the escape he had always wanted. It didn’t matter if their relationship was bizarre, or the fact that they hit it off within the span of a single night. As long as they were side by side, Nico could care less about the overlooked details or the outside risks.

Was it love? He couldn’t say. He wasn’t sure. His mind told him it was nothing more than a fling, a brief vacation to find some rest after a long year of plotting. But what did his heart say? Kriff it, that’s what.

They pulled up to the beach. The ocean frothing at the shoreline, waves crashing far ahead, the sun shining on the horizon. Best of all, the entire waterfront was virtually empty. No lurking paparazzi, no frenzied bureaucrats. It was just Numenius and Nico. The latter of whom quickly hopped out of the vehicle and grabbed some alcohol from the back. And water, depending on how the other man felt. “Need a drink to lighten up?” He smirked, ready to toss him whatever he wanted into his direction.

@Nefieslab

 

[Numenius Pax]

Numenius had to admit that he didn't much like it when his cheeks reddened in a blush because he'd been caught up in a failure but when it was Nicolas he didn't seem to mind anywhere near as much as he perhaps should do. Why? Well because it was Nicolas. And wasn't THAT just an odd reason even in the privacy of his own mind?

But he was settled into the speeder now and his jacket wasn't making him even hotter so he was a little bit better suited for giving back as good as he got.

"Not if that's the way you're asking - I would appreciate some romance before you ask such a thing of me Nico." he joked back before grinning wide, "I haven't been to the beach in years... this had better turn out better than the last party we went to."

So long as Jedi didn't lose limbs and no one shot at them, he thought there was a much higher chance of him enjoying himself. Plus there wouldn't be that Aurora witch hanging around... lingering around Nicolas like some kind of vulture... or predatory cat... she irked him.

Greatly.

Or maybe that annoyance was just transferring over from the song...? Okay yeah no. He really just didn't like her. But he did like the fact that he was just driving through the lovely weather by Nicolas' side. That? That made pretty much everything else just seem so... small.

He didn't want to name it.

Putting a name to it would make it hurt more if Nicolas decided that he didn't... if he wasn't interested in the same way. But that was a dark thought to be having right now wasn't it? They were at the beach now and it was all Numenius could do to stop himself looking unhinged with how much he was smiling,

"Now why would I need a drink to lighten up when I'm having such a good time already?" he asked with a bright smile and a look at Nicolas, "But I'll have a beer."

Catching the drink, Numenius would them proceed to take off his shirt, throwing it back with his suit jacket as he kicked off his socks and shoes as well. He glanced at Nicolas as he started undoing his belt,

"Want to test the waters Nico?"

@Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

“Beer?” He answered, looking back to Numenius with a hint of curiosity. “Not whiskey, no vodka, no wine? And here I took you for a man of finer taste.” Needless to say, he was only teasing. It was one of his defining traits, behind being a total flirt or a complete douche. The latter of which the other man would never see. Nicolás enjoyed what they had going too much, certainly enough for him not to scare Numenius off with his darker side. Though like all Senators, everyone had their secrets. What mysteries laid under that picturesque smile of Senator Pax? Curious as he was, Nico ignored the thought in favor of what laid under his shirt. Being the wanton bastard he was, could he have helped it?

He raised a brow at the other man’s enthusiasm. One he welcomed. “Of course,” he said, smirk still yanking at his lips. “Why else do you think I dragged you out here for? To make sandcastles?” The man chuckled at the image of the two struggling to build a palace on the beach only for it to washed away by the rising tide. An amusing snapshot for the scrapbook. Not that Nico seriously considered having one. His mind had yet to decide what kind of relationship they shared. Again, not like his body or his heart decided to wait around for an answer. Already, the man had shed off his own clothing, revealing his rigid frame and a simple bathing suit.

Like he was posing, Nicolás guzzled down a glass of tequila and sighed in satisfaction. The drink slipped down his throat, carrying with it a rush of euphoria and the sweet taste of intoxication. “Well, what are we waiting for?” Throwing the empty glass back into the trunk of the speeder, he beckoned Numenius over to the sea. His bare feet stepped into the water, much to his regret. Tensing up, he muttered under his breath, “Kriffin’ hell, it’s cold.” Still, he made no warning to the man close behind him. Instead, he a devilish grin played across his face and he urged him to dive in. “Come on in! It’s perfect.”

Knowing Numenius couldn’t refuse, the second his toes stood on the edge of the water, Nico would grab his hand and force him into the sea. Pulling him deep into and well beyond the shallow brink. Meanwhile, the Senator would remain mostly untouched and dry as he watched on and laughed. For now.

