Work Text:
With arms crossed over his chest, Innes stood against a pillar, observing his surroundings. The decor, the dress, the drink… All appropriate for a celebration, Innes supposed, but for a coronation? Perhaps this was the tradition in Renais, but the festive air felt at odds with the solemnity of coronation. Tana and guests from all over the continent were drifting about the room, treating this like any other party, while Innes' eyes repeatedly flitted towards the biggest crowd, the center of attention.
King Ephraim, of course. Dressed in all his robed glory, with a crown atop his head, looking incredibly handsome and regal. Innes swallowed and pushed down that observation as far back in his mind as he could.
Which was the moment Tana decided to pay Innes a social call, surprising him and nearly sending him off-balance.
"Hiding off to the side? This isn't like you, Innes."
"Tana." Innes stiffly nodded at his sister, a stark contrast in demeanor to Tana who had approached him mimicing a free-form dance. "Enjoying yourself?"
"Yes!" Tana laughed. "It is nice to see everyone and talk to them. Which is not what you are doing at all." She sighed. "What are you waiting for?"
"I am waiting for an appropriate time to congratulate…King Ephraim."
Innes almost slipped and said Ephraim's name without proper address out in public. King… They were no longer equals in social standing. It would take a moment to get used to.
Tana laughed once more. "You're going to be waiting a long time if you just stand there. Just get over there already!"
Innes shook his head. He was fine with waiting; actually, while he was waiting he could partake in some drink. Not because he was embarrassed to be called out by Tana for acting like a wallflower.
One glass of wine procured and consumed later, Innes debated which path to take to return to a waiting spot when he noticed a change in the way people were scattered about the room. Something was causing people to move…someone was causing them to move. Ephraim…?
Ephraim was moving in Innes' direction. Well, Innes supposed it was time to make his move in response. He could feel everyone's eyes turned towards him and Ephraim, stepping aside and watching as the two men approached each other. Innes internally was pleased that the path opened up wide; he may only be a Prince, but to be recognized as an important person never hurt his pride.
"Thank you for coming, Innes."
While Ephraim greeted Innes with a warm smile, Innes gave Ephraim a stiff nod in response. "Of course I would be here." He paused to clear his throat. "Congratulations on your coronation." Then he managed to return Ephraim's smile.
Ephraim stuck his right hand out, which Innes found to be a little odd, but perhaps Ephraim wanted to shake hands? As some kind of acknowledgment of their exchange of greetings and congratulations? Although somewhat confused, Innes reached out with his own right hand. The next moment happened so quickly Innes could not say what came first, Ephraim's mouth on his or the tug on his hand that caused him to stumble forward, to a publicly inappropriate distance.
For this was nowhere near proper… To kiss on the lips in front of an audience of hundreds? This was no marriage ceremony, this was merely…
"W-why did you—"
"I'm King now." Ephraim had flashed Innes a grin upon breaking the kiss, and said grin was growing as fast as the red flush on Innes' skin. "I can do what I want."
Innes did hear, did somewhat understand words, but… "But not…"
This was not right. Even if Innes totally disregarded Ephraim's complete lack of care for public propriety… Where was this all coming from? Innes wondered if he had not sufficiently hidden his affection for Ephraim, a love he had assumed was doomed to being unrequited. Ephraim could have anyone as his partner. Tana, L'Arachel…or if he were to go for the same gender, Seth or Kyle… Was Ephraim teasing Innes? Or did Ephraim feel something as well…
"Are you asking for another one?" Ephraim tsked, his eyes shining with mirth. "Are you going to be demanding of a king—"
"Shut up!"
Innes could not take any more of that teasing look. He did not want to hear any more of what Ephraim wanted to say. He was riled up, it was Ephraim's fault, and he was going to kiss that man to shut him up!
Yes, even to the sound of wolf whistling. Maybe Gerik and the mercenary crew were being obnoxious out there. But since this was already so embarrassing and his reputation ruined after that first kiss, Innes went all in with this kiss. Because he might as well enjoy something about this moment, consequences be damned.
(An uncomfortable conversation with his father would be one such consequence, but by the time it happened, Innes had determined that he didn't regret what had happened at the coronation one bit. Not when his memory of how Ephraim's mouth felt on his could tide him over until they next met...)