@Nefieslab

 

[Numenius Pax]

Numenius knew that he was just teasing him but that knowledge didn't mean that Nicolas' joke wasn't able to have him blushing like a bright red tomato. The man was teasing him over his choice of alcoholic beverage for kriff's sake! He coughed a little bit but he had a come back for this!

He refused to be caught flatfooted by Nicolas Cormond.

"What can I say?" he smirked a little bit as he held the bottle to his lips, "I guess I just like something that's a bit rugged and a bit rough around the edges sometimes..."

Was that a good flirt? He hoped it was but he was really bad at this kind of thing! He chuckled a little bit at Nicolas' joke about making sandcastles, though he was a bit distracted. Because... hmm. Yes, well the senator of Brentaal kept himself in good shape it appeared.

Numenius, purely as an advocate of healthy living, approved... and appreciated.

Finishing off his beer as quickly as he could, Numenius still lagged behind Nicolas on their way to the water and that was fine. He got to watch as Nicolas walked ahead of him and that? That was just fine. Chuckling a little bit when Nico told him the water was fine, Numenius stepped in and had enough time to notice that the water was far colder than he had been lead to believe. He gasped before gritting his teeth,

"Nico!" he ducked down low and stood up with Nico now sat on his shoulders, hands on each of his thighs. He grinned up at Nicolas, "Remember... you started this!"

He allowed himself to fall backwards, carrying Nicolas back into the water fully with him, releasing his legs so he could swim away as he hit the water.

@Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

Numeninus was a no natural charmer or effortless flirt. He was no professional, yet that made him all the more impossible to resist. He was genuine with every word, syllable and expression. How his lips tipped to one side in an inviting smirk, the way he drank from the tip of his beer, his deep and authentic laugh. Everything about him was real. For so long, Nicolás lived a life of fraudulence and deceit. In the world of politics, everyone had two faces, him included. But with Numenius, he didn’t see a layered sociopath full of hidden motives and untold secrets. He didn’t catch a reflection of the other Senators, see a mirror of Aurora or hear an echo of former Chancellor Valorum. The man before him was the real deal, and he loved what he saw.

A thought in the back of his head said it was too good to be true. That he was, in fact, being played as both a fiddle and a fool. An instrument in a game much like his own. The more Nicolás fell into his bona fide charm, the more he became a pawn. Maybe he was in league with Senator Adasca. Perhaps after discovering their idealogical differences, Numenius now sought to manipulate and destroy his career to clear out opposition in the Senate? It was that paranoia and those thoughts that scared him the most. Not because he feared being used, but he feared what would be lost. For starters: the bond they shared. He told himself he wasn’t growing attached, but that was a truth that could not be denied. His interest in the other man could not be denied.

At the same time, the Senator felt that he was losing sight of what truly mattered. While he relished in the realness of their relationship, he could neither deny who he really was. Nicolás was a heart-breaker, a back-stabber, a double-dealer. His purpose in life was to take revenge against his father and to seize power over the Hydian Way. Yet with Numenius, those ambitions slipped from his mind. With him, he forgot everything. The only place his mind lingered was on the man right in front of him. On those eyes, tousled hair, rosy cheekbones. He wasn’t only worried about the fear of manipulation, but the fear that he wasn’t being manipulated. A fear that he would dismiss his aspirations for… what, love?

Nicolás looked down to the other man as he was lifted up from the water. Coming from down below and hauling him into the air by his shoulders? Clever. By the time he realized what was happening, Nico was already plunged into the sea. “Wait a min—“ His voice was muffled by the splash and rush of water. Moments later, he resurfaced, soaking wet and shivering at the initial chill. Staring at him straight in the eye, he shook his head and grinned. “I underestimated you… but believe me when I say that won’t happen again—!” He ended his sentence abruptly as his hand carved through the sea and doused the man in a torrent of water.

Laughter ensued along with a smile wide enough to light up the fading sunset.

@Nefieslab

 

[Numenius Pax]

Numenius was having fun.

It wasn't like the fun he had when he won an argument or something like that... this was much more than that. It felt more real, more grounded. And, at the same time, he sometimes felt like he wasn't grounded at all, that he was floating instead. Spending time around Nicolas was different to what he expected. It was at once everything he had expected, wanted and hoped and yet, at the same time, it was so often so much more than he had expected.

Still he refused to name it, to name the feeling that came up and bubbled within his chest. If he named it then it was something defined and if it was defined then it could be harmed, it could be taken and he didn't want to risk losing it. Even as formless as it was right now, he would rather have it formless, nameless, than risk it leaving him.

But still... those were deep thoughts and not for today.

Busy laughing, Numenius wasn't able to keep himself from taking a splash to the face, but he did push himself forwards through the water, spluttering as he did, to grab both of Nicolas' wrists,

"The senator of Brentaal!" he cooed, "Resorting to such violent actions!"

He laughed but it started to die down when he realised he was as close to Nicolas as he had ever been, had his wrists in his hands and they were both almost naked. His cheeks started to redden almost instantly and he hesitated for a moment before moving to let go of Nicolas' hands to pull back.

He didn't want to though.

@Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

Water crashed against the other man, yet he reared back and seized each of his wrists. His voice was velvet, his tone inviting, laughter enlightening. Although as silence sank into the air and water around them, another feeling of awkward tension followed. They were close. For some, too close for comfort. For Nicolás? It was perfect. When he was only a foot from his face, there was so much more to see. Even then, Numenius’ cheeks burned and beckoned him to lean in. In waters these cold, he could even feel the other man’s body warmth. Really, he wanted to move in. He wanted to reel him in and do what those underlying thoughts were telling him to do. But did he?

Something stayed his hand. Hesitation, from a fear of want or a fear of disappointment. Most of all, a fear of attachment. Yet being the lewd charmer he was, Nicolás didn’t care. Inch by inch, he would dive into the waters of this strange relationship, no matter how cold or how dark. Before he could once again affirm his feelings as he did that night on Coruscant, however, the man was literally driven into the water. As stormless as the sea was, there was no stopping the tide. A rush of the ocean had pushed through, a wave he completely ignored when wrapped in his many thoughts. When it reached them, it was too late. The sea effortlessly smacked into the two men. His fingers slipped away, and each were pushed back to the shore.

Nicolás paddled on until his hand chewed into the sand of the beach. As soon as he could, the man turned around in search for the other. The wave was unsurprisingly weak, still enough to push them aside but not even close to potentially drowning either— not that Nico considered it. He only wanted to see Numenius again, a want driven forward by pure instinct. A strange thought, since the old Nicolás years ago would have never given so much as a glance if the same happened. But he was not the old Nico. Whether that made him weak or strong, he couldn’t know for sure. At the moment, he was more concerned about how the Senator was faring on their supposed little date.

His eyes landed on the spot beside him. Of course, the other man was perfectly fine. “Well, well,” he began with a growing smile. “I think that was a sign.” Maybe the sea was not enjoying the dreamy sight, even if he was. “In fact, I believe the Festival of Liberation is about to kick off.” His gaze darted over to the darkening horizon, back to where the lights of the capital glimmered against the water. With the sun out of view and night descending, a new light would soon take its place. Not the moon, not the stars, but a hundred fireworks to set the sky aflame. That was another reason why he decided to pull Numenius to the beach and to a perfect view. His visit had coincided perfectly with a week-long festival on Chandrila which celebrated its liberation from the Exiles many decades ago.

Nicolás sat against the shoreline, toes in the water, hand close by Numenius and waited for the show to begin.

@Nefieslab

 

[Numenius Pax]

Numenius had to admit that he was disappointed that the wave had hit them. He liked to think that he would have gathered the courage to kiss Nicolas soon had that wave not come along but he knew he was probably kidding himself... he wanted to kiss Nicolas but he wasn't sure about so many other things. While he might be certain about his desire to kiss the other man, he was so force-damn uncertain about everything else about this relationship to actually go through with it.

Plus he wanted it to be a good first kiss for the two of them and he wasn't quite certain how to accomplish that.

And then the wave pushed them apart and Numenius was both happy and sad but whatever... he just had to laugh about it a little bit. He chuckled a bit as he pulled himself out of the water before moving along the edge of it, sitting himself down close to Nicolas. He spotted the hand but didn't immediately reach out for it.

He looked over at the city for a moment, just enjoying the night before the festival started to kick off with fireworks and bonfires in the distance. Apparently they used fireworks to represent how they had blasted the Exile ships down in atmosphere but he doubted it. Numenius thought it far more likely that it was just because people liked things to explode when they were excited.

"Festival of Liberation huh?"

If they could liberate themselves from an oppressive government... he could liberate himself from the weight in his chest and do at least something that he wanted to do. He couldn't push himself to kiss Nicolas yet. Instead his hand came down and took Nicolas' own, threading his fingers between Nicolas'.

They fit perfectly.

"I like it."

@Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

“Uh huh.” He answered, smiling. Although his gaze said little and moved nowhere but in the sky, he could feel the hand caressing his own. A second later, their fingers intertwined in the sand. In a moment like that, Nicolás tended to hurl another flirt or lighten the atmosphere. Instead, he stayed and savored in the silence. Not an awkward one. Neither very strange. It was only another moment shared between the two men that would last for as long as they lived. It was also perhaps the first time Nicolás felt his cheeks burn red and heart race. Of all the relationships he had, nothing compared to his with Numenius. Was he his everything? Not yet. Even so, that word bounced around his head: yet.

Fireworks burst overhead. A dozen colors ignite across the otherwise black night, shining a light over the ocean that no amount of stars in the sky could do. Even now, the endless stars above were only a backdrop as they stood against the vivid lights of each firework, set aside by every organic streak of blue and red and yellow. It was a show that would be forever etched into his mind, and with Numenius at his side, etched also into his heart. Senator Cormond would hate the sight, despise the cliche surrounding each man, writhe at the idea that he could so easily give into some random display of colors. But he wasn’t Senator Cormond anymore. He was Nicolás, and he was savoring every second.

“I love it.” He said, only to blink several times after. To anyone else, it might seem like just a word. An aimless comment that deserved no attention. Though for Nico, it was much more than that. He hadn’t used the word love for as long as he could remember. It was too strong for his taste. Still, that didn’t stop him from saying it now. Because it was true to him: he loved it. The fireworks, the glittering ocean, the man close beside him and the feeling in the air. Nevertheless, he also felt cheesy. As much as he wanted to top the moment off with a lean-in kiss, fitting for the cinemas and capable of sending blood out of the nose of any female who watched, he only turned and smiled. There was still a question that had to be asked.

He glanced to the sand between them. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, but…” He trailed off for a moment, reluctant to ruin the moment. Either way, he needed to know. “Will you come to Brentaal with me? I— don’t want to be alone when I confront my father.” He continued to avert his gaze for another second until he finally locked eyes with Numenius. Was he afraid? No. But he was worried. It had been years since he saw his father, the same father who cast him aside and into a position he never wanted. At least he saw now the good that came of it—

—he had met Numenius.

@Nefieslab

 

[Numenius Pax]

He hadn't known he had been missing moments like this in his life until he was having one, right now. It was like he hadn't had the faintest idea of what he wanted until it was right there, right in his hand. Was it really that simple? Was it so simple as to realise that he had been looking for this feeling for so long without knowing it?

This... sense of something like acceptance but somehow more.

So when Nicolas said that he loved it? Well... Numenius' heart skipped a beat as he processed that the last word of the sentence had actually been "it" and not... well, not what he had both hoped and feared what it could have been. But then he thought about it for a moment and he couldn't help but smile a Nicolas, his focus almost entirely on his eyes to the point where he almost missed the way the other senator's cheeks reddened.

Had it been anyone else he might have made a joke, might have pulled fun at them but this wasn't anyone else was it? This was Nicolas.

"I love it too."

He wasn't aware that he wanted to say that until he just couldn't help himself and the words were tumbling forth from him and by the time he realised what he was saying it didn't matter.

He agreed with what he'd said.

Swallowing thickly, Numenius' face flushed red and that was just at the first joke response he had thought about... and he hadn't even said it yet!

"T-taking me home already Nico?" he tried to joke but the blush was strong and he was quick to blurt, "Yes!"

Oh god...

"The answer... yes is the answer. I... well I want to be there... you know... with you..."

@Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

“Good— good.” He gave a thin smile and a soft chuckle, glad to know Numenius was so willing to go. He expected the other man knew about his reputation there, either as the cutthroat merchant in his youth or the bastard son who was disavowed by his own father. He was always afraid that he knew, but when he looked into those eyes and those red cheeks, he realized now that the man didn’t see that darker side of him. That was maybe among the only times anyone saw him that way. In truth, perhaps the first and only time, save for the mother he never knew.

His father saw him as a tool. His brother had seen him as a rival. The former Chancellor saw him as an enemy attempting to take her place. Senator Adasca saw him as the cold-blooded and corrupt swindler who taunted and despised, even if his actions had never killed anyone, even if his only prime purpose was retribution and restoration of his name on Brentaal. Nobody in the Senate saw beyond the shell he had wrapped himself under. Nobody expect Numenius. What they shared was nothing Nicolás had ever felt before. Before, when they were in the water, he had his doubts. He was hesitant of the idea of love. But hearing his answer and knowing now his devotion, he realized the truth.

A sliver of water mounted in each eye, but of course, he didn’t cry. Never. Still, he wanted to. “Thank you. Really— thank you.” His fingers tightened on the other man’s. Fireworks continued to blossom and burst over the night sky. That was when Nicolás finally leaned in, not to kiss, but to hug. It was strange to feel what he felt after so many years of being unloved. For the first time in a long time, his shell was cracking. It didn’t take only a matter of words or how long he looked at him or the way he listened. It was when he held him, when he felt his touch, that he melted right through. Nicolás hated being a cheesy romantic, but here he was, doing just that.

And he loved it. He loved Numenius Pax.

End Thread.​